Picture a Minnesota storyteller who weaves tales of assassins, gods, and vengeance with a flair for the fantastical—meet Sarah Ahiers! This bestselling author of Young Adult fantasy novels has captured readers’ hearts with her richly imagined worlds, particularly in her gripping Assassin’s Heart series. With a knack for blending romance, revenge, and intricate world-building, Ahiers crafts stories that feel like a thrilling dance between Romeo and Juliet and Game of Thrones, all while sporting her signature steampunk hats.
Beyond her books, Ahiers is a multifaceted creative with a Master’s in Fine Arts from Hamline University, a passion for embroidery, and a cozy life in Minnesota alongside her three dogs. Her journey from childhood storyteller to celebrated author is as captivating as the worlds she builds, inviting readers to dive into her unique blend of fantasy and heart.
The Making of Sarah Ahiers
Growing up in Minnesota, Sarah Ahiers spent her childhood running through fields with her siblings, sketching, and scribbling stories that hinted at her future as a fantasy maestro. Her love for storytelling deepened at Hamline University, where she earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Her thesis on monsters and monstrous characters in fantasy fiction laid the groundwork for her ability to craft complex, morally gray characters. Before becoming a full-time writer, Ahiers honed her craft while balancing her love for good games, good food, and, of course, her quirky collection of steampunk hats.
Sarah Ahiers’s Unforgettable Stories
Ahiers burst onto the Young Adult fantasy scene with her debut novel, Assassin’s Heart (HarperTeen, 2016), a Minnesota Book Award finalist that introduces readers to the kingdom of Lovero, where assassin families serve the goddess Safraella by lawfully killing for a price. The story follows seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana, a skilled assassin whose secret romance with a rival clan member leads to betrayal and a fiery quest for revenge. Critics praised its lush, Renaissance-inspired world and fast-paced plot, with Booklist calling it “astonishingly good.”
The companion sequel, Thief’s Cunning (2017), picks up eighteen years later, focusing on Allegra Saldana as she uncovers secrets tied to her assassin lineage. This action-packed novel, also a Minnesota Book Award finalist, showcases Ahiers’s talent for blending fantasy with emotional depth. Her writing style—vivid, immersive, and laced with themes of loyalty, family, and self-discovery—draws comparisons to authors like Robin LaFevers and Sarah J. Maas. Ahiers also dabbles in middle-grade novels and picture books, with new works under submission, promising more fantastical adventures.
Her world-building stands out for its intricate societies, where gods and ghosts are as real as the daggers her characters wield. Ahiers’s ability to weave mythology, religion, and history into her narratives creates a tapestry that feels both familiar and wholly original, keeping readers hooked from page one.
Why Sarah Ahiers Matters
Sarah Ahiers has carved a niche in Young Adult fantasy by crafting stories that resonate with readers who crave strong heroines, complex family dynamics, and worlds where morality isn’t black-and-white. Her Assassin’s Heart series has inspired fans to explore themes of vengeance and redemption, earning glowing reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. As an educator at Concordia University’s MFA program and program administrator at Hamline, Ahiers shapes the next generation of writers, sharing her passion for storytelling.
Her influence extends beyond her books through her engaging presence in the literary community, from appearances at events like Teen Lit Con to her award-winning embroidery, which reflects her creative versatility. Ahiers’s work reminds us that fantasy can be both thrilling and deeply human, making her a voice to watch in the genre.
- Born: Minnesota, USA
- Key Works: Assassin’s Heart (2016), Thief’s Cunning (2017)
- Awards: Finalist for the Minnesota Book Award (2017, 2018)
- Fun Fact: Owns a collection of steampunk hats
Ready to dive into a world of assassins and forbidden love? Snag Assassin’s Heart and lose yourself in Sarah Ahiers’s spellbinding fantasy!