Now then, dear reader, if you have turned the final page of From Blood and Ash and find yourself quite bereft—your heart still thundering with thoughts of Poppy and Casteel, your imagination yet wandering through those perilous kingdoms—take heart. For there exist other worlds equally magnificent, other romances equally forbidden, other adventures that shall sweep you away as surely as second stars lead to morning.
What follows is a carefully gathered collection of tales for those who loved the fierce maiden, the roguish prince, and all the delicious danger that danced between them. Come along, won’t you?
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
If ever there was a tale spun for hearts still aching from From Blood and Ash, it is this one. Here we find Feyre, a huntress most resourceful, who slays a wolf in winter woods and is subsequently carried off to the realm of the immortal fae as payment for her crime.
What begins as captivity transforms into something far more treacherous—passion. The fae lord Tamlin possesses secrets as deep as the ancient magic threatening his lands, and Feyre must choose between the life she knew and a love that defies the very nature of her existence. Those who fell for Casteel shall find themselves utterly enchanted by the dangerous males who populate these glittering courts.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Dragons, dear ones! Real, magnificent, wonderfully sarcastic dragons who might just as easily incinerate you as bond with you. At Basgiath War College, young Violet Sorrengail was meant for the scholars’ quiet halls, but her formidable mother has other plans entirely.
The dragon riders’ quadrant boasts a rather alarming casualty rate, and Violet’s physical limitations make survival seem quite impossible. Yet she possesses something her enemies do not expect—a brilliant, determined mind and absolutely no intention of dying. The enemies-to-lovers tension with the brooding Xaden Riorson shall leave you quite breathless, I assure you.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Imagine, if you will, being a human woman raised among vampires—livestock dwelling in the den of predators. This is Oraya’s peculiar circumstance, adopted daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, surviving by wit and blade in a world that considers her blood merely a beverage.
When she enters the Kejari, a tournament held by the goddess of death herself, she must ally with Raihn—a rival as dangerous as he is devastatingly attractive. Called “The Hunger Games with vampires,” this tale delivers the forbidden romance and deadly stakes that From Blood and Ash devotees crave.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
A warrior princess trained from childhood for one purpose: destroy the Bridge Kingdom and its ruler. When Lara is sent as a bride to King Aren under false pretenses of peace, she carries secrets sharp enough to bring nations to ruin.
But the kingdom she was taught to despise reveals itself to be rather different than expected, and the husband she intended to betray proves unexpectedly worthy of her heart. The enemies-to-lovers tension here is so exquisitely crafted that Jennifer L. Armentrout herself has declared, “Do not walk to pick up this book. Run.”
Gild by Raven Kennedy
This darkly reimagined tale of King Midas tells of Auren, a golden woman kept in a gilded cage—quite literally touched by magic and displayed as a treasure. The Plated Prisoner series explores what happens when the gilded bird begins to dream of flight.
Be warned, dear reader: this tale ventures into shadows darker than most, exploring themes of captivity and awakening with unflinching honesty. But for those who appreciate complex heroines who must discover their own strength, the journey proves most rewarding.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she was stolen away to the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, she wants nothing more than to belong in this beautiful, terrible realm—despite being despised for her mortality.
Prince Cardan is wicked, cruel, and absolutely insufferable. He is also, infuriatingly, rather magnetic. As civil war threatens the courts, Jude discovers her own capacity for cunning and bloodshed. This tale earned a place on the New York Times bestseller list for excellent reason—the hate-to-love tension is positively electric.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
In the mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder, young Elspeth harbors a secret most perilous: she shares her mind with an ancient, immortal creature. The magic that infected her as a child could see her killed if discovered.
When she encounters Ravyn, the mysterious Captain of the Destriers, they must gather twelve magical Providence Cards to save their kingdom from encroaching darkness. Gothic atmosphere drips from every page, and the slow-burn romance unfolds like a dark fairytale—beautiful, haunting, and utterly captivating.
The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
At ten, Sylvia fled the massacre of her entire family. At fifteen, she buried her first body. At twenty, she hides her forbidden magic while enemy armies hunt survivors of her fallen kingdom.
When cold, calculating Arin—the Nizahl Heir who despises all magic—discovers her secret, he offers a devil’s bargain: compete in a deadly tournament as his champion. Inspired by Egyptian lore and featuring enemies-to-lovers tension that crackles on every page, this tale delivers political intrigue and romance in equal, delicious measure.
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
Raina Bloodgood cannot speak, weaving her spells and communications through intricate hand signs. She has waited years to enact revenge upon the Witch Collector who stole her sister—but when ancient evils rise, she finds herself forced into alliance with her sworn enemy.
Alexus Thibault proves to be far more than the villain she expected. Their slow-burn journey from hatred to something far more combustible has earned comparisons to both Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout herself.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome, Laia is a slave who agrees to spy within the Empire’s most dangerous military academy. Elias is a soldier trained from childhood to enforce tyranny—yet he dreams only of freedom.
The Hollywood Reporter called it “The Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones with a dash of Romeo and Juliet,” and Time magazine placed it among the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. The tension between Laia and Elias burns fierce and true.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas ventures into new territory with this urban fantasy where humans, fae, angels, shifters, and demons coexist in the sprawling metropolis of Crescent City. Bryce Quinlan’s carefree existence shatters when her best friend is murdered.
Two years later, paired with the fallen angel Hunt Athalar to solve a similar killing, Bryce must confront her grief and a conspiracy that threatens everything she holds dear. At nearly 800 pages, this tome rewards patient readers with twists, romance, and emotional devastation aplenty.
Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich
Scarlett Monrhoe has been trained since childhood as an assassin, one of a deadly trio of sisters feared across the continent. When tragedy tears her world apart, she is offered what she has craved for ten years—revenge against the Fae Fire Prince who killed her mother.
Fans seeking arrogant vampires, possessive fae, and the particular tension of enemies-to-lovers shall find much to appreciate in this romantasy that has earned devoted following on Bookstagram.
Vicious Bonds by Shanora Williams
When Willow is inexplicably transported to another world, falling from the sky into a dark forest, she encounters Caz Harlow—the brooding Ruler of Blackwater. Most curiously, she can hear every thought in his mind.
Their rare, powerful bond attracts dangerous attention from forces who would kill to harness such magic. Featuring fated mates and the grumpy-sunshine dynamic that readers adore, this dark romantasy has been called “unexpected, addictive, and all-consuming.”
Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Twins Tory and Darcy discover they are the lost heirs to a magical throne—but the four Celestial Heirs currently in power have absolutely no intention of surrendering their positions gracefully.
This dark bully romance does not shy from intensity; it is brutal, dramatic, and features morally complex heroes who must earn their redemption. Those who enjoy enemies-to-lovers taken to extremes shall find this fourteen-book series thoroughly consuming.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien is an assassin, imprisoned and offered one chance at freedom: win a competition to become the King’s Champion. The Throne of Glass series begins with less spice than From Blood and Ash, but patience is rewarded handsomely in later volumes.
Shape-shifting fae, ancient evils, and a sprawling cast of complex characters await across seven epic books. For those seeking an immersive world to lose themselves within, this shall provide many delightful hours indeed.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
And so, dear reader, here before you lie fifteen doorways to new worlds—each offering the magic, passion, and adventure that made From Blood and Ash so unforgettable. Whether you choose dangerous fae courts, dragon-rider academies, or kingdoms threatened by ancient darkness, may your next reading adventure prove as thrilling as your last.
After all, to read is to never be alone, and to love romantasy is to carry magic always in your heart.
Happy reading, and do try not to fall too desperately in love with any morally grey heroes. (Though we both know you shall.)
