Cressida Cowell is the author behind the “How to Train Your Dragon” books, and they are fantastic. Her stories are full of humor, adventure, and heart, perfect for middle-grade readers and adults alike.
If you are on the hunt for authors who create books with a similar sense of fun and adventure, and perhaps a touch of magic, this list is for you.
Readers who enjoy Cressida Cowell’s imaginative adventures may also appreciate Diana Wynne Jones. Her stories offer magic, humor, and fantastical plots that pull readers into worlds filled with engaging characters. One excellent place to start is her book “Howl’s Moving Castle.”
In this tale, Sophie is a practical girl who becomes cursed by a witch and turned into an old woman. She ends up in the mysterious, ever-changing castle of the wizard named Howl, known for his eccentric habits and rumored heartlessness.
As she begins life under the spell, Sophie learns about courage, friendship, and her unexpected magical talents. The dialogue is witty, the plot twists surprising, and the worlds Diana Wynne Jones creates are deeply imaginative.
Readers who appreciate playful fantasy settings and sharp humor will likely find Diana Wynne Jones delightful.
Readers who enjoy the adventurous worlds created by Cressida Cowell may find themselves equally drawn to Cornelia Funke. Funke is known for stories that blend fantasy, courage, and the magic of storytelling.
Her novel “Inkheart” introduces Meggie, a young girl whose father has a startling gift: when he reads aloud, he brings fictional characters into reality.
One night, a sinister villain from a book emerges into their lives, pulling Meggie and her father into an exciting adventure filled with mystery, danger, and the power of imagination.
This story will appeal to those who appreciate playful fantasy and believe wholeheartedly in the magic inside books.
Chris Riddell is an author and illustrator known for imaginative stories filled with humor, fantasy, and memorable characters. His book “Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse” follows the adventures of Ada Goth, a brave girl living in an enormous mansion called Ghastly-Gorm Hall.
Ada befriends a quirky mouse ghost named Ishmael, and together they begin exploring the mysterious mansion. They soon discover peculiar happenings around the hall, and Ada decides to investigate.
The story combines clever wit, delightful illustrations, and just the right amount of suspense, elements also found in Cressida Cowell’s books.
Eoin Colfer is an Irish author known for his lively storytelling and rich imagination, especially popular for the “Artemis Fowl” series. If you enjoy books by Cressida Cowell, you might appreciate the adventurous humor and clever plots of Colfer’s work.
In the first book, “Artemis Fowl,” readers meet Artemis, a young genius and criminal mastermind who decides to kidnap a fairy to gain their wealth and magical secrets.
Artemis quickly discovers fairies are not just folklore—they are technologically-advanced, fiercely defensive creatures who won’t let Artemis get away easily.
The story is fast-paced, funny, and full of unexpected twists, making it a great option for fans of witty, adventurous fantasy.
Lemony Snicket is known for witty storytelling, clever wordplay, and charmingly unlucky characters that fans of Cressida Cowell’s imaginative adventures might love.
In “The Bad Beginning,” the first book of “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” readers meet the Baudelaire siblings—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. After their home burns down, the children repeatedly face Count Olaf, a sinister relative determined to seize their inheritance.
Through cleverness and bravery, the siblings navigate wild situations, mysterious allies, and unexpected betrayals at every turn. Snicket’s playful narration and the siblings’ inventive problem-solving resonate with anyone who enjoys a good adventure brimming with clever humor.
If you enjoy Cressida Cowell’s adventurous stories and rich magical worlds, you might appreciate J.K. Rowling’s novels. Her most famous book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” follows a young orphan, Harry Potter, as he discovers he’s actually a wizard.
He goes off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and quickly makes new friends, but trouble isn’t far behind.
Rowling’s detailed storytelling creates a vivid magical world full of mythical creatures, enchanted objects, and intriguing mysteries, all wrapped up in a tale of friendship, courage, and adventure.
Philip Reeve is a British author known for imaginative worlds that mix fantasy, adventure, and intriguing technology. If you enjoyed Cressida Cowell, you might be drawn to Reeve’s novel “Mortal Engines.”
The story is set in a future where gigantic mobile cities roll across barren lands and battle each other for resources. Tom, an apprentice historian from London, finds himself unexpectedly caught up in a dangerous adventure after meeting a mysterious girl named Hester Shaw.
Together, they uncover secrets that could change their world forever. Filled with memorable characters, exciting scenes, and surprising twists, “Mortal Engines” captures the drama and creativity readers might be familiar with from Cowell’s books.
If you enjoy Cressida Cowell’s whimsical and exciting stories filled with magic and adventure, you might also like books by Eva Ibbotson. Eva Ibbotson was an author known for creating charming worlds full of humor, enchantment, and quirky characters.
Her book “The Secret of Platform 13” tells the story of a mysterious forgotten door at King’s Cross Station, hidden between the everyday world and a magical island. Every nine years, the portal opens for nine days.
