Books like 'The Rising'
Readers who enjoyed The Rising by Vanessa Nelson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical fantasy paranormal high fantasy strong heroine shapeshifters suspense magic mystery alpha male
-
Age of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan, Marc Simonetti
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 52 ratingsA Goodreads Choice Award Nomination for Best Fantasy Novel of 2017 The gods have been proven mortal and new heroes will arise as the battle continues in the sequel to Age of Myth--from the author of the Riyria Revelations and Riyria Chronicles series.In Age of Myth, fantasy master Michael J. Sullivan launched readers on an epic journey of magic and adventure, heroism and betrayal, love and loss... -
The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend by David Gemmell
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsHe was known as Druss. The Deathwalker. Though the blood of merciless butchers coursed through his veins, he had found a fragile peace through his love for beautiful, mystical Rowena. Then came the day when Druss returned to their village and found everyone dead--massacred by slavers who had stolen the women to sell for gold. Rowena was among the missing... -
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 5 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsYou must negotiate return of dragon wing. Penalty levied against party members. Piemu unleashed. Accept quest? (YES) (no) How is this harder than the pirates? I’m looking at the reason. Uncalled for. True, but still uncalled for... -
The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 46 ratingsTWO THIEVES WANT ANSWERS. RIYRIA IS BORN.For more than a year Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, the two thieves return to Medford but receive a very different reception --- Gwen refuses to see them... -
-
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 4 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsDragon wing located on pirate ship! Board ship? (YES) (NO?!) I feel like this is a bad idea... -
The Fae Artifactor by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsPeople really have to stop kidnapping her…. Sevana has quite enough on her plate, what with her wonky magical core still spastically melting or exploding things on her. She has every intention of seeking professional help, if such a thing exists, but is stopped before she can even go back home. That is to say, she’s kidnapped. AGAIN... -
Masquerade in Lodi by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsBastard’s Eve is a night of celebration for most residents in the canal city of Lodi -- but not for sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon Desdemona, who find themselves caught up in the affairs of a shiplost madman, a dangerous ascendant demon, and a very unexpected saint of the fifth god... -
Exile's Honor by Mercedes Lackey
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsAlberich had spent most of his youth in the Karsite military schools training to be an officer. As the son of an impoverished mother, he had no other career choice open to him. And Alberich had risen in the ranks with almost unnatural speed. He developed expertise with many weapons and excelled in academic subjects with an ease that was the envy of his classmates... -
The Reckoning by Vanessa Nelson
Missing girls. A plea for help she can’t ignore. An ancient enemy with plans of his own. Nine-year-old girls are missing from across the lands. Yvonne has promised to find them, and she always keeps her promises. Even when she doesn’t know where to start looking. There’s more trouble around. Mercenaries are disappearing...Categorized as:
high fantasy magic shapeshifters mystery strong heroine alpha male single-mother non-human-hero -
The Villainess Turns the Hourglass by Ant Studio
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAfter her lowly mother married a count, Aria enjoyed a life full of luxury while harassing her gentle stepsister Mielle. Several years later, Aria is about to be executed when Mielle reveals that she wickedly tricked Aria into building the bad reputation that ultimately brought her to the scaffold... -
The Highlander's Fury by Maeve Greyson
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn immortal Fury nearing burnout from vanquishing evil. A raging Highlander determined to remain miserably alone. The goddesses’ plan to save them both with the greatest magic of all.An average day in the life of an immortal flex powers, locate evil, administer justice. Until Ciara’s goddess mothers convince her to seduce a brooding mortal. All she must do is swap places with his betrothed... -
The Healer's Secret by Helen Pryke
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsBook #1 in the Healer series.From medieval times to present day, the Healer saga spans generations of the Innocenti family, telling the stories of the women healers whose lives are entwined with legends, curses, and tragedy.Jennifer’s life isn’t going as she planned. Fired from her job and on the brink of divorce, her only salvation lies at the bottom of a wine bottle... -
