If you’re anything like me, you faced an epic book hangover after finishing the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. A Court of Mist and Fury might very well be my favorite sequel of all time. Most series lose steam in Book #2 and recover in the final book but A Court of Mist and Fury was my favorite book out of the entire trilogy. So if you haven’t read that series, GO READ IT IMMEDIATELY! I don’t think I’ve met a person that hasn’t enjoyed it. And if you haven’t read Maas’ Throne of Glass series, then what are you doing here?! You need to be reading that series too! It’s one of those series that gets better and better with each book (if you can’t tell from this post, I am a huge fan of Sarah J. Maas). Anyway, if you’ve read all of her books and are staring vacantly at Goodreads hoping to find something to fill the void left by ACOTAR, let me help you out. Read these ten books/series and then go on with your life to the best of your ability.
A young adult fantasy series that you’ll fall right into! I didn’t love Elisa, our main heroine, immediately but I think that’s one of the best parts of this series. In each book, Elisa grows stronger, gains confidence, and becomes someone you like more and more. There’s magic, intrigue, and action and I just couldn’t put this series down! Bonus tip: If you have Kindle Unlimited, read it for free!
You haven’t read this yet?! Graceling is fantastic. Katsa is a born assassin but with a heart of gold. I know, I know, that’s a pretty well-used trope in YA books but Kristin Cashore creates a story that you can’t help but read in one sitting. Her world is full of characters that you love and despise with a plot that wrenches your heart and puts it back together again. It’s got adventure and action and I wish there were more books in the series that exclusively follow Katsa!
If only my husband and I were talented enough to write like the husband-wife duo, Ilona Andrews! I was so hesitant to read the Kate Daniels series because I just wasn’t sold on the synopsis and when I started Magic Bites (Book #1) I wasn’t quite sure why it had such rave reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. But I kept with it and I’m so glad I did! By the time I got midway through the first book, I was already putting the rest of the series on hold at my local library (seriously, get a library card!). You have your kick ass heroine, your studly main squeeze, some more than excellent side characters, and TONS of action. Apparently, that’s all I need in a book.
I’m always so excited when authors create story lines that I’ve never read before and Sabaa Tahir did just that in An Ember in the Ashes. It’s got a taste of ancient Rome with a blend of middle eastern folklore that very few books have ever done (if any!). You won’t find bad reviews about this book!
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is the first novel in an epic duology. Taking place in the Grishaverse (Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone Trilogy – you don’t have to read this first but it’s also a good series), Bardugo creates six characters that will drive you wild! There are twists and turns and risky ventures all throughout the book. As soon as you finish it, the first thing you’re going to do is cry. Then, you’re going to immediately download/buy/bug your friends to let you borrow Crooked Kingdom (Book #2). And exciting news! Netflix just released that they will be making an adaptation of this show! So make sure to check out this duology before it comes to a TV near you!
Ready to fall in love with the fae again? Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa is the first book in a series that definitely gives you the romance (in fact, adult’s only on this book, ok?). Added bonus? The story is also super good! You’ve got a fae king, a dangerous curse, soulmates, secrets, and epic battles. And who doesn’t love supporting indie, self-published authors? Check Laura Thalassa out and you won’t regret it!
While I was languishing on about my failure to find anything to read after finishing ACOTAR, a friend suggested I read Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson (Tairen Soul #1). I try not to judge a book by the cover but I didn’t think this book was for me solely based on that. When I ran out of all other options, I picked it up and gave it a read and I regret not picking it up so much sooner! It would have helped my hangover immensely. You’ve got the Fey, soulmates, and ancient evils that require Rain and Ellysetta to embrace their destinies. Remind you of Sarah J. Maas or what?
Warning: This series is incomplete and Patrick Rothfuss has no idea when he’s finishing up this (hopefully) trilogy. The Name of the Wind is the first book in an epic fantasy adventure. Following a young man who becomes a powerful wizard, the book is full of fantasy, magic, and brazen adventure. And out of all of the books and series on this list, the Name of the Wind might be the best written novel of them all. The prose is so elaborate and the world building incredible. The books are lengthy but don’t be intimidated by the page numbers. You’ll finish this book before you even realize it!
Tired of the fae? Ready to take on some angels? Read Angelfall, the first book in the Penryn & the End of Days series and the first novel by Susan Ee. An urban fantasy/dystopian read, Angelfall will change what you think about angels. Penryn is everything you hope a strong heroine will be and Raffe is everything you want in a book boyfriend. I loved the balance between dark, somewhat macabre story lines and the banter and romance between our main characters. And rumor has it (seriously it’s just a rumor so don’t get your hopes up too high), THEY’RE GOING TO MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE. And if you couldn’t tell by the previous sentence, I’m extremely excited about it. Read this book because it might literally have it all!
Star cross romance? Check. Magic? Check. Legendary warrior queens? Check. The only thing missing is epic adventure…WAIT, we’ve got that too! The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima is the first book in a young adult fantasy series. The stories of the two main characters intertwine until they eventually become one story but the journey to get there is so worthwhile. And it is a journey. The main characters start off a little young, hot headed, and even a bit naive but they become this mega-power couple that you cheer on to victory! How does that not sound appealing? Read it now!
Alyssa Flores
Alyssa reads hundreds of books a year and is on a never-ending quest to find the perfect book.
