In a world full of uncertainty, finding a good escape can be a struggle but a necessity to taking care of your mental health. At Townsend Harris, a school made up of diverse students from all different corners of the globe, the weight of international conflicts and possibly distressing events can feel especially heavy; it may be hard for students to give their minds a break and find a reprieve from the real world. To help ease that burden, here’s a list of five authors, each with multiple interconnected book series that will make it easy for your mind to float away.
The “Maasiverse”
Author Sarah J. Maas has cultivated a devoted audience with her three bestselling romantasy series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. As someone who has read, cried, laughed, and absolutely adored every page of these books, I feel uniquely qualified to recommend them as the ultimate fantasy universe to whisk your mind away from reality. This list will include many authors and series near and dear to my heart, but Sarah J. Maas’s universe blew all the others out of the water; I had no choice but to put it in first place. If I am to be completely honest — hopefully, this doesn’t scare you off — I believe that just about every book in these three series has made me sob (especially the Throne of Glass books, though they’re actually my favorite…). But more often, these books had me screaming into my pillow, thanks to the mind-scrambling mix of high-stakes plots and swoon-worthy romances (truthfully though, a good romance is my ultimate weakness). Maas’s writing is just so beautifully captivating, it made me feel as though I was there with all her characters, going through all their hardships and celebrating all their victories right by their side. What makes Maas’s worlds so enthralling isn’t just one aspect of her writing: she’s made her worlds so immersive, complex, and intricate, while making her characters incredibly layered. Characters like Aelin, Rhysand, Dorian, and Elide are emotionally complex, multifaceted, compelling, and unforgettable. At the risk of sounding crazy, her characters felt so vividly real and complex that it was easy to forget they only existed on the page. Like seriously, I’m obsessed with these characters beyond reason. Just ask my mom, she can tell you about the countless hours she spent blocking out the noise of my senseless yapping — “Mom, OMG, Aelin…” “Ok, Nicole” — she didn’t understand a word I said… On a more serious note, this deep emotional connection to Maas’s characters is what makes her books so unforgettable.
In fear of being a spoiler alert, I want to avoid talking too much about the actual storylines. I will say, however, that each series takes place in its own world and as you read the books, you may notice some suspicious crossovers… I’d recommend starting with Throne of Glass (eight books), moving on to A Court of Thorns and Roses (currently five books), and finishing with Crescent City (three books so far). The number of books might seem intimidating, but I promise every chapter is worth it. I flew through Maas’s books and, before I knew it, I’d reached the end. Despite having finished most of these books a couple years ago and reading the others as they were released, her characters and worlds still occupy my thoughts (I’ll admit it, a part of me still dreams of living in the Night Court). I know without a shadow of a doubt that if you give these books a chance, you will be carried away before you can blink.
These books also serve as an excellent introduction to fantasy literature, largely due to Maas’s skillful writing. Often, fantasy novels can be confusing, overwhelming, and feel dragging due to complex world-building that is confusing and requires painstaking attention to detail. This was not the case at all for Maas’s fantasy worlds, which feel like such easy reads that hook you from the beginning. The worldbuilding happens seamlessly as the books progress, yet never leaves the reader feeling lost.
The Ana Huang Universe
If you’re a person who likes to read new adult romances, you’ve likely heard Ana Huang’s name dropped more than once. Huang, a Chinese-American #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, has taken the romance community by storm, particularly on platforms such as TikTok’s BookTok. Her books have gained a loyal fanbase for their addictive storylines and swoon-worthy romances.
If you’re in need of a good, distracting, and sometimes-cheesy romance series, Huang has three that I loved. I breezed through her Twisted series (four books), Kings of Sin series (four released, one coming soon, two more expected), and Gods of the Game series (one book so far). Books from all three have found their place on my ‘favorites’ list. Whether you’re a fan of slow-burns, enemies-to-lovers, or tension-filled moments that leave you sweating, Ana Huang’s books offer something for every new adult romance enthusiast. I looked insane reading these books: laying in bed, cackling, blushing, the whole nine yards. Safe to say, if you haven’t already added her works to your reading list, it’s time to see what all the hype is about. You won’t be able to put the books down, let alone think about current world events.
One of my favorite parts about Ana Huang as an author is her ability to create characters that are imperfect but dynamic, constantly evolving for the better. Her books go further than just focusing on a romance between two characters; they give the characters depth, an arc, focusing on their dreams, downfalls, and achievements. Her characters face challenges, make mistakes, sometimes act like idiots, but always learn from themselves, reflecting the complexities of real life. Through their journeys, readers are exposed to important lessons, such as the value of self-discovery and the importance of vulnerability in relationships.
