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Ever finished a book and felt like you wanted to devour the entire series over again? If Sarah J. Maas' 'ACOTAR' left you craving more fae courts, forbidden romance, and characters who'll make you swoon and sob, you're in exactly the right place.
From 'Fourth Wing' to 'The Cruel Prince,' we've gathered the best books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' that capture that same addictive magic.
And if you can't carve out some time to read the whole book, start with 15-minute summaries on the Headway app. They give you key ideas from top nonfiction titles and help you grow every day while you're between fantasy reads.
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Quick picks: Top five books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'
Need immediate recommendations? Start with these five fan favorites that perfectly capture 'ACOTAR's' magic:
'From Blood and Ash' by Jennifer L. Armentrout: A forbidden love story with a Maiden, a mysterious guard, and secrets that will shatter everything.
'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros: Dragon riders, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a heroine who proves physical strength isn't everything.
'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black: A mortal girl raised in the Faerie courts falls for the cruelest prince of all in this romantasy masterpiece.
'The Serpent and the Wings of Night' by Carissa Broadbent: A human girl competing in a vampire king's deadly tournament for her freedom.
'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas: An assassin fights for her freedom in a competition that will change her destiny forever.
The complete list of books like 'ACOTAR' is one scroll away!
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Start nowShort quiz: What fae court would you belong to?
Before we dive into the book recommendations, let's discover which fae court matches your personality. Answer these questions honestly, and we'll reveal where you'd thrive in a world like 'ACOTAR.'
Find your next fantasy obsession: 20 best books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'
Now that you know your fae court, let's find the books that'll keep you reading until dawn. We've organized these recommendations by what 'ACOTAR' fans love most, including magical courts and fae politics, fierce heroines who change their worlds, forbidden romance that breaks all the rules, and dark fantasy that doesn't hold back.
Each book captures that same impossible-to-put-down magic that made you fall for Feyre and Rhysand.
For fans of fae romance and magical courts
1. 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black
Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she was taken to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, she wants nothing more than to belong, despite her mortality.
But many fae despise humans, especially Prince Cardan, the wicked youngest son of the High King.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Holly Black delivers exquisite fae world-building with political intrigue that rivals the complexity of 'ACOTAR's' courts. The enemies-to-lovers romance between Jude and Cardan burns slow and delicious, with banter that'll make your heart race.
If you loved Feyre's transformation into a powerful force within the fae realm, Jude's cunning rise through court politics will satisfy that same craving.
2. 'From Blood and Ash' by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy's life has never been her own. Forbidden to be seen or touched, she's spent her life behind a veil, waiting for her Ascension. But Hawke, a guard sworn to protect her, is the only person who's ever looked past her role to see her.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Jennifer L. Armentrout crafts a forbidden romance that rivals Feyre and Rhysand's connection. The slow-burn tension between Poppy and Hawke will keep you up past midnight, and the plot twists hit harder than anything you saw coming in 'ACOTAR.'
Poppy may find her strength in forbidden love, but real relationships require wisdom of their own. The summary of 'All About Love' by bell hooks unpacks what real love and connection actually mean, extending beyond fantasy.
The summary points out the difference between a possessive attachment and a true partnership, and is ideal for anyone exploring relationships in a romance book.
3. 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night' by Carissa Broadbent
Oraya is a human girl raised by the vampire king in a world where being human means being prey. To win her freedom, she must compete in the Kejari, a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.
Her greatest rival is Raihn, a mysterious vampire who might become her most dangerous ally.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Carissa Broadbent understands what romantasy fans crave. The vampire king's deadly tournament delivers high stakes that match the trials Under the Mountain.
Oraya and Feyre have similar survival instincts. Besides, the main character's complicated relationship with Raihn embodies the addictive tension of enemies to lovers where trust becomes the ultimate weapon.
4. 'Kingdom of the Wicked' by Kerri Maniscalco
After her twin sister's mysterious death, witch Emilia teams up with a dangerous demon prince to solve the murders plaguing her Sicilian home. Their agreement is simple: he'll help her find the killer if she helps him with his own dark agenda.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Kerri Maniscalco blends witch magic with Italian folklore to create a unique fantasy world that feels both familiar and fresh.
