If you’re even mildly tuned into the romantasy scene — that irresistible blend of fantasy and slow-burn romance — then A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas has probably caught your attention.
Whether it was recommended to you by BookTok, a bookstore employee, or that one friend who hasn’t shut up about “the Suriel,” chances are this book is either on your shelf or on your radar.
So, let’s dig in: What works, what doesn’t, and what comes next if you’re already hooked.
Writing & Pacing
Maas is often criticized for her prose, but to dismiss her entirely would be missing the point. A Court of Thorns and Roses is not trying to be Tolkien. It’s written to pull you in and keep you emotionally tethered. The style is modern, direct, and told in first-person — which means you’re inside Feyre’s head from start to finish. That’s either going to work for you or it won’t.
The pacing is a bit of a mixed bag. The first two-thirds are relatively slow, focused more on atmosphere, character tension, and building romantic suspense than on action or plot twists.
But around the last hundred pages, the stakes suddenly ramp up, and the tone shifts. That surge of momentum makes the book’s finish feel earned, even if it does leave you wishing the earlier chapters had more weight.
Character Work
Feyre is a grounded, survival-driven protagonist — not a warrior, not royalty, just a girl doing her best to care for her ungrateful family. And that makes her journey feel more relatable in many ways. She’s flawed but determined, which is a welcome contrast to many perfect or overpowered fantasy leads.
Tamlin, her fae captor-turned-love interest, begins as the classic “mysterious protector,” but readers who continue the series will see just how layered — and divisive — his character becomes. Supporting characters like Lucien and Alis offer intrigue and depth, but their full arcs unfold in later books. Think of this as the first act in a much bigger story.
World-Building
This first installment only scratches the surface of Maas’s world. Most of the story takes place within the Spring Court — one of several magical territories in the fae realm of Prythian.
There are hints of broader politics, ancient curses, and magical systems, but it’s all more suggestive than substantial.
That’s not necessarily a flaw. In fact, it mirrors Feyre’s own limited understanding of this world. As she learns more in later books, so do we. But if you’re looking for detailed lore and deep fantasy systems right out of the gate, this book may feel underwhelming in that regard.
Romance and Spice
Romantic tension is at the heart of ACOTAR, and the book delivers it in a way that’s emotionally compelling, even if it isn’t particularly explicit. There are some sensual scenes, but they’re mild compared to what the series becomes. For readers who prefer more subtle, relationship-driven romance, this first book is a solid start.
Those seeking immediate high heat may need to be patient — but trust me, it’s coming.
Should You Read It?
As a standalone, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a decent entry into fantasy romance. It’s a slow-burn introduction to characters and a world that will become exponentially more complex and intense in the following books.
While it might not blow you away on first read, it sets the foundation for something bigger — and often better.
This is a story that gets under your skin the more you invest in it. The real magic of ACOTAR isn’t just in what it offers now — it’s in what it promises later. And for that reason, I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone looking to fall into a new fantasy world with emotional stakes and character arcs that evolve dramatically.
5 Books like A Court of Thorns and Roses
If you’ve finished ACOTAR and you’re wondering where to go next, here are five books like ACOTAR. Each brings its own take to the romantasy genre, with unique protagonists, complex love interests, and worlds that feel dangerous and seductive all at once.
1. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer Armentrout’s breakout romantasy begins with From Blood and Ash, a novel that blends ancient prophecy, hidden identity, and forbidden love. The heroine, Poppy, is strong-willed and inquisitive, raised as a symbol of purity in a society built on lies.
When she meets Hawke — a guard with secrets of his own — the story explodes with tension, betrayal, and emotional stakes. Compared to ACOTAR, this series moves quicker, both in action and spice. If you found ACOTAR a little slow but enjoyed its core dynamic, this is a natural next step.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
If you liked Maas’s writing style and want to see what she can do with a more action-oriented story, dive into her first series, Throne of Glass.
It begins with a deadly assassin named Celaena Sardothien who’s offered a shot at freedom if she wins a brutal competition. As the series progresses, the world expands into full-blown epic fantasy, complete with political intrigue, ancient magic, and a cast of unforgettable characters.
Romance is a key part of the journey, but it takes time — and that slow burn is deeply rewarding.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5)
3. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
For those who loved the fae mythology and romantic elements of ACOTAR but want a quicker, one-and-done read, An Enchantment of Ravens is a great pick.
It’s a standalone fantasy with lyrical prose and a fairy-tale structure. Isobel, an artist gifted with mortal craft, paints sorrow into the eyes of a fae prince — and ends up pulled into his world, where art is forbidden.
The romantic tension is sharp, the banter is witty, and the atmosphere is dreamlike. It doesn’t go as deep as ACOTAR, but it captures the same seductive allure of fae courts.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)
4. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series is darker, more political, and more morally gray than ACOTAR — and that’s exactly why so many readers love it.
Jude, a mortal girl raised in the brutal world of Faerie, is fierce, cunning, and unrelentingly ambitious. Her dynamic with the enigmatic and cruel Prince Cardan is one of the most talked-about in YA fantasy.
The romance is slow, sharp, and layered with distrust and manipulation — a very different flavor from Tamlin and Feyre, but no less compelling.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5)
5. Rhapsodic (The Bargainer Series) by Laura Thalassa
If what kept you turning pages in ACOTAR was the chemistry and banter between love interests, Rhapsodic should be your next obsession.
Callie, a siren, has a history of calling in magical favors from Desmond, the powerful fae known as the Bargainer.
Years later, when he returns with unfinished business, their romance rekindles in the midst of a larger mystery. The story moves quickly, leans into fantasy and suspense, and brings the heat far earlier than ACOTAR does. It’s playful, mysterious, and satisfyingly spicy.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Comparison Table: Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
| Book Title | Romance-Driven | Spice Level | Series or Standalone | Why You’ll Love It |
| From Blood and Ash | Yes | High | Series | Strong heroine, forbidden romance, action-packed twists |
| Throne of Glass | Yes | Moderate | Series (8 books) | Assassin fantasy, massive character growth, slow-burn romance |
| An Enchantment of Ravens | Yes | Low | Standalone | Artistic heroine, fae prince romance, lyrical writing |
| The Cruel Prince | Subtle | Low | Trilogy | Dark fae politics, enemies-to-lovers, morally gray leads |
| Rhapsodic | Yes | High | Series | Siren x fae king, magical bargains, witty banter and tension |
A Court of Thorns and Roses is more than just a gateway into Sarah J. Maas’s universe — it’s a launchpad into a genre that’s rapidly evolving. Romantasy has never been more popular, and books like ACOTAR have opened the door for deeper character-driven stories that combine romance, world-building, and emotional grit.
If you connected with Feyre’s journey — or even if you just liked the idea of it — the five recommendations above are guaranteed to take you deeper into the world of fantasy romance.
Whether you want more fae, more spice, more action, or just more emotional stakes, there’s something here for every kind of ACOTAR reader.
If you want more book suggestions, you can try our blogs on 9 Books like Fourth Wing to Get Over It’s Hunger or Books Like Ready Player One.