Books Like ACOTAR: 12 Fantasy Romances to Read Next
So you’ve devoured A Court of Thorns and Roses and now you’re sitting there, staring at your bookshelf, wondering what could possibly fill that Feyre-shaped hole in your heart. I get it. I’ve been there — multiple times, actually, because rereading ACOTAR only gets you so far before you need something new. Sarah J. Maas created something special with Prythian: the fierce heroine, the morally gray love interests, the lush fae world-building, and let’s be honest, the spice that made us all whisper “wait, this is YA?” before the series firmly graduated to adult. But here’s the good news — the romantasy genre has absolutely exploded since ACOTAR, and there are some incredible books out there that hit those same notes.
TL;DR: If you loved ACOTAR, you’ll want to check out these 12 fantasy romances grouped by what you loved most — fae courts and politics, slow-burn spice, or that delicious enemies-to-lovers tension. Whether you’re team Tamlin or team Rhysand (let’s be real, we’re all team Rhysand), there’s something here for you. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Kobo, and more.
If You Loved the Fae Courts and World-Building…
One of the things that makes ACOTAR unforgettable is the intricate fae court system — the Night Court, the Spring Court, the seasonal and solar courts with their own politics, magic, and drama. If that rich, layered fae world is what you crave, these picks will transport you just as completely.
1. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude is a mortal girl raised in the treacherous High Court of Faerie, and she’s determined to prove she belongs — even if it means outmaneuvering the cruel, infuriating Prince Cardan. Like ACOTAR, this series thrives on deadly fae politics, court intrigue, and a mortal woman clawing her way to power in a world that underestimates her. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Jude and Cardan will give you serious Feyre-and-Rhysand vibes, except Cardan starts off so much worse than Rhysand’s UTM persona — and somehow Holly Black makes you fall for him anyway. The Folk of the Air series is available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible (the audiobooks are fantastic).
2. Gild by Raven Kennedy
Gild is a dark, shimmering retelling of the King Midas myth, and if the luxurious, dangerous atmosphere of the Night Court called to you, this one will too. Auren is gilded — literally covered in gold — and kept as a prized possession by King Midas, until everything she thought she knew shatters. The world-building has that same “beautiful but deadly” quality as Prythian, and the slow unraveling of who Auren really is mirrors Feyre’s transformation beautifully. Fair warning: this one is darker than ACOTAR, but if you loved the later books’ intensity, you’ll eat this up. Available on Kindle Unlimited and Kobo.
3. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Oraya, the adopted human daughter of a vampire king, enters a deadly tournament called the Kejari — and the only way to survive is to ally with Raihn, a vampire who should be her enemy. The tournament setting gives this book a Hunger Games-meets-ACOTAR energy that is absolutely electric. Like Feyre Under the Mountain, Oraya is a human forced to compete in a deadly fae-adjacent world, and the slow-burn romance that develops during life-or-death trials had me absolutely feral. Carissa Broadbent builds a world of vampires, gods, and ancient magic that feels as immersive as Prythian. This one’s on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible — and yes, I stayed up until 3am finishing it and regret nothing.
If You Want More Spice…
Let’s address the elephant in the room: ACOTAR chapters 54 and 55 changed a lot of us. If you’re looking for romantasy that doesn’t shy away from the bedroom door — or kicks it off its hinges entirely — these are your next reads.
