Those who have read Sarah J. Maas’ A Court Of Thorns And Roses (or ACOTAR) know the series’ impact is basically immeasurable. The five-book series (which will hopefully soon be gaining a sixth iteration) blew up on BookTok, when readers began sharing rave reviews of the far-off fantasy romance novels.
But, as anyone who has picked up one of these books can attest to, they’re basically impossible to put down. So, if you’ve devoured all five ACOTAR novels, you might be left wondering what you can sink your literary teeth into next. Luckily, that’s where we come in. From the ‘romantasy’ world of Fourth Wing, to the action-packed From Blood And Ash, we’ve rounded up X books/series that are just as spicy (if not more) than ACOTAR to add to you bookshelf. Happy reading!
Crescent City
Crescent City is another series direct from Sarah J. Maas' brain, so you know it's going to be good. There are three novels in the series, with each one following follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-human, half-Fae, on a quest to both avenge her friends' murders after they were killed by a demon, and protect Crescent City when the murderer begins attacking again. There's also plenty of passion, courtesy of Hunt Athalar, a notorious fallen angel who helps Bryce on her quest.
Books:
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow
Throne of Glass
Another of Sarah J. Maas' creations, Throne of Glass is a series of eight fantasy novels, geared towards a Young Adult readership. While quite a slow burn, the books follow Celaena, a trained assassin and prisoner who must defeat a series of obstacles to finally earn her freedom.
Books:
- The Assassin's Blade
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
The Empyrean Series
Written by Rebecca Yarros, The Empyrean Series has a cult following to rival ACOTAR. Across three novels, readers watch as Violet Sorrengail's plans for a quiet life (among books and history) is upended by her mother (who also happens to be the commanding general), who orders her to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
Books:
- Fourth Wing
- Iron Flame
- Onyx Storm
From Blood and Ash
For something a little spicier, we're looking to Jennifer L. Armentrout's From Blood and Ash series. The three books delve into the effects of the supernatural on maiden Poppy's life, with plenty of action-packed twists and turns along the way.
Books:
- From Blood and Ash
- Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
- The Crown of Gilded Bones
- The War of Two Queens
- A Sol of Ash and Blood
- Visions of Flesh and Blood
The Mortal Instruments
This best-selling YA fantasy series of six books charts the story of Clary Fray, whose unexpected meeting with a group of powerful, angelic beings—called Nephilim or Shadowhunters—reveals catastrophic truths about her own identity and her family’s mysterious past. It's low on spice, but very good on plot.
Books:
- City of Bones
- City of Ashes
- City of Glass
- City of Fallen Angels
- City of Lost Souls
- City of Heavenly Fire
