Sarah J. Maas, born in 1986, burst onto the literary scene with her entrancing Throne of Glass series, debuting in 2012. This American author, with her vibrant imagination, has not only captivated a vast readership but has firmly established herself as a vanguard in modern fantasy writing.
Representing a fresh wave of young authors, Maas is heralded as one of the preeminent fantasy scribes of her generation. Her oeuvre, both expansive and evocative, continues to enchant and inspire readers across the globe. Personally, observing her meteoric rise and the depth of her storytelling, it's evident that Maas's brilliance lies not just in her world-building but in her ability to craft characters and tales that resonate deeply with her audience. Her books aren't merely read—they're lived.
What Are The Top Sarah J. Maas Books?
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City)
After their recent heroics, Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are yearning for some peace and a return to normalcy. Yet, the world around them is far from calm. The oppressive Asteri's control is threatened by tenacious rebels, drawing Bryce, Hunt, and their friends into the turmoil. Faced with the choice of passive acquiescence or courageous resistance, they are reminded of the age-old struggle between oppression and justice.
Reflecting on my personal immersion in the series, this sequel to House of Earth and Blood masterfully portrays a world teetering on the edge, and the brave souls determined to keep it from falling apart.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Feyre does not know too much about the magical world. Aged 19, she kills a wolf in a forest without being aware of the potential consequences of her act. Later on, an unusual creature shows up in the attempt to get retribution. Feyre is then pushed into a world she has only heard about in stories and fairy tales – a world of both magic and monsters.
Later on, she realizes that her chaser is not a beast or an animal, but Tamlin – one of the last immortal faeries out there, part of a cult that used to dominate the world. The faeries are associated with darkness and danger, but as she learns more about this world, Feyre realizes that she has been constantly lied to while she was young.
Her hate for Tamlin turns into a passion that she must resist. As the darkness aims to conquer Tamlin's world, Feyre decides to step in and help against inevitable destruction. Get ready to discover a world of magic and love and find out how pure hate can turn into romance – plus, you will be surprised by the Numerous Plot Twists in the story.
House of Earth and Blood
Bryce Quinlan has the life she has always wanted. She works hard during the day and parties like a rock star until dawn. It works for her and her best friends are always there. But then, a demon comes out of nowhere and most of her friends are slaughtered. Bryce is now alone and in pain. Who did it, after all, and why?
All in all, the murderer seems to be behind bars, but the crimes begin again, giving Bryce some clues about the case – the one behind bars is probably innocent. She decides to start her own investigation and find out who is behind her friends' deaths. The mission seems impossible, but things take a different turn later on.
Hunt Athalar is a fallen angel. He is notorious and strong, but his previous actions enslaved him. He is, however, given another chance. He can be free if he can help Bryce find the murderer. The two make an irresistible team and go through the darkness to discover a series of secrets, as well as an incredible force that aims to destroy the world.
Empire of Storms
Part of the Throne of Glass series, this is one of the best Sarah J. Maas Books if you are after a bit of intensity, intrigue and drama. Aelin Galathynius is likely to become a queen, but everyone around her changes. There are new friendships, new foes and plenty of plots that could ruin everything for her – and even endanger her life.
Aelin watches helplessly how more kingdoms of Erilea collapse around her. She knows that none of them could survive without leaving old conflicts behind and coming together against a common danger. There are no doubts about it – there will be war and it looks like a provocative quest could have all the answers to a peaceful world.
The quest could save the world, but it could also ruin everything for Aelin. All in all, this fifth book of the series will leave fans breathless. The previous book shows her venture from being a reputable assassin to almost becoming a queen. This one will change everything for you and will surprise you with the final plot twist.
Kingdom of Ash
Aelin Galathynius is ready to face her destiny and find out what it has in store for her. This is the last moment – the final battle and the ultimate experience. While you could get some hints from the book without reading the previous releases in the series, it pays off going through the first ones as well – it makes everything better.
All in all, Aelin is ready to sacrifice herself for her people. She is willing to do anything for her kingdom, even if that means sacrificing everything she loves. But currently, she is imprisoned. She is locked inside an iron coffee. The Queen of the Fae is not planning to release her anytime soon – in fact, she is about to face even more torture.
As she is held away from her plans and goals, Aelin is unable to fight for the ones around her. Her friends are all scattered around the kingdom – no one to keep them together. But at the end of the day, everyone must stick together if they want Aelin to survive the darkness.
Queen of Shadows
With plenty of international awards and prizes, Queen of Shadows is one of the best Sarah J. Maas books if you want to experience an original masterpiece. Let your imagination run wild in a new world full of magic.
From Celaena admiring the world from top of Rifthold to Manon cutting the wind while riding a wyvern, there are lots of classic moments in this incredible release. There are plenty of characters who you will fall in love with, as well as numerous plot twists to hook you in.
The book also features a bunch of illustrations – classic black and white drawings that will help you get a better image of the author's imagination. Bottom line, you are about to experience the adventure of a lifetime and it will feel like you are right in the middle of the action.
The Assassin's Blade
Everyone in Adarlan has heard of Celaena Sardothien. She is one of the most reputable and feared assassins in the entire kingdom. She belongs to a guild of assassins and she is supposed to follow Arobynn Hamel.
With all these, Celaena only trusts one person out there – her fellow assassin Sam. The story takes the reader through Celaena's five missions – different scenarios, landscapes and stories to follow. She goes from isolated islands to killer deserts and must complete a plethora of different quests.
However, Celaena is not a big fan of Arobynn. As she disobeys his orders, she is likely to get punished. Will she go against her master? Is she going to survive? Will she get other fellow assassins to join her quests?
Tower of Dawn
Chaol Westfall is the captain of the guard. It is his official position and it gives him the respect and reputation he deserves. He is also one of the most loyal officers in the army, not to mention his courage and bravery on the battlefield. He is strong and he knows how to change the outcome of a battle.
However, Chaol's world has fallen into pieces. His men were killed during a fight and the King of Adarlan has barely spared the captain. He left him suffering, without a single chance to recover. Chaol decides to reach the reputable healers of Torre Cesme as a last resort though.
It is Chaol's only chance to recover and with war approaching, he has to find some quick solutions. His survival and success only depend on the alliances he manages to make. But as he and his friends discover some less known secrets, it looks like Erilea is more exposed to danger than they thought.
Crown of Midnight
Celaena Sardothien is a skilled assassin, but no one really knows who she is. She spends a whole year working hard in some salt mines, only to sign up for a contest and win it – she finally becomes the new royal assassin, an official position that plenty of warriors were craving for.
Despite being one of the most trusted people at the court, Celaena is not loyal to the crown. She decides to play a new role and comes up with a plan to change the kingdom. However, her plan is a bit confusing and the young girl ends up facing one challenge after another.
Eventually, she will be split between following her heart and sticking to her sense. The ways of the heart are more complicated than she has ever imagined – will she manage to make the right choice in the long run?
Conclusion
I started reading Sarah J. Maas back in 2014, and I've been hooked ever since. Based on reviews and awards, these books are some of her best. Some are standalone, while others are part of a series. It's not necessary to read the whole series to get the gist, but reading them in order does help things click. So, if you're up for a good fantasy and magic tale, give them a go.
If you are searching for fresh, new voices in the world of fantasy, also check out Leigh Bardugo's books.
The post Top 8+ Best Sarah J. Maas Books For 2023 appeared first on Joelbooks.
