Matches for A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (ACOTAR) - Updated June 2026
ACOTAR set the template for modern romantasy - fae courts, a heroine who grows into her power, and romance that deepens across the series. These picks capture that same alchemy of fantasy and desire.
How we match. Scores weigh tone, heat, pace and stakes - not just genre. The bars on each card show romance, pace, violence and complexity so you can pick by feel.Contains affiliate links
Yarros
Dragon riders, a military academy, and a romance that starts with rivalry. The biggest romantasy debut since ACOTAR itself.
✦
1
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros - 3 books
95%
match
Both feature a fierce heroine proving herself in a deadly setting while falling for a powerful, secretive love interest. The pacing is relentless.
RomanceVery high
PaceVery high
ViolenceHigh
ComplexityMedium
romantasydragonsacademyenemies-to-lovers
Armentrout
If ACOTAR's romance hooked you, this series cranks that dial even higher while keeping real plot momentum.
✦
2
From Blood and Ash
Jennifer L. Armentrout - 6 books
92%
match
Same structure: sheltered heroine discovers her true nature, falls for a morally gray protector, and the world expands dramatically after book one.
RomanceVery high
PaceHigh
ViolenceHigh
ComplexityMedium
romantasychosen-oneforbidden-lovevampires
Jensen
Tighter and more politically focused than ACOTAR, with an enemies-to-lovers arc that earns every beat.
✦
3
The Bridge Kingdom
Danielle L. Jensen - 4 books
85%
match
Both heroines start in captivity of a sort and must choose between loyalty to their origins and the person they love. Jensen's prose is sharp and efficient.
A witch forced to marry a witch hunter. The banter is excellent, and the magic system is genuinely creative.
✦
4
Serpent & Dove
Shelby Mahurin - 3 books
79%
match
Both pair a witty, resourceful heroine with a rigid male lead who slowly softens. The forced-proximity romance plays out against a backdrop of magical persecution.
RomanceHigh
PaceMedium
ViolenceMedium
ComplexityMild
romantasywitchesforced-proximityya-crossover
Maniscalco
Italian-inspired fantasy where a witch teams up with a demon prince. Dark, steamy, and atmospheric.
✦
5
Kingdom of the Wicked
Kerri Maniscalco - 3 books
76%
match
Both feature a heroine drawn into a dangerous magical court and a love interest who is powerful, morally ambiguous, and completely devoted. The gothic tone sets it apart.