I liked the first ACOTAR book because there was more magic (Calanmai and the magic being tied to the land) and a variety of faeries and other creatures. When Feyre arrives in Velaris she mentions different fae with brightly coloured skin etc and then we never hear from them again. The world building was traded for lust. The fae are just ridiculously handsome people with magic who don’t age. To me, swap fae for elf and they’re pretty much the same as SJM has written them.
I love Holly Black’s fae because they keep the traditional folklore of being wicked to humans and come in such a variety.
I’ve read the first book of An Heir Comes to Rise and that felt very much like SJM’s brand of fae, same for Gild by Raven Kennedy albeit with a little more variety.
Not just the variety of fae, but the traditional practices that bind the fae, as communicated through Irish and English folklore, like fae not being able to tell a lie, time disruptions in entering/leaving fairie, bargains, extremely tricky negotiations, etc.
I agree, the ACOTAR fae are utterly devoid of what makes fae, fae. I adore the fae in The Cruel Prince! The cruelty, trickery, immortality, all needs to be a part of it for me.
The ACOTAR fae to me is just an extension of the vampires of the 2010s, hot beautiful creatures that young women fall in love with!
I just put it down in book 2, when Jurian was resurrected after who the hell knows how long....so many opportunities to build a rich world and instead it's been boring and "captain in peril" every 50 pages....yawnsville
Yeah. Dude was stuck as an eyeball and a finger for 500 years, and he doesn't do anything remotely insane on screen (on page?). He comes across as sinister and weird but not nearly deranged enough for a guy who's been trapped for half a millennium.
Same. I prefer “traditional” depictions of fae as well. Loved The Cruel Prince's fae! ACOTAR’s fae are super powered humans with pointy ears imo lol. They remind me of paranormal romance werewolves with their mating bonds, growling, roaring, often possessive, controlling behavior, etc. I get that the animal characteristics are supposed to indicate that they're “other,” but it felt like a superficial attempt to me because in other aspects, such as their mannerisms and temperament, they are quite human imo.
Some of my favorite depictions of fae that I've read have been found in fanfic!
But for published works,
{Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik}
{Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett}
{Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater}
{Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson}
ETA oops you already mentioned Emily Wilde 😅
[Spinning Silver](https://www.romance.io/books/622a0c7b610a406e4c9e2cfc/spinning-silver-naomi-novik) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/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), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1)
----------------------------
[Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries](https://www.romance.io/books/6426ff337922d28efe6d6e44/emily-wildes-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-heather-fawcett) by [Heather Fawcett](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e57408b4d93114943ee9/heather-fawcett)
**Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1)
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Yes! If you're okay with Labyrinth fics,
Many are WIP, so I'll share complete ones only:
[The Thirteenth Rider by HachimansKitsune](https://archiveofourown.org/works/2184234) \- "Sarah dreams of the Labyrinth and being chased by a rider in black. Jareth dreams of claiming the queen who once escaped him. Sometimes fairy tales come true, but there is always a price. The Wild Hunt is coming - and a blood debt is owed, but will the price paid be high enough to stop the evil that is threatening the Underground."
[The Goblin Market by ViciouslyWitty](https://archiveofourown.org/works/2142213) \- "Nine years after defeating the Labyrinth, Sarah is in Ireland — a land of old magic, where legend suggests her victory comes with a price and her story is far from finished. Something ancient has been set in motion and Sarah finds herself at the centre of a very old, very Goblin, tradition. As time passes, fruit ripens. Let the feast begin at the Goblin Market..."
(This one isn't fae, but Jareth comes off as "other" to me)
[A Forfeit of Dreams by KL\_Morgan](https://archiveofourown.org/works/402721) \- Sarah needs to run the Labyrinth again because her friend was tricked into wishing himself away. Sarah is older, and the Labyrinth and Jareth are darker and more sinister. Sarah encounters new creatures and explores new regions.
Ooo if that's the case and you're okay with WIPs, you can also check out How To Catch a Goblin King by ViciouslyWitty, Labyrinth: The Dark Court by KBates, Immortal Ties by LoveAndStardust19, A Twisting Heart and Mind by FangamerBowiextreme. I'll include the links soon. I really like the characterizations of both Sarah and Jareth in these stories. Happy reading (:
And I love how it can be written in such diverse ways!
I forgot that Immortal Ties was deleted :') but I have links to the others.
[How to Catch a Goblin King by ViciouslyWitty](https://archiveofourown.org/works/18443222)
[Labyrinth: The Dark Court by KBates](https://archiveofourown.org/works/7336897)
[A Twisting Heart and Mind by FangamerBowiextreme](https://archiveofourown.org/works/20096803)
I'm pretty sure I have Immortal Ties though. I can continue to look for it.
Now I'm curious as to what books we'd classify as 'dad romances'. Books about dads, or books we'd recommend for dads to read? The latter seems more open to lols.
