The shadow-daddy phenomenon in romantasy exposes a troubling pattern: artfully glorifying morally ambiguous male characters while sidelining diverse narratives and perpetuating outdated tropes, much like the ongoing cultural battles over representation and gender dynamics in modern storytelling.
The landscape of contemporary romantasy has been dramatically shaped by a recurring character archetype: the “shadow daddy.” This character has become a hallmark of the genre, encapsulating a blend of mystery, danger, and intense romance. Defined as a morally gray bad boy with supernatural powers—particularly the ability to wield shadows—this archetype captures readers’ imaginations and has dominated bestseller lists, with notable examples including Xaden Riorson from Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series and several figures from Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thrones and Roses” series.
The appeal of shadow daddies lies in their complex nature: they are often portrayed as tall, dark, and handsome figures, exuding both strength and vulnerability. They typically manifest attributes such as a troubled past, scars, dark hair, and a brooding demeanor, combining violence with an emotional depth that makes them irresistible to the genre’s heroines. This fusion of love and danger can be traced back to the timeless trope of enemies-to-lovers, a narrative device that resonates with readers seeking both thrill and tenderness.
For example, Xaden Riorson serves as a compelling case study in this archetype. His backstory as the son of a rebel leader executed prior to the events of the series forms a foundation for his character’s moral ambiguity. His relationship with Violet, the daughter of the general responsible for his father’s death, is charged with tension, drawing readers into a world where love and loyalty are in constant conflict. This duality is further amplified through his supernatural ability to summon shadows, allowing him to protect Violet while simultaneously asserting his lethal capabilities against foes.
Critics and fans alike have noted the striking similarities that exist among various shadow daddies across different series. A Redditor’s description of this character archetype as being “OLD, like 500 years+, but looks young” emphasizes how these characters often challenge the notion of age while maintaining a youthful appearance, a feature that adds to their allure. Furthermore, the emphasis on racial ambiguity—often described as having “tawny” or “bronzed” skin—allows for a diverse interpretation of these characters’ identities, even if the majority of successful romantasy authors remain predominantly white.
The prevalence of shadow daddy characters can also be attributed to their roots in mythology, where figures representing darkness and chaos recur across cultures. From Hades and Pluto in Greek mythology to figures like Lucifer in literature, these archetypes represent a deep cultural fascination with the interplay between light and dark, good and evil. Many authors in the genre have drawn inspiration from such rich mythological tapestries, enhancing the authenticity and depth of their worlds.
Despite the widespread popularity and commercial success of the shadow daddy trope—most notably exemplified by Yarros’ “Onyx Storm,” which reported nearly 3 million sales within its first week—there is a growing sentiment among some readers of “shadow daddy burnout.” Such sentiments reflect a desire for innovation within the genre, as readers grapple with the limitations of repetitive character archetypes and narratives.
The shadow daddy archetype is not without its implications, particularly regarding gender dynamics and representation within the romantasy genre. While these characters are often celebrated for their depth and complexity, they can also perpetuate problematic notions about masculinity and relationships. The glorification of morally ambiguous characters may inadvertently reinforce traditional stereotypes that associate masculinity with dominance and aggression, as well as a propensity to ‘rescue’ female protagonists from their own dilemmas.
Moreover, while there are variations that challenge the conventional attributes of shadow daddies, the fact remains that many of the leading authors in the romantasy genre do not come from diverse backgrounds. This raises important questions about the scope of representation and the stories being told within this popular genre. N.K. Jemisin, an important voice in speculative fiction, provides a notable exception to this trend, introducing characters such as Nahadoth, the god of chaos, who further complicates the shadow daddy narrative by expanding notions of gender and power dynamics.
As the romantasy genre continues to evolve, the intersection of race, gender, and storytelling remains crucial to its future. Readers are increasingly seeking narratives that challenge the status quo, moving beyond familiar archetypes in favor of stories that reflect a broader spectrum of identities and experiences. This shift is essential not only for the growth of the genre but for the cultural conversations it ignites.
The shadow daddy phenomenon, while undeniably captivating, serves as a reminder that literature has the power to shape societal views. The romanticization of morally ambiguous male characters can offer thrilling escapism but also risks perpetuating narratives that may not serve all readers equally. As the genre grapples with these complexities and diversifies its offerings, it faces the challenge of redefining its characters and themes in ways that authentically resonate with a wider audience, ensuring that the stories told reflect the richness of human experience in all its forms.
If you’re a reader of romantasy, even a casual one, you’re familiar with this character. He’s a particular type of enemies-to-lovers male love interest: a morally gray bad boy with a heart of gold, deadly to his enemies but sweet to his lover. He’s the type to ask, “Who did this to you?!” He’s tall, dark, and handsome. He might be a fae, a god, a vampire, or some other kind of supernatural creature. Most importantly, he has the power to wield shadows. What more could a beautiful (though she doesn’t realize it) 18-to-22-year-old heroine want?
