If you are tired of waiting for the next book in Sarah J. Maas’A Court of Thorns & Roses, then you need to add these 10/10 romantasy series to your TBR. Updates onA Court of Thorns & Rosesbook 6have sadly been quite slow, the series' recent 10th anniversary yielding no news for curious audiences. That silence, combined with misinformation regarding the next book’s title and premise, has made the long wait sinceA Court of Silver Flames' release all the more unbearable for fans of Maas' work, such as myself.
As a result, many readers have tried to findreplacements forA Court of Thorns & Roses, which, due to the series' popularity in online book spaces, is thankfully not too difficult. The romantasy sphere has several series that contain aspects of Maas' story, from soulmate bonds to shadow daddies and sassy heroines. Some of those series, though, truly stand out from the rest as having several elements fromA Court of Thorns & Roseswhile also simply being incredible in their own right.
8The Empyrean Series By Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing’s Main Couple Reflects Feyre & Rhysand’s Romance
Violet and Xaden’s love story withinThe Empyrean Seriesheavily mirrors Feyre and Rhysand’s fromA Court of Thorns & Roses, even if the worldbuilding and plotline are somewhat different. Violet and Xaden started as an enemies-to-lovers storyline like Maas' main couple, Violet believing that she was in love with her best friend Dain before admitting her feelings for Xaden, like Feyre did between Tamlin and Rhys inA Court of Mist & Fury.Violet’s sass and determination also mirror Feyre’s, albeit Violet possesses a much different skillset and problems than the High Lady of the Night Court.
UnlikeA Court of Thorns & Roses,dragons and gryphons are the main sources of magic over the Fae, though Xaden’s powers do resemble Rhysand’s and Azriel’s shadow manipulation and daemati powers. That more grounded worldbuilding allows the series' issues to be complex in differing ways and allows the series' main enemy to reveal themselves slower than Hybern did, resulting in many atheory afterOnyx Stormregarding them and the protagonists' responses. Combining that with the molten romance and incredible side cast makesThe Empyrean Seriesa great replacement, even if book 4 seems a long way off.
7Quicksilver By Callie Hart
Quicksilver’s Fae Behave Similarly To ACOTAR’s
For those who enjoyed the devious machinations of the Fae inA Court of Thorns & Roses,Quicksilveris a necessary read.Quicksilver’s Fae must rely on Saeris Fane’s abilities to help them halt a war, though much like the High Lords, they also have their own plans and schemes. The political intrigue ofQuicksilvertruly engages readers, leaving us invested at every turn like Maas does in her series. However, that intrigue and deception do come with a few unique caveats in Callie Hart’s book.
However, that intrigue and deception do come with a few unique caveats in Callie Hart’s book.
The inclusion of another fantasy staple creature, vampires, adds a whole new layer to the intrigue as their motives both interweave and parallel those of Saeris and her Fae friends. The magic itself, specifically the quicksilver, also complicates things in such fun ways, as its complex rules and machinations make it both versatile and rigid. All of these factors make theupdates aboutQucksilver’s sequelBrimstoneall the more exciting and Hart’s series perfect forA Court of Thorns & Rosesfans who want more political romantasy intrigue.
6The Crowns of Nyaxia Series By Carissa Broadbent
Crowns of Nyaxia’s Gods Add A New Layer To Mating Bonds
While the main aspects of the series are a bit more distinct fromA Court of Thorns & Roses,theCrowns of Nyaxiaseries added caveats to soul bonds that hit on Maas' central themes, making it a worthy read. Within the world ofCrowns of Nyaxia,coriatis bonds can be made between two vampires so long as they are requested by a god first, making them hard to attain but incredibly powerful if granted. That being said, those bonds still contain an element of vulnerability and trust, allowing both series to examine the themes of reliance on others, as well as self-reliance in complementary ways.
Other aspects ofCrowns of Nyaxiahit equally close to home for fans ofA Court of Thorns & Roses.The MMC of the first two books, Raihn, is reminiscent of Cassian.The MMC of the next books,Asar, shares Azriel’s dark and brooding secret cinnamon roll nature, making him one of the bestshadow daddies in recent romantasy books. The series also goes beyond the main storyline, its optional novella and standalone giving us more insight into the world and other characters like the latter two Maas books did, giving you plenty to read before book 4’s debut in August 2025 and beyond.
5Faebound By Saara El-Arifi
This Romantasy Series Also Centers Fae & Has A Similar Setup
Those looking for another romantasy series centered on the fae should check out Saara El-Arifi’sFaebound,which currently consists of two books, with another planned.Faeboundis set in a world where elves are immersed in a never-ending war, which turns sisters Yeeran and Lettle’s lives upside down when Yeeran is exiled for making an error in command. The sisters embark on a journey that finds them trapped in the world of the fae, whom they believed no longer existed.