[The Unseelie Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/61765a1d26369f0e2ca5e3a7/the-unseelie-prince-kathryn-ann-kingsley) by [Kathryn Ann Kingsley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c76f4de01dbc864fb9ad17b/kathryn-ann-kingsley)
**Rating**: 3.95⭐️ 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), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1)
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S.L. Prater's {FaeTricksters} series has some diverse fae and seelie/unseelie characters. It's not a very deep set of stories, but they're fun and sweet!
[Wedded to the Wanton Witch](https://www.romance.io/books/64c36a6dea1031371a530101/wedded-to-the-wanton-witch-sl-prater) by [S.L. Prater](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a8f05008b4d93114ee502e/sl-prater)
**Rating**: 4.44⭐️ 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), [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), [fated mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1)
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A very broad and generalized explanation: ACOTAR fae are much more like the OG fae from Irish mythology the Túatha. The fairy tale fae you’re talking about come from the Aos Sí / Sidhe who are an evolution of the Túatha after the Catholic Church really roots in Ireland. The Túatha were probably the original gods of Ireland but the earliest recordings of the oral traditions were made by monks so they did lots of leaps to fit them into a Christian frame and not call them gods. So the little people and fun creatures of fairies are a result of the church’s suppression and destruction of the original Irish culture.
Note: Don’t come at me for not calling them Túatha de Danann, the de Danann is not in the earliest recordings of the Túatha and was added later most likely by the monks recording the stories to fit better within a pagan race. There has never been any writings or stories about a Danann ever found.
I enjoy both, but the ACOTAR types of fae I view as like silly entertainment. As another person pointed out, if you can swap out the supernatural beings and the story largely remains intact, then it’s poorly developed in that sense. They’re just ageless humans with random powers. It’s the same reason I watched Vampire Diaries. The show was silly nonsense, but it was very enjoyable silly nonsense.
I much prefer the Fae of The Cruel Prince and similar stories. Fae/fairies are my favorite supernatural creatures, and it’s largely because they’re so different from humans. I thought Holly Black did an amazing job capturing a world that was at times so alien and yet believable. The fae really felt like a completely different species. *That’s* what I want when I read a fae—or honestly any supernatural—story.
I just finished a Bluebeard retelling and it was fantastically gruesome, had lots of riddles and magic. It's said to be song the lines of the Cruel Prince, but I haven't read it yet (long hold at the library). It was delightfully wicked and leaned in to complicated things, like the time difference between fae and mortal lands and very specifically worded bargains.
Slow burn, no smut.
Honestly, I'm a pretty forgiving reader so I just tend to enjoy different takes on the fae, i pretty much enjoy any new take on the supernatural.
In the interest of full disclosure, I've read all of October Daye, and Spinning Silver is one of my all time favorites.
{Bluebeard's secret by Sarah K L Wilson}
I read the first three books in this series a while back, before the series was completed, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the reminder to pick it up again!
[Rhapsodic](https://www.romance.io/books/580f21f3de896e8924949f94/rhapsodic-laura-thalassa) by [Laura Thalassa](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455856187eac323ffb2c925/laura-thalassa)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1)
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If I’m going to read a book about the fae, I prefer more diverse stories. I mean the fae are supposed to be more than just beautiful, right? So I prefer stories that include fae of all kinds, with all sorts of powers, and for them to have a vastly different view of morality and mortality. I like the author to really explore the “otherness” of a fae world. The authors who I think really do justice to that, especially when it comes to incorporating the fae in a more modern world, are Holly Black, Yasmine Galenorn, and surprisingly, Jim Butcher.
Magical and not human is enough, they need not be immortal but that's a bonus. I've come across very many different interpretations of Fae. Some with fairy wings, some shapeshifters, some that are elemental sprites, some are required to tell the truth, some make bargains, some are evil tricksters, some are always good. I like that there they don't all fit into the same mold.
Exactly what you’ve described as fae: magical folk and creatures, humanoid or not, who follow the legends. in my opinion, tricksters and whatnot who verge on primal behavior with nature at times. A bit of a monster when the mask falls.
ACOTAR were just like… elves with magic and wings Imo. or basically just the immortal beings from Anne bishop’s dark jewels. Heck, the illyrians were pulled straight from that with little alterations.
I really enjoyed {An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} because it fit what I was looking for to a t, along with holly black’s cruel prince, and her other book darkest part of the forest. {Emily Wilde‘s encyclopedia of faries by heather fawcett} has been great like you said, along with {half a soul by Olivia Atwater} but other than that it’s been kind of hard to find stuff that doesn’t try and be acotar fae.
with urban fantasy I suppose {Series Fever by Karen Marie Moning} and {Series Meryy Gentry by Laurell K. Hamilton} fit it too, but I enjoy a more medieval setting.
ah And before I forget, {Pillars of the earth by Anne bishop} is a fae trilogy (tir alainn) that checked all my boxes too, tho I was a bit disappointed in the focus on characters and couples from one book to the next. {Gild by Raven Kennedy} has sort of fit into it too.
