Naomi Novik is an author many readers enjoy, especially if they are drawn to fantasy. She builds worlds that feel real and populates them with characters you root for.
If you’ve read books like *Uprooted* or *Spinning Silver* and want to find authors who create a similar reading experience, here are some writers you might want to check out.
If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s rich storytelling and strong character development, Robin Hobb is an author you’ll want to check out. Hobb is well-known for her fantasy worlds filled with complex relationships and emotional depth.
Her novel “Assassin’s Apprentice” brings readers into the Six Duchies kingdom. Fitz, a young royal bastard, is raised secretly at the castle, trained discreetly as an assassin for the crown.
Fitz’s story is not just about intrigue and politics; it is also deeply personal, showing his struggles with identity, loyalty, and magic. The detailed fantasy setting and authentic characters make Robin Hobb’s work appealing to fans of Naomi Novik.
Susanna Clarke is a fantastic choice for readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s blend of historical settings, magic, and captivating storytelling.
Her novel “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” explores an alternate 19th-century England where magic, once real and thriving, seems to have vanished—until two very different magicians emerge. Jonathan Strange is daring and adventurous, while Mr. Norrell is secretive and cautious.
The narrative skillfully mixes history, vivid magic, and nuanced character relationships that shift and evolve through intriguing twists. Clarke’s sharp wit and rich world-building draw readers into a tale filled with rivalry, enchantment, and fascinating characters.
Katherine Arden is an author known for beautifully blending folklore and fantasy into captivating novels. If you’re a fan of Naomi Novik’s storytelling style, Arden’s “The Bear and the Nightingale” may be perfect for your next read.
Set in medieval Russia, this story follows Vasya, a girl able to communicate with ancient spirits. These spirits guard her village, but are quickly fading as villagers embrace a new religion.
Arden’s vivid world creates a stunning sense of magic that feels grounded in history and folklore. With strong characters, mysterious beings, and atmospheric storytelling, this novel is a solid choice for readers who enjoy rich, enchanting tales similar to Novik’s work.
Leigh Bardugo is a fantasy fiction author known for creating rich worlds and vibrant, compelling characters. If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s books, you might appreciate Bardugo’s “Shadow and Bone.”
This novel introduces Alina Starkov, a young soldier who unexpectedly discovers she has an extraordinary power.
Set in Ravka, a land inspired by Russian history and folklore, the story pulls you into a dark magical realm called the Shadow Fold—a dangerous place filled with monstrous creatures.
Bardugo builds a vivid landscape filled with conflicts, power struggles, and a fascinating magical system. The stakes escalate quickly as Alina tries to master her gifts and faces threats from within and outside Ravka.
“Shadow and Bone” is the first book in the Grisha trilogy, opening the door to a world you’ll want to return to again and again.
Readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s mix of fantasy, strong characters, and rich historical detail might also find Shannon Chakraborty’s books appealing.
Chakraborty’s novel “The City of Brass” begins in 18th-century Cairo, where we meet Nahri, a talented con artist with a hidden gift for healing.
When one of her cons accidentally unleashes real magic, Nahri is propelled into the legendary city of Daevabad, a place filled with wonder, danger, and complex political tensions.
There, Nahri finds herself at the heart of ancient wars between djinn tribes and confronting secrets about her own mysterious heritage.
Chakraborty crafts a vibrant world steeped in Middle Eastern folklore, complete with intriguing politics, vivid settings, and layered characters.
C.J. Cherryh crafts vivid worlds that blend history and fantasy with depth and realism. If you’re a fan of Naomi Novik, especially her novel “Uprooted,” Cherryh’s “The Paladin” could capture your attention.
“The Paladin” tells the story of Shoka, a seasoned but weary warrior in exile, who reluctantly agrees to teach Taizu, a determined young woman bent on revenge. Their relationship is intense and dynamic, set against a backdrop of political turbulence and danger.
Cherryh highlights complex characters and meticulous storytelling, building a narrative filled with intrigue, honor, and powerful emotion.
Tamsyn Muir is a New Zealand author known for skillfully blending fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and humor. Her debut novel, “Gideon the Ninth,” is the first entry in the Locked Tomb series.
It introduces Gideon Nav, a sardonic swordswoman forced into an uneasy alliance with Harrowhark Nonagesimus, heir to the Ninth House, as they journey to a decaying palace filled with ancient secrets and powerful necromancers.
With its sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and a truly original approach to storytelling, “Gideon the Ninth” will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s imaginative world-building and witty, strong heroines.
