If you've just finished Alchemised and find yourself wandering through your day in a haze of emotional ruin, you're not alone. SenLinYu's debut novel; a gothic dark fantasy that evolved from the legendary Manacled fanfiction; has left readers utterly wrecked and desperate for something to fill the void.
The good news? There are books out there that capture that same devastating blend of war-torn worlds, morally complex romance, and unflinching exploration of trauma. The bad news? You're about to put yourself through it all over again.
Here are the best books like Alchemised for readers who want dark fantasy romance with genuine emotional weight.
What Makes Alchemised So Unforgettable?
Before diving into recommendations, it helps to pinpoint exactly what makes Alchemised hit so hard. SenLinYu crafted something rare: a story where the darkness serves the narrative rather than existing for shock value.
At its core, Alchemised follows Helena Marino, a healer and vivimancer held captive in the aftermath of a brutal war. Her captor, Kaine Ferron, is a necromancer tasked with extracting secrets from her fragmented memories. What unfolds is a slow-burn romance built on impossible circumstances, set against a world where the dead are reanimated for labour and punishment, where women's contributions to war are systematically erased, and where survival demands moral compromise.
If you're searching for books similar to Alchemised, you'll want stories with:
Complex magic systems tied to real consequences
Enemies-to-lovers or captor romances that don't shy away from the ethical complications
War and its aftermath as more than background scenery
Trauma portrayed with honesty rather than as a plot device
Gothic or grimdark atmospheres that permeate every page
The Best Books Like Alchemised
1. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
For readers who loved: The necromancy, dark humour amidst horror, and complicated relationships
Tamsyn Muir's debut throws you into a universe of necromancers, bone magic, and a locked-room mystery set in a crumbling gothic palace. Gideon Nav, a sword-wielding soldier with zero patience for nonsense, is bound to Harrowhark Nonagesimus, a necromancer she despises.
The magic system here is visceral and creative; necromancers literally use bones, blood, and death to fuel their power. Like Alchemised, the relationship at the centre is thorny and evolves through shared trauma and reluctant dependency. The prose is sharp, the atmosphere oppressive, and by the end, you'll understand why readers describe this series as "unhinged in the best way."
Series: The Locked Tomb (4 books)
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
15+ pages of new, original content, including a glossary of terms, in-universe writings, and more!A USA Today Best-Selling Novel, and one of the Best Books of 2019 according to NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, BookPage, Shelf Awareness, BookRiot, and Bustle!WINNER of the 2020 Crawford AwardFinalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards“Unlike anything I’ve ever read. ” —V.E. Schwab“Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!” —Charles Stross“Brilliantly original, messy and weird straight through.” —NPRThe Emperor needs necromancers.The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth, first in The Locked Tomb Trilogy, unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.Of course, some things are better left dead.THE LOCKED TOMB SERIESBOOK 1: Gideon the NinthBOOK 2: Harrow the NinthBOOK 3: Nona the NinthBOOK 4: Alecto the Ninth
2. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
For readers who loved: The unflinching portrayal of war, trauma that shapes the protagonist, and dark fantasy with real-world weight
R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War follows Rin, a war orphan who claws her way into an elite military academy only to discover she possesses shamanic powers tied to an angry god. What begins as a dark academia fantasy transforms into one of the most harrowing depictions of war in the genre.
Kuang doesn't look away from the cost of conflict. Like SenLinYu, she forces readers to sit with the psychological devastation that war inflicts. Rin's journey from ambitious student to something far more dangerous mirrors Helena's own transformation through suffering. This is fantasy that leaves bruises.
Series: The Poppy War Trilogy (3 books)
The Poppy War
by R. F. Kuang
Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018 'The best fantasy debut of 2018' - WIRED A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic. When Rin aced the Keju - the test to find the most talented students in the Empire - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn't believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin's guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising. But surprises aren't always good. Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school. For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away...
3. Quicksilver by Callie Hart
For readers who loved: The alchemy-based magic, intense romance, and morally grey love interests
If the alchemical elements of Alchemised captivated you, Quicksilver and Brimstone offers a similar blend of precise magical craft and devastating romance. Saeris is an alchemist whose power comes at a physical cost, and her connection to Kingfisher; dangerous, possessive, and deeply broken; echoes the intensity between Helena and Kaine.
