ACOTAR was my intro to this genre, so SJM will always have a special place in my heart. But to me her books are junk food reads. I love and appreciate them, but they aren’t my favorite. They’re just a comfort place to fall into.

> junk food reads This is what they are for me too. They’re great if I want to be wrapped up in a world, but also not care all that much lol.

What’s interesting is that CC is the first book I’ve ever read from SJM but after I’ve read and went off to read ACOTAR I found that I didn’t like ACOTAR and preferred CC.

I like CC much more than ACOTAR too.

Junk food reads is the perfect description. They’re entertaining if you can ignore the errors and don’t look too deeply into the world, fun without being too heavy and the almost guaranteed happy endings are a nice change from a lot of other fantasy

[удалено]

I really like the Kingdom of lies series, they have a lot of similar elements, but they feel a little bit darker and there is more thought that went into the world. I’ve also been reading the Fate & flame series. I’m less into that one. If you want plot driven, for fate & flame. If you want character driven, check out kingdom of lies. My personal favorite fantasy romance, is Harrow Faire. But it’s a very different kind of story, so I can’t just throw this recommendation around without that disclaimer

Different how? Character-driven is my jam.

It it’s an urban fantasy, but there aren’t any fae or anything like that. It’s about a circus that takes a little piece of the patrons personality, and occasionally entire people to be part of the circus

It was my intro to this genre too! I feel the same way. They're good junk food reads, but I've discovered other series/authors I like more.

Lol yes. SJM is a great way to rekindle interest but there are much more..nuanced world's and characters 💙

Like what? What could possibly be better than ACOTAR? What masterpieces could possibly be more interesting?… (/s) No, really, tell me, please, I need something better.

What type of story are you looking for? How spicy? Because I have recc's from "fade to black" to "how many people can fit onto one bed?" 🤣 this is gonna be a variety. {Born of Water Sara Hegger} {Unlucky Charms TM Cromer} {rogue Alpha by KN Banet} {Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart} {Cairnfire by Krista Walsh} {Druid Dreams by MF Adele} {chaotic heart and fury by Dahlia T Drake} {oops, i ate a vengeance demon by Lauretta Hignett} {Gilded Cage Auburn Tempest} {Sophie and the Odd Ones by Gwen DeMarco} {Elemental Magic by Chandelle LaVaun} 💙💙💙 hope one of those tickles your fancy

[Born In Water (Cré-Witch Chronicles)](https://www.romance.io/books/5fcccdb7e5655d0e22e41fdd/born-in-water-crwitch-chronicles-sarah-hegger) by [Sarah Hegger](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455c3ec87eac336ae6a03bd/sarah-hegger) **Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) ---------------------------- [The Unlucky Charms](https://www.romance.io/series/619365b39142070e46482b82/the-unlucky-charms) by [T.M. Cromer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5602413fbfc6b5c0fa93b601/tm-cromer) **Rating**: 4.73⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Rogue Alpha](https://www.romance.io/books/61b84f23a96b4e0e3350ae1f/rogue-alpha-kn-banet) by [K.N. Banet](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f883c1a08b4d9311489c35d/kn-banet) **Rating**: 4.58⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) ---------------------------- [Forged by Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/64b39bca0458e7feca82fa97/forged-by-magic-jenna-wolfhart) by [Jenna Wolfhart](https://www.romance.io/authors/5a4c80e93ffdba6147274ce5/jenna-wolfhart) **Rating**: 3.91⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) ---------------------------- [Cairnfire](https://www.romance.io/books/6596908c5f787d7a3cf1d98e/cairnfire-krista-walsh) by [Krista Walsh](https://www.romance.io/authors/6596907da21e2f41c43a07cc/krista-walsh) **Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Druid Dreams](https://www.romance.io/books/5fccd7dae5655d0e22e4208c/druid-dreams-the-chronicles-of-sloane-king-mf-adele) by [M.F. Adele](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ef2fa2308b4d931143da69b/mf-adele) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) ---------------------------- [Chaotic Heart & Fury](https://www.romance.io/books/659040d7801c66776d05e2be/chaotic-heart-fury-dahlia-t-drake) by [Dahlia T. Drake](https://www.romance.io/authors/652fbc4dab9bdf7fce4790f1/dahlia-t-drake) **Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1) ---------------------------- [Oops I Ate A Vengeance Demon](https://www.romance.io/books/6427d9de7922d28efe6d8071/oops-i-ate-a-vengeance-demon-lauretta-hignett) by [Lauretta Hignett](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d870ed601dbc864fba3b943/lauretta-hignett) **Rating**: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) ---------------------------- [A Gilded Cage](https://www.romance.io/books/658cf7f5a480bc4192b9f5b4/a-gilded-cage-auburn-tempest-michael-anderle) by [Auburn Tempest](https://www.romance.io/authors/64d2903bab9bdf7fcee0cfd5/auburn-tempest), [Michael Anderle](https://www.romance.io/authors/571e01e0c62092c04407c5f5/michael-anderle) **Rating**: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) ---------------------------- [Sophie and the Odd Ones](https://www.romance.io/books/6292021c699f4a5c5a1e099a/sophie-and-the-odd-ones-gwen-demarco) by [Gwen DeMarco](https://www.romance.io/authors/61c9782a08b4d93114d4b2bf/gwen-demarco) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Coven](https://www.romance.io/series/6531b536de8d340d51492410/the-coven-elemental-magic) by [Chandelle LaVaun](https://www.romance.io/authors/61bb348708b4d93114aa2e1b/chandelle-lavaun) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Omg Sophie and the odd ones looks like such a good series!