Megan Whalen Turner is an author known for creating rich fantasy worlds filled with sharp wit and clever intrigue. If you enjoyed Naomi Novik’s storytelling, Turner’s book “The Thief” might spark your interest.
This story follows Gen, a skilled and boastful thief plucked from prison by a mysterious magus who needs his talents for a dangerous quest. Set in a vibrant land inspired by Greek mythology, the novel combines cunning plot twists, shifting alliances, and mythological lore.
Gen’s journey reveals unexpected depths in his character and feeds into a bigger story. Readers who enjoy intricate political maneuvers and layered storytelling might find themselves hooked from the start.
Patricia McKillip crafts beautifully layered fantasy stories that blend fairy tale atmosphere with richly drawn characters and imaginative worlds.
Readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s style of blending magic and folklore can find much to appreciate in McKillip’s novel “The Forgotten Beasts of Eld.”
This lyrical tale follows Sybel, a young sorceress who lives isolated in the mountains surrounded by magical creatures she’s summoned and tamed.
When Sybel receives an unexpected visitor who brings her a child to care for, her quiet world shifts, forcing her into decisions about love, power, and loyalty. McKillip offers readers a memorable journey through a vividly imagined world filled with wonder and emotional depth.
Erin Morgenstern is an author who creates magical worlds full of wonder, atmosphere, and vivid imagination, qualities that fans of Naomi Novik will readily appreciate.
Her novel “The Night Circus” invites readers into the enchanting world of Le Cirque des Rêves—a mysterious circus that opens at nightfall and vanishes by morning. Behind the dazzling, dreamlike tents hides a fierce competition between two young magicians.
Bound by their mentors to compete, the pair unintentionally creates a world that pushes the very limits of imagination and possibility. This carefully woven story blends whimsy, romance, and suspense into an unforgettable reading experience.
Books by Max Gladstone often combine inventive magic systems, complex societies, and characters facing tough moral choices—readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s imaginative storytelling will likely appreciate them.
His novel “Three Parts Dead” introduces readers to a world where gods are real, powerful, and mortal. Tara Abernathy is a newly graduated necromancer lawyer who must investigate the mysterious death of a deity that powers an entire city.
It’s a unique blend of mystery, legal thriller, and magical fantasy filled with unexpected turns, intense courtroom drama, and an intriguing exploration of faith and power.
Readers who enjoy Naomi Novik’s blend of historical settings, magic, and character-driven storytelling may find a new favorite in Zen Cho. Cho is a Malaysian fantasy author known for weaving vivid folklore into charming narratives.
Her novel “Sorcerer to the Crown” introduces readers to Zacharias Wythe, England’s first African Sorcerer Royal. Zacharias faces prejudice and political intrigue in magical Regency-era London.
When he encounters the spirited and ambitious Prunella Gentleman—an enchanting woman with a mysterious past—Zacharias gets caught up in a whirlwind of magic, scandal, and adventure.
Cho’s clever humor, memorable characters, and richly detailed setting create an absorbing read perfect for Naomi Novik fans.
If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s blend of fantasy, complex characters, and vivid worlds, you may also appreciate Australian author Garth Nix. His novel “Sabriel” takes place in a unique realm divided by a wall; the Old Kingdom lies beyond it, filled with magic and dangerous spirits.
The story centers around Sabriel, whose father mysteriously disappears. She leaves her safe, quiet life behind to search for him, armed with bells and charter magic to confront spirits of the dead.
The magic system is thoughtful and innovative, the world-building is deeply immersive, and Sabriel herself is brave and relatable. “Sabriel” offers thrilling adventure, deep lore, and a magic system that readers of Novik’s books will likely find appealing.
If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s blend of historical settings, fantasy worlds, and sharp-witted characters, you’ll probably appreciate Genevieve Cogman’s novels.
Her inventive series, “The Invisible Library,” introduces Irene, a daring librarian who travels between parallel worlds to collect rare and sometimes dangerous books.
In the first installment, Irene finds herself on a chaotic mission to retrieve a mysterious Grimm manuscript from a version of Victorian London filled with Fae, dragons, secret societies, and unexpected betrayals.
This fast-paced adventure is clever, witty, and thoroughly entertaining.
V.E. Schwab is an author known for blending fantasy and historical elements, with strong characters and richly imagined stories.
Her novel “A Darker Shade of Magic” introduces Kell, a magician who can move between four parallel Londons—each city distinct, dangerous, and magical in its own way.
Kell belongs to Red London, where magic thrives openly, but when a smuggling job goes wrong, he accidentally unleashes chaos across the multiple worlds. If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s well-crafted magical worlds and intricate plots, Schwab’s storytelling might resonate with you.