60 Spellbinding Romantasy Book Series for Fans of ACOTAR
Can’t Get Enough of ACOTAR? These 60 Romantasy Series Are Just as Addictive
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In a previous post, I delved into the enchanting world of romantasy and promised to compile a list of series that would captivate fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Today, I'm delivering on that promise with a curated selection of 60 romantasy series that echo the magic, romance, and intrigue that made ACOTAR a sensation. I’ve included a brief summary of each series, my signature spice level guide and also listed my favorite book of the series.
Spice Level Guide
1 — Sweet & Subtle: Flirty tension, kisses, and fade-to-black scenes. Just a hint of heat.
2 — Lightly Flirty: Suggestive moments, heated kisses, and a little steam — but the door mostly stays closed.
3 — Medium Heat: On-page steamy scenes that balance sexy and emotional. Just enough to make you blush but still leaves a little to the imagination.
4 — Hot & Heavy: Multiple detailed steamy scenes, lots of physical chemistry, and very little left to the imagination. Definitely NSFW reading.
5 — Scorching: Explicit, frequent, and blazing. These books bring the heat hard — you’ll need a fan (and maybe a cold shower).
🔥 Fae, Courts & Forbidden Magic
Includes fae realms, court politics, power plays, and magical intrigue
A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
I have to include the inspiration for this blog post on this list of course!
Summary: Feyre, a mortal huntress, is swept into the fae lands after killing a wolf—who turns out to be a fae. As she navigates the Spring Court and an ancient curse, romance and rebellion intertwine.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Explicit scenes begin mid-series with detailed, drawn-out intimacy, especially in A Court of Mist and Fury.
Best Book: A Court of Mist and Fury – Widely considered the emotional and romantic pinnacle.Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas
Summary: Assassin Celaena Sardothien battles her way through trials and court intrigues to earn her freedom—only to uncover a larger magical and political war.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with fade-to-black early on, gradually becoming more explicit by Empire of Storms.
Best Book: Queen of Shadows – A turning point for character growth and intense political machinations.From Blood and Ash – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: Poppy, a maiden chosen by the gods, longs for freedom—but when she meets the mysterious Hawke, truths unravel about the gods, her powers, and forbidden love.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Graphic and frequent scenes with dominant/protective alpha energy.
Best Book: From Blood and Ash – Sets up the romance and tension perfectly.Zodiac Academy – Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Summary: Twin sisters are thrown into a brutal fae academy where magical trials, cruel heirs, and brutal enemies-to-lovers tropes rule.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Heavy on bully romance with emotionally charged, often aggressive intimacy.
Best Book: Book 6: Fated Throne – Where the emotional payoff and romance peak.Artefacts of Ourenos – Nisha J. Tuli
Summary: Lor’s survival in a brutal court pits her against a cruel prince and a deadly prophecy, wrapped in secrets and magic.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Gradual build-up with dominant love interests and high-tension scenes.
Best Book: Trial of the Sun Queen – The perfect balance of mystery, romance, and survival.Summary: A human woman is captured and forced to marry a deadly fae prince—triggering dark power games, forced proximity, and eventual obsession.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Dark romance, primal kink, with intense, possessive MMC.
Best Book: Stolen by the Fae King – Pure enemies-to-lovers fire.The Fair Isle Trilogy – Tessonja Odette
Summary: A human is married off to a fae prince in a political alliance, unraveling court secrets and enemies-to-lovers tension.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with sensual tension and tasteful spice later in the series.
Best Book: To Carve a Fae Heart – The start of a heartwarming yet dangerous romance.The Outcast Series – S.B. Nova
Summary: A rejected woman discovers she has magical powers and a destiny tied to powerful fae.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Mild spice with heavy emotional build and fantasy world-building.
Best Book: Outcast – Rich world-building with a strong protagonist.Summary: Fae glamours, trickery, and forbidden attraction take center stage in this romantic and whimsical fae world.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Playful and steamy with clever banter and magical seduction.
Best Book: Court of Tricksters – Delightful start to the series.Crowns of Nyaxia – Carissa Broadbent
Summary: A mortal girl enters a deadly competition among vampires and fae, tangled in politics, vengeance, and reluctant romance.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Dark, angsty, and intense with power dynamics and deep emotional connection.