The banter between Emilia and the demon prince crackles with tension, and the mystery elements add thrilling layers to the romance. If you loved the bargains and deals in 'ACOTAR,' you'll devour the dangerous agreements in this series.
5. 'Serpent and Dove' by Shelby Mahurin
Lou is a witch hiding in plain sight in a city where her kind are hunted and burned. Reid is a witch hunter sworn to destroy them. When a misunderstanding forces them into a marriage of convenience, their lives become impossibly tangled.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: An enemies-to-lovers romance hits differently when your husband literally hunts what you are. Shelby Mahurin crafts forbidden romance with real consequences, where every stolen moment carries deadly risk.
Lou's sharp wit and Reid's gradual transformation create the kind of character development that made Tamlin and Rhysand such different love interests.
For fans of strong heroines and epic fantasy series
6. 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas
Notorious assassin Celaena Sardothien has to win her freedom to escape the salt mines. But there’s a catch. She must fight the most evil criminals in the kingdom to become the King’s Champion.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Celaena is a character you can root for as she evolves from an assassin to a queen. The story is also full of magical discoveries and an agonizing romance. As the magic system is woven through the seven books, it becomes increasingly rich and similar to the fae courts.
Celaena and Feyre go through power struggles, but real leadership requires different skills. To dig deeper, 'The 5 Levels of Leadership' by John Maxwell breaks down how influence actually works and offers insights that illuminate why some characters inspire loyalty while others rule through fear.
Understanding these truths can deepen your appreciation for character arcs in your favorite fantasy book series.
7. 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail trained all her life to join the Scribe Quadrant, but her commanding general mother orders her into dragon riding instead. Smaller and more fragile than her peers, Violet must survive brutal training where dragons bond with riders or kill them.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Rebecca Yarros took BookTok by storm for a good reason. The dragon rider academy setting delivers constant danger that keeps you hooked, while the slow-burn romance with the mysterious Xaden rivals anything Sarah J. Maas has written.
Violet proves that strength comes in many forms, much like Feyre discovering her own power beyond physical might.
8. 'Powerless' by Lauren Roberts
In a world divided by blood, Elite blood means magical powers, while Ordinary blood means a lifetime of servitude. Kitt, the king's son, has spent his life preparing to rule. Paedyn, an Ordinary girl, has spent her life surviving by pretending to have powers she doesn't possess.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Lauren Roberts crafts a world where power dynamics shape every relationship, creating tension that crackles on every page. The forbidden romance develops against impossible odds, reminiscent of Feyre navigating the treacherous Spring and Night Courts.
If you loved exploring Feyre hide her true nature, Paedyn's masquerade will captivate you from the first book.
As the story shows, releasing your capabilities requires intention. 'Unleashed' by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss shows how to reveal your authentic power in real contexts.
This Headway summary offers strategies for overcoming the patterns that keep people small, perfect for anyone inspired by characters who find they're capable of more than they ever imagined.
9. 'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo
Alina Starkov discovers she possesses a rare magic that could save her country from war. Torn from everything she knows, she's taken to the Royal Court to train with the Grisha, her country's magical elite.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse presents a complex system of world-building similar to the fae courts of 'ACOTAR.' Alina, like Feyre, transitions from a regular soldier to a powerful magician (Grisha).
For fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope and forbidden romance
10. 'House of Earth and Blood' by Sarah J. Maas
Half-fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan loves her life in Crescent City until a demon murders her closest friends. Two years later, she's forced to work with fallen angel Hunt Athalar to solve the case.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Sarah J. Maas created the 'Crescent City' series as a more adult fantasy, blending urban fantasy with fae lore. Bryce Quinlan brings a fresh energy to the typical fantasy protagonist, and her chemistry with Hunt delivers slow-burn romance that'll destroy you.
The 'House of Earth and Blood' introduces technology alongside magic, expanding what's possible in Maas' interconnected worlds.
