‘Book Boyfriends’ and ‘Shadow Daddies’: the men cashing in on romantasy

Six hours into a fantasy ball, actor Zach Harrison is sweating. Heâs been wearing handmade leather armor, huge boots, and heavy six-foot bat wings all night, all while ballroom dancing and taking pictures with hundreds of fans without taking a break. But theyâre not here to see Harrison. Theyâre here to meet Cassian, Lord of […]

Apr 11, 2025 - 15:10

‘Book Boyfriends’ and ‘Shadow Daddies’: the men cashing in on romantasy

Digital collage of a hand holding an open book with two Polaroid photos of a handsome, winged man, with roses and hearts around.

Six hours into a fantasy ball, actor Zach Harrison is sweating. Heâs been wearing handmade leather armor, huge boots, and heavy six-foot bat wings all night, all while ballroom dancing and taking pictures with hundreds of fans without taking a break.

But theyâre not here to see Harrison.

Theyâre here to meet Cassian, Lord of Bloodshed: a 500-year-old faerie who commands the army of the Night Court. For one night at a time, Harrison dons his elaborate costume and brings to life a beloved character from Sarah J. Maasâ smash hit romantasy book series A Court of Thorns and Roses, performing at balls across the United States and beyond.

@bookboundevents Let us know your favoritesððº #bookboundstarfall2023 #bookbound #starfallball #bookishball #bookishevent #bookbesties #starfallgown #fantasyoutfit #fantasygown â¬ original sound – Book Bound

Boosted by BookTok, the skyrocketing success of romantasy â a genre that mixes romance and fantasy â is changing what it means to engage with books. Fell in love with a faerie king on the page? It doesnât have to be a private experience. With the help of TikTokâs book community and its own influencers, thereâs a gro …

Read the full story at The Verge.