Best Book: The Serpent and the Wings of Night – Brutal yet beautiful.Curse of the Cyren Queen – Helen Scheuerer
Summary: A girl raised as a gladiator fights her way through magical trials to uncover her identity and save her people.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Low spice but with slow-burning, emotionally rich romance.
Best Book: A Lair of Bones – Immersive world and character development.Fae of Snow and Ice – Krista Street
Summary: A woman discovers her fae heritage and hidden powers in a snowy kingdom ruled by secrets and betrayal.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Steamy scenes with emotional depth.
Best Book: The Fae King's Curse – Great blend of magic, mystery, and romance.Summary: Meghan Chase enters the fae world to save her brother and finds herself in the middle of a war between the Seelie, Unseelie, and Iron Courts.
Spice Level: 1/5 – YA-level romance with sweet moments, no explicit scenes.
Best Book: The Iron Queen – Emotional growth and love at the forefront.Saga of the Unfated – Danielle Jensen
Summary: A prophecy binds two enemies, one a prince of the fae, to a fate that could save or destroy their realms.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Lots of angst, high tension, and very steamy scenes.
Best Book: A Fate Inked in Blood – Heart-wrenching with incredible banter.The Veiled Kingdom – Holly Renee
Summary: A woman arranged to marry into royalty finds herself caught between duty, desire, and dangerous secrets.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High-stakes emotional spice and forbidden love.
Best Book: King of Nothing – Enemies-to-lovers perfection.The Freckled Fate Trilogy – Tetyana Walker
Summary: A cursed woman with freckles that mark her fate must survive fae politics and a brewing war.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Moderate spice with unique magical lore.
Best Book: Fate’s Match – Gripping romance and original concept.Kingdom of Lies – Stacia Stark
Summary: A woman with a deadly secret finds herself in the middle of court lies, betrayal, and a tempting enemy prince.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tense, enemies-to-lovers heat with great chemistry.
Best Book: The Lies We Steal – Dark, addictive, and romantic.Kingdom of Ruins – Audrey Grey
Summary: An enslaved girl discovers a powerful magic within and must navigate ruthless fae courts to change her fate.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Emotional with moments of passionate intensity.
Best Book: Shadow Rise – Best blend of danger, court intrigue, and romance.💔 Enemies-to-Lovers, Tension & Trauma Bonds
Tense romantic pairings, slow burn or hate-to-love arcs
The Plated Prisoner – Raven Kennedy
Summary: Gilded and kept in a cage by the king who turned everything she touched to gold, Auren slowly realizes her strength as dark truths about power, autonomy, and love unravel.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Dark, emotional spice with psychological tension, dubcon themes, and powerful trauma-healing arcs.
Best Book: Glow – Explosive revelations, emotional growth, and the enemies-to-lovers arc peak here.The Bridge Kingdom – Danielle Jensen
Summary: Trained as a spy and assassin, Lara is sent to seduce and betray the king of a rival kingdom—but real feelings and truths about war challenge everything she believes.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tense and steamy, laced with betrayal and moral conflict.
Best Book: The Bridge Kingdom – The original setup delivers the strongest slow-burn payoff.The Broken Kingdoms – L.J. Andrews
Summary: A vengeful warrior infiltrates an enemy court, where she must face a dangerous prince with his own past and secrets.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Emotional intimacy with a deep trauma bond and forbidden longing.
Best Book: Curse of Shadows and Thorns – Strongest plot twist and romantic intensity.Summary: When gods and mortals collide, love becomes a battlefield—especially for two enemies with godlike powers and simmering hatred.
Spice Level: 5/5 – High spice with divine-level angst and primal chemistry.
Best Book: The Savage and the Swan – Packed with tension, betrayal, and seductive lore.Summary: A rebellious royal finds herself in a tangled, messy love triangle full of heartbreak, betrayal, and undeniable chemistry.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Angsty with possessive dynamics and taboo tension.
Best Book: Suddenly Royal – Peak emotional chaos and character growth.Frost and Nectar – C.N. Crawford
Summary: A mortal woman falls into a dangerous fae world, where her only hope of survival lies with a cold and deadly fae prince.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Strong enemies-to-lovers heat with magical seduction.
