Feel free to leave your recommendations as a reply to this comment! Also, below are purchase links if you're interested in checking out any of the books discussed in the video. Happy reading! 🤗 Purchase links to books mentioned: An Enchantment of Ravens: amzn.to/39WCp1p Gild: amzn.to/3NHmQIN For the Wolf: amzn.to/3AaXDTD These Hollow Vows: amzn.to/3NtUK3B Cruel Prince: amzn.to/3OuWxGQ Spinning Silver: amzn.to/3bFb5oU Deal with the Elf King: amzn.to/3xThHHy Throne of Glass: amzn.to/3A8BMfN Strange the Dreamer: amzn.to/3y14PiB The Bridge Kingdom: amzn.to/3Nsn0DA The Shadows Between Us: amzn.to/3nmS6Si Ash Princess: amzn.to/3nmiCvl An Ember in the Ashes: amzn.to/3botypk From Blood and Ash: amzn.to/3Nsnwl0 My Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=15204080 My Book: www.elliotbrooksnovels.com/peace-and-turmoil-purchase-links My Instagram: instagram.com/ebnovels/ *purchase links are affiliate links
The High Mountain Court (and the rest of the 5 Crowns of Okrith series) by A.K. Mulford are absolutely fabulous, with queer, curvy, and diverse rep, written in the style of ACOTAR. - Includes smut
I'd recommend the Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa! The first book is Rhapsodic. It's also fae and romance with a slightly heavier lean on spice (especially in the sequels) but it's similar vibes to ACOTAR.
Would also recommend The Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa for ACOTAR lovers! The first book is Rhapsodic. It's also dark fae and romance and has a good amount of spice as well.
Despite me pretending that the novella and the 4th book doesn't exist 👀Those books were so easy and delightful to read and I needed more "Magic, Faeries and Suffering"-time in between my Complicated Brain-Hurt fantasy time. I appreciate this so much.
I've only read the first crown of thorns and roses book but am starting rhe second one today and am already dreading the end. What was wrong with the novella/4th book. I'm worried now!!!
I've never read ACOTAR (not sure it's my cup of tea), yet I still watched this video. Haha. I just always love your recommendations. I like my fantasy romances a little more nuanced than just the we're-all-gorgeous-let's-get-spicy kind, and I think you pointed out some good ones for people like me! LOVED Spinning Silver. And I'm excited to read Bridge Kingdom.
Yea, I’m at the end of Bridge Kingdom and it’s finally somewhat original romance. I like those spicy books like From Blood and Ash, but I’m honestly getting tired of the protagonists, because they are always the same. Women are super strong and have super wit but in reality, they are really not and men are those bad guys with a heart of gold and are actually really nice and thoughtful whose whole personality is that they are simps for the main character.
just read all of acotar and then the two crescent city books from Sarah also and I am hooked. crescent 3 comes in jan 2024 and honestly it is going to be a long wait.
Serpent & Dove is the perfect recommendation for SJM fans. I really got a lot of Throne of Glass vibes while reading that book... Then I watched Cindy's video and learned that the author is a huge SJM fan and I was like, "Ah, that makes a lot of sense actually" 😂
I don't usually see people talking about the Black Witch Chronicles. I loved that series and I love all things SJM. I would definitely recommend it. I couldn't stop listening to them.
As an acotar enjoyer, i also enjoyed To Bleed a Crystal Bloom and Curse of the Wolf King (also a beauty and the beast retelling!) if u havent read those they’re also worth a read :))
For those who enjoy accurate and immersive fae and general folklore, you should try out the anime and manga The Ancient Magus' Bride. Don't be turned away by how it sounds or how it seems at first. The is mild romance or a promise of a romance in the future, but it's going to come off as u healthy and it is supposed to. It is a very self-aware series, and other characters in the series literally point out the issues with the male lead's behavior. Part of the point is that he needs to improve and understand humans more before they can possibly have something in the future. This series does an incredibly job of addressing abuse and trauma, and so much of it is about the female lead and other characters coming to terms with their traumatic pasts and finding their self-worth. I feel like people just don't appreciate what this series does enough. It addresses these serious issues in such a realistic and empowering way all while being immersed in this wonderful fantasy environment. More people need to check this out.
I adore Enchantment of Ravens, it put me in the right atmosphere I really liked the idea of what power a painting can have since I love art with my whole soul I found the ending a bit fast compared to the rest Some people said they didn’t understand the conflict but it was (for me) pretty well explained within the realities of how their society worked💕
I'd love to see a recommendations video for Throne of Glass since I went into it expecting, in terms of the sticker on the cover, a "Game of Thrones meets The Hunger Games" type violent spectacle... And Dnfed after learning that a HUGE part of the series is particularly heavy on the romance and it's not as action packed as I was expecting. Obviously that's okay for who wanted that but I personally wanted something more explosive.