This archetype has been lovingly nicknamed the “shadow daddy,” and he’s everywhere. In particular, he spent considerable time at the top of the New York Times bestseller list in the form of Xaden Riorson, the male love interest of the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros (that’s “Fourth Wing,” “Iron Flame,” and the latest “Onyx Storm”).
Xaden is the son of a rebel leader who was executed before the start of the series, making him a sworn enemy of Violet, our heroine and the daughter of the general who ended the rebellion. (Of course, when he and Violet meet as young adults, sparks fly and the enemies-to-lovers plotline begins.) Xaden has onyx eyes with gold flecks, black hair, and tawny skin – and his signet, or unique signature power, is shadow summoning.
Shadow daddies like Xaden blend violence and love, outer darkness and inner light. One Redditor on r/fantasyromance offered this poignant definition: “A shadow daddy is OLD, like 500 years+, but looks young, has scars and tattoos, usually darker skin and dark hair, has shadow powers aka the name, like can control darkness or shadows, is HOT, . . . morally grey and has *issues* and always falls in love with the main female character.” (It should be noted, however, that not all shadow daddies fit this exact profile. Xaden, for instance, is in his 20s, but hits every other mark.) A top reply adds another important trait: “Don’t forget that said shadow daddy may also do certain things with those shadows.”
Xaden is no exception. Throughout the series, he uses his shadows to kill enemies and caress Violet, sometimes at the same time. In chapter two of “Onyx Storm,” Xaden comes to rescue Violet in the midst of a battle, and this happens: “Shadows explode around us, immediately devouring every speck of light in a sea of endless black I instantly recognize as home. A band of darkness wraps around my hips and yanks me backward, then brushes my cheek gently, steadying my galloping heartbeat and quieting my power. Screams fill the chamber, followed by a pair of thuds, and I know without a doubt any threat to my life’s been extinguished.”
For romantasy fans, these sexy, deadly shadows are familiar. In fact, there’s another shadow-daddy book that also spent time on the New York Times bestseller list: “A Court of Thrones and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas. A trio of the series’ male characters fit the archetype: Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel. The main love interest, Rhysand, doesn’t actually control shadows, but he’s grumpy, immortal, and the ruler of the Night Court. Then there’s Azriel, Rhysand’s lead spymaster and “shadowsinger” – he’s the one with the power to control shadows. Azriel hasn’t yet been the male love interest in one of the ACOTAR books, but fans suspect he’ll be the subject of the next one. (For anyone anticipating book six, Maas apparently finished the draft in July.)
In fact, there have been dozens and dozens of shadow-daddy books released over the past 15 years: There’s the Fae & Alchemy series by Callie Hart, the Flesh and Fire series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo, and the Bonds That Tie series by J. Bree. Want more? A Goodreads Bookshelf titled “Shadow Daddies Books” contains 347 titles.
Haters might insinuate that romantasy writers are all copying each other, but powerful and sexy characters linked to darkness are present throughout many different mythologies and folklores. Think of gods of death like Hades, Pluto, and Odin, and even fallen angel Lucifer (at least the “Paradise Lost” version). Many romantasy writers credit mythology as inspiration: “I love all sorts of world mythologies,” Maas said in a 2022 Good Reading interview. “There’s Norse mythology and Celtic mythology in there, along with dashes of Greek and Roman culture.”
There’s a reason why I said Hades and Odin but not Anubis. Descriptions of “tawny” or “bronzed” skin means that many of the shadow daddies can be read as racially ambiguous. On Reddit, there are frequent discussions over whether a shadow daddy is Asian, Middle Eastern, Black, Mediterranean, or just a white guy who spent some time in the sun. (Yarros has said that Xaden is a person of color but hasn’t specified beyond that.)
However, when it comes to the most successful authors in the romantasy genre, including Yarros and Maas, the vast majority are white. One exception is N.K. Jemisin. Though she’s best known for her sci-fi series, Broken Earth, her first novel, “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms,” is shadow-daddy romantasy: The lead character, a warrior named Yeine, falls in love with Nahadoth, the god of chaos and change. Jemisin has frequently spoken out about the barriers Black writers face in the fantasy world. “It’s still easier for a white person to write a book with an all-black cast set in fantasy Africa and get it published than for a black person,” she told The Guardian in 2020.
Although there are authors who iterate on the shadow-daddy character type (for example, later books in Jemisin’s “Inheritance” trilogy reveal that Nahadoth can change gender and has even given birth), some romantasy readers are starting to get bored of all these variations on a theme. Some fans have even complained about shadow daddy burnout. But there’s a reason why this archetype keeps popping up: it sells. “Onyx Storm” sold nearly 3 million copies in its first week alone, making it the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years. And with money like that on the table, it’s safe to say that shadow daddies aren’t going away anytime soon.
Erika W. Smith (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers astrology, sex, relationships, lifestyle, and more. Her book series Astrosex was published in 2021.