If you finished A Court of Thorns and Roses and want more of the same mix of Fae courts, slow-burn romance and high stakes, you are in the right place. Below are seven books that scratch the same itch, with a quick note on what each one shares with Sarah J. Maas’s series and who it suits best.
What makes ACOTAR so addictive?
Before picking a read-alike, it helps to know what you are actually chasing. Most readers love ACOTAR for a few things: a heroine who grows into her power, a dangerous and magical love interest, a richly imagined Fae world, and romance that builds across several books. The picks below are chosen because they deliver at least two or three of those.
7 books like A Court of Thorns and Roses
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail is forced into a brutal war college for dragon riders, and the romance with the dangerous Xaden Riorson is a big part of the story. Best for: readers who want high stakes, enemies-to-lovers tension and spicy scenes. It is faster and more action-driven than ACOTAR.
2. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy has lived a sheltered life as the Maiden, and her path crosses with a mysterious guard. It has a world full of secrets, a slow-building romance and lots of twists. Best for: readers who enjoy a long, ongoing series with a romance at its center and a steamy heat level.
3. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A mortal girl, Jude, is raised in the High Court of Faerie and fights to earn a place among people who despise her. It shares the Fae setting, the court politics and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Best for: readers who care more about scheming and atmosphere than heat. It is a young adult series, and it is less explicit than ACOTAR.
4. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Lou is a witch on the run and Reid is a witch hunter, and the two are forced into marriage. Expect banter, forbidden attraction and magic. Best for: readers who like forced-proximity romance with plenty of humor. It is also a young adult series.
5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
If you love Maas’s writing, her other flagship series is the obvious next step. It follows the assassin Celaena Sardothien in a deadly competition, and the story grows far larger and more mature as it goes. Best for: readers who want the same author voice, big worldbuilding and a long series to settle into.
6. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Lara is sent to marry a king in an arranged marriage while secretly working to destroy his kingdom. The tension between duty, deception and growing feelings drives the whole book. Best for: readers who want a mature, romance-forward fantasy built on a marriage-of-convenience setup.
7. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
A modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth, with a dark, brooding love interest and a heavy focus on romance. Best for: readers who want a spicy, myth-inspired romance. It leans more romance than fantasy, so expect less worldbuilding.
How to pick the right one
- Want the closest feel to ACOTAR? Start with From Blood and Ash or Throne of Glass.
- Want faster action? Try Fourth Wing.
- Want Fae courts without the explicit scenes? Pick The Cruel Prince.
- Want something shorter and lighter? Serpent & Dove is a good pick.
Heat levels vary a lot between these books, so check content notes for each one before you start if that matters to you.
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