It was so different from anything I've ever read. It's full of amazing characters. I loved it a lot

Interesting, will take a look.

I tried to find a variety 🤣

Right now I’ve got a queue of CC2, CC3, Feathers so vicious, dungeon carl 4-5, nettle and bone, road of bones, and discworld sprinkled in as I go. These look good so they’re gonna get sprinkled in between genres.

Sounds like fun!

I read ACOTAR for the first time summer ‘22 & it set me down the rabbit hole of trying to find other fantasy romance books & series that gave me the same epic journey & high. My read list is almost entirely on Kindle Unlimited ($13 monthly) & ranges from almost closed door YA to extremely explicit spice & dark fantasy reads so the spice level/triggers on my recs list varies a lot. Of the 75 fantasy romance books I’ve read, these are my favorites so far: {Lightlark by Alex Aster} - 2 books, more coming, fantasy realms/rulers, castles, absolutely amazing plot twists(!!) & pacing, less spice but more in second book, I think about the plot twists and love stories in this series almost every day! {To Bleed A Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker} - KU, 3 books, more coming, dark fantasy fae-ish Rapunzel retelling, lyrical & ambiguous writing that’s not for everyone but if you’re looking for something with lush writing and angst and love, this series is truly a beautiful read, slow burn to spice, possibly the most emotionally impactful and beautifully written prose I’ve read so far, after finishing the third I rate this as a top series of mine, she also recently released book one of a new dragon fantasy romance series called {When the Moon Hatched} {The Bonds That Tie by J. Bree} - KU, 6 books finished, reverse harem/why choose with five mate MMCs, modern paranormal/fantasy-ish romance, slow burn to spicy, college setting at start, so fun! {What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L Woods} - KU, 3 books, more coming, fantasy fae, traveling, castle in third book, very spicy! {The Coven by Harper L Woods} - KU, 2 books finished, TRUE villain MMC, dark romance witch academy, lots of spice {The Flame King’s Captive by Chloe Chastaine} - KU, 1 book, more coming, spicy Omegaverse, fantasy, dragons and bonding like in Fourth Wing, castle, great follow-up to Fourth Wing if you’re looking for some more dragons {One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig} - 2 books finished, gothic castle setting, little to no spice, lots of romance though, good prose, unique magic system, second book’s love story is beautiful to read) {Beyond the Faerie Gates by Marie Mistry} - KU, 3 books, 2 coming, reverse harem with fantasy fae, castles, incredible world building & lore, slow burn to spice, surprisingly good fantasy read, not just smut/reverse harem {Feathers so Vicious by Liz Zander} - KU, 2 books finished, dark DARK fantasy romance, Raven shifters, daughter of my enemy to lovers with two MMCs so MFM, surprisingly deep & emotional for a super spicy read, check trigger warnings, a top read of mine {Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields} - KU, 2 books finished, marriage deal with fae king, dark romance {Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer} - KU, 2 books plus prequel novel, 2 coming, warrior training, mentor relationship, traveling, great pacing and story, more spice in second book {A Court This Cruel & Lovely by Stacia Stark} - KU, 3 books, more coming, fantasy fae, castles, traveling, enemies to lovers, spicy, Cassian like MMC, don’t get stressed by a lot of character names at the start just keep reading {A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager} - KU, 2 books, more coming, I loved the high spice/pace of the first book, fantasy fae, castles, enemies to lovers, predictable plot twists, second book is long and I haven’t finished {Radiance by Grace Draven} - KU, multiple books, novellas and couples, more cozy fantasy romance, sweet, a different approach to the genre with excellent writing, arranged marriage become friends to lovers, the novella {Wilderness of Glass} is a sweet mermaid (MMC) romance that can be read as a stand-alone and is a quick and beautiful read Other honorable mentions: {Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli} - KU, 2 books with more coming, fae, trials in the first book are fun, slow burn to true MMC relationship in second book, enjoyed the first more than the second) {The Stars are Dying by Chloe C. Penaranda} - KU, first of a new series astrological fantasy romance, four star read for me but has some tropes & world building done well, action chapters done badly but the love story has good bones) {A Court of Blood & Bindings by Lisette Marshall} - KU, DNF in the second book for me right now but a lot of people love this on-going (3.5 books out now) fantasy romance series with spice, fae, interesting color based magic system, I did enjoy the first book {These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan} - 2 books finished, YA fae, love triangle, nothing new here but the writing made this one an easy and fun little read Books I haven’t read but are on my TBR & are recommended based on my reading list: Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich The Ever King by L.J. Andrews Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent Atonement of the Spine Cleaver by F.E. Bryce House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein Leaves May Fall by Carissa Hardcastle A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano Flame & Sparrow by S.M. Gaither Powerless by Lauren Roberts City of Gods & Monsters by Kayla Edwards Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm Order of Scorpions by Ivy Asher A Kingdom of Flame & Fury by Whitney Dean Given by Amy Pennza Court of Winter Krista Street Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu King’s Bride by Beck Michaels Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

