“Romantasy” books (books that combine romance and fantasy elements) have become a lot more popular since the COVID-19 lockdowns, with some of the more popular romantasy books garnering millions of reviews on the book review website, Good Reads.

Readers are escaping reality by reading these fantasy books that take place in fictional worlds.

But it begs the question, why are so many people choosing to escape our current world to a fantasy world?

I can’t speak for every reader, but I truly think romantasy books have become so popular because of the politics in the books.

Almost every romantasy book has a corrupt leader or king, lying and manipulating their people, which some days isn’t very far off from what we deal with in the real world.

The difference is that throughout these books, something is done to stop the corrupt leaders. Wrongs are righted in a way where the hero has no malicious intent and only wants to better the kingdom and land. Which I can honestly say is something I hope happens in our world every single day.

It’s not just about seeing good being brought about by a new, better leader, but also who exactly that new leader is.

It’s not your normal politicians, middle- aged white men in thousand-dollar suits, but rather women.

I always say the books are written by women for women, and that shines through in this aspect.

After a long day of hearing all this horrible and saddening news, it’s nice to escape to a world where a woman like me can change the course of the world and actually help people.

Women who sometimes don’t even want the burden of being in charge, but do it to better the world. Women with flaws, secrets, and baggage. Women who have fought against everything, gone through so many trials and tribulations, and still come out victorious.

It’s a nice change to the news media we see. Things actually getting fixed, by someone who truly has no other intentions but to better the world.

But obviously, the real thing that draws most people to these books is the romance aspect of it.

Men who actually put in effort, who love you, flaws and all.

What first drew me to these book was these men who stand beside the woman, not in front. Who fight beside them and are proud of their accomplishments even if it outshines their own.

They don’t try to hold the female characters back, or force them into boxes.

On top of that, they also show their love through actions and words of affirmation, which for many is a huge change from real life men who often leave them on “delivered.”

And don’t get me wrong these men are described as very attractive, but that's not what women are looking for. Everyone has a different type so it’s impossible for every reader to love the looks of the character but the actions are what shine through.

I think the real world could learn a thing or two from these romantasy books, and I truly can’t think of a better way to escape the real world for a little while then travelling to a fantasy world with hot men and badass female leads.