ACOTAR - The Spark that Lit the Romantacy Fire

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single book was published and suddenly changed collective reader behaviour, altered brain chemistry of individuals, showed us that we can again believe in magic, and opened our eyes to a whole new world.

The spark that lit the romantasy fire not only on social media but also in bookstores, book clubs, and individual reading habits, ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas is where many of us have started, but we haven’t stopped there.

We all know the hype out there, but what did ACOTAR really do to us? For all of us growing up and waiting for our acceptance letter to Hogwarts, this is a story of hope, change, and belief in something bigger than all of us. It’s a story about survival, finding courage and hope in the face of adversity, but also finding true love, new family, and magic through every step of the way.

To the stars who listen - and dreams that are answered.

On the other hand, ACOTAR gave us an entry ticket to the genre we didn’t even know we wanted and needed. We now want it all: magic, dragons, mythical creatures, but we also want wing spans, one horse/one bed scenes, we want the spark, we want fated mates, we want the plot twists, cliffhangers, and sometimes emotional damage. We want to talk about the tropes, we want recommendations, we want more books that change our brain chemistry, and we want to be a part of the hype.

We are changed now, and we want more, so what to read after ACOTAR if you just joined the frenzy?

There are two roads you can take.

Dive into the Maasverse (you cannot make a mistake there)

• Either meet the greatest female assassin of all times, Cealena Sardothien and the amazing Fantasy Romance series Throne of Glass. You can expect more fantasy, more plot, but way less smut. Unforgettable characters, incredible magic, plot twists, and genius story development.

• Or step into Bryce Quinlan’s shoes in Crescent City, the latest SJM urban romantasy series. It’s a story you haven’t experienced before, with familiar magic, but incredible plot twists and swoon-worthy characters.

Take up other similar-vibe series (my recommendation)

• The Empyrean series by Rebbeca Yarros - If you are on this page, and if you are reading this article, I doubt you haven’t read the first book in the series Forth Wing already. If you really haven’t, I’m sorry, but what have you been doing with your free time? This is a war college, dragon bonding, heartbreaking, plot-twisting adventure with spice that got the whole reading community on edge. 

  
  

• Legends of Thezmarr by Helen Scheuerer - Hidden, not-so-hidden jewel of romantasy that has all the vibes. Mentor-mentee relationship, whimsical side characters, unique magic system with swoon-worthy MMC that makes the book boyfriend lists out there, and toes-curling spin-off series.

  
  

• Shadows of Tenebris Court by Clare Sager - Trilogy that not only introduces a truly intriguing magic world and characters, but gives you an opportunity to experience real female rage and see how one woman can fight for what is right if a right man is next to her. The first book is a bit different than the rest of the series, so do not give up if you don't feel the vibes immediately, as you are up for a treat as the story progresses.

  
  

• Fae and Alchemy by Callie Heart - Even though we are yet to have more books in the series, Quicksilver cannot go unnoticed and unmentioned. If you want the equal amount of worldbuilding, magic system, and spice in a book, this one is for you. 

• Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent - Why not add vampires to the mix? Serpent and the Wings of the Night is a truly engaging and adventurous start of the series that introduces an amazing world, trials, unique characters, and plot twists that make you throw stuff across the room. The spice is low in the first book, but then you are up for a treat, as Carissa Broadbend does not joke. She just plays a little bit with your mental health, but we will discuss that another time.

But… there’s always more.

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