Gael Baudino is a singular voice in fantasy, celebrated for her lyrical prose and emotionally resonant stories. Her work, from the iconic urban fantasy Gossamer Axe to the historical fantasy of the Strands series, masterfully weaves together themes of music as magic, fierce female relationships, queer identity, and the resilience of the oppressed.
If you're looking for more authors who capture that unique blend of magic, music, and deep character work, you will love these 15 recommendations.
If you were captivated by the way an ancient Celtic harpist uses heavy metal to challenge the fae in Gossamer Axe, these authors also place music and creativity at the very heart of their magic.
Tanya Huff shares Baudino's knack for creating witty, fast-paced fantasy with strong, capable protagonists. If the concept of a bard whose magic is her music enthralled you, then Huff is an absolute must-read. She treats bardic magic with the seriousness and creativity it deserves.
Her novel Sing the Four Quarters features a powerful bard who can literally sing the elements into being, and also centers a prominent female-female relationship.
If it's Baudino’s beautiful, almost poetic prose that you love, you will find a kindred spirit in Patricia A. McKillip. Her writing is renowned for its lyrical, dreamlike quality. While not always about music, her stories treat magic as an art form, full of nuance, beauty, and quiet power.
Her classic novel The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a perfect example of her enchanting style, following a reclusive sorceress whose life is upended by the world of men.
Ellen Kushner’s "fantasy of manners" may seem different on the surface, but her work shares Baudino's deep appreciation for artistry and emotionally complex relationships. Her characters live and die by their wit, their skill with a sword, and the intricate social dances of their world.
Her groundbreaking novel Swordspoint is a tale of intrigue, romance, and deadly swordplay in a decadent city, celebrated for its sharp prose and central queer relationship.
Baudino was part of a wave of authors who centered women and queer characters in fantasy. These authors are her contemporaries and predecessors who created the space for stories like hers to be told.
Mercedes Lackey is a titan of character-driven fantasy. Her Valdemar series shares Baudino's focus on protagonists finding their true calling and features a world where queer characters have been an accepted and integral part from the very beginning. Her work is accessible, heartfelt, and deeply compassionate.
Start with Arrows of the Queen, the story of a young orphan chosen by a magical horselike Companion, which kicks off a beloved and expansive series.
Marion Zimmer Bradley was a pivotal figure in feminist fantasy. Her work retold classic myths from a female perspective, giving voice and agency to characters who had been sidelined for centuries. This focus on women's power and spirituality strongly aligns with Baudino's themes.
Note: While The Mists of Avalon is a landmark work, modern readers should be aware of the serious and credible accusations of abuse made against the author.
Elizabeth A. Lynn was a trailblazer in speculative fiction, and her work is a fantastic match for Baudino fans. She was among the very first authors to explore themes of gender and sexuality with nuance and sensitivity, and her stories are filled with thoughtful character work and intricate world-building.
Her novel Watchtower, the first in the Chronicles of Tornor series, is a classic that beautifully explores themes of duty, love, and identity.
C. J. Cherryh is known for her incredibly deep and realistic world-building, often viewed through the eyes of a relatable outsider. If you appreciate how Baudino grounds her fantasy in real-world history and cultures, you will love Cherryh's meticulous approach and her focus on strong, competent characters.
Her standalone novel The Paladin is an excellent entry point, featuring a masterfully told story of a disgraced warrior training a young noblewoman seeking revenge.
These authors share Baudino's gift for beautiful language and stories that feel like myths and fairy tales brought to life for a modern age.
Juliet Marillier writes stunning historical fantasy deeply steeped in folklore, particularly from Ireland and the British Isles. Her stories share Baudino's focus on resilience, healing, and the quiet strength of her heroines, all told in lush, evocative prose.
Her novel Daughter of the Forest is a breathtaking retelling of the "Six Swans" fairytale, filled with heartache, courage, and powerful magic.
Ursula K. Le Guin was a master of speculative fiction whose elegant prose and profound philosophical depth influenced generations of writers, including Baudino. Her work explores complex themes of balance, identity, and society with unparalleled grace and intelligence.
Her classic, A Wizard of Earthsea, is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that redefined the magic school genre and explores the consequences of power.
Guy Gavriel Kay is renowned for his historical fantasy, which takes inspiration from real-world periods like Renaissance Italy or Moorish Spain and infuses them with a touch of magic. He shares Baudino's talent for creating deeply human, emotionally resonant stories told with beautiful, lyrical prose.
A fantastic starting point is The Lions of Al-Rassan, a heartbreaking and poignant story of love, war, and faith in a divided land.
While their scope may sometimes be larger, these authors never lose sight of the intimate, personal stories of their characters—a quality central to Baudino's appeal.
Robin Hobb is a master of intimate, deeply emotional, character-driven fantasy. If you connect with Baudino's focus on the internal struggles, sacrifices, and personal growth of her characters, Hobb's work will resonate powerfully with you. Her exploration of identity is second to none.
The journey begins with Assassin's Apprentice, which introduces FitzChivalry Farseer, one of the most beloved and complex characters in modern fantasy.
Anne McCaffrey created unforgettable worlds by focusing on the powerful emotional bonds between her characters, particularly between humans and their dragon companions. This emphasis on connection and interdependence will strongly appeal to readers who love the deep relationships in Baudino's books.
Her legendary Dragonriders of Pern series starts with Dragonflight, introducing a world where telepathic dragons are the only defense against a deadly threat from the sky.
Kate Elliott writes sweeping epic fantasy with incredible world-building, intricate political plots, and a strong focus on gender, culture, and social structures. She shares Baudino’s interest in exploring how individuals navigate and challenge the societies they live in.
Her epic Crown of Stars series, beginning with King's Dragon, is a fantastic dive into a complex world with relatable, strong characters at its center.
Melanie Rawn is known for her epic fantasy sagas that blend intricate magic systems with complex family dynasties and political intrigue. Like Baudino, she excels at writing stories where personal relationships have world-altering consequences.
Her Dragon Prince series, which opens with the novel Dragon Prince, is a classic of the genre, filled with political maneuvering, powerful magic, and passionate characters.
Jennifer Roberson is a celebrated author of character-focused fantasy and sword-and-sorcery. She excels at creating memorable, flawed protagonists and exploring their complex relationships. If you enjoy Baudino's strong character voices and emotional honesty, Roberson is a great choice.
Her Tiger and Del series, starting with Sword-Dancer, is a beloved classic featuring a dynamic and witty pairing of heroes on a perilous adventure.