If you enjoy reading novels by Lev Grossman then you might also like the following authors:
Neil Gaiman writes stories that feel magical and unexpected, often blending the ordinary with the extraordinary in surprising ways. One of his books, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” starts with a man returning to his childhood town for a funeral.
He stops by a farmhouse he used to visit and remembers strange events from when he was seven. There’s a girl named Lettie Hempstock who claims their pond is an ocean, and the boy’s safe world gets pulled into something darker and otherworldly.
This book has that mix of wonder and strangeness that fans of Lev Grossman might enjoy.
Susanna Clarke is an author known for weaving together magical worlds and historical settings. Her novel, “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,” is set in an alternate version of 19th-century England, where magic once existed but has faded into history.
The story follows Mr. Norrell, a cautious and methodical magician, and Jonathan Strange, a daring and ambitious one. Their partnership and rivalry shape the return of magic to England while mysterious forces from the past begin to resurface.
The book has a rich atmosphere, with moments that feel mysterious and full of wonder. Fans of Lev Grossman’s mix of grounded characters and fantastical elements may find themselves drawn to Clarke’s unique approach to magic.
Patrick Rothfuss is the author of “The Name of the Wind,” a story about Kvothe, a gifted young man with a tragic past who becomes a legend.
Kvothe recounts his own life, sharing how he grew up as a traveling performer, attended a prestigious school of magic, and unraveled secrets of the mysterious beings who destroyed his family. The book blends magic, music, and mystery in a world rich with detail.
If you’re drawn to layered characters and stories where knowledge and power intertwine, this might be a perfect fit.
Donna Tartt is an author known for her rich storytelling and layered characters. One of her well-known books, “The Secret History,” follows a group of elite college students studying Greek in a small Vermont school.
Their lives take a dark turn after they become entangled in murder and the secrets that follow. The story explores the weight of guilt, loyalty, and the consequences of their choices.
It’s an immersive look at how friendship and ambition can spiral into something far more dangerous.
Kelly Link writes stories that blend the strange and the everyday, weaving elements of fantasy into the modern world in unexpected ways. Her collection “Magic for Beginners” offers a range of short stories that feel both magical and grounded.
One of the standout tales, “The Faery Handbag,” follows a young woman guarding her grandmother’s mysterious handbag, which holds an entire world inside it. The stories explore relationships, secrets, and the bizarre slipping into the ordinary.
If you enjoy Lev Grossman’s mix of realism and the fantastical in “The Magicians,” Kelly Link’s work might be a great fit.
China Miéville is known for creating strange, imaginative worlds with intricate societies and unique characters.
One of his most famous books, “Perdido Street Station,” is set in the sprawling city of New Crobuzon, where humans live alongside bizarre creatures like the Garuda, who are part bird and part human.
The story follows a scientist named Isaac who is working on an experiment that goes horribly wrong, unleashing a monstrous threat on the city. The novel is packed with political tension, unusual technology, and creatures you won’t forget.
Miéville’s storytelling blends fantasy, science fiction, and horror in a way that pulls readers into an entirely new kind of world.
George R.R. Martin is a master of intricate worlds and unforgettable characters. In his book “A Game of Thrones”, the first in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, rival families fight for control of the Iron Throne in a kingdom filled with danger and betrayal.
The story pulls readers into a land where honor and loyalty are sometimes deadly, and unexpected alliances shift the balance of power. There’s a brutal winter looming and beyond the Wall, an ancient threat stirs, adding an edge of mystery and fear to the battle for the realm.
It’s a story where no one is safe and surprises keep coming at every corner.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a writer who creates imaginative worlds that feel alive. Her book, “A Wizard of Earthsea,” introduces Ged, a young man who discovers he has a gift for magic.
He begins training to become a wizard, but his pride leads him to unleash something dark and dangerous. The story follows him as he seeks to understand his own power and face what he has set free.
The setting is rich with ancient islands, quiet mysteries, and a sense of deep history woven into every corner. Fans of Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians” might find themselves drawn to Ged’s journey of learning and growth.
C.S. Lewis is best known for his ability to weave imaginative worlds with deep emotional resonance. One of his most famous books, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” tells the story of four siblings who stumble into a magical land called Narnia through an old wardrobe.
In Narnia, they encounter talking animals, an evil White Witch, and a great lion named Aslan. The story blends adventure with moments of heartache and hope, taking readers through battles, betrayals, and surprising friendships.
Lewis creates a world that feels alive, full of wonder and unexpected twists.
Philip Pullman is an author known for creating richly imagined worlds. His book, “The Golden Compass,” introduces readers to Lyra, a fearless girl living in a universe where humans have animal companions called daemons.
When children begin to vanish, Lyra uncovers a sinister plot tied to mysterious particles called Dust. Along the way, she meets armored polar bears, witches, and a Texan aeronaut.
The story has layers of adventure, danger, and questions about free will, making it hard to put down. Fans of Lev Grossman may enjoy the mix of magic and reality woven into Pullman’s storytelling.
Holly Black writes stories filled with magic, danger, and unforgettable characters. Her book, “The Cruel Prince,” begins with Jude, a human girl, witnessing her parents’ murder and being taken to live in the faerie world.
Raised in a court full of scheming faeries who view her as an outsider, Jude becomes determined to prove her worth and gain power. The story explores loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of ambition, all wrapped up in a setting where beauty and brutality go hand in hand.
If you’re drawn to worlds where magic feels real and every choice carries a heavy weight, you might find her work captivating.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her rich storytelling and imaginative worlds. One of her most famous books, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian regime has taken over.
Women have lost their freedom, and the main character, Offred, is forced into servitude as a “Handmaid,” tasked with bearing children for the ruling class. The story focuses on her memories of life before the regime and her quiet struggle against oppression.
The world feels eerie and unsettling, but it’s also vividly written, making it hard to stop reading once you start. If you enjoy layered, immersive stories like those in Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians,” Atwood’s work is worth exploring.
Terry Pratchett is known for his sharp wit and creative storytelling, particularly in his “Discworld” series. These books are set in a flat world balanced on the backs of four giant elephants, who themselves stand on the massive shell of a cosmic turtle.
In “The Colour of Magic,” readers are introduced to the bumbling wizard Rincewind, who accidentally ends up as a guide to Twoflower, the Discworld’s first tourist.
Their misadventures span across the strange and magical landscape of the Disc, with dangers ranging from fire-breathing dragons to sentient luggage that loyally follows its owner everywhere.
The humor and imagination in Pratchett’s world make his stories entertaining and unforgettable.
V.E. Schwab is a storyteller known for weaving magic into dark and creative worlds. One of her popular books, “A Darker Shade of Magic,” introduces readers to Kell, a traveler who can move between parallel Londons.
Each London has its own level of magic, from the colorless Grey London to the dangerous, vibrant Red London. Kell smuggles items between these worlds, which leads to trouble when he comes across a mysterious artifact that threatens the balance of reality.
The story unfolds with rich characters, tense conflicts, and unique settings that feel alive. Fans of Lev Grossman might enjoy the mix of magic and danger here.
Robin Hobb is known for creating richly imagined worlds with characters that feel real and flawed. In “Assassin’s Apprentice,” the first book of her Farseer Trilogy, you meet FitzChivalry, a royal bastard abandoned by his family.
He grows up in the shadow of court politics, learning the dangerous art of assassination while struggling with his connection to an ancient magic called the Wit, which lets him bond with animals.
The story blends palace intrigue with Fitz’s internal battles, as he seeks his place in a world where loyalty and trust are rare.