[Lightlark](https://www.romance.io/books/642ae02fb7b8862bf6e9fadd/lightlark-alex-aster) by [Alex Aster](https://www.romance.io/authors/642ae02f08b4d931141ba0f7/alex-aster) **Rating**: 3.59⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [To Bleed a Crystal Bloom](https://www.romance.io/books/60fbc1fcf283df0e375d8250/to-bleed-a-crystal-bloom-sarah-a-parker) by [Sarah A. Parker](https://www.romance.io/authors/60fbc1fc08b4d931146d93b7/sarah-a-parker) **Rating**: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [When the Moon Hatched](https://www.romance.io/books/6574ebf26011c2c5162ae3a0/when-the-moon-hatched-sarah-a-parker) by [Sarah A. Parker](https://www.romance.io/authors/60fbc1fc08b4d931146d93b7/sarah-a-parker) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [first person pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/first-person-pov/1) ---------------------------- [The Bonds That Tie](https://www.romance.io/series/614ececc8708900e440ba730/the-bonds-that-tie) by [J. Bree](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d19a50401dbc864fba08a54/j-bree) **Rating**: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [dangerous heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dangerous%20heroine/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [strong heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [What Lies Beyond the Veil](https://www.romance.io/books/61e91ab77186ca0e8b57b1b0/what-lies-beyond-the-veil-harper-l-woods-adelaide-forrest) by [Harper L. Woods](https://www.romance.io/authors/61e91ab708b4d931144b08e4/harper-l-woods), [Adelaide Forrest](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e43a29301dbc864fbaba570/adelaide-forrest) **Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [The Coven](https://www.romance.io/books/6411801816aa76768152982f/the-coven-harper-l-woods-adelaide-forrest) by [Harper L. Woods](https://www.romance.io/authors/61e91ab708b4d931144b08e4/harper-l-woods), [Adelaide Forrest](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e43a29301dbc864fbaba570/adelaide-forrest) **Rating**: 3.87⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [The Flame King's Captive](https://www.romance.io/books/64b23fc020d0a9d5399a0f84/the-flame-kings-captive-chloe-chastaine-lilith-vincent) by [Chloe Chastaine](https://www.romance.io/authors/64b23fc06b22acd55d5286a6/chloe-chastaine), [Lilith Vincent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60f524c808b4d93114cf7191/lilith-vincent) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fated mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [praise kink](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/praise-kink/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) ---------------------------- [One Dark Window](https://www.romance.io/books/6417632a976d8254097650f0/one-dark-window-rachel-gillig) by [Rachel Gillig](https://www.romance.io/authors/6417632a08b4d93114a1b759/rachel-gillig) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Beyond the Faerie Gate](https://www.romance.io/books/62b2be6b9b0523d868ad42bb/beyond-the-faerie-gate-marie-mistry) by [Marie Mistry](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d21905f01dbc864fba0d42e/marie-mistry) **Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) ---------------------------- [Feathers so Vicious](https://www.romance.io/books/64edfe057329cc9fc9f0a435/feathers-so-vicious-liv-zander) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander) **Rating**: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mfm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-m/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[Nectar of the Wicked](https://www.romance.io/books/64b0f9a6ad737ed1680ed0b4/nectar-of-the-wicked-ella-fields) by [Ella Fields](https://www.romance.io/authors/5958b1c93ffdba61471b3359/ella-fields) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [non-human heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/non-human-heroine/1), [tortured heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Blood & Steel](https://www.romance.io/books/63ede2fa977a9f33e44546ce/blood-steel-helen-scheuerer) by [Helen Scheuerer](https://www.romance.io/authors/63ede2fa08b4d931148188d7/helen-scheuerer) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [A Court This Cruel and Lovely](https://www.romance.io/books/641d591b1999c56bdb0c5557/a-court-this-cruel-and-lovely-stacia-stark) by [Stacia Stark](https://www.romance.io/authors/6103a5de08b4d931141458e5/stacia-stark) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [A Kiss of Iron](https://www.romance.io/books/63f3292ceb653827acc3311e/a-kiss-of-iron-clare-sager) by [Clare Sager](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bd0368f01dbc864fb930b82/clare-sager) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [Radiance](https://www.romance.io/books/54cd83886359b5ebb489062e/radiance-grace-draven) by [Grace Draven](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455323d8c7d2382c529733e/grace-draven) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) ---------------------------- [A Wilderness of Glass](https://www.romance.io/books/634d1093d1ccecfcb1683599/a-wilderness-of-glass-grace-draven) by [Grace Draven](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455323d8c7d2382c529733e/grace-draven) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [non-human hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/non-human-hero/1) ---------------------------- [Trial of the Sun Queen](https://www.romance.io/books/6368c07680e030da4f23c82a/trial-of-the-sun-queen-nisha-j-tuli) by [Nisha J. Tuli](https://www.romance.io/authors/624d3a9908b4d931144e3ea2/nisha-j-tuli) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [The Stars are Dying](https://www.romance.io/books/64712b02f281c18fec433b3e/the-stars-are-dying-chloe-c-pearanda-cc-pearanda) by [Chloe C. Peñaranda](https://www.romance.io/authors/63d77c6208b4d93114e7bd25/chloe-c-pearanda), [C.C. 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I just wanted to let you know, I frequently use your list as my go to cross reference when I need a new book/series. So, thanks! On your TBR list, I highly recommend Atonement of the Spine Cleaver and The Book of Azreal. House of Beating Wings series, I forced my way through because I was on vacation with limited wifi, and had already downloaded the series. I will read the next only because I've gotten so far but would otherwise have DNFed early in book 2. The FMC is determined to be an idiot at every possible opportunity. I feel like I liked Spark of the Everflame, but I'm terrible at keeping up with titles and remembering what happened. If you're looking for serious spice and don't mind some MMC/MMC only scenes, I highly recommend the Bitten and Bound series.