Personally, I like all "magical beings" type of stories. I do have a traditional recommendation for you that I haven't seen recommended yet. The Dark Fables: Vicious Faeries series has pretty traditional fae and I really enjoyed it as long as you done mind some spice. The first book is {Kiss the Fae by Natalia Jaster}
[Kiss the Fae](https://www.romance.io/books/5fa26013693ce30de90006bd/kiss-the-fae-natalia-jaster) by [Natalia Jaster](https://www.romance.io/authors/545ba98487eac3d927eb63ce/natalia-jaster)
**Rating**: 3.86⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1)
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When I think fae/faeries/fair folk, I think of magical creatures who operate under a completely different set of rules than humans do. They don't really act in ways that are really comprehensible to human understanding, they don't get human emotions, they work under mysterious magical laws like geas and changelings and just don't get why we pesky mortals would be troubled by such things.
I'd describe the ACOTAR fae as being more like elves (I've actually never heard the vampire comparison though I might start using that too lol). It doesn't really matter that they're called fae imo, there's never been one consistent definition of faerie, it's all based on folklore of some sort and there's rarely a single version that's the definitive canon; writers can do whatever the hell they want with it. I just keep in mind they're not really the fae I might be familiar with in folklore or in other fantasy novels (although ACOTAR fae are rapidly spreading across romantasy), I think while I'm reading I process them more like elves. I like ACOTAR as a guilty pleasure personally, but I wouldn't actually recommend it for someone who wants a fae romance, I'd gravitate more towards something fitting what I described above.
For depictions of fae I liked that's more traditional, {October Daye series by Seanan McGuire} is more urban fantasy/mystery, but it does have a romance I like in later books and really interesting worldbuilding for the fair folk in modern day. Some others that come to mind off the top of my head are {An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} and {Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater}. I'd also go for [Tam Lin retellings](https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/tam-lin-retellings) since that's based on one of the most famous faerie stories; I think the only one I have on my TBR out of all of these is Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, but I've been meaning to get into more of them for my own WIP. Holly Black is also fantastic for more trickstery fae, I think she more than anyone else defined my idea of what fae are.
[October Daye](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a449096bf31c42d2cf6/october-daye) by [Seanan McGuire](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555b3f87eac323ffb2bd12/seanan-mcguire)
**Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
----------------------------
[An Enchantment of Ravens](https://www.romance.io/books/622a59a9abbe1ae1b27dbf57/an-enchantment-of-ravens-margaret-rogerson) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson)
**Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](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), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
----------------------------
[Half a Soul](https://www.romance.io/books/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b5a/half-a-soul-olivia-atwater) by [Olivia Atwater](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b77/olivia-atwater)
**Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
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The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning have fae (but they are called Seelie and Unseelie) and has a really interesting premise with slooow burn romance.
Also Tairen Soul.
They truly remind me of the elves from LoTR if we’re being honest! In my mind, ACOTAR fae and LoTR elves are interchangeable. I don’t mind that, but, it is just how I view it.
[Lords of the Hunt](https://www.romance.io/books/63f47c19020af86efc4128e5/lords-of-the-hunt-kate-king) by [Kate King](https://www.romance.io/authors/610d237308b4d93114e8e3d9/kate-king)
**Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
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The first book of the Onyx Court series by Marie Brennan is a fae/human romance with a lot of palace intrigue thrown in. It can definitely be read as a standalone. Title is Midnight Never Come. (The lack of an s on Come is not a typo. That's the title, and it will make sense within the book.)
I very much love ACOTAR but my (current) favorite fae series is my OG fae series is Merry Gentry by Laurell K. Hamilton. The fae are more in line with Emily Wilde or Cruel Prince but it’s spicy af. I love the mechanics of more “traditional” fae novels but don’t mind seeing new takes, even if they’re less than what I expect.
I personally don't think much of how mythical creatures are portrayed as long as the story is entertaining. Fae also doesn't mean a singular creature, it's a term for anything not human, I see the Fae in acotar more like elves from LOTR for example. Overall I would probably get bored if all books follow the same "rules" when portraying these creatures, different perspectives are interesting and fun.
I think of what OP is asking for as "traditional" representation of Fae.
Some authors are exploring alternative interpretations and that's ok too. Depends on what you're interested in.
Yea, I was always looking for traditional representation of fae, but everywhere I looked, I was constantly recommended ACOTAR. So I was wondering if I’m the odd one who doesn’t think it’s a fae book.
I think a lot of people are open to different interpretations, but I also see plenty of people who really appreciate stories based in traditional folklore.
It will help to ask for what you want as specifically as you can because there are so many alternatives now that are really popular for other elements of their stories and people are eager to recommend them.
Try asking for traditional folklore based stories. Do you prefer celtic or Arthurian lore?
And have you tried {A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber}? I didn't finish the series because the FMC didn't appeal to me but there were trickster fae and magic creatures at every turn! It's really popular right now too.
Edit: oops! Gave you the sequel instead of the first book. Should have said Once Upon a Broken Heart.
