When you finish Quicksilver, you’re not the same. You’re a little confused, a little mad, maybe even slightly obsessed, and full of existential questions: Who am I? Why did I read six hundred pages in two nights? And most importantly… where can I find another book that gives me the same delicious chaos, between powers I don’t understand, broody alpha males, and heroines allergic to clothes?
For every reader (yes, even the secretly curious ones) going through romantic-fantasy withdrawal, here’s a curated list of ten books that offer just the right blend of spice, fantasy, angst, and world-building. Some will make you scream. Others will make you close the book from second-hand embarrassment. But all of them will keep you company when you desperately seek your next obsession after falling hard for Kingfisher.
10. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Vampires, death tournaments, and unresolved trauma
The first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series drops us into a vampire world of power struggles, Hunger Games-style death matches, and a forbidden bond between a human girl and a vampire prince. Oraya, adopted by the vampire king, must win a deadly competition to gain her freedom. The slow-burn relationship with Raihn, a mysterious rival, is all smoldering tension and blades to the throat.
Broadbent doesn’t hold back on the gore or the stakes: people fight for real, die for real, and love with a kind of desperation that’ll keep you up until 3 a.m. There’s tension, there’s danger, and there’s that real threat that things might not end well. But even with death lurking, hope, and yes, romance, survive. An enemies-to-lovers that actually understands the “enemy” part.
Why I recommend it: Because when I read it, I remembered what it feels like to sweat while turning pages. The tension is real, the blood flows, and you never feel safe. This is one of those books that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Perfect if you loved the messy, slightly toxic vibes of Quicksilver but want a heroine with sharper teeth and a love interest who earns every single moment on-page.
9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
From Beauty and the Beast to generational trauma
If you haven’t read ACOTAR yet, welcome to your new obsession. Feyre, a broke human huntress, gets kidnapped by a fae creature and dragged beyond the wall into a magical land. What starts as a dark fairytale retelling quickly spirals into something much more intense. Magic, politics, ancient wars, and even older passions, Maas knows how to build a literary empire.
It’s not just about the romance (although… hello, Rhysand). Maas flips the script halfway through the book and makes you question all your life choices. ACOTAR evolves, deepens, and gets messier, like a toxic relationship you just can’t quit. It’s also the official gateway drug into the romantasy rabbit hole for many readers.
Why I recommend it: I read it with my heart in my throat and a constant urge to scream at the characters. Feyre messes up, loves poorly, and grows immensely. If you loved the emotional chaos and dramatic world-building of Quicksilver, ACOTAR is mandatory. A read that feels like joining a cult (in the best way).
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8. When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. R. M.
Fae cosmogony and whispered magic
This book came out of nowhere and left me emotionally wrecked. In a world ruled by lunar magic and divided fae houses, a young woman discovers she’s part of an ancient prophecy. But forget the clueless chosen one, this girl is made of blood, ambition, and bite. Oh, and there’s a certain fae prince who wouldn’t know the meaning of “empathy” if it smacked him in the face.
Sharp dialogue and impossible attraction are front and center, but it’s the setting that steals the show. Sarah A. R. M. builds a fever-dream world: dark, intricate, and strangely poetic. The characters are wounded, proud, and emotionally constipated, so yes, Fisher/Saeris fans, this one’s for you.
Why I recommend it: Because every insult in this book hit me like a love confession. I wasn’t sure if I loved it or hated it until I realized I was still thinking about it two weeks later. The sexual tension is a tightrope stretched over 300+ pages. If you crave dysfunctional dynamics and ACOTAR-esque world-building, welcome home.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter7. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Dragons, academies, and psychological warfare
Fourth Wing, the book that broke BookTok. Violet Sorrengail is forced to enter a brutal war college for dragon riders. Small, fragile, and one spinal injury away from disaster, she has to survive while also fighting her feelings for a lethal, trauma-filled, silent-type love interest.
There’s blood, competition, sexual tension, and secrets. The dragons aren’t just fire-breathing creatures, they have opinions. Violet isn’t flawless: she’s scared, she makes mistakes, but she keeps going. Romance and action twist together in jaw-dropping moments you won’t see coming.
Why I recommend it: Because I read it in two sleepless nights. It has that addictive rhythm that bends time. Violet doesn’t ask for your sympathy, she dares you to keep up. If you liked watching Saeris become something more in Quicksilver, you’ll love Violet’s climb to power.
6. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Letters at war, hearts in the trenches
This love story unfolds between two young journalists writing anonymous letters to each other as a divine war looms. Divine Rivals is a softer kind of romantasy: less swords, more feelings. Less chaos, more poetry. But the intensity? Still absolutely there.
This is an intimate, slow-burning novel. There’s no endless action or magical creature on every page, just two people baring their souls through words. The magic exists, but never overshadows the emotion. Ross proves romantasy can whisper and still hit like a punch to the chest.
Why I recommend it: It broke my heart, then shattered it. If you love stories where love grows through words, omission, and quiet longing, this book is for you. After the physical chaos of Quicksilver, Divine Rivals is a soul soother… that still ruins you (politely).
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5. Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
An epic dark fantasy blending fae, vampires, and a haunting atmosphere
Jay Kristoff plunges us into a world where night is the enemy and vampires reign supreme. The protagonist, a vampire hunter, moves through a brutal universe where darkness is not just metaphorical but a physical, ever-present force. The storytelling is intense, steeped in blood and morally gray choices. Kristoff weaves in threads of ancient mythology and fae elements, echoing the universe of Quicksilver, though in a more mature and gothic register.
