12 Authors Like Sarah J Maas for Your Next Fantasy

These 12 authors like Sarah J. Maas bring their own magical touch to fantasy romance, offering worlds filled with adventure, complex characters and heartfelt connections.

If you love the gripping plots and emotional depth of Maas’s books, you’ll find these authors equally captivating, each with their own distinctive style.

From dark fae courts to epic battles, get ready to discover your next favorite read.

12 Authors Like Sarah J Maas

1. Holly Black

Writing Style & Themes: Holly Black’s stories are rich in dark fantasy with strong elements of fae mythology, political intrigue and intense romance. 

Her works are known for their morally complex characters and immersive world-building.

Notable Books/Series:

• Folk of the Air series (e.g., The Cruel Prince)
• The Wicked King
• The Queen of Nothing
• The Lost Sisters

Why Readers Will Love Her: Fans of Sarah J. Maas will love Holly Black’s dark take on fae lore, the morally grey characters and the intricate political drama mixed with romance.

Holly Black’s Website: https://blackholly.com 

2. Jennifer L. Armentrout

Writing Style & Themes: Armentrout blends steamy romance with detailed world-building and a strong fantasy focus. 

Her stories often feature compelling characters, immersive settings and intense emotional connections.

Notable Books/Series:

• Blood and Ash series (e.g., From Blood and Ash)
• The Harbinger series
• Lux series
• The Dark Elements series

Why Readers Will Love Her: Armentrout’s mix of fantasy, romance and suspense along with her captivating characters will draw readers who enjoy Maas’s emotional intensity and world-building.

Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Website: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com 

3. Nalini Singh

Writing Style & Themes: Singh specializes in paranormal romance with deeply immersive worlds and strong multi-layered characters. 

Her novels feature intense relationships and a blend of action and romance.

Notable Books/Series:

• Guild Hunter series
• Psy-Changeling series
• Archangel series
• The Rock Kiss series

Why Readers Will Love Her: Singh’s expertly crafted characters and engaging plots in a paranormal setting will resonate with readers who love Maas’s ability to create strong relationships and rich fantasy worlds.

Nalini Singh’s Website: https://www.nalinisingh.com

4. J.R. Ward

Writing Style & Themes: Known for her complex characters and in-depth world-building, Ward’s paranormal romance often involves strong bonds between characters, themes of loyalty and intricate plots.

Notable Books/Series:

• Black Dagger Brotherhood series
• Fallen Angels series
• The Bourbon Kings series

Why Readers Will Love Her: Ward’s character-driven storytelling, blending romance with dark fantasy, will captivate fans of Maas’s emotionally charged relationships and world-building.

J.R. Ward’s Website: https://www.jrward.com

5. Kiersten White

Writing Style & Themes: White combines historical fantasy with strong romance and rich character development. 

Her stories often explore power struggles, identity and love in fantastical settings.

Notable Books/Series:

• Conqueror’s Saga series (e.g., And I Darken)
• Slayer series
• The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Why Readers Will Love Her: White’s unique take on historical and fantasy elements with her focus on strong female protagonists and romantic arcs makes her a great fit for fans of Maas’s complex characters and deep plots.

Kiersten White’s Website: https://www.kierstenwhite.com

6. Julie Kagawa

Writing Style & Themes: Kagawa’s writing often blends magic, fae and romance in enchanting worlds. 

Her stories are known for their emotional depth, strong heroines and imaginative settings.

Notable Books/Series:

• Iron Fey series
• Shadow of the Fox series
• The Talon series
• The Blood of Eden series

Why Readers Will Love Her: Kagawa’s skill in creating magical worlds filled with romance and adventure makes her perfect for readers who love Maas’s imaginative settings and strong character-driven plots.

Julie Kagawa’s Website: https://www.juliekagawa.com

7. Rebecca Yarros

Writing Style & Themes: Yarros combines fantasy romance with engaging fast-paced plots. 

Her stories focus on emotional connections and compelling characters often set in rich immersive worlds.

Notable Books/Series:

• Fourth Wing
• The Things We Leave Unfinished
• The Last Letter

Why Readers Will Love Her: Yarros’s emotionally intense fantasy romance and gripping plot twists are perfect for fans of Maas who enjoy passionate romance set in high-stakes worlds.

Rebecca Yarros’s Website: https://www.rebeccayarros.com

8. Lexi Ryan

Writing Style & Themes: Ryan’s fae fantasy is filled with romance, mystery and intricate world-building. 

Her stories often explore love, betrayal and personal growth in magical settings.

Notable Books/Series:

• These Hollow Vows series
• The Cursed series
• The Curse of the Fae King series

Why Readers Will Love Her: Ryan’s fae-infused world-building and romance with a strong focus on character development will appeal to readers who love Maas’s fantasy worlds filled with love and intrigue.

Lexi Ryan’s Website: https://www.lexiryan.com

9. Shelby Mahurin

Writing Style & Themes: Mahurin blends magic and romance in a detailed fantasy world. 

Her stories are known for their engaging plotlines, complex relationships and immersive settings.

Notable Books/Series:

• Serpent & Dove series
• Blood & Honey
• Gods & Monsters

Why Readers Will Love Her: Mahurin’s mix of romance, magic and strong character arcs makes her a great pick for Maas fans who enjoy complex relationships set in detailed magical worlds.

Shelby Mahurin’s Website: https://www.shelbymahurin.com 

10. Stephanie Garber

Writing Style & Themes: Garber’s magical fantasy is filled with romance, adventure and creative world-building. 

Her works often feature complex characters and high-stakes emotional journeys.

Notable Books/Series:

• Caraval series
• Legendary
• Finale

Why Readers Will Love Her: Garber’s whimsical magic, romance and creative storytelling make her an excellent choice for readers who appreciate Maas’s imaginative fantasy worlds and emotional depth.

Stephanie Garber’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14137787.Stephanie_Garber 

11. Sabaa Tahir

Writing Style & Themes: Tahir’s epic fantasy combines romantic subplots with complex characters and intricate world-building. 

Her stories explore themes of oppression, loyalty and personal growth.

Notable Books/Series:

• An Ember in the Ashes series
• A Sky Beyond the Storm
• Torch Against the Night

Why Readers Will Love Her: Tahir’s epic storytelling filled with rich characters and emotional romance, offers a perfect fit for Maas fans who enjoy high-stakes adventure and complex relationships.

Sabaa Tahir’s Website: https://sabaatahir.com 

12. Leigh Bardugo

Writing Style & Themes: Bardugo’s fantasy is built around magic, romance and richly detailed settings. 

Her stories often feature complex characters, intricate world-building and powerful emotional stakes.

Notable Books/Series:

• Grishaverse series (e.g., Shadow and Bone)
• Six of Crows
• King of Scars
• The Language of Thorns

Why Readers Will Love Her: Bardugo’s deeply immersive world-building combined with compelling characters and emotional drama will captivate Maas fans who crave intricate plots and romance in their fantasy.

Leigh Bardugo’s Website: https://www.leighbardugo.com

Final Word on the Writers Like Sarah J Maas

The above 12 writers like Sarah J. Maas each bring their own enchanting worlds, unforgettable characters and captivating stories that will pull you right into their realms.

Whether you’re drawn to the dark, political intrigue of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air, the immersive magic of Shelby Mahurin’s Serpent & Dove or the emotional depth of Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes, there’s no shortage of incredible reads.

These authors like Sarah J Maas are sure to provide the perfect next adventure. Happy reading!