Growing up, I found my escape in fantasy worlds. I’ve always had an interest in writing, and when I was a young child, when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always responded “a novelist.” It wasn’t until I rediscovered my love and passion for reading in my late teens, and early twenties, that the idea of The Reign Belowblossomed in my head. Through my writing, I have discovered a community of fantasy readers and lovers. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I listened to my inner child and that I wrote a story of my own, full of magic. But I’m glad my ambitious, childhood dream came true.
House of Earth and Blood was the first new adult fantasy book that I read that made me fall back in love with the fantasy genre.I had rediscovered my love for reading in my late teens after not reading much for a few years. Bryce Quinlan reminded me a lot of myself. In that, she was the first lead female character who isn’t thin and petite. Rather, Bryce is curvy and different from other women that Sarah J. Maas has written. I instantly felt drawn in by Bryce and her carefree attitude in the first half of the book. Her strength is admirable and authentic. Her story and struggles captured me much like many readers.
Though Bryce does have her struggles as being defined as a “party girl,” she is so much more than the label. Beneath it all, Bryce is someone you can’t help but to root for, no matter what is thrown her way. And I find that to be refreshing and relatable in this genre. House of Earth and Blood ultimately inspired me to write my own intricate, epic fantasy world full of fae, magic, secrets, deceit, betrayal, subplots, and creatures. If you’re a fan of Bryce, Hunt, and Lunathion, you’ll love my book.
Sarah J. Maas's brand-new CRESCENT CITY series begins with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She'll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Petra’s journey is riddled in tragedy, yet with each devastating blow, Petra refuses to break. The Sins of Saintsis another refreshing, powerful new adult fantasy with a strong female main character that you can’t help to root for. Not only that, but Lauren M. Leasure doesn’t shy away from the harsh brutal truth of Petra’s life. The Eserene slums that Petra lives in is so detailed that I can picture myself there. The story unfolds in a clever duality, with portions highlighting her troubled past while meshing with Petra’s troubling present. I find that because Petra isn’t portrayed as perfect, and that she has flaws makes her that much more relatable. Prepare for this story to sink its claws into you as you read Petra’s story!
For fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Raven Kennedy...
Growing up in Eserene's slums, Petra's life is marred by unimaginable tragedy. Things finally begin to look up when she meets Calomyr, member of the Royal Guard and keeper of just as much heartache as Petra.
Once again, though, her life is upended when her mother remarries a Lord, forcing Petra to undergo a brutal initiation ceremony in order to ascend to the Royal Court.
As Petra prepares for initiation, news of a drug-fueled fanatical rebel regime reaches the high walls of Eserene. No one seems to panic,…
This epic fantasy romance will sweep you off your feet with all the deceit, betrayal, twists, and turns. I devoured this book and fell in love with Fallon. Not only did I laugh with her, but I found her personality to be charming and endearing. Her personal growth in the book is what makes you cheer her on as she learns more and more about herself and the journey she takes. The worldbuilding sucked me right in, and I found myself enraptured by the serpent charmer. Olivia Wildenstein’s House of Beating Wingshas all the things I gravitate towards when it comes to fantasy: magic, fae, curious creatures, wondrous worldbuilding, multiple potential love interests to keep you guessing, and snarky humor.
"A fantastical delight of a book, rich with its imagination and lush with its storytelling." - RUNYX, author of Gothikana
FREE THE CROWS, FALLON, AND THEY WILL MAKE YOU QUEEN.
Until an oracle predicted my regal future, I'd never imagined myself rising above the curve of my round ears. After all, I was the magicless halfling loved by beasts but loathed by every pure-blooded faerie at court. Well . . . by all but one.
Dante Regio, prince of Luce, had owned my heart since he gave me my first kiss. If gathering a slew of iron relics could help…
Tisaanah is easily a character I rooted for every bit of the way. She’s resilient, strong, and an utter badass. Tisaanah hasn’t lived an easy life, she was once a slave that managed to buy her freedom from her owner. Even through her hardships, Tisaanah persists and travels to the magic wielders in Ara. Through learning her magic, Tisaanah is training beneath another wielder with a troubled past, Max. I cherished their little moments trickled in and was cheering for Tisaanah as she grew her magic. No matter what is thrown her way, Tisaanah picks herself up and adapts. I find her strength, her determination, her drive to be uplifting. The world Carissa Broadbent built was utterly beautiful and I found myself transported there, walking besides her characters as their stories goes on. I devoured this book, and Tisaanah’s story replayed in my mind each time I had to stop reading. I found my mind drifting there and anticipating what was next.
A former slave fighting for justice. A reclusive warrior who no longer believes it exists. And a dark magic that will entangle their fates.
Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life.
Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione,…
Another split realm recommendation! I loved every second of this spicy, enemies-to-lovers, magical book! The worldbuilding is next level, and I was transported to the world with vicious faeries. Lark is one of three sisters that have crossed the borders into the faerie world. Lark is sent to the mountain to the fae who rules over the sky. The journey up the mountain and Lark’s personality made me laugh and cheer her on. Lark is hilarious, witty, free-spirited, and doesn’t let her fear get the best of her. She’s inventive, always finding a way out of tough situations. I love the dynamic between Lark and her two other sisters, and who doesn’t love a found family? Ultimately, Lark’s story is captivating, compelling, and I highly recommend!
Dissociation can only take you so far before you wake up. Face your fears. Seek your answers. Learn your truth.
After her mother’s disappearance, Atarah Nefarin is left to protect her twin siblings from the wrath of her stepfather. Stepping in to take the brunt of the violence, Atarah has a plan forged from years of abuse. A plan that she acts on when a man from the Below appears at her doorstep claiming to be her father. From there he introduces her to the world she’s only read about in grimoires—the elusive, magical Below. There Atarah must come to shed her mortal reality to face her fae, repressed, glamoured truth. As she does, Atarah uncovers more secrets that her mother failed to teach her about the beings that roam the Below.
From the time I was a girl, I’ve loved stories that put a lump in my throat even as I’m laughing. As a fiction writer, that funny-sad tone is the one I go for in my own work. I gravitate toward female protagonists of all ages who break the mold—women who are intelligent and strong but who also have unconventional, quirky personalities. Women who can be hilarious, infuriating, and heartbreaking—sometimes all at once. Because they are complex and unique, these women tend to struggle with life’s challenges more than their contemporaries. That’s what makes their stories so interesting, and why I have chosen the books on this list.
When Mar’s husband divorces her, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy starting over, she’s ready for new adventures—as long as she can keep things casual. Each month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant. . . and a handsome novelist who wants more than she can give. Mar learns from each encounter. But can she open herself up to true connection?
Surrounded by quirky, endearing characters, Mar navigates her…
"A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." -Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author
When Mar Meyer's husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures-as long as she can keep things casual.
With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical…
