If you enjoy reading books by Neil Gaiman then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman’s clever blend of humor, myth, and fantasy will likely appreciate Terry Pratchett’s imaginative storytelling style. Pratchett is best known for his “Discworld” series, which mixes satire and fantasy seamlessly.
A great starting point is “Mort,” a story about a boy named Mort who becomes Death’s apprentice. Mort must learn the ropes of the job, navigate the unexpected humorous challenges of guiding souls, and deal with the serious consequences when he makes a big mistake.
Pratchett fills the book with sharp wit, memorable characters, and insightful observations about life and death.
Readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman’s imaginative blend of fantasy and reality may also appreciate China Miéville’s distinct storytelling style. Miéville is known for creating unusual fantasy worlds that challenge traditional genre boundaries.
His novel “Perdido Street Station” introduces readers to the sprawling, gritty city of New Crobuzon, filled with weird creatures, forbidden sciences, and dark mysteries.
The plot centers around Isaac, an eccentric scientist hired by a strange, wingless being desperate to regain its power of flight. Soon Isaac finds himself entwined in a dangerous experiment involving bizarre creatures and uncontrollable consequences.
This novel offers a richly detailed and memorable exploration of a unique urban fantasy world.
Books by Susanna Clarke have a unique blend of fantasy, history, and myth that fans of Neil Gaiman often enjoy.
If you liked the atmosphere of magic and mystery in Gaiman’s works, Clarke’s novel “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” offers a richly-detailed fantasy set in 19th-century England during the Napoleonic wars.
Two rival magicians, Jonathan Strange and Gilbert Norrell, rediscover lost spells, bringing magic back into English society.
Clarke weaves a captivating narrative that blends historical fiction with folklore, magic, and vivid characters who grapple with ambition, power, and rivalry.
The story unfolds in an alternate history England where spells shape battlefields, fairy enchantments influence politics, and the line between reality and myth gradually blurs.
If you enjoy Neil Gaiman’s imaginative blend of fantasy and realism, Kelly Link might become a new favorite author for you. Kelly Link writes fantasy-infused short stories that explore the mysterious, dark, and often funny sides of everyday life.
Her collection “Get in Trouble” gathers stories where normal people find themselves in surreal circumstances. In one story, teens attend parties with magical objects; in another, superheroes face unexpected dilemmas that complicate ordinary relationships.
Link’s writing combines the strange with the relatable, creating a style that Neil Gaiman readers will appreciate.
Patrick Rothfuss is a fantasy author well-suited for readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman’s richly imaginative worlds and engaging storytelling style.
Rothfuss is best known for his novel “The Name of the Wind,” the first entry in “The Kingkiller Chronicle,” a series filled with a magical world that feels vivid and real.
The story follows Kvothe, a gifted and enigmatic hero, who rises from obscurity to become one of the most notorious figures of his time. We meet Kvothe first as a humble innkeeper hiding his storied past.
He recounts his adventures to a chronicler: tales filled with music, tragedy, romance, and formidable magic. Rothfuss weaves deep characters and thoughtful storytelling that evoke the enchanting and mysterious style readers value in Gaiman’s work.
If you enjoy Neil Gaiman’s mix of fantasy and whimsical humor, Jasper Fforde might be the author for you. Fforde’s book “The Eyre Affair” introduces the witty literary detective Thursday Next.
Set in an alternate reality where literature is at the heart of society, Thursday works as part of the Literary Detectives, a special unit dedicated to solving crimes against books and authors.
When characters start disappearing from classic novels and from Jane Eyre itself, Thursday gets pulled into detective work that mixes mystery, fantasy, and humor.
Fforde combines clever literary puns and memorable characters with a unique world filled with amusing oddities, making “The Eyre Affair” a fresh experience for readers who appreciate creativity and imagination.
Readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman’s style of blending myth and fantasy into modern storytelling may also appreciate Katherine Arden. Just like Gaiman, Arden weaves folklore into relatable stories. Her novel “The Bear and the Nightingale” is a great example.
Set in medieval Russia, the story centers on Vasilisa, a bold girl who can see the spirits nurturing her family’s home and village.
When a mysterious priest arrives, he urges locals to abandon their traditional beliefs, unintentionally threatening the harmony between people and supernatural forces. Arden brings old Russian folklore vividly to life to create a magical setting and memorable characters.
Books by Gene Wolfe often explore fantasy worlds through intricate layers and understated depth. Wolfe’s “The Shadow of the Torturer” introduces us to Severian, an apprentice executioner expelled from his guild for showing mercy.