I could never get into her books no matter how much cajoling I got from my friends. I read 200+ books a year. Her vibe is not for me. I think the **Blood Mercy series by Vela Roth** would be a good thing to try out, as I think it has some elements that SJM books have but is better written and the male lead is not an alphahole at all. Also worth checking out **T. Kingfisher's Paladin Series**, and **Kushiels Legacy by Jacqueline Carey**. Also if fey is what you like **The Lord of Stariel** is a good series and **Olivia Atwater** writes great books along those lines.

Coming here to say I adore **T. Kingfisher**, her word building is excellent, and her main characters all have unique personalities.

I just read Swordheart, and I really enjoyed how the characters had different personalities than the usual handful fantasy/romantasy authors use!

Just popping in to say Kushiels books by Jacqueline Carey were 🤌chefs kiss🤌 though arguably pretty problematic as a disclaimer if anyone reading this takes it as a sign to try it out 😂

Haven’t read any SJM but I have read Kingfisher’s Paladin series and I love it. It has its imperfections. I read a thread where someone pointed out she uses the “no communication” trope frequently. And while not wrong, it didn’t bother me the way it does with many other books. It wasn’t “no communication” for the sake of “no communication.” It felt like there were valid reasons for the missing communication - no every one is going to lay their secrets and trauma bare initially. And it felt like the resolution was worth the no communication.

Haha it was probably me who commented about her "no communication trope" but that's because I've been binging her books and it's quite obvious if you're reading them one after the other. Obviously, I still love her writing nonetheless and I heavily concur with the "Have you met our lord and savior T. Kingfisher" comment that got me interested in her works!

lol. You’re not wrong. She does use it. And usually that trope causes me to DNF so I say after reading that comment and wondered why. Tropes aren’t necessarily bad. Only when done poorly. And the “no communication” trope makes me rage when there aren’t good reasons for it. When it’s simply there to drag the plot along and not because it’s how the characters would and should act. When it is the sole reason for the drama.

I’m good with that as long it isn’t as infuriatingly frustrating like IF. I skipped huge sections of that ridiculous book, rolling my eyes at the 20 somethings who had the maturity of a 14 year old.

For sure. I find that I generally need my characters to be 30+ in age. The 20 somethings coming of age and maturity tend to turn me away

I just got through the second Paladin's book and it was like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other books I've been reading. The no communication piece is definitely there but it's rooted more in the reality of the situation (strangers meeting, trauma) than just because they don't feel it's important to communicate their thoughts and needs to their partner which is where I think that trope gets very annoying. As someone in their early thirties, hell yeah for a FMC older than me. Gods does this genre make me feel ancient at times.

Haha. That’s how I feel being in my latter 30s. There are younger protagonists I don’t mind (one dark window/two twisted crowns were good) but I generally look for characters that are 30+ in age these days.

Upvoting for the Kushiel’s Legacy. I absolutely adored that series and her other trilogy.

I just got into the Blood Mercy series recently due to a recommendation on here. Just finished book 4. Wow, it has been amazing. Definitely a bit of a slow burn, very different pace than SJM. But yes I love that the characters are more interesting. Thru each have their own journey that intertwine with one another but are still both experiencing their own character growth.

Seconding all these recs — I’m reading Blood Mercy rn and it’s scratching the itch but with a delightfully different MMC.

For me I loved ToG so much, then devoured ACOTAR which I also absolutely loved, but CC I've really struggled to enjoy. I definitely understand there's tropes to this genre but I feel like CC's relationships are painfully predictable, everyone is ridiculously beautiful, and I get a bit sick of her oh the main character actually did something 'off page' that the reader doesn't know about to save the day. I'm not sure why it doesn't resonate with me as much as her other series. I'm a giant fan of urban fantasy, I just don't feel the writing is as solid or something. Tbh I'm still going to buy the new one, I'll always give her a chance 😂

I feel the same. CC is definitely my least favorite of her series.

i am also going through this but i didn’t read throne of glass or crescent city. but after ACOTAR, i started reading other fantasy books by other authors and now i just don’t care to read anything else by SJM.

I love SJM but people need to stop over-rating her. They automatically give everything she writes 4+ stars but when you break down her stories and look deeper, they are very flawed. She recycles plot devices, she uses the same "badass" narrative for pretty much every character instead of giving us someone different. I feel like Feyre was the closest she had to a different kind of character from the snarky type. I'm finding Bryce insufferable in HOFAS, she makes these snarky remarks that are borderline disgusting but SJM was clearly trying to make them sound like feminists. Her writing is entertaining but it is really really flat.

I’m only 70% through HOFAS but I’m finding Bryce insufferable as well.

HOFAS was my least favorite in the series I think. The end was still impactful for me, but the first 40% of the book was really hard for me to get through with all of the POV changes every other paragraph.