I really appreciate your videos lol You swell my TBR but if you recommend it, I can generally read it, especially in the romance genre. A lot of what's out there now in romance is so horribly written (grammatically, sadly many of the stories aren't bad) it's torturous to get through them because no one edited properly or at all. So thank you for giving me books to add confidently to my TBR without wondering if the read itself is going to be a joy or a slog, I can just read for the story. :) The last 23 books added to my TBR (wish list) are from your channel and that's not including their sequels!! :D You're awesome!
I loved An Enchantment of Ravens, and couldn’t understand why it was more well received. I can see what you’re saying, and why it could hurt it. I actually wanted more, and wanted it to be longer. I was fine without the spice (although there’s nothing wrong with spice)
I'm excited for some of the recs! I liked the beginning of For the Wolf and towards the middle I just didn't care for the sister and wanted the story completely about Red and The Wolf 😂
Try Anne Bishop The Black Jewels series. The world has 3 “levels” so even the level humans live in they are very unaware of the fae. As the “levels” deepen then they have more “fae” It was a great series when it came out because unusual for the time with a matriarchal society in the main level. The first three are dark and violent but later series the characters really grow and the interactions are brilliant, even the most powerful male is very cautious around the females, and they all take care around the animals who have jewels. The inter species confusions are gold. This author has some amazing other series, her worlds and character interactions are very good.
even though I don't think I am a person who is into fantasy books, I still enjoy hearing you talk about them because you make me think, hmm, maybe I could be a person who is into fantasy books. ps. as a person who is fairly new to your channel, I was wondering if you've ever done a 'my dog chooses my tbr' type video, because I, as a person who watches your videos would like to see your puppy dog, please and thank you. (spoiler alert: I mean, they don't have to actually choose your tbr... but maybe if they were just sitting/laying there that could be tonnes of fun????)
I literally just read the first 2 books and not sure why I waited. I don’t really feel that they’re spicy, maybe book 3 is more. But I prefer the books with a storyline, learning secrets, and I always love a scavenger hunt..nACOTAR so that. I am excited to read more books that are si I,ar.
Do you have any recommendations on books similar to "Defy the Night" by Brigid Kemmerer?? I finished it recently and just loved it!!! Can't get enough lol! 🥰☺️📚💜💜
Question: are the books For the Wolf and Spinning Silver YA books in the same vein of Evermore, or like, Shadow and Bone? Involving a 16- or 17-yo protagonist with brown hair who doesn't know how pretty she is?
I haven't read Evermore but they are nothing like Alina(shadow and bone). Red (for the wolf) is 20 years old and is the kind of person that would do anything for those they love. The protagonist from spinning silver is described as plain looking and I think is a bit younger (like Alina) but is way smarter and from the beggining she knows her worth
I can’t wait to read Deal with the Elf king series I love fantasy so much xoxo 😘 💜❤️💘💚🧡🧡❤️🩹❤️🩹✨🖤🌈📖❤️🔥🧡🤎📙❤️🩹✨💘💘💗💝💝❣️❤️💙💓📚📚💓💕💖💔🤍🤍💖💞💞💔💖❣️💝💝💜💗✨✨❤️🔥📖🌈🖤🖤📖🧡🤎📙❤️🩹💘💘💗💜💝❤️💙💓📚🤍🤍💔💔💖💞💞❤️💜💜💗💗💜💜💙💙💙💜💝💝❣️
Not a recommendation but I remember seeing The Bone Shard Daughter in a bookstore and saw that SJM blurbed it saying something like, "This is a beautiful and novel fantasy" or something and I didn't pick it up because, based on the author who provided the blurb, I thought it was going to be a sort of romance, kinda like all the books in this video lol, but then I learned that it's a high fantasy novel and I was like, "why was this blurbed by SJM??" Lol
If I hate ACOTAR should I steer clear of the books mentioned here? Genuinely asking. I think Maas's writing is bad and her character-work is atrocious.
I can't speak for all of them but Spinning Silver is alright, it's a lot more political/historical/fantasy than romance imo. I'm currently reading For the Wolf and it's a lot more romantic but also not like, in a terrible way--but I'm a sucker for slow burns so I'm biased there. I've never read ACOTAR but I've seen a summarized video and so far, For the Wolf does not feel like it beyond the main plot point (girl having to stay with the "Wolf"/"beast"). In both books the characters don't feel 1 dimensional and the world building is really cool. If you don't enjoy romance in general I would say, yes, steer clear though.
