21 Insanely Good Books Similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses

Recently updated on July 14th, 2024 at 11:21 am

Confession time – I am Sarah J Maas trash. If the ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ Series also left you with a massive book hangover then this is the post for you. This post is all about books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

When I think about A Court of Thorns & Roses, strong female heroines, fae wars and morally grey characters instantly spring to mind. 

While there are many fantasy books with fae, capturing the same storytelling as Sarah J. Maas is difficult.  There is something so engrossing about her writing style. And it makes her books almost impossible to put down.

I asked book lovers on social media to share their favourite books similar to A Court of Thorns & Roses. And I also scoured Facebook groups, BookTok and Reddit. I’ve aggregated and compiled their responses to list the top books like A Court of Thorns & Roses. I’ve personally also read and enjoyed every book on this list

If you’re looking specifically for ya fantasy books, then you’re in luck. I have a blog post full of recommendations. Check out my article on ya fantasy books here

Let’s see the best books similar to A Court of Thorns & Roses

Other books by Sarah J. Maas

I couldn’t start a post about books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses without recommending Sarah J Maas’ other books. 

If you enjoyed  the writing style in A Court of Thorns & Roses then I highly recommend starting with Sarah J Maas’ other books.

1. Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

Without giving any spoilers away, I would highly recommend reading Crescent City if you enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses. It has so many similar elements to A Court of Thorns and Roses such as fae, enemies to lovers romance and the war of kingdoms elements. Plus it has one of the most awesome, badass main characters.

Crescent city is an urban fantasy that features a range of mythological creatures such as mermaids, fae and werewolves.

  It follows Bryce who is half-fae, half-human.  And she is tasked with investigating a series of crimes with Hunt Athalar – a fallen angel. But they discover some dark powers at work.

Let me tell you – I was on the edge of my chair reading this. Sarah J Maas poses a number of mysteries at the start. And this hooked me in. The book was also full of unexpected plot twists.

There is some info-dumping at the start. But the world-building is exquisite and the urban fantasy setting is developed very well. Sarah J Maas writes strong sassy female leads very well. And Bryce is an incredible main character. But all the side characters were very well developed.

If you’re looking for books suitable for a younger audience- then this isn’t for you. It’s definitely more suited to an adult audience.

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Throne of Glass is a series of 9 fantasy novels about an assassin. It’s perfect if you enjoyed A Court of Thorns & Roses. Plus, if you stick with this series then there is an excellent enemies to lovers romance – very reminiscent on A Court of Thorns and Roses.

While it’s aimed at a younger audience, there is a lot in common with A Court of Thorns and Roses. And it becomes more grown up later in the series.

 It follows Celaena Sardothien who is imprisoned in a horrific prison called Endovier. She is an assassin. And one day she is summoned by the Prince to fight in a competition. The winner will become the king’s personal assassin.

Celaena is a sassy, badass main character. Perfect if you liked Bryce. It also  features an incredible slow burn, enemies to lovers romance later in the series.  If you’re looking for a long fantasy book series to get into – then this is the book series  for you. 

If you enjoyed Throne of Glass, then I have a blog post full of recommendations. You can check out my post on books like Throne of Glass here.

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The Top 12 books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roes (according to readers)

I browsed the Reddit, Facebook groups, booktok and polled Instagram users to round up a list of the absolute best books like A Court of Thorns and Roses.  I‘ve also read and loved each of the books recommended on this list! 

Keep reading for more in depth information on each book. Plus for each book I’ve included a rating, a summary, positives & negatives and similarities to A Court of Thorns & Roses.

1. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Good reads Rating: 4.09

It’s no surprise, The Cruel Prince was a popular recommendation for fans of A Court of Thorns & Roses.  

If you love a fast paced fantasy romance book or a twisty plot – then you absolutely need to read the Folk of Air Trilogy.  It’s a ya fantasy romance trilogy featuring fae, royals and an enemies to lovers romance.

Holly Black is seriously amazing at writing a killer plot twist. The Cruel Prince and Wicked King both open with a bang and keep you hooked throughout.  

The Cruel Prince follows Jude who is a human. As a child, she gets kidnapped with her two sisters and is taken to live with the fae in the woods.  She grows up wanting to be like the wicked fae she lives with.

There are also only 3 books in the series. And none of them are too long. So it makes the series more manageable. It also features an incredible enemies to lovers so if you’re looking for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses then this is a great pick.

If you enjoyed The Cruel Prince, I have tons of recommendations for similar books. You can check out my post for books like The Cruel Prince here.

2. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Good reads Rating: 4.28

From Blood and Ash is a really popular pick for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses. I regularly see recommendations for this series online. 

It follows Poppy. She was chosen from birth to usher in a new era as the Maiden. And her life has never been her own.

The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched or looked upon. Never spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. But she would rather be fighting back evil than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. 

