Lev Grossman wrote books that mixed fantasy with a modern, almost cynical sensibility. His *Magicians* trilogy is a good example. It takes the idea of a magical school, a concept familiar from books like *Harry Potter*, and treats it in a very different way.
The characters are not always likeable. Magic is not always fun. Life is complicated, even when you can cast spells.
If you are looking for authors who explore similar territory, who blend the fantastical with the real and aren’t afraid to get a bit dark, then you might find this list interesting.
Neil Gaiman is an author who blends everyday reality with magical worlds and mythical creatures. If you enjoyed Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians,” you might find “Neverwhere” fascinating.
In “Neverwhere,” ordinary office worker Richard Mayhew stumbles into an alternate London called London Below. It’s a hidden city beneath the bustling streets, filled with angels, assassins, talking rats, and mysterious marketplaces.
Richard gets dragged into a journey that takes him through dark alleys and eerie tunnels, as he tries to help Door, a girl who’s had her family murdered.
Throughout the story, reality twists and turns unexpectedly, revealing secrets and dangers beneath the mundane streets of London.
Readers who enjoy Lev Grossman’s imaginative blends of magic and realism may find Susanna Clarke equally captivating. Her novel “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” takes place in a vivid 19th-century England where magic, once abundant, is all but forgotten.
The story follows two very different magicians—the scholarly, introverted Mr Norrell, obsessed with preserving the discipline through carefully controlled channels, and his impulsive apprentice Jonathan Strange, who believes magic should be bold and adventurous.
Their complex friendship and rivalry shape not only their lives, but the entire course of England’s history amid the turbulent backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Clarke’s elegant storytelling and charming wit make historical fantasy feel fresh and immediate.
Books by Patrick Rothfuss offer a fresh take on magical fantasy worlds with complex characters and clever storytelling, perfect for readers who appreciate Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians.”
In Rothfuss’ novel “The Name of the Wind,” the author introduces Kvothe, a legendary magician and musician, whose mysterious past unfolds through his own compelling narrative.
As Kvothe details his youth spent among traveling performers, his harsh days as an orphan in a dangerous city, and his ambitious quest to master magic and seek hidden truths, readers witness a vivid world filled with rich detail and fascinating lore.
Rothfuss skillfully blends adventure, friendship, music, love, and tragedy into a story that’s hard to put down.
Donna Tartt is an American novelist known for the way she blends literary fiction with mystery and psychological depth. If you like Lev Grossman’s intricate plots and depth of character, Tartt’s work may resonate with you.
Her debut novel, “The Secret History,” follows a small group of classics students at an elite New England college. Fascinated by their charismatic professor, the students explore morality, ancient rituals, and obsession.
A dark act binds them together and sets off tension, secrecy, and desperate measures. Tartt’s storytelling pulls you deep into her characters’ lives and thoughts, making the suspense feel deeply personal.
Readers who enjoy Lev Grossman’s blend of realistic characters, imaginative settings, and literary fantasy should take a look at Kelly Link’s work. Her collection “Magic for Beginners” offers an engaging mix of the weird and wonderful.
The stories present everyday moments that gradually shift into mysterious, surreal experiences. For example, in “The Faery Handbag,” a teenager discovers an enchanted handbag left behind by her grandmother, a bag that may contain an entire hidden world.
Link explores friendship, love, and family dynamics with a whimsical, daring, and often eerie style. For readers who enjoy the unexpected and magical intersecting with the ordinary world, Link’s fiction provides a fresh and original experience.
China Miéville is a British author known for blending fantasy, science fiction, and mystery into strange and imaginative tales. If you enjoyed Lev Grossman’s skillful mix of magic and realism in “The Magicians,” Miéville’s “The City & The City” could be appealing.
The story focuses on two distinct cities that bizarrely exist in the exact same location. Citizens in each city must consciously ignore the presence of the other.
When a murder occurs and the investigation involves crossing the invisible boundary between the two cities, the case becomes a fascinating and twisted exploration of urban life, politics, and the power of seeing and unseen borders.
The narrative weaves a detective story with philosophical puzzles, resulting in a novel that defies easy categorization.
Readers who enjoy Lev Grossman’s blend of realistic characters, magical worlds, and complex storytelling should meet George R.R. Martin. Martin is famous for his richly imagined fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” beginning with “A Game of Thrones.”
In this first book, noble families battle fiercely for control of the Iron Throne of Westeros. Betrayals, alliances, political intrigue, and vivid characters across multiple viewpoints create an engaging story full of surprises.
Martin’s meticulous plotting and morally complex characters give readers plenty to think about, especially when ambition clashes with honor and survival.
Books by Ursula K. Le Guin offer imaginative worlds that draw readers deep into thought-provoking adventures. If you appreciate Lev Grossman’s blend of fantasy and reality in “The Magicians,” try Le Guin’s “A Wizard of Earthsea.”
