Fans of Rhysand fromA Court of Thorns & Rosesneed to read this great romantasy series before the next book’s debut in June. Sarah J. Maas' iconic series has continued to persist in popularity for audiences despite thewait forA Court of Thorns & Rosesto continue its storyline dragging onward with no news.Many aspects of the story can point to its longevity, but one major component of its continued popularity is definitely the High Lord of Nightand his varied swoonworthy moments throughout the series.
Rhysand fromA Court of Thorns & Rosesis one of the first shadow daddies of BookTok, his power, cunning, and flirtatious nature only the surface that covers his kind and strong-willed characterization.Due to that complexity and the positive response to it from fans, many other series have tried to mimic aspects of Rhysand’s character, albeit with some changes to fit their differing worldbuilding. One particular series, though, really captures what made Rhysand so compelling and is likely to continue to do so as its story goes on: theFlame & Thornsseries by Marion Blackwood.
The Flame & Thorns Series Features A Love Interest That’s Reminiscent Of ACOTAR’s Rhysand
Empire of Flame and Thorns Was Published In October 2024
Blackwood’sFlame & Thornsseries includes various elements from Maas’A Court of Thorns & Roses,including a love interest that resembles our favorite High Lord. According toGoodreads, the serieschronicles the story of Selena Hale, who lives trapped within the Seelie Court and at the mercy of dragon shifterswho rule with brutality. A member of a secret rebellion, Selena is determined to be one of the three winners of the Atonement Trials, even as she finds herself falling for Draven Ryat, the dragon shifters' commander and main obstacle on her route to victory.
Draven shares several similarities to Rhysand fromA Court of Thorns & Roses,namely their fierce power and secret depths.While he is largely vicious and determined, Draven’s gentler side slowly emerges as he and Selena fall for each other, much like Rhysand’s didas his and Feyre’s love story persisted. That being said, he is known as “The Shadow of Death” for a reason, his power mirroring Rhysand’s in potency, creating various tense scenes. Draven, though, is not the only highlight, as fans of Maas' works can find quite a bit to enjoy within Blackwood’s series.
TheFlame & Thornsseries' Atonement Trials and characterization of Selena make the books a perfect replacement read while you wait forA Court of Thorns & Roses 6.Much like the first book in Maas' series, this series takes advantage of theromantasy deadly trials tropeand all the drama inherent within.The Atonement Trials are truly brutal and unexpected in places, leaving you to wonder how Selena will beat the task and what she will have to sacrifice to do so, reminding many, myself included, of Feyre’s physical and psychological trials Under the Mountain.
Selena’s trials do not stop within the series as she tries to decide where her loyalties lie and new secrets emerge, allowing her to truly embrace her own strengths much like Feyre, albeit while using different tools.
On the subject of Selena, her arc within the series is one of growth and discovery, which makes her a great protagonist to followas Blackwood’s story grows with her. Selena’s trials do not stop within the series as she tries to decide where her loyalties lie and new secrets emerge, allowing her to truly embrace her own strengths much like Feyre, albeit while using different tools. That development is set to persist within the upcoming book, which promises to bring an epic next chapter this summer on par withA Court of Thorns & Roses' ongoing narrative.
The Next Book In The Flame & Thorn Series Comes Out On June 23
The Timeline And Various Formats Easily Allow Audiences To Catch Up On Blackwood’s Series
Blackwood’s next installment in herFlame & Thornsseries is set to come out in late June, giving you plenty of time to both catch up and get excited for the next parts of thisA Court of Thorns & Roses-style story.Blackwood announced the release date of the third installment of her romantasy series back in February, its debut timeline making it aperfect beach read for summer 2025. The first two books are fortunately easy to find, with ebook and physical copies being readily available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s websites.
Ebook preorders for book 3 have also already begun for after you finish the first two, allowing you to jump in right away once you have caught up. Alongside of that,book 4 has already been announced by Blackwood, with preorders for the ebook available online as well as of June 2025.Not only does that truly highlight the depths in which Selena and Draven’s story is set to go, but it also creates even more reason to check out this great series as you wait for more ofA Court of Thorns & Rosesto arrive.
