Fantasy · Strong Female Lead · Forbidden Romance

3 hand-picked fantasy, strong female lead, and forbidden romance books curated by NextBookAfter.

FantasyStrong Female LeadForbidden Romance
Cover of An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes

For fans of the high-stakes rebellion and complex loyalties in Catching Fire, this YA fantasy delivers a gripping tale of resistance against a brutal empire, with a fierce heroine navigating survival, forbidden alliances, and simmering romance amid escalating tensions.

Cover of An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes

For fans of Red Queen's blend of superpowered rebellion and courtly betrayal, this delivers a gripping tale of resistance in an oppressive empire, with fierce protagonists navigating deadly trials and forbidden alliances.

Cover of Serpent & Dove

Serpent & Dove

For fans of Iron Flame's blend of high-fantasy action, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a fierce heroine navigating betrayal and power, Serpent & Dove offers a witchy, magic-infused world with sizzling tension and heart-pounding stakes that echo those empowering themes without retreading the same dragon-filled paths.