If you enjoy reading books by Steven Brust then you might also like the following authors:
Glen Cook is an author known for blending gritty storytelling with sharp humor. His book “The Black Company” kicks off a series about a group of mercenaries who serve as the tools of powerful rulers and sorcerers.
The story focuses on the company’s struggles as they take on dangerous missions and deal with shifting loyalties. It’s told from the perspective of Croaker, the company’s physician and historian, whose dry wit adds an edge to the dark world around him.
Fans of Steven Brust’s mix of sharp dialogue and morally complex characters might find Cook’s work worth exploring.
Roger Zelazny created stories that mix mythology, adventure, and wild imagination. One of his most well-known works is “Lord of Light.”
The story follows a man named Sam who uses science and technology to pose as a god on a distant planet where colonists have adopted Hindu mythology as their social structure.
Sam challenges the established order by presenting himself as Buddha, refusing the dominance of the other “gods.” The book blends old legends with futuristic science, making the world feel unique and unpredictable.
Lois McMaster Bujold is an author known for blending rich characters with engaging plots. Her book, “The Curse of Chalion,” is set in a world where gods meddle in human affairs. The story follows Cazaril, a weary soldier who returns home after years of hardship.
He’s pulled into court politics and tasked with protecting a princess while uncovering the influence of a powerful curse. The mix of divine intervention and human struggle makes the story unforgettable.
Fans of Steven Brust’s sharp dialogue and layered storytelling might enjoy Bujold’s style.
Gene Wolfe is known for crafting layered and thought-provoking stories. His book “The Shadow of the Torturer” kicks off “The Book of the New Sun” series, which follows Severian, a young apprentice in a guild of torturers, after he is exiled for an act of mercy.
The story is set in a far-future Earth filled with strange landscapes and ancient mysteries. Severian’s journey introduces bizarre technologies, strange societies, and an atmosphere that feels ancient and futuristic at the same time.
Fans of Steven Brust might enjoy Wolfe’s clever storytelling and the sense of adventure that feels both personal and grand in scale.
Terry Pratchett is well known for his Discworld series, a set of books that blend humor, fantasy, and sharp commentary on life. One book, “Guards! Guards!”, kicks off the story of the City Watch, a ragtag group of misfit guards in the chaotic city of Ankh-Morpork.
It follows Captain Sam Vimes, who starts investigating a conspiracy involving a stolen book and a dragon. The book is fast-paced, filled with witty moments, and has characters who feel alive in the most ridiculous of ways.
Fans of clever world-building and unique protagonists will find a lot to enjoy.
Robin Hobb is a fantasy author known for creating deep, character-driven stories. One of her most popular books is “Assassin’s Apprentice,” the first in her Farseer Trilogy.
It follows Fitz, a royal bastard who is trained as an assassin while grappling with his place in the world. The story explores his bond with animals, his unusual magical abilities, and the struggles he faces growing up in a court filled with intrigue and danger.
It’s a book where every choice Fitz makes seems to have far-reaching consequences. Fans of detailed worlds and personal journeys might find Hobb’s work captivating.
Michael Moorcock is known for his inventive fantasy worlds and complex characters. Fans of Steven Brust might enjoy Moorcock’s “Elric of Melniboné.” The story follows Elric, a sorcerer and albino emperor who fights with a sentient sword called Stormbringer.
The weapon gives him incredible power, though it often drives him to tragic choices. The book is full of conflict, betrayal, and a fascinating exploration of what it means to wield too much power. Elric’s struggles make him an unforgettable figure in fantasy.
Patrick Rothfuss is known for writing rich fantasy stories that focus on deeply personal journeys. His book “The Name of the Wind” introduces Kvothe, a gifted but troubled boy who grows up to become a legendary figure.
The story begins with Kvothe recounting his life, from his time as a clever child in a traveling troupe to his struggles as a student at a university where he learns magic and seeks answers about his family’s tragic past.
The world feels vivid, with an emphasis on music, mystery, and the weight of knowledge. Fans of Steven Brust might enjoy the way Rothfuss creates layered characters and settings where every choice carries meaning.
Scott Lynch writes fantasy with a focus on clever characters and twisty plots. His book “The Lies of Locke Lamora” introduces readers to Locke, a clever thief leading a group called the Gentleman Bastards. They scheme their way through a city teeming with danger and rival gangs.
In one part of the book, Locke disguises himself as a noble to pull off a daring con, but things take an unexpected turn when he crosses the wrong people. The mix of wit and high-stakes trouble makes it unforgettable.
Fans of Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos series might enjoy the fast-talking, resourceful characters and the rich, dangerous world Lynch creates.
Joe Abercrombie writes fantasy packed with raw characters and sharp dialogue. In his book “The Blade Itself,” the story follows Logen Ninefingers, a notorious warrior trying to live a quieter life, and Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled torturer with a sour streak.
Their paths cross with Jezal, a young noble who is more interested in comfort than heroics. As events spiral beyond their control, they are pulled into schemes larger than themselves, filled with betrayals and shifting loyalties.
Abercrombie’s world feels gritty and alive, where no one is truly a hero, and survival often comes with a price.
Brandon Sanderson is known for creating intricate fantasy worlds with unique magic systems and complex characters. One of his standout books is “Mistborn: The Final Empire.”
In this story, a world ruled by a tyrant called the Lord Ruler faces a rebellion led by a crew of Allomancers, people who gain powerful abilities by ingesting specific metals.
Vin, a street thief with surprising talents, is drawn into this world and learns to harness her abilities while uncovering secrets about the empire’s past. The book mixes clever heists with tense conflicts and creates a world that feels vivid and alive.
It’s a great pick for anyone who enjoys layered storytelling and unpredictable twists.
Tim Powers is known for writing stories that blend the everyday world with supernatural elements. In his book “The Anubis Gates,” he tells the story of a scholar named Brendan Doyle who attends a lecture on time travel.
Things take a strange turn when Doyle finds himself stuck in 19th-century London. The city is full of danger, from body-swapping magicians to sinister beggar clans. There’s also the looming threat of an ancient Egyptian sorcerer with his own evil plans.
Powers fills the book with twists and vivid details that create a dark, magical version of London.
China Miéville writes imaginative and strange stories that bend the idea of what fantasy can be. One of his standout novels, “Perdido Street Station,” is set in the sprawling city of New Crobuzon, where magic and technology clash in fascinating ways.
The book follows a scientist who accidentally unleashes a dangerous creature, leading to chaos across the city. The world feels alive, filled with strange creatures and people who each have their own stories and struggles.
Fans of Steven Brust might enjoy Miéville’s focus on deeply built worlds and characters who operate in morally gray areas.
Lynn Flewelling is an author who crafts stories with rich characters and layered plots. One of her most popular works is “The Bone Doll’s Twin,” the first in the “Tamir Trilogy.”
It’s a dark fantasy tale set in a kingdom where a prophecy declares that only a queen can save the land. To protect the true heir, a powerful but sinister spell hides her identity, forcing her to live as a boy.
The book weaves betrayal, magic, and a haunting secret that shapes the protagonist’s life. Fans of Steven Brust might appreciate Flewelling’s gift for building intricate worlds and morally complex characters.
C.J. Cherryh is an author who creates detailed and immersive science fiction and fantasy worlds, often involving political intrigue or cultural conflicts. One of her standout books is “Downbelow Station.”
It takes place on a space station caught in the middle of a war between Earth’s military forces and independent space colonies. The story follows station administrators, civilians, and refugees struggling to survive as the station becomes a battleground.
The blend of tense alliances and high-stakes decisions keeps the story moving. Fans of Steven Brust’s strong characters and layered storytelling might enjoy the complexity and tension in Cherryh’s work.