If you enjoy reading books by Leigh Bardugo then you might also like the following authors:
Katherine Arden is known for blending folklore with richly imagined settings. Her book “The Bear and the Nightingale” is set in the wilderness of medieval Russia, where a young girl named Vasya can see spirits others cannot.
As her village falls under the influence of a strict priest, these spirits start fading, leaving them vulnerable to a dark force. The story balances old magic with human struggles, making it an atmospheric and memorable read.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s worlds might enjoy Arden’s ability to weave legends into her storytelling.
Laini Taylor is an author known for her vivid imagination and dreamy, lyrical writing.
Her book “Daughter of Smoke & Bone” tells the story of Karou, a blue-haired art student in Prague who secretly works for a mysterious creature named Brimstone, collecting teeth for reasons she doesn’t fully understand.
Karou’s world is split between her ordinary human life and the magical, secretive one that Brimstone inhabits. When she encounters a fierce, angelic warrior named Akiva, everything she knows begins to unravel.
This is a story full of ancient wars, forbidden love, and the question of identity. Fans of Leigh Bardugo might enjoy how Taylor creates layered, otherworldly places that feel utterly real.
Sarah J. Maas is an author who creates richly detailed fantasy worlds filled with fierce characters and deep emotions.
In her book “Throne of Glass,” readers meet Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin who is given a chance at freedom if she competes to become the king’s champion.
The competition has unexpected dangers, as competitors begin dying under mysterious circumstances, forcing Celaena to confront dark secrets. Fans of Leigh Bardugo might enjoy the mix of high-stakes adventure and strong-willed heroines.
Holly Black is an author known for her imaginative tales filled with dark folklore and morally complex characters. Her book, “The Cruel Prince,” introduces readers to Jude, a mortal girl who lives in the dangerous world of Faerie after her parents are murdered.
Though humans are treated as inferior, Jude is determined to earn her place among the fey and prove her strength. The story is full of court politics, betrayal, and Jude’s tense relationship with Prince Cardan, a cruel fey who seems intent on tormenting her.
It’s a world of beauty and menace, where loyalty and power shift in unexpected ways.
V.E. Schwab writes fantasy with a dark edge and creates worlds full of tension and unforgettable characters. One of her standout books is “A Darker Shade of Magic.” It follows Kell, one of the last Antari—magicians who can travel between parallel Londons.
Each London has a different relationship with magic, from colorless and lifeless Gray London to brutal and powerful Red London.
Kell is caught between his duties as a royal messenger and his smuggling of magical artifacts, which pulls him into danger when he discovers a forbidden object. The book introduces rich worlds and characters that stay with you.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s layered storytelling could find a lot to enjoy here.
Sabaa Tahir is an author known for creating vivid worlds and unforgettable characters. Her book, “An Ember in the Ashes,” takes place in a brutal, empire-ruled society inspired by ancient Rome.
The story follows Laia, a girl who risks everything to save her brother after he’s arrested for treason. She ends up posing as a slave to spy on the Empire’s military school.
At the same time, Elias, a soldier at the school, is secretly dreaming of freedom from the tyranny he’s been trained to uphold. Their paths cross, setting off a chain of events full of danger, tension, and unexpected connections.
It’s a tale of resistance and survival with some twists that keep you hooked.
Roshani Chokshi writes rich and imaginative stories that blend mythology and fantasy with heartfelt characters. One of her books, “The Gilded Wolves,” is set in 19th-century Paris and follows a treasure hunter named Séverin.
When a powerful organization tasks him with recovering an ancient artifact, he gathers a brilliant team to help. Each character brings unique skills, and their bond grows tighter as they face danger and unravel secrets.
The book mixes historical details with magic, creating a world full of wonder and hidden mysteries. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s layered characters and intricate plots might find this a great read.
Marie Lu is a talented author known for writing stories filled with tension and strong characters. In her book “Legend,” she tells a story set in a futuristic America ruled by a military government.
The story follows Day, a wanted criminal, and June, a prodigy working for the government, as their paths cross under dangerous circumstances. Secrets are uncovered, loyalties are tested, and the line between right and wrong becomes harder to see.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s dynamic characters and intense storytelling might find this world hard to put down.
Marissa Meyer is known for her sharp world-building and imaginative twists on familiar tales. Her novel “Cinder,” the first in the Lunar Chronicles series, reimagines Cinderella as a cyborg in a futuristic world full of political intrigue and danger.
Cinder finds herself caught between her mysterious past and a brewing tension between Earth and the Moon’s ruthless queen. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s rich and inventive stories might find themselves pulled into Meyer’s unique blend of sci-fi and fairy tale elements.
Maggie Stiefvater is known for her imaginative and atmospheric storytelling that often blends the magical with the real world. In her novel “The Raven Boys,” she introduces Blue, a girl from a family of psychics who’s told she’ll cause her true love’s death with a kiss.
Blue crosses paths with a group of boys from a nearby prep school who are on a dangerous search for a legendary Welsh king. The book weaves mystery, a sense of destiny, and characters who feel alive with secrets and flaws.
Stiefvater crafts a world that feels strange and full of wonder, where the lines between reality and magic blur. Readers of Leigh Bardugo might enjoy the layered relationships and unique worldbuilding Stiefvater brings to life.
Cassandra Clare is an author known for creating richly imagined fantasy worlds filled with magic and danger.
One of her popular books, “City of Bones,” introduces readers to Clary Fray, a teen who discovers she’s part of a hidden world of Shadowhunters—warriors who protect humanity from demons.
The story kicks off when Clary witnesses a strange murder in a club, uncovering secrets about her family and her own identity. Fans of Leigh Bardugo might enjoy the way Clare weaves personal struggles into larger battles between good and evil.
Victoria Aveyard is an author known for creating imaginative worlds with fierce characters and high-stakes conflicts. Her book “Red Queen” kicks off a gripping tale of power and rebellion.
In this world, society is divided by blood—Silvers, who have supernatural abilities, and Reds, who live as powerless commoners. Mare Barrow, a Red thief, discovers she has powers that shouldn’t exist in someone like her.
This revelation thrusts her into danger as she is forced to navigate royal schemes and keep her secrets hidden. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s blend of fantasy and intrigue might find this series worth exploring.
Stephanie Garber writes fantasy stories with a lot of emotion and twists. Her book “Caraval” is about a girl named Scarlett who dreams of leaving her strict father’s control.
She gets invited to a magical game called Caraval, where nothing is what it seems, and the stakes are dangerously high. Scarlett has to figure out what’s real, all while trying to save her sister. Garber creates vibrant worlds and characters who keep readers guessing.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo might enjoy her mix of fantasy and secrets.
Naomi Novik is a fantastic author known for her rich and imaginative stories. One of her standout books is “Uprooted.” It’s set in a world filled with magic and danger, where a quiet village is threatened by a sinister forest called the Wood.
Agnieszka, the main character, is unexpectedly chosen by the local wizard, the Dragon, to serve him in his tower. What starts as an unwanted duty turns into a thrilling journey as Agnieszka discovers her own magical abilities and confronts the dark forces lurking in the Wood.
The story has a mix of folklore and high-stakes adventure that keeps you hooked.
Tricia Levenseller writes stories full of action, strong characters, and sharp dialogue. One of her books, “Daughter of the Pirate King,” follows Alosa, a clever pirate who purposefully gets captured by enemies so she can search their ship for a hidden map.
Alosa is resourceful, bold, and quick-witted, making her a fun character to follow. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s smart and strategic characters might find Levenseller’s writing an exciting choice.