The Searching by Vanessa Nelson
Oath-sworn to help those in need, Yvonne has been framed for murder.Tracking down those responsible for the destruction of the Stone Walls was a difficult enough task, but someone has made it much harder. The King is dead, and Yvonne is accused of his murder...Categorized as:
shapeshifters magic high fantasy suspense strong heroine mystery alpha male non-human-hero -
The Prince's Dragon by W.M. Fawkes, Sam Burns
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThe last place Lord Tristram Radcliffe ever expected to find himself was right hand to the Llangardian throne. His parentage should have seen him banished, but he managed to keep his draconic secret. Now, King Reynold is dead. Long live King Roland... -
-
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners—an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession... -
브링 더 러브 1 by Zestkyo, 제스트쿄
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratings아름다운 외모와 멋진 매너로 사교계에서도 인기가 높은 힐데브란트가의 장녀 레아. 하지만 그녀에겐 누구에게도 말 못할 고민거리가 있다... -
A Dangerous Ruse by Tilly Wallace
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHer opponents have her cornered, unless Sera makes an unexpected move… Seraphina continues to pick at the secrets entangling her. Then, during a ball, she spots a piece of enchanted jewellery eerily similar to the bracelet she once wore. But before she can find out about its origins, its owner is murdered. At least this time no one is blaming Sera... -
Dungeons and Dreamers by Alex Lidell
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsTwo dark pasts. One bond beyond their control.For a month, Coal has tried to stay away from the beautiful cadet who makes him feel things he shouldn’t, each day of separation spiraling him deeper into worsening nightmares. Already on edge, it takes Coal one split second to plunge into violence—and find himself in shackles once more... -
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 46 ratingsFrom the winner of the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, this mesmerizing, suspenseful, and richly atmospheric tale of time travel draws us into the heart of a heroine we won't soon forget... The first time Julia Beckett saw Greywethers she was only five, but she knew that it was her house. And now that she’s at last become its owner, she suspects that she was drawn there for a reason... -
The Potent Perfume by Helen Goltz
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMiss Phoebe Astin of The Economic Undertaker found herself charmed by the recently deceased perfume salesman, Mr Edward 'Teddy' Tate, as were many of his former clients... -
Master of Restless Shadows: Book One by Ginn Hale
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFreshly graduated Master Physician Narsi Lif-Tahm has left his home in Anacleto and journeyed to the imposing royal capitol of Cieloalta intent upon keeping the youthful oath he made to a troubled writer. But in the decade since Narsi gave his pledge, Atreau Vediya, has grown from an anonymous delinquent to a man renowned for penning bawdy operas and engaging in scandalous affairs... -
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsGlen David Gold's literary debut dazzled critics and fans from coast to coast. Now Carter's center stage for a spectacular paperback . . . The response to Glen David Gold's debut novel, Carter Beats the Devil , was extraordinary. He hypnotized us with his portrait of a 1920s magic-obsessed America and of Charles Carter--a.k.a... -
The Wicked Day by Mary Stewart
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsBorn of an incestuous relationship between King Arthur and his half sister, the evil sorceress Morgause, the bastard Mordred is reared in secrecy. Called to Camelot by events he cannot deny, Mordred becomes Arthur’s most trusted counselor -- a fateful act that leads to the "wicked day of destiny" when father and son must face each other in battle...Categorized as:
magic mystery high fantasy historical fantasy arthurian legends & fairy tales paranormal -
Prowess Trials by Alex Lidell
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWhen you play with fire, everyone gets burned.It’s the first day of the Prowess Trials, with all the royals—and the dark fae Owalin—gathered for Tye’s grand performance. When the magic wards fall right in the middle of Tye’s routine, Lera does what she must to save his life—giving Owalin just the opening he needs.River is in love with Lera, but he can’t be with someone who lies... -
-
Resistance by Amy Rae Durreson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHow do you rebuild a broken nation? Iskandir doesn’t know, but as resistance leader turned peacetime governor, he’s trying his best, even though he believes his best will never be good enough.But things are about to get a lot worse in Tiallat. First, the rats begin to die. Next, humans begin to sicken too... -
Heart of a Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA bloodthirsty evil stalks the Connor Clan…Brave, beautiful, and haunted by her past, demon hunter Anna MacKinley will do anything to help the Connors. Under divine orders, the headstrong warrior travels the world, slaying demons and vampires... -
