Summary
A Court of Thorns and Roseshas undoubtedly been BookTok’s biggest hit, but a book series that started in 2011 would have easily been the firstACOTARhad it not come too soon. The type of book that falls under the category of romantasy isn’t new, but it’s gained new life in the past few years thanks to Sarah J. Maas’Court of Thorns and Rosesand other books likeFourth Wingby Rebecca Yarros. Though the books would be bestsellers on their own, BookTokkers have certainly helped them to blow up bigger than even their publishers might have anticipated.
Love andromance are common draws in fantasy books, with the genres meshing well together. WhileACOTARundoubtedly kicked the spice up a notch, it’s not the first book series to have more adult, erotic scenes, and it’s certainly not the first book series to blend a passionate love story with a strong fantasy setting. In fact, there’s one excellent romantasy book series from 13 years agothat might have beatenA Court of Thorns and Rosesto the BookTok punch had the social media app existed back then.
15 YA Adaptations In Development (And 15 Possibilities)
YA adaptions have become insanely popular among teenagers and adults. Here are the projects in development, as well as some that are possibilities.
Laini Taylor’s Daughter Of Smoke & Bone Was A Great Romantasy Series Long Before ACOTAR
TheDaughter of Smoke & Bonetrilogy by Laini Taylor would have fit perfectly into the romantasy genre long before the phrase started popping up on BookTok, initially to describe Sarah J. Maas’A Court of Thorns and Roses. The books haveone of the most unique premises and magic systems in YA fantasy. The story follows 17-year-old Karou, an art student living in Prague who hides a secret: she’s a chimaera, a kind of being that combines animal and human aspects. As a girl, she was raised by Brimstone, a powerful chimaera who grants wishes in exchange for teeth. Thanks to how human she looks, Karou is able to step between the human dimension and the dimension of chimaera and angels, or seraphim, their mortal enemies.
Of course, a romantasy book wouldn’t be possible without romance, andthere is plenty of that in theDaughter of Smoke & Bonetrilogy. Karou crosses paths with Akiva, a powerful soldier in the seraphim army. Though chimaera and seraphim are at war, Karou and Akiva feel an undeniable pull toward each other that soon turns into an all-consuming love. Through them, other friends in the form of humans, chimaera, and seraphim interact, and they soon start to realize that they’ve been fighting the wrong enemy.
ACOTARhas many of the same beats thatDaughter of Smoke & Bonedid first: complicated romance, stalwart friend groups, and magic, all set against the backdrop of war. There are similarities in the characters, too. Though angels as warriors is an ancient story,Daughter of Smoke and Bone’s seraphim warriors feel like the blueprint for ACOTAR’s Illyrians, and the friendship Akiva has forged with his squad mates, sister and brother Liraz and Hazael, is very similar to the bond between Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel. Even Karou and Feyre are similar in ways: fiercely independent, self-sufficient, and wise beyond their years thanks to their tough upbringing.
2011
2012
Night of Cake & Puppets (tie-in standalone)
2013
2014
Daughter Of Smoke & Bone Was A Hit When It Was Released In 2011
It Was Even Going To Be Adapted As A Movie
Even though it was released long before the BookTok romantasy trend, and well before TikTok itself existed,Daughter of Smoke & Bonewas a big hit upon its release. Reviewers praised the gorgeous romance at the heart of the story, and the heightened language and witty, funny dialogue. It was alsoa finalist for the Andre Norton Award in 2011 and landed on a number of Best Books lists for that year. It was published in almost three dozen languages and sold over a million copies, an impressive feat no matter the era.
In fact,Daughter of Smoke & Bonewas such a hit thatUniversal Studios acquired the rights in late 2011 to adapt it as a movie. At the time, it was a hot property, with four different studios vying for the right to adapt Laini Taylor’s book. Unfortunately, the failure of a few YA adaptations in the next few years spooked studios off adapting it; as of now, there’s been no movement on the project. Still, the audience forDaughter of Smoke and Bonewas clearly there, and were it released today, it might rivalA Court of Thorns & Roses' popularity.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Based on theA Court of Thorns and Rosesfantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.
