About BroMantasy

A Personal Note

I avoided romantasy books for years, convinced they weren't for me. What finally changed my mind was seeing J.J. Watt (former NFL Houston Texans star—whom I recently mixed up with Travis Kelce when telling this story!) reading A Court of Thorns and Roses. That was enough to convince me to give the genre a chance, and it completely transformed my perspective.

What I discovered was that the fantasy elements in these books often far outshine the romance, and the relationships added depth to the characters in ways I hadn't experienced before. This journey fundamentally changed how I approach reviewing books.

Now, I strive for balance—sharing my honest enjoyment while recognizing that others may appreciate the very elements I didn't connect with. I don't believe a book deserves a poor rating solely because it contains romance or any other single element I personally didn't enjoy. That said, I still recognize when books struggle with objective issues like problematic prose or pacing problems. I have yet to find a book I'd rate as low as 1-1.5 stars, which speaks to finding value in stories across the spectrum.

The philosophy behind BroMantasy is giving these books a fair chance, beyond the genre labels and marketing that might keep readers away.

BroMantasy provides a fresh male perspective on romantasy, fantasy romance, and speculative fiction with romantic elements—genres typically marketed toward women but filled with incredible worldbuilding, magic systems, and character development that everyone can enjoy.

Our Mission

We believe great stories shouldn't be overlooked based on their genre labels. Our mission is to bridge the gap between traditional high fantasy readers and the rich world of romantasy by highlighting the elements that make these books universally compelling:

  • Immersive world-building and magic systems
  • Epic battles and action sequences
  • Complex political intrigue
  • Memorable characters with depth and growth
  • Character development enhanced through romantic plotlines

Who Is BroMantasy For?

While our primary goal is to help fantasy-loving men discover romantasy books they might otherwise overlook, BroMantasy welcomes all readers regardless of gender. We're creating a community for:

  • High fantasy readers curious about romantasy but unsure where to start
  • Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives alongside epic fantasy elements
  • Anyone looking for honest, thoughtful reviews that focus on storytelling excellence
  • Romantasy fans interested in perspectives that highlight different aspects of these books

What We Cover

While our focus is on romantasy and fantasy romance, we also review:

  • Traditional epic and high fantasy
  • Science fiction with romantic elements
  • Urban fantasy
  • Speculative fiction across subgenres

Each review provides honest assessments of a book's world-building, character development, plot pacing, magic systems, and overall storytelling—with particular attention to how these elements interact with any romantic storylines.

Our Rating System

BroMantasy uses a comprehensive rating system that evaluates books across multiple categories:

  • Overall Rating: Our holistic assessment on a 5-star scale
  • World Building: How immersive and well-crafted is the setting?
  • Character Development: Are the characters complex, relatable, and do they grow?
  • Plot & Pacing: How engaging is the story and does it maintain momentum?
  • Magic System: How innovative, consistent, and integral to the story is the magic?
  • Writing Style: Is the prose engaging, clear, and effective?
  • Spice Level: How explicit is the romantic/intimate content?
  • Public Reading Comfort: Would you feel comfortable reading this in public?
  • Darkness Level: How dark or heavy are the themes explored?

Story Elements

World Building

The depth, originality, and consistency of the setting and its rules

Character Development

The complexity and growth of characters throughout the story

Plot & Pacing

The engagement and momentum of the storytelling

Magic System/Tech

The innovation and integration of magical or technological elements

Writing Style

The quality and engagement of the prose

Reader Experience

Between the Sheets (Spice)
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

How explicit the romantic content is in the book

Public Reading Comfort
😳 😳 😳 😳 😳

Whether you'd feel comfortable reading this in public

Darkness Factor
💀 💀 💀 💀 💀

The intensity of dark or disturbing content

OVERALL SCORE
4.00

Our final verdict, considering all aspects of the book

BroMantasy Rating Scale Breakdown

World-Building

  • 1.00 - Minimal world-building; generic setting with little detail
  • 2.00 - Basic world-building; familiar tropes with few unique elements
  • 3.00 - Solid world-building; interesting setting with some original elements
  • 4.00 - Exceptional world-building; rich, detailed environment with unique features
  • 5.00 - Masterful world-building; immersive, innovative universe that feels completely realized

