Erika Johansen is known for captivating fantasy novels, notably the Queen of the Tearling trilogy. Her storytelling skillfully blends adventure with political intrigue, making her work a favorite among fantasy readers.
If you enjoy reading books by Erika Johansen then you might also like the following authors:
Leigh Bardugo creates richly imagined worlds blended with magic, complex characters, and plots full of tension and intrigue. Her storytelling often explores themes like identity, power struggles, and emotional bravery.
In her novel Six of Crows, she delivers a thrilling adventure about a group of talented misfits who pull off a daring heist, each driven by their own secret motives and pasts.
Sarah J. Maas is known for strong, determined heroines and emotionally charged storytelling. Her novels often include epic romances paired with intricate magical worlds, battles for dominance, and characters facing personal demons.
In her well-loved fantasy series starting with Throne of Glass, Maas follows Celaena Sardothien, a fierce assassin who balances personal redemption with political intrigue and magical forces.
V.E. Schwab writes captivating stories about morally complex characters and magical realities hidden beneath ordinary worlds. Her themes often touch on ambition, identity, and the blurred line between heroism and villainy.
Her book A Darker Shade of Magic introduces readers to multiple Londons with varying degrees of magic and danger, where characters must grapple with their choices and consequences.
Sabaa Tahir specializes in immersive fantasy that deeply explores themes of freedom, oppression, and the courage to resist injustice. Her writing is vivid and emotionally resonant, bringing to life stories of resilience and hope.
In her exciting novel An Ember in the Ashes, readers follow the intertwining destinies of Laia, a young woman caught up in the fight against tyranny, and Elias, a soldier questioning where his loyalties lie.
N.K. Jemisin stands out for her ambitious storytelling, rich world-building, and strong character-driven narratives that challenge readers' perspectives. Her books routinely explore themes like racism, oppression, social inequality, and the struggle for survival and dignity.
In her acclaimed novel The Fifth Season, Jemisin crafts a vivid, tense world disrupted by catastrophic geological upheaval, where people with special abilities are both feared and exploited.
Fonda Lee creates vivid, action-packed worlds filled with complex characters and intense politics. Her stories often weave together family drama, thrilling combat, and intricate power struggles.
In Jade City, Lee introduces a gritty fantasy setting where rival clans fight for control over precious jade, which grants superhuman powers. Readers who enjoyed Erika Johansen's combination of politics and fantasy might find Lee's work equally engaging.
Rebecca Yarros is known for emotionally charged storytelling, blending romance, adventure, and fantasy elements. Her writing often explores themes of courage, resilience, and self-discovery through strong, relatable characters.
In Fourth Wing, Yarros tells the story of a young woman who faces deadly challenges in an elite dragon-rider academy. Fans of Erika Johansen's determined heroines and high-stakes plots will likely appreciate Yarros's compelling stories.
Samantha Shannon brings readers imaginative fantasy worlds filled with richly-developed lore and intricate societal dynamics. Her narratives often feature strong female protagonists dealing with themes of politics, oppression, and personal growth.
In The Priory of the Orange Tree, Shannon creates an enthralling tale of dragons, magic, and political tensions that affect the fates of kingdoms. If you appreciate Erika Johansen's world-building and powerful female leads, you'll likely enjoy Shannon's work, too.
Pierce Brown writes intense, immersive stories that blend science fiction, dystopian themes, and fierce character-driven conflicts. His narratives often revolve around rebellion, class struggles, and the consequences of power.
One notable book is Red Rising, where Brown portrays the harrowing journey of an oppressed young man fighting to topple a brutal social order. Fans who appreciated the darker political tones and strong characters in Erika Johansen's novels might enjoy Brown's compelling style.
Naomi Novik's writing mixes brilliantly constructed fantasy worlds with engaging characters and thoughtful storytelling. Her novels often explore themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle against corrupt or oppressive systems.
In Uprooted, Novik delivers a beautifully crafted tale of magic, mysterious forces, and the bond between characters confronting dark dangers.
Readers who enjoyed the depth of Erika Johansen's narratives and the emphasis on strong, relatable protagonists will likely connect deeply with Novik's work.
Katherine Arden creates vivid fantasy worlds steeped in folklore and rich atmosphere. Her stories often blend fairy tales and historical settings.
In her novel The Bear and the Nightingale, a young woman named Vasya navigates mystical forces and old traditions in medieval Russia. Readers who enjoyed Erika Johansen's strong heroines and immersive fantasy details will likely appreciate Arden's storytelling style.
Kendare Blake writes stories filled with powerful characters, dark magic, and intriguing political dynamics. Her series opener, Three Dark Crowns, explores a competition between triplet sisters, each with a different magical skill, fighting for one throne.
Fans of Erika Johansen's sharp political intrigue and complex female characters might find Kendare Blake's books similarly appealing.
Holly Black specializes in darkly enchanting fantasies with morally ambiguous characters and sharp, engaging dialogue. Her novel The Cruel Prince introduces Jude, a human girl growing up in a dangerous fairy court, navigating deadly schemes and personal ambition.
Readers who enjoyed Erika Johansen's strong-willed protagonists and tense relationships will be drawn to Black's intricate fantasy tales.
George R.R. Martin crafts gritty, politically charged fantasy novels full of complex characters, power struggles, and intricate world-building.
His famous series opener, A Game of Thrones, places morally complex, ambitious individuals amid kingdoms torn by war, betrayal, and shifting alliances. Those who appreciated Johansen's complex politics and high-stakes drama will find Martin's fantasy similarly compelling.
Laini Taylor's writing is beautifully lyrical, steeped in vivid imagery, imaginative mythology, and compelling romances.
Her novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone introduces Karou, a young woman living a double life between the human world and a magical otherworld inhabited by monsters and angels.
Fans of Erika Johansen's vividly imagined universes, strong characters, and exploration of identity might find Taylor's storytelling particularly appealing.