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Quick answer: If you loved When the Moon Hatched, read Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash. All combine dragons or fae, forbidden love and high-stakes fantasy with strong romance.
Sarah A. Parker's dragon fantasy follows a woman marked by a past she cannot escape and a love story entwined with war and magic. Readers who enjoy the romance, the worldbuilding and the sense of danger tend to love romantic fantasy as a whole. These picks share dragons, battles or fae politics and a slow-burning romance.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | dragon riders |
| Iron Flame | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | continuing the story |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Adult | fae romance |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | assassin fantasy |
| From Blood and Ash | Jennifer L. Armentrout | Adult | steamy romantasy |
| The Serpent and the Wings of Night | Carissa Broadbent | Adult | dark romantasy |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Teen | faerie courts |
| Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross | Adult | letters and war |
| Sorcery of Thorns | Margaret Rogerson | Teen | bookish magic |
| Uprooted | Naomi Novik | Adult | fairy-tale tone |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Teen | classic dragons |
| Seraphina | Rachel Hartman | Teen | dragons as people |
| His Majesty's Dragon | Naomi Novik | Adult | historical dragons |
| Dragonflight | Anne McCaffrey | Adult | older dragon classics |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | All ages | origins of dragon fantasy |
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail has to survive a brutal war college for dragon riders. Fast, romantic and addictive, with enemies-to-lovers tension at its center.
Best for: dragon riders.
2. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The second book continues Violet's story with higher stakes and more secrets. It is longer and darker, but fans of the first book will want it right away.
Best for: continuing the story.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre kills a wolf and is taken to a faerie land by a powerful fae lord. A retelling of Beauty and the Beast that launched a huge series.
Best for: fae romance.
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien, an assassin, is offered freedom if she wins a deadly contest. The start of a long series with a growing cast.
Best for: assassin fantasy.
5. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Maiden is meant to stay untouched until her ascension but meets a guard who tempts her. A very popular romantasy with a lot of steam.
Best for: steamy romantasy.
6. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
A human girl raised by a vampire lord enters a deadly tournament. Dark, romantic and fast, with a strong heroine.
Best for: dark romantasy.
7. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude is a mortal girl in the faerie court and plots to gain power. Sharp, twisty and perfect for enemies-to-lovers fans.
Best for: faerie courts.
8. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Two rival journalists write letters while a war between gods rages. A sweet, bookish romance with a historical feel.
Best for: letters and war.
9. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
An apprentice at a library of dangerous magical books teams up with a sorcerer. Charming and spooky.
Best for: bookish magic.
10. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
A girl is taken by a wizard to his tower to protect the valley from a corrupted wood. A fairy-tale mood with a slow romance.
Best for: fairy-tale tone.
11. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and becomes a rider. A classic coming-of-age dragon story.
Best for: classic dragons.
12. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
A musician at a royal court hides a secret about dragons. Thoughtful and original.
Best for: dragons as people.
13. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
A British naval captain bonds with a dragon during the Napoleonic Wars. Historical fantasy with a strong friendship.
Best for: historical dragons.
14. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
The first Pern novel follows dragon riders defending a planet from falling spores. A science fantasy classic.
Best for: older dragon classics.
15. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins travels with dwarves to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug. The original adventure with a famous dragon.
Best for: origins of dragon fantasy.
How to Choose
If dragon riders are the draw, begin with Fourth Wing, Eragon or Dragonflight. If you want fae politics and romance, pick A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince or From Blood and Ash. For a quieter, more bookish fantasy, try Sorcery of Thorns, Divine Rivals or Uprooted. Note that several are spicy, and The Cruel Prince and Throne of Glass are more moderate and suitable for teens. If you prefer a series with an established fandom and sequels, Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses will give you a lot to read next. For something shorter, Seraphina and Dealing with Dragons wrap up faster.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is When the Moon Hatched a series?
Yes, it is the first book in the Moonfall series.
Is it spicy?
Yes, like many romantic fantasy novels, it contains steamy scenes.
What should I read after finishing it?
Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Serpent and the Wings of Night are popular choices.
Are there dragons in it?
Yes, dragons are central to the story.
Is it for young adults?
No, it is written for adults and contains mature content.
Do I need to read Fourth Wing first?
No, but readers who love dragon romance often enjoy both.
What does romantasy mean?
It is a blend of romance and fantasy where the love story is central to the plot.