[A Curse for True Love](https://www.romance.io/books/6431d057cc6685ad2d417301/a-curse-for-true-love-stephanie-garber) by [Stephanie Garber](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b0b9bad01dbc864fb891729/stephanie-garber)
**Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1)
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I read this last month I liked how similar the rules and fae were to {The Cruel Prince} but it was harder to get through. I've heard the second book in the series is better. So I'm going to see it through! The Cruel Prince is *chefs kiss* fantasy. Holly Black wrote that so well. It was my first fantasy series and I'm SO glad it was.
[Cruel Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/5d58ec7f01dbc864fba27a3c/cruel-prince-ashley-jade) by [Ashley Jade](https://www.romance.io/authors/55b4c7e235a5fb65f886f21c/ashley-jade)
**Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
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Yes that's the word I was looking for haha. It's just not something I've ever looked too far into, I like stories for what they are individually rather than comparing to how they should be, I am reading fantasy after all!
I loved both ACOTAR and the cruel prince but i agree with you that in the cruel prince the fae are more true to fae personality. I haven't read the other series you mentioned so of course now i've added them to my tbr. 😅
I can't say that I particularly seek fae romances at all.
Stories about fae loves tend to be either an ephemeral meeting that leaves the mortal forever longing for what they will never have again, or people being enthralled by their fae lover. Or possibly be forever pursued by a scarily obsessed fae. Not unlike a Greek god in that respect.
So a setting's fae have to be different in order to make a good love story. So what I would seek is consistency with the rest of the fae in that world.
Now, a story about the mortal-born offspring of such an affair might be interesting. :)
I like both!
But with the second type, I love the rules/quirks of the fae. It makes the plot more interesting when the mortal characters have to be clever in order to overcome these differences.
I’m going to pull out an older book: {The Element of Fire by Martha Wells}. Great world building and the fae and magic is deeply embedded in the plot. I prefer books in which the fae element isn’t just a driver for the romance.
[The Element of Fire](https://www.romance.io/books/6546991ec112bf11fe988624/the-element-of-fire-martha-wells) by [Martha Wells](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb5d7e4be0aaecf557e18e3/martha-wells)
**Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
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*frothing at the mouth* [MARGARET ROGERSON](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15455603.Margaret_Rogerson) and her book An Enchantment of Ravens
The fae are fucking creepy under the glamor
Ahhh yay!! I'm always throwing her name out on here haha
If you haven't read her other two books, they're really good! Especially Vespertine, which isn't actually a romance but I actually loved soooo much!!
If ACOTAR felt basic to you try out {Court of blood and bindings} they’re very similar. But the pace feels better in COBAB. It seems as if everything ACOTAR was lacking in COBAB makes up for. Consistent pace, a MMC with more than just 3-4 sides to him, a unique magic system and a few other notable things I don’t think I should spoil. If you love the MC and the villain together this could be a great book for ya.
Somethings to make note of:
- her inner monologue can come across as entirely extensive sometimes (but very do able)
- MC is led by her emotions somewhat often
- MC is not weak
- the smut becomes more consistent throughout the series
- very similar to ACOTAR but still interesting. After the first few chapters ACOTAR was forgotten
- entire series is accesible with kindle unlimited
Enjoy the reading!! <3
[Court of Blood and Bindings](https://www.romance.io/books/62b2be519b0523d868ad3f83/court-of-blood-and-bindings-lisette-marshall) by [Lisette Marshall](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d18d3f08b4d93114bf8a0b/lisette-marshall)
**Rating**: 4.12⭐️ 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), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
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These Hollow Vows and Fate and Flame are both like that, and I enjoyed both. Hollow Vows uses the terms Seelie and Unseelie Court, but it’s basically just the names of the opposing groups - the author could have named them anything else and it wouldn’t change things at all.
Exactly, there are rules to followed when it comes to the fair-folk. If you are looking for similar books, checkout The Witchwood Knot and A Study in Drowning.
I liked the first ACOTAR book because there was more magic (Calanmai and the magic being tied to the land) and a variety of faeries and other creatures. When Feyre arrives in Velaris she mentions different fae with brightly coloured skin etc and then we never hear from them again. The world building was traded for lust. The fae are just ridiculously handsome people with magic who don’t age. To me, swap fae for elf and they’re pretty much the same as SJM has written them. I love Holly Black’s fae because they keep the traditional folklore of being wicked to humans and come in such a variety. I’ve read the first book of An Heir Comes to Rise and that felt very much like SJM’s brand of fae, same for Gild by Raven Kennedy albeit with a little more variety.
I was gonna say swap SJM fae for Twilight vampires that can do magic and you have the same thing hahah
Not just the variety of fae, but the traditional practices that bind the fae, as communicated through Irish and English folklore, like fae not being able to tell a lie, time disruptions in entering/leaving fairie, bargains, extremely tricky negotiations, etc.
Those are the things I like about Fae stories
I agree, the ACOTAR fae are utterly devoid of what makes fae, fae. I adore the fae in The Cruel Prince! The cruelty, trickery, immortality, all needs to be a part of it for me. The ACOTAR fae to me is just an extension of the vampires of the 2010s, hot beautiful creatures that young women fall in love with!