Severian embarks on a journey filled with ancient mysteries, forgotten relics, and secret histories. Wolfe crafts a story of complex characters and moral ambiguity, set in a far-future Earth that echoes with lost knowledge and dark beauty.
For readers who appreciate Neil Gaiman’s blend of myth, human struggle, and unexpected magic, Gene Wolfe offers a unique storytelling experience worth discovering.
Lev Grossman is an author whose blend of contemporary life and fantasy often appeals to readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman.
His novel “The Magicians” tells the story of Quentin Coldwater, a gifted but unhappy student who discovers that magic is real and enrolls at Brakebills, a hidden college for magicians.
Unlike traditional fantasy schools, “The Magicians” portrays magic in a gritty, modern world full of complex relationships and personal struggles. Quentin soon learns that having magical abilities doesn’t necessarily provide meaning or solve personal issues.
Fans of Gaiman might especially appreciate Grossman’s mix of realistic characters, emotional depth, and unexpected magical elements in a contemporary setting.
Readers who appreciate Neil Gaiman’s blend of fantasy and reality often find enjoyment in Jonathan Carroll’s novels too. Carroll has a talent for weaving magic into everyday moments, which you can see clearly in “The Land of Laughs.”
This book follows Thomas Abbey, a schoolteacher drawn into a quest to write the biography of his favorite children’s author, Marshall France.
Abbey travels to the small town where France once lived, but soon realizes the line between France’s stories and reality is blurring in unsettling ways. Mysterious events unfold as Abbey uncovers secrets that make him question what truly separates creation from creator.
Carroll crafts imaginative scenarios within ordinary life, giving readers a familiar yet quietly surreal experience.
Readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman should definitely check out Tim Powers, an imaginative writer known for blending fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction. His novel “The Anubis Gates” mixes time travel, Egyptian lore, and nineteenth-century London adventures.
The book follows Brendan Doyle, a literature professor swept from 1983 back to 1810 by a time-traveling expedition. Soon Doyle is caught up in a web of secret societies, ancient magic, body-swapping sorcerers, and mysterious Egyptian gods.
Powers skillfully combines authentic historical settings with fantastical elements, creating an atmosphere readers of “Neverwhere” or “American Gods” would find comfortably familiar.
Garth Nix is an Australian fantasy author whose imaginative worlds and dark magical elements often appeal to readers who enjoy Neil Gaiman.
In his novel “Sabriel,” we meet a young woman named Sabriel who must suddenly step into her father’s role as the Abhorsen, a necromancer tasked with preventing the dead from returning to life.
Armed with enchanted bells and a sword, Sabriel journeys into the dangerous Old Kingdom and confronts sinister forces that threaten both life and death.
With its vivid storytelling, intricate magic systems, and eerie atmospheres, “Sabriel” is a great choice for anyone fascinated by supernatural adventures and strong characters.
If you enjoy Neil Gaiman’s imaginative worlds and mythical storytelling, Jo Walton could become your next favorite author. Walton crafts richly detailed fantasy and speculative fiction that transport readers to remarkable new realities.
In her novel “Among Others,” she tells the story of Mori, a teenager who turns to books and magic after the loss of her twin sister. Mori finds comfort in fantasy literature, discovering not only solace, but also the subtle ways magic shapes her daily life.
Walton blends real-world struggles and mysterious supernatural elements beautifully, offering a thoughtful and captivating experience for readers.
If you enjoy Neil Gaiman’s talent for weaving magical worlds into everyday life, Charles de Lint is an author you’ll want to explore. De Lint effortlessly blends fantasy and reality in his book “Moonheart,” set in a mysterious house in Ottawa, Canada, known as Tamson House.
When Sara Kendell comes across an ancient ring hidden among odds and ends in her uncle’s antique store, she unlocks connections to an older, enchanted side of North America filled with Celtic mythology, Native American folklore, and a powerful sense of place.
The story moves between the city streets you recognize and deep into a wilderness alive with spirits, magic, and timeless challenges. This urban fantasy feels solidly rooted in reality yet layered with wonder, bringing to life legends and folklore in a fresh, accessible way.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a master storyteller known for creating thoughtful and deeply imaginative worlds. If you enjoy the imaginative storytelling of Neil Gaiman, her book “A Wizard of Earthsea” may intrigue you.
The story follows Ged, a gifted young magician whose reckless use of magic unleashes a dangerous shadow creature. As Ged travels across the vividly crafted archipelago of Earthsea, he must confront this dark force and learn about balance, power, and self-awareness.
Le Guin skillfully immerses readers in a fantasy world filled with authentic characters, profound insights, and timeless themes.