If you enjoy reading books by N. K. Jemisin then you might also like the following authors:
Octavia E. Butler was a groundbreaking writer known for creating rich, thought-provoking stories that often explore complex worlds and power dynamics.
One of her most well-loved books, “Kindred,” follows Dana, a Black woman in 1976, who is unexpectedly pulled back in time to the era of slavery. As she navigates life on a plantation, she discovers shocking links between her own family and the people she meets in the past.
Butler’s storytelling draws readers into Dana’s fight to survive while facing the brutal realities of history.
Ursula K. Le Guin was a master at creating thoughtful and imaginative worlds that explore human nature, power, and relationships.
One of her most famous books, “The Left Hand of Darkness,” takes place on a distant planet called Gethen, where people can shift between male and female sexes. The story follows Genly Ai, an envoy sent to unite Gethen with an interplanetary alliance.
He must navigate political tensions and learn to understand the fluid nature of identity on this planet. The journey he takes with Estraven, a key ally, is full of danger and moments of unexpected connection.
The way the characters’ cultures and beliefs clash makes the story unforgettable.
Nnedi Okorafor writes imaginative stories that blend science fiction, fantasy, and African culture. Her book “Binti” follows a young Himba woman named Binti, who becomes the first of her people to attend a prestigious intergalactic university.
On her way there, her journey takes a dangerous turn when her transport ship is attacked by an alien species called the Meduse. The story explores themes of identity, family, and belonging while introducing unique technologies and traditions rooted in a rich cultural background.
Tade Thompson is a writer who blends science fiction with rich world-building and strong characters. His book “Rosewater” is set in Nigeria and follows Kaaro, a man who works for a secret government agency and has psychic abilities linked to an alien organism.
The story explores a strange, biodome-like alien structure that has landed on Earth. This structure grants healing to those who visit but also raises questions about its true purpose and the cost of its gifts.
As Kaaro uncovers more about the alien presence, he’s forced to confront his own past and what humanity might be sacrificing in their fascination with the dome.
Ann Leckie is known for writing thoughtful and imaginative science fiction. Her book “Ancillary Justice” introduces Breq, a former spaceship AI who now exists in a single human body. The story follows her as she seeks justice for a betrayal that left her fragmented.
The world is rich with political tension, artificial intelligence, and cultures that flip traditional ideas on their heads, especially with how gender is portrayed. Fans of N. K. Jemisin might enjoy the way Leckie builds worlds full of complexity and depth.
Alix E. Harrow writes creative and layered fantasy stories. One of her standout books, “The Ten Thousand Doors of January,” follows January Scaller, a young girl who discovers a mysterious book that reveals the existence of doors to other worlds.
As she learns about these hidden portals, secrets about her own past and the people around her begin to unravel. The story weaves together themes of discovery, belonging, and freedom, all while exploring the magic of stories themselves.
If you enjoy N. K. Jemisin’s imaginative world-building, Harrow’s work might catch your interest.
Rebecca Roanhorse is a writer who brings imaginative worlds to life with fresh perspectives and vivid storytelling. Her book, “Trail of Lightning,” is set in a post-apocalyptic world where gods, heroes, and ancient myths come alive on the Navajo reservation.
The story follows Maggie Hoskie, a monster hunter with a dark past, as she tracks a horrifying creature. Along the way, she teams up with an unconventional ally and faces her own inner demons. It’s a story that blends Navajo mythology with action and survival in a broken world.
R.F. Kuang is an author who writes bold and imaginative stories that weave complex worlds with real-world themes. One of her standout works is “The Poppy War.” The book follows Rin, a war orphan who earns her way into an elite military school.
What starts as a journey of grit and survival shifts into something darker, as Rin uncovers her own destructive power tied to an ancient god. The story explores war, power, and the cost of ambition, set in a world inspired by 20th-century Chinese history.
Fans of N.K. Jemisin’s layered storytelling might find a lot to love in Kuang’s work.
Terry Pratchett is known for creating the Discworld series, a collection of fantasy books packed with wit and sharp observations about humanity.
One standout is “Small Gods,” which tells the story of Brutha, a humble and simple man who becomes the prophet of a once-powerful god reduced to the form of a lowly tortoise.
The book dives into themes of belief and power, all while blending humor with deeper questions about faith and leadership. Readers who enjoy fantasy with thought-provoking themes might find themselves drawn to Pratchett’s unique storytelling.
Yoon Ha Lee writes science fiction that blends vivid worldbuilding with clever and intricate plots. One of his standout books is “Ninefox Gambit,” set in a universe ruled by a strict calendar system that shapes reality itself.
The story follows Kel Cheris, a brilliant but unconventional captain, who is forced to partner with a long-dead general, Shuos Jedao, to reclaim a captured fortress. Jedao is a tactical genius but also a mass murderer, and his motives are never clear.
The book mixes strategy, rebellion, and trust in ways that feel alive on every page.
Ada Palmer is an author who blends big ideas with rich worldbuilding in thought-provoking science fiction. Her book “Too Like the Lightning” kicks off a series set in a utopian future where humanity has eliminated wars and nations, but cracks start to show beneath the surface.
The story follows Mycroft Canner, a criminal serving his sentence by aiding society, and a mysterious child named Bridger who can make objects come to life. The book explores politics, philosophy, and human nature in ways that feel both strange and fascinating.
If you enjoy N. K. Jemisin’s ability to weave social themes into imaginative settings, Ada Palmer might be a perfect next step.
Salman Rushdie is a writer known for blending history with bursts of imagination. One of his most famous books, “Midnight’s Children,” tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment India gained independence.
His birth ties him to extraordinary powers and a strange connection to other children born at that same moment. The story sweeps through personal struggles, family drama, and the turbulence of India’s history, all while hinting at magical elements that feel larger than life.
It’s a story where the personal and political collide in surprising ways.
China Miéville is known for creating worlds that feel completely different from anything you’ve read before. His novel “Perdido Street Station” is set in New Crobuzon, a sprawling city full of strange creatures and bizarre technology.
The story follows a scientist named Isaac who accidentally unleashes a terrifying predator that begins preying on the city’s inhabitants. The mix of politics, magic, and danger makes the city itself feel alive.
Miéville loves to push boundaries in his storytelling, which might interest fans of N. K. Jemisin’s inventive worlds.
Martha Wells is an author known for blending inventive science fiction with strong emotional depth. One of her most popular works is “All Systems Red,” the first book in the *Murderbot Diaries* series.
The story follows a security android that hacks its own governing module, freeing itself from corporate control. Instead of turning against humanity, it spends its time consuming TV shows and avoiding humans as much as possible.
Despite its sarcasm and preference for solitude, Murderbot finds itself reluctantly protecting a group of scientists on a dangerous mission. The mix of dry humor and the android’s awkward attempts at understanding social interaction creates a unique and engaging narrative.
T.J. Klune writes stories that mix heartfelt emotions with imaginative worlds. One of his books, “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” follows Linus Baker, a lonely man who works for the government and evaluates orphanages for magical children.
He’s sent to a mysterious island where six unusual kids live, including a boy who might be the antichrist. As Linus gets to know them and their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, he starts questioning everything he thought he knew about rules, kindness, and how the world works.
The story offers a fresh perspective on acceptance and family.