This setup feels somewhat reminiscent ofACOTAR’s premise, as love blossoms between Yeeran and her enemy, despite her being captured and held against her will by the fae. There are many elements ofFaeboundthat stand out fromA Court of Thorns & Roses,though, from the sapphic romance to the bond between the fae and their obeah companions (which reads more likeFourth Wing). However,Faeboundproves an immersive read with a compelling romance and great characters, and it’s the perfect series to pick up while waiting forACOTARbook 6.
4Throne of Glass By Sarah J. Maas
Maas' Other Series Touches On The Same Themes As ACOTAR
For those who want to explore more of Maas' writing and themes but wish to stay in the romantasy sphere,Throne of Glassis a perfect series to look into afterA Court of Thorns & Roses. Several aspects of Maas' series match one another, fromAelin’s romances inThrone of Glassto the abilities and motives of the Fae. Yet it is the slight shift on Maas’s usual themes and ideals that makes the series so fascinating to me and other readers, especially regarding Aelin herself and her overall journey.
Maas explores themes of duty, love, healing, and perseverance withinA Court of Thorns & Rosesthrough Feyre and Nesta, both taking on differing approaches to the darker times in their lives. Aelin’s approach, though, is a compelling mix of the two and adds in her time as an assassin as well as her various losses, making her both a powerful protagonist to follow and an easy one to relate to deeply. That arc is likely why many consider Aelin one of Maas' best heroines, making it a top recommendation for fans ofA Court Of Thorns & Roses.
3The Plated Prisoner Series By Raven Kennedy
Both Series Play With Fairytale Retellings And The Tropes Within
Audiences who originally foundA Court of Thorns & Rosesdue to its status as a retelling can find the same great subversion and expansions inThe Plated Prisonerseries.Gildbegins the story as a retelling of the myth of King Midas, much like Maas started hers as a retelling of the classicBeauty and the Beastbefore splitting off in new directions. Raven Kennedy does the same here, using the myth as a launch point before using the tropes to craft a new story.
The Plated Prisonerseries, though, goes one step further, its darker tone and story beats allowing Auren to be more creative in her revenge and plans.
Auren’s journey from prisoner to political strategist mirrors much of Feyre’s arc, with both women breaking away from a controlling man and using their knowledge and individual power to take him down.The Plated Prisonerseries, though, goes one step further, its darker tone and story beats allowing Auren to be more creative in her revenge and plans. It allows the series, alongside being one of manygreat fantasy books with more spice than plot, to matchA Court of Thorns & Rosesbefore stepping parallel to it, making it a wonderful addition to any fantasy collection.
2Artefacts Of Ouranos Series By Nisha J. Tuli
A Completed Romantasy Series With Fae & Trials
Nisha J. Tuli’sArtefacts of Ouranosseries is another ideal read in the wait forACOTARbook 6, and it’s complete — meaning thisromantasy series won’t leave you desperate for a sequel. The first installment,Trial of the Sun Queen,sees its heroine competing in a dangerous competition dubbed the Sun Queen Trials, hoping to win the Sun King’s hand in marriage. The trials will appeal to fans of Maas’Court of Thorns & RosesandThrone of Glassseries, and that’s not the only part of the book they’ll enjoy.
Trial of the Sun Queenfeatures fae, an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and court politics that will pull readers into this world and keep them there. It has that in common withA Court of Thorns & Roses,and its three sequels will keep readers occupied in the lead-up to Maas' next novel.
1The Kindred Curse Saga By Penn Cole
Diem’s Rise Mirrors Feyre’s While Also Being Unique
Diem fromThe Kindred Curse Sagareflects Feyre fromA Court of Thorns & Roses,but one added element makes the story even more personal. Much like Feyre, Diem is a human woman who must venture into lands unknown in order to save her family and finds love with a powerful figure within said lands. The mystery, though, is what lets Diem’s story stand apart yet be just as well done as Maas' as its personal element complicates things further.
Diem’s mother is proven to be intrinsically linked to the Descended throughout the series, each new clue forcing Diem to question what she knows is real as she gets further embroiled in the Descended’s world. Those twists and turns have driven the story to unique heights, making anyupdates onSpark of the Everflamebook 4all the more vital for fans, whose theorizing parallels Maas' fanbase. Even so,The Kindred Curse Saga’s unfolding mystery makes it a perfect replacement forA Court of Thorns & Roses,even if it does result in another long wait.
