If you love fantasy-romance novels with elements of magic, danger, and desire, then you should read these five books.
Those of you who have read A Court of Thorns and Roses and are now suffering from that devastating book hangover—join the club.
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Because you want more, you’ve come here looking for:
🌿 Faerie courts
⚔️ Tense relationships between enemies and lovers
🌪️ Chaos and enchantment
🔥 Romance that builds slowly or burns quickly
👑 Strong female protagonists resurrecting from the ashes
Here are five books that will reawaken your love for fantasy and romance in the best possible way, and get you back on the ACOTAR train.
📅 Publication Date: March 29, 2020
🏢 Publisher: Blue Box Press
📖 Genre: Mysteries and Otherworldly Romance for Adults
⭐ Goodreads Rating: Approximately 4.22 stars
Poppy is the Maiden, a divinely selected young woman who must remain concealed from prying eyes and who must never be spoken to or touched. Nobody owns her life… everything will be shattered when Hawke steps into it, armed with secrets, golden eyes, and an agenda.
A slow-burning romance that boils over
Exciting storyline with unexpected turns at every turn
A courageous heroine who defies confinement
Slow beginning; lengthy internal monologue
Certain plot devices (such as “selected one” and “secret identities”) seem old
A Flavorful and Dramatic Rollercoaster. Blood & Ash provides the high spice, sharp daggers, and ethically ambiguous love affair that you will want to kiss and fling across the room.
📅 Publication Date: January 2, 2018
🏢 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
📖 Genre: Romance, Fae Politics, and Young Adult Fantasy
⭐ Goodreads Rating: 4.18 stars
As a child, Jude was taken and brought up by faeries. But she wants authority, and humans are reviled here. She will have to learn to be harsh if she wants to make it through the vicious court politics.
Fierce fae politics, deceit, treachery
The protagonist Jude is a work of genius; she has complex morals
A highly tense “enemies-to-lovers” story
It’s intentional that Jude’s decisions might seem brutal
Coming from spicy adult fantasy, YA style might not be as impactful
Here we have ACOTAR’s sinister, evil twin. Cardan embodies both hidden tenderness and a savage bite. There are vicious political games going on, and the romance is building slowly but surely—but when will it explode? It connects.
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📅 Publication Date: January 29, 2019
🏢 Publisher: Bloomsbury
📖 Genre: YA Fantasy / Fairy Tale Retelling
⭐ Goodreads Rating: 4+ stars
Tales of Beauty and the Beast updated for the current day. A cursed magical land entices Harper away from the nation’s capital. Unless someone loves him… again, Prince Rhen will be stuck in an endless circle.
Harper, who has cerebral palsy, is a stunning disability advocate
Authentic, relationship-based bonds
Romance, passion, and action all in perfect harmony
Quite mild (slow on the heat scale)
Although some of the plot points can seem predictable
More “bravery and tenderness” and less “danger and desire” is the overall sensation. If you enjoy stories with courageous heroines, princes who protect their hearts, and positive endings, you will love this one.
📅 Publication Date: June 2, 2020
🏢 Publisher: Balzer + Bray
📖 Genre: Romance, YA Fantasy (Inspired by African Folklore)
⭐ Goodreads Rating: Average of 4.2 stars
A dangerous festival is entered by two teenagers, Malik and Karina. Malik must kill the princess to rescue his sister, while Karina must sacrifice a monarch to revive her mother. They find each other attractive, and that’s not all.
Motivated by colorful and verdant West African mythology
Two points of view: love and treachery from opposing sides
Dramatic character arcs and intricate feelings
Extensive setting-up at the beginning
Until later on, romance is secondary
With actual stakes, it’s an enemies-to-lovers story. Compare it to ACOTAR with the mythologically rich Game of Thrones. How about Malik and the dreamy cultural texture?I am completely smitten with Malik, the cinnamon roll-turned-dark prince.
📅 Publication Date: September 20, 2011
🏢 Publisher: Greenwillow Books
📖 Genre: Slow-Burn Romance / Chosen One Arc / YA Fantasy
⭐ Goodreads Rating: Around 4.1 stars
The second daughter, Elisa, has always felt unappreciated. However, destiny has different intentions, and she carries a miraculous stone. She goes through a period of faith, defiance, love, and revolution.
Significant, profound growth in character
Transforming from a shy teen into a strong queen: a realistic journey
Delicate, fulfilling romantic touches
When it comes to romance, it’s more about feeling than sex
First few problems with the tempo
It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness Elena’s metamorphosis.She goes from being a scared, insecure girl who hides behind food and uncertainty to a strong, fearless leader of troops.This will be just up your alley if you adored Feyre’s metamorphosis arc.
Depending on how you’re feeling about fantasy right now, here’s a fast choice guide:
🔥 Do you desire thrilling passion and peril? → With Fire and Blood
💋 Need some sneaky antics and passionate kisses? → The Cruel Prince
🧚♀️ Would you like a heroine who is both gentle and powerful, reimagining traditional stories? → A Curse So Dark and Lonely
🌍 Want to know more about mythology that isn’t typical? → A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
🕊️ Are you prepared to embark on a path of self-confidence, faith, and passion? → The Girl of Fire and Thorns
For many of us, ACOTAR was a portal into fantastical worlds, sexy enemies-to-lovers happiness, and early morning sobs over the tragic background of a winged guy.
Despite their differences, all five of these stories pack a powerful emotional punch. Your next fixation is just around the corner, whether you’re craving more fairies, spice, heartache, or badass heroines.
