If you enjoy reading books by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone then you might also like the following authors:
Arkady Martine writes rich science fiction stories that explore politics, identity, and complex cultural conflicts. Her writing combines intrigue, detailed world-building, and strong characters.
If you loved the thoughtful storytelling of Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, try Martine's A Memory Called Empire, a novel centered around a diplomat navigating power struggles and cultural clashes in a far-reaching space empire.
Tamsyn Muir brings a unique blend of witty humor, gothic style, and imaginative worldbuilding to speculative fiction. Her stories often feature sharp dialogue and darkly humorous characters.
If you enjoyed the emotional complexity and clever dynamics found in El-Mohtar and Gladstone's writing, you'll appreciate Muir's novel Gideon the Ninth, a story filled with necromantic magic, mystery, and unforgettable personalities.
Seth Dickinson delivers deeply political and morally complex speculative fiction. He dives boldly into themes of empire, power structures, and difficult moral choices.
Readers who admire the intricate plotting and thoughtful politics of El-Mohtar and Gladstone should read Dickinson's The Traitor Baru Cormorant, a gripping tale about a sharp-minded accountant determined to dismantle a ruthless empire from within.
Yoon Ha Lee combines inventive, mind-bending concepts with elegantly drawn characters who wrestle with power, ethics, and identity.
Lee's writing is layered yet accessible, weaving vivid storytelling with complex ideas—perfect for readers who love the intelligent style of El-Mohtar and Gladstone. Try Ninefox Gambit, a novel filled with tactical battles, shifting allegiances, and intriguing worldbuilding.
Becky Chambers writes warm, optimistic science fiction with a focus on friendship, family, and personal journeys. She creates diverse, sympathetic characters whose stories engage you emotionally and intellectually.
If you're drawn to the heartfelt humanity and thoughtfulness of El-Mohtar and Gladstone, you'll enjoy Chambers' hopeful and compassionate novel The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, an uplifting journey about a crew traveling together across the galaxy.
Catherynne M. Valente writes beautifully imaginative stories, blending poetic language with rich fantasy worlds. Her style is lyrical and vivid, often exploring themes of identity, myths, and storytelling.
If you love Amal El-Mohtar's poetic narrative style, you might enjoy Valente's Radiance, a unique novel set in an alternate solar system, told through different storytelling formats—it's full of wonder and inventive storytelling.
China Miéville creates bizarre and fascinating worlds unlike anything you've read. His writing mixes fantasy, science fiction, and strange urban realities, often focusing on themes of social issues, politics, and identity.
Readers fascinated by Max Gladstone's smart, thought-provoking narratives might enjoy Miéville's Perdido Street Station, a gritty, imaginative adventure through an industrial city full of strange creatures and ideas.
N.K. Jemisin is an award-winning author whose powerful writing focuses on complex characters and societies, often questioning power structures and human nature. Her sharp prose and powerful storytelling technique often leave a strong emotional impact on readers.
For readers who enjoyed Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's layered storytelling, Jemisin's ambitious The Fifth Season, a story about a world on the brink of catastrophe and a mother trying to survive it, is a terrific next choice.
Jeff VanderMeer is known for his mysterious, thoughtful, and unsettling speculative fiction. He creates eerie, vividly imagined worlds that linger long after you finish reading.
VanderMeer's stories often push the boundaries of reality, exploring our complicated relationship to nature and the unknown.
Those intrigued by the poetic and unusual aspects of El-Mohtar and Gladstone's narratives should try VanderMeer's Annihilation, the haunting story of a team exploring a weird wilderness filled with strange phenomena.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a beloved writer known for thoughtful, humane storytelling and clear, elegant prose. Her books often explore deep philosophical questions about society, culture, identity, and humanity.
For readers who appreciate the depth, warmth, and emotional intelligence in Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's work, Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness is a timeless classic where a human ambassador navigates a planet where people have no fixed gender.
Samuel R. Delany explores themes like identity, culture, and language in unique and thought-provoking science fiction. He writes vivid stories rich in imagination and questions about society.
His classic novel Babel-17 follows a poet who decodes an alien language that transforms reality itself—perfect for readers who enjoy adventurous storytelling and richly developed worlds.
Jo Walton writes with warmth and intelligence, blending speculative fiction themes with thoughtful character studies. Her award-winning novel, Among Others, beautifully mixes fantasy with coming-of-age themes.
Walton reflects deeply on friendships, literature, and the challenges of growing up, resonating well with readers who appreciate Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's emotional depth and reflective style.
Aliette de Bodard combines complex characters with vivid, richly imagined worlds inspired by Vietnamese and Chinese traditions. Her writing deals with themes of family, sacrifice, and belonging.
In The Tea Master and the Detective, she brilliantly blends mystery and science fiction, creating a refreshing story about an unusual detective duo in a beautifully crafted future setting.
Kij Johnson writes lyrical, atmospheric stories that explore human emotion and mythical themes. Her prose has clarity and subtle grace, examining relationships, loss, and transformation.
In her novella The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe, Johnson offers a smart and engaging feminist retelling of Lovecraftian fantasy, appealing to readers looking for thoughtful and imaginative storytelling.
Seanan McGuire creates stories full of creativity, humor, and emotional resonance, often rooted in modern fantasy worlds. She explores identity, belonging, and personal struggles with sharp wit and engaging characters.
Every Heart a Doorway follows young adults adjusting to ordinary life after returning from extraordinary fantasy worlds, blending mystery, fantasy, and insightful exploration of growing up and self-discovery.