This hollow vows - first book is okay(maybe) But second one 🤮 It’s definitely not like court of thorns and roses. Sara j mass is a fantasy writer, but Leksi Rayan is a writer of low quality pulp novels, who decided to make money on fantasy hype And its clear to see in second book It’s a bad book and bad writer
Feel free to leave your recommendations as a reply to this comment! Also, below are purchase links if you're interested in checking out any of the books discussed in the video. Happy reading! 🤗
Purchase links to books mentioned:
An Enchantment of Ravens: amzn.to/39WCp1p
Gild: amzn.to/3NHmQIN
For the Wolf: amzn.to/3AaXDTD
These Hollow Vows: amzn.to/3NtUK3B
Cruel Prince: amzn.to/3OuWxGQ
Spinning Silver: amzn.to/3bFb5oU
Deal with the Elf King: amzn.to/3xThHHy
Throne of Glass: amzn.to/3A8BMfN
Strange the Dreamer: amzn.to/3y14PiB
The Bridge Kingdom: amzn.to/3Nsn0DA
The Shadows Between Us: amzn.to/3nmS6Si
Ash Princess: amzn.to/3nmiCvl
An Ember in the Ashes: amzn.to/3botypk
From Blood and Ash: amzn.to/3Nsnwl0
My Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=15204080
My Book: www.elliotbrooksnovels.com/peace-and-turmoil-purchase-links
My Instagram: instagram.com/ebnovels/
*purchase links are affiliate links
Hey, I was just wondering if you had done the kickstarter for those secret Brandon Sanderson books that were coming out
The High Mountain Court (and the rest of the 5 Crowns of Okrith series) by A.K. Mulford are absolutely fabulous, with queer, curvy, and diverse rep, written in the style of ACOTAR. - Includes smut
for similar romantic vibes: Serpent & Dove, Kingdom of the Wicked
I think The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead would also be good since it is very romance heavy 😊
I'd recommend the Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa! The first book is Rhapsodic. It's also fae and romance with a slightly heavier lean on spice (especially in the sequels) but it's similar vibes to ACOTAR.
The Guild Series is satisfying as the characters develop! Unexpected twists on the readers expectations are fun!
Would also recommend The Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa for ACOTAR lovers! The first book is Rhapsodic. It's also dark fae and romance and has a good amount of spice as well.
I read the Bargainer book 1, is book two worth the read? I tried like 5 mins and idk probably got distracted.
Have you read The Four Horsemen series by Laura Thalassa? It’s not really the same as ACOTAR but I loved both series a ton.
Despite me pretending that the novella and the 4th book doesn't exist 👀Those books were so easy and delightful to read and I needed more "Magic, Faeries and Suffering"-time in between my Complicated Brain-Hurt fantasy time. I appreciate this so much.
I've only read the first crown of thorns and roses book but am starting rhe second one today and am already dreading the end. What was wrong with the novella/4th book. I'm worried now!!!
I've never read ACOTAR (not sure it's my cup of tea), yet I still watched this video. Haha. I just always love your recommendations. I like my fantasy romances a little more nuanced than just the we're-all-gorgeous-let's-get-spicy kind, and I think you pointed out some good ones for people like me! LOVED Spinning Silver. And I'm excited to read Bridge Kingdom.
Yea, I’m at the end of Bridge Kingdom and it’s finally somewhat original romance. I like those spicy books like From Blood and Ash, but I’m honestly getting tired of the protagonists, because they are always the same. Women are super strong and have super wit but in reality, they are really not and men are those bad guys with a heart of gold and are actually really nice and thoughtful whose whole personality is that they are simps for the main character.
Same!! I haven't read acotar either!
That's how I prefer my romances as well which is why I haven't read acotar either.
just read all of acotar and then the two crescent city books from Sarah also and I am hooked. crescent 3 comes in jan 2024 and honestly it is going to be a long wait.
Serpent & Dove is the perfect recommendation for SJM fans. I really got a lot of Throne of Glass vibes while reading that book... Then I watched Cindy's video and learned that the author is a huge SJM fan and I was like, "Ah, that makes a lot of sense actually" 😂
Love this idea and can’t wait to read all of these! Ember in the Ashes and Serpent and Dove both scratched the same itch as ACOTAR for me!
I just love love love gild . I’m currently reading book four and I’m loving it 🥰
I’ve read all of these except for Enchantment of Ravens. Definitely going to prioritize that one now. Thank you!
