If your feed looks anything like mine, you’ve probably watched readers passionately defend either A Court of Thorns and Roses or Fourth Wing. You’re basically deciding between magical fae courts with a slow-building romance, or war dragons, brutal stakes, and instant heart palpitations. Honestly, I got such Team Edward versus Team Jacob flashbacks during this whole debate!
Trust me, I get the hesitation. I felt the same way when I started getting into romantasy. So, which book is worth reading?
What Makes These Two Series So Popular?
There’s a very good reason both of these series dominate every New York Times Best Seller list of the best romantasy books. They nail the mix of rich fantasy, high-stakes romance, and characters that move into your head rent-free long after you put the book down.
If you love rich worldbuilding and slow-burn romances, Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series is right up your alley. Set in the magical realm of Prythian, it’s packed with rival courts, risky deals, and plenty of political drama. Bloomsbury published the fantasy romance series, but readers everywhere are the ones who made it an absolute sensation.
Meanwhile, Fourth Wing drops you straight into Basgiath War College, where dragon riders train, bonds are tested, and literally nobody is safe. It’s published by Red Tower Books/Entangled and runs on pure adrenaline. If you’re looking for fast-paced action rather than a gradual build-up, this is definitely the one for you.
If you’re looking to buy books online in India right now, you’ve probably seen these two everywhere. Trust me, there’s a really good reason everyone is talking about them.
ACOTAR vs Fourth Wing: Let’s Break It Down
If You Love Rich Fantasy Worlds…
Go with ACOTAR.
Sarah J. Maas definitely takes her time building out Prythian, but trust me—it’s so worth it. Every court has its own distinct vibe, deep lore, and juicy political drama that makes the whole world feel completely alive. If you’re the kind of reader who loves to nerd out over fantasy maps and complex magic systems, you’re going to fall head over heels for this series.
If You Want Action From Page One…
Fourth Wing takes this one.
This book doesn’t mess around, and it’s not a slow-paced fantasy. You immediately get dropped into lethal trials, dragons, and plot twists that you never saw coming.
Which Romance Feels More Rewarding?
ACOTAR is all about the slow burn. The relationships take time to breathe and build, which makes every single emotional payoff feel completely earned instead of rushed. If you love watching characters actually grow and change before falling for each other, Sarah J. Maas’s style is going to win you over.
Fourth Wing, on the other hand, cranks the heat up right out of the gate. The romance hits hard and fast right out of the gate. Expect a ton of sharp, witty banter that’ll definitely have you giggling into your book or Kindle.
Clearly, there’s no winner here. If you want to focus more on the romance part of “romantasy,” decide which love story is going to make you lose your mind.
So, Which Series Should You Start With?
New to romantasy? Here’s my honest take.
Whether you love slow-burn or fast pace, to make your decision even easier, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | ACOTAR | Fourth Wing |
| Worldbuilding | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Pacing | Slow to start | Fast from page one |
| Romance | Slow burn | Instant chemistry |
| Fantasy | Fae courts & magic | Dragons & military academy |
| Best for | Readers who love immersive fantasy | Readers who love action-packed stories |
Where to Find These Books
Prefer real bookshelves or scrolling from your couch? If you’re hunting for the best websites to buy books online in India, there are many excellent ones.
One favourite that keeps popping up is Oxford Bookstore. Beyond their amazing lineup of fantasy and romance titles, they’re actually running pre-orders for upcoming ACOTAR books at 19% off right now. You can drop by their bookstore in Kolkata to pick up your next read in person, or just order online with fast delivery and Cash on Delivery available.
My Final Verdict
Truthfully, I can’t choose!
The deep world-building and slow romance in ACOTAR is what some readers love. Others might lean more towards high-stakes drama and immediate chemistry in Fourth Wing. So, what you want to read might just depend on what kind of fantasy you’re in the mood for.
FAQs
1. Should I read ACOTAR or Fourth Wing first?
Pick ACOTAR if you’re in the mood to sink into a slow-burn fantasy filled with magical courts and political drama. Pick Fourth Wing if you want non-stop action, life-or-death stakes, and dragons from page one. Both titles are available online and at Oxford Bookstore.
2. What books should I read after finishing ACOTAR or Fourth Wing?
For more immersive fantasy and swoon-worthy romance, you can’t go wrong with Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City or Throne of Glass. On the other hand, if you loved the high-stakes academy setting and non-stop tension in Fourth Wing, The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent should be at the top of your TBR stack!
3. What is the best romantasy like Fourth Wing?
If you want that same non-stop adrenaline, check out The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. Between a lethal vampire tournament, brutal trials, delicious forced proximity, and a sharp-witted main character, it captures that fast-paced danger you loved in Fourth Wing.