At the heart of the story is a tormented hero whose fight against the dark is as much internal as it is external. Relationships are layered and complex, with love and hate tightly intertwined, avoiding cliché at every turn. The female lead is no damsel, she’s a flawed, battle-worn warrior with a troubled past. Elements of fated mates and romantic torment blend seamlessly with the story’s grim tone, keeping the reader deeply invested.
Why I recommend it: What struck me most about this book was how it merges dark fantasy with romance without slipping into melodrama. Kristoff builds a world so rich and dangerous that you feel fully immersed in an epic saga, yet it remains deeply personal and emotionally resonant. I recommend it to anyone who craves intense storytelling with layered characters and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages well past midnight.
4. Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer
An explosive mix of action, romance, and magic
Blood & Steel is a journey through war-torn lands and tangled intrigues, with a heroine fighting for both her freedom and her heart. The narrative is fast-paced, packed with battles and tension-filled moments, yet it doesn’t skimp on the romantic arc, which develops naturally and with emotional weight. Much like Quicksilver, it combines fantasy with raw feeling, maintaining energy and momentum throughout.
The world teeters between tradition and revolution, where power is contested by rival factions. The protagonist is strong yet vulnerable, constantly grappling with her past and the choices she must now make. Magic plays a key role in the story, but it’s used pragmatically, always serving the character development and plot progression. The internal tug-of-war between duty and desire anchors the entire narrative.
Why I recommend it: I loved Blood & Steel for its ability to stir emotion without sacrificing authenticity. The protagonist isn’t perfect, she’s human in her fears and flaws, which makes her deeply relatable. The balance of action and romance is pitch-perfect, and the fluid prose makes reading it a real pleasure. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a story that balances adrenaline with heart.
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3. Amid Clouds and Bones by Ella Fields
A dark tale of hate, passion, and revenge
With Amid Clouds and Bones, Ella Fields dives deep into the tormented world of the enemies-to-lovers trope, one of the most beloved in romantic fantasy. The tension between the protagonists is palpable, and the narrative skillfully navigates the conflicting emotions that arise from their initial animosity. The worldbuilding is dark, almost oppressive, but it’s precisely that which adds depth to the emotional landscape.
The leads are shaped by troubled pasts, fueling both resentment and an irresistible attraction. Their emotional arc unfolds slowly but intensely, revealing hidden vulnerabilities behind layers of anger and distrust. The pacing is deliberate, with calm interludes that pave the way for explosive outbursts of passion and drama.
Why I recommend it: This book moved me with its emotional honesty and its ability to portray a complex, realistic relationship. It’s not just a love story, it’s a journey through deep wounds and hidden desires. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys slow burns and character development that unfolds with every page.
2. Nectar of the Wicked Duology by Ella Fields
A powerful duet of darkness and redemption
Ella Fields doubles down on the enemies-to-lovers dynamic in this intense duology, blending tension with raw vulnerability. The characters are well-developed, with clear motivations and rich internal conflicts that make them feel three-dimensional and alive. The setting is dark and immersive, full of rich detail that elevates the emotional stakes of the story.
The story alternates between points of view and includes introspective moments, making the reading experience dynamic and emotionally engaging. The ongoing battle between good and evil, desire and fear, is woven into a powerful romance that evolves naturally through the series. Plot twists are expertly placed to maintain suspense right to the final page.
Why I recommend it: I loved this duology for its emotional depth and the way it tells a love story that refuses to stay on the surface. Fields’s writing is both powerful and delicate, and the characters linger in your mind for their complexity. It’s perfect for readers looking for a gripping, romantic, and introspective read.
1. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
A fragile but fierce heroine in a world of secrets
Powerless tells the story of a seemingly powerless girl caught in a dangerous game of intrigue, magic, and love. The contrast between her outward vulnerability and inner strength is the emotional core of the book, making her a deeply relatable protagonist. The romance is intense and believable, steering clear of the usual clichés.
Roberts builds a mysterious world with slowly revealed magical rules that impact every character’s decisions. The love interest is complex, with enough darkness to add intrigue and depth to their relationship. The heroine grows by facing challenges that test her courage and determination.
Why I recommend it: What won me over in Powerless was the gentle yet powerful portrayal of the protagonist’s growth. She discovers she’s far stronger than she ever imagined. The story effortlessly balances suspense, romance, and action. I recommend this to anyone who loves coming-of-age stories laced with magic and raw, authentic feelings.
In a maze of fantasy romance books that often feel cut from the same cloth, Quicksilver stands out, not for reinventing the genre, let’s be honest, but for that perfect blend of drama, smoldering passion, and characters who could’ve easily escaped a chaotic BookTok group chat. The titles I’ve shared are like your go-to coffees: some strong and sharp, others smooth and cozy, but all guaranteed to keep you hooked to the very last page.
If you love slow burns that drive you crazy, enemies-to-lovers packed with verbal warfare, or the timeless pull of fated mates, you’ll find something here to obsess over, without ever taking things too seriously. Because in the end, the real magic isn’t just in fae powers or distant kingdoms, but in those moments when you finish a book with a dumb little grin and an unstoppable urge to dive straight into the next one.
