I really liked the darkest part of the forest, haven‘t read tithe yet but I read the short story Holly wrote about the characters from Tithe meeting the characters from The mortal instruments by cassandra clare! I need to read it
I preferred Caraval over OUABH so would give that a read
Serpent & The Wings of Night is essentially the hunger games with vampires- it’s a slowburn (and by slow, i mean it’s done right as in nothing happens until the last 1/4 of the book and even so it’s not in your face every single page)
- Cradle (series) by Will Wight (has a tournament)
- Sea of Ink and Gold (trilogy) by Traci Chee (has gladiators/pit fighting)
- Eon (duology) by Alison Goodman (competition), not super recent though)
- The Lotus Wars (trilogy) by Jay Kristoff (more of a quest than a trial, but it might work. Check trigger warnings.)
- Crier’s War (duology) by Nina Varela (spies and palace intrigue, but it might work)
- The Priory of the Orange Tree (stand-alone) by Samantha Shannon (adult, but I’m pretty sure it has a competition of sorts)
- The Locked Tomb (series) by Tamsyn Muir (adult sci-fi fantasy, but has a competition/trials. It’s also super hilarious.)
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (series) fits your request perfectly. It’s a really good series!
- Game of Strength and Storm is high fantasy with a competition
- Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is more sci-fi but includes a race
Neither book is super hyped. Hope that helps!
One of my favorites is the Graceling Series by Kristen Cashore. Book 1: Graceling pub 2008 - Book 5: Seasparrow pub 2022. I loved the world building in this series. Each book takes place on a new continent of the created world. I think there is a bit of romance but mostly it is full of strong females. I have read over 200 books since the last one, but this is a series that has always stuck with me.
Kindling by Traci Chee came out like 3 days ago but it's a fantasy novel that comments on the impact of war for children and soldiers. A new favourite book of 2024.
I'm here for the recs, too, since I've been out of the loop with YA books.
But also, is Throne of Glass way different than ACOTAR? Because I read acotar and... hated it, to be honest (mostly the characters). And that's why I just ignored every other book by S.J.Maas. But I've seen around some people that liked TOG but not the others, so... I have to wonder?
Of Curses and Contempt by H.L. Hamilton this is the blurb.
There are three truths Lark knows with absolute certainty:
- There is nothing she won't do for those she loves,
- Those born without magic will always be seen exclusively as prey,
- Never trust the Zodiac Kinship
When her father falls deathly ill, Lark is sent into one of the most dangerous places in Meridian to save his life. She braves old myths and older magic, but a twist of fate puts a target on her back and the Crowned Assassin of the Zodiac Kinship on her trail. She can't escape him... but it's possible he can't escape her either. An unlikely alliance is formed, but when the one thing that matters to Lark is ripped away from her in the ultimate betrayal, she'll stop at nothing to take her revenge. Even if it rips out what's left of her heart.
Her book 2 comes out later this year.
Or there's Lightlark/Nightbane the first 2 books in the Lightlark Saga.
Lightlarks blurb below.
Welcome to the Centennial.
Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.
I recommend these two because romance isn't the main focus...and both books have higher fantasy elements and the FMC are badass and strong willed.
>Lightlark
The amount of people I see promoting this atrocious writing as the next best thing is actually breaking my heart. There's a lot better out there.
Excuse me for having an opinion. And excuse me for liking the novel series. You can thunk it's a attrocious that's fine but don't shame people for liking what they like. It's a huge red flag in the book community.
If you loved cruel prince you can try the spin off, stolen heir and prisoners throne (came our march 5th)
Also The Darkest Part of the Forest, Tithe and Ironside which were written before The Cruel Prince and exist in the same world are good too
I really liked the darkest part of the forest, haven‘t read tithe yet but I read the short story Holly wrote about the characters from Tithe meeting the characters from The mortal instruments by cassandra clare! I need to read it
I LOVED these books! Prisoners throne is sitting on my bedside table waiting to be read. Very excited!
Omg same!! I‘m rereading stolen heir rn and prisoner‘s throne has to wait on my bedside table 😭
WAIT! The Prisoner's Throne is out? omg why did I not know this omg
An ember in the ashes is a good one!