This novel follows Ged, a young magician whose talent throws him into a world of danger and dark forces. The story explores powerful magic, ancient myths, and Ged’s journey to understand his own identity.
Le Guin crafts a beautifully detailed universe filled with intriguing islands, fascinating cultures, and a magic system rooted deeply in balance and nature.
Readers looking for storytelling that mixes imagination, complexity, and philosophical depth will find much to enjoy in Le Guin.
Books by C.S. Lewis invite readers into imaginative worlds marked by magic, adventure, and profound insights. If you’re a fan of Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians,” you might be intrigued by Lewis’s classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
Here four siblings step through an ordinary wardrobe into Narnia, a wintry land under the spell of a cruel witch. They encounter mythical creatures, fierce battles, and an ancient prophecy that could restore peace.
Lewis expertly blends fantasy with themes of friendship, bravery, and redemption in this timeless tale.
Philip Pullman is a British author known for blending fantasy and reality with imaginative precision, making him a great fit for readers who appreciate Lev Grossman’s work.
His novel “The Golden Compass,” the first book of the trilogy “His Dark Materials,” follows the adventure of Lyra Belacqua, a spirited young girl whose world echoes our own but with striking differences—like every human having a visible animal companion known as a daemon.
Lyra sets off to find her missing friend, a journey that quickly pulls her into a conflict involving mysterious particles, sinister organizations, armored polar bears, and parallel worlds.
The depth of Pullman’s storytelling and his intelligent exploration of freedom, power, and human nature create a reading experience readers of Grossman’s “The Magicians” might value.
Readers who loved Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians” will find plenty to explore in Holly Black’s imaginative novels filled with dark fairy tale themes and sharp storytelling.
Her book “The Cruel Prince” introduces Jude, a mortal girl who finds herself forcibly taken to live among the dangerous and alluring faeries of Elfhame.
Jude must navigate complex court politics, ruthless rivals, and her strained relationship with the cruel but captivating Prince Cardan.
Holly Black creates morally complex characters and a plot full of political intrigue, betrayals, and surprising twists, rewarding readers who enjoy clever fantasy worlds with a darker edge.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for crafting fiction that blends everyday reality with subtle touches of the fantastic. Her novel “Oryx and Crake” imagines a future where unchecked scientific ambition has dramatically reshaped humanity and the natural world.
Through the perspective of Snowman, once called Jimmy, readers see glimpses of his youth in an advanced but fractured society. He recalls friends named Crake and Oryx whose mysterious roles become clearer as the tale unfolds.
Margaret Atwood combines humor, sharp social observation, and imaginative storytelling with twists readers won’t see coming.
If you appreciated Lev Grossman’s exploration of flawed characters and unexpected consequences in “The Magicians,” Atwood’s work offers equally thought-provoking stories that stay with you long after they end.
Readers who enjoy Lev Grossman’s blend of magic, realism, and insightful humor might find Terry Pratchett’s novels particularly appealing.
Pratchett is famous for his imaginative and humorous “Discworld” series, which offers fantasy settings brought sharply to life by clever satire and memorable characters. A great starting point is “Guards!
Guards!,” the story of a secret society that mistakenly summons a dragon, throwing the city of Ankh-Morpork into chaos. It’s up to the downtrodden and mismatched members of the City Watch—including the determined captain Sam Vimes—to save the day.
Full of sharp wit, humorous twists, and vividly drawn scenes, “Guards! Guards!” delivers fantasy adventure with strong, satirical storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Lev Grossman’s mix of contemporary themes and magical worlds should check out author V.E. Schwab. Her novel “A Darker Shade of Magic” introduces Kell, a rare magician with the ability to travel between parallel Londons—some vibrant, others fading or dangerous.
Officially, Kell serves as a royal courier between worlds, but he secretly smuggles artifacts on the side. When one transaction goes wrong, Kell must escape danger and protect all worlds from dark forces released by a powerful magical artifact.
Schwab creates memorable characters and imaginative scenarios that captivate readers from start to finish.
Robin Hobb is a fantasy writer known for creating deeply imagined worlds filled with complex, nuanced characters. Her novel “Assassin’s Apprentice” introduces readers to FitzChivalry Farseer, a young royal bastard taken into the court and trained secretly as an assassin.
Fitz learns the arts of stealth, poison, and diplomacy, while juggling loyalty, betrayal, and court intrigue. The story combines personal growth, moral ambiguity, and magic, set against a backdrop of dangerous political alliances.
If you enjoy Lev Grossman’s thoughtful exploration of flawed but relatable characters in magical worlds, Robin Hobb’s vivid storytelling and careful character development may appeal to you.