If you enjoy reading books by Jean M. Auel then you might also like the following authors:
Margaret George writes historical fiction that deeply explores the lives of fascinating characters from the past. If you enjoy Jean M. Auel’s vivid portrayals of strong characters against detailed historical backdrops, Margaret George offers something similar.
Her novel, “The Memoirs of Cleopatra,” invites readers into the world of Egypt’s legendary queen. It is told from Cleopatra’s own viewpoint and reveals her thoughts, struggles, and victories in both love and politics.
Readers follow Cleopatra through the bright halls of Alexandria, across the Roman Empire, and into the heart of famous relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. George creates detailed settings and characters we come to deeply know and care about.
If you enjoy Jean M. Auel’s vivid storytelling and immersive historical settings, Wilbur Smith might be a great author to explore. Smith is known for his gripping tales set primarily in Africa, rich in historical detail and adventure.
His novel “River God” takes readers back to ancient Egypt during a time of turmoil and political intrigue. The story follows Taita, a brilliant, multi-talented slave who becomes central to the fortunes and fates of his noble masters.
The novel blends vivid descriptions of Egyptian life, fierce battles, and powerful romance wrapped in intriguing court politics. It paints a fascinating picture of Egypt that is hard to forget.
Readers who enjoy Jean M. Auel’s richly detailed historical narratives might appreciate Sara Donati and her novel “Into the Wilderness.”
Sara Donati vividly transports readers to late 18th-century America, weaving adventure, romance, and historical detail into her engaging storytelling. The book follows Elizabeth Middleton, a spirited Englishwoman who moves to the New York frontier to start a new life.
She quickly becomes involved in the tensions and challenges of wilderness life and meets Nathaniel Bonner, a frontiersman raised among the Mohawk.
Their story explores themes of cultural clashes, deep personal courage, and passionate romance against a vibrant historical backdrop. Donati captures both the beauty and the harsh realities of early frontier life.
It brings readers deep into the wilderness, alongside characters who are determined and unforgettable.
If you enjoy the rich storytelling and vivid historical settings of Jean M. Auel, you might appreciate the work of Diana Gabaldon. Gabaldon’s “Outlander” offers an exciting journey through time, filled with romance, drama, and detailed historical context.
The story begins in 1945 when Claire Randall, a British army nurse, unexpectedly slips through a standing stone circle into 18th-century Scotland.
She is thrown into a world of breathtaking beauty and dangerous intrigue, torn between her modern life and the past, and two entirely different loves.
Gabaldon creates authentic characters and meticulously researched environments, making the reader feel deeply connected to both the story and its fascinating historical background.
Edward Rutherfurd is known for historical fiction that spans generations and vividly recreates past eras. If you enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s detailed ancient world-building, you might appreciate Rutherfurd’s novel “Sarum”.
This book follows multiple families over centuries around the English town of Salisbury, originally called Sarum.
The story begins with primitive settlers and moves through time, with successive generations experiencing key moments of British history—from the construction of Stonehenge to events in medieval England.
Like Auel’s writing, Rutherfurd’s storytelling offers a textured portrayal of how human lives intertwine with historical events, crafting an absorbing look at the roots of modern civilization.
Books by Mary Renault bring ancient worlds to vibrant life through characters who feel genuine and relatable. Readers who enjoy Jean M. Auel’s storytelling might appreciate Renault’s “The King Must Die.”
This novel reimagines the Greek myth of Theseus as a gripping historical adventure. The story follows Theseus from his youth in Troizen to the dangerous labyrinth in Crete, where he faces the challenge of the Minotaur.
Renault portrays Theseus not as a mythical hero, but as a real, flawed person navigating complicated relationships and power struggles.
The vivid depiction of ancient cultures and emotional depth makes “The King Must Die” memorable and enjoyable for anyone curious about life in a long-lost world.
Sharon Kay Penman is a historical novelist known for vivid storytelling and meticulous historical accuracy. Readers who enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s rich blending of history, character, and culture may appreciate Penman’s immersive novels.
Her book “Here Be Dragons” brings medieval Wales and England to life with the story of Joanna, illegitimate daughter of King John.
Set against Welsh and English conflicts and complex family loyalties, readers follow Joanna’s struggles between love, political duty, and divided heritage.
With authentic characters, deep emotional connections, and detailed historical atmosphere, Penman creates a transportive reading experience for history enthusiasts.
Colleen McCullough is an author known for vivid storytelling and rich historical worlds. If you enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s prehistoric adventures, McCullough’s “The First Man in Rome” might capture your imagination.
