Steven Brust writes entertaining fantasy novels known for wit and memorable characters. His popular series featuring assassin Vlad Taltos begins with Jhereg, blending action and humor.
If you enjoy reading books by Steven Brust then you might also like the following authors:
Glen Cook is an American fantasy author famous for gritty realism, dark humor, and morally complex characters. If you enjoy Steven Brust’s witty dialogue and morally ambiguous heroes, Cook’s The Black Company could be a great read.
This novel follows a mercenary company serving a mysterious sorceress known as the Lady, whose intentions are anything but clear.
Told through the eyes of the company’s medic and historian, Croaker, the story explores themes of loyalty, warfare, and survival from the perspective of soldiers rather than heroes.
This focus offers a darker and more realistic portrayal of a fantasy world at war, and readers who appreciate Brust’s sophisticated storytelling may find Cook equally enjoyable.
Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s sharp dialogue and intriguing worlds might appreciate Roger Zelazny. Zelazny blends fantasy and science fiction in imaginative ways. One excellent starting point is Nine Princes in Amber, the first book of Zelazny’s
Chronicles of Amber series. The novel introduces Corwin, a prince who wakes up with no memory, caught in a struggle among siblings fighting over the throne of Amber, the one true world casting infinite shadow realities.
Filled with shifting alliances, family schemes, and vivid narrative, Zelazny’s storytelling pulls readers into a fascinating universe full of adventure.
Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s blend of wit, adventure and complex characters will probably appreciate Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold is known for writing clever, character-driven science fiction and fantasy.
A great place to start is The Warrior’s Apprentice, the first published novel about Miles Vorkosigan. Miles is an ambitious young man, brilliant but extremely impulsive. Due to physical limitations, his family expects he will never have a real military career.
But through sheer ingenuity Miles manages to accidentally assemble his own mercenary force, setting off adventures across star systems, tangled family politics, and unexpected alliances.
The story is fast-paced and smartly funny, filled with memorable scenes of Miles out-thinking friends and foes alike.
Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s layered characters and imaginative storytelling might find Gene Wolfe equally fascinating. Wolfe’s writing is both richly textured and thought-provoking, blending fantasy and science fiction in innovative ways.
His novel The Shadow of the Torturer, the first book of The Book of the New Sun series, introduces Severian, an apprentice torturer expelled from his guild for showing mercy.
Severian journeys through a decaying, far-future Earth filled with strange relics, mysterious figures, and subtle wonders. The narrative skillfully explores themes of memory, morality, and redemption within a backdrop that feels both timeless and unsettlingly familiar.
Wolfe crafts a story that rewards attentive readers with hidden clues, making each discovery satisfying and surprising.
Terry Pratchett is a celebrated fantasy writer known for his wit and imagination. If you enjoyed Steven Brust’s blend of humor and clever storytelling, you’ll likely appreciate Pratchett’s distinct style. A great place to start is Guards! Guards!
This novel introduces an unlikely group of watchmen in the sprawling city of Ankh-Morpork. They stumble upon a conspiracy that involves dragons, secret societies, and some sharp social commentary.
Pratchett uses plenty of humor, satire, and memorable characters that add depth to the story. Fans of Brust’s crafty plots and lively characters will feel instantly at home in the bustling streets of Ankh-Morpork.
Robin Hobb is a master storyteller who crafts detailed fantasy worlds with complex characters and unexpected twists. Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s clever storytelling and well-developed characters might feel at home with Hobb’s books.
A good place to start is Assassin’s Apprentice, the first novel from the Farseer Trilogy. It follows Fitz, a royal bastard trained secretly as an assassin to serve the king.
Fitz struggles with his deadly skills, court intrigue, and his rare magical ability called the Wit, which lets him connect with animals.
Hobb weaves politics, magic, and deep emotional storytelling together, and readers find themselves invested in the realistic characters and their complicated choices.
Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s imaginative blend of fantasy and sharp storytelling may appreciate Michael Moorcock. Moorcock’s fantasy often blends adventure with deep reflections on morality and destiny.
A great place to start is Elric of Melniboné, the first novel featuring Elric, an enigmatic, troubled emperor armed with a cursed sword named Stormbringer.
Elric is not your traditional hero—he is introspective and conflicted, burdened by his duty, his heritage, and a sword that devours souls. In his decaying kingdom full of sorcery and betrayal, Elric navigates treacherous relationships and dark battles.
Moorcock creates a vivid and morally ambiguous fantasy world that engrosses readers from start to finish.
Patrick Rothfuss is an author celebrated for his imaginative storytelling and vibrant characters. If you enjoy Steven Brust’s way of blending sharp wit and deep fantasy worlds, Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind will surely capture your interest.
The story introduces Kvothe, a legendary figure whose past remains cloaked in mystery. Kvothe narrates his own tale from humble beginnings as a gifted orphan to studying at an exclusive academy of magic, a place filled with rivalries, secrets, and powerful knowledge.
Rothfuss crafts his world with detail and care; his characters come alive through humor, struggle, and adventure. There’s music and magic, ambition and loss, all centered around Kvothe’s search for answers and revenge.
Readers who appreciate Brust’s compelling characters and carefully crafted universes will find Rothfuss a rewarding and engrossing literary companion.
Scott Lynch is a fantasy author known for his skillful storytelling, sharp dialogue, and charismatic rogues. Readers who appreciate Steven Brust’s witty and clever style often connect with Lynch’s work.
His debut novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora, introduces Locke and his gang of talented thieves called the Gentleman Bastards. Set against a rich backdrop inspired by Renaissance Venice, Locke navigates a treacherous world of crime lords, secret societies, and elaborate schemes.
If you enjoy stories with humor, intrigue, and lovable criminals, this book is a great place to start.
If you enjoy Steven Brust’s sharp wit, intriguing characters, and clever twists, you’ll probably appreciate Joe Abercrombie. His novel The Blade Itself is the first book of the First Law trilogy.
Abercrombie introduces readers to Logen Ninefingers, a notorious barbarian whose vicious reputation is both legend and curse. Then there’s Glokta, a bitter former war hero turned inquisitor who is as cunning as he is torturous.
With dark humor, morally gray characters, and plenty of gritty action scenes, this book dives headfirst into a harsh and vividly detailed fantasy world. Abercrombie doesn’t shy away from the brutal side of human nature, crafting a story that surprises with every turn.
Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy author known for his detailed world-building, memorable characters, and unique approach to magic systems.
If you enjoy Steven Brust’s clever blend of action, wit, and intricate storylines, Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire might catch your interest.
This first book of the Mistborn trilogy introduces a dark world ruled by the oppressive Lord Ruler, where a group of rebels try to end his thousand-year reign.
Central in this struggle is Vin, a young woman with unexpected powers in Allomancy, a fascinating magic system that relies on metal. As Vin and her companions attempt a daring heist to topple the empire, readers discover a plot full of intrigue, sly humor, and unexpected twists.
Fans of Brust’s Vlad Taltos series may appreciate Sanderson’s engaging characters and the balanced mix of cunning plots and fast-paced adventure.
Readers who enjoy Steven Brust’s witty and imaginative fantasy novels should check out Tim Powers. Powers blends history, fantasy, and the supernatural in engaging and unusual ways.
A great example is his novel The Anubis Gates, where professor Brendan Doyle travels back to early 19th-century England through mysterious time-gates.
Doyle’s adventure soon takes strange turns as hidden societies, ancient Egyptian magic, and literary figures converge in London’s shadowy streets. Powers creates a vivid tale full of dark alleys, secret plots, and magical twists.
Fans of Brust’s layered storytelling and intriguing characters will undoubtedly appreciate Powers’ writing.
If you enjoy Steven Brust’s imaginative storytelling and cleverly woven plots, you should try the works of China Miéville. Miéville writes novels that blend fantasy, science fiction, and mystery, often introducing readers to vibrant yet gritty worlds.
His novel Perdido Street Station is set in New Crobuzon, a sprawling city teeming with bizarre creatures and dangerous secrets. The story follows Isaac, a scientist who experiments with strange and forbidden knowledge, inadvertently releasing a terrifying menace onto the city.
Miéville creates intricate, believable characters who must confront moral ambiguities as they battle dark forces. Fans of Brust’s blend of intrigue and inventive worlds may truly appreciate Miéville’s captivating storytelling and vivid imagination.
Lynn Flewelling crafts engaging fantasy stories filled with memorable characters, subtle magic, and clever plots. Fans of Steven Brust’s witty storytelling and compelling characters will particularly enjoy Flewelling’s book Luck in the Shadows.
The novel follows Alec, a young and resourceful thief thrown unexpectedly into a dangerous adventure. He teams up with the mysterious Seregil, a skilled spy and secretive nobleman. Together, they uncover sinister plots in the shadowy corners of royal courts and bustling cities.
Flewelling combines political intrigue, suspenseful action, and dynamic friendships in a story that draws readers deeply into its vivid fantasy world.
C.J. Cherryh is an author whose stories often blend science fiction and fantasy elements with intricate worldbuilding and complex characters.
Her novel Downbelow Station unfolds amidst a dramatic struggle between Earth’s faltering government and the distant space colonies seeking independence.
Set around Pell Station, the narrative explores political rivalries and tense alliances, all seen through the eyes of station staff, colonists, and refugees.
With shifting loyalties and ethical dilemmas, Cherryh creates a vivid human drama rooted in space politics reminiscent of Steven Brust’s nuanced storytelling.
Fans of Brust’s sharp character interactions and layered plots may find Cherryh’s ability to craft relatable characters caught in larger conflicts particularly engaging.