Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses for anyone craving more epic tales of love, adventure, and richly imagined settings. My top 3:
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
If you love A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’ll enjoy books with magical worlds, fierce heroines, and slow-burn romances. These stories blend fantasy, adventure, and emotional depth, offering the perfect escape into enchanting realms filled with intrigue and passion.
TOP 20: Best Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
- An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber
- Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
- To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
- Furyborn by Claire Legrand
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
- Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross
- The Wicked King by Holly Black
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
1. From Blood and Ash
- Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
- About: A maiden destined to save her kingdom battles duty, danger, and forbidden love.
- Style of writing: Engaging, dialogue-heavy, with steamy romantic tension.
- Length: ~173,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; memorable twists and characters.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible with detailed world-building.
- Why read it: For the mix of romance, mystery, and a fierce heroine.
2. The Cruel Prince
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A mortal girl fights for power in the dangerous fae world.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, atmospheric, and sharp.
- Length: ~98,000 words.
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High; betrayal and ambition linger deeply.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; rich in details but easy to follow.
- Why read it: For the political intrigue and enemies-to-lovers romance.
3. Serpent & Dove
- Author: Shelby Mahurin
- About: A witch and a witch hunter are forced into an unlikely marriage.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, witty, and humorous with steamy moments.
- Length: ~115,000 words.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; combines humor with emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible and engaging.
- Why read it: For the compelling romance and unique magic system.
4. Throne of Glass
- Author: Sarah J. Maas
- About: An assassin competes in a deadly contest to win her freedom.
- Style of writing: Action-packed with detailed world-building.
- Length: ~104,000 words.
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: High; thrilling and empowering.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; grows more complex over time.
- Why read it: For the epic heroine’s journey and gripping twists.
5. The Shadows Between Us
- Author: Tricia Levenseller
- About: A woman schemes to marry and kill the Shadow King but falls for him instead.
- Style of writing: Snappy, clever, and darkly romantic.
- Length: ~83,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Medium; fun, quick, and satisfying.
- Difficulty level: Easy; straightforward with engaging twists.
- Why read it: For the bold heroine and dark romance.
6. An Enchantment of Ravens
- Author: Margaret Rogerson
- About: A mortal artist falls for a fae prince, risking her life.
- Style of writing: Poetic and whimsical with vivid imagery.
- Length: ~90,000 words.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Medium; a bittersweet, romantic tale.
- Difficulty level: Easy; enchanting and quick to read.
- Why read it: For its dreamy fae setting and heartfelt love story.
7. Caraval
- Author: Stephanie Garber
- About: A young woman enters a magical competition where nothing is as it seems.
- Style of writing: Imaginative and vividly descriptive.
- Length: ~100,000 words.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: High; magical and full of emotional stakes.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; layered storytelling with twists.
- Why read it: For its enchanting world and gripping mystery.
8. Kingdom of the Wicked
- Author: Kerri Maniscalco
- About: A witch seeks revenge after her sister’s murder and enters a dark, demon-filled world.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, and immersive.
- Length: ~110,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Medium to high; suspenseful with a simmering romance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; dark themes but easy to follow.
- Why read it: For its gothic vibe and slow-burn romance.
9. To Kill a Kingdom
- Author: Alexandra Christo
- About: A siren and a human prince clash in this dark retelling of The Little Mermaid.
- Style of writing: Sharp, witty, and action-packed.
- Length: ~98,000 words.
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Medium; thrilling and darkly romantic.
- Difficulty level: Easy; fast-paced and engaging.
- Why read it: For its dark twist on a classic tale.
10. Furyborn
- Author: Claire Legrand
- About: Two women, centuries apart, tied by prophecy and the fate of the world.
- Style of writing: Epic, dual-timeline storytelling.
- Length: ~125,000 words.
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High; intense and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; complex with multiple timelines.
- Why read it: For its intricate plot and powerful heroines.
11. The Bone Season
- Author: Samantha Shannon
- About: A young clairvoyant is captured by an otherworldly race in a dystopian future.
- Style of writing: Dense, detailed, and richly imaginative.
- Length: ~138,000 words.
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: High; thought-provoking with strong character development.
- Difficulty level: High; complex world-building and terminology.
- Why read it: For its unique dystopian setting and gripping plot.
12. Shadow and Bone
- Author: Leigh Bardugo
- About: A girl discovers her magical powers in a war-torn world and faces an enigmatic dark force.
- Style of writing: Engaging, fast-paced, and accessible.
- Length: ~95,000 words.
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Medium; exciting with a memorable villain.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; straightforward with strong world-building.
- Why read it: For its immersive Grishaverse and compelling characters.
13. Daughter of Smoke and Bone
- Author: Laini Taylor
- About: A girl caught between the world of angels and demons discovers her mysterious origins.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, poetic, and evocative.
- Length: ~115,000 words.
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: High; haunting, romantic, and unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; richly descriptive with layered themes.
- Why read it: For its unique take on angels and demons and stunning prose.
14. The Iron King
- Author: Julie Kagawa
- About: A girl discovers she’s part of a fae realm and must fight to protect her family.
- Style of writing: Light, adventurous, and fast-paced.
- Length: ~91,000 words.
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Medium; fun and engaging with heartfelt moments.
- Difficulty level: Easy; straightforward and fast-moving.
- Why read it: For its whimsical fae world and action-packed plot.
15. Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood
- Author: Sarah J. Maas
- About: A half-fae investigates a series of murders in a modern, magic-filled city.
- Style of writing: Epic, emotional, and highly detailed.
- Length: ~240,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High; emotional and thrilling with memorable relationships.
- Difficulty level: High; dense with complex world-building.
- Why read it: For its urban fantasy setting and deep character arcs.
16. The Inheritance Games
- Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- About: A teenager inherits a billionaire’s fortune and must solve riddles to unlock its secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, clever, and suspenseful.
- Length: ~98,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Medium; thrilling with clever twists.
- Difficulty level: Easy; fun and engaging.
- Why read it: For its mystery, riddles, and high-stakes drama.
17. The Queen’s Rising
- Author: Rebecca Ross
- About: A girl trained in the arts seeks to reclaim her family’s lost legacy.
- Style of writing: Lush, descriptive, and character-driven.
- Length: ~111,000 words.
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Medium; inspiring and richly woven.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; slower pace but rewarding.
- Why read it: For its elegant prose and themes of loyalty and ambition.
18. The Wicked King
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A mortal navigates the dangerous politics of the fae court in this sequel to The Cruel Prince.
- Style of writing: Sharp, dark, and suspenseful.
- Length: ~95,000 words.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; tense and emotionally charged.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; layered storytelling with political intrigue.
- Why read it: For its intense fae court drama and complex characters.
19. Six of Crows
- Author: Leigh Bardugo
- About: A criminal crew embarks on a dangerous heist in a richly built fantasy world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, witty, and emotionally gripping.
- Length: ~137,000 words.
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: High; thrilling and deeply moving.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging but requires attention to detail.
- Why read it: For its unforgettable characters and high-stakes heist.
20. The Bridge Kingdom
- Author: Danielle L. Jensen
- About: A young queen must infiltrate her enemy’s kingdom but finds herself falling for the king.
- Style of writing: Tense, romantic, and immersive.
- Length: ~91,000 words.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; full of tension, passion, and intrigue.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; easy to follow with layered characters.
- Why read it: For its mix of political intrigue and steamy romance.
Conclusion
If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, I think you’ll absolutely find your next favorite in these enchanting reads. For me, From Blood and Ash, The Cruel Prince, and Serpent & Dove are the standout picks—they deliver such a perfect mix of romance, danger, and richly imagined worlds. Whether you’re into forbidden love, intrigue, or magical adventures, these books—and the rest of the list—will transport you to unforgettable realms. Happy reading!
