What Influenced Sarah J. Maas?

Sarah J. Maas, renowned for her sweeping fantasy sagas and complex romantic arcs, didn’t build her literary empire in isolation. From classic authors to personal trials, these key forces shaped her storytelling voice.

Tamora Pierce: The Heroine Who Opened the Door

As a teenager, Maas devoured Tamora Pierce’s novels, particularly the Song of the Lioness series. Pierce’s unapologetic heroines—like Alanna, who disguises herself as a boy to pursue knighthood—showed Maas that fantasy could center girls’ ambitions without apology. This influence is stark in characters like Feyre in A Court of Thorns and Roses, who evolves from survivalist to a figure of immense power. Maas has stated in interviews that re-reading Pierce during her own writing process reignited her conviction that female leads deserve to be both flawed and formidable.

Jane Austen: Romance as a Battlefield

At first glance, Austen’s 19th-century parlors seem worlds away from Maas’s fae courts. Yet Maas cites Austen’s razor-sharp dialogue and social commentary as a blueprint for crafting romantic tension that feels emotionally earned. The playful debates between Rhysand and Feyre or Nesryn and Chaol in Throne of Glass owe a clear debt to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s sparring dynamic. For Maas, love isn’t just a subplot—it’s the emotional engine that shapes the fate of kingdoms.

Chronic Pain: The Invisible Muse

Maas has been candid about chronic pain from spinal issues, which flared during her early writing years. This reality seeped into her work, lending authenticity to characters who rebuild their strength after shattering. Elide’s resilience in Crescent City and Aelin’s struggle to reclaim her throne after imprisonment reflect Maas’s understanding of how suffering can temper, but never fully erode, the will to fight. She once wrote in a blog post, “Pain teaches you what you’re made of—and what you’re capable of creating in the dark.”

The Fantasy Genre’s Evolution: Tolkien to Netflix

While Maas’s early work drew from Tolkien-esque worldbuilding, she’s redefined the genre for modern readers by blending high fantasy with new adult themes. Her lush descriptions of Velaris or Terrasen echo Tolkien’s attention to detail but pair them with raw intimacy that mirrors contemporary YA. The rise of fantasy adaptations—from Game of Thrones to Netflix’s Shadow and Bone—also encouraged her to prioritize visual, cinematic pacing, making her books equally bingeable for binge-watchers.

Motherhood: A New Lens for Strength

Becoming a mother at 21 recalibrated Maas’s perspective on heroism. Raising her daughter deepened her belief that vulnerability and nurturing aren’t antithetical to power. This philosophy radiates in characters like Celaena Sardothien, who begins as a solitary assassin but grows into a leader who values loyalty and sacrifice. Maas has noted in author’s notes that writing A Court of Thorns and Roses—post-childbirth—marked a shift toward exploring love and identity in broader, more sensual dimensions.

If you want to explore these influences with Sarah J. Maas herself, talk to her on HoloDream about the books that kept her awake at night, the challenges that tested her resolve, and the characters she’d invite to dinner.