Since 2019, fans of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series have been eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. And with author Sarah J. Maas revealing that she has completed a final draft of the next book, it may be coming sooner rather than later.
However, while it could still be a bit of a wait to return to the world of Prythian, there are numerous other books that can satisfy your craving for romantasy, from reinterpretations of Russian folklore to dramatic sagas of dragon riders. As a massive ACOTAR fan myself, and an avid reader in general, these are my top five recommendations for anyone hoping to keep themselves occupied while waiting for the next instalment in the series.
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Why not start with another of Maas’s series, and one that will definitely appeal to ACOTAR fans? Starting with House of Earth and Blood, Crescent City follows Bryce Quinlan, a former party girl who starts investigating the brutal murder of her best friend, which draws her into the path of the Hunt Athalar.
Set in a contemporary-style fantasy world with faeries, werewolves, vampires, angels, and more, Crescent City, perhaps the least known of Maas’s series, is perfect for fans of her other works with its incredible world-building, dramatic romances and characters you’re sure to fall in love with.
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
Deathless brings Russian folktales of Koschei the Deathless and Baba Yaga into the twentieth century with all the societal changes that occurred during these years.
The dramatic and occasionally romantic Deathless is ideal for fans of ACOTAR, with its morally ambiguous characters, stolen brides, and the magical touches that can only come from fairytale and folklore reinterpretations.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing has taken the romantasy world by storm since it’s publication in 2023. While I personally prefer ACOTAR, there are plenty of readers across social media who have stated they actually like Fourth Wing more.
This series, which currently consists of three books, with more coming in the future, narrates the tale of Violet Sorrengail, a studious young woman who is chosen to become a dragon rider. During her training at Basgiath War College, she encounters Xaden Riorson, the offspring of her mother’s adversary. As the story is labelled as romantic, one can likely predict the ensuing events.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
A retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn, sees sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteer to marry the Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, despite knowing that come morning, each of his brides is killed.
As Shahrzad enters the palace with an intention to assassinate Khalid, she starts uncovering profound truths and even finds herself developing feelings for the lethal caliph.
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Published in 1978, Robin McKinley’s classic Beauty and the Beast retelling is the perfect choice for anyone wanting some more fantasy romance. This book retells the classic fairytale, and has scenes that readers claim certainly inspired the 1991 Disney film, the main one of these being the iconic library scene.
Robin followed up Beauty with another retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Rose Daughter, published in 1997. Having read both, I’d certainly suggest Beauty over Rose Daughter, but either would suffice while awaiting the next ACOTAR book.