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15 Authors like Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal writes acclaimed science fiction and fantasy. Her works, such as The Calculating Stars, blend historical elements with imaginative storytelling.

If you enjoy reading books by Mary Robinette Kowal then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Naomi Novik

    If you enjoy Mary Robinette Kowal's thoughtful blend of history and fantasy, Naomi Novik will likely capture your imagination as well. Novik tells magical stories with vivid, engaging prose grounded in historical settings.

    Her novel Uprooted combines rich folklore, nuanced characters, and a deeply human perspective on magic and power.

  2. Susanna Clarke

    Susanna Clarke blends magic and historical fiction with remarkable depth and wit. Readers who like Kowal's careful attention to character relationships and subtle humor might appreciate Clarke's writing.

    Her novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell beautifully explores themes of magic, ambition, and friendship in an alternate 19th-century England filled with enchanting detail.

  3. Zen Cho

    Zen Cho's storytelling brings warmth, wit, and a fresh take on historical fantasy. Fans of Mary Robinette Kowal's graceful writing style may find Cho's novels similarly enjoyable.

    Her book Sorcerer to the Crown follows engaging characters through a magical Regency-era England, examining social norms and personal identity with charm and intelligence.

  4. Connie Willis

    If Mary Robinette Kowal's balance of history, science fiction, and human emotion appeals to you, Connie Willis might be your next favorite author. Willis writes thoughtful and often funny stories about everyday people caught in unusual situations.

    In her novel To Say Nothing of the Dog, Willis cleverly mixes time travel, romance, and comedy, providing an entertaining escape with memorable characters.

  5. Alix E. Harrow

    Alix E. Harrow writes emotionally resonant stories set in richly imagined worlds. Like Kowal, she is skilled at creating strong, compelling characters.

    Harrow's novel The Ten Thousand Doors of January is imaginative, thoughtful, and beautifully written, exploring themes of adventure, identity, and the power of storytelling itself.

  6. Martha Wells

    Martha Wells crafts thoughtful and engaging stories with diverse, relatable characters. She blends witty dialogue and genuine emotional depth, making her stories easy to connect with.

    Fans of Mary Robinette Kowal who enjoy character-driven narratives will appreciate Wells' popular science fiction series, beginning with All Systems Red, the first entry in her Murderbot Diaries.

    It features a sardonic, self-aware security android who grapples with identity, autonomy, and what it means to be human.

  7. Becky Chambers

    Becky Chambers writes warm, character-focused science fiction emphasizing relationships, diverse communities, and quiet, personal stakes rather than large-scale battles.

    Her narratives carry warmth, inclusivity, and optimism—qualities that readers of Mary Robinette Kowal often admire.

    A prime example is her novel The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, where the interactions among a diverse spaceship crew drive the story forward, exploring friendship, family, and humanity.

  8. Jo Walton

    Jo Walton's writing is both thoughtful and imaginative, exploring personal stories within alternate historical settings or subtle speculative contexts.

    Her attention to societal details and emotions should resonate with Mary Robinette Kowal's fans who enjoy stories grounded in rich historical texture.

    Her novel Among Others intricately combines magical realism and nostalgia, inviting readers into a coming-of-age journey shaped by personal struggles and a deep love for books.

  9. N.K. Jemisin

    N.K. Jemisin creates powerful worlds and characters, addressing important issues like power, oppression, and justice. Her clear voice and imaginative storytelling match well with Mary Robinette Kowal's approach to speculative fiction illuminating real-world problems.

    Readers will likely enjoy Jemisin's novel The Fifth Season, an intricate fantasy that explores identity, family, and societal collapse through vivid characters fighting to survive in a changing world.

  10. C.L. Polk

    C.L. Polk writes elegant, thoughtful fantasy featuring intricate social dynamics, vivid character development, and themes highlighting social justice and historical inequities.

    Readers drawn to Mary Robinette Kowal's authentic portrayals of history and subtle magical elements will feel at home in Polk's work. One notable example is Witchmark, a beautifully-written story weaving magic, romance, and mystery into an alternate Edwardian-inspired setting.

  11. Katherine Addison

    Katherine Addison creates thoughtful, character-focused fantasy full of nuanced relationships and political intrigue. Her book The Goblin Emperor follows Maia, a young, overlooked half-goblin prince, suddenly forced onto the imperial throne.

    Addison's storytelling stands out for its empathy, complexity, and vivid world-building, making it appealing to readers who enjoy nuanced, emotionally resonant narratives like those of Mary Robinette Kowal.

  12. Tamsyn Muir

    Tamsyn Muir writes imaginative and richly original fiction filled with dark humor, complex characters, and sharp dialogue. Her novel Gideon the Ninth blends fantasy, science fiction, and mystery, centering on necromancers exploring an ancient haunted palace.

    If you appreciate Mary Robinette Kowal's blend of engaging characters and smart storytelling, you'll likely enjoy Muir's fresh, genre-bending style.

  13. Ada Palmer

    Ada Palmer explores sophisticated themes through intellectually rich science fiction. In her book Too Like the Lightning, she imagines a vividly detailed future society where politics, religion, and philosophy interweave.

    Her writing style is thought-provoking yet accessible, and if you love Mary Robinette Kowal’s meticulous attention to detail and exploration of societal issues, Palmer’s novels might resonate with you.

  14. Kate Elliott

    Kate Elliott crafts immersive fantasy worlds featuring realistically complex characters and compelling political dynamics. Her novel Black Wolves introduces readers to a richly layered world with intricate power struggles and compelling personal dramas.

    Elliott’s skillful storytelling and intricate world-building should appeal to those who appreciate the depth and sophistication found in Mary Robinette Kowal's writing.

  15. Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    Silvia Moreno-Garcia consistently delivers captivating stories marked by strong atmosphere, engaging characters, and sharp cultural insights.

    Her notable novel Mexican Gothic draws readers into a suspenseful story in a creepy, isolated mansion, infused with elements of gothic horror and romance.

    Moreno-Garcia's keen eye for character psychology, setting, and themes should appeal to anyone who enjoys Mary Robinette Kowal's vivid narratives and carefully crafted stories.