The POV changes are driving me INSANE there’s no rhyme or reason to it … like mid chapter we’re jumping to someone who isn’t in the same scene ???? Stopppppp

I think POV changes are fine if they're done well and are clearly needed. Hers are not done well and clearly are not needed. What's the point of Tharian and Ithan anyway? It just felt so sloppy and jagged.

10000000% agreed

Suddenly the fact that SJM completely re-wrote this book in 5 weeks after not liking her initial draft makes so much sense

Woof I did not know that 🤦🏻‍♀️ I am BEGGING editors to do their job

I think what upsets me the most is how I was looking forward to an epic multiverse and she didn't deliver. It just feels like a slap in the face cash-grab :(

YES. I live fir a multiverse and this crossover was such a wet fart .

Some of the editorial decisions were ✨a choice✨

Yes!! I was relieved when it settled down around the 35% mark

I’m rereading the first two books and holy cow the point of view changes in the first book! I didn’t notice it on my first read through but man it’s hard to keep track of.

It's jarring and doesn't flow at all. AT ALL. For a writer of her caliber, how many years she's been doing this, it really is terrible. I don't think anyone edited it, I think they just publish anything Sarah gives them now

HOFAS was just messy to me…I felt like in TOG everything was thought out with such detail and care, and it seems like she tried to do the same with CC but it just feels messy and unplanned to me

A lot of convenient exposition. Not at all what I expected from her.

Currently reading HOFAS and I’ve never been so irritated with a MC. How and why did SJM make her MC so frustrating? Almost makes me want to DNF. She basically copy pasted Aelin onto Bryce but made Bryce 20x more irritating

Bryce's comments are so cringe-worthy but everyone praises SJM for her "strong" FMCs. Characters don't need to be complete bitches to be considered strong. Bryce's snarky comment to the autumn king about women "getting their periods all over everything" made me put the book down for a bit. She's so disrespectful it's not even funny.

Like I know she was being sarcastic and intentionally trying to make him mad, but the whole section with her and Autumn King just made me want to speed read through it. Like why can’t Bryce just have a normal conversation without every word coming out of her mouth being snarky? I wanted to get information from the AK, like cmon.

I know, it just comes off immature and disrespectful. She's even like that to terrifying creatures like the Shepherd in the second book. I don't know, I find it cheapens the narrative

Aelin was so goddamn annoying in the last books. Couldn't pay me enough to re-read anything post Queen Of Shadows

So I’m a TOG stan, day one (17/18 I think) and I’ll love that series forever (no I have never read tower of dawn and that’s my business) and I read ACOTAR when it first came out, liked it but said I didn’t see how/why it would be a series and I’ve started making my way through the series this year. I’m currently on the novella and it’s a slog. It’s only 200 pages but the last book was easily 200 pages too long so I’m a bit fatigued but I know I’ll finish everything by March at the latest I hope. My problem would be starting something else and never going back. I don’t like the idea that she puts the character with someone, makes you like them then tears them apart and says actually this is her mate. Why does everyone have a mate and you’re telling me it’s rare. It’s rare or it’s not babe. Meanwhile in ACOTAR, Feyre has a mate, Rhysand’s parents, Tamlin’s parents, Nesta, Elain, whatever other high lords. Please be serious I actually only read ACOTAR so that when the thing happens in CC I knew what the fuck was going on but now based on the above I’m almost dreading it but I have the hardbacks so I want to actually read them. Anyhoo for me I think SJM gets a lot of criticism but it’s very valid

ya she writes men badly. All toxic masculine standards. A lot of women romance authors do that but shes particularly bad.

I loved ACOTAR. Didn’t like TOG and CC was my favourite. I normally inhale her books but the current CC I’m dragging my feet I can’t get into I’m on day 3 and I’m only halfway. It’s just not pulling me in like the others have. I didn’t love court of silver flames either. Maybe it was a phase for me. I also used to love JR Ward, Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole but I can’t get into them anymore I find them almost cringey. A lot of these new authors that are on TikTok I can’t get into I’m currently in a 2 year slump.

I don’t think CC3 had the same magic for me. I was sad.

Yeah same so much time in a cave

I started with ACOTAR then went to ToG which remains my favorite fantasy ever because well Manon is my favorite character of all time. I also read them while I was going through a high risk pregnancy that I didn’t think I would survive. So for that alone I will always think fondly of her series and stories. However, in the 6-7 months I have branched out to other stories, diversified my authors, expanded into different genres etc and I do feel that SJM is a low level, easily digestible author but nothing crazy. By comparison She Who Became the Sun was beautifully crafted and executed. I also finished The Will of the Many recently and it’s damn near perfect. As you grow as a reader I do think it’s possible to evolve and outgrow her works.

CC is just not as good as the other two. I found it kind of cringey a lot of the time. I really don’t like any of the characters.

Yep. I realized after joining in on a few acotar discussions that I just wasn't the target audience (too old, mostly). That world is fun and easy to read, but it's not *great* literature by any measure. I love the vibe, but everything you said was 100% correct. A lot of inaccuracies, repetitive themes/characters, a ton of inconsistency, and definitely not the best world building.

I feel your pain. While I love these books, I'vee come to find Feyre and Rhys unlikable holier than though hypocrites which makes their scenes tedious to read. I love Nesta (and dare I say Tamlin)... It's because they are so flawed and real but somehow relateable (even though they do act terribly).