Prisoner of Steel and Shadow by Meg Anne
A Kidnapped QueenA vengeful god has stolen everything from the queen of assassins. Her title. Her power. Her memories.Even her name.Now merely a ghost of her former self, Shadow must enter a deadly game and fight for her freedom or risk spending the rest of her life as a madman’s prisoner.But, in order to win, she may be forced to lose what’s left of her true self in the process... -
Daughter of the Lion by Jennifer Roberson
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsShe is Keely, twin sister to Corin, and daughter to Niall, the ruler of Homana, and she alone has the power to shapechange into any form—a power akin to that of the Firstborn. Like her brothers, Keely has been chosen to play a crucial part in the Firstborn's prophecy. Yet Keely is no weak pawn to be used in men's games of power and diplomacy... -
The First Chill Of Autumn by W.R. Gingell
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLlassar is an occupied country– but nobody seems to know it. Fae began to filter slowly into the land shortly after the birth of the crown princess, Dion ferch Alawn, supposedly fleeing a dark threat in Faery known as the Guardians. But that was fifteen years ago, and now there isn’t a town in Llassar that isn’t populated by or under the control of the fae... -
Legacy of Kings by C.S. Friedman
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe young peasant woman Kamala has proven strong and determined enough to claim the most powerful Magister sorcery for herself-but now the Magisters hunt her for killing one of their own. Her only hope of survival lies in the northern Protectorates, where spells are warped by a curse called the Wrath that even the Magisters fear... -
Warlock: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Wilbur Smith
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsOne of the world's most acclaimed adventure writers returns to the world of ancient Egypt with the stunning sequel to the New York Times bestselling River God. In the wake of a sixty-year war over the reign of the kingdoms of Egypt, two young pharaohs have risen to claim power, but only one can succeed, deciding the fate of his empire forever.. -
This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsWhen Lucy's sister Phyllida suggests that she join her for a quiet holiday on the island of Corfu, Lucy is overjoyed. Her work as an actress has temporarily come to a halt. But the peaceful idyll does not last long... -
Conspiracy To Murder by Heather Graham
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsDon’t miss this heart-racing story from “the queen of romantic suspense,” New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham. Is she a suspect or a target? A year after the chilling death of her mentor, criminologist Harley Frasier is still rattled. Secretly she’s suspected murder all along... -
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsSome people think foxes are similar to ghosts because we go around collecting qi, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .Manchuria, 1908.In the last years of the dying Qing Empire, a courtesan is found frozen in a doorway... -
-
The Tale of Indigo and Cloud by Martha Wells
The Tale of Indigo and Cloud explores the history of the Indigo Cloud Court, long before Moon came to Court. In the distant past, Indigo stole Cloud from Emerald Twilight. But in doing so, the reigning Queen Cerise and Indigo are now poised for a conflict that could ruin everything...Categorized as:
high fantasy suspense magic fantasy historical paranormal glimpses-kisses length-short -
My Sister Took My Fiance and Now I'm Being Courted by a Beastly Prince (Manga) Vol. 2 (妹に婚約者を取られたら、獣な王子に求婚されました~またたびとして溺愛されてます~ (Comic) #2) by Kiduki Hoshikawa, Yū Sakurai
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFAMILY PRIDE AT RISKCordelia and Leonhart work together to reveal Katricia's scheming. With one scandal avoided, Leonhart works to help Cordelia avoid another. The prince talks with Cordelia's father about how Priscilla's continued interference with Cordelia's engagements has left both sisters with a stained reputation... -
The Dragon King's Imperial Wrath: Falling in Love with the Bookish Princess of the Rat Clan Vol. 2 by Aki Shikimi
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsTHE RAT PRINCESS DIARIESRuiying, princess of the rat clan, has begun her formal training to become a worthy bride for dragon king Yawen. Much to her excitement, this comes with unconditional access to a treasure trove of knowledge! However, her teacher, Meiyu, informs her that being a “fated mate” holds special meaning in the dragon clan... -
Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen
The Royal Spyness series continues with an all-new mystery of "the British monarchy...a wedding in Transylvania...[and] wonderful characters." (#1 "New York Times" bestselling author Charlaine Harris). Penniless and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself in a truly draining state of affairs... -
