Found this one in my drafts, so here's a couple fantasy recommendations from a few years ago.

The Oremere Chronicles

Full disclaimer, Helen is a friend of mine, funnily enough we bonded over Throne of Glass. Regardless, The Oremere Chronicles are absolutely the number one series I would recommend someone looking for a great Sarah J Maas type fantasy series. And the editing is way better ;)

In a realm where toxic mist sweeps the lands and magic is forbidden, all Bleak wants is a cure for her power.

Still grieving the death of her guardian and dangerously self-medicating with alcohol, Bleak is snatched from her home by the Commander of the King’s Army, and summoned to the capital.

But the king isn’t the only one interested in Bleak’s powers.

The leader of an infamous society of warriors, the Valia Kindred, lays claim to her as well, and Bleak finds herself in the middle of a much bigger battle than she anticipated.

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The Lumatere Chronicles

You're probably aware of Australian national treasure Melina Marchetta, but not everyone is familiar with her incredible fantasy trilogy, the Lumatere Chronicles. This is a series I always thing of as an example of the intensity of emotions a book can evoke in you. This is a dark, emotionally intense and incredibly beautiful fantasy series.

Finnikin has not been home to his beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was brutally murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then he is summoned to meet Evanjalin, an enigmatic young woman who claims the heir to the throne still lives. She is determined to return home and Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. But the truth will test Finnikin's faith in Evanjalin . . . and in himself.

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The Girl of Fire and Thorn trilogy

This series is a really wonderfully executed fantasy story: an intriguing and well constructed plot, rich world building, and a compelling heroine. Rae Carson also just released a return to the world of this trilogy, which I still haven't read but really want to. Although it does make it a quartet rather than a triology.

Once every century, one person is chosen for greatness. But the prophecy is vague, and Elisa, always overshadowed by her accomplished older sister, has no idea why she was chosen or how she will fulfill the expectations. Her future is unknown and her potential is tremendous—even if she doesn’t realize it. A king asks her to save his troubled country. A savage enemy hunts her for its own—dead or alive. A revolutionary asks for her heart. And in the midst of ferocious battles and harsh quests, Elisa will find herself. She will find the strength she’s always possessed. She’ll find deep and abiding love. She’ll awaken the power that only she can control. And she’ll face those who want to rip all of it away.

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