Sarah Hawley

Writing Style

Sarah Hawley writes epic fantasy where the romance is genuinely a subplot — readers keep reaching for her books specifically because the world and the plot don't take a back seat to who the characters are falling for. The consensus from readers is that Servant of Earth is "exactly what you're looking for" if you want complex stakes and a magic system with real teeth. The romance is there, it's earned through shared trauma, but it never hijacks the story.

Where to Start

Servant of Earth is the clear entry point. Readers describe it with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you trust them — high stakes, a layered world, characters dealing with problems that dwarf their love lives. Princess of Blood, the sequel, picks up right where that leaves off and expands everything. If you're already caught up on romantasy and want something that respects your patience, start at book one and go straight through.

Similar Authors

Readers who recommend Sarah Hawley tend to also mention Ilona Andrews, Holly Black, and S.A. Chakraborty in the same breath — all fantasy-first, romance-adjacent. In paranormal romance threads she shows up alongside Jeanine Frost and Erin Sterling, which suggests she crosses over well for readers who want spice but won't sacrifice plot for it.