Move over, Galentine’s Day, there’s a new celebration in town: Book Besties Night Out! Book clubs have always been a great way for readers to connect, but with the rise of BookTok, those communities — often centered around a particular title or genre — have gone national. One of the popular corners of the bookish internet, driven by the ultra-fame of series like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing, is the romantasy genre. A portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy,” it’s taken the book world by storm. 

I grew up reading paranormal romance and urban fantasy, and so, for me, the genre shift was exciting. I love the sweeping worldbuilding, the rich mythology and casts of fantastical creatures, and the devastating warriors. And, yes, I adore a good slow-burn romance. But what I’m drawn to especially is the centering of female rage, power, and pleasure. Not only can these women kick butt, their partners support them in doing so. 

As the manager of the Fall for the Book festival, I’m especially excited to finally be bringing romantasy directly into the community — and it’s free! On Tuesday, February 24th, at 7 p.m., we’re hosting For the Love of the Gods: A Night of Romantasy at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax, featuring Rachel Van Dyken, author of Fallen Gods, based on Norse mythology, and Alysha Rameera, author of Her Soul for a Crown, a novel based on Sri Lankan mythology.

The female protagonists in both novels are deadly and brave, and their love interests are dangerous. So, bring your book besties, grab a bite and a drink on the house, and sit back for mythological mischief and enemies-to-lovers romance!

Need a little more incentive? Kit Swann, who voices Bryce Quinlan in the graphic audio adaption of Sarah J. Maas’ Crescent City series, will be moderating! Reserve your free tickets here.

Suzy Rigdon’s short prose has been published in JMWW, Atlas & Alice, Coldnoon Magazine, and elsewhere. She is the manager of the Fall for the Book festival, as well as co-host of the Fall for the Book Podcast. She teaches at George Mason University.