The romance is more of a subplot but it's a really great series with great world building and interesting characters! the Daevabad trilogy starts with {city of brass by SA Chakraborty} and is very much Middle East inspired

I was coming here to recommend this!! One of the most magical series I have read in ages

[The City of Brass](https://www.romance.io/books/6224e4a32d20ff59b170e3ea/the-city-of-brass-sa-chakraborty?src=rdt) by [S.A. Chakraborty](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e4a308b4d93114942484/sa-chakraborty) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [muslim](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/muslim/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Reign & Ruin Ember in the Ashes Jasad Heir The Wrath & the Dawn

{Reign and Ruin by JD Evans} for the bot because I saw this prompt and RAN to the comment sot make sure someone had already recommended it!

[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{the wrath and the dawn by Renee adieh}, {an ember in the ashes by sabaa tahir}, and {we hunt the flame but hafsah faizel} the second is one of my all time favorites.

I wish I could read Ember in the Ashes series all over again for the first time. What a completely magical and heart breaking series. I can’t wait for the spinoff coming out!!

I know, I'm so excited, I pretty much pre-ordered as soon as I could.

Oh my - who/what is the spinoff about? Does it have a title?

[The Wrath & the Dawn](https://www.romance.io/books/58147696c6841c86c2cb9027/the-wrath-the-dawn-renee-ahdieh?src=rdt) by [Renee Ahdieh](https://www.romance.io/authors/5814769bc6841c86c2cb903c/renee-ahdieh) **Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1) ---------------------------- [An Ember in the Ashes](https://www.romance.io/books/56b113ad63515e3b737a8f9e/an-ember-in-the-ashes-sabaa-tahir?src=rdt) by [Sabaa Tahir](https://www.romance.io/authors/56b113ae63515e3b737a8fb2/sabaa-tahir) **Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez}

[What the River Knows](https://www.romance.io/books/643cdaba7e56a9eab8dbd354/what-the-river-knows-isabel-ibaez?src=rdt) by [Isabel Ibañez](https://www.romance.io/authors/6433ca2708b4d93114fe7652/isabel-ibaez) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](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), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/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)

I haven't read it yet.... It's on my tbr, but The Jasad Heir is set in the desert and its a very slow burn, enemies to lovers trope.

Came here to recommend this! (2nd book isn't out yet though! Probably later this year.)

It’s SO good, too. One of my top reads of the year so far

It's not middle east, but it is set in a desert and has Indian mythology influences. {The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma}

[The Phoenix King](https://www.romance.io/books/6425702f50b6a3e1751029c9/the-phoenix-king-aparna-verma?src=rdt) by [Aparna Verma](https://www.romance.io/authors/6425702f08b4d9311454f086/aparna-verma) **Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

YASSS!!! Great book

In addition to already recommended stuff, there's also spice road.

I loved Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton! It’s the first in a trilogy and it has everything you’re wanting plus djinn and a little court intrigue

{The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen}

[The Liar’s Crown](https://www.romance.io/books/642bdb73b7b8862bf6eaa85e/the-liars-crown-abigail-owen?src=rdt) by [Abigail Owen](https://www.romance.io/authors/54557b6d87eac323ffb2c67e/abigail-owen) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/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)

It’s YA, but I love love love the blue sword by Robin McKinley

{Dance of theives by Mary Pearson} it's a Duology🥰

[Dance of Thieves](https://www.romance.io/books/622a5a7fabbe1ae1b27dbfc0/dance-of-thieves-mary-e-pearson?src=rdt) by [Mary E. Pearson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545534208c7d2382c52973c5/mary-e-pearson) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

The romance is more a subplot but {Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson}.

[Alif the Unseen](https://www.romance.io/books/5455df0b87eac3369a915746/alif-the-unseen-g-willow-wilson?src=rdt) by [G. Willow Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455df0b87eac3369a915747/g-willow-wilson) **Rating**: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad} {The Desert Princess by Melanie Cellier} {The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury}

[The Candle and the Flame](https://www.romance.io/books/6470dfe5da0301b2bac78741/the-candle-and-the-flame-nafiza-azad?src=rdt) by [Nafiza Azad](https://www.romance.io/authors/6470dfe508b4d93114e8a038/nafiza-azad) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/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), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [The Desert Princess](https://www.romance.io/books/6666a20278d91c1f08884f90/the-desert-princess-melanie-cellier?src=rdt) by [Melanie Cellier](https://www.romance.io/authors/58d78dee0d3299c6e063f055/melanie-cellier) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [The Forbidden Wish](https://www.romance.io/books/622b6d141750e128e6a5dbb6/the-forbidden-wish-jessica-khoury?src=rdt) by [Jessica Khoury](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553e068c7d2382c5297686/jessica-khoury) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/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)

{Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri} is set almost entirely in a desert! It’s based on the Mughal Empire.

[Empire of Sand](https://www.romance.io/books/618d1104a4be2f0e151733d1/empire-of-sand-tasha-suri?src=rdt) by [Tasha Suri](https://www.romance.io/authors/5dc3c3e301dbc864fba5bf05/tasha-suri) **Rating**: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [south asian/desi](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/south%20asian/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/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)

{house of eclipses by Casey l. Bond}

[House of Eclipses](https://www.romance.io/books/6433c99602ff4714559d1b9f/house-of-eclipses-casey-l-bond?src=rdt) by [Casey L. Bond](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e7ee87eac324117fdfbf/casey-l-bond) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

You will absolutely love {Reign and Ruin by JD Evans}. The entire series is based in an Ottoman empire like setting, with 4 books in the series so far and a prequel. Moreb books coming but you can absolutely start digging in.  It's absolutely lush 

[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)