12 Swoonworthy Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
Much like Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and other fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas drew in its readers with its magical world. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a universe of its own and it leaves you wanting to read more. Although the series is a couple of books only, experience the journey all over again by reading these 12 swoon-worthy books that are like A Court of Thorns and Roses.
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The Best Books If You Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
1. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout
There is no one quite like Poppy, at least not in the world of this amazing novel. She is determined, strong-willed, hard-to-the-core, and utterly helpless. Her duty in the realm she inhabits is one of complete servitude and isolation.
She is a maiden, a woman whose gifts are given-and therefore determined-by God himself. But when the world that governs her very body begins to unravel, nearly falling apart at the seams by outside forces, it will be up to Poppy to bring order back to her world. That is, unless being a warrior turns out to be more fun than being just a maiden. To our leading lady, God does not determine your destiny, you do. And soon, she will lead by example…and be followed by thousands.
2. Wicked series by Jennifer Armentrout
If you thought A Court of Thorns and Roses was good, just wait until you get your hands on this next set of novels. Following our lead, Ivy Morgan, this novel is set in the magical world of New Orleans. Ivy is a member of The Order, a team of magical beings called upon to protect and serve for those around them.
For four years, that has been Ivy’s life, and not a day goes by that she does not forget why she chose this life. The reason for her choice, like her future, is buried in secrets. But, as we all know, the fun doesn’t start until the bad boy shows up, right?
That’s how it is for Ivy when she meets Ren, a dashingly-charmful man made up of green eyes and a golden voice. But her swooning over him will not get the better of Ivy. Not when the fate of the world rests in the secrets she holds dear to her heart. But what happens when her newfound love has secrets of his own? Only the next page will tell.
3. A Deal with the Elf King By Elise Kova
For those of you that are familiar with the Bible, there is a story called Esther. It follows a woman called upon to live an unexpected life, only to discover it was her fate all along. That is what comes to mind when you read A Deal with the Elf King. Set thousands of years before this blog post, a woman named Luella has set her sights on healing the world.
When everyone else her age is being whisked off by either a controlling husband, or by the fateful kiss of death, she is studying herbology. She has her sights set on saving the world, only to realize too late that the world had its sights set on her.
One seemingly normal day, Luella is made the queen of the Elf King, a sinister yet snappy looking fella from the other side of the primordial tracks. She is frightened and confused at first. But when she learns why he chose her, there is only one thing she can do: trust that she can save the world once and for all. Because, as we all know, nothing is random. We are all here for a purpose. In this enchanting book, you will discover Luella’s right alongside her. Just be careful, saving the world was never meant to be as charming as the Elf King.
4. The Iron King By Julie Kagawa
Some of us in this world never seem to fit in. Maybe it’s the world’s fault, maybe it’s its own. But sometimes all you need is to find where you belong. And sometimes, it can find you. For Meghan Chase, her world comes crashing down around her with a bang. Because, as she will come to learn, she is the daughter of a mythical fairy king.
Nothing will be the same again. Now the life she never wanted is no more, and the life she never could have expected is at war. Can she rise to the challenge and fulfill her father’s ultimate destiny, or will she lose both the worlds she ever truly knew? Trust me, this one will leave you with more than just unforeseen answers, but with tears running down as you desperately turn each and every page.
New Adult Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
1. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
So, if you’re already a fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses, then you will love Sarah J. Maas’ other book, called House of Earth and Blood. In her short interim in the publishing world, she has amassed a reputation as a dynamic storyteller for her time. This novel, a first in the Crescent City Series, is a blend of action, adventure, romance, and magic. What more could you want?
Bryce Quinlan is the leading heroine in this hero journey through the underworld of an unknown land. After her dearest friends are all murdered, Bryce’s life is turned upside down. Even when the suspect is caught and put away, the murders do not stop.
Someone is hunting for Bryce. To her surprise, in the midst of the fight for her life, she is introduced to Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel come down to help find the real murderer. Together they must work together to avenge the deaths of those closest to them. Will their budding romance step in the way of true justice?
2. Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
Another first in a series, this one under the title of “the bargainer” series. This story follows the lead, Calypso Lillis, a siren with a lot of debt and too much danger in her world.
When she is approached by a man from the underworld, she is terrified at first. When he only takes a single kiss and disappears, she thinks the worst is over. Little does she know that it has only just begun. Because the underworld is beginning to crumble from within, and only she and the man she owes the debt to can save it.
Because if the underworld spills over, it could infect their world too. Will the price for saving her world be death? Or will her own undiscovered powers blossom into the only hope for both worlds?
3. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Princess Lia is the first daughter to the king and queen of her world. She has everything she could ever want, except a choice about her own future.
When the time comes for her to marry the prince from a neighboring kingdom, the truth of her actual future is brought into question. It only turns from bad to worse when, instead of marriage, she opts to flee the kingdom and hide out in the forest. Soon the chase is on for the princess.