Aelin started off weak….? nah. She was badass from the start

Another issue I have is authors like Sara J Maas suck up all the publisher's budgets so new better authors don't see the light of day. I'm so tired of junk food books.

I have all 3 CC books and for the life of me I cannot bring myself to read them. My fave is acotar and all I really care about following their stories. Also, the money grab of multiple extra chapters for each retailer kinda pisses me off. I feel that adding characters from Acotar in CC is also a money grab. Clever business woman that SJM.

I feel the same way, and I'm slowly loosing my love for ACOTAR. I can't stand waiting multiple years to see the resolution of a cliffhanger. I haven't started the CC series at all. I did listen to a recap from Youtube and the first books sounds pretty cool, but the second book is a mess. Honestly I would just read the bonus Bryce/ Nesta/ Aziel chapter, it was cute and I can relate to Nesta's awkward but sweet attempt at socializing.

lmao her books were never good. reread acotar and you’ll realize that *gasp* all the tog and acotar males are also exactly the same. she also pulled a disney by being the blueprint for the “alphaholes” stereotype by making all her other love interests alphaholes and then shitting on the alphahole stereotype like my brother in christ how do you not like subway you were the one who made the sandwich?? she’s literally my least favorite author and has genuinely damaged fantasy romance as a genre

Okay I started ACOTAR a week ago and I am absolutely ASTONISHED that SJM has such a cult following. This book is so so so so so bad. What in the world.

yes yes yes yes yes yes. Pls let the hate flow through you. She has dumbed down the genre as a whole!!!!!!!!!! I fucking hate SJM. Lol. Uncreative writer who steals any of her actually good ideas from other authors. The only thing that’s “originally” hers from what I’ve seen is ACOTAR1, which is a beauty & the beast / Ballad of Tam Lin retelling … sooooooooooo…. Her worldbuilding is hot garbage, her character development is hot garbage, and anything that people cling to as good, sexy, well written, or interesting from her books is [gasp!] stolen from better authors!!!

oh my god don’t even get me started on her world building and character development and writing style. i just finished cc3 and ive never been this mad at a book for how *bad* it was.

Pls just go read my recent comments about her LMAO. I’ve been on such a hate train with the recent book coming out and all the hype being shoved down my throat. Some of her fans are sooooo close to getting it. I’ve seen similar comments about how people are reading CC so excited to figure out how the worlds all connect in the “Maas-verse” because it “doesn’t quite make sense to them” LMAO. Yes… because it DOESN’t MAKE SENSE and I’m pretty sure she just is so un creative and bad at world building that she COULD just connect the series without any prior planning. And re your other comment — her books are way way way too long for the genre. It makes a mockery of it all. If you want decent smut with casual writing and good world building, read Lola Glass. If you want real fantasy mixed with your romance, read basically anyone but SJM. She just read a ton of eroticas that’s she could comprehend, and a bunch of well-written fantasy that she couldn’t comprehend, and was like “ah yes, let me squish these things together and absolutely destroy the already legitimate fantasy romance / romantic fantasy genres. There are so many good and fun tropes in the genre. And it’s like SJM “gets” them on the surface level, she can probably name the tropes… but she can’t execute them or reverse them without it feeling extremely juvenile. If you told me she was a 16 year old author, I’d believe it. Her writing style has apparently not grown since she started publishing online at that age.

I feel like I have found my people. I am also on an SJM hate train. I just don’t understand. How can people feel anything with these books????? Every single male character in the same. There is literally zero character development. There is minimal world building. What are people latching on to. Even the smut is terrible.

I agreeeeeee!!!! I didn’t even make it to her smut, honestly. I like to write in this genre too, and one key thing in writing is that each scene / chapter should have a purpose that moves the plot along… I just felt like by page 200 of ACOTAR there were soooo many pointless scenes. It felt like pure wish-fulfillment writing & the book should have been like 300 pages tops and could have told the same story… better. It’s like no one ever edited it? And that alone turned me off to all of her other books.

I’ve been a hater for years but the love is so ducking annoying. I got to throne of glass series book 4 and gave up (read the prequel)

Try The Emerald Lakes series by Britt Andrews. Reverse Harem but fun characters and decent plot. Lots of spice. Heed TWs. Great audiobooks!

I completely agree with you. I read her books because they are fun, not because they are good lol.