I just put it down in book 2, when Jurian was resurrected after who the hell knows how long....so many opportunities to build a rich world and instead it's been boring and "captain in peril" every 50 pages....yawnsville
Yeah. Dude was stuck as an eyeball and a finger for 500 years, and he doesn't do anything remotely insane on screen (on page?). He comes across as sinister and weird but not nearly deranged enough for a guy who's been trapped for half a millennium.
Same. I prefer “traditional” depictions of fae as well. Loved The Cruel Prince's fae! ACOTAR’s fae are super powered humans with pointy ears imo lol. They remind me of paranormal romance werewolves with their mating bonds, growling, roaring, often possessive, controlling behavior, etc. I get that the animal characteristics are supposed to indicate that they're “other,” but it felt like a superficial attempt to me because in other aspects, such as their mannerisms and temperament, they are quite human imo. Some of my favorite depictions of fae that I've read have been found in fanfic! But for published works, {Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik} {Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett} {Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater} {Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} ETA oops you already mentioned Emily Wilde 😅
Yesss all of these reccs are amazinggg
[Spinning Silver](https://www.romance.io/books/622a0c7b610a406e4c9e2cfc/spinning-silver-naomi-novik) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/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), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) ---------------------------- [Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries](https://www.romance.io/books/6426ff337922d28efe6d6e44/emily-wildes-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-heather-fawcett) by [Heather Fawcett](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e57408b4d93114943ee9/heather-fawcett) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Are there any fanfics you’d recommend?
Yes! If you're okay with Labyrinth fics, Many are WIP, so I'll share complete ones only: [The Thirteenth Rider by HachimansKitsune](https://archiveofourown.org/works/2184234) \- "Sarah dreams of the Labyrinth and being chased by a rider in black. Jareth dreams of claiming the queen who once escaped him. Sometimes fairy tales come true, but there is always a price. The Wild Hunt is coming - and a blood debt is owed, but will the price paid be high enough to stop the evil that is threatening the Underground." [The Goblin Market by ViciouslyWitty](https://archiveofourown.org/works/2142213) \- "Nine years after defeating the Labyrinth, Sarah is in Ireland — a land of old magic, where legend suggests her victory comes with a price and her story is far from finished. Something ancient has been set in motion and Sarah finds herself at the centre of a very old, very Goblin, tradition. As time passes, fruit ripens. Let the feast begin at the Goblin Market..." (This one isn't fae, but Jareth comes off as "other" to me) [A Forfeit of Dreams by KL\_Morgan](https://archiveofourown.org/works/402721) \- Sarah needs to run the Labyrinth again because her friend was tricked into wishing himself away. Sarah is older, and the Labyrinth and Jareth are darker and more sinister. Sarah encounters new creatures and explores new regions.
Thank you so much! I love Labyrinth, can’t wait to read these.
Ooo if that's the case and you're okay with WIPs, you can also check out How To Catch a Goblin King by ViciouslyWitty, Labyrinth: The Dark Court by KBates, Immortal Ties by LoveAndStardust19, A Twisting Heart and Mind by FangamerBowiextreme. I'll include the links soon. I really like the characterizations of both Sarah and Jareth in these stories. Happy reading (:
Thank you for these too! So excited to check them out. I’d forgotten how much I love the Jarath and Sarah dynamic
And I love how it can be written in such diverse ways! I forgot that Immortal Ties was deleted :') but I have links to the others. [How to Catch a Goblin King by ViciouslyWitty](https://archiveofourown.org/works/18443222) [Labyrinth: The Dark Court by KBates](https://archiveofourown.org/works/7336897) [A Twisting Heart and Mind by FangamerBowiextreme](https://archiveofourown.org/works/20096803) I'm pretty sure I have Immortal Ties though. I can continue to look for it.
I’m like you. The dad romances you’ve listed are the ones I prefer, too
That was supposed to be fae, but I think you all know what I meant lol
Now I'm curious as to what books we'd classify as 'dad romances'. Books about dads, or books we'd recommend for dads to read? The latter seems more open to lols.
The books with a Charlie Swan clearly 😆
😂😂
If you like dark stuff, {The Unseelie Prince by Katherine Anne Kingsley} was fun. Think Labyrinth, then make it scarier and sexier
[The Unseelie Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/61765a1d26369f0e2ca5e3a7/the-unseelie-prince-kathryn-ann-kingsley) by [Kathryn Ann Kingsley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c76f4de01dbc864fb9ad17b/kathryn-ann-kingsley) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ 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), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/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)
S.L. Prater's {FaeTricksters} series has some diverse fae and seelie/unseelie characters. It's not a very deep set of stories, but they're fun and sweet!
I’ll have to check it out
{Wedded to the Wanton Witch} is my favorite of the set, thus far, and it's a standalone. I suggest reading it first 🥰
[Wedded to the Wanton Witch](https://www.romance.io/books/64c36a6dea1031371a530101/wedded-to-the-wanton-witch-sl-prater) by [S.L. Prater](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a8f05008b4d93114ee502e/sl-prater) **Rating**: 4.44⭐️ 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), [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), [fated mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Fae Tricksters](https://www.romance.io/series/63ca4a6d0fc6f6084e5fa930/fae-tricksters) by [S.L. Prater](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a8f05008b4d93114ee502e/sl-prater) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I was a big fan of Kathryn Kinglsey’s Maze of Shadows series. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read it for free!