I have been meaning to look for ACOTAR - esque books and this video is just what I needed! Thank you :)
I don't usually see people talking about the Black Witch Chronicles. I loved that series and I love all things SJM. I would definitely recommend it. I couldn't stop listening to them.
I also read these hollow vows and loved it can’t wait for book two
I love watching all really pretty books you hold up during your videos. They're so visually appealing and mesmerizing.
As an acotar enjoyer, i also enjoyed To Bleed a Crystal Bloom and Curse of the Wolf King (also a beauty and the beast retelling!) if u havent read those they’re also worth a read :))
For those who enjoy accurate and immersive fae and general folklore, you should try out the anime and manga The Ancient Magus' Bride. Don't be turned away by how it sounds or how it seems at first. The is mild romance or a promise of a romance in the future, but it's going to come off as u healthy and it is supposed to. It is a very self-aware series, and other characters in the series literally point out the issues with the male lead's behavior. Part of the point is that he needs to improve and understand humans more before they can possibly have something in the future. This series does an incredibly job of addressing abuse and trauma, and so much of it is about the female lead and other characters coming to terms with their traumatic pasts and finding their self-worth. I feel like people just don't appreciate what this series does enough. It addresses these serious issues in such a realistic and empowering way all while being immersed in this wonderful fantasy environment. More people need to check this out.
I adore Enchantment of Ravens, it put me in the right atmosphere I really liked the idea of what power a painting can have since I love art with my whole soul
I found the ending a bit fast compared to the rest
Some people said they didn’t understand the conflict but it was (for me) pretty well explained within the realities of how their society worked💕
The main difference between an enchantment of ravens and acotar is that AEOR is 100% better imo lol
I came to say this!! AEOR is like… 100% better in any way shape or form!!!
Omg! I loved ember in the ashes series! Love ur videos!
I just read Blood and Ash series, so far… really enjoying it. Great list here. A few I still need to read. Thanks girl!! 😊
Adding The Bridge Kingdom to my tbr! Yes love Shadows Between Us and Ash Princess
I have An Enchantment of Ravens on hold at the library. I'll be picking it up after work tomorrow. Really looking forward to it.
I'd love to see a recommendations video for Throne of Glass since I went into it expecting, in terms of the sticker on the cover, a "Game of Thrones meets The Hunger Games" type violent spectacle... And Dnfed after learning that a HUGE part of the series is particularly heavy on the romance and it's not as action packed as I was expecting. Obviously that's okay for who wanted that but I personally wanted something more explosive.
I have read all but two and complete concur on them being like ACOTAR.
I really appreciate your videos lol You swell my TBR but if you recommend it, I can generally read it, especially in the romance genre. A lot of what's out there now in romance is so horribly written (grammatically, sadly many of the stories aren't bad) it's torturous to get through them because no one edited properly or at all. So thank you for giving me books to add confidently to my TBR without wondering if the read itself is going to be a joy or a slog, I can just read for the story. :) The last 23 books added to my TBR (wish list) are from your channel and that's not including their sequels!! :D You're awesome!
I would love an inverse of this concept video.. like if you hate these then you'd love these. just a suggestion 😁
Not sure this fits with romance, but fae books to consider:
Tasmin by Peter S. Beagle
Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner
Tam Lin by Pamela Dean
Oooo yes For the Wolf is a good one!
I’ve heard the Fortuna Sworn series is very ACOTAR vibes, maybe a little too close at times 🤣
I loved An Enchantment of Ravens, and couldn’t understand why it was more well received. I can see what you’re saying, and why it could hurt it. I actually wanted more, and wanted it to be longer. I was fine without the spice (although there’s nothing wrong with spice)
I'm excited for some of the recs! I liked the beginning of For the Wolf and towards the middle I just didn't care for the sister and wanted the story completely about Red and The Wolf 😂
Try Anne Bishop The Black Jewels series. The world has 3 “levels” so even the level humans live in they are very unaware of the fae. As the “levels” deepen then they have more “fae” It was a great series when it came out because unusual for the time with a matriarchal society in the main level. The first three are dark and violent but later series the characters really grow and the interactions are brilliant, even the most powerful male is very cautious around the females, and they all take care around the animals who have jewels. The inter species confusions are gold. This author has some amazing other series, her worlds and character interactions are very good.
