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15 Authors like Gail Carson Levine

If you enjoy reading books by Gail Carson Levine then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Shannon Hale

    Shannon Hale writes charming fairytale-like books with lively heroines and imaginative settings. Her stories include strong friendships, personal journeys, and a touch of magic.

    In The Goose Girl, Hale offers readers a gentle retelling of a classic fairy tale, focusing on friendship, courage, and self-discovery, making it a natural choice for readers who enjoyed Gail Carson Levine's style.

  2. Robin McKinley

    Robin McKinley weaves classic fairy tale elements into fresh, elegant stories. Her narratives often center on strong young women overcoming adversity in imaginative fantasy worlds.

    Her book Beauty is a thoughtful, beautifully written retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," exploring themes of bravery, love, and acceptance in a way that Levine fans will appreciate.

  3. Jessica Day George

    Jessica Day George brings warmth, humor, and creativity to her fairy tale-inspired stories, creating imaginative worlds and relatable heroines.

    In Princess of the Midnight Ball, she reimagines "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," mixing classic fairy tale magic with likable characters and clever storytelling that Levine's fans will enjoy.

  4. Marissa Meyer

    Marissa Meyer offers readers inventive retellings of familiar fairy tales and fantasy stories combined with unique sci-fi touches.

    Her knack for imaginative storytelling and strong heroines shines through in Cinder, a futuristic twist on Cinderella set in a world filled with cyborgs and adventure. Readers who like Levine's twist on traditional stories and compelling characters may enjoy Meyer's approach.

  5. Rosamund Hodge

    Rosamund Hodge crafts atmospheric, richly imagined stories filled with fairy tale elements, romance, and darker undertones.

    Her book Cruel Beauty blends "Beauty and the Beast" with elements from mythology, creating a passionate, complex tale that readers of Levine who wish for a slightly darker and romantic exploration would find appealing.

  6. Alex Flinn

    Alex Flinn writes imaginative retellings that put modern twists on classic fairy tales. Her characters often struggle with identity, acceptance, and love in relatable, realistic settings.

    If you liked Levine's fairy-tale style, check out Flinn's Beastly, a modern-day retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" set in urban New York, where magic blends smoothly into everyday life.

  7. Donna Jo Napoli

    Donna Jo Napoli explores familiar fairy-tale worlds from new angles, presenting vivid portrayals of misunderstood characters with rich emotional depth. She shows tenderness toward outsiders and often gives voice to underestimated or neglected characters.

    Fans of Levine could appreciate Napoli's Zel, a thoughtful, detailed re-imagining of the Rapunzel tale that offers fresh perspectives and true complexity.

  8. Margaret Peterson Haddix

    Margaret Peterson Haddix combines exciting plots and strong characters, often placing ordinary young people in extraordinary, sometimes dangerous circumstances. Haddix doesn't shy away from complex moral dilemmas and engaging mysteries.

    If you enjoy the straightforward, character-driven fantasy of Levine, Haddix's Just Ella, a revisionist Cinderella tale that challenges traditional fairy tale conventions, will likely connect with you.

  9. Cameron Dokey

    Cameron Dokey writes fairy-tale retellings marked by poetic, lyrical language and warm storytelling. Like Levine, Dokey creates characters you quickly grow close to, focusing on themes about finding personal strength, identity, and acceptance.

    Try her novel Golden, a gentle and thoughtful retelling of Rapunzel that captures the charm and magic of traditional tales in a fresh, memorable way.

  10. Mercedes Lackey

    Mercedes Lackey builds detailed, imaginative worlds filled with compelling magic systems and strong, intriguing characters. Her stories often examine personal struggles, courage, and friendship in fantasy settings full of adventure.

    Readers attracted to the magic and charm of Levine might also enjoy Lackey's The Fairy Godmother, which offers an inventive, engaging take on classic fairy-tale tropes, centered on a resourceful, lively protagonist.

  11. Diana Wynne Jones

    Diana Wynne Jones writes imaginative and playful fantasies filled with humor, adventure, and magic. Her stories often feature strong, witty protagonists and creative twists on classic fairy tale themes.

    If you liked Gail Carson Levine, you'd probably enjoy Howl's Moving Castle, Jones' charming novel about Sophie Hatter, a girl under a spell who finds herself with an eccentric wizard in his wandering castle.

  12. Cornelia Funke

    Cornelia Funke creates vivid and enchanting worlds that readers of Gail Carson Levine might appreciate. Her storytelling blends fantasy, bravery, and the transformative power of storytelling itself.

    Try her novel Inkheart, a captivating tale about Meggie, a girl who discovers that characters from books can come alive—and enemies can jump from a story into reality.

  13. Tamora Pierce

    Tamora Pierce is known for empowering fantasy adventures filled with bold, determined heroines. Her books explore themes of courage, friendship, and personal growth.

    Fans of Gail Carson Levine would likely love Alanna: The First Adventure, about a young girl's quest to become a knight by disguising herself as a boy, defying tradition and expectations.

  14. Megan Whalen Turner

    Megan Whalen Turner writes clever, character-driven novels that blend intrigue, adventure, and political suspense. Her subtle storytelling and nuanced characters may appeal to readers who enjoyed the emotional depth in Gail Carson Levine's novels.

    Try Turner's The Thief, an exciting story of Gen, a gifted thief dragged from his prison cell to steal a legendary treasure.

  15. Jennifer Donnelly

    Jennifer Donnelly weaves engaging stories filled with strong, determined female characters overcoming obstacles in richly imagined worlds.

    Fans of Gail Carson Levine's inspiring protagonists will enjoy Donnelly's Stepsister, a fresh retelling of Cinderella that focuses on Isabelle, the stepsister struggling to rewrite her own story and prove herself beyond the labels society has given her.