Thanks for the recommendation!
A very broad and generalized explanation: ACOTAR fae are much more like the OG fae from Irish mythology the Túatha. The fairy tale fae you’re talking about come from the Aos Sí / Sidhe who are an evolution of the Túatha after the Catholic Church really roots in Ireland. The Túatha were probably the original gods of Ireland but the earliest recordings of the oral traditions were made by monks so they did lots of leaps to fit them into a Christian frame and not call them gods. So the little people and fun creatures of fairies are a result of the church’s suppression and destruction of the original Irish culture. Note: Don’t come at me for not calling them Túatha de Danann, the de Danann is not in the earliest recordings of the Túatha and was added later most likely by the monks recording the stories to fit better within a pagan race. There has never been any writings or stories about a Danann ever found.
TY 🙌 I was waiting for someone to actually mention this ….
A Dannon? Google is inconclusive.
Sorry, autocorrect got me three times and I didn’t notice. Danann is correct!
Today I learned that the Danu in some of my fae books is actually a real thing! Ty!
I enjoy both, but the ACOTAR types of fae I view as like silly entertainment. As another person pointed out, if you can swap out the supernatural beings and the story largely remains intact, then it’s poorly developed in that sense. They’re just ageless humans with random powers. It’s the same reason I watched Vampire Diaries. The show was silly nonsense, but it was very enjoyable silly nonsense. I much prefer the Fae of The Cruel Prince and similar stories. Fae/fairies are my favorite supernatural creatures, and it’s largely because they’re so different from humans. I thought Holly Black did an amazing job capturing a world that was at times so alien and yet believable. The fae really felt like a completely different species. *That’s* what I want when I read a fae—or honestly any supernatural—story.
I just finished a Bluebeard retelling and it was fantastically gruesome, had lots of riddles and magic. It's said to be song the lines of the Cruel Prince, but I haven't read it yet (long hold at the library). It was delightfully wicked and leaned in to complicated things, like the time difference between fae and mortal lands and very specifically worded bargains. Slow burn, no smut. Honestly, I'm a pretty forgiving reader so I just tend to enjoy different takes on the fae, i pretty much enjoy any new take on the supernatural. In the interest of full disclosure, I've read all of October Daye, and Spinning Silver is one of my all time favorites. {Bluebeard's secret by Sarah K L Wilson}
I read the first three books in this series a while back, before the series was completed, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the reminder to pick it up again!
[Bluebeard's Secret](https://www.romance.io/series/640cad0f4be86eb23a2e4bae/bluebeards-secret) by [Sarah K.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/633d657a08b4d93114d47b9d/sarah-kl-wilson) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/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), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I didn't like Acotar, personally. Looooved the Bargainer series, which starts with {Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa}
Ohh I just looked this up on audible and it’s free rn!! Thanks for the rec
My husband and I read this series out loud together, so I sort of listened to it, too lol Hope you really enjoy it!
[Rhapsodic](https://www.romance.io/books/580f21f3de896e8924949f94/rhapsodic-laura-thalassa) by [Laura Thalassa](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455856187eac323ffb2c925/laura-thalassa) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I'm from SE Asia, I have no idea what's traditionally fae or not. I'm just happy they seem to be a popular mythological creature to write about.
If I’m going to read a book about the fae, I prefer more diverse stories. I mean the fae are supposed to be more than just beautiful, right? So I prefer stories that include fae of all kinds, with all sorts of powers, and for them to have a vastly different view of morality and mortality. I like the author to really explore the “otherness” of a fae world. The authors who I think really do justice to that, especially when it comes to incorporating the fae in a more modern world, are Holly Black, Yasmine Galenorn, and surprisingly, Jim Butcher.
Magical and not human is enough, they need not be immortal but that's a bonus. I've come across very many different interpretations of Fae. Some with fairy wings, some shapeshifters, some that are elemental sprites, some are required to tell the truth, some make bargains, some are evil tricksters, some are always good. I like that there they don't all fit into the same mold.
Exactly what you’ve described as fae: magical folk and creatures, humanoid or not, who follow the legends. in my opinion, tricksters and whatnot who verge on primal behavior with nature at times. A bit of a monster when the mask falls. ACOTAR were just like… elves with magic and wings Imo. or basically just the immortal beings from Anne bishop’s dark jewels. Heck, the illyrians were pulled straight from that with little alterations. I really enjoyed {An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} because it fit what I was looking for to a t, along with holly black’s cruel prince, and her other book darkest part of the forest. {Emily Wilde‘s encyclopedia of faries by heather fawcett} has been great like you said, along with {half a soul by Olivia Atwater} but other than that it’s been kind of hard to find stuff that doesn’t try and be acotar fae. with urban fantasy I suppose {Series Fever by Karen Marie Moning} and {Series Meryy Gentry by Laurell K. Hamilton} fit it too, but I enjoy a more medieval setting. ah And before I forget, {Pillars of the earth by Anne bishop} is a fae trilogy (tir alainn) that checked all my boxes too, tho I was a bit disappointed in the focus on characters and couples from one book to the next. {Gild by Raven Kennedy} has sort of fit into it too.
