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Quick answer: If you like Sarah J. Maas, read Rebecca Yarros, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo. All write romantic fantasy with fierce heroines, high stakes, courts and magic.
Sarah J. Maas is best known for A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, which mix epic fantasy, slow-burn romance and enemies-to-lovers drama. Her readers love the big worlds, the emotional intensity and the long series. The books below offer similar romantasy and fantasy for fans. Many include adult content, so check age ratings.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Adult | the usual start |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | assassin heroine |
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | dragon riders |
| Iron Flame | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | the sequel |
| From Blood and Ash | Jennifer L. Armentrout | Adult | forbidden romance |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Teen | faerie politics |
| Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | Teen | Russian-inspired fantasy |
| The Serpent & the Wings of Night | Carissa Broadbent | Adult | vampire fantasy |
| The Bridge Kingdom | Danielle L. Jensen | Adult | political marriage |
| Kingdom of the Wicked | Kerri Maniscalco | Teen | demons and witches |
| Daughter of the Moon Goddess | Sue Lynn Tan | Adult | Chinese mythology |
| Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross | Adult | letters and war |
| Uprooted | Naomi Novik | Adult | fairy-tale magic |
| Spinning Silver | Naomi Novik | Adult | Rumpelstiltskin retold |
| Powerless | Lauren Roberts | Teen | trials and rivals |
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre kills a wolf and is taken to a faerie realm. A Beauty and the Beast retelling that grows into an epic.
Best for: the usual start.
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena competes to become the king's champion. The start of Maas's longest series.
Best for: assassin heroine.
3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet must survive a deadly war college for dragon riders. Fast, romantic and hugely popular.
Best for: dragon riders.
4. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Violet faces larger dangers as secrets come out. Dramatic and action-packed.
Best for: the sequel.
5. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A chosen maiden meets a guard who is not what he seems. Steamy and full of twists.
Best for: forbidden romance.
6. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A mortal girl enters the dangerous Faerie court. Sharp, tense and clever.
Best for: faerie politics.
7. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
A mapmaker discovers she can summon light. Atmospheric and romantic.
Best for: Russian-inspired fantasy.
8. The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
A human girl adopted by the Vampire King enters a deadly contest. Dark and passionate.
Best for: vampire fantasy.
9. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
A princess is sent to marry an enemy king with a secret mission. Fast and tense.
Best for: political marriage.
10. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
A witch hunts her sister's killer and meets a prince of Hell. Dark and romantic.
Best for: demons and witches.
11. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
A girl raised on the moon trains as a warrior. Lyrical and inventive.
Best for: Chinese mythology.
12. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Two rival reporters exchange letters in a world of gods and war. Sweet and engaging.
Best for: letters and war.
13. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
A girl is taken by a wizard to protect her valley from a Wood. Lush and atmospheric.
Best for: fairy-tale magic.
14. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
A moneylender's daughter strikes a deal with frost. Rich and layered.
Best for: Rumpelstiltskin retold.
15. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
A girl without powers gets caught up in a deadly contest. Fast and romantic.
Best for: trials and rivals.
How to Choose
For more fae and romance choose A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince or From Blood and Ash. For dragons and war pick Fourth Wing. For assassins and epic series try Throne of Glass. For gentler fairy-tale magic read Uprooted or Spinning Silver. Several of these are series, so check book order and content notes before starting. Many readers find that the best way to move between big romantasy series is to alternate: a long epic, then a standalone. If you want to try before you commit, read a standalone like Uprooted first, then move on to a series. Romantasy is a fast-growing genre, and publishers now group these books together in stores, so browsing a shelf is a good way to find more. Check content notes before reading, since many mix violence with adult scenes.
Related: Which Sarah J. Maas Book Should You Read First? · Sarah J Maas Books In Order Printable List
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sarah J. Maas known for?
A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass.
Where should I start?
With A Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass.
Are her books for adults?
A Court of Thorns and Roses is adult, while Throne of Glass starts as young adult.
Are they spicy?
The ACOTAR series becomes more explicit as it goes on.
What is romantasy?
A blend of romance and fantasy.
Which author is most similar?
Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L. Armentrout are common first picks.
Are the books long?
Yes, many are 500 pages or more.
What should I read next?
Try Fourth Wing or The Cruel Prince.
What should I read while waiting for the next Maas book?
Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash and The Cruel Prince are the most common fills.
Are the Maas books in a shared world?
Yes, Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses are separate series, though later books link Maas's worlds.