Fantasy Romance Series With Forbidden Love and Fated Mates Like ‘From Blood and Ash’
If you loved the forbidden romance and intense scenes in ‘From Blood and Ash’, you’re in for a treat with these series that share its addictive blend of epic fantasy and steamy connections. I was completely drawn into its world of secrets and soul-deep bonds, and I think you will be too.
Based on my reading, I’ve gathered series that excel at those elements you’re craving. Below, I’ll highlight my top suggestions to spark your next reading adventure. Here are a few to start with:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
- King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
What Is “From Blood and Ash” All About and Why Do Readers Love It?
Jennifer Armentrout’s series follows Poppy, a Maiden chosen to live a life of purity and silence, destined to be sacrificed for her kingdom. Her world is one of strict rules, ancient gods, and dangerous, mysterious Ascended. But everything changes when Hawke, a royal guard, is assigned to protect her. Their connection is immediate, electric, and completely forbidden.
Fans adore this series for its specific, powerful blend. The heart of the story is a romance that feels both dangerous and destined, mixing the thrill of forbidden love with the deep certainty of fated mates. The intimate scenes are explicit and emotional, adding heat to a plot already full of tension. All of this unfolds in a richly built fantasy world with its own history, magic, and monsters, making it easy to get lost in for hours. It’s one of those romantic and emotional series that really grab you.
This combination creates a reading experience that is emotionally immersive and hard to put down. When you finish, you’re often left craving another story that gives you that same feeling of epic romance, high-stakes, and satisfying spice. That’s the search for more books like “From Blood and Ash”. If you’re wondering whether there are some books that match your general reading habits and offer the same kind of enjoyment, you’re in the right place. There are plenty of books that match your tastes and deliver that immersive, spicy romance you crave.
Core Recommendations: Series That Feel Like “From Blood and Ash”
If you’re looking for your next book series like “From Blood and Ash”, this list is for you. I’ve picked series that share its core DNA: forbidden connections, soul-deep bonds, romantic tension, and detailed fantasy settings. It’s perfect if you’re searching for fantasy romance series similar to ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’, ‘Throne of Glass’, or ‘From Blood and Ash’.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
This is the most common recommendation for fans looking for books like ACOTAR and “From Blood and Ash”, and for good reason. It starts with Feyre, a human huntress forced to live in the magical land of the Fae after killing a wolf. Her captor, Tamlin, is a beastly High Lord, and their relationship is a classic enemies-to-lovers story that expands into an epic saga of war, politics, and transformative love. The scale is huge, the found family is beloved, and the romantic scenes become increasingly detailed as the series progresses. For more books in this vein, readers who love fae courts, epic romance, and strong female protagonists will find plenty to enjoy.
The Vibe Check: The writing is accessible but builds a very detailed world. The first book is a slower-burn romance, but the spice and plot complexity escalate dramatically in book two. Perfect for readers who love character growth, intricate world-building, and stories that feel truly epic. They share that atmospheric emotional vibe I’ve felt in similar books I’ve read. If that mood appeals to you, you’ll likely recognize it in these as well.
Media Pairing: The soundtrack to the movie “Pride & Prejudice” (2005). It has that same sweeping, romantic, and sometimes tense orchestral feel.
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
For those who loved the vampire-adjacent Ascended and immediate heat in FBAA, this is a perfect match. Princess Isolde must marry the terrifying vampire king, Adrian, to save her kingdom from his conquering horde. Their marriage is a political bargain, but the attraction is instant and overpowering. This book series like “From Blood and Ash” is drenched in dark sensuality, political intrigue, and features a dominant, morally gray love interest.
The Vibe Check: The tone is darker and more openly sensual from the start, with a faster pace and higher immediate spice level. Ideal for readers who want the tension to ignite quickly and enjoy a gothic, vampire-centric atmosphere.
