10 Books Like a Court of Thorns and Roses You Should Read Next.
Sarah J. Maas’s lush, romantic A Court of Thorns and Roses series has grown into a sprawling, complex fantasy with millions of devoted fans, and for good reason. With a complex heroine who constantly discovers new aspects of herself, captivating supporting characters who unexpectedly evolve from antiheroes to antivillains, and creative and beautifully crafted worldbuilding, the series has it all, while being unapologetically romantic (and passionate).
The story of a huntress kidnapped by a fairy prince and brought to the Spring Court as a prisoner, who becomes a key figure in the entire fairy drama, “Account of Secrets” is special, but Maas can’t write that fast. If you’re looking for more books with the same luxurious atmosphere, here are 10 to get you started.
House of Fire and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas (2024)
It’s no surprise that fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses are recommended Sarah J. Maas’s other series, but there’s a specific reason why you should start reading her Crescent City series, especially the third book, A House of Fire and Shadow. The final book in the series, A Court of Shattered Harmony , revealed that the events of A House of Fire and Shadow directly tie into the events of Shattered Harmony , particularly regarding Feyre’s sister, Nesta. In other words, if you’ve read Shattered Harmony and wondered why Nesta is acting so strange, there’s a whole other series you should check out immediately.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (2020)
If you loved Feyre’s resilience and determination in Avatar and Fairy Tale, Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fairies series (starting with The Iron King ) will be your next passion. Megan Chase has never felt “normal” in her life, and has been haunted by her father’s disappearance since childhood. When her brother also vanishes, she sets out in search of answers, discovers she is actually the daughter of the fairy king, and finds herself in a magical world that weaves elements of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Determined to save her brother (and herself), Megan finds herself drawn to a certain ice fairy prince, though he is as dangerous as he is beautiful.
From the book “Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout (2021)
If you’re looking for a serious fantasy romance, Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series is a must-read. Poppy was chosen at birth as the Maiden of the Realm, isolated and untouched to prepare for her Ascension and protect the land from the evil force that took her family. But it’s a lonely existence—until Hawke becomes her staunch protector. Golden-eyed and beautiful, Hawke offers Poppy the connection she’s longed for. As chaos erupts around her, Hawke seizes the opportunity to kidnap Poppy. But Hawke has a secret, and soon Poppy finds herself in danger of losing both her heart and the favor of the gods themselves.
The Snake and the Dove , Shelby Mahurin (2020)
If you loved how A Court of Thorns and Roses uses the enemies-to-lovers plotline, turning it into a deep, complex web of emotions and unexpected twists, you’ll love Shelby Mahurin’s The Serpent and the Dove series. When witch Louise le Blanc abandons her coven, she finds refuge in the city of Cesarine, where magic is banned and witches are unceremoniously hunted and burned. Louise’s life becomes infinitely more complicated, dangerous, and passionate when she finds herself in an unwanted marriage to Reid Diggory, who turns out to be a hunter for the Church, tasked with tracking down and destroying witches. And then Louise begins to realize that Reid is actually quite attractive.
High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford (2022)
If you’re looking for a romantic fantasy that’s broadly similar to Avatar: Legend of the Crown but still has its own unique twist, check out A.K. Mulford’s Five Crowns of Ocrith series, starting with The Court of High Mountain . Remy is a red witch, meaning she’s lurking and ready to flee if the fairies get close. So when a group of fairies appears in her tavern, she rushes for the door—and is captured by Prince Hale of the Eastern Court. However, instead of killing her, Hale asks Remy for help—he needs to find two ancient magical artifacts created by the red witches, and he needs her red magic to find them. Hale promises to free her and even reunite her with the remaining red witches. More importantly, Remy finds Hale irresistible and feels a primal desire to stay with him, no matter the cost.
The Fourth Wing , Rebecca Yarros (2024)
Looking for a romantic fantasy with a slightly different vibe than ACOTAR? Variety is key, after all, and Fourth Wing delivers. Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series made a splash upon its debut, and for good reason – it has it all: from a capable, intelligent heroine caught in a dangerous situation (in this case, a dragon riding academy where failure can be fatal) to navigating alliances, conspiracies, and her own heart, which drives her toward a romance that could be as dangerous as the dragons themselves.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (2018)
Love the moral complexity of ACOTAR, where every character has at least a touch of darkness? Then check out Holly Black’s “Folk of the Air” series. When Jude was a child, her half-sister’s father, the fey Madoc, killed her parents and took her with him to the Fae realm. Raised by nobles, Jude lives in a world where her mortal nature is hated and despised, yet she still fights for her place at court, simultaneously experiencing conflicting feelings for her adoptive father and strengthening her bond with the titular prince—a relationship that is strictly forbidden. Jude is a strong and deeply morally ambiguous heroine, adored by Feyre fans.
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (2019)
Looking for more intelligent women at the center of beautifully written fantasy stories? You’ll love Princess Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza of Orovall, the protagonist of the first book in this series by Rae Carson. Elisa was chosen for the “Service” as a baby, when the gods placed a divine stone in her navel, foreshadowing greatness. But in her youth, Elisa hated herself and was unhappy. She never accomplished anything even remotely great and spent her time in isolation, suffering from obesity and reading books on military strategy. One day, she is horrified to learn that she has been married to the king of a distant land on the brink of war—and suddenly all that rage and bookish knowledge become invaluable as she tries to survive in an unfamiliar court and help her adopted homeland survive a dangerous attack.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (2013)
If you enjoyed Feyre’s journey, discovering hidden sources of strength and courage within herself, you should read Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, starting with Shadow and Bone . As a child, Alina underwent a Grisha test and was found to possess no magical abilities. As an adult, she serves as a cartographer in the army. Tasked with guiding the Darkling—the most powerful Grisha—through the dangerous and terrifying Shadow Rift, Alina unexpectedly discovers her incredible powers and is sent to train with the Grisha. There, she must discern who her friends are and who her enemies are, even while succumbing to the charismatic Darkling’s influence.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco (2021)
Emilia di Carlo and her sister Vittoria are very different—Emilia is bookish and shy, Vittoria is outgoing and bold—but they share a secret: they are both strong and have dedicated their lives to the study of magic. In this version of Italy, the Malvagi (the seven princes of hell) have been absent for a long time, but a terrible accident summons the Prince of Wrath and claims the lives of three witches, including Vittoria. Emilia vows to use her power to avenge her sister, but when her vengeance drags on and she is forced to cooperate with Wrath, unwanted feelings begin to escalate to an unbearable level.