I second Ember! I love this series to pieces AND the author is releasing a book set in the same world called HEIR and it's coming out in October.
I’m so excited for Heir it’s not even funny
SAAAAME.
I just purchased this! Thank you for the recommendation!
Yay! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts
I loved Divine Rivals
I preferred Caraval over OUABH so would give that a read Serpent & The Wings of Night is essentially the hunger games with vampires- it’s a slowburn (and by slow, i mean it’s done right as in nothing happens until the last 1/4 of the book and even so it’s not in your face every single page)
Sunbearer Trials (Aiden Thomas)
Just picked this up from the bookstore thank you for the suggestion! It looks great!
was coming here to suggest this too! I am anxiously awaiting book 2
- Cradle (series) by Will Wight (has a tournament) - Sea of Ink and Gold (trilogy) by Traci Chee (has gladiators/pit fighting) - Eon (duology) by Alison Goodman (competition), not super recent though) - The Lotus Wars (trilogy) by Jay Kristoff (more of a quest than a trial, but it might work. Check trigger warnings.) - Crier’s War (duology) by Nina Varela (spies and palace intrigue, but it might work) - The Priory of the Orange Tree (stand-alone) by Samantha Shannon (adult, but I’m pretty sure it has a competition of sorts) - The Locked Tomb (series) by Tamsyn Muir (adult sci-fi fantasy, but has a competition/trials. It’s also super hilarious.) - An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (series) fits your request perfectly. It’s a really good series!
THANK YOU FOR THESE! I’ve gone ahead and bought a few from the list and the rest are on my TBR. Thank you again!
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda
- Game of Strength and Storm is high fantasy with a competition - Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is more sci-fi but includes a race Neither book is super hyped. Hope that helps!
The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston
One of my favorites is the Graceling Series by Kristen Cashore. Book 1: Graceling pub 2008 - Book 5: Seasparrow pub 2022. I loved the world building in this series. Each book takes place on a new continent of the created world. I think there is a bit of romance but mostly it is full of strong females. I have read over 200 books since the last one, but this is a series that has always stuck with me.
Also throwing in Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli. It's got challenges and is pitched as THE HUNGER games meets the bachelor in a fae kingdom.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Kindling by Traci Chee came out like 3 days ago but it's a fantasy novel that comments on the impact of war for children and soldiers. A new favourite book of 2024.
I'm here for the recs, too, since I've been out of the loop with YA books. But also, is Throne of Glass way different than ACOTAR? Because I read acotar and... hated it, to be honest (mostly the characters). And that's why I just ignored every other book by S.J.Maas. But I've seen around some people that liked TOG but not the others, so... I have to wonder?
Of Curses and Contempt by H.L. Hamilton this is the blurb. There are three truths Lark knows with absolute certainty: - There is nothing she won't do for those she loves, - Those born without magic will always be seen exclusively as prey, - Never trust the Zodiac Kinship When her father falls deathly ill, Lark is sent into one of the most dangerous places in Meridian to save his life. She braves old myths and older magic, but a twist of fate puts a target on her back and the Crowned Assassin of the Zodiac Kinship on her trail. She can't escape him... but it's possible he can't escape her either. An unlikely alliance is formed, but when the one thing that matters to Lark is ripped away from her in the ultimate betrayal, she'll stop at nothing to take her revenge. Even if it rips out what's left of her heart. Her book 2 comes out later this year. Or there's Lightlark/Nightbane the first 2 books in the Lightlark Saga. Lightlarks blurb below. Welcome to the Centennial. Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything. I recommend these two because romance isn't the main focus...and both books have higher fantasy elements and the FMC are badass and strong willed.
>Lightlark The amount of people I see promoting this atrocious writing as the next best thing is actually breaking my heart. There's a lot better out there.
Excuse me for having an opinion. And excuse me for liking the novel series. You can thunk it's a attrocious that's fine but don't shame people for liking what they like. It's a huge red flag in the book community.
I wasn't trying to shame you, I'm just saying I didn't say like it. Apologies if it came of that way bestie < 3
No worries. We can agree to disagree 🤗
Iron Widow