Recapping Romantasy
Join Tabitha, Emma, and Maura as they journey through dragon schools and fairy kingdoms, breaking down your favorite romantasy books with unhinged tangents, ever-reliable hot takes, and absolute class. Spoilers found within!
Episodes
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy & Sequel Whatever It’s Called
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura are back with the Dearly Beloathed duology which consists of The Irresistible Urge to Fall in Love With Your Enemy and The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy also by Brigitte Knightley. We’re back to recording in person so this episode is full of chaos, laughs, and a lot of tangents about Naruto.EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for the books and episode: The I
The Isle in the Silver Sea: Book Club Chaos!
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura toss their usual notes and embrace chaos! Did Tasha Suri write the perfect book? The Isle in the Silver Sea was so good we couldn’t recap it (maybe because of the summer malaise that made us take an unscheduled break in our pod schedule--sorry about that), so we got together and book clubbed it instead. Did it work? Not at all. Is it even a little bit coherent? Also no. Bu
In the Veins of the Drowning: What makes a twink?
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura get wet & wild as they recap In the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy. We argue about whether Jacob Elordi would qualify as a twink and Emma mentions Pirates of the Caribbean way too much for a story that doesn't mention pirates at all. EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for In the Veins of the Drowning Enjoy our recaps? Buy us a kofi! 💗Follow us:TikT
Mate: Wet, Wild, and Somehow Even Wetter
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura put on their flannels and try to stay dry in the Den (aka Olympia, Washington)! Mate by Ali Hazelwood is the sequel to Bride, which we absolutely loved. This time it’s human-werewolf hybrid Serena’s turn at alpha love with Koen, leader of the Northwest pack and lover of insults favored by 14-year-old boys. Unfortunately Serena has a lot to learn about wolf life, and the va
Phantasma: It doesn’t have to make sense to you
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura pack their trunks and enter Phantasma! What’s your greatest fear? Ours is chaotic previously self-published romantasies that get picked up by big publishers and then distributed with no thought or editing! Ophelia Grimm enters Phantasma to save her sister from her own decisions, immediately stumbles into a hot anime ghost, and struggles to not fall in love. Beware the over
Married to the Alien Cowboy: The Dick is Out of this World
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura saddle up with Married to the Alien Cowboy by Ursa Dax! Cherry is a human woman running from a crime lord, and Silar is an alien convict who has agreed to participate in a mail-order bride program for his prison planet. What could go wrong? Cherry and her beloved cast iron pan are about to find out.EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for MARRIED TO THE ALIEN COWBOY a
City of Bones: She Shadowhunts My Mortal Instrument Until I Bone
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about City of Bones by Cassandra Clare! Is this the episode where we get canceled? God, we hope not! EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for book and and episode: attempted murder, murder, character death, child abuse, homophobia, kidnapping, memory manipulation (nonconsensual), violence, graphic content, swearing, and haterade. Enjoy our recaps? Buy us a kofi!
Alisode: Ali Hazelwood's 2025 Novellas
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura ring in the new year with Ali Hazelwood! SO MUCH ALI HAZELWOOD.We all know Ali Hazelwood was busy in 2025. In today’s episode we cover the three novellas she published (First, Hot For Slayer, Bound) in what appears to be a descent into madness, but in a fun way. EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS for the fate of Eleven in Stranger Things. Enjoy our recaps? Buy us a kofi! 💗Follow u
2025 Reading Wrap-up: Our Highs, Mids, and Lows
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura break down the 2025 books they loved, loathed, and were just kind of...meh. Expect Ali Hazelwood, Heated Rivalry, and an unusual amount of Shrek.Thank you to everyone who subscribed and listened to us this year! We plan to bring you a fresh batch of episodes in 2026, as well as some fun surprises! Stay tuned...Enjoy our recaps? Buy us a kofi! 💗Follow us:TikTok: recap.rom
Christmas Monster Episode: Be Not Afraid
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura get into the holiday spirit with Krampus, eggnog flavored fluids, and Christmas cloacas! Join us as we recap, "Cry for Krampus" by Aiden Pierce, "Christmas with the Monster" by Sabrina Cross, and "Kissed by the Krampus" by L Eveland.EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for the episode and books discussed: strong language, sexual content,
Blood of Hercules: Hic Liber Stercus Est
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura warp time with Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas! In our longest episode to date (because we couldn't help ourselves), we deconstruct this dark romantasy based on a chaotic blend of Greek myth and contemporary mafia books. What happens when a girl who has never been hugged befriends an invisible snake and unwittingly falls into the path of four men with more neck tattoo
Halloween Monster Romance: Spooky Scary Cloacas
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura are at it again, recapping three spine-tingling monster romances that are sure to delight (and terrify!) you this Halloween!EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for books and episode:Twi-Flight by Luna Cantrip: sexual contentMoaning For the Monsters by Wendi Guff: sexual contentSoul Eater by Lily Mayne: torture, violence, homophobia, death, sexual contentEnjoy our rec
A Curse Carved in Bone: Descend into Hel
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura cover A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen! This is book 2 in the Saga of the Unfated series. Listen along as Emma loses her mind, Mara keeps it cool, and Tabitha sprinkles in lots of Norse/Viking trivia. EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for A Curse Carved in BoneReferences in this episode:What We Do in the Shadows - The Deacon DanceMurphy, Luke John, Heid