The magic here operates almost scientifically, with quicksilver and brimstone serving as key components. There's rot, there's ruin, and there's a slow-burn romance built on obsession and soul-deep connection. It's the kind of book that makes you feel feral.
Series: Fae & Alchemy (ongoing)
Quicksilver
by Callie Hart
From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Callie Hart comes a brand new, highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance that you won't be able to put down! Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn't much a girl wouldn't do for a glass of water. Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen's reservoirs for as long as she can remember. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares...but it turns out they're real, and Saeris has landed herself right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed. The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist's magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him... or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he's the only way Saeris is going to make it home. Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details... N.B. Quicksilver contains depictions of graphic violence/adult situations and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and TWs, please visit the author's website at www.calliehart.com.
4. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
For readers who loved: The brutal survival elements, forbidden romance, and a heroine fighting against impossible odds
Oraya is human in a world ruled by vampires; raised by the Nightborn King but never truly accepted. When she enters a deadly tournament to prove her worth, she forms an uneasy alliance with a mysterious competitor whose motives remain unclear.
This book delivers on the "surviving against a system designed to destroy you" energy that runs through Alchemised. The romance is slow and fraught with tension, the violence is unflinching, and Oraya's determination to survive without losing herself resonates with Helena's own struggle. Dark romantasy at its finest.
Series: Crowns of Nyaxia (4 books)
5. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
For readers who loved: The innovative magic system, oppressive regime, and rebellion against impossible odds
Sanderson's Allomancy; magic fueled by ingesting and "burning" metals; shares DNA with SenLinYu's resonance-based alchemy. Both systems feel rigorously thought through, with clear rules and devastating applications.
The Final Empire presents a world choked by ash, ruled by an immortal tyrant, where hope is the most dangerous commodity. Vin, a street urchin who discovers she's an Allomancer, joins a crew planning to overthrow the Lord Ruler. The atmosphere of decay, the weight of oppression, and the rebellion brewing beneath the surface will feel familiar to Alchemised readers.
Series: Mistborn Era 1 (3 books)
6. Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
For readers who loved: The enemies-to-lovers tension, dangerous secrets, and romance built on deception
In a republic where witches are hunted and executed, Rune Winters hides her powers behind a socialite's mask. When she begins a fake courtship with Gideon Sharpe; one of the revolution's most ruthless witch hunters; neither expects to find themselves genuinely falling.
The push and pull between attraction and self-preservation drives this book. Like Alchemised, it examines what happens when you develop feelings for someone who represents everything that threatens you. The sequel, Rebel Witch, concludes the duology with even higher stakes.
Series: The Crimson Moth (2 books)
7. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
For readers who loved: The reluctant heroine with hidden power, intense slow-burn romance, and war-torn setting
Freya didn't ask to be chosen by the gods or bound to Bjorn, a man she should despise. When her blood magic is revealed, she's thrust into a world of Norse warriors, political machinations, and a war for the throne.
Jensen excels at creating heroines who are forced into impossible positions and love interests who are morally complicated. The shield-maiden energy, the enemies-to-lovers tension, and the sense that everything could fall apart at any moment make this an excellent follow-up to Alchemised.
Series: Saga of the Unfated (ongoing)
A Fate Inked in Blood
by Danielle L. Jensen
A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king - while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son - in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband's back. Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret- she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king-the one who controls the shield maiden's fate. Believing he's destined to rule Skaland, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders his son, Bjorn, to protect Freya from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. Except the greatest test of all may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.
8. Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
For readers who loved: The fanfiction-to-published-novel journey and captor romance dynamics
Like Alchemised, Rose in Chains evolved from a beloved Dramione fanfiction (The Auction). Princess Briony watches her kingdom fall and her brother die before being captured by Toven Hearst, a man from her past who now serves the conquering regime.
The parallels to Alchemised are striking: a heroine stripped of everything, a captor with complicated motivations, and a romance that develops in captivity. Soto handles the ethical complexity of this dynamic thoughtfully, making it ideal for readers who appreciated SenLinYu's approach.