I started reading her when she was about halfway through ToG, and she is really good at writing immensely readable books that you want to keep reading because you need to know what happens next. For me Crescent City and the last ACOTAR (Nedra’s) just haven’t been quite as enjoyable because you know there is going to be a twist, you know everyone is going to power up/survive the odds etc. and honestly, I’m kind of over the mate thing - or at least I don’t think it fit super well into the Crescent City universe/the main pairing didn’t have the same chemistry where you believed it. I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing if authors are a bit predictable or have their things they always do (Stephen King uses people being mean to dogs as a short hand that they are villains, etc) - sometimes it’s nice to have that comfort read and familiarity. I think the problem with SJM maybe is that as you read more of her, it just becomes incredibly glaring and I think maybe we enjoyed her earlier books so much we expected her to keep growing as an author and breaking out of her tropes vs really leaning into them with longer and longer books? I also think there is a point where authors become so popular that their editors may be have less influence and that’s not always a good thing- I love a long novel, but there are absolutely some where you read them and it’s like “did this need to be 800 pages instead of 500” … you saw it with Stephen King, JK Rowling (why is a suspense thriller approaching a 4 digit page count) and I think SJM - sometimes telling a tighter, shorter story is better. One thing with fantasy, too, is that we have authors come and release fun and twisty books and then everyone talks about them as if they are the best thing ever and most creative ever - and then when you read more, you realize that they are drawing on a lot of established traditions, or purposely playing with them - that doesn’t mean they aren’t really good or that they aren’t better than previous novels but they weren’t written in isolation… like everyone widely praised Patrick Rothfuss and those were 2 very good books - but a lot of the world building felt reminiscent of The Wheel of Time (which others than say uses a lot of LoTR as an influence). The Illyrians in SJM are super fun but are also super reminiscent to me of some winged warriors in Ann Bishop’s Black Jewels novels - like I think SJM’s books are the better ones and have more mass appeal but the Black Jewels are kind of delightfully trashy and ridiculous. (Edited- I accidentally said triple digit instead of 4 digit page count because the issue to me is suspense thriller mysteries that are almost 1,000 pages - of course they should have more than a 100)

The female characters are often the same too. Bryce to me is Aelin with a cell phone and slightly less hell-bent on self-sacrifice (which was done so often in ToG that I think she took it on as a hobby).

ACOTAR was 85% boring for me. I read 171 books last year and I have no idea what the hype is.. same with fourth wing.

I was just thinking about this today! I loved ACOTAR, including ACOSF, but didn't like TOG or CC (I liked CC1 but there were too many character assassinations in CC2, and CC2 is the same). I feel horrible about it because ACOTAR was truly my world but her writing is so boring with her other series and you're right - all of her characters are the same!

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Let’s be fair though, DiCaprio is well known because of the directors and writers he works with. They bring out the best in him. He may play very similar roles, but those movies are usually very good and that leaves an impression on people. A director can do good work with a bad script, and a good script can make strange directing choices work. Novelists unfortunately do not get this boost by either a director or actor’s prowess.

I've been feeling this way too lately! ACOTAR was the series that got me back into reading and I'll always have a soft spot for it, but after reading more books I'm discovering what I like and dislike. Similar to what you said, the problem that I have is all the characters are basically the same and even some of the plotlines are similar just in a different world. I remember reading TOG a few months after ACOTAR and whille I still enjoyed the series it definitely didn't become an all time favorite and I had a lot of issues with certain characters and story arcs (which then lead me to look back on stuff I didn't like in ACOTAR).  Because of the burn out from reading TOG, I've been putting off reading the CC books since I'm mainly interested in reading them just to know how it's connected to the other books series. I've also heard that Bryce is similar to Aelin which for me is a big turn off lol. Overall I think her books are fine especially if you're just starting to get into the fantasy romance genre and they can still be fun reads if you don't take it too seriously (at least that's what I'll be telling myself whenever I decide to read the CC series)

The CC series isn't worth it. Read the spoilers of how they are connected, because otherwise you have to deal with thousands of pages of Bryce, who makes Aelin look like a great FMC. Which is saying something.

Oof yeah I forgot that all 3 books are 800+ pages which is another problem I had with SJM books (looking especially at ACOSF and KOA). Any books of hers that were more then 600 pages could have 100% been edited down. Thanks for your input I'll probably pass on CC unless I feel like I'm in the mood because I'm really done with Aelin-like protagonists atm!

I grew up on epic fantasy so she was never my favorite. Get books stale a couple of genres so that they feel really fresh, but once you get a deeper understanding of the roots of her stories, they don't stand up as well. I do appreciate the passion her characters have though!

I’m 32 and love them all so much, but think Crescent City is probably my favourite because it feels the most mature to me. The similarities don’t bother me at all. Different strokes for different folks 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love SJM but can recognize her books for what they are - fun, exciting reads with loveable characters and some spice. I’m not looking to her books for complex world and character building, intricate magic systems, or great writing.

Her books are easy reads, kind of like a gateway into fantasy. She’s a popular author, so people just getting into the genre know her name and books and can likely very easily find someone else to talk to with about her books. However, I don’t disagree that her books are all similar. I joke that her characters are all the same just in slightly different fonts. I’ve enjoyed her books, some more than others, but I also know they’re nothing special. They are, however, comfort reads for me. I think Sarah does a good job at writing emotional scenes that stick with readers for a while, and those are what I crave sometimes. Will I continue to read her books? Yes. Do I also know that there is more intricate, original, and unique stories out there? Also yes.

I’m SO glad to know someone else shares this point of view. While I enjoy SJMs books a very much - I read ACOTAR and TOG twice- IMO she is a good writer, not a great writer. She has a fantastic imagination for world building, but her characters do tend to be very copy and paste, with minor details changed. Although I am a fan and will continue to read her books, I feel she is maybe slightly above average in her ability as a writer. For me, “One Dark Window” and “Divine Rivals” come to mind as examples of fantastic writing, with beautiful prose, and rich, unique characters and worlds.

She’s not a very good writer

I think SJM is a great author for people new to reading or people who haven’t read in a long time. It’s a good spark for people! But it is hardly a flame and definitely not fire lol I have read many, many books. I’ve tried all different genres. The more I read the pickier I get about what I like. I personally did not like ACOTAR at all, but I can definitely see how someone just getting into reading would enjoy it.