From Blood and Ash - Part 2: Sucking on Honeydew
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura recap From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout! Poppy is about to go to Prom and maybe finally kiss her sexy guard Hawke, but somehow it all goes wrong and somehow we talk about hiking through the African desert, whether sleeveless tops look good on men, and why romance authors always seem to compare certain bodily fluids to fruit...This is Part 2 of our FBAA recap. EP
From Blood and Ash - Part 1: Craven that DICK
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura recap From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout! Poppy is a sheltered virgin who can't drive because she has spent most of her life being "pure" for the gods, but then she gets a new guard, Hawke. He is competent, sexy, and a little morally gray. This is Part 1 of our FBAA recap. EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for book and episode. Enjoy our re
Behooved: My Kingdom For A Horse-Man
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura gallop along with Behooved by M. Stevenson! Have you ever wanted your romantasy love interests to be less batty and more horsey? Then Behooved might be the book for you. Join us as we road trip with horse-by-day Aric, heir apparent to a sad, gray kingdom, and Bianca, his reluctant bride, as they race against the clock to crown him king while rooting out the traitors in the
Minisode: Demons, Furries, & Pasta
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura are up their usual antics with another round of monster romances! This time we tell each other about demon lovers, furry alien wolf-men, and otherworldly cursed pasta. We apologize in advance.Books Covered:Impasta Syndrome by Calla MyttieKnotted by the Wolf Prince by Delaney RainI Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend by Jessica CageEPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warni
Swordcrossed: All’s Wool that Ends Wool
Tabitha, Emma, and Maura duel with Swordcrossed by Freya Marske! Aristocratic anxious-boy Matti learns the finer art of swordplay from ginger goblin Luca, while also trying to save his wool-trading family from financial ruin via an arranged marriage. Come for the promise of sword metaphors, stay for the wool mystery! EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for book and episode: violence, death t
Quicksilver: Not So Fast
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura finally cover Quicksilver by Callie Hart! We discuss tall dark broody men and argue over whether Carrion Swift should have been the main love interest. IYKYK 😏EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for book and episode: graphic language, graphic violence, sexual content, war themes, and references to sexual violence and sex work Join our newsletter! Follow us:TikTok:
Lore of the Wilds: The tone! THE TONE!
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura have some thoughts about Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana! This book and its absolutely stunning cover promises fae males aplenty, a fully Black cast, and an enchanted library. We are sat. But does it deliver? Listen on for our deranged thoughts on how the publishing industry may need to take a cleansing breath and let romantasy authors write something that isn’t for a
An Education in Malice: Spreading Cheeks for Vampire Freaks
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura chat about the immaculate vibes of Education in Malice by ST Gibson. Vibes include dark academia, sultry poetry, lesbian vampires, collegiate rituals, and a virgin freshman. EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for book: Uneven power dynamics, violence, murder, blood, consensual sexual content, substance use, homophobia (mentioned).Join our newsletter! Follow us:TikT
Trope Talk: The Omegaverse
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about alphas, omegas, betas, knots, nests, heats, and slick... If you have no idea what any of that means or you loved Ali Hazelwood's Bride but you want to learn about this weird world before she releases the sequel, listen along as we explain how the omegaverse got started, what it is, and why we can't stop reading romantasy books with it. Content warnings for episo
Onyx Storm - Part 2: Slide Whistle
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura continue to be confused by Onyx Storm! Join us as we island hop, but not in a fun way. Meanwhile, Xaden slips into existential despair. Violet’s second signet is a downer. And Dain gets super sexy inexplicably fast. We see you, Dain. We appreciate you.Psst - If you’ve got a Dain/Sloane fanfic recommendation leave it in the comments!EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings
Onyx Storm - Part 1: Sixth Wing
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura put on their flight leathers and do battle with Onyx Storm! In this first part we ask: do you know what’s happening? Because we don’t. Who are all of these people? Why are we doing this? Is Violet actually smart? Is Dain the real hero? And where are these islands, anyway?EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSBook Covered: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, book three of Fourth Wing.Content
One Dark Window: Magic Solitaire
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura exploreOne Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, wherein a girl lives in a Tim Burton-esque fantasy land where misty forests kill people at random. Don’t worry, her strapping love interest is on the case! It's just a few days away from one whole year as a podcast! We want to thank anyone and everyone who listens and especially those extra special people out there who subscribe
Crown of Midnight: Assassin Fatigue
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura recap Crown of Midnight, the second book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas! We might have broken Tabitha this episode as this was the 6th SJM book that we made her read in a year. So listen along as we slowly torture her by trying to convince her that this book was good!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS!