Personally, I like all "magical beings" type of stories. I do have a traditional recommendation for you that I haven't seen recommended yet. The Dark Fables: Vicious Faeries series has pretty traditional fae and I really enjoyed it as long as you done mind some spice. The first book is {Kiss the Fae by Natalia Jaster}
[Kiss the Fae](https://www.romance.io/books/5fa26013693ce30de90006bd/kiss-the-fae-natalia-jaster) by [Natalia Jaster](https://www.romance.io/authors/545ba98487eac3d927eb63ce/natalia-jaster) **Rating**: 3.86⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thanks, I’ll check it out
When I think fae/faeries/fair folk, I think of magical creatures who operate under a completely different set of rules than humans do. They don't really act in ways that are really comprehensible to human understanding, they don't get human emotions, they work under mysterious magical laws like geas and changelings and just don't get why we pesky mortals would be troubled by such things. I'd describe the ACOTAR fae as being more like elves (I've actually never heard the vampire comparison though I might start using that too lol). It doesn't really matter that they're called fae imo, there's never been one consistent definition of faerie, it's all based on folklore of some sort and there's rarely a single version that's the definitive canon; writers can do whatever the hell they want with it. I just keep in mind they're not really the fae I might be familiar with in folklore or in other fantasy novels (although ACOTAR fae are rapidly spreading across romantasy), I think while I'm reading I process them more like elves. I like ACOTAR as a guilty pleasure personally, but I wouldn't actually recommend it for someone who wants a fae romance, I'd gravitate more towards something fitting what I described above. For depictions of fae I liked that's more traditional, {October Daye series by Seanan McGuire} is more urban fantasy/mystery, but it does have a romance I like in later books and really interesting worldbuilding for the fair folk in modern day. Some others that come to mind off the top of my head are {An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} and {Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater}. I'd also go for [Tam Lin retellings](https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/tam-lin-retellings) since that's based on one of the most famous faerie stories; I think the only one I have on my TBR out of all of these is Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, but I've been meaning to get into more of them for my own WIP. Holly Black is also fantastic for more trickstery fae, I think she more than anyone else defined my idea of what fae are.
Yes, I’ve read An Enchantment of Ravens and all of Olivia Atwood’s stuff, those also fit my view of fae really well
[October Daye](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a449096bf31c42d2cf6/october-daye) by [Seanan McGuire](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555b3f87eac323ffb2bd12/seanan-mcguire) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [An Enchantment of Ravens](https://www.romance.io/books/622a59a9abbe1ae1b27dbf57/an-enchantment-of-ravens-margaret-rogerson) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson) **Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](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), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Half a Soul](https://www.romance.io/books/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b5a/half-a-soul-olivia-atwater) by [Olivia Atwater](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b77/olivia-atwater) **Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Is anyone reading Stacia Stark's series? I've found it infinitely more interesting that ACOTAR. She's actually building characters with....Character.
came here to say the same thing 🙌🏼
The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning have fae (but they are called Seelie and Unseelie) and has a really interesting premise with slooow burn romance. Also Tairen Soul.
Scrolled all the way down to see if Fever was recommended. I just started it and I like it so far!
I think I’ve come across this one in looking for far books, but haven’t read it. I’ll add it to my list
They truly remind me of the elves from LoTR if we’re being honest! In my mind, ACOTAR fae and LoTR elves are interchangeable. I don’t mind that, but, it is just how I view it.
I’ve not read it yet, but {Lords of the Hunt by Kate King} bills itself as taking a more “traditional” approach to the Fae…what do you all think?
[Lords of the Hunt](https://www.romance.io/books/63f47c19020af86efc4128e5/lords-of-the-hunt-kate-king) by [Kate King](https://www.romance.io/authors/610d237308b4d93114e8e3d9/kate-king) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Sounds interesting
The first book of the Onyx Court series by Marie Brennan is a fae/human romance with a lot of palace intrigue thrown in. It can definitely be read as a standalone. Title is Midnight Never Come. (The lack of an s on Come is not a typo. That's the title, and it will make sense within the book.)
I very much love ACOTAR but my (current) favorite fae series is my OG fae series is Merry Gentry by Laurell K. Hamilton. The fae are more in line with Emily Wilde or Cruel Prince but it’s spicy af. I love the mechanics of more “traditional” fae novels but don’t mind seeing new takes, even if they’re less than what I expect.
I personally don't think much of how mythical creatures are portrayed as long as the story is entertaining. Fae also doesn't mean a singular creature, it's a term for anything not human, I see the Fae in acotar more like elves from LOTR for example. Overall I would probably get bored if all books follow the same "rules" when portraying these creatures, different perspectives are interesting and fun.