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders. So when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard, enters her life. Destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. 

Personally, I struggled to get into this book. Something about the writing style didn’t personally click for me. However, many fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses rave about this book. 

The series has a lot in common with ACOTAR – an enemies to lovers romance, a strong female main character and its new adult. A great choice if you’re looking for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses.

3. A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Good reads Rating: 4.05

If you’re looking for retellings in particular, then A Curse so Dark and Lonely is a great choice. 

A Curse So Dark And Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Prince Rhen is the Heir of Emberfall.

Emberfall is under a curse and the kingdom is enchanted into an everlasting winter. Prince Rhen needs to make a girl fall in love with him to break the curse.

Harper has cerebral palsy. And she struggles to look after her dying mother. She tries to save a stranger and is pulled into the world of Emberfall.

A Curse so dark and Lonely has one of the most BADASS main characters! The main character has cerebral palsy but she is most definitely not in need of any sympathy. It also features an adorable enemies to lovers romance.

The plot is really well paced and keeps you engaged throughout. It also has the perfect slow burn romance.

If you’re a fan of The Cruel Prince or Sarah J. Maas then you should definitely read this fast paced fantasy book

4. Air Awakens by Elise Kova

Good reads Rating: 4.01

Air Awakens is a recent read for me. I kept seeing a huge amount of recommendations for the series on Booktok. And many readers mentioned enjoying this series after reading A Court of Thorns and Roses. 

It follows Vhalla, a library apprentice.  She lives in The Solaris Empire. They’re one conquest away from uniting the continent. 

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers  – a mysterious magic society. She’s been happy in her quiet world of books (same). But she unknowingly saves the life of a powerful sorcerer and the crown prince. 

Vhalla discovers  a powerful elemental magic lurking within her. A magic that could shift the tides of war. Now she must decide her future, embrace sorcery and leave the life she’s known. Or remain as she’s always been.

I can understand why fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses enjoyed this series. It has a great enemies to lovers romance. Vhalla is a great female character and she has fantastic character development throughout the book. 

5. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Good reads Rating: 4.06

DarkFever has so much in common with A Court of Thorns and Roses. It’s an urban fantasy featuring fae and vampires. It also has a morally grey dark haired male love interest and a sassy human protagonist. Be warned, it’s much more of a slow burn.

It follows Mackayla. She lives a relatively normal life until her sister is brutally murdered. She journeys to Ireland in search of answers. 

But Mac is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to master a power she had no idea she possessed.

I really enjoyed this and I completely understand why ACOTAR fans would enjoy this. It has many similar tropes when compared to A Court of Thorns and Roses – fae, strong female main character, morally grey. 

However, some of the characters did annoy me. Mackayla was portrayed as a barbie and Barrons is manipulative and abusive. 

The book was clearly published in the  noughties and I couldn’t take the descriptions of Mackayla’s ‘expensive Juicy Couture bag’ seriously.

6. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Good reads Rating: 4.02

The Red Queen is a hugely popular dystopian fantasy book. It’s the perfect read if you enjoyed the dystopian elements of A Court of Thorns and Roses. 

In this dystopian novel, blood defines your status. Reds are commoners. But silvers are the elite and have superpowers.

It follows Mare Barrow, who is a seventeen year old Red. She finds herself working in the Silver Palace. 

She’s surrounded by the people she hates the most. But Mare discovers that despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own.

The Red Queen has received thousands of five stars reviews and was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. I can see why!

The plot and the twists in this book left me on the edge of my seat! A thrilling read and an excellent choice for Katniss fans.

7. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Good reads Rating:4.03

Serpent and Dove is an excellent pick for anyone looking for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses. It features a slow burn enemies to lovers romance between a witch and a witch hunter. 

Serpent and Dove follows Louise – a witch.  She lives in Cesarine where witches are hunted and burned. Reid is a witch hunter who has always lived by the same principle – thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

But Lou pulls a stunt and it forces them into an impossible scenario – holy matrimony.

This has so many tropes that I enjoy – enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience and  morally grey characters. And it’s topped off with an well developed magic system and easy to read writing. 

This is the perfect books to read in fall. The witchy imagery and gritty city setting are excellent.

8. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Good reads Rating:4.49

If you liked the friendship group in A Court of Mist and Fury, then you should read Six of Crows. It’s a  fantasy heist novel with a compelling mystery, magic and plenty of morally grey characters.

Six of Crows is like a fantasy version of Oceans Eleven. And there is so much to love about Six of Crows – magic found family and super sassy banter. The morally grey characters,  criminal mastermind and enemies to lovers romance remind me of Throne of Glass. 

It six teenagers living in Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, is one of the teens. He is offered a deadly heist for a huge payout.

But it’s an impossible heist. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. So he assembles five other teens to help him.