Set in ancient Rome, the novel introduces readers to two ambitious men, Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, whose rivalry shapes the fate of an entire republic.
McCullough carefully portrays Roman life, politics, and culture, filling her story with memorable characters whose struggles and friendships stay with you long after finishing the book.
Robin Hobb is a skilled writer known for her richly detailed fantasy worlds and believable, compelling characters.
If you enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s stories, where vivid landscapes and character growth go hand-in-hand with adventure, you might want to check out Robin Hobb’s “Assassin’s Apprentice.” It introduces Fitz, an illegitimate child of royal blood who is trained secretly as an assassin.
As Fitz navigates political dangers, he struggles to reconcile his loyalty to the throne and his desire for a normal life. The book offers immersive storytelling, close attention to character relationships, and a setting that comes alive page after page.
Readers who enjoy Jean M. Auel’s vivid historical sagas might also appreciate James Michener. Michener is known for well-researched historical novels that span generations and blend fact with fascinating fictional storylines.
His novel “The Source” captures the essence of history through an exciting tale set on an archaeological dig in Israel.
As the excavation uncovers layers, Michener reveals the personal lives and dramas from past inhabitants of the site, tracing their stories backward from modern-day Israel to ancient times.
The rich details and character-driven narrative make history relatable and memorable, similar to how Auel brings pre-historic times to life.
Michelle Paver is an author known for stories set in prehistoric times that vividly evoke ancient worlds and ancient lives.
Readers who enjoy Jean M. Auel’s “Earth’s Children” series may find similar enjoyment in Paver’s “Wolf Brother,” which opens her “Chronicles of Ancient Darkness” series.
This story follows a young boy named Torak who loses his father to a mysterious bear attack and must navigate survival alone in an ancient forest.
Torak soon befriends a wolf cub, and together they must find the Mountain of the World Spirit to tackle a great evil that threatens their home.
Paver brings to life the sights, sounds, and challenges of ancient existence, providing an engaging adventure for anyone interested in humanity’s earliest days.
If you enjoy Jean M. Auel’s detailed historical storytelling and strong, memorable characters, you may appreciate Anya Seton’s novels. Seton is known for vivid depictions of historical eras and engaging personal dramas, particularly in her popular novel “Katherine.”
“Katherine” takes you back to medieval England in the 14th century, where you meet Katherine Swynford, a real figure from history whose life was filled with passion, scandal, and political intrigue.
Through Seton’s careful research and storytelling, readers experience royal courts, secret romances, and the complexities of medieval society. This novel immerses you in history and offers compelling insights into the lives of remarkable historical figures.
Linda Lay Shuler writes vivid stories set in prehistoric America. Readers who enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s “The Clan of the Cave Bear” may also appreciate Shuler’s “She Who Remembers.” In this novel, Kwani, a young Anasazi woman, holds ancient wisdom passed down through generations.
Her remarkable blue eyes mark her as different in her tribe, sparking curiosity and suspicion among her people. As Kwani embarks on a journey of survival, love, and self-discovery, she meets Kokopelli, a charismatic traveler whose arrival brings both danger and opportunity.
Shuler weaves themes of adventure, romance, and detailed cultural insights into a mesmerizing tale.
Sue Harrison is an author known for historical novels set in prehistoric times, similar to Jean M. Auel’s style in “Clan of the Cave Bear.” Her book “Mother Earth Father Sky” is the first of a captivating trilogy set in ancient Alaska.
The story follows Chagak, a resilient young woman whose village is betrayed and destroyed, leaving her to endure hardship and loss. As she struggles for survival against harsh landscapes and rival tribes, she learns strength, courage, and the power of hope.
Through Chagak’s eyes, Harrison paints a vivid picture of life in the prehistoric North Pacific, with traditions, rituals, and fierce loyalties that bring the ancient world vividly to life.
Readers who enjoyed Jean M. Auel’s detailed storytelling and vivid historical settings might appreciate Juliet Marillier’s captivating tales that blend Celtic history with subtle magic.
In “Daughter of the Forest,” Marillier reimagines the classic fairy tale of “The Six Swans,” set deep in the forests of ancient Ireland.
The story centers around Sorcha, the youngest of seven siblings who must undertake a heartbreaking and dangerous task to save her brothers from a terrible curse.
Marillier crafts rich landscapes, strong characters, and emotional scenes that pull readers deeply into Sorcha’s struggle. It is a powerful story about courage, family bonds, and sacrifice that holds readers until the very last page.