Alex Aster is a Colombian-American author best known for young adult fantasy packed with high stakes, magic, curses, and rival kingdoms. Her novel Lightlark draws readers in with fast pacing, dramatic twists, and a romantically charged fantasy world.
If Alex Aster’s books are your kind of read, these authors are well worth adding to your list:
If Alex Aster’s sweeping fantasy worlds and intense emotional stakes appealed to you, Sarah J. Maas is an easy next pick. Her novels combine powerful magic, slow-burning romance, and characters whose struggles feel immediate and personal.
In her book A Court of Thorns and Roses, Maas follows Feyre, a young woman pulled into the dangerous realm of the fae, where survival depends as much on cunning as strength. The result is a richly imagined fantasy filled with tension, desire, and constant momentum.
Maas is especially good at blending epic fantasy with irresistible relationship drama.
Leigh Bardugo delivers epic fantasy with memorable characters, shadowy settings, and smart, twist-filled plotting—an excellent match for readers who flew through Alex Aster’s books.
Her book Shadow and Bone introduces Alina Starkov, a seemingly ordinary mapmaker who discovers a rare power that could alter the fate of her war-ravaged world. Bardugo’s storytelling is atmospheric, layered, and full of momentum.
Readers who enjoyed Alex Aster’s mix of magic, danger, and sharp intrigue will likely love Holly Black. She has a gift for bringing the cruel, alluring side of faerie lore to life.
Her novel The Cruel Prince follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl raised in the faerie court, where power is fragile and betrayal is everywhere. To survive, she must learn to play the game better than those born to it.
If you like fantasy with political scheming, romantic tension, and morally complicated characters, Black is a strong choice.
Jennifer L. Armentrout writes fast-moving fantasy that leans hard into romance, action, and emotional conflict. Her heroines are easy to root for, and her banter keeps the pages moving.
Try her novel From Blood and Ash, in which Poppy, a young woman raised to serve a sacred purpose, begins to question the truths that have shaped her entire life. Armentrout balances fantasy adventure with a highly addictive romantic storyline.
If you liked Alex Aster’s blend of adventure, romance, and vivid fantasy, Cassandra Clare is another author to explore. Her books are packed with witty dialogue, strong ensemble casts, and supernatural secrets hidden inside the modern world.
In City of Bones, Clary Fray is suddenly drawn into the hidden world of Shadowhunters, warriors who protect humanity from demons and other dark forces.
Clare’s stories mix mystery, humor, danger, and romance in a way that makes them especially easy to binge.
Rebecca Yarros writes emotional, high-stakes stories that combine romance, danger, and hard-won growth. Her books are especially appealing if you like fantasy that feels dramatic, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.
Her characters are often pushed to their limits, which gives their journeys real intensity. You might enjoy Yarros's fantasy novel Fourth Wing, filled with dragons, romance, and unforgettable rivalries.
If the darker side of Alex Aster’s fantasy worlds appealed to you, Kerri Maniscalco is a great follow-up. She writes stories with strong heroines, gothic atmosphere, and a steady undercurrent of mystery and temptation.
Check out Kingdom of the Wicked, a dark fantasy romance where witches, demons, and dangerous bargains drive the story forward.
Stephanie Garber excels at writing lush, magical stories with mystery at their core. Like Alex Aster, she creates imaginative worlds where romance and danger often go hand in hand.
Try Caraval, a fantasy centered on a legendary carnival where nothing is quite what it seems. With puzzles, surprises, and a dreamlike setting, it’s a great pick for readers who love immersive fantasy with a playful edge.
Sabaa Tahir writes emotionally powerful fantasy with strong world-building and characters shaped by impossible choices. Her books often explore freedom, loyalty, sacrifice, and love without losing their gripping pace.
Check out An Ember in the Ashes, a story of resistance and survival set in a brutal, vividly imagined empire.
Tracy Wolff is known for addictive paranormal fantasy packed with suspense, supernatural drama, and intense romance. If you enjoy Alex Aster’s flair for high emotion and fast-paced storytelling, Wolff may be a strong fit.
Try her novel Crave, which brings together vampires, forbidden attraction, and plenty of escalating tension in a highly bingeable story.
Adrienne Young writes atmospheric fantasy with a strong sense of place and an adventurous spirit. Her stories often center on family, survival, and the difficult choices that shape identity.
Readers who connected with Alex Aster’s immersive storytelling may enjoy Young’s book, Fable, an exciting tale about a determined young woman trying to survive a dangerous world of sea traders, secrets, and betrayal.
V.E. Schwab is celebrated for imaginative fantasy concepts and morally complex characters. Her novels often explore power, identity, ambition, and the uneasy line between heroism and selfishness.
Fans of Alex Aster’s style may find Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic especially compelling, with its parallel Londons, dangerous magic, and intriguing character dynamics.
Renee Ahdieh writes lush, atmospheric fantasy inspired by diverse histories and traditions. Her work often blends romance, myth, and richly layered cultural detail in a way that feels both immersive and elegant.
A great introduction is The Wrath and the Dawn, a lush retelling of One Thousand and One Nights steeped in drama, beauty, and romance.
Hafsah Faizal writes lyrical fantasy that combines action, mythology, and emotional depth. Her stories often focus on family loyalty, courage, and characters confronting both external danger and inner fear.
Readers who appreciate Alex Aster’s engaging storytelling could find Faizal’s
We Hunt the Flame especially compelling, as it follows a skilled huntress and a prince on a perilous quest that slowly draws them together.
Tricia Levenseller brings humor, adventure, and sharp character work to her fantasy novels. Her stories move quickly and balance romance with plenty of wit.
For readers who enjoyed Alex Aster’s pacing and character-driven drama, Levenseller's Daughter of the Pirate King offers a lively adventure filled with pirates, hidden treasure, and a clever heroine who more than holds her own.