4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant. Instead, her mother — the commanding general — forces her into the riders’ quadrant, where she has to bond a dragon or die trying. The chemistry between Violet and Xaden Riorson is explosive, and their enemies-to-lovers arc hits every bit as hard as Feyre and Rhysand’s. If you loved the “she’s weaker but smarter and fiercer than anyone expects” energy of Feyre, Violet will steal your heart. The dragon-riding war college setting is pure adrenaline. I have a full Fourth Wing review if you want more details, but trust me — just read it. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
5. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy is the Maiden — chosen by the gods, cloistered away, forbidden from speaking or being touched. But when a new guard named Hawke arrives, everything she’s been told starts to unravel. Like ACOTAR, this series starts with a sheltered heroine discovering a world far more complex and dangerous than she was led to believe, and a love interest whose true identity changes everything. The slow-burn tension is *agonizing* in the best way. Jennifer L. Armentrout writes spice that feels earned — every scene is built on genuine emotional connection. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
6. The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Yes, another Armentrout — because the From Blood and Ash series is *that* good, and book 4 is where everything explodes. If ACOTAR’s later books had you gasping at plot twists and screaming at your Kindle, this one delivers the same “I did NOT see that coming” energy. Poppy comes into her power in ways that rival Feyre’s transformation, and the stakes are apocalyptic. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
7. A Ruin of Roses by K.F. Breene
A standalone fantasy romance set in a world of fae and monsters, where a human woman strikes a dangerous bargain to save her sister. The “deal with the devil” setup echoes Feyre’s bargain with Rhysand, but K.F. Breene takes it in a darker, steamier direction. If you wished ACOTAR was more explicit and less tame about the fae’s predatory nature, this delivers. Available on Kindle Unlimited and Kobo.
If You Crave That Enemies-to-Lovers Tension…
Rhysand and Feyre started as enemies — well, captor and captive — and became one of romance’s most iconic couples. These books capture that same intoxicating shift from hatred to passion.
8. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Lara was raised to be a weapon — trained from childhood to infiltrate and destroy the Bridge Kingdom from within by marrying its king, Aren. But as she gets to know Aren and his people, her mission conflicts with her growing feelings. The political intrigue rivals ACOTAR’s court drama, and Lara is every bit as fierce as Feyre — trained, lethal, and hiding a vulnerability that only Aren can see. The betrayal-and-redemption arc is *chef’s kiss*. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
9. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Emilia is a witch in 19th-century Sicily, investigating her twin sister’s murder — and the prime suspect is a sinfully attractive demon prince named Wrath. The Italian gothic atmosphere is a departure from ACOTAR’s fae courts, but the enemies-to-lovers chemistry is absolutely comparable. Wrath is giving major Rhysand energy — dangerous, powerful, and hiding depths beneath the menace. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
10. These Hollowed Stars by Ashley Shuttleworth
In a galaxy where the fae are exiled to space, Coe is a human thief caught up in a royal conspiracy — and the fae prince she’s forced to work with is arrogant, infuriating, and impossible to ignore. It’s ACOTAR in space, and somehow that works beautifully. If you loved the “powerful fae prince with hidden depths” archetype, this delivers it with a sci-fi twist. Available on Kobo and Audible.
11. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Elspeth needs a monster’s magic to survive — and the Nightmare, a creature bound to her mind, might be her salvation or her destruction. The dark fairy tale atmosphere is reminiscent of ACOTAR’s earliest chapters, but the psychological horror element makes it feel fresh and unique. If you loved the “heroine bonded to something dangerous and powerful” dynamic, this is your next obsession. Available on Kindle Unlimited, Kobo, and Audible.
If You Want to Go Full Romantasy…
12. Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
This series is what happens when ACOTAR meets a dark academia boarding school meets a soap opera on steroids. Seven fae heirs. Vicious rivalries. Forbidden romance. Betrayal after betrayal after betrayal. It’s the longest romantasy series I’ve ever read (8+ books and counting), and it is wildly addictive. Fair warning: it’s darker and more graphic than ACOTAR in every way — violence, spice, and moral ambiguity. But if you want to sink into a world and not come up for air for weeks? This is it. Available on Kindle Unlimited and Kobo.
Quick Reference: Where to Read These
- Kindle Unlimited ($11.99/mo): The Cruel Prince, Gild, Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, The War of Two Queens, A Ruin of Roses, The Bridge Kingdom, Kingdom of the Wicked, One Dark Window, Zodiac Academy
- Kobo: Most titles available for purchase; Kobo Plus subscription covers some
- Audible: The Cruel Prince, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, The War of Two Queens, The Bridge Kingdom, Kingdom of the Wicked, One Dark Window
- Dreame / GoodNovel: Some indie romantasy titles overlap — always check if your fave is available
Which ACOTAR readalike are you picking up first? And more importantly — are you team Spring Court or team Night Court? (If you say Spring Court, we need to talk.)