Fans have been eagerly waiting for any news about the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book, with the latest in the series being published way back in 2019. And although fans have repeatedly predicted news of a new book being imminent, these predictions have each been proved wrong.
But while you may be waiting a while to return to the world of Prythian, there are numerous other books you can read that can itch that romantasy scratch, from retellings of Russian folklore to dramatic sagas of dragon riders. As a huge ACOTAR fan myself, and a big reader in general, these are my top five recommendations for anyone hoping to tide themselves over while waiting for the next instalment in the series.
The five books that will tide you over while waiting for the next ACOTAR…
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 modern-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 amazing world-building, dramatic romances and characters you’ll be certain to fall in love with.
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
This historic fantasy, which brings the Russian folktales of Koschei the Deathless into the twentieth century with all its societal changes, is one book I’d recommend to almost anyone.
The dramatic and at times romantic Deathless is perfect for fans of ACOTAR, with its morally grey characters, stolen brides, and the magical touches that can only come from fairytale and folklore retellings.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Like ACOTAR, Fourth Wing is another romantasy that’s gone viral thanks to TikTok, and it’s easy to see why. While I’m the first to admit I much prefer A Court of Thorns and Roses, Fourth Wing is certainly a fun read that only gets better as the series goes on.
Fourth Wing tells the story of Violet Sorrengail, a rather bookish student who is sent to become a dragon rider. While in training at Basgiath War College, she crosses paths with Xaden Riorson, the son of her mother’s enemy, and well, it’s billed as a romantasy so I think you can probably work out what happens next.
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.
Heading to the palace, with a plan to murder Khalid, Shahrzad begins to discover deeper truths and play, and even begins to find herself falling for the murderous 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 a second Beauty and the Beast retelling, Rose Daughter, published in 1997. Having read both, I’d definitely recommend Beauty of Rose Daughter, but either is likely to help tide you over while waiting for the next ACOTAR book.