If you are a fan of Shannon Hale’s books, you probably enjoy stories with a touch of magic, a dash of humor, and characters that feel real. She writes books for young readers and teens, and many of her stories play with fairy tales or create entirely new worlds.
Her books often feature girls and women who are smart, brave, and funny. If you are searching for authors who create books with a similar spirit, here are some writers you might like to discover.
Gail Carson Levine is a writer known for books full of whimsy, fairy tales, and strong, clever heroines. If you like Shannon Hale’s stories such as “Princess Academy,” Levine’s book “Ella Enchanted” would be a perfect fit.
In “Ella Enchanted,” a young girl named Ella receives a fairy’s misguided gift: the spell of obedience. She struggles with this unwanted magic that forces her to obey whatever others command.
Ella faces challenges with humor, bravery, and determination, turning the classic Cinderella tale into something fresh and original.
Levine creates a lively blend of magic, adventure, and heartfelt friendship, adding twists to traditions and creating characters who linger long after the final page.
Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s charming retellings of fairytales and fantasy adventures may also find Jessica Day George appealing. Her book “Princess of the Midnight Ball” weaves the story of twelve sisters bound by a mysterious curse that compels them to dance every night.
Galen, a resourceful young soldier, is determined to break the curse and free the princesses. The tale mixes enchantment, bravery, and intrigue, set against beautifully imagined settings and memorable characters.
Jessica Day George offers a fresh take on beloved stories with the clever twists and heartwarming romance familiar to Shannon Hale fans.
Robin McKinley writes fantasy novels featuring strong heroines, rich storytelling, and vivid worlds. Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s mix of adventure, magic, and memorable characters might appreciate McKinley’s writing style as well.
Her novel “The Blue Sword” follows Harry Crewe, a young woman whisked away into a strange, magical desert culture. Harry discovers she has unique powers and must master them quickly when danger threatens everyone she cares about.
The story combines friendship, bravery, and adventure in a way that fans of Shannon Hale’s tales might truly enjoy.
Marissa Meyer crafts stories that blend fairytales, adventure, and fresh, innovative ideas. Her book “Cinder” kicks off the Lunar Chronicles series, taking the classic Cinderella tale into a futuristic world woven with science fiction.
Cinder is not an ordinary girl—she is partly cyborg, working as a skilled mechanic in a bustling city hit by a deadly plague.
When her life unexpectedly crosses paths with Prince Kai, she finds herself pulled into danger, hidden pasts, and the threat of war between Earth and the mysterious Lunar people.
Fans of Shannon Hale’s “The Goose Girl” or “Princess Academy” will appreciate Meyer’s strong heroines, rich worlds, and stories inspired by beloved fairytale traditions.
Tamora Pierce writes fantasy novels that feature strong heroines and exciting adventures set in imaginative worlds. If you enjoy Shannon Hale’s blend of adventure, magic, and courageous female leads, Pierce offers plenty to explore, especially her Tortall books.
A good introduction is “Alanna: The First Adventure,” the first book in the “Song of the Lioness” series. Alanna disguises herself as a boy to become a knight, faces combat and challenges, and masters her powers while protecting her secret identity.
Magic, friendship, and courage shine throughout the story as Alanna navigates knights, sorcerers, and palace intrigue. Readers who appreciate brave, resourceful characters with vibrant personalities will find much to love in Pierce’s world.
Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s charming storytelling and adventurous heroines will also find plenty to like in Patricia C. Wrede’s novels. Wrede combines clever plots with strong female characters and engaging magic.
In her novel “Dealing with Dragons,” we meet Princess Cimorene, a spirited girl who rejects traditional royal duties. Cimorene decides she’d much rather live with dragons than practice proper manners and embroidery.
Soon she becomes housekeeper, librarian, and cook for Kazul, a smart and reasonable dragon. When knights and wizards come knocking, Cimorene’s quick thinking and determined spirit are exactly what she needs to set things straight.
The story has humor, adventure, and memorable characters that readers won’t soon forget.
Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale will appreciate Jennifer A. Nielsen’s books for their exciting plots and memorable characters. Nielsen’s novel “The False Prince” introduces us to Sage, an orphan boy with a sharp wit and quick reflexes.
He finds himself caught up in a daring plot to impersonate a lost prince. Throughout the story, Sage navigates danger, deception, and suspicion, never certain whom he can trust.
The twists in Sage’s adventure, combined with Nielsen’s humorous writing style and vivid storytelling, create a story readers will find hard to put down.
Holly Black writes fantasy stories that bring folklore and magical realms vividly to life. Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s blend of adventure, fairy tales, and characters with depth will find a similar charm in Black’s novels.
A good place to start is “The Cruel Prince,” the first book in her Folk of the Air trilogy. It follows Jude, a mortal girl raised in the unpredictable court of Faerie after her parents’ tragic deaths. Jude faces constant challenges from the faeries who despise humans.
