Diana Wynne Jones was beloved for imaginative fantasy novels that charm adults and children alike. She authored the acclaimed Howl's Moving Castle, known for its humor and magical storytelling.
If you enjoy reading books by Diana Wynne Jones then you might also like the following authors:
Robin McKinley writes fantasy novels filled with enchanting worlds, vivid characters, and magic that feels fresh and believable.
For readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones, McKinley’s novel The Hero and the Crown follows Aerin, a spirited and unlikely hero who must prove herself in a kingdom where she feels out of place.
She faces dragons, court intrigue, and ancient magic to claim her place as a warrior and protector. The story blends adventure with themes of identity and courage, told in a style that feels natural and engaging.
If you enjoy Diana Wynne Jones for her witty storytelling and imaginative worlds, Tamora Pierce could be a great author for you to try next.
Pierce is known for creating courageous and resourceful young characters who navigate magical realms and grow into heroes in their own right.
In her book Alanna: The First Adventure, we meet Alanna of Trebond, a determined girl who disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of becoming a knight. Alanna tackles sword fights, magical training, and palace intrigue all while bravely hiding her true identity.
It’s a story filled with friendship, adventure, and a touch of magic that keeps you turning the pages.
Terry Pratchett crafts imaginative tales filled with sharp wit, clever humor, and endearing characters that readers of Diana Wynne Jones will appreciate. His Discworld novels blend fantasy and humor effortlessly.
A great example is Mort, a story where Death himself decides to take on an apprentice. The apprentice, Mort, struggles to learn the business, makes mistakes, and soon causes amusing complications by interfering with fate.
Through comedic twists, vibrant personalities, and thoughtful storytelling, Pratchett delivers a story that combines warmth and wit in equal measure.
Readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones might also appreciate the imaginative worlds of Patricia C. Wrede. Wrede has a gift for clever storytelling, humor, and creating memorable characters.
Her book Dealing with Dragons introduces Cimorene, a princess unlike any other, who decides she’d rather live with dragons than put up with dull royal life.
This story flips classic fairy-tale tropes upside down in a witty adventure filled with amusing twists and engaging magic, appealing to those who enjoy Jones’s playful narrative style and inventive worlds.
Neil Gaiman is a storyteller known for his imaginative worlds filled with magic, humor, and curious adventures. If you enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’ blend of fantasy and wit, Gaiman might appeal to you too.
His novel Coraline introduces readers to Coraline Jones, a young girl who discovers a mysterious door in her family’s home. On the other side waits a strange reality with a version of her parents who have buttons for eyes.
Coraline must rely on courage, cleverness, and resourcefulness to navigate this eerie adventure and set things right. Gaiman’s inventive style and memorable characters capture the surreal nature of children’s fantasy in a fresh, playful way.
Readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones may find Garth Nix an author worth exploring. Nix crafts fantasy worlds full of magic and adventure, featuring imaginative characters and thoughtful storytelling. One excellent example is Sabriel, the first book in his Old Kingdom series.
The book follows young Sabriel, daughter of a necromancer known as the Abhorsen.
After her father’s disappearance, Sabriel must enter the dangerous Old Kingdom, face terrifying magical threats, and embrace her father’s role to keep the dead from escaping into the world of the living.
The vivid imagery, well-developed magic system, and courageous heroine give readers the type of fantasy tale they have come to appreciate from authors like Jones.
If you enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’s imaginative tales and delightful mix of magic and reality, Edward Eager may become one of your new favorites. His book Half Magic follows four ordinary children who discover a strange coin that grants wishes—but only by halves.
When they wish for exciting adventures, the results are funny and unpredictable. They soon realize that handling magic takes creativity and caution—and that wishes don’t always turn out the way they planned.
Eager builds a whimsical world full of humor, surprises, and plenty of charm.
Susan Cooper is a British fantasy author best known for her series The Dark is Rising, a collection rich in magic, folklore, and memorable heroes.
In the series’ second book, The Dark is Rising, young Will Stanton learns on his eleventh birthday that he is one of the Old Ones, beings who protect the world from dark forces.
As mysterious signs and ancient prophecies unfold, Will faces terrifying challenges, ancient magic, and a struggle to save humanity from the rise of evil.
For readers who enjoyed Diana Wynne Jones’s mix of myth, adventure, and young protagonists stepping into vast, magical responsibilities, Susan Cooper provides exciting storytelling filled with powerful images and deep connections to British folklore.
Readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’s imaginative worlds and magical characters may also find Ursula K. Le Guin’s storytelling a delight. Le Guin creates vivid, thought-provoking universes filled with magic, adventure, and richly developed characters.
Her novel A Wizard of Earthsea follows Ged, a talented young wizard who recklessly unleashes a dangerous shadow that threatens his world. To defeat this shadow, Ged embarks on a challenging journey of self-discovery, friendship, and courage.
This novel combines engaging fantasy storytelling with powerful themes of identity and responsibility, making it an enjoyable read for fans of fantasy fiction.
J.K. Rowling is famous for creating imaginative worlds filled with magic and adventure. Readers enjoying Diana Wynne Jones’ whimsical and magical stories may find Rowling’s books equally enjoyable.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, an orphaned boy named Harry discovers he belongs to a secret magical world.
He attends Hogwarts, an extraordinary school for wizards, makes loyal friends, encounters mysterious professors, and faces dangers connected to a dark wizard from his past.
Rowling combines humor, friendship, suspense, and magical discoveries to create a story readers can’t easily put down.
If you enjoy Diana Wynne Jones for her imaginative worlds and lively characters, Lloyd Alexander might also appeal to your taste. Alexander is best known for his book The Book of Three, the first in the Chronicles of Prydain series.
It follows Taran, an assistant pig keeper who dreams of adventure and glory. When Hen Wen, the mystical pig he cares for, mysteriously flees their farm, Taran embarks on a quest to bring her home and finds himself drawn into a battle against dark forces.
Alongside memorable companions like the sharp-tongued princess Eilonwy and the cheerful yet loyal Gurgi, Taran confronts dangers, learns valuable lessons, and begins his journey toward understanding courage and responsibility.
Alexander blends Welsh mythology, humor, and adventure into a classic fantasy tale that feels comfortable yet fresh.
Books by Madeleine L’Engle often blend fantasy and science fiction in thoughtful ways that fans of Diana Wynne Jones will appreciate. In A Wrinkle in Time, L’Engle introduces readers to Meg Murry, an intelligent and unconventional girl who travels through space and time.
Along with her brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin, Meg sets out to rescue her missing father from a dark force known as IT. The journey takes Meg to fascinating new worlds and puts her courage to the test.
The unique worlds, memorable characters, and meaningful storytelling make this book a favorite for readers who loved Howl’s Moving Castle or Charmed Life.
If you enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’ imaginative worlds and clever storytelling, Philip Pullman might be a great new author for you.
Pullman’s The Golden Compass introduces readers to Lyra Belacqua, a spirited girl who grows up at Oxford, but in a world intriguingly different from ours, where humans are accompanied by animal companions called daemons.
Lyra’s carefully sheltered life shifts dramatically after she uncovers mysteries involving disappearing children, scientific experiments, and a precious golden instrument that reveals hidden truths.
The plot moves quickly from snow-covered northern landscapes to secretive societies, blending adventure, fantasy, and philosophy in an exciting, thoughtful way.
The fascinating mix of magic, parallel worlds, and an engaging young heroine makes Pullman’s work an appealing choice for fans of Jones.
Readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’ imaginative world-building and whimsical style may appreciate Cornelia Funke. Funke is a beloved German writer whose fantasy novels bring magic and wonder into everyday life.
Her book Inkheart revolves around Meggie, a girl whose father, Mo, can bring characters out of books simply by reading aloud.
When an evil villain from a book named Capricorn kidnaps Mo, Meggie sets out on a daring rescue, discovering the dangerous power and beauty of storytelling along the way.
With vivid characters and adventures that often blur the line between fiction and reality, Funke invites readers into a truly enchanting experience.
Readers who enjoy Diana Wynne Jones’s playful fantasy might find E. Nesbit equally enchanting. Nesbit’s stories blend magic with everyday life in a way that feels both whimsical and real.
Her book Five Children and It tells the tale of five siblings who stumble upon a strange, sand-dwelling creature called a Psammead. Each day, this mysterious being grants them a wish, but the children quickly discover that magical wishes have unexpected consequences.
Nesbit creates warm, funny moments balanced perfectly with gentle lessons about being careful what you wish for. Fans of imaginative adventures and humorous magical mishaps will appreciate Nesbit’s timeless charm.