A few years ago, I devoured the A Court Of Thorns and Roses series, and I remember how hard it was to find something as addictive after I completed it. So of course I looked all over the internet for recommendations, but at the time it wasn't quite as popular as it is now, and good recommendations were hard to come by. After many years, and many re-reads I can now say with confidence that I have found the perfect books to cure that A Court Of Thorns and Roses book hangover. Here are my top recommendations for what to read next.
The Plated Prisoner Series
A dark fantasy romance that re-imagines the myth of King Midas. Auren is his gilded prisoner, kept in a birdcage, and kept as a treasure. Having been with Midas for a decade, she has become completely dependent on him, and believes his manipulation is love. She accepts her gilded cage and the isolation that comes with it, convinced that Midas is protecting her from a world that would bring her harm. However, as Midas' political ambitions grow and his kingdom faces new threats, Auren's carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Forced to confront the the brutal realities of her existence, she must decide if she will continue being a pawn in his game, or instead fight for her own freedom.
I jumped into this series knowing very little about the plot, and was immediately hooked. I was in complete shock over the first few chapters (if you know, you know), while also being amazed at how quickly I flew through these books. This series begins with Gild, and is a complete 6 books saga, which means you can binge the whole series without having to wait for the next book. This series features many elements that are reminiscent of the acotar series, such as fae, battles, magic, and even an enemies to lovers plot line.
The Bargainer Series
Callypso is a siren with a major problem. She has a magical bracelet on her wrist containing hundreds of black beads, each representing a favor that she owes the Bargainer. Everyone knows that the Bargainer, who is a fae king with a fearsome reputation, always collects his debts. But for seven years he's been absent from Callypso's life, and now he's back to collect. A mystery is unfolding in his fae world, and he needs her help to solve it. Fae warriors are disappearing, and the women who return all arrive in a deep slumber. As "Callie" Callypso is drawn back into the Bargainer's world, she must not only uncover the mystery at hand, but also the history and chemistry she shares with the man she once considered her only friend.
The first book in this series, Rhapsodic, instantly grabbed my attention with the dark fantasy world that Laura Thalassa created, as well as the interesting dynamic between Callypso and The Bargainer himself. With its many magical elements, this series is sure to appeal to fans of acotar.
The Crowns of Nyaxia Series
Oraya is a human raised by a Vampire King named Vincent. Desperate to prove herself in a world that despises her, Oraya enters the Kejari, a brutal tournament held by Nyaxia, the Goddess of Death. the tournament is a bloody and dangerous multi-stage competition, where the winner is granted one wish by the Goddess herself. As a human among vampires, Oraya is at a severe disadvantage. To survive the tournament and the deadly competitors, she must form an alliance with a powerful vampire named Raihn. While their partnership is built on mistrust, as they begin to face many of the tournaments deadly challenges, they are forced to confront the secrets of their pasts, as well as the growing tension between them,
I was obsessed with this series when it came out, and can confidently say that Carrissa Broadbent's writing style is very similar to Sarah J. Maas's. The world she created is gritty and dark, filled with powerful vampires and a compelling tournament plot. The tournament itself also feels very reminiscent of Feyre's trials towards the end of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The series begins with The Serpent and The Wings of Night, and it's the first of a long series featuring several duets and novellas.
The From Blood and Ash Series
Poppy is a maiden chosen at birth to fulfill a sacred destiny. Isolated and guarded, she lives a life of solitude , where her face is hidden from the public. Her purpose is to remain untouched and pure until the day of her Ascension, but what her elders doesn't know is she sneaks out often to try to experience the world for herself. Her world quickly turns upside down when she meets Casteel, a new royal guard whose charm and attitude make her question everything she's ever been taught. As Poppy's kingdom faces a growing threat from monsters known as the Craven, she must embark on a dangerous journey with Casteel. Along the way secrets about her and her kingdoms past are revealed, forcing her to question everything she believes in, and choose between her duty and her desires.
This series is amazing, and it's also very smutty. The books are big, but man do they go by quick, especially as each new installment reveals more secrets about the kingdom Poppy lives in. Yes, this is another vampire series, but trust me when I say it's one of the better ones. Honestly, I think I might need to re-read these myself, and there is also a spin-off series that I've yet to read. So if you want a lengthy and engaging series, this one is also a great option.
The Kingdom of the Wicked Series
When Emilia's twin sister Vittoria is brutally murdered in a dark ritual, Emilia vows to find her sister's killer and get revenge, even if it means using forbidden dark magic. In the process she accidentally summons Wrath, one of the seven princes of Hell. He claims he is on her side and suspects that the killer is one of his rivals, so they form an alliance. As they investigate Vittoria's murder, Emilia is drawn into the dark and seductive world of the seven princes. She must navigate a web of lies to uncover the truth about her sister's death, as well as her own heritage, while trying not to lose her heart to the handsome and powerful Wrath.
So confession, I thought the first book in this series was just okay. However, the second book was fantastic, and I gave it five starts. If you're willing to commit for the long-haul, then give this series a shot. Wrath is worth the wait, and the spice in the second book is immaculate. These books also are fun in that they explore each of the realms of Hell, as well as the princes that govern them, which is similar to how in acotar each court is represented by a different fae ruler.
The Crescent City Series
Bryce Quinlan is a half-fae, half-human party girl living in a modern urban fantasy world called Midguard. She seems to have it all, that is, until a brutal demon attack leaves her closest friends dead. Two years later, Bryce is still haunted by the tragedy. When a string of similar murders begins to plague the city, she finds herself at the center of the investigation. To find the killer and avenge her friends, she's forced to work with Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel who is enslaved to the Archangels he once tried to help overthrow. As Bryce and Hunt explore the city's dark underbelly they uncover a dangerous conspiracy that not only could threaten their lives, but also the world. When their reluctant alliance also begins to transform into a passionate connection they must confront their pasts, as well as their feelings for each other.
When in doubt, start a new Sarah J. Maas series, or even re-read an old one, like Crescent City, or Throne of Glass. Crescent City is set in a modern urban world with fantasy elements, making it quite different from her other series. However, it still gives all the heart-wrenching emotional punches we've come to expect from her books. I personally haven't read the third book yet, but I have re-read the first and second book multiple times, and they get me every time. Like uncontrollable sobbing...but hey it's still a good time. The audiobooks for these are also phenomenal, and feature a full cast, making for an immersive reading experience.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you choose to purchase the books from the links provided I will receive a small commission, at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Comments
Post a Comment