Truly no offense to fans of the series, I like a lot of things that people consider trash and cringe. I completely get why people like it but for me the writing, world-building, magic systems, lore etc. was just so incredibly weak and bad I couldn’t finish it and I really gave it a chance.
I’m looking for a modern fantasy (as in written in the last decade or so, not a fantasy taking place in modern times). I definitely like romance involved, and with a dramatic aspect like enemies-to-lovers. I’d prefer something involving political drama like in Game of Thrones, and I’m also a massive Elder Scrolls fan so anything that reminds you of that is a big plus!
by kelpie444
4 Comments
Well you’re not asking for “ACOTAR but good” here lol, because ACOTAR is a romance with fantasy elements but what you want is a fantasy with romance elements. I’m all for shitting on ACOTAR but not being the genre you want isn’t really the book’s fault.
What is it you actually liked about ACOTAR that you’re looking for here?
Tales of the High Court Series by Megan Derr (M/M)
Crowns of Nyaxia Series by Carissa Broadbent (M/F)
Oh hey I have the perfect story for you.
The Last Magician series by Lisa Maxwell. Four books.
Fantasy involving magic in New York in 1902 and time travel, so it goes places. Of course there’s romance, and it follows the enemy to lovers trope.
It turns into a political drama later in the series.
Kushiel’s Dart – Jacqueline Carey
Pro’s
Sex positive depictions of sex, sex work and kink.
Lots of twisty politics
Slow burn enemies to lovers.
Con’s
I’m not sure if the language is any easier than Goblin Emperor. The names are shorter at least but Carey dose use a fair amount of French words in her world building.
As the series develops the main characters travel east and end up in a harem type situation. The owner of whom is the big bad. I haven’t re-read this book. I cannot tell you if this series perpetuates Islamophobic and Orientalism tropes. But I will say that I think a lot of books from the 00’s lack balanced perspectives when creating worlds based on Islamic societies because the zeitgeist was pretty toxic with propaganda at the time. It is worth keeping in mind.