Author Sarah J. Maas has become one of the biggest names in fantasy fiction over the past decade. Her novels dominate bestseller lists, flood social media feeds, and have helped push the romantasy genre into the mainstream. Whether readers discovered her through A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, or Crescent City, there is no denying the impact Maas has had on modern fantasy publishing.
But before she became one of the most recognizable fantasy authors in the world, Maas was simply a passionate reader who loved getting lost in fictional worlds. Like many writers, the books she loved helped shape the stories she would eventually create herself.
Many fans already know that Maas started writing Throne of Glass when she was just sixteen years old. Long before the series became a publishing sensation, she was posting early versions online while also writing Sailor Moon fanfiction. That love for dramatic romance, powerful heroines, dangerous magic, and emotional storytelling clearly stayed with her throughout her career.
In an interview with Goodreads, Maas shared ten of her favorite books. Looking through the list, it becomes easy to see the kinds of stories that inspired her writing. There are epic fantasy adventures, dark paranormal romances, emotionally intense relationships, and unforgettable characters throughout these picks.
If you are already a fan of Sarah J. Maas, these books deserve a spot on your reading list. And if you are trying to understand the rise of romantasy as a genre, this list offers a fascinating look at the stories that influenced one of its biggest stars.
Favorite Books by Sarah J. Maas
- The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
- Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
- Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh
- The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
- Sabriel by Garth Nix
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
- The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi ]
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief has quietly become one of the most beloved fantasy novels among dedicated readers. While it may not always get the same mainstream attention as larger fantasy franchises, the novel has earned a loyal fanbase because of its clever storytelling and unforgettable twists.
The story follows Gen, a thief who is pulled into a dangerous political mission to steal a legendary treasure. At first, the novel feels like a straightforward fantasy adventure, but readers quickly realize there is far more happening beneath the surface.
What makes The Thief stand out is its intelligence. Turner trusts the audience and slowly reveals the larger picture piece by piece. Fans of Maas will probably recognize similarities in the layered plotting, court politics, and morally complicated characters.
This is one of those fantasy novels that rewards patient readers. Once the ending arrives, it completely changes how you see the story.
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
C.S. Pacat’s Captive Prince has developed a massive cult following over the years. The novel is known for its intense political intrigue, sharp dialogue, and complicated character relationships.
The story centers on Damen, a warrior prince who is betrayed and sent into captivity in a rival kingdom. Forced to serve Prince Laurent, someone who deeply despises him, Damen must survive a dangerous court filled with manipulation and hidden agendas.
Readers should know going in that this series explores dark themes and contains mature content. But it is also one of the most addictive fantasy series in recent memory.
Fans of Maas will likely appreciate the tension-filled relationships and emotionally charged character dynamics. The slow-burn development between the leads feels very similar to the kind of romantic tension romantasy readers love today.
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever is often considered one of the defining paranormal fantasy romances of the 2000s.
The novel follows MacKayla Lane, a young woman who travels to Dublin after her sister is murdered. Once there, she discovers a hidden world filled with dangerous fae creatures, ancient magic, and dark secrets.
One reason this book remains so popular is because of its atmosphere. Moning creates a version of Dublin that feels seductive, mysterious, and dangerous at the same time.
Readers who love Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses will probably notice similarities in the dark and enigmatic male lead Jericho Barrons. The chemistry between the characters is one of the main reasons readers become obsessed with the series.
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
J.R. Ward changed paranormal romance forever with Dark Lover, the first novel in the wildly successful Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
The novel introduces Wrath, the last purebred vampire king, and Beth Randall, a woman who becomes drawn into the hidden vampire world.
What made this series stand out was how intense and emotionally dramatic it felt compared to many romance novels at the time. Ward mixed urban fantasy, romance, action, and supernatural mythology into something that felt addictive and cinematic.
The emotional stakes in this series are incredibly high, which is probably one reason Maas connected with these books. Readers who enjoy emotionally tortured heroes and powerful romance arcs will understand why this series became so influential.
Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh’s Angels’ Blood blends urban fantasy with romance in a way that feels both dangerous and elegant.
The novel follows vampire hunter Elena Deveraux, who is hired by the powerful archangel Raphael to track a rogue archangel responsible for horrifying murders.