😂 I’ve read all but 1 of these, didn’t think I’d read so many ACTAR inspired books but they are all fun
even though I don't think I am a person who is into fantasy books, I still enjoy hearing you talk about them because you make me think, hmm, maybe I could be a person who is into fantasy books. ps. as a person who is fairly new to your channel, I was wondering if you've ever done a 'my dog chooses my tbr' type video, because I, as a person who watches your videos would like to see your puppy dog, please and thank you. (spoiler alert: I mean, they don't have to actually choose your tbr... but maybe if they were just sitting/laying there that could be tonnes of fun????)
love your recommendations!!!! can you please do a bookshelf tour😭😭😭😭
Eventually! I’m always switching things around, so I never feel like the shelves are “finished” 😅
@@ebnovels i can imagine! 😅 well i look forward to the day it comes 🥳🫶
Currently reading gild. Went into it blindly, because it's free on kindle unlimited as well as books 2 and 3. Did not know what I got myself into .lol
I literally just read the first 2 books and not sure why I waited. I don’t really feel that they’re spicy, maybe book 3 is more. But I prefer the books with a storyline, learning secrets, and I always love a scavenger hunt..nACOTAR so that. I am excited to read more books that are si I,ar.
Do you have any recommendations on books similar to "Defy the Night" by Brigid Kemmerer?? I finished it recently and just loved it!!! Can't get enough lol! 🥰☺️📚💜💜
A curse so dark and lovely is what I read after. I also loved defy the night series.
Wait, wait, wait...WHERE did you get that Throne of Glass book cover?? ! ??
read; if you pay me not in gold.
Good morning Elliot have a great day of reading 📖 xoxo 😘 💛❤️💙💔💗📙❤️🔥📖💕💖💖💝💓💓💗🤍💚💔💔🤍💛❤️❤️🩹❣️💙🧡🌈🖤🤎🤎💛💛📚🤍💞💞❤️❤️🩹❣️💚🤍💗📙❤️🔥💝💕💕💖💔❤️💛❤️❤️💘💓💓❣️💙💙💜💚🤍🤍🤍
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
You say ACOTAR, my old ears hear Avatar...
idek why im watching this, i hated acotar. i guess i like you that much elliot brooks
Lol same.
Question: are the books For the Wolf and Spinning Silver YA books in the same vein of Evermore, or like, Shadow and Bone? Involving a 16- or 17-yo protagonist with brown hair who doesn't know how pretty she is?
I haven't read Evermore but they are nothing like Alina(shadow and bone). Red (for the wolf) is 20 years old and is the kind of person that would do anything for those they love. The protagonist from spinning silver is described as plain looking and I think is a bit younger (like Alina) but is way smarter and from the beggining she knows her worth
Did you like A Court of Thorns and Roses?
I can’t wait to read Deal with the Elf king series I love fantasy so much xoxo 😘 💜❤️💘💚🧡🧡❤️🩹❤️🩹✨🖤🌈📖❤️🔥🧡🤎📙❤️🩹✨💘💘💗💝💝❣️❤️💙💓📚📚💓💕💖💔🤍🤍💖💞💞💔💖❣️💝💝💜💗✨✨❤️🔥📖🌈🖤🖤📖🧡🤎📙❤️🩹💘💘💗💜💝❤️💙💓📚🤍🤍💔💔💖💞💞❤️💜💜💗💗💜💜💙💙💙💜💝💝❣️
Anyone who recommends ‘for the wolf’ obviously hasn’t read it. The story line is beyond stupid and the romance is non existent.
I think this must be why I know I read it but don't remember it😂
Not a recommendation but I remember seeing The Bone Shard Daughter in a bookstore and saw that SJM blurbed it saying something like, "This is a beautiful and novel fantasy" or something and I didn't pick it up because, based on the author who provided the blurb, I thought it was going to be a sort of romance, kinda like all the books in this video lol, but then I learned that it's a high fantasy novel and I was like, "why was this blurbed by SJM??" Lol
I do think that was a strange connection. Bone Shard is definitely very different
If I hate ACOTAR should I steer clear of the books mentioned here? Genuinely asking. I think Maas's writing is bad and her character-work is atrocious.
I can't speak for all of them but Spinning Silver is alright, it's a lot more political/historical/fantasy than romance imo. I'm currently reading For the Wolf and it's a lot more romantic but also not like, in a terrible way--but I'm a sucker for slow burns so I'm biased there. I've never read ACOTAR but I've seen a summarized video and so far, For the Wolf does not feel like it beyond the main plot point (girl having to stay with the "Wolf"/"beast"). In both books the characters don't feel 1 dimensional and the world building is really cool. If you don't enjoy romance in general I would say, yes, steer clear though.
This hollow vows - first book is okay(maybe)
But second one 🤮
It’s definitely not like court of thorns and roses.
Sara j mass is a fantasy writer, but Leksi Rayan is a writer of low quality pulp novels, who decided to make money on fantasy hype
And its clear to see in second book
It’s a bad book and bad writer