The Angels' Share by James Markert
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSome believed he was the second coming of Christ. William wasn’t so sure. But when that drifter was buried next to the family distillery, everything changed. Now that Prohibition has ended, what the townspeople of Twisted Tree, Kentucky, need most is the revival of the Old Sam Bourbon distillery... -
The Two-Faced Queen by Nick Martell
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe Hollows is on the brink of civil war as brother and sister vie for the throne in the second novel of the trilogy which Brandon Sanderson called “excellent.” “Simply put, this series is a master class in grand-scale storytelling. The future of epic fantasy is here—and this saga is it... -
The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSemele Cavnow appraises antiquities for an exclusive Manhattan auction house, deciphering ancient texts—and when she discovers a manuscript written in the time of Cleopatra, she knows it will be the find of her career. Its author tells the story of a priceless tarot deck, now lost to history, but as Semele delves further, she realizes the manuscript is more than it seems... -
Taming the Marquess, Season 1 by Rofan Gourmet, Golji
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsLaranora Ador gets more than she bargained for when she rescues a young boy from being sold off in an infamous auction house. The boy is actually Eskal Van Dyck, the "Crazy Marquess," in disguise! Unaware of his violent and heartless true nature, Laranora takes Eskal under her wing... -
Veiled in Moonlight by C.J. Archer
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen a young gentleman is murdered by a shape shifter, Charlie and Lincoln interrogate their contacts and uncover a plot with links to the royal family—and links to more than one member of the ministry's committee. At the heart of the mystery is a sinister love triangle, corruption, lies, and treason... -
Unmasking Miss Appleby by Emily Larkin, Rosalyn Landor
Rated: 3.99 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBook #1 from the series: Baleful Godmother🎧Listening Length = 11 hours and 37 minutesA captivating Regency romance from a USA Today bestselling author! Performed by Audie-winning narrator Rosalyn Landor. When she turns 25, Charlotte is bestowed with an extraordinary gift: the ability to change shape... -
-
Mark of Royalty by Jennifer K. Clark, Stephonie K. Williams
Rated: 3.99 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsAt a time when royal infants are marked at birth, a royal advisor makes a terrible misstep — and an infant princess must be secreted away to save her life. Named Sarah by Miranda, the woman who agrees to raise the child as her own, the girl is unaware of her royal heritage — even though Miranda has done all she can to pair Sarah with the king's nephew, Lord Chad...Categorized as:
mystery royalty magic contemporary legends & fairy tales medieval historical paranormal -
Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund
Rated: 3.96 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsBershad stands apart from the world, the most legendary dragonslayer in history, both revered and reviled.Once, he was Lord Silas Bershad, but after a disastrous failure on the battlefield he was stripped of his titles and sentenced to one violent, perilous hunt after another... -
Pretender to the Crown by Melissa McShane
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWillow North is a thief, and despite her secret magical talent for sensing worked metal, she has never wanted to be anything else. But when her former fiancé appears on her doorstep with the eight-year-old King of Tremontane in tow, she is drawn into the political conflict surrounding the boy King's ascension... -
Dunmoor: A compelling journey in gothic suspense by London Clarke
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA lush gothic from bestselling author London Clarke set in the Regency era, Dunmoor is a tale of generational curses that threaten to destroy the most innocent and vulnerable.England, 1818. Lady Helena Winters hasn’t seen her husband in over a year—not since he disappeared without a trace... -
The Only Option by Megan Derr
A desperate dragon. A lonely necromancer. A marriage neither wants. When he is summoned to the royal castle, Rochus anticipates nothing more than a particularly difficult assignment. The bothersome journey is almost made worthwhile when he is propositioned by a young, beautiful dragon, Tilo, who seems untroubled by the fact that Rochus is a necromancer... -
This Time I Will Find Happiness! (Kondo Koso Shiawase Ni Narimasu!) Vol.1 (This Time I Will Find Happiness! (Manga) #1) by Mamenosuke Fujimaru, Riko Saiki
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWait for me, Louisa. Her lover Graham, who was chosen as a brave warrior, said so and set off to defeat the Demon King. But I have no intention of waiting for him...
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences

Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.