Content warnings for this book can be found on the Trigger War
A Court of Frost and Starlight: A "Christmas" Special
❄️ Happy Solstice everyone! ❄️
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura celebrate Solstice (aka Christmas) with the Night Court in this episode about A Court of Frost and Starlight! Listen along as we discuss classic Christmas topics like misogyny, mansplaining, alcoholism, the ethics of art therapy, squirting, and inappropriate gifts for your friends!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for book and epi
Taste of Gold and Iron: Small Magics and Scheduling Conflicts
Join Tabitha, Maura, and Emma as they read a story set in a fantasy kingdom inspired by Turkish culture.
Fragile porcelain mouse Prince Kadou, is second to the throne and riddled with anxiety. After a little snafu with the sultan’s baby daddy that leaves some people dead, he is given a new, hyper disciplined bodyguard, Evemer. Between the conspiracy to weaken the dynasty, busting a counterfeit op
A Court of Wings and Ruin - Part 2: World War Fae
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura dive into the politics, war, and love with A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas! Is it more political intrigue and bloody battles or more high school drama and slap fights? Listen to hear our thoughts, feelings, hot takes!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for the book can be found here. Episodes include strong language and descriptions of book content.
A Court of Wings and Ruin - Part 1: Femme Fatale Feyre
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura cover ACOWAR, book 3 of the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas.
Listen along as we discuss Feyre's rebirth as a secret spy hellbent on destroying the Spring Court from the inside and then as she returns as High Lady to rule the Night Court who is on the brink of war! Listen to hear our thoughts, feelings, hot takes!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for the book c
Trope Talk: Alternate Universe
Join us for a new Trope Talk. This episode: Alternative Universe. How do you define the genre? What is the appeal? Does it all, once again, come back to Star Trek?
Content warnings: explicit language
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The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Vampire Daddy Issues
Emma, Maura, and Tabitha read all about the adventures of a vampire kingdom’s adopted human daughter. In her desire to join her father in immortality, she embarks on a dangerous series of trials. Although she is surrounded by people who want to eat her, she forms an unlikely alliance with a couple of vamps, one of whom is super hot and gives good banter. Will she stay the course and join vampire d
Minisode: Cambric Creek
Emma, Tabitha and Maura get wet and wild with the creatures from CM Nascosta's Cambric Creek series! Like our Monster Romance minisode, we each read a book in her series and take you along as we explore the beautifully weird and romantic world that she has created.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS!
Content Warnings: Lots of fluid, non-human anatomy, covid talk, graphic sexual content, infertility is
A Fate Inked in Blood: Viking Love/Berserker Rage
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about fictional (and real) Vikings!
Want your romantasy with some Viking flair? Look no further! A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen has meddling gods, people with super powers, and half-naked men with undercuts. But did we love it? Listen to find out!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for A Fate Inked In Blood and episode:
Profanity, violence, expli
Minisode: Monster Romances
Werewolves, and Orcs, and…Doors?
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura get weird with a monster romance roundup! Today we’re covering The Alpha’s Warlock by Eliot Grayson, Unhinged by Vera Valentine, and The Orc From the Office by Kate Prior. What do they all have in common? MMCs of dubious humanity, that’s what. One is a werewolf, one is an orc, and one is a door. You heard us. A door.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILE
A Court of Mist and Fury - Part 2: Stew Crew
Emma, Maura, and Tabitha tackle the much anticipated sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Part two of book two of the series, we bring you A Court of Mist and Fury. Everyone still has PTSD, a war is still brewing, and we get more descriptions of food than you would think for such drama.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS!
