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, with its first book releasing 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 then her most recent series, Crescent City, in 2020.
Maas skyrocketed to popularity online during the COVID-19 pandemic. People turned to reading as a way to pass the time in quarantine. The escapist quality of her romantasy books shaped them into must-reads on the newly formed book community on TikTok, BookTok. Maas continues to dominate BookTok, reevaluating what constitutes a romance or fantasy book while influencing 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 that you’ll immediately devour!
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 her female protagonists constantly face hardship. Kiva fits in perfectly with Maas’s roster of strong, preserving women. Aelin in Throne of Glass and her troubled background mirror Kiva’s story. The desire for rebellion against authority is present in both Noni’s and Maas’s work, making it 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, but of lingering romantic feelings for Mazin.
Aelin from Throne of Glass and Dania are incredibly similar female protagonists. They desire 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 their association with fire. Dania’s hunt for revenge is also similar to Bryce’s investigation into 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 Woven Kingdom series’s first book, this Persian mythology-inspired romantasy story centers on Alizeh as the lost heir to an ancient kingdom of the Jinn, who are beings formed by fire. Alizeh works as a servant to the current royal family, soon falling in love with the prince, Kamran. Her goal of reclaiming her throne and overthrowing the kingdom becomes at risk due to her feelings for Kamran, forcing both characters to reevaluate what matters most to them.
The mythological inspiration found in This Woven Kingdom constructs the magic system similarly to the Celtic mythology influence in ACOTAR. This connection makes both stories subtly informative while still creating escapist worlds.
Alizeh falls into a similar character trope as Aelin in Throne of Glass. Both female protagonists are forgotten heirs to kingdoms that have been overthrown. Their fiery, prophetic presence emphasizes their powerful characterization, which 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 desires to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, who banished her people. Her life turns upside down as she meets Acker, a Kenta soldier who sets off revelations about who she is 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 plot of Throne of Glass and Metal Slinger forces readers to sit on the edge of their seats, holding 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, whose dreams of escaping and seeking revenge for her torture. Soon, she is released unexpectedly 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 that are significant in this book are key plot devices in Maas’s series. The themes of political intrigue and freed prisoners are similar to Throne of Glass, which immediately absorbs the reader into the romantasy world. This is a page-turner you will not want to stop reading!
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. Yet, the intense feelings that develop between them complicate both of 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 in both books is evident in the relationship between Saeris and Kingfisher, the brooding male character. The concept of bonded mates appears in the two stories as a way to magically connect the love interests. This romantasy trope creates 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, constantly pulling readers into magical worlds. The promise of an escape full of adventure and addictive romance has started a persistent trend. Although Sarah J. Maas kickstarted the fantasy romance movement, there are plenty of other authors who are currently keeping it alive. Don’t forget to explore all that the genre has to offer and consider these binge-worthy recommendations for your next read!