Best Book: Frost – Sharp banter, cold fire tension, and sizzling attraction.The Shadow Bound Queen – Eliza Raine
Summary: A fierce warrior must ally with a ruthless fae king to protect her people, even as their hatred brews into something far more dangerous.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Steamy with enemies-forced-to-work-together dynamics.
Best Book: The Shadow Bound Queen – Tightly written with great tension and character depth.The Legend of Thezzmar – Helen Scheuerer
Summary: A fierce dragon rider with a vengeful heart meets her match in a prince of war, entangling them in ancient magic and brutal politics.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with emotional intimacy and fierce tension.
Best Book: Heart of Flame – Delivers major development in romance and plot.Adrian X Isolde – Scarlett St. Clair
Summary: A fierce human queen is forced to marry a vampire king, and their hate simmers into obsession and twisted desire amid war and power struggles.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Explicit, rough, intense enemies-to-lovers with blood kink elements.
Best Book: King of Battle and Blood – Raw, brutal, and deeply erotic.The Kingmaker Chronicles – Amanda Bouchet
Summary: A woman with dangerous secrets is kidnapped by a warlord who needs her power to win a war—but neither expects the burning chemistry between them.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Mid-range spice with heartfelt tension and godlike stakes.
Best Book: A Promise of Fire – Witty, romantic, and action-packed.The Powerless Trilogy – Lauren Roberts
Summary: In a world where power defines worth, a powerless girl must hide her true identity and survive a brutal competition—where enemies could become allies... or lovers.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with growing tension and emotional spice.
Best Book: Powerless – Strongest world and romance setup.The Shepherd King – Rachel Gillig
Summary: A cursed girl is thrust into a court of shadows and deception, where the only person who can help her may also destroy her.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Low to mid spice, but drenched in romantic tension and gothic vibes.
Best Book: One Dark Window – Lush prose and haunting emotional stakes.The Binding Chronicles – Elayna R. Gallea
Summary: A soul-bonded pair are bound by magic and destiny—but they begin as enemies, forced to navigate fate and trust.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Soulmate trope with gradual heat and intense emotional bonding.
Best Book: Bound in Magic – Heightened stakes and romantic development.Quicksilver Series – Callie Hart
Summary: A dark mercenary and a woman on the run collide in a world of secrets, seduction, and emotional wreckage.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Very dark romance with possessiveness, obsession, and graphic spice.
Best Book: Quicksilver – Gritty, gripping, and hot from page one.The Wicked Games – Kaylie Smith
Summary: A deadly competition forces a reluctant heroine into proximity with a cunning and arrogant rival—one she’s meant to kill.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Tense competition and electric romantic build-up.
Best Book: A Ruinous Fate – The perfect mix of fantasy games and enemies-to-lovers tension.Epic Worldbuilding & High Stakes Fantasy
Large-scale world conflicts, rebellion, mythology, and ancient lore
Empire of Wolves – Courtney Shack
Summary: In a fractured empire ruled by ruthless alpha houses, a girl bound by prophecy must choose between survival and rebellion—especially when a cursed enemy becomes her greatest ally.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tension-heavy spice, with fated mates, primal dynamics, and slow-burn intensity.
Best Book: A Dawn of Onyx – A perfect blend of expansive worldbuilding, emotional stakes, and romantic depth.The Allium Series – Mallory Benjamin
Summary: Elemental magic, ancient secrets, and interwoven destinies collide in this richly developed fantasy world where betrayal and fate test love and loyalty.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Romance is present but secondary to the epic scope; spice is light and emotional.
Best Book: Root Rot – The world begins to bloom here with deep mythology and political twists.The Kindred’s Curse – Penn Cole
Summary: A bloodbound warrior and an exiled noblewoman are pulled into a war of gods and curses, where their fates—and hearts—are tied to the unraveling of ancient magic.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Strong romantic tension and a good mix of intimacy and emotional complexity.
Best Book: Wicked Blood – Highest stakes and the richest exploration of magic and connection.The Lochlann Feuds – Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison
Summary: A kingdom divided by ancient feuds and fragile alliances must reckon with love, vengeance, and the rise of rebellion.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Political intrigue drives the story, with slow-burn romantic arcs unfolding amidst war.