The worldbuilding in this novel is excellent. Singh creates a supernatural society where angels are terrifyingly powerful rather than simply beautiful background figures.
Raphael also feels like the kind of morally gray fantasy love interest that romantasy readers cannot get enough of. There is danger surrounding him at all times, which makes the romance feel even more intense.
This series helped define modern paranormal fantasy romance and still holds up remarkably well today.
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three is a fantasy classic that has influenced generations of writers.
The novel follows Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who dreams of adventure and heroism. When danger threatens his homeland, he embarks on a journey that changes his life forever.
While the novel is aimed at younger readers, its themes of courage, identity, and growth remain timeless.
Many fantasy fans first discovered their love of the genre through books like this. It is easy to imagine Maas reading stories like The Book of Three while growing up and falling in love with epic fantasy worlds.
Sometimes readers forget how important classic fantasy novels are to the genre’s evolution, but books like this laid the foundation for everything that came later.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Garth Nix’s Sabriel remains one of the most unique fantasy novels ever written.
The story follows Sabriel, a young necromancer tasked with crossing into Death itself to rescue her missing father.
The magic system in this novel is one of the biggest reasons readers continue recommending it decades after publication. The use of magical bells and the eerie concept of Death as a physical realm makes the book feel incredibly original.
Sabriel herself also feels ahead of her time as a fantasy heroine. She is intelligent, brave, and emotionally complex without losing her vulnerability.
Many modern fantasy heroines owe something to characters like Sabriel.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game stands out on this list because it is not fantasy at all.
Instead, it is one of the most popular contemporary romance novels of the past decade.
The story follows Lucy and Joshua, two coworkers locked in a hilarious and emotionally charged rivalry that slowly turns romantic.
The reason readers love this novel is simple: the chemistry works perfectly. The banter is sharp, the tension is addictive, and the emotional payoff feels satisfying.
Fans of Maas will probably recognize how much she enjoys slow-burn relationships and emotionally intense romance arcs. Even though this novel takes place in an office rather than a magical kingdom, it delivers many of the same emotional highs.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn is considered one of the greatest fantasy novels ever written.
The novel follows a unicorn who discovers she may be the last of her kind and sets out on a journey to uncover the truth.
There is something dreamlike about this book that makes it unforgettable. The prose feels almost poetic, and the story balances beauty with sadness in a way few fantasy novels manage.
This novel has inspired countless fantasy authors over the years because it captures the feeling of myth and magic so perfectly.
Even readers who are not normally drawn to classic fantasy often end up loving this book.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen is one of the newer books on Maas’ list, but it fits perfectly alongside the others.
Inspired by Indian mythology, the novel follows Maya, a princess cursed with a dangerous horoscope who becomes queen of a mysterious kingdom.
The writing in this novel is lush and atmospheric. Nearly every page feels magical.
Readers who love fantasy romance filled with mystery, destiny, and emotional intensity will likely become immersed in this story very quickly.
The novel also stands out because of how vividly Chokshi builds the world around Maya. It feels rich, surreal, and unforgettable.
Why Sarah J. Maas’ Favorite Books Make So Much Sense
Looking at this list, it becomes very clear what kinds of stories helped shape Sarah J. Maas as a writer.
Nearly every book here features emotionally intense relationships, high-stakes fantasy worlds, dangerous magic, or morally complicated characters. Many also focus on heroines discovering hidden strength while navigating romance and conflict at the same time.
These are the same ingredients that helped turn Maas into one of the defining fantasy authors of her generation.
What is especially interesting is how varied the list feels. There are fantasy classics, paranormal romance staples, modern romantasy favorites, and even a contemporary romance novel mixed in. It shows that great storytelling can come from many different genres.
For readers searching for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass, this list is honestly one of the best places to start.
Conclusion
These are Sarah J. Maas’ ten favorite books, and honestly, the list feels exactly like what many fans would expect from the queen of romantasy herself.
From epic fantasy adventures to dark paranormal romance, every novel here delivers memorable characters, emotional tension, and immersive storytelling. Some of these books helped shape fantasy as a genre, while others became modern classics among romance and fantasy readers alike.
If you are already obsessed with Sarah J. Maas’ novels, there is a very good chance you will find your next favorite read somewhere on this list.
How many of these books have you read? And which Sarah J. Maas inspired recommendation would you add to the list? Until next time, happy reading!
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