If you enjoy reading books by R. F. Kuang then you might also like the following authors:
Rebecca F. Ross writes fantasy books with rich worlds and personal struggles at their core. Her novel “A River Enchanted” is about Jack, a bard called back to an island where spirits roam and tensions between clans run deep.
When girls start disappearing, Jack must work with Adaira, the heiress of his clan, to uncover the truth. The story balances magic and mystery with a focus on old grudges and fragile alliances.
Fans of R. F. Kuang’s emotional depth and immersive storytelling might find something exciting here.
Fonda Lee is known for writing layered stories with vibrant worlds and intense character dynamics. Her book, “Jade City,” introduces readers to the island of Kekon, where jade gives people superhuman abilities.
The Kaul family, who runs one of the city’s ruling clans, fights to defend their power and position as rival factions rise. The story blends family loyalty, political tension, and dangerous street battles.
It’s full of sharp twists and powerful emotions, all set in a world steeped in tradition and ambition.
Samantha Shannon is known for creating rich, imaginative worlds with layered characters and intricate plots.
One of her standout books, “The Priory of the Orange Tree,” is a sprawling epic filled with dragons, ancient rivalries, and a deeply divided world teetering on the edge of collapse.
The story brings together a dragon-riding queen’s protector and a loyal mage from a distant land as they fight to protect their people from an ancient evil. If you’re into R. F. Kuang’s powerful storytelling and expansive world-building, Shannon is worth checking out.
Tasha Suri is an author who brings fantasy worlds to life with a focus on rich cultures, history, and personal struggles.
Her book “The Jasmine Throne” begins with Malini, a princess imprisoned by her ruthless brother, and Priya, a maidservant with secrets tied to magic and rebellion. Their stories collide as they navigate a crumbling empire, forbidden powers, and dangerous alliances.
The book shows moments of quiet tension and explosive conflict, all set against a lush, vividly described landscape inspired by Indian history and mythology. Fans of R. F. Kuang may enjoy the layered characters and detailed worldbuilding.
Ken Liu is an author known for blending history and fantasy in a way that feels both rich and personal. His book “The Grace of Kings” kicks off an epic tale inspired by the ancient history of China, but with airships, godlike beings, and unlikely heroes.
The story follows Kuni Garu, a carefree bandit, and Mata Zyndu, a fierce warrior, as they forge an alliance to overthrow an empire, only to find themselves at odds when their goals start to differ. The conflict and relationships between the characters give the story its heart.
Fans of intricate worlds and complex moral struggles will enjoy the way Liu weaves his narrative.
S.A. Chakraborty writes fantasy stories with richly imagined worlds and characters that feel alive. Her book “The City of Brass” begins with Nahri, a young con artist in 18th-century Cairo who accidentally summons a djinn warrior named Dara.
This event drags her into the magical city of Daevabad, a place filled with political tensions, ancient feuds, and dangerous secrets. Nahri must navigate a society full of power struggles and alliances while discovering more about her mysterious past.
The story blends magic, history, and a lot of heart. Fans of R.F. Kuang’s immersive and dynamic storytelling may find themselves captivated here.
C.L. Clark writes fantasy with strong characters and rich world-building. Their book, “The Unbroken,” follows Touraine, a soldier who was taken as a child to serve the empire that enslaved her people.
Sent back to her homeland on an imperial mission, she faces rebellion, loyalty, and her own identity. There’s tension as she navigates her bond with Luca, the ambitious princess aiming to solidify her power.
Fans of R. F. Kuang might enjoy the way Clark weaves themes of colonization and resistance into a gripping story.
N.K. Jemisin is a writer who creates imaginative worlds that feel alive. Her book “The Fifth Season,” the first in *The Broken Earth* trilogy, begins in a land that faces constant earthquakes and catastrophes.
The story follows Essun, a woman searching for her daughter after a devastating event shatters her life. In this world, some people have the power to control the earth itself, but they are feared and oppressed.
Jemisin weaves together themes of survival and power with a world where the ground itself is dangerous. If you enjoy R.F. Kuang’s focus on complex societies and struggles for justice, this book might grab your attention.
E.K. Johnston writes imaginative stories that often rework myths and fairy tales in fresh ways. One of her books, “A Thousand Nights,” is a retelling of “One Thousand and One Nights.”
The story centers on a young woman who offers herself as a bride to a dangerous king to save her sister. Instead of focusing on fear or tragedy, the narrative highlights resilience and the quiet power of storytelling.
The setting feels rich, and the characters show how strength comes in different forms.
Victoria Aveyard is known for creating fantasy worlds filled with tension and powerful characters. One of her standout books, “Red Queen,” introduces a world divided by blood.
The elite class, with silver blood, wields supernatural abilities, while the commoners with red blood are powerless. Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers she has an incredible power that could upend the balance.
This revelation thrusts her into the dangerous world of the Silver aristocracy, where betrayal and secrets are everywhere. For readers who enjoy stories infused with rebellion and political intrigue, this might be worth picking up.
M.T. Anderson is an author known for exploring complex themes with bold storytelling. One of his notable books, “Feed,” takes readers into a future where people have feeds implanted in their brains, constantly streaming ads, news, and entertainment.
The story follows Titus, a teenager who begins questioning the feed’s grip on society after meeting a girl named Violet. The book looks at consumerism, technology, and how people connect—or fail to—in a world dominated by artificial demands.
Martha Wells is known for writing character-driven science fiction and fantasy with strong emotional depth. One of her standout books is “The Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red.” It follows a self-aware security robot that has hacked its own governor module to gain independence.
Instead of seeking destruction or conquest, it spends its free time watching soap operas and avoiding humans. When a mission goes wrong, it is forced to interact with its human clients to uncover what’s threatening them.
The mix of tense action and the robot’s biting humor makes the story impossible to put down.
Jenn Lyons is an author who writes fantasy with complex worlds and characters shaped by fate and choices. Her book “The Ruin of Kings” starts with Kihrin, a young man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he finds out he might be linked to a prophecy.
As he navigates powerful houses, magic, and betrayal, the story flips between his past and present, building into an epic tale of destiny. Fans of detailed storytelling and moral dilemmas would enjoy this series.
Katherine Addison is an author who crafts immersive and thoughtful stories with rich worlds and memorable characters. One of her standout books is “The Goblin Emperor.”
It follows Maia, a shy and unprepared half-goblin who suddenly becomes emperor after the death of his estranged father and brothers.
Thrust into the heart of court politics and surrounded by people he doesn’t trust, Maia has to navigate plots, betrayal, and the complexities of leadership. It’s a story about resilience and hope, with moments of warmth even in the darkest situations.
Robin Hobb is known for creating detailed and emotionally rich fantasy worlds. One of her most loved books, “Assassin’s Apprentice,” kicks off the story of Fitz, the illegitimate son of a prince.
Raised in the shadows of the royal court, he’s trained as an assassin while grappling with his connection to a mysterious magical bond called the Wit. The book paints a vivid picture of loyalty, betrayal, and survival within a harsh, political world.