If you enjoy reading books by Emily A. Duncan then you might also like the following authors:
Leigh Bardugo is known for creating rich, dark fantasy worlds and morally complex characters. One of her standout books is “Six of Crows,” set in the gritty city of Ketterdam.
The story follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind, as he leads a mismatched crew on an impossible heist. Each character has a tangled past, and their motivations often clash, adding tension to the group dynamics.
The stakes are sky-high, and the atmosphere is full of danger and secrets. Readers who enjoy stories with sharp edges and flawed characters would find a lot to like here.
Maggie Stiefvater writes stories that feel otherworldly yet deeply personal, often crafting complex characters and atmospheric settings.
Her book “The Raven Boys” opens with Blue, a girl from a family of psychics, who has been warned her whole life that her kiss will kill her true love.
When she gets tangled up with a group of boys hunting for a sleeping Welsh king who promises a wish, the story weaves together magic, destiny, and secrets. There’s a strong focus on friendship, mystery, and the pull of the unknown.
Fans of darker fantasy with emotional depth might find her work fascinating.
Holly Black is known for creating dark and magical worlds with sharp characters and high stakes. Her book “The Cruel Prince” throws readers into the dangerous world of the Faerie Court. Jude, a mortal girl, grows up among the fae, who are more cruel than kind.
She isn’t content to just survive—she wants power. The story explores betrayal, power struggles, and ambition. It also weaves in unexpected alliances and enemies, making it impossible to decide who to trust.
Victoria Aveyard is known for creating fantasy worlds with a dark edge and characters caught in dangerous power struggles. Her book “Red Queen” introduces Mare Barrow, a girl from a lower social class in a world divided by blood—Silver for the elite and Red for the common folk.
Mare discovers she has a unique ability, something unheard of for someone of her status. This revelation thrusts her into the world of the Silvers, where lies, betrayal, and politics run deep. It’s a story about rebellion, survival, and the price of power.
Fans of Emily A. Duncan might find themselves drawn to its tension and morally complex characters.
Jay Kristoff writes dark, vivid fantasy with complex characters and rich world-building. His book “Nevernight” follows Mia Corvere, a young woman seeking vengeance against those who destroyed her family.
She trains at a deadly assassin’s school, where betrayal and secrets lurk at every turn. The story has shadow magic, fierce rivals, and a sarcastic talking cat that feeds on fear. For readers who enjoy dark and twisted tales, it’s an intense and unforgettable journey.
V.E. Schwab writes dark, imaginative stories that often explore morality and power. One of her popular books, “Vicious,” follows two college students, Victor and Eli, who discover how to gain superhuman abilities by having near-death experiences.
Their experiments take a dangerous turn, and the story jumps between the past and present, showing how their friendship transforms into a vicious rivalry.
If you enjoy characters with questionable motives and worlds that feel a little eerie, you might find her work worth exploring.
R.F. Kuang is a writer known for creating dark and intense worlds with rich histories and powerful emotions.
Her book “The Poppy War” follows Rin, an orphan who gets into a prestigious military academy only to uncover the brutal realities of war and the dark powers she might need to survive.
Set in a world inspired by 20th-century China, the story has plenty of shocking moments, from battles to betrayals, that make it unforgettable. If you enjoy Emily A. Duncan’s haunting and unpredictable tales, Kuang’s work might catch your interest.
Katherine Arden writes atmospheric stories with rich settings and a touch of the supernatural. Her book, “The Bear and the Nightingale,” takes place in medieval Russia, where winter feels endless, and old traditions still hold power.
The story follows Vasya, a young girl who sees creatures from folklore that others dismiss. When a priest arrives and warns the village to abandon these beliefs, danger creeps closer. Vasya must confront forces both human and otherworldly to protect her loved ones.
If you’re drawn to dark, emotional tales, this book might be worth your time.
Laini Taylor writes stories that feel like stepping into a dream. One of her most popular books, “Daughter of Smoke and Bone,” follows Karou, a blue-haired art student in Prague who secretly works for a chimera named Brimstone.
Her life takes a turn when she encounters Akiva, a mysterious angel with a tragic past. The book weaves together magic, war, and forbidden love in a way that lingers long after you put it down.
Taylor creates worlds that feel strange and beautiful, where wonder and danger exist side by side.
Sabaa Tahir is an author known for her gripping young adult fantasy series. Her book, “An Ember in the Ashes,” is set in a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome.
The story follows Laia, a slave who risks everything to save her brother, and Elias, a soldier yearning for freedom from the harsh regime he serves. Their paths cross as rebellion brews and secrets threaten to shake the empire.
With danger at every turn and loyalties tested, the book plunges readers into a world where survival is never guaranteed.
Noelle Stevenson is a writer and artist known for creating stories with a mix of humor and emotion. One of their most popular graphic novels is “Nimona.” The story follows a spunky shapeshifter named Nimona who teams up with a villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart.
Together, they cause chaos but also uncover some dark secrets about their kingdom. The blend of heartfelt moments and unexpected twists makes it a memorable read. Fans of Emily A. Duncan might enjoy the balance of darkness and character-driven storytelling.
Samantha Shannon is an author known for creating detailed, imaginative worlds. Her book “The Priory of the Orange Tree” takes readers into a realm where dragons aren’t just creatures of legend.
The story follows several characters from different parts of the world—Ead, a spy at court protecting the Queen, and Tané, a young woman training to be a dragon rider. Their lives become tied to an ancient evil threatening to return.
The book explores loyalty, power struggles, and the bonds between humans and dragons, all set against the background of a richly crafted world. Fans of dark, atmospheric stories might find her work exciting.
Tamsyn Muir is an author known for her unique mix of gothic vibes, humor, and complex characters. Her book “Gideon the Ninth” is the first in *The Locked Tomb* series.
It follows Gideon, an orphan with a sharp tongue and a knack for swordplay, who is forced to work with her lifelong nemesis, Harrowhark, a necromancer.
Together, they’re sent to a mysterious, ancient castle to compete in a deadly trial full of secrets, skeletons, and strange power struggles. The story pulls you in with its dark setting and sharp dialogue, creating a world that feels alive with mystery.
Adrienne Young writes atmospheric fantasy with rich worlds and intense emotions. Her book, “Fable,” introduces a tough and resourceful girl named Fable, abandoned by her father on a dangerous island.
She fights to survive and dreams of leaving to prove her worth and reclaim her place with him. The story pulls you into a ruthless world of traders, pirates, and secrets, where Fable’s courage is constantly tested.
Fans of Emily A. Duncan may enjoy the dark and emotional layers in her work.
Melissa Albert is an author known for blending dark, magical elements into her stories. Her book “The Hazel Wood” follows Alice, a girl whose grandmother wrote a collection of sinister fairy tales.
After her grandmother’s death, Alice’s mother goes missing, and strange things from her grandmother’s stories start creeping into Alice’s life. The book explores eerie fairy tale worlds and their unsettling connections to reality, creating a chilling and mysterious atmosphere.
Fans of Emily A. Duncan may enjoy the sense of danger and the haunting twists in Melissa Albert’s storytelling.