She must navigate ruthless politics, cunning enemies, and complex alliances to secure a place for herself. Black creates a dangerous yet fascinating fairy world full of intrigue, betrayal, and unexpected twists.
If you enjoy Shannon Hale’s heartfelt stories and relatable characters, Katherine Paterson might become your new favorite author. Her book “Bridge to Terabithia” follows Jesse Aarons, a boy who dreams of being the fastest runner in his grade.
His life changes when he meets Leslie Burke, a bold and imaginative girl. Together they create Terabithia, a secret kingdom hidden in the woods, where they escape from everyday struggles and form an extraordinary friendship.
Through Jesse’s journey Paterson captures childhood friendships, loss, and hope in a gentle, unforgettable way.
E.D. Baker is an author who weaves humor, fantasy, and adventure into charming stories filled with magic and relatable characters. If you’ve enjoyed Shannon Hale’s books, you’ll probably appreciate Baker’s style in “The Frog Princess.”
This fun twist on the classic fairy tale follows Princess Emeralda (known as Emma), who reluctantly kisses a talking frog named Prince Eadric. Instead of breaking the spell, Emma becomes a frog herself.
Together, Emma and Eadric must navigate a world of enchantments, challenges, and unusual creatures to find the witch who can reverse their amphibian curse.
Baker’s entertaining dialogue and playful storytelling make this book a delightful read for anyone fond of fairy-tale adventures.
Sarah Beth Durst writes fantasy novels full of humor, heart, and strong heroines, perfect for readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s stories.
Her book “The Girl Who Could Not Dream” follows Sophie, a young girl whose parents secretly sell dreams, bottled and stored in their cozy bookstore basement. Because Sophie herself cannot dream, she curiously steals sips from the dreams stored downstairs.
But when someone dangerous learns about her family’s unusual store, Sophie must confront mysterious creatures and uncover surprising secrets to protect those she loves.
Durst combines magical adventure with friendship, courage, and quirky charm, inviting readers into a whimsical world they’ll never forget.
If you enjoy Shannon Hale’s enchanting storytelling and rich fantasy tales, Cornelia Funke might be another author you’ll love. Funke creates magical worlds, vivid characters, and adventures full of wonder and suspense.
Her novel “Inkheart” tells the story of Meggie, whose father, Mo, has an unusual gift: he can bring characters out of books into the real world just by reading aloud.
Their lives take a dangerous turn when characters from a dark fantasy come looking for Mo, eager to exploit his powerful talent. Together, Meggie and her father must face deadly foes and find a way to repair the chaos unleashed by a simple spoken word.
Funke’s novels blend adventure, magic, and deep family bonds into a fantasy readers find impossible to put down.
Margaret Peterson Haddix writes absorbing adventure and fantasy that connects particularly well with readers who enjoy Shannon Hale. Her book “Just Ella” reimagines the Cinderella fairy tale with a smart and realistic twist.
Ella finds herself living the royal dream after marrying Prince Charming, only to discover that palace life isn’t as wonderful as she’d imagined. Haddix adds depth to Ella, showing her struggle with rules, constraints, and dull palace rituals.
Ella soon realizes that making her own choices matters more than royal comforts. Haddix’s engaging and vivid storytelling gives new life to an old fairy tale, perfect for readers who loved Shannon Hale’s refreshing approach to myth and magic.
Jaclyn Moriarty is an Australian author known for witty characters and imaginative storytelling. Her writing blends humor, fantasy, and relatable friendships in a style similar to Shannon Hale.
One of her most popular novels is “A Corner of White,” the first book in “The Colors of Madeleine” trilogy. The story follows Madeleine, a teenager who unexpectedly discovers a note tucked into a parking meter.
This mysterious letter leads her to connect with a young man named Elliot, who lives in the magical Kingdom of Cello. As they exchange notes, both must navigate their own complicated lives, unusual secrets, and the thin boundary between two very different worlds.
Moriarty crafts a story rich with charm, humor, and a sense of wonder, creating a tale readers of Shannon Hale will likely enjoy.
Readers who enjoy Shannon Hale’s imaginative worlds and strong, relatable heroines may also appreciate Shannon Messenger’s storytelling. Messenger is the author of the exciting middle-grade series “Keeper of the Lost Cities.”
The series begins by introducing Sophie Foster, a bright twelve-year-old who feels out of place until she learns she is actually an elf from a hidden world filled with extraordinary abilities.
Sophie soon finds herself in a magical society that is intriguing but also full of hidden dangers.
Messenger builds a richly detailed universe filled with engaging characters, mysteries, and adventures that will captivate readers who enjoy fantasy stories like those of Shannon Hale.