Let's talk about 'Dark Romance' - a deep dive into BookTok's fave genre | The Open Book Podcast EP 8

[@alannapenner37]

I can absolutely see publishers adding age-related ratings to books like movies have because of this discussion.

[@renfrances]

i think they should! i hate censoring, especially when it comes to reading but i do think very young people are being exposed to such awful things in the name of ‘romance’ and i do think it’s gonna have the wrong impact

[@aromaladyellie]

I don’t think these are “dark romance” I think people are co-opting the genre to make it about DV. Missing the point. I think the actual genre is more nuanced and different than that. I think the way it’s written now has power imbalance which takes it from “dark romance” to “domestic violence”. IMO “dark romance” should be two people who will literally burn the world for each other. Her just as much as him. I know this is maybe a little niche but a great example in my head is Delilah and Silas Briarwood from Critical Role/Legend of Vox Machina. THEY are “dark romance”. The toxicity has to be on both ends. I think it’s a hard genre to write and it’s easy to make it abuse.

[@aardbeimilkshake]

I think you would like Butcher & Blackbird then! Both MC's are serial unalivers which makes them equals as people. It's also written like a romcom which makes it super funny

[@renfrances]

@@aardbeimilkshakeokay i kinda wanna read this one too