People rave about this fantasy duology online and it’s for a good reason. It features a fast paced plot, a diverse cast and hilarious banter.

9. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Good reads Rating:4.26

Oh Ember in the Ashes is such an incredible ya fantasy book. And guess who was an emotional mess while reading this? ME!  Any excuse to recommend this incredible book and I’ll take it. 

It’s a ya fantasy series with world building inspired by Ancient Rome. It also features a strong female heroine, an adventure plot and a dystopian society.

It also has one of the BEST slow burn enemies to lovers romances. Perfect if you’re looking for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses

An Ember in the Ashes opens with Laia. She has found an illegal sketchbook belonging to her brother.  The empire comes and takes away her brother. So she must locate the resistance and go on a perilous mission to save him.

The book opens with a punch and it’s fast-paced throughout. The opening makes you really emotionally invested. Laia goes to extraordinary lengths and becomes a slave in order to save her brother. There is so much at stake that it leaves you on the edge of your seat.

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10. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

Good reads Rating: 4.28

This book is so underrated. I had zero expectations going into this but I absolutely loved this! And it deserves so much more hype!   It’s perfect if you’re looking for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses. And it even features an endorsement from Sarah J Maas.

Apart from an endorsement from Sarah J Maas, it also has a strong female main character, plot twists and the found family trope. 

The Prison Healer is set in a ruthless death prison called Zalindov. It follows Kiva who is a prisoner there. As Prison healer, she is charged with keeping the seriously ill Rebel Queen alive long enough to go through the Trial by Ordeal.

Trial by Ordeal is a series of challenges against the torments of air, fire  water and earth. It’s assigned to only the most dangerous criminals.  But then a coded message arrives containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.”    But the trials will kill the sickly queen.

The setting of this book is so simple but executed perfectly. And it really lets the plot and character growth shine. The writing style reminds me of Sarah J Maas  and in particular Crescent City. It contains an intriguing mystery and excellent plot twists.

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11. Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi

Good reads Rating: 3.92

I was unsure about including Shatter Me. It’s one of those books that you either love or hate. But it has so many amazing tropes. And lots of readers pointed out the similarities between Rhysand and Aaron Warner. Plus it’s a great example of the enemies to lovers trope.

Shatter me opens with the main character locked up for murder. She is unable to touch anyone. And she falls in love with the first person she is able to touch.

The writing style in Shatter me is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. It’s very prose heavy. And consequently, it seems to be a book people either love or hate. I love it.

It’s set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world. But it’s definitely more of a romance. And an ansgty one at that. There was a definite ‘will they, won’t they vibe. Similar to Kaz and Inej for me.

Juliette is an excellent main character. She has been dealt an awful hand in life. And yet she still perseveres and looks for the best in everyone.

The plot behind the series is excellent. And it particularly picks up towards the end. Trust me when I say – you will instantly want to read the next book.

12. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Good reads Rating:3.89

The Iron King is an excellent choice if you’re looking for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses with fae. It’s an incredible YA Fantasy book with fae, an enemies to lovers romance and a strong female lead. Fans of Holly Black should definitely read it.

The Iron King follows 16-year-old Meghan Chase. Her father disappeared mysteriously when she was six years old. And ever since, something has been off.

But things start to change drastically. On her birthday, her brother is kidnapped and replaced by a  faerie  changeling. And Meghan has to  venture into a mysterious place called Nevernever to rescue him.

I think The Iron King is a book that will divide readers. Some will really not like it. But personally, I really enjoyed this book. The setting is beautifully described. And Meghan is a great heroine. She’s not perfect but a very realistic 16-year-old.

This book takes many characters from classic literature and myths (such as a Midsommer Night’s Dream) and modernises it in this coming of age story. Some of the characters are retold in a YA context. If you’re a Shakespeare fan then you might not like this. But if you love YA Fantasy books with fae then you should definitely read this one.

Other books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses

These books weren’t necessarily voted onto the top 12 on the list. But, having read these books, I think they’re very similar. And if you’re looking for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses I highly recommend picking these up.

13. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Good reads Rating:4.43

I was really shocked when Legendborn didn’t get more recommendations. For me, it’s one of the top ya fantays books like A Court of Thorns and Roses. It’s a fast paced ya fantasy book with an action packed plot and plenty of twists and turns.

Legendborn follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

You should read this if you love a strong female lead, morally grey characters or the Sarah J Maas.  It also features great commentary on slavery and racism.

14. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Good reads Rating:4.13

Cinder is seriously one of the most unique retellings. It’s a Cinderella retelling in a future dystopian society featuring an android It also mentions a deadly plague (sound familiar)

The main character Cinder is an android. She had an accident when she was younger. And she now has a cyborg hand and ankle. But the world she lives in shuns androids. 

She meets and falls in love with the Prince. But she can’t tell him that she’s an android. 