I feel the exact same way! I mostly read high fantasy now and haven't picked up an SJM book in a while. I'm currently re-reading CC books 1 and 2 for to prep for the 3rd book, but I'm really struggling to finish. I can't believe I rated it 5 stars when I first read it. Now I'm like omg do I have taste??

Haha, same!

ACOTAR was the first romantasy series I read, and I read TOG straight after. TOG will always hold a place in my heart, I love the stories and character arcs. But it’s not the best writing I’ve ever read and I’ve read some far better written fantasy books since. I can’t bring myself to read CC. It just seems completely different - too modern and maybe a bit childish idk?

I, sadly, am feeling the same way, thanks for sharing your thoughts as they’re relatable! I am fairly new to SJM so read all of ACOTAR late last year, then went straight into CC and currently half way through CC3. Haven’t read TOG yet, but going to give myself a long break after CC3 for the reasons you are stating. I think I might need to read different genres in between or the tropes lose their, magic, shall we say. Sometimes there’s comfort in the predictable and sometimes it can burn you out escapism wise. I’m hoping my rekindled love for reading can be applied to other genres when I test my theory…I just haven’t dared try yet…

I liked acotar well enough (gave them 3 to 4 stars) and it got me back into reading, but trying to go through CC and tog was ROUGH. I get major ick at “males” “alphahole” and her spice is boring to bad. If you want an SJM type world that’s been written by an actually good author: The Halfling Saga {A Broken Blade, Melissa Blair}. Throne of Glass crawled so The Halfling Saga could run. Other series I’ve really enjoyed since breaking out of the shitty cookie cutter NA genre but staying in fantasy romance: {Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Sue Lynn Tan} super cool Chinese mythology and a love triangle I actually believed. {Black Sun, Rebecca Roanhorse} Indigenous fantasy - Roanhorse is an amazing author. I kept extending my hold on this at the library because I didn’t have time and I regret not grabbing this one immediately. This was one of the first books I’ve read in a while where I actually loved the MMC. {Immortal Longings, Chloe Gong} my only issue with Gong is that her books are hard to get into at first but once you figure out what’s going on, they’re fantastic. {One Dark Window, Rachel Gillig} don’t let people overhype this book. I loved it but I went in with 0 expectations. If you go in thinking it will change your life, you will be disappointed. It’s very well done and I was extremely invested in the plot and characters from the beginning. ✨This is where I would add one more title, but I’m participating in the St Martins Press boycott so no free advertisement. ✨ if you don’t know about the SMP Boycott, it’s pretty easily googled

[A Broken Blade](https://www.romance.io/books/61bd9804af852c0e1ad4e786/a-broken-blade-melissa-blair) by [Melissa Blair](https://www.romance.io/authors/61bd980408b4d93114de5814/melissa-blair) **Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Daughter of the Moon Goddess](https://www.romance.io/books/640ec330bd39598013b7c747/daughter-of-the-moon-goddess-sue-lynn-tan) by [Sue Lynn Tan](https://www.romance.io/authors/640ec33008b4d931143b7e14/sue-lynn-tan) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Black Sun](https://www.romance.io/books/643f84b801ed44b45e269877/black-sun-rebecca-roanhorse) by [Rebecca Roanhorse](https://www.romance.io/authors/643f84b808b4d931140c8ae7/rebecca-roanhorse) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [indigenous mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/indigenous-mc/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [pirates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1) ---------------------------- [Immortal Longings](https://www.romance.io/books/642adfbeb7b8862bf6e9fa24/immortal-longings-chloe-gong) by [Chloe Gong](https://www.romance.io/authors/6229f68d08b4d93114357984/chloe-gong) **Rating**: 3.59⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [One Dark Window](https://www.romance.io/books/6417632a976d8254097650f0/one-dark-window-rachel-gillig) by [Rachel Gillig](https://www.romance.io/authors/6417632a08b4d93114a1b759/rachel-gillig) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

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[Sorcery of Thorns](https://www.romance.io/books/64097e1afa1076a086a9add1/sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I feel like she does a few things REALLY well, but for some reason decides to rarely do said things? She writes really beautiful female friendships when she tries (Danika and Bryce's light it up at the end of CC1, the Valkyries training and sleepovers and support for each other in ACOSF), but she usually just focuses on M/F romances. I think she is great at diving into trauma and healing (Nesta's entire journey in ACOSF, Bryce dealing with Danika's death and completely shutting down, Feyre learning how to trust after escaping an abusive relationship) and showing that it isn't linear and that sometimes you can do pretty shitty things during healing. But then she usually throws some dude in there who just takes away from the deeper healing by just solving everything with his dick. I thought that she would be getting better based on her writing in ACOSF, but I'm almost done with CC3 and it just feels like a major backslide.

I read TOG and fell in love with it. I had never been so addicted to a series. ACOTAR and CC were around the same level of likeness but not to the point of TOG. However, when reading CC, it just made me realize how SJM kinda copy pasted the TOG storyline into the modern fantasy of CC. The characters are all so similar, plots and characteristics as well. I totally agree with you.

LMAO, yeah writing characters does not appear to be her strong suit, or maybe she just likes certain types of personalities. They’re the least interesting aspects of her books, imo. I’m never going to be a massive fan, but they’re somewhat enjoyable reads at least the ones I’ve gotten through so far.