Shelby Mahurin is a young adult fantasy author best known for Serpent & Dove, a series that blends witches, enemies-to-lovers romance, danger, and dark magic.
If you love Mahurin’s mix of banter, tension, and high-stakes fantasy, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Sarah J. Maas writes sweeping fantasy packed with magic, danger, and fiercely determined characters. Her novel A Court of Thorns and Roses introduces Feyre, a huntress whose life changes after she kills a wolf in the woods and is taken to a faerie realm.
There she meets Tamlin, a powerful High Fae lord, and soon uncovers a growing darkness that threatens everything around them. With its intense romance, emotional stakes, and immersive worldbuilding, Maas’s work often appeals to readers who enjoy Shelby Mahurin’s dramatic fantasy style.
Holly Black excels at writing dangerous fantasy full of sharp characters, shifting loyalties, and court politics. In The Cruel Prince, Jude, a mortal girl, is taken to the world of faerie after her parents are murdered and grows up in the treacherous court of Elfhame.
Surrounded by cruelty and manipulation, she becomes entangled with Prince Cardan, whose hostility hides complications of its own. If you like stories driven by ambition, tension, and clever power plays, Black is a natural next pick.
Adrienne Young is known for atmospheric fantasy that feels vivid, rugged, and emotionally grounded. In Sky in the Deep, Eelyn is a warrior raised in a brutal clan rivalry and taught to hate the enemy above all else.
After battle, she discovers something impossible: her brother, long believed dead, is fighting for the opposing side. What follows is a gripping story of survival, loyalty, and identity that will resonate with readers who enjoy fierce heroines and emotionally charged conflict.
Stephanie Garber creates dreamy, unpredictable fantasy worlds where illusion and reality blur together. In Caraval, Scarlett finally receives an invitation to a legendary performance-game she has always wanted to attend, hoping it might offer a way out of her controlled life.
But when her sister disappears, the game turns urgent and dangerous. Filled with riddles, twists, and lush imagery, Garber’s writing is a strong match for readers who enjoy enchanting settings and stories that constantly keep them guessing.
Sabaa Tahir writes intense fantasy shaped by oppression, resistance, and impossible choices. Her novel An Ember in the Ashes, takes place in a ruthless empire where fear and violence maintain order.
The story follows Laia, who agrees to spy for rebels in order to save her brother, and Elias, a soldier beginning to question the brutal system he serves. Their intersecting paths create a tense, emotional story full of sacrifice, danger, and rebellion.
Leigh Bardugo is a standout choice for readers who love layered fantasy worlds and unforgettable casts. In Six of Crows, a crew of criminals and outsiders is offered the chance to pull off an impossible heist.
What makes the book especially compelling is its cast: Kaz is brilliant and ruthless, Inej moves with ghostlike precision, and Jesper adds charm and chaos in equal measure. With sharp dialogue, constant twists, and high emotional stakes, Bardugo delivers the kind of gripping fantasy many Mahurin fans crave.
Renee Ahdieh writes lush, atmospheric fantasy with strong romantic tension and a sense of mystery. In The Wrath & the Dawn, Shahrzad volunteers to marry a young king whose brides die each morning, determined to discover the truth behind the horror.
As she gets closer to him, the story deepens into a mix of danger, grief, romance, and secrets. Readers who enjoy beautifully written fantasy with emotional intensity will likely find a lot to love here.
Tricia Levenseller writes fast-paced fantasy with bold heroines, sharp wit, and plenty of romantic tension.
In The Shadows Between Us, Alessandra sets out to woo the Shadow King, marry him, and then kill him so she can seize the throne for herself. Naturally, things become far more complicated as attraction, suspicion, and political scheming take over.
It’s a fun, dramatic read full of ambition, manipulation, and chemistry—especially enjoyable for readers who like morally gray characters and court intrigue.
Brigid Kemmerer writes emotionally rich stories that often blend fantasy, romance, and character growth. Her novel A Curse So Dark and Lonely reimagines Beauty and the Beast with a fresh, compelling lead.
Harper, a girl from modern-day Washington, D.C., is pulled into the cursed kingdom of Emberfall, where Prince Rhen is trapped in a cycle that turns him into a monster. Harper’s resilience and sharpness bring energy to the story, while the mix of magic, danger, and heart makes it especially satisfying.
For readers who want romance alongside real emotional stakes, Kemmerer is a strong choice.
Kristin Cashore is celebrated for fantasy that combines action, emotional depth, and thoughtful character arcs. In Graceling Katsa is born with a rare ability, or Grace, that makes her a deadly fighter.
Used by her uncle, the king, as an instrument of fear, she has spent years doing his bidding. But when she meets Prince Po, her world begins to shift, leading her toward dangerous truths and a new understanding of her own power.
The result is a strong, character-driven fantasy about choice, identity, and carving out your own path.
Marie Rutkoski writes elegant, tension-filled fantasy with a strong focus on strategy, emotion, and forbidden attraction. Her novel The Winner’s Curse opens in a world shaped by empire, class divisions, and political unrest.
Kestrel, the daughter of a general, impulsively buys a young slave named Arin, setting in motion a relationship neither of them fully understands at first. As secrets unfold, the story becomes a gripping blend of romance, deception, and impossible choices.
If you enjoy fantasy where every conversation feels loaded and every decision carries consequences, Rutkoski is an excellent pick.
Cassandra Clare writes fantasy filled with demons, hidden worlds, and tangled relationships. In City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, Clary Fray stumbles into the world of Shadowhunters after witnessing something no ordinary person should be able to see.
When her mother is kidnapped, Clary is drawn deeper into a dangerous supernatural world and begins uncovering startling truths about her family and herself. Readers who enjoy magic, romance, and dramatic revelations will likely be pulled in quickly.
Victoria Aveyard writes high-energy fantasy with rebellion, betrayal, and dramatic twists. In Red Queen Mare Barrow lives in a society divided by blood: Reds are ordinary and oppressed, while Silvers wield extraordinary powers.
When Mare discovers an ability she should not have, she is thrust into the Silver world and caught between revolution and survival. Fans of Shelby Mahurin’s blend of tension, romance, and dangerous secrets may find Aveyard’s work especially addictive.
Kerri Maniscalco writes dark, dramatic fantasy that blends mystery, romance, and a touch of horror. In Kingdom of the Wicked, Emilia, a young witch, is driven to seek answers after her twin sister is murdered.
Her search leads her to summon Wrath, a demon prince who becomes a reluctant ally as they venture into a world of magic, sin, and hidden agendas. If you enjoy brooding atmospheres, dangerous chemistry, and plenty of twists, Maniscalco is a great author to try.
Margaret Rogerson writes lush fantasy with memorable heroines, romantic tension, and beautifully imagined magical settings. In An Enchantment of Ravens, Isobel is a mortal portrait artist whose clients include powerful and unpredictable fae.
When one of her paintings accidentally exposes a dangerous truth, she is swept into the fae world and into the center of a growing conflict. The novel combines art, enchantment, danger, and romance in a way that should appeal to readers who enjoy Shelby Mahurin’s magical, relationship-driven storytelling.