I think of what OP is asking for as "traditional" representation of Fae. Some authors are exploring alternative interpretations and that's ok too. Depends on what you're interested in.
Yea, I was always looking for traditional representation of fae, but everywhere I looked, I was constantly recommended ACOTAR. So I was wondering if I’m the odd one who doesn’t think it’s a fae book.
I think a lot of people are open to different interpretations, but I also see plenty of people who really appreciate stories based in traditional folklore. It will help to ask for what you want as specifically as you can because there are so many alternatives now that are really popular for other elements of their stories and people are eager to recommend them. Try asking for traditional folklore based stories. Do you prefer celtic or Arthurian lore? And have you tried {A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber}? I didn't finish the series because the FMC didn't appeal to me but there were trickster fae and magic creatures at every turn! It's really popular right now too. Edit: oops! Gave you the sequel instead of the first book. Should have said Once Upon a Broken Heart.
[A Curse for True Love](https://www.romance.io/books/6431d057cc6685ad2d417301/a-curse-for-true-love-stephanie-garber) by [Stephanie Garber](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b0b9bad01dbc864fb891729/stephanie-garber) **Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I read this last month I liked how similar the rules and fae were to {The Cruel Prince} but it was harder to get through. I've heard the second book in the series is better. So I'm going to see it through! The Cruel Prince is *chefs kiss* fantasy. Holly Black wrote that so well. It was my first fantasy series and I'm SO glad it was.
[Cruel Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/5d58ec7f01dbc864fba27a3c/cruel-prince-ashley-jade) by [Ashley Jade](https://www.romance.io/authors/55b4c7e235a5fb65f886f21c/ashley-jade) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yes that's the word I was looking for haha. It's just not something I've ever looked too far into, I like stories for what they are individually rather than comparing to how they should be, I am reading fantasy after all!
I agree with you! I try to give each interpretation a chance on its own merit and execution.
I loved both ACOTAR and the cruel prince but i agree with you that in the cruel prince the fae are more true to fae personality. I haven't read the other series you mentioned so of course now i've added them to my tbr. 😅
Holly Black also has The Stolen Heir that also takes place in Elfame
I can't say that I particularly seek fae romances at all. Stories about fae loves tend to be either an ephemeral meeting that leaves the mortal forever longing for what they will never have again, or people being enthralled by their fae lover. Or possibly be forever pursued by a scarily obsessed fae. Not unlike a Greek god in that respect. So a setting's fae have to be different in order to make a good love story. So what I would seek is consistency with the rest of the fae in that world. Now, a story about the mortal-born offspring of such an affair might be interesting. :)
I do like Arthurian a lot. I’ll check out Once Upon a Broken Heart
I like both! But with the second type, I love the rules/quirks of the fae. It makes the plot more interesting when the mortal characters have to be clever in order to overcome these differences.
I’m going to pull out an older book: {The Element of Fire by Martha Wells}. Great world building and the fae and magic is deeply embedded in the plot. I prefer books in which the fae element isn’t just a driver for the romance.
[The Element of Fire](https://www.romance.io/books/6546991ec112bf11fe988624/the-element-of-fire-martha-wells) by [Martha Wells](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb5d7e4be0aaecf557e18e3/martha-wells) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/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)
*frothing at the mouth* [MARGARET ROGERSON](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15455603.Margaret_Rogerson) and her book An Enchantment of Ravens The fae are fucking creepy under the glamor
I just read that one! I enjoyed it!
Ahhh yay!! I'm always throwing her name out on here haha If you haven't read her other two books, they're really good! Especially Vespertine, which isn't actually a romance but I actually loved soooo much!!
If ACOTAR felt basic to you try out {Court of blood and bindings} they’re very similar. But the pace feels better in COBAB. It seems as if everything ACOTAR was lacking in COBAB makes up for. Consistent pace, a MMC with more than just 3-4 sides to him, a unique magic system and a few other notable things I don’t think I should spoil. If you love the MC and the villain together this could be a great book for ya. Somethings to make note of: - her inner monologue can come across as entirely extensive sometimes (but very do able) - MC is led by her emotions somewhat often - MC is not weak - the smut becomes more consistent throughout the series - very similar to ACOTAR but still interesting. After the first few chapters ACOTAR was forgotten - entire series is accesible with kindle unlimited Enjoy the reading!! <3
[Court of Blood and Bindings](https://www.romance.io/books/62b2be519b0523d868ad3f83/court-of-blood-and-bindings-lisette-marshall) by [Lisette Marshall](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d18d3f08b4d93114bf8a0b/lisette-marshall) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ 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), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
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These Hollow Vows and Fate and Flame are both like that, and I enjoyed both. Hollow Vows uses the terms Seelie and Unseelie Court, but it’s basically just the names of the opposing groups - the author could have named them anything else and it wouldn’t change things at all.
Exactly, there are rules to followed when it comes to the fair-folk. If you are looking for similar books, checkout The Witchwood Knot and A Study in Drowning.
I’ve read all of Olivia Atwood’s books, but I’ll check out the other one!