11. 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo
Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker receives a tip-off about a deadly heist that could make him rich. But he can't pull it off alone, so he assembles a crew of six outcasts to attempt the impossible.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: While 'Six of Crows' focuses more on heists than romance, Leigh Bardugo crafts relationships that'll wreck your heart just as thoroughly.
The found family dynamic rivals the inner circle from 'ACOTAR', and the slow-burn romance between Kaz and Inej proves that sometimes the most powerful connections develop without touch.
12. 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely' by Brigid Kemmerer
Harper is about to turn eighteen and is struggling to survive in Washington, D.C., when she's pulled into a magical kingdom cursed by an enchantress. Prince Rhen is trapped in a cycle where he transforms into a beast each season unless he finds true love.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: This retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast' captures 'ACOTAR's' fairy tale roots while adding fresh twists. Harper's modern perspective brings humor and practicality to high fantasy, and her relationship with Rhen develops with emotional depth that satisfies any romance reader.
The magic system and curse mechanics rival the complexity of Sarah J. Maas' world-building.
For fans of vampire romance and dark fantasy
13. 'King of Battle and Blood' by Scarlett St. Clair
Isolde de Lara must marry the vampire king who conquered her kingdom and murdered her father. She plans to kill him, but Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev is nothing like she expected.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Scarlett St. Clair understands arranged marriage romance, delivering tension that sizzles from page one. The vampire king's court politics rival the scheming in the fae courts, and watching Isolde navigate her new role while plotting revenge creates delicious moral complexity.
This forbidden romance proves that the enemies-to-lovers trope works even when marriage comes first.
14. 'The Bridge Kingdom' by Danielle L. Jensen
Lara has trained her entire life to infiltrate the Bridge Kingdom by seducing its prince. But Aren isn't the tyrant she expected, and the kingdom she came to destroy might be the only place she truly belongs.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Danielle L. Jensen crafts a slow-burn romance where every conversation could expose deadly secrets. Lara's internal conflict between duty and love mirrors the impossible choices Feyre faces in 'ACOTAR.'
The unique world-building centers on a kingdom controlling the only bridge between warring lands, creating political intrigue that rivals anything in Prythian.
Women navigating power, strategy, and self-development in fiction reflect real challenges. The summary of 'Millionaire Women Next Door' by Thomas Stanley reveals how successful women actually build wealth and influence.
It examines patterns of achievement that resonate with strong female protagonists.
For fans of young adult fantasy
15. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood: Silvers have god-like superpowers while Reds serve them. Mare is a Red, but she discovers she possesses a deadly ability that doesn't match her blood color.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Victoria Aveyard creates a class-divided world with rebellion simmering beneath the surface. Mare's development from servant to revolutionary is similar to Feyre's journey from mortal huntress to High Lady. The inclusion of a love triangle complicates the plot further, and there are betrayals that will make you second-guess everything.
16. 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross
When Iris's brother disappears during the war, she finds comfort in writing letters to him. The letters then disappear from below her wardrobe door, and someone responds, but it's not her brother.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Rebecca Ross turns a romance into a fantasy war, creating emotional stakes that hit harder than expected.
While it’s not as action-driven as 'ACOTAR,' the slow unfolding of the correspondent's identity generates romance that is both intimate and epic.
Hidden gems for dedicated romantasy fans
17. 'The Scarlet Veil' by Shelby Mahurin
A witch and a vampire must work together when their worlds collide, despite centuries of hatred between their kinds. Their forbidden alliance might be the only thing that saves them both.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Shelby Mahurin continues exploring forbidden romance with enemies-to-lovers tension that never gets old. The world-building expands beyond the first book, introducing new magic systems and political complications.
18. 'Prince of the Dark Fae' by Lindsey Devin
When Kenna is offered a chance to escape her abusive foster home, she accepts without realizing the true cost. The Dark Fae prince wants something from her, and the bargain she struck might cost more than her freedom.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: This fantasy romance leans into dark fae mythology with bargains, deals, and consequences that spiral beautifully out of control.