Best Book: Of Thorns and Beauty – Captures the heart of the conflict and emotional growth.Summary: Pirates, fae, and cursed magic swirl together as a hunted woman makes an uneasy alliance with a legendary sea king.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High emotional tension, steamy scenes, and undeniable chemistry across enemy lines.
Best Book: Crown of Blood and Ruin – Epic stakes and peak romantic and plot intensity.The Moonfall Series – Sarah A. Parker
Summary: When the moon falls and a cosmic force threatens to rip the world apart, a priestess and her enemy must join forces in a beautifully grimdark universe.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Lush, descriptive, deeply erotic and emotionally devastating spice.
Best Book: To Bleed a Crystal Bloom – Emotionally charged, exquisitely written, and hauntingly intimate.The War of Lost Hearts – Carissa Broadbent
Summary: In a brutal empire built on slavery and secrets, a former assassin joins a rebellion—and finds herself drawn to a mysterious magic-wielding prince.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Romance is intense but not overly graphic; high tension, morally gray dynamics.
Best Book: The Serpent and the Wings of Night – Introduces high-stakes magic, court drama, and romance.House of Earth and Blood – Sarah J. Maas
Summary: When a brutal murder shakes the foundations of a mythic city, a half-fae party girl and a brooding angel must uncover the truth—and risk everything.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Angsty, explicit scenes balanced with emotional trauma and slow-burn intimacy.
Best Book: House of Earth and Blood – Best pacing, worldbuilding, and emotional stakes.Hundred Kingdoms – Alexandra Christo
Summary: Royals across kingdoms play deadly games to claim power, but when forbidden magic awakens, alliances are tested by ancient lore and reluctant love.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Mild spice, heavy on court politics, betrayal, and slow-burn fantasy romance.
Best Book: Princess of Souls – Gothic romance meets magical lore in a haunting world.Daughter of the Wood – Demi Clorissa
Summary: A girl marked by the ancient woods is drawn into a centuries-old battle between man and fae, where love may be the most dangerous power of all.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burning with a dreamlike, folkloric tone and emotional heat.
Best Book: Daughter of the Wood – Richest in lore and atmosphere, setting the tone for the series.Fear the Flames – Olivia Rose Darling
Summary: In a kingdom torn by fire and fate, a cursed warrior must fight alongside a woman with dangerous secrets to stop a prophecy from destroying everything.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High emotional and physical tension, featuring intense, swoony scenes amid battle and magic.
Best Book: Fear the Flames – Strongest balance of romance, war, and myth.Dark Romantasy & Morally Gray Characters
Antiheroes, brutal politics, monsters as love interests
The Dark Curse Series – Fay Bec
Summary: A witch cursed to bring death is bound to a dangerous fae prince, forcing them into a reluctant alliance that’s as seductive as it is deadly.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High angst and primal tension, with forced proximity, fated mates, and dark magic-laced spice.
Best Book: Of Thorns and Beauty – The curse dynamics and romantic stakes hit hardest here.Coven of Bones – Harper L. Woods
Summary: A girl who accidentally binds herself to a monstrous god must navigate a world of necromancy, political betrayal, and forbidden magic.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Extremely dark, with intense scenes, possessive dynamics, and morally gray lovers.
Best Book: Coven of Bones – Seductive start that sets the tone for the entire twisted series.Deliciously Dark Fairytales – K.F. Breene
Summary: When a mortal is pulled into a brutal fae realm, she must rely on a terrifyingly powerful fae king who wants her for more than just politics.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Savage, sexy, and feral. Explicit with intense monster kink undertones.
Best Book: A Ruin of Roses – Sharp-tongued, witty heroine meets beastly love interest in peak enemies-to-lovers.Summary: A woman finds herself mated to a brutal wolf king in a world of alpha politics, primal bonds, and clawed intimacy.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Reverse harem, primal mating, and heavy kink content. Not for the faint-hearted.
Best Book: The Wolf Queen – Dominant spice and morally gray character dynamics shine from book one.Villains of Lore – Jasmine Mas
Summary: Fairytales flipped on their heads—each book explores a villain’s story as they entangle with their match in morally dark, often brutal romances.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Antiheroes, villain heat, and explicit but emotionally driven scenes.
