“Death is the only victor in war.”
Voted as the best fantasy book from 2022 according to the Goodreads Choice Awards, House of Sky and Breath is the epic follow-up to the bestselling House of Earth and Blood from Sarah J. Maas. The story follows the protagonists Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar as they struggle to adapt to life back in Crescent City.
Before long, however, they find themselves embroiled once again in a brewing war between the Asteri and the rebels. This action-packed, sexy bestseller once again features incredible storytelling from Maas, presenting a vividly created world and the captivating characters desperately attempting to save it from itself. For those who loved Sarah J. Maas’ books, join us at What We Reading as we present the best fantasy books like House of Sky and Breath.
Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter #1) – Nalini Singh
Where better to start than with a recommendation from the author herself? Sarah J. Maas claimed in an interview that one of the best books like House of Sky and Breath for those with a hangover is Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunters series.
The first book in the series is 2009’s Angels’ Blood. Introducing readers to a world of beauty and bloodlust, in this universe vampires are ruled over by angels. Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is the best at what she does, but when tasked with hunting down an archangel gone bad, she is thrust into a killing spree unlike any other she has experienced. Failure is not an option, but even if the hunt doesn’t end here, the seductive touch of Archangel Raphael might.
The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) – Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Another stellar YA fiction book like House of Sky and Breath nominated in the Goodreads Choice Awards, Jennifer Lynn Barnes kicks off her The Inheritance Games series with her 2020 opener. Avery Grambs’ plans for a bright future are rocked when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves virtually all of his fortune to her. The problem? She has no idea who Tobias is.
To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into the sprawling Hawthorne House and immerse herself in Tobias’ love for puzzles, riddles and mysteries. But, moving in means sharing space with Tobias’ four sons, brilliant, enigmatic and dangerous – all of whom had assumed their father’s fortunes would be passed onto them.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Inheritance Games
Gallant – V.E. Schwab
Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for Girls, with her only tie to the past being her mother’s journal, a collection of scribbles that seem to descend into madness. Then, she receives an invitation to return home – to Gallant. Knowing that her old home is hiding plenty of secrets from the past, she soon discovers a hidden room, unlocking an alternate version of Gallant.
A place where ghosts are solid, the building is crumbling and a mysterious figure rules over them all. In V.E. Schwab’s enthralling YA horror story, readers will follow Olivia as she wrestles with either the prospect of becoming a Prior and protecting our world from the Master of the House, or joining him at his side.
Check Out The Best Fantasy Books From 2022
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) – Rebecca Yarros
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was preparing for a quiet life immersed in books and history when her mother commanded her to join the hundreds of candidates hoping to join the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But, when your body is smaller and more fragile than others, death is always just a whisker away.
Caught between the dangers posed by the dragons and by her fellow cadets, everyone inside the walls of Basgiath War College has an agenda, and their own set of secrets to protect. In the stunning opening book of her The Empyrean series, Rebecca Yarros hammers home that there are only two ways of leaving this college: graduate or die.
Check Out The Best Fantasy Romance Books Like Fourth Wing
A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence #1) – Rebecca Ross
In the first book of her Elements of Cadence series, author Rebecca Ross introduces readers to protagonist Jack Tamerlaine and the isle of Cadence, a land of magic, enchantments and mystery. Jack hasn’t stepped foot on the land for over a decade, but when a series of young girls start disappearing, he is summoned back.
The spirits of earth, wind, air and fire rule over the land, revelling in the lives of the humans who make their home there. Adaira, heiress to the east and Jack’s childhood rival knows that the spirits only listen to the music played by a bard. The pair reluctantly work together, gradually learning that they make better allies than enemies. However, danger is never far away for Cadence and they soon discover that the truth behind the spirits is far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.
Gild (The Plated Prisoner #1) – Raven Kennedy
Another one of the best books like House of Sky and Breath is Raven Kennedy’s Gild, the first book in her The Plated Prisoner series. Offering a reimagined version of the myth of King Midas, readers are whisked to Highbell Castle, buried deep in the frozen mountains and coated entirely in gold.
Auren lives her life in a gold cage, a symbol of the might and power of King Midas. He plucked her out of the slums and she gave him her heart in return. With romance, intrigue and power rampant in Kennedy’s world of Orea, Gild is the opening entry in a compelling series that ensnares readers from the very first chapter.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