When the young prince of the island goes missing during one of these brief openings, it’s up to an unusual rescue team—a hag, a wizard, a fey, and an ogre—to bravely journey into London, searching high and low through streets bustling with humans to return the missing prince home.
With quirky fun, strange creatures, and magical mishaps, Eva Ibbotson offers an enjoyable read for anyone who loves adventure and imagination.
Katherine Applegate is a wonderful storyteller known for creating imaginative worlds and memorable characters. Her novel “The One and Only Ivan” follows a gentle gorilla named Ivan who lives in a small circus-themed mall.
Ivan shares his simple yet profound thoughts and dreams, capturing the reader’s heart. When Ruby, a baby elephant, arrives at the mall, Ivan begins to see their home through different eyes. He begins to imagine a better life for her and for himself.
The story charms readers with warmth, humor, and tenderness, offering meaningful questions about friendship and freedom. Fans of Cressida Cowell’s heartfelt storytelling and engaging animal characters might deeply connect with Applegate’s sincere and uplifting tale.
Rick Riordan is an American author famous for blending mythology with modern-day adventures in stories full of humor and excitement. If you enjoyed Cressida Cowell’s imaginative worlds, you might like Riordan’s novel “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”
Percy Jackson is a boy who struggles at school and seems to attract trouble wherever he goes. He soon discovers that’s because he’s actually a demigod—the son of Poseidon—and monsters from Greek myths are pursuing him in today’s world.
Percy teams up with friends to solve the mystery behind Zeus’s missing lightning bolt, facing incredible creatures and thrilling dangers throughout the story.
Riordan’s lively storytelling, quirky characters, and exciting mythology make this book a favorite for readers of fun fantasy adventures.
Books by Louis Sachar often blend humor, memorable characters, and imaginative storytelling that fans of Cressida Cowell might appreciate. In “Holes,” Sachar tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy unjustly sent to a juvenile detention center called Camp Green Lake.
There, Stanley and other boys must dig holes every day under the scorching sun. Initially, Stanley believes his bad luck stems from a family curse dating back generations.
As the plot thickens, he uncovers secrets buried in the dry lake bed, mysteries tied to his family’s past, friendship, and redemption.
Readers who loved the adventures and whimsical spirit in Cowell’s “How to Train Your Dragon” series may find themselves equally drawn to the humor, puzzles, and heartwarming characters in Sachar’s “Holes.”
If you enjoy Cressida Cowell’s imaginative worlds and fun adventures, Neil Gaiman might be the perfect author for you. Gaiman is known for creating magical stories rooted in myth and folklore, with clever twists and vivid characters.
One of his popular novels is “Coraline,” the tale of a young girl named Coraline who discovers a mysterious door leading to another home, nearly identical to hers.
At first, this new place seems wonderful, but soon Coraline realizes the unsettling price that comes with staying there. Coraline shows bravery, wit, and determination as she tries to find her way back home, facing memorable and eerie challenges along the way.
Neil Gaiman’s stories deliver adventure and suspense wrapped in rich storytelling that keeps readers hooked until the end.
Readers who enjoy Cressida Cowell’s imaginative dragon adventures might also appreciate Tui T. Sutherland’s lively storytelling. Her series, “Wings of Fire,” introduces a world full of dragons told from their own points of view.
In the first book, “The Dragonet Prophecy,” five young dragons are raised in secret, destined by prophecy to stop a brutal war between dragon tribes. Each dragon has a unique personality and an interesting backstory, and together they face risky challenges and surprising twists.
Fans of relatable characters, humor, and exciting journey-filled plots may find “Wings of Fire” a favorite new series.
Readers who enjoy Cressida Cowell’s adventurous tales filled with dragons and brave heroes may find themselves drawn to Andrew Peterson.
His fantasy series, “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness,” begins in a quiet town called Glipwood, where three siblings accidentally set off an unexpected chain of events.
This charming yet dangerous world quickly comes alive with sea dragons, puzzling secrets, and sinister creatures known as the Fangs of Dang.
Peterson blends humor, mystery, and imagination into an epic quest as the siblings discover truth about their family and their vital role in a greater battle.
If you enjoy Cressida Cowell’s stories filled with adventure, vivid worlds, and courageous young heroes, Sabaa Tahir’s work might also interest you. Tahir is best known for her book “An Ember in the Ashes,” a dynamic tale set in a brutal empire inspired by ancient Rome.
The story revolves around two main characters: Laia, a girl determined to save her brother from imprisonment, and Elias, a warrior who dreams of freedom from his oppressive duties.
Their paths collide unexpectedly, drawing readers into an intense journey full of rebellion, loyalty, and bravery. Sabaa Tahir crafts a detailed and dangerous world, along with characters you can root for and challenges they must bravely face.
If you liked Cowell’s way of creating intense adventures and memorable characters, “An Ember in the Ashes” offers another exciting journey into a richly imagined world.