House of Earth and Blood

More complex world building than ACOTAR, but on par with most fantasy novels. I didn't have trouble following it, but it might be a challenge for people who are just getting into reading fantasy.

The middle always drags for me. Normally that would be enough for me to give four stars but the last third of the book is so dramatic, fast, and fun to read that it makes up for it.

I read ToG first but don't think it's necessary at all to understand this series.