Books Like...

A young princess becomes queen when her uncle dies and recruits a lower ranking noble's daughter as her spymaster. Together, they navigate through revenge, political reform, and opposition, both malicious and well-intentioned, in their way. The book handles court intrigue and relationships delicately, reminiscent of "The Goblin Emperor," with heartfelt relationships and a balance between fantasy elements and emotional growth of the characters.

'Sweet & Bitter Magic' by Adrienne Tooley follows the story of Tamsin, a powerful witch banished from her coven for using dark magic to save her twin sister. Cursed with the inability to love, she trades for others' love to feel something. When a plague hits the world due to dark magic, Tamsin teams up with Wren, a magical source, to try and save the world. Their journey together is filled with elements of family, grief, and love magic, with a touch of humor, romance, and a fairy tale-like atmosphere.

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski is a fantasy novel set in a world where the protagonist, Nirrim, navigates a life within the confines of the Ward, a place where the lowest class is restricted within a wall. Raised by Raven, Nirrim's life takes a turn when she encounters Sid, a traveler, leading to a series of events that challenge her perspective and the world around her. The writing style is described as mesmerizing, with vivid descriptions that bring the magical island setting to life, creating an engaging and mysterious atmosphere that captivates readers.

In the book 'Damsel' by Elana K. Arnold, readers are taken on a dark and twisted journey through a fantasy world where a prince must slay a dragon and rescue a damsel to become king. However, the damsel, Ama, wakes up in the prince's arms with no memories of her past and is forced to navigate a world where women are oppressed and treated as objects. The story delves into themes of women's oppression, sexual assault, and the vicious cycle of patriarchy, challenging traditional fairy tale narratives and exploring the consequences of toxic masculinity.

"Ruinsong" by Julia Ember is a dark fantasy novel that follows the story of two young women, Cadence and Remi, in a world where magic is wielded through enchanted songs. Cadence, the queen's Principal singer, uses her magical songs to torture the queen's enemies, mainly the nobles. Remi, the daughter of a Viscount, wishes for the queen's oppressive reign to end. The book explores themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice as the characters navigate a world filled with intricate world-building, dark magic, and sapphic romance. The writing style immerses readers into a world where the beauty of music clashes with the destructive force of magic, creating a unique and original setting.

The plot of "Ruinsong" is driven by the characters of Cadence and Remi, who are complex and fully developed. The story delves into their struggles, desires, and relationships, particularly focusing on their evolving connection amidst a backdrop of oppression and rebellion. The author weaves together elements of magic, politics, and romance to create a captivating narrative that explores themes of resilience and standing up against cruelty. The book's pacing, while slow at times, builds towards a climactic ending that poses questions about sacrifice, trust, and the limits of power.

'The Valkyrie's Daughter' by Tiana Warner is a captivating YA fantasy novel set in a world inspired by Viking mythology. The story follows Sigrid, a 16-year-old stablehand who dreams of becoming a Valkyrie, despite not having a winged horse. When Vanaheim is attacked, Sigrid embarks on a quest to Helheim with an enemy Valkyrie to retrieve a stolen relic and fulfill her destiny, encountering lies and twists along the way. The plot is filled with non-stop action, intense battle scenes, and well-developed characters that keep readers engaged from start to finish. Warner's writing style weaves together themes of fate, destiny, friendship, betrayal, and self-discovery, creating a fast-paced and intriguing read that will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson and Norse mythology.

In "Gearbreakers" by Zoe Hana Mikuta, the story revolves around Sona and Eris, two women on opposing sides - one trained by Godolia to pilot a Valkyrie Windup and the other a notorious Gearbreaker rebel. Their paths intersect as they form an unlikely alliance to take down the oppressive regime of Godolia. The book is set in a dystopian world filled with mechas, giant mecha battles, rebellion, found family, and unexpected romance. The plot is fast-paced, filled with action, plot twists, and engaging character dynamics, all narrated through a dual POV that provides insight into the world and the characters' perspectives.

The writing style of "Gearbreakers" is captivating, with a gripping opening line that hooks the reader from the start. The novel skillfully weaves together themes of revenge, survival, betrayal, and redemption, creating a world that is both dark and hopeful. The characters, especially the primary ones like Sona and Eris, are well-developed and offer a diverse representation, while the relationships and conflicts drive the story forward, culminating in a cliffhanger ending that leaves readers eager for the next installment.

In 'The Midnight Girls' by Alicia Jasinska, readers are taken on a journey into a world where Marynka, Beata, and Zosia, magical sisters, compete to bring their master the hearts of princes. Set in a dark Slavic fairytale, the story follows these queer witches as they fight to consume princes' hearts and steal each other's in a beautifully realized world filled with magic and intrigue. The plot unfolds with twists and turns, showcasing sapphic enemies to lovers dynamics and forbidden magic as the characters navigate betrayal, power struggles, and unexpected connections.

Alicia Jasinska's writing style in 'The Midnight Girls' is praised for its impeccable world-building, intriguing magic system, and well-developed characters. The book captures readers' attention with its compelling narrative, intricate relationships, and atmospheric setting, weaving a tale of dark fantasy and romance that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

In the book 'Malice' by Heather Walter, readers are taken on a journey through a dark and enchanting reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. The story follows Alyce, a Dark Grace with a unique blood magic that sets her apart from the other Graces in the land. As Alyce navigates her role as a feared outcast who is sought after for her dark powers, she forms an unexpected bond with Princess Aurora. Their relationship evolves amidst curses, secrets, and a quest to break Aurora's curse, leading to a twisty and sapphic fantasy narrative that delves into themes of power, love, and sacrifice. Walter's writing style is described as exquisite, with fantastic world-building, complex characters, and a gripping plot that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

'The Bone Spindle' is a gender-flipped fairy tale retelling that combines elements of Sleeping Beauty and Indiana Jones. The story follows characters like Fi, Shane, and Briar as they embark on a quest filled with mystery, puzzles, and treasure hunting. The plot is fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on strong female characters and a sapphic love story, all narrated in a voicey style that keeps readers engaged despite occasional pacing issues.