If you enjoy reading books by Ransom Riggs then you might also like the following authors:
Neil Gaiman has a knack for blending the magical with the everyday in his stories, creating worlds that feel both strange and familiar. One of his books, “The Graveyard Book,” begins with a toddler wandering into a graveyard after his family is killed.
The ghosts there decide to raise him as their own. As the boy grows up, he learns life lessons from the dead, while facing dangers from the living world. The story is filled with imagination and has a touch of dark charm that might appeal to fans of Ransom Riggs.
Holly Black is a writer who creates rich fantasy worlds with sharp characters and twists. One of her standout books is “The Cruel Prince.” It introduces Jude, a human girl raised in the High Court of Faerie after her parents are murdered.
She learns to survive in a world full of dangerous, immortal faeries who look down on mortals. The story follows her struggles with power, manipulation, and a cruel faerie prince named Cardan.
If you enjoy stories with dark settings and characters hiding secrets, this might be one to try.
Lemony Snicket is the pen name of Daniel Handler, an author known for writing quirky and darkly humorous books. One of his most popular works is “The Bad Beginning,” the first book in *A Series of Unfortunate Events*.
It follows three siblings, the Baudelaire orphans, who are sent to live with the sinister Count Olaf after their parents die in a fire. Olaf is after their family fortune and will stop at nothing to get it.
The story is full of strange adults who fail to help, clever inventions, and a lot of unfortunate twists. The author has a talent for mixing absurd humor with a gloomy, mysterious atmosphere.
Erin Morgenstern is known for crafting vivid, imaginative worlds. Her novel, “The Night Circus,” tells the story of a magical competition between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound by their mentors to a duel in a mysterious, ever-changing circus.
This circus arrives without warning, opening at night and dazzling visitors with its strange, enchanting wonders. As the competition unfolds, the two competitors discover their fates are more deeply tangled than they ever expected.
With its rich atmosphere and unique setting, it’s a book that feels deeply immersive.
Tahereh Mafi writes stories that blend emotions with surreal worlds, often exploring themes of identity and connection. Her book, “Shatter Me,” follows Juliette, a girl with a deadly touch, as she navigates fear, power, and an oppressive regime that seeks to control her.
The story offers a mix of intense relationships and written journal-like thoughts that feel raw and personal. If you enjoyed Ransom Riggs’ focus on unique characters and extraordinary circumstances, Mafi’s work might catch your interest.
Cornelia Funke is a German author known for crafting imaginative worlds with rich characters. One of her best-known books, “Inkheart,” follows a young girl named Meggie who discovers her father has the ability to bring characters to life from books when he reads aloud.
This gift pulls them into an adventure filled with danger after a villain from one of the books escapes into the real world.
The story weaves the magic of storytelling with themes of courage and family, making it a compelling choice for readers who enjoy unique and fantastical tales.
Leigh Bardugo is known for her gripping fantasy worlds and memorable characters. Her book, “Six of Crows,” follows a group of outcasts who take on an impossible heist.
Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind, leads the crew, which includes a spy, a sharpshooter, and others with unique skills and motives. The story pulls you into the dangers of their mission and the secrets they carry, making every chapter feel intense and full of surprises.
Fans of Ransom Riggs’ blend of dark adventure and vivid characters may find Bardugo’s work to be a perfect next step.
Seanan McGuire is known for creating imaginative worlds filled with a sense of wonder and mystery.
In her book “Every Heart a Doorway,” she tells the story of Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, a boarding school for kids who have returned from magical worlds but can no longer stay there.
These children struggle to adjust after losing their places in the realms they felt truly belonged to them. The story introduces Nancy, who recently came back from a world of stillness and silence.
As she tries to settle in, a series of deaths shakes the school, adding tension and urgency to an already delicate environment. It’s a story that blends the fantastical with questions about identity and belonging.
Katherine Arden is an author known for weaving folklore and fantasy into her stories. Her book, “The Bear and the Nightingale,” is set in medieval Russia and follows Vasilisa, a girl who sees spirits others cannot.
When her village abandons ancient traditions, dark forces begin to stir. The story is rich with wintery landscapes, deep woods, and old legends. Fans of Ransom Riggs might enjoy the blend of eerie atmosphere and vivid characters.
Victoria Schwab is an author who creates rich, atmospheric worlds that feel grounded in the extraordinary. Her book “The Archived” follows Mackenzie Bishop, a teenage girl tasked with overseeing a library of the dead, where each body holds the memories of a life.
When restless histories, as they’re called, begin escaping their shelves, Mackenzie has to track them down and uncover a mystery inside the library. The story weaves secrets, eerie settings, and the weight of memories in a way that feels haunting and imaginative.
Libba Bray writes with a style that feels imaginative and full of surprises. Her book, “The Diviners,” is set in 1920s New York and follows a girl named Evie who has the ability to see secrets about people when she touches their belongings.
She ends up caught in a series of supernatural mysteries involving a sinister killer and a world of eerie forces. The mix of historical detail and strange happenings makes her work exciting for readers who enjoy Ransom Riggs’ stories.
Madeleine Roux is an author known for blending eerie settings with dark, emotional stories. One of her standout books, “Asylum”, is about a teenager named Dan Crawford who attends a summer program at a New Hampshire college.
When he gets there, he discovers the dorm he’s staying in was once a psychiatric hospital with a disturbing history. Dan and his new friends uncover old photographs and secrets that tie them to the asylum’s past.
The story mixes mystery and unnerving moments, offering a haunting atmosphere that echoes the vibe of Ransom Riggs’ work.
Stephanie Garber is an author known for crafting fantasy worlds filled with magic and secrets. Her book, “Caraval,” is about two sisters, Scarlett and Tella, who get swept into a dangerous game where nothing is as it seems.
Scarlett attends the mysterious Caraval, a performance that blurs the line between spectacle and reality, in hopes of saving her sister. The story weaves twists and surprises into a setting rich with color and wonder.
Fans of Ransom Riggs might enjoy the blend of mystique and adventure in her writing.
Philip Pullman is an author known for creating imaginative worlds with richly layered characters.
His book “The Golden Compass,” the first in the “His Dark Materials” series, introduces readers to Lyra, a bold and curious girl living in a universe where humans have animal companions called dæmons.
Lyra uncovers a mysterious substance called Dust and gets drawn into an adventure involving kidnapped children, armored bears, and a secretive organization.
The story blends adventure, mystery, and a touch of the fantastical, making it a captivating read for those intrigued by unusual worlds and clever storytelling.
Suzanne Collins is best known for her series “The Hunger Games.” Set in a dystopian world, the story follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl forced to compete in a deadly televised event where teenagers fight to survive.
The harsh rules of the games and the oppressive government create intense tension. Her bravery and clever strategies keep readers hooked as she navigates brutal challenges and unexpected alliances.
Collins’ storytelling captures the struggles and resilience of her characters in a world where freedom feels almost impossible.