Dylan Efron, fresh off his impactful run on Dancing With the Stars, has ignited a lively debate in the romantasy community by publicly advising new readers to bypass Sarah J. Maas’s wildly popular A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. Instead, Efron champions other beloved titles, offering a fresh perspective for those just stepping into the enchanting world of romantic fantasy.
In a candid interview that sent ripples through the romantasy fandom, Dylan Efron, the 33-year-old reality TV star known for his appearances on Dancing With the Stars and Traitors, has shared some rather controversial advice for those embarking on their romantasy reading journey. His strong opinions on genre staples have fellow fans eagerly discussing his takes, particularly his firm stance on a certain bestselling series.
The Controversial ‘ACOTAR’ Stance
Efron didn’t mince words when addressing the go-to recommendation for romantasy newcomers. “My only advice would be don’t do ACOTAR because I feel like everybody does ACOTAR,” he revealed to Us Weekly on October 29, 2025, referring to Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series. He went even further, stating unequivocally that the series “wasn’t that good.”
Despite his critical view of the series overall, Efron confessed a soft spot for its leading ladies, the Archeron sisters. He noted, “I like Nesta the most. My type would probably be Elain. Nesta is probably my favorite of all three.” This nuance suggests that while the plot or overall execution might not have captivated him, the characters themselves left an impression.
For context, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series currently includes:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
- A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
- A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)
- A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Efron’s Romantasy Favorites: From Maas to Broadbent and Yarros
While ACOTAR didn’t win him over, Efron remains a loyal fan of Sarah J. Maas’s other works. He specifically praised her Throne of Glass series, suggesting it as a superior starting point for those new to the author’s expansive fantasy worlds. This preference highlights a common sentiment among some readers who find the world-building and character development in Throne of Glass to be particularly compelling.
The Throne of Glass series, which Efron enjoys, includes:
- Throne of Glass (2012)
- Crown of Midnight (2013)
- The Assassin’s Blade (2014)
- Heir of Fire (2014)
- Queen of Shadows (2015)
- Empire of Storms (2016)
- Tower of Dawn (2017)
- Kingdom of Ash (2018)
Beyond Maas, Efron shared his current obsession: Carissa Broadbent’s Crowns of Nyaxia series. He enthusiastically endorsed the first book, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, calling it “awesome.” He also encouraged fans to “just start” reading, a mantra he often repeats for diving into new genres.
Adding another recommendation to his growing list, Efron also revealed himself to be a fan of Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing. Speaking to Page Six in June, he lauded the series, explaining, “it’s like Hogwarts, but instead of cozy magic classes, it’s life-or-death dragon boot camp and some steamy love.” He further solidified his controversial stance by adding, “after reading ACOTAR, I got the romantasy bug… but I felt like this series is the superior franchise to start if you’re thinking of picking one.”
Romantasy on the Dance Floor: Efron’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Performance
Efron’s love for romantasy isn’t confined to his quiet reading moments. It dramatically spilled onto the Dancing With the Stars stage during the Halloween night episode on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. In his rehearsal package, he confessed, “One thing you may not know about me is, I love audiobooks. In particular, my guilty pleasure is romantasy — romantic fantasy.”
His deep dive into Carissa Broadbent’s Crowns of Nyaxia series provided the direct inspiration for his Viennese waltz with partner Daniella Karagach. The pair danced to “Can’t Help Falling In Love (DARK)” by Tommee Profitt and Brooke, with Efron embodying a vampire and Karagach a blind human attempting to slay him. He later clarified on Instagram that the performance was based on “slaying the vampire conqueror” from Broadbent’s Slaying the Vampire Conqueror, noting he dressed as Asar since Atrius “has giant horns.”
The performance caught the attention of author Carissa Broadbent herself, who shared her excitement on Instagram Stories. “Never watched Dancing With the Stars in my life but I’m watching tonight,” she wrote, adding, “They’ve got my completely unbiased vote!! Seriously this is SO F***ING COOL.” She also commented directly on Efron’s Instagram post, “You got my vote!!” to which he replied, “that’s a win for us.” The duo ultimately scored a respectable 35 out of 40 and were safe from elimination.
Embracing Audiobooks and the Genre
Efron’s reading habits extend to his format preference as well. He frequently shares his current reads on Instagram and identifies as a “multitask listener,” playing audiobooks while engaging in other activities. This approach allows him to be “transported to another world” even amidst a busy schedule. His simple yet effective advice for anyone looking to enter the romantasy genre is clear: “just start.” He acknowledges that “audiobooks are easier,” making the entry point more accessible for many.
