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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ella Creamer

A genre of swords and soulmates: the rise and rise of ‘romantasy’ novels

Sarah J Maas.
Rockstar treatrment … Sarah J Maas. Photograph: SFX Magazine/Getty Images

It was approaching midnight on Monday when author Sarah J Maas entered a New York City bookstore to surprise fans celebrating the imminent publication of her latest novel, House of Flame and Shadow. As she walked towards the stage, wearing a Valentino bouclé tweed skirt, the crowd realised what was happening, and began to scream.

“Look at you guys, what the fuck? This is amazing!” she shouted. Not many authors are treated to a rockstar reception like this – but Maas’s books, the most popular of which are the Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, have sold 37m copies worldwide in 38 languages.

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