Xaden is one of popular romantasy books that describe male protagonists with very similar attributes and personalities, but thankfully, they all take on their own unique persona.

If you've been looking for a book similar to that of Fourth Wing, but more specifically the romance found between Violet and Xaden, you'll find this list to be some of the best variety of options — ranging from more well-known romantasy authors, to a few hidden gems. While not every character on this list can wield shadows, or is as mysterious and brooding to the same extent as Xaden, they all portray similar characteristics in how they interact with the book's main protagonist. And if you find yourself craving another complex, morally gray character, do yourself a favor and read these next.

8 Throne of Glass

Dorian Havilliard & Rowan Whitethorn

Both Rowan and Dorian are probably two of the most popular romantasy love interests on the internet, but there are still those who haven't yet read Sarah J. Maas' best-selling Throne of Glass series yet — and they are missing out. Maas does an incredible job at differentiating between her male protagonists throughout the seven-book-long saga, and somehow manages to write not one, but two, swoon-worthy MMCs without it feeling too repetitive. Throne of Glass' characters are known for their complex emotional depth and well-planned arcs, but both Dorian and Rowan have an extra-special "oomph" about them.

Each of the two characters enters the narrative in intense ways, but rather different from the other. Where Dorian is introduced in the very first novel, Throne of Glass, and proves himself to be the light-hearted and caring prince, Rowan does not make an appearance until the third novel, Heir of Fire — and his entry is a little less glamorous. Dorian is famous for spouting some of the best and most romantic lines throughout the entire series, and Rowan, while he is gruff and careless at the start, adds so much to the storyline and overall reading experience.

7 Quicksilver

Kingfisher

Kingfisher is the male main character from Callie Hart's Quicksilver — which quickly grew in popularity on BookTok after its release in July 2024, and has since created some competition for Fourth Wing's Xaden. Kingfisher is the epitome of a morally gray character, willing to do whatever it takes to protect those he loves, and, similarly to Xaden, can wield shadows, is broody, and is covered in tattoos.

To start, Kingfisher is very short-tempered, rude, and inconsiderate of the novel's main protagonist, Saeris Fane, but it's quickly realized to all be an act to distance himself from her. After avoiding her presence for quite some time, he eventually opens up and shares more about his tragic past — which makes his already attractive character even more so. The two characters, while they get off on the wrong foot, ultimately have a touching romance.

6 Powerless

Kai Azer

Kai Azer, from Lauren Roberts' Powerless trilogy, is another character that has grown to become a fan-favorite book boyfriend in recent years. His relationship with Paedyn throughout Powerless and Reckless is full of yearning, tension, and witty banter. The two don't even share a kiss in the first novel — so if you really enjoy a slow-burn romance, then this one is for you.

His relationship with Paedyn throughout Powerless and Reckless is full of yearning, tension, and witty banter.

Kai is the second-born prince in the kingdom of Ilya, who holds the title of the King's Enforcer, otherwise known as someone tasked with hunting down and executing Oridinaries — or humans with no magical abilities. This is what makes his romance with Paedyn so intriguing, as she is an Ordinary, masked in plain sight. Their dynamic only becomes even more complex as the series continues, and is sure to reach all new heights in Lauren Roberts' release of Fearless — the third and final novel in the trilogy.

5 Daughter Of No Worlds

Maxantarius Farlione

Maxantarius Farlione, from Carissa Broadbent's The War of Lost Hearts trilogy, embodies the classic "friends-to-lovers" archetypes. His character isn't an exact replica of Xaden's in Fourth Wing, but I thought he'd be a great addition to the list, given how his and Tisaanah's relationship dynamics first kick off. When he is introduced to the narrative, Max acts as Tisaanah's teacher, training her to wield her magical abilities — albeit quite begrudgingly.

Max is at first grumpy, impatient, and reluctant to train Tisaanah, but the two eventually build a solid, endearing friendship, before that evolves even further into a romantic connection. Their relationship is so fun to watch play out throughout the first book, and Broadbent even gifts readers with a classic "who did this to you" moment, which I think really earns him this spot on the list. This series is finally getting the love it deserves, and I hope that Max as an MMC will begin to as well.