Content warnings for ACOMAF
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A Court of Mist and Fury - Part 1: Love and Chunder
Emma, Maura, and Tabitha tackle the much anticipated sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses.
We pick back up with all of our PTSD riddled characters after the events Under the Mountain, and see what new hell comes for them. Feyre learns to navigate her new life as a fae being and sort out which hunky beau she wants. Meanwhile, a war is brewing!
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS!
Content warnings for ACOM
Trope Talk: Hurt/Comfort
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura discuss one of our favorite tropes: hurt/comfort!
Tabitha leads us through a deep dive of hurt/comfort as we discuss whumping, woobies, magical healing body parts, and examples of hurt/comfort in published and unpublished fiction.
Content warnings: explicit language, discussion of sexual content, and mentions of injury, harm, emotional distress, and angst
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Throne of Glass: More ballgowns than you’d expect
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about Sarah J. Maas’s first novel, Throne of Glass.
We ask: what is this book, even? A lengthy prologue? A Cinderella retelling? How did it launch an empire? Come with us as we go back in time to 2012 and the YA literature landscape that changed the world.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for Throne of Glass
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Iron Flame: aka Fifth Wing
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura rant and rave about Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros!
We talk about wet leather, PDA, miscommunication, luminaries, ward stones, and dragon-sized plot holes.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings:
Sexual content, physical torture, imprisonment, brutal injuries, perilous situations, blood, dismemberment, burning, murder, death, alcohol, and animal death
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Ice Planet Barbarians: Big Blue Cooties
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about one of the OG booktok title, Ice Planet Barbarians! We talk about 7ft tall blue alien simps who will do anything for these women as long as these girls eat a little worm.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Content warnings for IPB and episode:
Abduction, dubious consent, murder, rape, sexism, violence, swearing.
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Minisode: The TikTokification of Fanfiction
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura chat about two of their favorite things: TikTok and fanfiction.
New to fanfic? Or maybe you’re an AO3 pro. Either way, welcome! We’re getting into the academic weeds with the history of fanfiction: what it is, what it’s become, and where it’s going. Also learn about our obsession with Supernatural and Dramione. There might also be a shout out to Dark Angel if you squint.
F
Bride: Hazelwood, you’ve done it again
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura talk about their favorite book of the year so far—Bride by Ali Hazelwood.
It’s no secret. We love Ali Hazelwood. Bride has everything you’ll ever want: enemies-to-lovers, Underworld if it was a romcom, and omegaverse?! Truly, a better book has not been written.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Transcript at: bit.ly/recapping_romantasy_bride
Content warnings:
Mention of death, blo
A Court of Thorns and Roses: The OG Fairy Smut
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura enter Prythian to explore A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas on this week’s episode of Recapping Romantasy!
It’s a story old as time: a girl transforms a man into husband material, only this time he’s an immortal fairy and she’s an illiterate mortal with IBS. Tangents include underwear, Coneheads, and the universal disappointment in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Trope Talk: Enemies to Lovers
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura introduce Trope Talk!
Enemies-to-Lovers is all the rage, but what makes it impossible to resist? Today we explore why this trope calls to us, the books that do it remarkably well, and those that could have had it all, but fell short. Expect Pride and Prejudice fangirling, Dramione, and Reylo.
Spoilers for Pride and Prejudice, Iron Flame, ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash.
Tra
Fall of Ruin and Wrath: Sexy Sweet Potatoes
Recapping Romantasy is hosting a GIVEAWAY for one copy of For Ruin and Wrath on our Instagram. Enter to win by midnight on March 8, 2024!
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura recap this new series from Jennifer Armentrout about a clairvoyant with an unknown past and her love for a boy with magical, healing kisses. Follow along as they try to learn what they mean to each other while navigating the peril of war
Fourth Wing: Sex-Foot-Everything
Emma, Tabitha, and Maura dissect Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing on this week’s episode of Recapping Romantasy!
Listen to learn what Romantasy is and the background of Fourth Wing’s publication. Then we break down what happens in the book. Tangents include Outlander, 90s tribal tattoos, and the ethics of poison.
EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERS
Transcript at: https://bit.ly/recapping_romantasy_fourthwi
Trailer
Join Tabitha, Emma, and Maura as they journey through dragon schools and fairy kingdoms, breaking down your favorite romantasy books with unhinged tangents, ever-reliable hot takes, and absolute class. Spoilers found within!
Follow us on TikTok at recap.romantasy
Find the transcript for this episode at http://bit.ly/recapping_romantasy_trailer
Music credit: Ian Aisling
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