If you enjoy reading books by Naomi Novik then you might also like the following authors:
Robin Hobb is an author known for creating richly imagined fantasy worlds with characters that feel deeply real. One of her standout books is “Assassin’s Apprentice,” where we meet Fitz, a royal bastard raised in the shadows of the court.
After being trained as an assassin, Fitz gets caught up in political schemes and threats to his kingdom.
The story focuses on loyalty, identity, and the bonds between humans and animals through Fitz’s unique Wit magic, which lets him communicate with animals like his loyal wolf companion. Fans of layered, character-driven fantasy might enjoy exploring her books.
Susanna Clarke is an author known for creating richly imagined worlds. Her book “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” is a story set in an alternate 19th-century England where magic has faded but is not entirely gone.
The plot follows two magicians, the reserved Mr. Norrell and the daring Jonathan Strange, as they try to restore English magic and navigate the challenges of power, rivalry, and unseen forces.
The book weaves historical settings with magical elements, introducing characters like the mysterious Gentleman with the Thistle-Down Hair and exploring the cost of ambition.
If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s ability to mix historical backdrops with fantasy, Susanna Clarke is worth exploring.
Katherine Arden is an author who knows how to weave folkloric elements into vivid, atmospheric tales. Her book, “The Bear and the Nightingale,” is set in medieval Russia, where harsh winters and old beliefs shape the lives of its characters.
The story follows Vasya, a young girl with a gift for seeing spirits, who must protect her village when an ancient evil awakens. The rich setting and touch of magic create a world that feels both grounded and enchanting, perfect for anyone drawn to Naomi Novik’s storytelling.
Leigh Bardugo is a fantasy author known for creating rich worlds and unforgettable characters. Her book “Shadow and Bone” introduces readers to Alina Starkov, a soldier who discovers she has a rare and powerful ability.
This sets her on a path to join the Grisha, an elite group of magic-wielders. The story unfolds in Ravka, a land divided by a shadowy and dangerous area called the Fold.
The book explores Alina’s journey as she learns to wield her power while navigating secrets, dangers, and alliances that could change everything. Bardugo’s work offers a world full of intrigue and adventure that fans of Naomi Novik might find exciting.
Shannon Chakraborty is an author who creates rich fantasy settings filled with magic and complex characters. Her book, “The City of Brass,” is the start of an exciting trilogy. It follows Nahri, a young woman living in 18th-century Cairo who accidentally summons a djinn warrior.
This leads her into the hidden world of Daevabad, a city ruled by magical tribes with deep rivalries and secrets. The story is full of tension, with plenty of twists and political intrigue.
Fans of Naomi Novik may enjoy diving into Chakraborty’s captivating world, where every choice has serious consequences.
C.J. Cherryh is a science fiction and fantasy author known for detailed world-building and complex characters. One of her books, “The Pride of Chanur,” takes readers to a universe filled with alien species and political tension.
The story follows Pyanfar Chanur, a hani ship captain, who encounters a desperate human fleeing from cruel creatures called the kif. This single event draws her into an intense interspecies conflict.
The book is full of vivid alien cultures, where loyalty, survival, and personal stakes collide in unexpected ways.
Tamsyn Muir writes books that are dark, creative, and full of sharp humor. Her novel, “Gideon the Ninth,” is about Gideon, a swordswoman with a quick tongue, who gets caught up in a deadly competition among necromancers and their bodyguards.
The story is set in a haunted, crumbling palace and has a mix of skeleton magic, mystery, and unexpected twists. Fans of Naomi Novik’s world-building and unique characters might enjoy Muir’s layered and bold storytelling.
Megan Whalen Turner is the author of “The Thief,” the first book in her series called *The Queen’s Thief*. The story follows a clever young thief named Gen, who is skilled at stealing almost anything.
After bragging about his talents, he ends up in prison but is offered freedom if he agrees to help steal a legendary treasure for the king’s advisor. The book has twists that keep you guessing, with moments where characters reveal they are far more than they appear.
Turner’s writing pulls you into a world of cunning plans, hidden motives, and unexpected alliances. Fans of intricate fantasy worlds with sharp characters might enjoy exploring her work.
Patricia McKillip was a master of lyrical fantasy. Her writing often has a dreamlike quality, drawing readers into rich, magical worlds.
In her book “The Forgotten Beasts of Eld,” Sybel, a sorceress who lives in isolation with her collection of legendary creatures, is drawn into political and personal conflicts after taking in an orphaned child.
The story weaves together themes of love, power, and identity, set against a backdrop full of mythical beasts and quiet, atmospheric magic. Fans of Naomi Novik’s elegant prose and layered characters might find her work rewarding.
Erin Morgenstern is a writer who knows how to create worlds that feel alive and mysterious.
Her book “The Night Circus” tells the story of a magical competition between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound by their mentors to compete in a game they don’t fully understand.
The circus itself, with its black-and-white tents and wonders inside, travels without warning and appears only at night.
The people who perform there and the spectators who visit it are caught in the spellbinding beauty of the place, while the stakes of the competition grow higher. If you enjoy Naomi Novik’s imaginative settings and layered storytelling, Erin Morgenstern might be worth exploring.
Max Gladstone creates fantasy worlds that feel alive with their own rules and struggles. In “Three Parts Dead,” a young lawyer, Tara Abernathy, gets pulled into a case involving the death of a god.
The story mixes law, magic, and power in a city where contracts can shape reality itself. It’s full of clever twists and builds a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. Fans of Naomi Novik’s creative storytelling might enjoy exploring what Gladstone has to offer here.
Zen Cho is a Malaysian author who writes fantasy with rich world-building and memorable characters. Her book, “Sorcerer to the Crown,” takes readers to Regency-era England but adds magic to the mix.
The story follows Zacharias Wythe, the country’s first Black Sorcerer Royal, as he battles racism, political intrigue, and the declining magic in Britain.
He crosses paths with Prunella Gentleman, an ambitious young woman with a hidden talent, who might hold the key to restoring magic. The sharp dialogue, humor, and vibrant setting make this a standout read.
Fans of Naomi Novik’s “Uprooted” might enjoy Zen Cho’s blend of historical fantasy and strong characters.
Garth Nix writes fantasy with rich worlds and strong characters. One of his most well-loved books, “Sabriel,” follows a young woman who inherits her father’s role as the Abhorsen, a necromancer who lays the dead to rest instead of raising them.
Armed with a set of magical bells and her wits, Sabriel travels through the Old Kingdom, a place full of dangers, to confront an evil threatening both the living and the dead. Fans of Naomi Novik might enjoy how Nix combines magic with a sense of mystery and danger.
Genevieve Cogman is known for her fantasy series, “The Invisible Library.” The story follows Irene, a professional spy who retrieves rare books from alternate worlds for the mysterious Library that exists outside of time.
Sent to a chaotic London filled with steampunk inventions, zeppelins, and dangerous Fae, Irene searches for a rare manuscript while navigating rival factions, secret plots, and a deadly enemy.
The book blends adventure with a touch of wit, creating a lively and engaging world that feels packed with possibilities. Fans of Naomi Novik’s creative fantasy might enjoy exploring Cogman’s layered universes.
V.E. Schwab writes stories that mix magic, dark atmospheres, and characters full of struggle. One of her popular books, “A Darker Shade of Magic,” introduces a world with four parallel Londons, each with its own level of magic.
Kell, a magician who can travel between these worlds, smuggles objects between them, which lands him in trouble. The story balances danger, clever twists, and an intriguing sense of mystery that keeps you hooked.
If you’ve enjoyed Naomi Novik’s tales, you might find a similar love for Schwab’s magical worlds.