Most famously known for her ACOTAR series, Sarah J. Maas is seen as the epitome of Young Adult Fantasy novels and is used as inspiration for many stories to this day. If you’re a fan of her work, then you’re familiar with her thrilling fantasy worlds, stellar romance, and unforgettable characters. While A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass take the spotlight, there are still plenty of incredible fantasy romance books by indie authors that deserve just as much love. Whether you’re in it for the high-stakes action, or the slow-burn romance, these indie recommendations, and some quite underrated, will give you that same feeling!
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
Desperate for freedom, Tisaanah murders the most powerful man in Threll and flees, seeking refuge with an elite group of magic Wielders. To earn her rightful place, Tisaanah must train under Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome but reclusive fire Wielder with a dark past. As war rages on and true intentions begin to unravel, Tisaanah must master her magic, navigate through dangerous alliances, and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice for freedom.
“I loved her for her strength, for her beautiful brute force, for seeing what no one else did. I loved her for everything the world constantly used against her. I loved her for continuing anyway.”
Daughter of No Worlds
A Touch of Gold and Madness by K.L. Devore
Similar to Aelin Galathynius in Maas’ Throne of Glass, Princess Gray Monroe is an assassin but is ordered by her father to kill a villainous prince responsible for the tragic war affecting their post-apocalyptic society. As Gray uncovers a plot against her own life, she is forced to hide away and becomes hunted in a brutal world where survival is her only chance at revenge. Meanwhile, the villainous prince, Griffin Silas, has a deadly plan of his own, and must capture Gray at all costs before he loses control. This enemies-to-lovers with slow-burning tension is sure to keep you hooked until the very last page.
“No matter what happens to me, I’ll always find you. In every lifetime. In every realm. Because it’s always been you for me.”
A Touch of Gold and Madness
City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards
If Crescent City was your favorite Maas series, we highly recommend this incredible trilogy! A modern city filled with vampires and other supernatural creatures, Loren Hale’s entire world collapses when she barely escapes abduction from supernatural bounty hunters, who instead take her friend. Although Loren is just a human, she will do anything to save her friend, even if that means getting help from Darien Cassel, the feared leader of the Seven Devils. These two characters are total opposites, yet work incredibly well together, and realize there may also be underlying feelings.
“She felt safe in his grasp, like his strength was keeping the shattered pieces of herself together.”
City of Gods and Monsters
Fairydale by Veronica Lancet
Be prepared for one of the most remarkable soulmate trope books you’ll ever come across. This impeccable, and highly underrated, storyline is separated between three different timelines filled with longing and burning tension. The protagonist, Darcy O’Sullivan, finds out her father included her in his will with a large sum of inheritance, and she must travel to Fairydale to attend his funeral. Only, she realizes something is amiss with this place. Now torn between a dark and brooding man she meets in Fairydale, and the nobleman who haunts her dreams from two centuries ago, Darcy must uncover a web of lies and secrecy as she jumps between the timelines.
“What if I told you that you’re my entire reason for being? That you’re why I wake up in the morning. Every goddamn day from the dawn of time until now. What if I told you that you belong to me in a way no woman ever belonged to a man? That I might be evil personified, but you’re the only one I’ll ever be good to.”
Fairydale
For Sarah J. Maas lovers, these indie recommendations offer a soul-bounding love with captivating world building that resonates with the same magic and adventure. These underrated but sensational novels might not only expand your horizon but also introduce new writers that will keep you hooked for every page.
For more incredible recommendations by indie authors, click here.
View our list on bookshop.org for more epic fantasy romance books here!