The love interest captures that dangerous allure that made Rhysand so captivating, and Kenna's journey explores trauma recovery alongside magical destiny.
19. 'Hunted' by Meagan Spooner
Beauty knows the forest holds danger, especially the Beast who rules it. When Beauty's father fails to return from the woods, she ventures in to find him, only to discover that the Beast isn't quite what she expected.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Meagan Spooner creates a version of 'Beauty and the Beast' that tells Beauty's side of the story, similar to the way 'ACOTAR' tells Feyre's side.
The atmospheric forest and slow-burn romance produce a cozy yet exciting fantasy novel. The retelling also adds complexity that changes our familiar plot to something entirely new.
20. 'Cruel Beauty' by Rosamund Hodge
Nyx has been raised to marry the evil ruler of her kingdom and then kill him. But her husband isn't the monster she expected, and the castle holds secrets that could destroy everything she knows.
Why 'ACOTAR' fans will love it: Rosamund Hodge blends Beauty and the Beast with Greek mythology to create something wonderfully twisted. The arranged marriage setup and morally complex characters mirror 'ACOTAR's' best elements, while the psychological depth adds layers that satisfy readers looking for substance beneath the romance.
This must-read proves that retellings can honor their source while creating entirely new magic.
Female protagonists rising to meet impossible challenges inspire us, but real-world success requires its own strategies. 'How Women Rise' by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith identifies the specific behaviors that hold women back from reaching their full potential.
The summary on the Headway app reveals patterns that might resonate with character arcs you love, offering practical wisdom for your own path toward becoming the heroine of your story.
Start your next book chapter with Headway summaries
These twenty fantasy romance books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' will keep you hooked until the last page with their vampire kings, fae rulers, dragon riders, and witch hunters.
But here's the truth about falling in love with books: the more you read, the more you want to understand about relationships, power, personal growth, and what makes characters come alive.
That's where Headway transforms your reading life. With the app's bite-sized summaries of the world's best nonfiction, you can examine the psychology behind your favorite tropes and the real-world wisdom that shapes compelling characters.
Download Headway today and join 50 million readers who've found that smarter reading means deeper understanding. Between fantasy novels, feed your mind with insights that'll make you see every story, and your own life, with new eyes!
Frequently asked questions about books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'
What is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' about?
'A Court of Thorns and Roses' follows Feyre, a huntress who kills a wolf in the woods and is taken to the magical fae lands as punishment. She's brought to the Spring Court, where she falls for Tamlin, the High Lord, while uncovering a deadly curse threatening all of Prythian.
Is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' suitable for young adult readers?
'ACOTAR' is marketed as a young adult book but contains mature content that's more appropriate for older teens and adults. The series becomes progressively more explicit after the first book, with detailed romantic scenes and violence. Parents should review content warnings before recommending it to younger readers.
What order should I read Sarah J. Maas' books?
Choose between 'Throne of Glass' or 'A Court of Thorns and Roses,' based on your preference for either assassins or fae. Both are completed series and work well as standalones. You can read the 'Crescent City' series independently as well, although there are some Easter eggs that tie them all together.
Why is 'ACOTAR' so popular on BookTok?
Slow-burn romance, morally complex characters, and emotional depth create a perfect mix. Feyre's transformation from survival mode to powerful leader resonates with readers. At the same time, Rhysand redefines what romance readers expect from male love interests. The fandom's passion drives viral recommendations and passionate debates.
What makes romantasy different from regular fantasy or romance?
Romantasy seamlessly blends fantasy world-building with romance-focused plotting, giving equal weight to both elements. Unlike fantasy with romantic subplots or contemporary romance with magical elements, romantasy requires both fantasy and romance to drive the story. Neither element could be removed without collapsing the plot entirely.
Is 'Fourth Wing' appropriate for 'ACOTAR' fans?
Definitely! "Fourth Wing" brings all the things that "A Court of Thorns and Roses" readers want: a slow-burn romance, found family, a strong female lead, and a love interest with past secrets. The dragon rider academy provides new world-building but keeps the emotion and romantic tension that defines romantasy.