Some want to kill her, others want to marry her, others want to arrest her. But she is on her own chase, and this one will determine her future once and for all. But the answers could mean the ending for both kingdoms. Only the adventure will bring her the answers she seeks. This is a must read if you want books like A Court Of Thorns And Roses.
4. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Following our trend of “firsts in a series,” this tale of unknown power and ultimate truth is told in the style of a good-old fashioned murder mystery. Yup, you read that correctly. Michael Connolley meets J.K. Rowling in this enchanting, yet darkly twisted novel of a life lost and another found. It begins with the murder of a sister.
When our lead, MacKayla, finds her dead sister’s cell phone, there is a clue that only Mac can open. What lies inside is an invitation to Ireland and a chance at solving her sister’s murder.
But the stop in Ireland is only the first step in a series of clues to reveal what really brought her sister to death, and what is still looming over Mac in the living world. So grab your wands and your Sherlock Holmes hats, because believe me, you’ll need them both for this one.
More Books like A Court of Thorns and Roses
1. Enchanting the Elven Mage by Alisha Klapheke
If you are like me and could not tear your eyes away from Orlando Blooms’ spot-on elf rendition in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, then you will love this novel just as much as I do. Get ready for a romance for the ages and the adventure of your human lifetime.
Meet Aury and Filip, two magical beings coexisting in the same world. They are honored with similar gifts that only the rarest possess. That does not mean they have anything in common. On the contrary, they have no idea the other exists.
All of that will soon change when they are forced to team up, using their new shared powers to bring balance back to a world where little remains. Nothing can stand in their way, except maybe true love. Now, Orlando Bloom may not star in this novel, but don’t worry, I won’t tell if you picture him while you devour this Elfish tale. Just so long as you don’t tell on me either. Deal?
2. Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton
I must first address something about this novel, it is not for the faint of heart. That is the literary equivalent of saying that this book is “explicit.” However, that does not take away the power of the story. And this one is a doozy. Fortuna Sworn is alone in the world, having already lost her brother and the rest of her family years ago.
Without her brother by her side, she has spent the last few years tending bars in the “real world” and scouring the streets of the city for a sign of him. Instead of a clue, she finds something better.
An irresistible fairy approaches her with a bargain that could save her brother and restore her world back to the way it was. The only speed bump that may not be around to enjoy it by the end. Now Fortuna must decide, save her own life, or bargain for her missing brother’s. The choice is hers alone.
3. The Young Elites by Marie Lu
We all know the word fever is not a happy word to hear, especially nowadays. But so far, we have not yet been introduced to the ‘Blood Fever,’ a virus that nearly destroyed an entire world decades before the first page of this novel begins.
While that long and desecrated history might lie in the past, the future for a new world lies in the hands of three unlikely characters: Adelina Amouteru, Teren Santoro, and Enzo Valenciano. Each one of these leads holds a secret power, and have connections to other leginos and societies.
Only when they merge, however, will the world they all once knew become a reality once again. Each one of these amazing characters will be tested, punished, beaten, and maybe even face certain death. But if they can stay together and fight as one, perhaps they can bring back a dead world themselves. This is an amazing book to read if you’re searching for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses.
4. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
We all love a good political thriller, don’t we? You know, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, or even CNN. Nothing is more intriguing than misguided deception, betrayed loyalties, and unlikely allegiances at the highest power. Now just imagine you are placed right in the middle of it all, and even better: you might have a part to play. For our leading lady, Jude, that is exactly where she finds herself at only seventeen years old.
Ten years earlier, she and her sisters lost their parents and were sent to the High Court. Now its time for Jude to finally learn the truth behind her parents murder, but in order to do that she must face the man, or woman, behind the curtain. Despite the risk to her loved ones and the fateful harm to herself, Jude must play the game of the gods in order to find out which one took the lives of those who brought her into this world.
Can she uncover the secrets of the past before she becomes a victim in her present? Only by opening the first page and getting started will you even begin to comprehend the magnitude of the answer. Because what sits behind this particular curtain is dark, mad, and ultimately cruel. But so is she, if need be.
More Books Like This Posts
Don’t worry, I have more posts featured around books-like-this-one.
Have you read my latest post on Books Like Percy Jackson, because who doesn’t love Greek Mythology?
Maybe you prefer fantasy romance novels, so this post on Books Like From Blood and Ash would suit you better?
I fell head over heels for Rhys and Feyre in A Court of Thorns and Roses. So much that I spent the next several months tirelessly looking for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses. I longed for a similar adventure, world, and character bonding. Most importantly, I wanted the same feelings I had when reading the book – I wanted to get lost in a good story again.
Though I have yet to find an exact match – I think these books are pretty darn close. Which is your favorite? Mine is a close tie between House of Earth and Blood and From Blood and Ash, but I will say that they are ALL great reads.
Comment below if you’ve read any of these books already!