Media Pairing: A glass of bold, dark red wine. It matches the book’s sultry, rich, and blood-tinged vibe.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
This duology focuses on Lara, a warrior princess trained since childhood to spy on and destroy her new husband, the king of a rival nation. The forced marriage, constant deception, and slow-burning romance against a backdrop of war and strategy will appeal directly to fans who enjoyed the political layers and betrayal in “From Blood and Ash”. The love story is a gut-wrenching build of trust amid lies.
The Vibe Check: The mix of action, strategy, and romance is very balanced. The spice is a slower burn but deeply emotional. Great for readers who loved the “chosen one in a gilded cage” and strategic elements of FBAA.
Media Pairing: The TV show “The Americans”. It captures the same feeling of living a double life, where alliance and deception are constantly at war.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Set in a fantasy version of France, this series pits Lou, a witch hiding in the city, against Reid, a devout witch-hunter. When a twist of fate forces them into a holy marriage, their forbidden attraction threatens both their lives and beliefs. It has the “natural enemies” trope, a fated mates undercurrent, and a great blend of humor, magic, and steamy moments.
The Vibe Check: The writing is YA-friendly but doesn’t shy away from spice or dark themes. The banter is excellent, and the setting feels fresh. Perfect for readers who want a slightly lighter, more humorous tone without sacrificing romantic tension or fantasy stakes.
Media Pairing: A hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon. It’s comforting and sweet with a little bit of a kick, much like the book’s tone.
The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
This series begins with King Midas’s favored trophy, Auren. She lives in a gilded cage, literally wrapped in gold, until her world is shattered by a conquering army. The series is a stunning journey of one woman reclaiming her power. It features a forbidden connection with a brutal commander, a slow-burn romance that feels fated, and explicit scenes that come later in the series. The feeling of being trapped and then breaking free is very strong here, similar to Poppy’s arc.
The Vibe Check: The first book, “Gild”, is intentionally restrictive to show the cage Auren lives in-push through it. The writing becomes more expansive, dark, and romantic as the series goes on. Best for patient readers who love deep trauma recovery and transformative character journeys.
Media Pairing: The song “Castle” by Halsey. It embodies the themes of a gilded, beautiful prison and the simmering rage within.
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
For readers who want the fated mates intensity and epic world-building of FBAA but in a modern, urban fantasy setting, this is your pick. Bryce Quinlan parties hard in the city of Lunathion, a world of angels, shifters, and Fae. When a demon murders her friends, she is forced to team up with Hunt Athalar, a brooding fallen angel. The mystery is complex, the world is incredibly detailed, and the romantic payoff is immense, following a slow-burn path laced with forbidden tension.
The Vibe Check: The first chunk is heavy on world-building (stick with it!). The writing is adult, fast-paced, and mixes modern humor with ancient magic. Ideal for readers who want a “fantasy mystery” with a central, powerhouse romance that builds over time.
Media Pairing: A playlist of synthwave or electric pop. It fits the series’ vibe of ancient magic pulsing through a neon-lit city.
Choosing Your Next Read: A Quick Comparison Guide
Here’s a simple way to scan your options. Think about what you loved most about “From Blood and Ash” and find your match.
If you loved the vampire/morally gray love interest and high spice in FBAA: Go straight to King of Battle and Blood.
If you loved the epic scale, fae elements, and transformative romance: You are ready for A Court of Thorns and Roses or Crescent City.
If you loved the “chosen one in a cage” and political betrayal themes: The Bridge Kingdom and The Plated Prisoner series are your best bets.
If you want the forbidden love and fated mates with more humor and banter: Pick up Serpent & Dove.
While series like “Ash Princess” share a “princess in a dangerous court” theme, they are generally younger and less spicy. Books like “Ashfall” are post-apocalyptic, not fantasy romance. For that specific mix of fantasy, fate, and fire, the list above is your direct path forward — especially if you are looking for fantasy court and romance series similar to the ones mentioned above.
Where to Look Next: Expanding Your Fantasy Romance Shelves
Once you’ve powered through a series like FBAA, that specific book-hungry feeling can be hard to satisfy. The good news is you have so many wonderful shelves left to explore. Here’s where I’d suggest looking next.
