While I was in England I was introduced to “fairy smut” by our niece (she is in her thirties by the way). Sometimes the world surprises you in ways that make you smile.
Acotar—A Court of Thorns and Roses
Invited to lunch, we asked Cate about her book collection. Rather sheepishly she told us most of her books were “fairy smut”. She is a fan of Acotar—i.e. “A Court of Thorns and Roses”—a series of books by Sarah J Maas. It was my birthday a few days later and I can only say thank you for the book, Cate—I promise I will read it soon.
Sarah J Maas the fairy smut queen
Maas, I discover, is one of the world’s best-selling authors. She has sold more than 70 million copies in English and is published in thirty-eight languages. Maas fans call themselves Maasassins.
Maas has written three fairy smut series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City. Throne of Glass was originally titled Queen of Glass, but Maas changed it to leverage off the success of Game of Thrones (a medieval fantasy TV series not without its share of smut—so I am told).
Acotar is accredited with launching fairy smut into the world. Other major books include Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series. The latest, Onyx Storm, became the fastest selling adult novel in 20 years when it was released in January 2025. Book reviewer, Claire Mabey, suggests that because Onyx Storm doesn’t have fairies but does have dragons, leather, and sex it should be, instead, “dragon smut”.
What is fairy smut?
“Fairy smut” is an affectionate term (and it seems far more apt) for “romantasy” (a fantasy romance novel).
Fantasy fiction is set in some magical world, often derived from myths and featuring magical creatures. It sometimes includes ideas or events from the real world, especially from the medieval period of history. Fantasy fiction includes Lord of the Rings and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
Here “romantasy” is more bodice-ripping romance than serenading a balcony romance. A “bodice ripper” being a disparaging and contentious term for a sexually explicit romantic novel or film with a historical setting (first used in 1981). Some prefer “spicy”.
Regencycore, Medievalcore & Weirdieval
“Fairy smut” based on what is happening with other genres, not a surprising trend. The Brigerton series (begun in 2020) is an American alternative-history regency TV romance series “for those who love Pride & Prejudice but wish it had more stairway sex”.
Bridgeton is credited with creating Regencycore (or Royalcore)—a fashion inspired by early 19th-century European clothing. Similarly, the fairy smut movement has fashionistas predicting that Medievalcore (sometimes Castlecore) will be one of 2025’s rising trends. Weirdieval was a fashion trend of 2022 combining Weird Girl core with Medievalcore. Weird girl refers to a kind of look—harmoniously mismatched, multi-layered and individualistic.
My fairy journey
I am not sure where reading my first fairy smut book is going to take me, but lets see if it has wings.