From SRP author Tracy Cooper-Posey:
First, let’s address the elephant in the room—or, rather, the insipid portmanteau that has taken the fantasy romance world by storm: “romantasy.”
I abhor it. Truly. But, like an uninvited guest who refuses to leave, it’s settled in, and we’re stuck with it.
That said, the latest romantasy trend making the rounds is the so-called “Shadow Daddy” archetype—a morally complex, brooding hero with shadowy powers and an unshakable devotion to his love interest. Fans swoon over these characters, lured in by their blend of dangerous allure and unexpected tenderness.
And yet… is this actually new?
Not at all.
The Timeless Appeal of the “Shadow Daddy”
Long before romantasy TikTok decided to coin the phrase (and I’d love to know who started it so we can have words), the essence of the “Shadow Daddy” was alive and well in fantasy romance.
Take vampires, for instance—particularly my vampires. Many of the heroes in my various series—the Kiss Across Time series, (Brody, Veris, Alexander, Rafe), the Blood Stone series, (Nial & Sebastian), and the Beloved Bloody Time series (Rob and Christian, to name just two)—fit the mold perfectly. They aren’t what I’d call morally grey (a term that, if we’re being honest, is often just a polite way of saying bad boys who aren’t totally irredeemable). But they do operate on a different moral compass than most humans.
How could they not? They’ve lived centuries, sometimes millennia. Laws change, moralities shift, and human concerns—like property, marriage, and pesky little things like “thou shalt not kill”—often take on a different significance when one has seen entire civilizations rise and fall.
A “Shadow Daddy” isn’t necessarily evil. He isn’t even necessarily cruel. But he will do what needs to be done, and that can be very, very uncomfortable for those around him.
Popular Shadow Daddies in Romantasy
For those who love recent incarnations of this archetype, here are some of the big names lighting up the romantasy shelves:
- Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas)
Arguably the poster boy for the Shadow Daddy trend, Rhysand is dark, powerful, and terrifying to his enemies—yet utterly devoted to Feyre. - Wrath (Kingdom of the Wicked – Kerri Maniscalco)
One of the literal Princes of Hell, Wrath oozes danger and dominance, but as the series progresses, we see his softer, fiercely protective side. - Dorian Havilliard (Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas)
A prince with shadow magic, Dorian evolves from charming playboy to something much darker—but still keeps his unwavering loyalty to those he loves. - Kaidan Rowe (Sweet Evil – Wendy Higgins)
A Nephilim bad boy with an irresistible mix of darkness and devotion. - Hades (A Touch of Darkness – Scarlett St. Clair)
An age-old favorite: the brooding, morally ambiguous ruler of the underworld who just so happens to fall for a bright, innocent heroine.
Do Readers Love Shadow Daddies?
If sales and social media enthusiasm are anything to go by, the answer is a resounding yes. Readers adore them.
But why?
I suspect it’s a combination of fantasy escapism and the thrill of powerful devotion. A Shadow Daddy is not just a bad boy—he’s an unstoppable force who, for all his lethal power and questionable morals, would burn the world down for the one person he loves.
That’s intoxicating. And, of course, deeply unrealistic in real life (but who reads romantasy for realism?).
The Final Word
Shadow Daddies have been around forever—whether they were called ancient vampires, dark princes, or brooding assassins. This is just the latest incarnation of an enduring fantasy. And let’s be real: as long as readers love a hero who walks the razor’s edge of darkness but chooses love, they’re not going anywhere.
Now, your turn. Who are your favorite Shadow Daddies? Let’s compare notes.
Tracy Cooper-Posey
SRP Author