4 A Court of Thorns and Roses

Rhysand

This may seem like an obvious addition to this list, but if there's anyone who has read and loved Fourth Wing because of Xaden, and hasn't yet experienced A Court of Thorns and Roses, then they will equally enjoy reading about Rhysand. Rhysand doesn't really become a main focus of the narrative until the second ACOTAR book, A Court of Mist and Fury, but he does play a small role in the first novel, which helps to introduce his character. And from the start, his mysterious and dark nature is incredibly intriguing to both readers and the novel's main protagonist.

I don't want to say too much without spoiling the storyline for new readers, but I'll say that he's one of the best male main characters if you're looking for a character like Xaden. For one, he's secretive, but he also proves himself to be a loyal friend and ally — one who is willing to sacrifice himself time and time again if it means protecting those he loves. Rhysand's story in A Court of Thorns and Roses adds so much to the overall narrative, and is a truly baffling plot twist when first introduced.

3 The Cruel Prince

Cardan Greenbriar

While The Folk of the Air series, by Holly Black, isn't necessarily categorized as a romantasy, its minor romance subplot creates a large enough impact to warrant adding its male protagonist, Cardan Greenbriar, to the list. Cardan is the youngest prince in the land of Faerie, who has an unwanted but obsessive attraction to the novel's main character, Jude. She is a human, so she is mostly reviled by the folk in Faerie, but Cardan is attracted to her strength and tenacity, and truly hates that he does.

Their relationship in The Cruel Prince and its subsequent novels is a true enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and while it's not the main focus of the narrative, it adds so much to the overall story. The romance in The Folk of the Air is incredibly slow-burn, so I'd suggest giving this a shot if you don't need constant chemistry between characters, but love yearning and tension. However, I highly recommend giving this story a try, as the payoff at the end of the series is extremely satisfying and rewarding.

2 One Dark Window

Ravyn Yew & Elm Rowan

Ravyn Yew and Elm Rowan from Rachel Gillig's The Shepherd King duology are two of the most severely underrated BookTok book boyfriends. While both play an important role in One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns, the first novel mainly centers around Ravyn and his romance with Elspeth, with the second focusing on Elm and Ione's relationship. And while their romances are certainly not the main plot focus of each novel, Gillig does an incredible job at adding depth to each.

Both Ravyn and Elm hold many similarities to Xaden, each championing their love interests to discover their true potential and oftentimes mirroring his wit and sarcasm. The two have gone largely undiscussed online as strong competition against Fourth Wing's Xaden thus far, though they truly should be. The Shepherd King duology's dark fantasy allure adds even more mystery to its characters, and Ravyn and Elm are no exception.

1 Once Upon A Broken Heart

Jacks

Jacks from Stephanie Garber's Once Upon A Broken Heart series is one of the best examples of a morally ambiguous character. He consistently acts according to his own design and oftentimes cares little for those he may have hurt in the process. Jacks, also known as the Prince of Hearts, is a fate — a demigod who is bound to a deck of cards called the Deck of Destiny and has various magical abilities. Being a fate, Jacks is very possessive, selfish, and careless — at least until he meets Evangeline.

While Jacks doesn't wield shadows, or even fit the physical description of a typical MMC in today's romantasy landscape, his demeaner and personality hold many similarities to Fourth Wing's Xaden.

Being cursed to kill anyone he kisses except his one true love, Jacks, when introduced to the narrative, has clearly given up on the idea of love entirely. This makes his relationship with Evangeline even more complex, given they are bound together by a bargain. While Jacks doesn't wield shadows, or even fit the physical description of a typical MMC in today's romantasy landscape, his demeanor and personality hold many similarities to Fourth Wing's Xaden. Don't be deterred by the Young Adult categorization in this romantasy series, because the romance found throughout is nothing short of brilliant.