Best Book: Cruel Prince Charming – Most satisfying blend of villainy, seduction, and redemption.Blood and Salt – Alexis Calder
Summary: In a drowned world of deadly bargains, a girl with no power must submit to a monstrous sea fae—and discovers the dark truth about herself.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Dark romantic tension with splash of monster kink, but slightly more story-forward.
Best Book: Blood and Salt – The original has the highest stakes and emotional weight.The Winners Trilogy – Marie Rutkoski
Summary: A general’s daughter buys a slave who holds dangerous secrets, setting off a chain of rebellion, betrayal, and forbidden love in a morally divided empire.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Minimal on-page spice, but heavy emotional tension and moral ambiguity.
Best Book: The Winner’s Curse – Strongest exploration of politics and complex power dynamics.The Princess Game Duo – Lyra Vincent
Summary: A cursed princess is forced to play deadly games with a ruthless ruler who may be her captor—or her only salvation.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Dark, taboo, and high heat with power plays and emotional manipulation.
Best Book: The Princess Game – Balances plot, spice, and twisted romance.Lux Series – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: An alien and a human girl clash in a war-torn world where secrets, danger, and sizzling attraction ignite.
Spice Level: 2/5 – YA with light-to-mid spice, but lots of tension, banter, and slow-burn buildup.
Best Book: Opal – Where the romance and stakes start to truly intensify.Flesh and Fire – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: A prequel to From Blood and Ash, this series focuses on Nyktos and Sera’s twisted, fated bond, political power struggles, and divine magic.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Explicit and emotionally raw. Fated mates with a dark, slow-burn edge.
Best Book: A Shadow in the Ember – Tension, plot, and steam in perfect balance.Underrated Romantasy Gems & Unique Vibes
Fresh indie voices, less mainstream but beloved by niche readers
The Bleeding Realms – Ella Dawes
Summary: A realm torn between gods, monsters, and fractured magic. A fierce heroine caught in the middle must navigate betrayal, blood bargains, and a dangerously alluring enemy.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tension-driven scenes with enemies-to-lovers heat, primal attraction, and emotional intensity.
Best Book: Blood & Vows – Strongest emotionally and romantically, with high tension and epic stakes.A Choice of Light and Dark – Lacey Lehotzky
Summary: In a world divided by light and shadow magic, a reluctant warrior and a dark prince are forced together by fate and ancient secrets.
Spice Level: 3/5 – A slow-burn, emotionally charged romance with steady, tasteful heat and rich magical atmosphere.
Best Book: A Choice of Light and Dark – Standalone feel with deep thematic exploration and standout chemistry.Royals of Embermere – Lucia Ashta
Summary: Royal politics, elemental powers, and fated connections unfold as a rebellious noblewoman defies tradition—and finds herself tangled with a fire-forged ruler.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Balanced spice and court intrigue; fated mates with fiery, slow-burn romance.
Best Book: Trial of the Sun Queen – A perfect blend of magic, rebellion, and longing.The Kingdom of Crows – Olivia Wildenstein
Summary: A crow shifter princess is forced into a political marriage with an enemy kingdom’s prince—who may be more ally than adversary in a war of magic and prophecy.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with lush emotional development; spice is tasteful and tender.
Best Book: Feather – Unique avian lore and deeply moving romantic evolution.The Shadow Bound Queen – Eliza Raine
Summary: A cursed queen and the dark ruler she’s destined to destroy (or love) navigate a tangled web of magic, vengeance, and morally gray passion.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Dark romantic energy, enemies-to-lovers heat, and fated mate tension.
Best Book: Queen of the Dawn – Where the mythology and romantic stakes soar.The Shadows and Crowns Series – S.M. Gaither
Summary: A girl with forbidden magic is forced into the court of the enemy, where the most dangerous man is also her greatest temptation—and possible ally against a darker threat.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Enemies-to-lovers tension, angst, and one bed-level intimacy.
Best Book: The Song of the Marked
Wrap-Up: Your Next Romantasy Obsession Awaits
From fae-fueled fantasy to enemies who definitely fall in love, this list is packed with series that hit all the right romantasy notes. Whether you're new to the genre or already deep in BookTok territory, there's something here to enchant you.
Note: For more recommendations and updates on upcoming romantasy releases, stay tuned to my blog.