The Stephanie Garber Universe
Stephanie Garber’s Caraval series (three books) and Once Upon a Broken Heart series (three books) took me on a whimsical journey into an enchanting world filled with magic, intrigue, mystery, and romance (already swooning). Both series take place in the same world, but in different kingdoms. Caraval is the first series, introducing readers to a mesmerizing carnival-like game where nothing is as it seems and every decision carries life-altering consequences. In case it isn’t already clear, I’m mostly a fantasy and romance reader, but Garber’s works are unlike anything else I’ve ever read. The narration feels lyrical, colorful, vivid, and whimsical. I’m struggling to put words together to give the books justice, but I’m not even entirely sure how to describe them. I’m trying my best, but either way I can guarantee that it’ll take your mind off of anything bothering you. The books are well-written, hooking, and fast-paced, but their best detail must be the world itself. It’s very different from other fantasy books I’ve read, but in the best way possible. The way Garber crafts her settings feels akin to stepping into a beautifully painted dream — wild, atmospheric, and brimming with color. The sequel series, Once Upon a Broken Heart, shifts focus to another kingdom, keeping the same whimsical feel from before but melding in an almost fairytale-like quality.
Similar to Ana Huang, Garber impressed me with the way she wrote her characters. Throughout the entire series, there was a gradual and almost imperceptible growth within her characters as they matured and learned from each other. It felt very realistic, despite the magical aspects to her books, making me connect even more to the storyline.
Garber’s novels are more than just stories; they’re experiences, full of heart-pounding tension, unexpected twists, and moments of breathtaking beauty. Whether you’re drawn to the high-stakes mystery of Caraval or the fairytale atmosphere of Once Upon a Broken Heart, these books promise an unforgettable adventure that lingers long after the final page.
The Rick Riordan Universe
The Rick Riordan Universe is expansive, and this recommendation will only focus on two of his series, despite there being more that take place in the same world. The first is a cult-classic that many of you have likely read before: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (5 books), which introduces readers to a world of Greek mythology through the eyes of Percy, a modern-age demigod. It’s likely that part of the reason I connected to this series so easily is because most of it is set in New York. I think I’d describe this series as the most light-hearted on this list — it had me crying the least (and I’m a very big crier). This series is a cult-classic for a reason — it actually had me laughing the most of any series on this list. The characters, especially Percy, were amazingly relatable, loveable, and amusing. Percy is the blueprint for what a main character should look like: sarcastic, snarky, witty, and smart.
However, despite the fame of the first series, many fans are unaware that there exists a sequel series, The Heroes of Olympus (five books), which I actually think was even better than the original. This series is multi-POV, one of which is Percy’s (yay!). It expands the universe further, incorporating Roman mythology and introducing new characters. Unlike the first series, this one had more scenes that had me gasping out loud, gripping the book in suspense, and — yes — crying. The second series also delivers more of the most epic battle sequences. Both series have the perfect blend of mythology, adventure, and heartwarming relationships, making them perfect for readers who want a lighter, yet equally immersive reading experience; more importantly, both series had numerous scenes that had me giggling and kicking my feet (ugh, I love cute romances).
Whether you’re revisiting the world of Percy Jackson or just starting out, these two series offer endless fun and a thrilling journey through the rich tapestry of ancient myths.
The J.K. Rowling Universe
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, no one can deny that her books set in the Wizarding World have become some of the most iconic and beloved in literary history. While the Harry Potter books are, in my opinion, the heart of this universe, it also includes Fantastic Beasts, which expands on the magical world with new characters and storylines. As a child, I absolutely loved this series, which may make me biased, but when I really need a distraction from something, rereading any of the Harry Potter books rewards me with a comforting solace in a literary world that feels like a second home.
However, for many fans, finding comfort in this universe has become more complicated due to Rowling’s harmful views on the transgender community. While some readers have distanced themselves from her work entirely, others have chosen to separate the books from their author, engaging with the world through second-hand copies and fan communities. Personally, I haven’t allowed Rowling’s problematic views to affect my opinion of the universe. Her opinions are not present within the Wizarding World, so the capability of the books to carry me away from anything happening around me is unaffected. At its core, the Harry Potter universe is a story about finding family, bravery, and standing up against evil and oppression — values that transcend the person who wrote them. The richness of this literary world, specifically Hogwarts’ moving staircases, the whimsical spells, and the tight-knit friendships, makes it easy to lose yourself in its pages. The series offers the perfect blend of magic, fantasy, adventure and, similar to the Percy Jackson books, it has some of the most loveable characters that I’ve ever read about — it’s incredibly easy to get attached to them.
Each of these literary worlds made me feel as if I had stepped into the pages myself, offering an opportunity to remove myself from the real world. When I was going through personal struggles, like the loss of my dog, these stories became a refuge, offering a reprieve to the weight resting on my heart and soul and offering comfort in the way only good books can.
