Cover of The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

5 book recommendations

Books Like “The Queen of Nothing” by Holly Black

If you are suffering from a major book hangover after finishing Elfhame's deadly political games, you are not alone. Readers cannot get enough of Holly Black's razor-sharp banter, treacherous court intrigue, and intoxicating enemies-to-lovers romance. Explore our handpicked fantasy recommendations below to discover your next read.

  1. Cover of These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan

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    These Hollow Vows

    by Lexi Ryan

    A New York Times Bestseller!

    Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

    Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she'll do whatever it takes to get her back--including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.

    Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie's only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.

    Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.

    Why it's similar

    Both books feature a cunning mortal heroine thrust into treacherous fae court politics, navigating dangerous bargains, shifting loyalties, and an enemies-to-lovers romance with faerie royalty.

    What's different

    This novel relies more heavily on a central love triangle and heist-oriented plotting, whereas Jude's arc centers on relentless political ambition and military strategy.

  2. Cover of The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

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    The Shadows Between Us

    by Tricia Levenseller

    Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King, is back with an epic YA tale of ambition and love in the New York Times bestselling novel, The Shadows Between Us...

    “They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.”

    Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:
    1) Woo the Shadow King.
    2) Marry him.
    3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

    No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

    But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

    “Tricia Levenseller’s latest, The Shadows Between Us, is a decadent and wickedly addictive fantasy, full of schemes and court intrigue, and delightful descriptions of food, which I am always a fan of.” —Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series

    And don't miss the companion novel, The Darkness Within Us—an instant #1 New York Times-bestseller!

    Why it's similar

    Both stories star unapologetically ambitious, morally gray heroines scheming through lethal court intrigue alongside ruthless rulers in high-tension, power-struggle romances.

    What's different

    It is a standalone fantasy with a much tighter focus on palace deception and social maneuvering rather than expansive fae warfare and magical worldbuilding.

  3. Cover of An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

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    An Enchantment of Ravens

    by Margaret Rogerson

    * Instant New York Times bestseller * A Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner *

    “A funny, action-packed, and sweet romance.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
    “A phenomenal read.” —RT Book Reviews

    A skilled painter must stand up to the ancient power of the faerie courts—even as she falls in love with a faerie prince—in this gorgeous bestseller that’s “an ideal pick for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

    Isobel is an artistic prodigy with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes—a weakness that could cost him his life.

    Furious, Rook spirits her away to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime. But something is seriously wrong in his world, and they are attacked from every side. With Isobel and Rook depending on each other for survival, their alliance blossoms into trust, then love—and that love violates the fair folks’ ruthless laws. Now both of their lives are forfeit, unless Isobel can use her skill as an artist to fight the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.

    Why it's similar

    Both books draw deeply from traditional, menacing fae folklore where mortals must rely on wit and observation to survive the fickle, deceptive politics of the Fair Folk.

    What's different

    The tone is more whimsical and atmospheric, prioritizing a romantic quest across the seasons over the visceral violence, regicide, and statecraft of Black's work.

  4. Cover of The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

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    The Winner's Curse

    by Marie Rutkoski

    In the tradition of Kristin Cashore and Cassandra Clare comes The Winner's Curse, a brilliant, unputdownable, star-crossed romance from New York Times bestselling author Marie Rutkoski.

    Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

    They were never meant to be together. As a general's daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can't help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other.

    Set in a new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

    Why it's similar

    Both novels excel in strategic mind games, complex political betrayal, and a central dynamic between two characters whose fierce loyalty to opposing factions complicates their feelings for one another.

    What's different

    The setting is entirely non-magical, drawing on pseudo-classical military empire and rebellion rather than mythical courts and supernatural creatures.

  5. Cover of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

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    The Iron King

    by Julie Kagawa

    Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

    Why it's similar

    Like The Queen of Nothing, it follows a determined human-associated heroine into a perilous faerie realm populated by rival courts, dangerous nobles, and ancient magical rules. Both blend romantic tension, court conflict, faerie lore, and a heroine forced to negotiate with powerful supernatural figures.

    What's different

    The story spends substantial time moving between the human world and Nevernever, with a more conventional coming-of-age quest and a clearer focus on discovering the heroine’s supernatural identity.

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