Steven Erikson crafted sprawling epics. His books are known for intricate plots, vast worlds, and a philosophical bent.
If you enjoy stories with complex characters and narratives that really make you think, you might wonder about other authors who create similar reading experiences. This article looks at writers who explore similar territory.
Brandon Sanderson is an excellent author for anyone who enjoys the epic scope and detailed world-building of Steven Erikson.
His novel “The Way of Kings,” the first installment in “The Stormlight Archive,” introduces readers to Roshar, a land battered by powerful storms and home to complex societies and mysterious histories.
The book follows characters like Kaladin, a skilled soldier turned slave who fights to protect those around him despite despair and hardship.
There’s also Shallan, a determined young scholar with dangerous secrets, and Dalinar Kholin, a powerful prince haunted by visions he can’t fully understand.
With vivid storytelling and deep characterization, Sanderson’s narrative explores betrayal, honor, and the struggle for survival in a richly imagined setting.
Fans of Erikson’s layered characters and immersive storytelling will find themselves quickly drawn into Sanderson’s compelling world.
Readers who enjoy Steven Erikson’s complex characters and gritty worlds will likely appreciate Joe Abercrombie’s writing style. His novel “The Blade Itself” introduces a compelling cast of flawed and memorable characters.
There’s Logen Ninefingers, an infamous barbarian warrior tired of bloodshed, and Inquisitor Glokta, a ruthless torturer struggling with his own past and crumbling body.
Abercrombie weaves their fates into a sprawling narrative filled with sharp humor, intense action, and morally ambiguous choices, reminiscent of Erikson’s dark realism and depth.
Mark Lawrence creates dark and vivid fantasy worlds filled with complex characters and gritty storytelling. His book “Prince of Thorns” introduces readers to Jorg Ancrath, a ruthless young prince driven by revenge and ambition.
Lawrence crafts a brutal medieval setting, rich in both violence and subtle political maneuvering.
Those who enjoy Steven Erikson’s intense worlds and morally ambiguous characters may find themselves equally drawn to Lawrence’s antihero’s journey through betrayal, war, and the quest for power.
The narrative is sharp, unflinching, and layered with intriguing mysteries that draw readers deeper into Jorg’s turbulent life.
Books by Michael Moorcock offer imaginative worlds full of complex conflicts and richly drawn characters. If Steven Erikson’s epic fantasy captivates you, you might enjoy Moorcock’s “Elric of Melniboné.”
The story follows Elric, an unusual emperor who is physically weak and tied to sorcery and his dark sword, Stormbringer. Elric rules the decadent island empire of Melniboné, burdened by its cruel traditions and his own conscience.
He wrestles with destiny and morality, torn between loyalty to his fading empire and personal freedom. Moorcock creates a tale full of tension, dark magic, and fascinating anti-heroes.
Books by Patrick Rothfuss offer readers rich fantasy worlds that fans of Steven Erikson might appreciate. In “The Name of the Wind,” Rothfuss introduces Kvothe, a gifted and mysterious figure whose fame and legend are wrapped in rumors and half-truths.
The story follows Kvothe’s early life as he journeys from a traveling troupe to the elite halls of the University, where magic is studied alongside scholarship and music.
Rothfuss creates a vast, believable world full of lore, conflict, and adventure, skillfully weaving a narrative that draws in readers who value intricate magic systems and complex characters, similar to Erikson’s “Malazan Book of the Fallen.”
R. Scott Bakker is a Canadian fantasy writer known for crafting vivid worlds, memorable characters, and complex philosophical themes.
Readers who appreciate Steven Erikson’s deep and expansive storytelling will likely connect with Bakker’s “The Darkness That Comes Before,” the first book in his “Prince of Nothing” trilogy.
It follows the enigmatic and powerful warrior-monk Anasûrimbor Kellhus as he travels through a world on the brink of a holy war. Bakker explores faith, manipulation, and prophecy in ways that blend seamlessly with gritty action, political intrigue, and compelling drama.
Fans of richly detailed fantasy and morally ambiguous characters will find much to enjoy in Bakker’s uniquely imagined universes.
If you enjoy Steven Erikson’s vivid worlds and intricate stories, you might want to explore Scott Lynch. His debut novel, “The Lies of Locke Lamora,” introduces readers to Locke Lamora, a clever con artist who leads a small band known as the Gentlemen Bastards.
Lynch creates a city full of danger and deceit. Locke’s crew schemes their way through elaborate heists targeting wealthy nobles, but trouble emerges when they attract the attention of a mysterious and dangerous figure.
The stakes rise, and Locke’s cunning gets tested as the web of deception tightens. The novel offers sharp dialogue, clever twists, and memorable characters—all set within a gritty, colorful world.
Tad Williams creates vast fantasy worlds full of complexity, depth, and intriguing characters, which often appeals to fans of Steven Erikson’s “Malazan Book of the Fallen.”
In his series starting with “The Dragonbone Chair,” readers enter the kingdom of Osten Ard, a world haunted by ancient magic and conflict between old powers.
The story begins with Simon, a young kitchen helper drawn into an epic struggle when dark forces threaten the stability of the realm. Williams carefully constructs his world, providing a layered history filled with mystery, prophecies, and legendary artifacts.
For readers who admire the scale and detail of Erikson’s storytelling, Tad Williams’ “The Dragonbone Chair” offers a richly textured experience worth exploring.
Readers who appreciate Steven Erikson’s complex plots and deep world-building might also enjoy George R. R. Martin. Martin is best known for his fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” especially its first book, “A Game of Thrones.”
The story introduces readers to the rivalry between powerful noble houses vying for control of the Iron Throne in a land called Westeros.
Characters like honorable but troubled Eddard Stark, cunning Queen Cersei Lannister, and adventurous Daenerys Targaryen navigate ambition, betrayal, and intrigue. The novel balances political conflict with elements of magic and ancient mysteries.
Fans of Erikson’s detailed storytelling and morally grey characters often find Martin’s work similarly engaging.
Glen Cook is a great fit for readers who enjoy Steven Erikson’s blend of gritty fantasy, complex characters, and military-driven plots. His novel “The Black Company” follows an elite mercenary band who serve whoever pays their wage, be they tyrants or heroes.
Narrated by Croaker, the company’s dedicated physician and historian, the story plunges you straight into their tense missions, uncertain alliances, and morally grey conflicts.
Unlike traditional fantasy stories about clear-cut battles of good versus evil, Cook’s storytelling explores war’s ambiguity and tough sacrifices through real, flawed people.
He invites readers to see from the soldiers’ viewpoint, offering dark humor, personal struggles, and sharp insights into loyalty amid chaos.
If you’re drawn to Erikson’s detailed military strategy, morally complex characters, and immersive worlds, then “The Black Company” series could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Guy Gavriel Kay is a Canadian author known for his beautifully crafted historical fantasies. Readers who enjoy Steven Erikson’s thoughtful themes and deep world-building will appreciate Kay’s storytelling skill.
His novel, “Tigana,” centers around a land cursed by an invading sorcerer king. The curse wipes out every memory of the kingdom’s name, leaving only those born there with the painful knowledge of what they’ve lost.
Kay skillfully weaves themes of love, loss, revenge, and identity into a powerful and emotional narrative.
Readers journey through a land rich with political intrigue, forbidden magic, and stories of courage and sacrifice, all against the backdrop of a struggle to reclaim an erased past.
If you enjoy Steven Erikson’s detailed world-building and characters facing daunting, epic conflicts, Peter V. Brett might become your next great read. Brett’s “The Warded Man” introduces a civilization terrorized by nightly attacks from fearsome demons called corelings.
Humans hide behind ancient magical wards for safety. The story follows Arlen, a young man determined to fight rather than cower behind protective symbols. Brett creates complex societies, memorable characters, and plenty of suspense that keep readers engaged page after page.
Fans of Erikson’s sprawling fantasy epics will find Brett’s demon-haunted world fascinating and thoroughly immersive.
Readers who enjoy Steven Erikson’s expansive fantasy worlds and complex characters may appreciate Robin Hobb’s immersive storytelling. Hobb is known for character-driven novels that explore magic, politics, and deep personal struggles.
In “Assassin’s Apprentice,” the first book of the “Farseer Trilogy,” readers meet Fitz, the illegitimate royal heir trained secretly as an assassin.
Fitz faces threats and difficult choices as he navigates dangerous court intrigues and learns forbidden forms of magic known as the Wit and the Skill.
Rich world-building, detailed character development, and an emotionally charged plot come together to form a story that draws readers in from the first page.
Brent Weeks is an author whose epic fantasy books offer rich worlds, complex characters, and intense plots. If you enjoy Steven Erikson’s expansive storytelling, Weeks may also appeal to you.
In his book “The Way of Shadows,” we follow Azoth, a young street kid desperate to escape poverty and abuse. Azoth apprentices himself to Durzo Blint, a mysterious and feared assassin.
But learning Blint’s dark trade proves tougher than Azoth imagined, and survival demands more than just learning skills. Secrets, betrayals, and dark magic shape Azoth’s transformation into a feared assassin known as Kylar Stern.
This book captures the gritty reality of street life and combines it with a gripping tale of adventure, danger, and complex moral questions.
If you enjoy Steven Erikson’s epic scope and gritty storytelling, David Gemmell might be a perfect addition to your reading list. Gemmell is well-known for crafting vivid heroes and morally complex worlds, especially in his novel “Legend.”
This book follows Druss, an aging warrior who becomes a reluctant hero once more as he defends the fortress of Dros Delnoch against a seemingly unstoppable invasion.
With drama, heroism, and memorable characters, “Legend” explores duty, courage, and sacrifice in a tightly-paced narrative.
Gemmell captures action scenes clearly and thoughtfully, creating realism in every battle, along with a depth in his characters’ relationships that stays with you long after finishing the book.