Series: Evermore Trilogy (ongoing)
Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
THE INSTANT NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES and NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Featuring hardcover exclusive character-art endpapers and a foiled board design while supplies last. HE'S HER GREATEST ENEMY ... AND HER DEEPEST DESIRE 'A dark fever dream of a fairytale. Rose in Chains is a heart-pounding, spellbinding, forbidden love story that kept breaking my heart and putting it back together again' Stephanie Garber, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Broken Heart 'Lush, complex, and utterly engrossing' Rebecca Ross, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals 'Absorbing, unique, and addictive' Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author 'A delicious, darkly tender slow-burn romance' Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy 'The scintillating romantasy of my dreams. The all-consuming, captivating chemistry between Briony and Toven has changed my life' Lindsey Kelk, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Story The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead. Captured as her castle is overrun by the enemy, Princess Briony Rosewood is stripped of her magic and auctioned off to the highest bidder. She's sold to Toven Hearst: scion of a family known for their cruel control of magic - and her long-time, and unresolved, infatuation. Yet despite the horrors of her new world and the role she must learn to play within it, all is not lost. Help - and hope - may yet arise in the most unlikely of places... New York Times bestselling author Julie Soto crafts a lush romantic fantasy that's filled with intrigue, magic, and an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance. 'An intoxicating tale of forbidden love' Sarah Hawley, USA Today bestselling author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon 'Dark and steamy, beautifully written, magical and nuanced, and completely unforgettable' Thea Guanzon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars 'Captivating magical world, tension-filled intrigue, and riveting enemies-to-lovers romance' Abigail Owen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Games Gods Play 'Dark and gripping and full of twists and turns' Nisha J. Tuli, international bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen 'A darkly luscious, unputdownable romantasy debut. Soto weaves together a complex and captivating world of magic, lust and longing' Kate Golden, USA Today bestselling author of A Dawn of Onyx *Sunday Times number 1 bestseller w/c 8 July
9. Anathema by Keri Lake
For readers who loved: The gothic horror atmosphere, psychological darkness, and romance born from shared damage
Maevyth ventures into a cursed forest to confront her grief and finds Zevander Rydainn, a cursed assassin bound to the shadows. Their connection is forged through fear, longing, and the kind of psychological intensity that makes your chest tight.
Lake's prose is cinematic and visceral, the forest itself becoming a character that mirrors the internal landscape of trauma. If you want a book that feels like crawling through beautiful darkness toward something that might be hope, Anathema delivers.
Series: The Anathema Duology (2 books)
10. Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
For readers who loved: The dark academy setting, Greek mythology elements, and morally grey romance
After dying, Alexis finds herself in an underworld academy where gods, gladiators, and monsters shape students into warriors. Augustus and Kharon; the brooding heirs to the underworld; complicate her survival considerably.
This series leans into the "why choose" trope with villainous love interests and a post-apocalyptic world ruled by divine politics. The war academy atmosphere, prophecies, and touch-her-and-die energy will appeal to readers who enjoyed the darker romantic elements of Alchemised.
Series: Heavenly Bodies (ongoing)
Heavenly Bodies
by Imani Erriu
OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD. AN INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER. A runaway TikTok sensation, Heavenly Bodies is the first book in a dazzling new romantasy series that blends Greek mythology and shadow magic with a tantalizing enemies-to-lovers romance that will rewrite the stars.“You know the most dangerous kind of villain? A woman with nothing left to lose.”In a world ruled by the cruel and merciless Stars, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for a Star, but that it will kill them both.So when Ariete, Star of Wrath, War and Chaos, descends to wreak havoc on Elara’s kingdom, she flees her home—the Kingdom of Night—for the neighbouring Helios, Kingdom of Light.And strides straight into the arms of an enemy prince.Fearing that Ariete might turn his sights to Helios next, Prince Lorenzo is forced to train Elara as a weapon—one worthy of battling against the tyrannical reign of the Stars. But there are shadows even within the Kingdom of Light—and they threaten to reveal the darkness in Lorenzo’s past and the ancient magic that slumbers in Elara’s veins. And with it all comes an undeniable, star-crossed pull between Elara and Lorenzo that neither can seem to resist...
11. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
For readers who loved: The necromancy, a protagonist marked by forbidden magic, and lush worldbuilding
Tea never intended to raise the dead; until she accidentally brings her brother back to life. Marked as a bone witch, she's taken to learn her craft in a world that both fears and needs her power.
Chupeco's prose is atmospheric and immersive, building a richly detailed world where necromancy carries social stigma even as it proves essential. The slow-burn narrative and layered protagonist offer a different flavour of the "forbidden magic wielder" story that Alchemised executes so well.
Series: The Bone Witch (3 books)
The Bone Witch
by Rin Chupeco
"A high-fantasy Memoirs of a Geisha, Chupeco's latest excels in originality" --Kirkus ReviewsA story of scorned witches, sinister curses, and resurrection, The Bone Witch is the start of a dark fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Serpent & Dove and The Cruel Prince.Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price...When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox, from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha--one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles...and make a powerful choice.Riveting and atmospheric, The Bone Witch is perfect for readers looking for witch novels for adults and teensstories with diverse representation and multicultural influencesdark fantasy YA books and seriesoriginal worldbuilding and captivating writingPraise for The Bone Witch: "A fantasy lover's fantasy" --Foreword Reviews"Mesmerizing. Chupeco (The Suffering) does a magnificent job of balancing an intimate narrative perspective with sweeping worldbuilding, crafting her tale within a multicultural melting pot of influences as she presses toward a powerful cliffhanger."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review"Chupeco delights us with a fascinating world and a rich atmosphere for a story that is exceptionally written from beginning to end."--Buzzfeed"Readers who enjoy immersing themselves in detail will revel in Chupeco's finely wrought tale. Game of Thrones fans may see shades of Daenerys Targaryen in Tea, as she gathers a daeva army to unleash upon the world. Whether she is in the right remains a question unanswered, but the ending makes it clear her story is only beginning." --Booklist The Bone Witch Trilogy: The Bone Witch (Book 1)The Heart Forger (Book 2)The Shadowglass (Book 3)
12. The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
For readers who loved: The hidden identity, enemies-to-lovers tension, and magic tied to persecution
Sylvia is the sole survivor of Jasad's royal line, hiding her magic and her identity in a kingdom that would execute her for both. When she's captured by Arin; the commander responsible for hunting down people like her; she must navigate an impossible position.
The Egyptian-inspired worldbuilding, the slow-burn romance between captor and captive, and the themes of survival and identity make this an excellent companion to Alchemised. The sequel, The Jasad Crown, delivers a devastating and satisfying conclusion.
Series: The Scorched Throne (2 books)
The Jasad Heir
by Sara Hashem
"A remarkable, razor-sharp debut that cuts straight to the heart."―Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief A fugitive queen strikes a bargain with her greatest enemy that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever in this unmissable, slow-burn, Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy debut. Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic was outlawed. Its royal family murdered. At least, that's what Sylvia wants people to believe. The Heir of Jasad escaped the massacre, and she intends to stay hidden, especially from the armies of Nizahl that continue to hunt her people. But a moment of anger changes everything. When Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, Sylvia accidentally reveals her magic--and captures his attention. Now Sylvia's forced to make a deal with her greatest enemy: Help him hunt the rebels in exchange for her life. A deadly game begins. Sylvia can't let Arin discover her identity, even as hatred shifts into something more between the Heirs. And as the tides change around her, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she abandoned. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen. Praise for The Jasad Heir: "Will have you turning pages in a frenzy." ―Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun "The type of mythological and romantic tale you would bargain your last breath for... A book that coils you into its serpentine grasp." ―Observer The Scorched Throne The Jasad Heir
Finding Your Next Dark Fantasy Obsession
The books like Alchemised that will hit hardest depend on which elements resonated most with you. If it was the necromancy and magic system, start with Gideon the Ninth or The Bone Witch. If the captor romance and moral complexity drew you in, Rose in Chains and The Jasad Heir should be next on your list. For the war trauma and unflinching darkness, The Poppy War is essential reading.
Whatever you choose, prepare yourself. These books don't pull punches, and that's exactly why they work. Sometimes the stories that hurt the most are the ones worth reading.
Looking for more romantasy recommendations? Check out our guides to books like Fourth Wing, books like ACOTAR, and the best gothic fantasy books.