This one of the most enthralling ya fantasy books. It features so many intriguing elements: an enemies to lovers romance, androids, a deadly plague  and an evil queen. You’ll want to keep reading to find out what happens.  

If you’re looking for retellings then you need to read this one.  Especially if you’re a fan of retellings like A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince or a Curse so Dark and Lonely.

15. Malice  by Heather Walter

Good reads Rating: 4.04

Let me tell you – Malice is one of the best books I have read this year. It was an instant 5 stars from me. If you’re looking for books with fae  then you should absolutely pick up this duology.

You will absolutely love the dystopian world building, morally grey main character and grumpy/sunshine romance. Plus Malice and it’s sequel  Misrule includes some fantastic mythical creatures.

Malice is a Maleficent retelling. The book is set in a Kingdom called Briar. Once upon a time, a wicked fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

The book follows Alyce – the dark grace. She was left abandoned in Briar from a dark kingdom. The dark magic that runs in her veins abhors residents in Briar.

Except for Princess Aurora who accepts her. And she encourages Alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games. But with fae. The world building is darkly magical. And the residents of Briar reminded me of the residents of the Capitol. I LOVED the depiction of the Imps and goblins in Misrule. Plus both books reference fae.

16. Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie

Good reads Rating: 3.70

This is one of the more recent books I’ve read. I love fantasy romance books. And I’m a huge fan of enemies to lovers romance. So I originally read this for the romance and fantasy elements. But there were so many other elements I loved – the friendships, strong female leads and the magical elements. 

It follows Ailesse and Sabine. Ailesse is a bone crier. And Bone Crier’s have a sacred duty – they alone ferry the spirits of the dead. But the Gods demand a promise of dedication. The sacrifice of the Bone Crier’s one true love. 

Ailesse has been preparing for her rite of passage since birth – to kill the boy she’s destined to live.  Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge. But now his vengeance must wait, as Ailesse’s ritual has begun and their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

I love Sabine. She has such great character growth throughout the book. And  her personality is really likeable from the start. I also enjoyed the world building – the mythical bone criers, the magical bridges and the catacombs imagery were beautiful.

 It does have some negatives  – the romance wasn’t 100% convincing. So it’s probably a 3-4 star overall. But it’s still a really enjoyable, easy to read fantasy book.

17. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

Good reads Rating:3.83

If you’re a fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses  you definitely need to read a Dark and Hollow Star.  There are so many similarities. It’s an urban fantasy with fae, queer main characters and an enticing mystery. It also has a seriously adorable wlw romance.

A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans.  Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.

There are not one but two romances in this book. And the characters are what make them so perfect. Arlo and Nausicaä have such amazing chemistry. Nausicaä is a grumpy, chaotic and sarcastic lesbian. Arlo and Nausicaä have a perfect grumpy/sunshine slow-burn vibe.

I listened to the audiobook version which you can find on audible. It features a full cast of narrators which made it really engrossing.

The voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are so spot on! And you can listen to it on Audible with a free trial.  It’s a great audiobook to put on  if you’re looking for some escapism while you’re cleaning or relaxing before bedtime.

18. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron

Good reads Rating:3.73

A Cinderella retelling with a sapphic romance.  This is another twist on the classic story that features BIPOC characters and a wlw romance.

The premise is that teen girls are now required to appear at an annual ball where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend Erin. And isn’t a fan of the whole parade in front of suitors thing.

She decides to flee and decided to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book so unique. The romance is a bit insta-lovey but it’s so well developed that it’s still engaging. 

The plot will keep you hooked throughout.  Women overthrowing a dystopian patriarchy. There is also a lot of cottagecore and woodland imagery. Kalynn Bayron writes cottagecore imagery so well. This book will 100% make you want to live in the forest. 

I also LOVE that it’s a standalone. Standalone ya fantasy books are hard to find. Let alone with lesbian representation. If you’re looking for a ya retelling then I highly recommend Cinderella is Dead.

19. The Guild Hunter Series – Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh

Good reads Rating:4.07

If you enjoyed the relationship between Rhysand and Feyre then you’ll absolutely love this adult fantasy romance.  I originally picked this up because Sarah J Maas listed Nalini Singh as an author she enjoys. And  I was not disappointed! 

It follows Elena. She’s a vampire hunter and she knows she’s the best. But the Archangel Raphael hires her for a job. And it’s clear failure is not an option – even if the task is impossible. 

There are so many similarities between A Court of Thorns and Roses  It’s a dark fantasy. It features a romance between a morally grey, powerful angel and someone who is not quite human. It even references wings a lot! 

If you’re looking for fantasy romance books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses then you will absolutely love this book. It has a great romance but there is still a mystery and strong plot. The heroine is also a strong female main character reminscent of the heroines in Sarah J Maas’ books.

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This Post was all about books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses

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