Sales of adult fantasy – and in particular, romantasy – have led to good first half figures in the US. Publishers Weekly reports: ‘Results for the first half of 2024 leave no question about what is driving sales: adult fantasy sales skyrocketed 85.2% over the first six months of 2023 thanks to a huge increase in interest in romantasy.’
Two authors are driving these figures: Sara J Maas and Rebecca Yaros. They are leading the fantasy charge. Yarros’ Iron Flame and Fourth Wing combined to sell about 1.1 million copies during the first half of 2024, while Maas had seven books selling in big numbers, led by A Court of Thorns and Roses, which sold more than 740,000 copies. Her seven current bestsellers combined sold more than three million copies.
The London Financial Times noted: ‘Maas has released more than a dozen books in the past 12 years, providing a conveyor belt of steamy, plot-heavy fantasy — dubbed “romantasy” — that has become a phenomenon in the publishing industry and a boon to Bloomsbury, the London outfit that enjoyed similar star-power after backing a young JK Rowling.’
Maas is also the off-track reading of one of the British team heading for the Paris Olympics.