Authors and Worlds that Share the Magic
If you loved the core ingredients of FBAA but are ready for a new setting or voice, these authors often hit the same sweet spot.
- Sarah J. Maas: This is the most common recommendation for a reason. Her “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series is a cornerstone of modern fantasy romance. You’ll find fated mates, epic world-building, and increasingly spicy scenes as the series progresses. The first book is a bit slower, but it builds to something huge.
- Raven Kennedy: Her “Plated Prisoner” series starts with a slower, darker burn that absolutely explodes. It features a compelling “touch her and die” protector dynamic, a heroine coming into immense power, and a love that feels truly forbidden by the world’s rules. The first book, “Gild,” is the setup; the real romance and action ignite in book two.
- Carissa Broadbent: For readers who adored the lyrical prose and intense character bonds in FBAA, Broadbent’s “Crowns of Nyaxia” series (starting with “The Serpent and the Wings of Night”) is perfection. It’s a vampire competition fantasy with incredible tension, a fierce heroine, and a romance that feels both fated and impossible.
For a fantastic standalone that packs the fated mates and forbidden love into one book, try “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” by Megan Bannen. It’s a fantasy romance epistolary (think: You’ve Got Mail but with a demigod and an undertaker) that is surprisingly spicy and deeply heartfelt.
Stay in the World with Jennifer Armentrout Herself
The most natural next step is diving into the companion series, “Flesh and Fire.” Set in the same world as FBAA but in the distant past, it follows Nyktos and Sera. If you ever wondered about the gods and the deeper lore of FBAA, this series is your answer. The vibe is similar-forbidden love, epic stakes, and plenty of tension-but with its own unique and compelling love story. Many readers, including myself, actually prefer this series. Reading them in tandem adds incredible depth to both stories.
Finding Your Next Favorite Book Community
When my own “To Be Read” pile gets low, I turn to fellow readers. Book-loving communities are the best way to get specific, heartfelt recommendations tailored to your personal reading preferences.
- Goodreads “Lists” Feature: Don’t just look at star ratings. Search for a list like “Best Fantasy Romance with Fated Mates” and scroll through the comments. Readers are passionate and detailed about why a book belongs there.
- BookTok or Bookstagram: Use hashtags like #FantasyRomance or #SpicyFantasyBooks. Creators often make video reviews that give you a genuine feel for the book’s pacing and tone. I found “The Bridge Kingdom” this way.
- Your Local Bookstore or Librarian: Seriously, tell them you loved “From Blood and Ash” for its blend of epic fantasy and steamy romance. They are treasure troves of knowledge and can often point you to a hidden gem.
A Note on Related Searches: Exploring Similar Themes
You might see searches for books like “Ash” by Malinda Lo pop up alongside FBAA requests. While both can be shelved as fantasy, they offer very different experiences. “Ash” is a beautiful, quiet Cinderella retelling with a sapphic romance. It shares the theme of forbidden love in a fairy-tale setting but is not spicy; its magic is in its tender, atmospheric prose, much like other sincere portrayals of forbidden love and self-discovery. If you’re exploring the “forbidden love” theme across genres and appreciate slower, lyrical stories, you might adore it. It’s a reminder that the core themes we love can be woven in countless wonderful ways.
Next Reads for Fantasy Romance with Forbidden Love and Fated Mates
My biggest takeaway from years of reading is that the best fantasy romance series, like ‘From Blood And Ash’, make you feel every heartbeat of their forbidden loves and fated bonds. You now have a shelf of options where the spice burns bright and the worlds pull you deep, so follow your gut to the next story that calls to you. Discover the best fantasy romance and urban fantasy series to read next.
Written by Chrestos Plácida. Chrestos is an avid book reader and enthusiast. He reads and reviews countless books every year and has started multiple book clubs around his community where he helps the readers decide on which book to read next based on his personal reading experience. He also has a degree in literature and an interest in the classics and history and has written many books reviews for online blogs and review sites.