Character Development

  • 1.00 - Flat characters with little to no growth
  • 2.00 - Basic character arcs; predictable development
  • 3.00 - Well-developed characters with clear motivations and growth
  • 4.00 - Complex characters with nuanced development and compelling arcs
  • 5.00 - Extraordinary character work; deeply layered individuals whose growth feels authentic and profound

Plot & Pacing

  • 1.00 - Slow or confusing plot with significant pacing issues
  • 2.00 - Predictable plot with occasional pacing problems
  • 3.00 - Engaging plot with generally good pacing
  • 4.00 - Compelling plot with well-balanced pacing and satisfying twists
  • 5.00 - Masterful storytelling with perfect pacing and unexpected yet earned developments

Magic System/Tech

  • 1.00 - Vague or inconsistent magic/technology with no clear rules
  • 2.00 - Basic magic/tech system with simple rules but limited exploration
  • 3.00 - Well-defined magic/tech with consistent rules and moderate complexity
  • 4.00 - Innovative magic/tech system with detailed rules and interesting applications
  • 5.00 - Exceptional magic/tech system with intricate, consistent rules that deeply impact the world and story

Writing Style

  • 1.00 - Basic prose with noticeable issues; difficult to engage with
  • 2.00 - Functional prose that gets the job done but rarely impresses
  • 3.00 - Solid writing with occasional moments of brilliance
  • 4.00 - Excellent prose that enhances the storytelling consistently
  • 5.00 - Masterful writing with distinctive voice and memorable passages

Between the Sheets (Spice) Level

  • 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
    1.00 - Barely There (chaste romance); you're here for the swords, not the sheets
  • 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
    2.00 - Light Play (passionate moments); present but not center stage
  • 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
    3.00 - Getting Serious (descriptive intimate scenes); definitely part of the experience
  • 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
    4.00 - Heavy Action (detailed encounters); equal emphasis on fantasy and physical relationships
  • 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
    5.00 - Full Throttle (explicit throughout); basically porn with a side of fantasy

Uncomfortable Reading In Public Level

  • 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
    1.00 - Could read on a crowded bus while making eye contact with strangers
  • 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
    2.00 - Occasional blush, but manageable in public
  • 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
    3.00 - Would definitely turn your phone screen away from neighbors
  • 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
    4.00 - Headphones required to avoid explaining unexpected sound effects
  • 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
    5.00 - Reading restricted to private locations to avoid explaining facial expressions

Darkness Factor

  • 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀
    1.00 - Light content with minimal violence or disturbing elements; suitable for most readers
  • 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀
    2.00 - Moderate dark elements (some violence, threats, or disturbing imagery); standard for the genre
  • 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀
    3.00 - Significant dark content (graphic violence, psychological horror); may unsettle sensitive readers
  • 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀
    4.00 - Heavy darkness (torture, graphic violence, trauma); challenging even for seasoned readers
  • 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀
    5.00 - Extreme darkness (brutal violence, explicit torture, severe trauma); potential trigger warnings necessary

Overall Score

The final rating is calculated as an average of all category scores, rounded to the nearest 0.25:

  • 1.00-1.75 - Not recommended for most readers
  • 2.00-2.75 - May appeal to dedicated fans of the subgenre
  • 3.00-3.75 - Solid read with strengths that outweigh weaknesses
  • 4.00-4.75 - Excellent book that stands out in the genre
  • 5.00 - Exceptional work that sets a new standard

Join Us

Whether you're a seasoned romantasy fan or a traditional fantasy reader curious about branching out, we invite you to explore our reviews and discover your next great read. Great storytelling transcends genre labels, and we're here to guide you to books that deliver epic adventures and meaningful character journeys.