Why Is the Latest Book by the 'Taylor Swift of Romantasy' Sparking Backlash?

With midnight launches, blockbuster sales and billions of views on TikTok, romantasy has emerged as one of the publishing industry's biggest commercial success stories.

Yet, despite its enormous popularity, the genre—which blends fantasy with female-focused romantic and erotic themes—continues to face criticism and dismissal from mainstream literary circles.

Guardian Australia's lifestyle editor, Alyx Gorman, joins Taylah Strano to explore the worldwide rise of romantasy and the controversy surrounding the latest novel by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas.