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You know that feeling when you finish a series you love?
You’ve developed connections to these fictional characters, and now you’ve got nothing to read!!
All you’ve got is a gaping hole in your life that is the exact size of your new favorite series 🙁
Well, let’s fix that and find you a new book, world, and cast of characters to fall in love with and fangirl over!
If you have read and loved the ACOTAR series, I can relate to that book hangover you’re experiencing.
Truth be told, I often describe my reading experience as looking for books to make me feel the same way I feel when I’m reading Miss Sarah J. Maas’s books.
Thankfully, I’ve found some books that come at least a little close to filling that void.
Let me share what books I found that give a similar reading experience but are ACTUALLY ACOTAR reader-approved!
1. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
First on this list is some more works by none other than Sarah J. Maas herself!
Throne of Glass features a strong female protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, who is a notorious assassin currently imprisoned in a slave camp, Endovier.
The book starts out with her being given the opportunity to earn her freedom and compete in a competition to become the King’s assassin.
Though she hates the King, this is her only opportunity to earn her freedom.
Once at the palace, there are a series of horrific and magical murders that threaten Celaena and her freedom.
This book, much like A Court of Thorns and Roses, starts off a series that turns out to be much more than just its titular novel.
There’s fae, love triangles, mates, battles, and the classic “who did this to you?” that all of us SJM fans swoon over.
I personally think that Throne of Glass is my preferred series out of all her work, but I love them all, so this is a great option to check out if you love ACOTAR!
Also, there are quite a few books in this series, so you’ll be set for a long time before you need to find your next read.
Things found in both reads:
- High fantasy
- Fae
- Love triangles
- Mated romances
- Strong female protagonists
- World-building
- Large cast of characters
- Some spice!!
2. Crescent City Series by Sarah J. Maas
This series is a lot more urban fantasy than SJMs other two series, but it’s also more adult than YA compared to Throne of Glass or ACOTAR.
Once again, this book is full of badass ladies, our main girl being Bryce, a half-fae “party girl”, who, after the murder of her best friend, is launched into an investigation that will change her life (and maybe the fate of the world).
The stakes are high (and so are Bryce and her friends…), the romances are hot, and the plot twists are epic! We have lots of Sarah J. Maas tropes, and the addition of more magical creatures than ever.
I personally love the addition of vampires, Mer, shifters (werewolves), and angles. This series feels a bit like ACOTAR and Shadow Hunters had a baby, and those being two series I love, this is five star read for me!
There is a lot of drama, and at times, it can be a bit much, but I say fully embrace it and enjoy the ride!
Also, if you loved ACOTAR, you REALLY should read these books for some spoilers!
Things found in both reads:
- Fantasy
- Fae
- Plot twists
- Mated romances
- Strong female protagonists
- World-building
- Large cast of characters
- Spice
3. The Cursed and The Broken by Chloe Hodge
Once again, I am here to recommend a strong leading lady to you!
This book follows Kitarni, a witch who is forced into having to uncover a dark secret and, duh, save the day.
When she sets out on her journey, she is unexpectedly forced to work alongside Dante who is a warrior of the Wolfblood clan.
This book is full of snark and banter between our two leads, and it reminds me of when Rhysand and Feyre are first working together in A Court of Mist and Fury!
Though this is not a fae fantasy romance, readers who love ACOTAR will also love this book by Chloe Hodge!
Things found in both reads:
- Fantasy
- Plot Twists
- Enemies-to-lovers
- Strong female protagonists
- World-building
- Large cast of characters
- Spice
- One-bed troupe
4. The Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black
The first book in this series, The Cruel Prince, is a great choice for those who are looking for a Fae fantasy romance!
This series does enemies-to-lovers so well, and it’s full of magic, romance, and betrayal.
This book follows Jude, a human girl who, after the death (murder!) of her parents, is brought to Fairy and is raised with her two sisters among the fae.
Her nemesis is Cardan, a fae prince who makes it his mission to torture her and taunt her.
After the assassination of the royal family, Cardan and Jude find themselves working together.
This series is a constant twist and turn of our main characters, not knowing who they can fully trust!
This book is full of morally grey characters, fairy wine, and revelry.
Though it has a bit of a younger tone to it, being YA vs. adult fantasy, it’s still a fun fantasy read. Also, like the ACOTAR series, I think the second book in the series is the best out of the books!
Things found in both reads:
- Fantasy
- Fae
- Plot twists
- Humans in fairy
- Strong female protagonists
- Enemies-to-lovers
- Betrayal
- Complicated sisterly relationships
5. These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
This book follows Brie, a human girl who is dirt poor and locked in a contract with her terrible aunt, which forces Brie to have to steal to take care of herself and her younger sister Jas.
Brie has a huge crush on her neighbor Sebastian, but she has to work all hours of the day to pay off her aunt, so she has no time to try to further this crush into a relationship.
When Brie’s aunt sells Jas to an Unseelie faerie to pay off their debt, Brie is forced to go into the realm of the fae to try to find her sister.
However, once she is in the Golden Kingdom, she is surprised to be reunited with a familiar face and is forced to lie to someone she loves to try to save her sister.
This first book in this series was very fun, and I loved the ending!
It is VERY similar to ACOTAR, so if you are in the mood for a book that is almost on the nose the same, but more YA and a bit of an easier read, check this one out.
However, I will say I didn’t love the sequel as much as the first book in the series, but overall it is still a solid high fantasy fae romance with a fun first book in the duology.
Though this was not a Cinderella re-telling, it had that vibe at the beginning of the book in the same way that A Court of Thorns and Roses has Beauty and the Beast vibes.
Things found in both reads:
- High fantasy
- Fae
- The Unseelie Court is very similar to The Night Court!
- Love triangle between a dark-haired male and a long-haired male
- Sisters
- The protagonist has to learn to use her new magical powers
I hope that these recommendations set you on your next reading journey, and if you have any ACOTAR-like books to recommend, please drop them in the comments!
-Paisley
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