Sarah J. Maas is a household name for the fantasy romance genre, or “romantasy.” In this genre, romantic plots and fantasy worlds are equally important and intertwined. Romance tropes such as forbidden love and enemies-to-lovers and fantasy elements such as courtly intrigue and magical powers play significant roles.
Sarah J. Maas’s romantasy career started with the series Throne of Glass in 2012. Its blend of romance, YA fantasy, and a powerful female protagonist was fresh for the book market at the time. This became a formula for the rest of her books, solidifying the success of Maas’s next series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, in 2015, and her most recent series, Crescent City, in 2020.
Maas skyrocketed to online popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people turned to reading as a way to pass the time in quarantine. The escapist quality of her romantasy books cemented their status as must-reads within the newly formed TikTok book community, BookTok. Maas has dominated BookTok, redefining what constitutes a romance or fantasy book and influencing other authors to publish romantasy stories.
While you anxiously wait for Sarah J. Maas to release her next binge-worthy fae romance, here are 6 romantasy recommendations with familiar tropes!
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
In the first book of The Prison Healer trilogy, Kiva is a 17-year-old healer who lives in the Zalindov prison. She is tasked with keeping the Rebel Queen alive so she can face the Trial by Ordeal: elemental challenges forced upon dangerous criminals. Kiva receives a mysterious message that prompts her to volunteer herself in the place of the Rebel Queen for the trial. This forces her to confront an even greater set of challenges than she could ever imagine.
The themes of power system imbalances and captivity in this book are reminiscent of Sarah J. Maas’s series, as Noni’s female protagonists face constant hardship. Kiva fits in perfectly with Maas’s roster of strong, persevering women, and the willingness to rebel against authority is incredibly thrilling to read!
For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga
As a Pakistani romantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, this book embodies feminine rage. Dania is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. She counts down the days until her freedom, when she can impose revenge on her former love interest Mazin. She and a fellow prisoner execute an escape as she arms herself with a new identity and powerful magic. Yet the fire that burns inside of her may not be entirely of hate…spoiler alert, she harbors lingering romantic feelings for Mazin.
Aelin from Throne of Glass and Dania are incredibly similar female protagonists. They strive to uphold justice in the face of those who are responsible for their imprisonment. The image of a magically powerful warrior is cultivated in both characters, especially in their association with fire. Furthermore, Dania’s hunt for revenge parallels Bryce’s investigation of her friends’ murder in Crescent City.
For She Is Wrath and Throne of Glass share the core themes of vengeance and freedom, making the reading experience one that you will never forget!
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
This Persian mythology-inspired romantasy story centers on Alizeh as the lost heir to an ancient kingdom of the Jinn (beings formed by fire). Alizeh works as a servant to the current royal family and soon falls in love with the prince Kamran. Her goal of reclaiming her throne and overthrowing the kingdom is threatened by her feelings for Kamran, forcing her to reevaluate what matters most.
The mythological inspiration behind This Woven Kingdom governs the magic system, just as Celtic mythology informs ACOTAR. This connection makes both stories subtly illuminating while crafting escapist worlds.
Alizeh falls into a similar character trope as Aelin in Throne of Glass. Both female protagonists are forgotten heirs to conquered kingdoms. Their fiery, prophetic personas will leave readers with chills down their spines.
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schnieder
Published a year ago, Metal Slinger is the first book of the anticipated Fire and Metal series. Brynn is a guard of the Alaha, a community exiled to life at sea. She wishes to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, who banished her people. Her life turns upside down when she meets Acker, a Kenta soldier who triggers revelations about her identity and the magical world she has been denied, changing her fate forever.
The accessible magic system in Metal Slinger is comparable to the magic that readers see in ACOTAR, minus the fae royalty. Brynn and Acker’s slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance is right up any Sarah J. Maas reader’s alley. The action-packed plots of Throne of Glass and Metal Slinger force readers to sit on the edge of their seats and hold their breath for what happens next!
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
Trial of the Sun Queen is the first book of the Artefacts of Ouranos series. Lor is a prisoner under the king of the Aurora realm who dreams of escaping and seeking revenge for her torture. She is unexpectedly released by the Sun King and placed into a dangerous competition alongside nine other women for the honor of becoming the Sun Queen.
The distinct kingdoms in the magical world of Trial of the Sun Queen are like the courts in ACOTAR, with humans winding up in fae kingdoms. Competitions and trials are key plot devices in Maas’s series as well. The themes of political intrigue and freed prisoners echo Throne of Glass, which immediately absorbs the reader into the romantasy world. This is an undeniable page-turner!
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
As the first book of the Fae and Alchemy, Quicksilver follows 24-year-old Saeris Fane, who finds herself in the land of the fae after encountering Death. Wandering through the snowy mountains of Yvelia, she accidentally binds herself to a fae warrior named Kingfisher, who wants to use Saeris’s hidden powers to protect his people. However, the intense feelings that develop between them complicate their plans.
The human struggle for survival in a magical world is the driving narrative for Quicksilver and ACOTAR. The loose Beauty and the Beast inspiration is evident in the relationship between Saeris and Kingfisher, the brooding male character. The concept of bonded mates likewise appears in the two stories as a way to magically connect the love interests. This romantasy trope engenders swoon-worthy chemistry with tension that will have you glued to the page!
Your Next Romantasy Read
The romantasy genre continues to expand across BookTok, pulling readers into magical new worlds. The promise of an escape full of adventure and addictive romance has sparked an enduring trend. Although Sarah J. Maas kickstarted the fantasy romance movement, there are plenty of other authors currently keeping it alive. Explore all that the genre has to offer and consider these binge-worthy recommendations for your next read!
