If you enjoy reading novels by Susan Cooper then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Susan Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising,” you may appreciate J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic “The Hobbit.” Tolkien’s vivid storytelling style and imaginative landscapes create a world filled with adventure, humor, and timeless characters.
“The Hobbit” follows Bilbo Baggins, a comfortable and unadventurous hobbit who finds himself pulled into a quest to reclaim treasure stolen by the fearsome dragon Smaug.
Bilbo encounters trolls, goblins, elves, and giant spiders, and discovers bravery and wit he didn’t know he had. Tolkien expertly blends quest, mythology, and friendship into an unforgettable tale that appeals to readers of any age.
If you enjoy Susan Cooper’s blend of fantasy and thoughtful storytelling, Madeleine L’Engle offers a similar kind of magic in her classic novel “A Wrinkle in Time.”
The story follows Meg Murry and her younger brother, Charles Wallace, as they travel through space and time to rescue their father from a mysterious darkness.
Along with their friend Calvin and three eccentric guides named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, they venture across worlds filled with wonder, danger, and surprising discoveries.
The journey is exciting and imaginative, tying together science fiction elements with themes about courage, hope, and conquering fear. If Cooper’s imaginative adventures appeal to you, Madeleine L’Engle provides another fascinating universe to explore.
Books by Lloyd Alexander offer stories of magic, adventure, and timeless folklore. If you’re a fan of Susan Cooper and her series “The Dark is Rising,” you’ll probably enjoy Alexander’s “The Book of Three.”
In this novel, young assistant pig-keeper Taran dreams of heroics and adventure. But when his magical pig Hen Wen escapes, Taran’s quiet life shifts into a dangerous quest.
He encounters companions like the fierce Princess Eilonwy, loyal yet quirky creature Gurgi, and the bard Fflewddur Fflam, whose harp snaps a string whenever he tells a lie. Their journey takes them into a battle against dark forces that threaten their homeland, Prydain.
Like Cooper’s stories, Alexander blends fantasy with legends inspired by Welsh mythology.
If you enjoy Susan Cooper’s mix of mythology, adventure, and timeless battles between good and evil, you might want to explore C.S. Lewis.
Lewis is famous for his fantasy series “The Chronicles of Narnia,” a collection of seven books set in a magical land filled with talking animals, epic journeys, and acts of courage.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the most popular of the series, follows the tale of four siblings who discover the enchanted land of Narnia through a mysterious wardrobe.
There they encounter the noble lion Aslan and face the cruel reign of the White Witch, whose spell has trapped Narnia in everlasting winter. Lewis blends themes of loyalty, friendship, bravery, and sacrifice into a memorable fantasy that resonates with readers of all ages.
Philip Pullman is a great pick for fans of Susan Cooper who want captivating fantasy books filled with myth, adventure, and vivid worlds.
In his book “The Golden Compass,” Pullman introduces young Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree days at Jordan College in Oxford quickly end when her best friend is kidnapped.
Journeying into the icy North with a magical compass called an alethiometer, Lyra encounters armored bears, dangerous plots, and mysterious phenomena known as Dust.
The storyline weaves elements of mythology, philosophy, and adventure, which resonate nicely with themes readers of Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising” series often enjoy. Pullman’s writing, rich in detail and emotion, immerses readers within its imaginative twists and turns.
Diana Wynne Jones shares Susan Cooper’s talent for blending fantasy and everyday realities. Her imaginative story “Howl’s Moving Castle” follows Sophie, a practical young woman who lives in a world filled with whimsical magic, talking fires, and moving castles.
A chance encounter with a mysterious wizard named Howl turns Sophie’s life upside down, and soon she is cursed by a witch who transforms her from young to old overnight.
Sophie strikes up a friendship with Calcifer, a fire-demon bound to Howl, which leads them all into an adventure of curses, spells, and hidden identities.
This book has humor, intrigue, and characters you’ll genuinely care about, and readers who enjoyed Cooper’s blend of myth and real-life tension will find Wynne Jones equally satisfying.
If you enjoy Susan Cooper’s blend of myth, fantasy, and memorable characters, Patricia McKillip might become a favorite of yours too. McKillip’s writing pulls readers into worlds filled with subtle magic, ancient riddles, and rich storytelling.
Her book “The Forgotten Beasts of Eld” follows Sybel, a powerful young sorceress who lives isolated in the mountains with mythical creatures summoned by her ancestors.
When an unexpected infant is entrusted into her care, Sybel becomes involved in a complicated struggle between kingdoms. Loyalties are tested, secrets unfold, and Sybel faces challenging choices about trust, love, and revenge.
McKillip’s lyrical style and imaginative worlds create a fantasy tale readers won’t soon forget.
Garth Nix is an Australian fantasy author known for creating imaginative worlds with magic, adventure, and intriguing characters. Fans of Susan Cooper’s rich storytelling and blend of myth and modernity would likely enjoy Nix’s book “Sabriel.”
The story unfolds in a divided land—on one side is the safe, modern Ancelstierre, on the other, the magical but perilous Old Kingdom, where the dead don’t always stay dead.
Sabriel, a young woman trained in necromancy for good rather than evil, must navigate the dangers of the Old Kingdom to rescue her father and confront a rising darkness threatening both realms.
The book weaves together magic, duty, and the battle between life and death in an adventure that immerses readers from beginning to end.
Tamora Pierce is an author known for creating vivid fantasy worlds filled with memorable characters and strong narratives. If you enjoy Susan Cooper’s blend of magic and folklore, Pierce’s “Alanna: The First Adventure” may be an excellent choice.
The novel follows young Alanna of Trebond as she disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight. Alanna faces challenges that test her courage and desire, in a society that expects girls to follow a very different path.
Readers who enjoy fantasy with determined heroes, exciting adventures, and rich storytelling might find this book particularly appealing.
Books by E. Nesbit carry the same sense of wonder and fantasy found in Susan Cooper’s stories. Nesbit was an English author known for her imaginative children’s novels filled with magic and relatable characters. One of her most beloved books is “Five Children and It.”
In this story, five siblings discover a peculiar creature in a sandpit near their vacation home. They soon realize this creature, called a Psammead, can grant wishes—but each wish has unexpected and often humorous consequences.
The children’s adventures lead to lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the truth behind desires. Anyone who enjoys Susan Cooper’s tales of magic and adventure might appreciate Nesbit’s mix of charm, wit, and gentle fantasy.
Cornelia Funke is a German author known for her imaginative storytelling and vivid fantasy worlds. Readers who enjoyed Susan Cooper’s blend of magic and adventure may find Funke equally appealing.
Her novel “Inkheart” introduces readers to Meggie, a girl whose life changes when she discovers that her father has the rare ability to bring characters out of books simply by reading aloud.
Chaos unfolds when one of these characters emerges into the real world, determined to reshape his own story. The narrative blends fantasy and reality, creating a world where stories possess real power, filled with fascinating characters and unexpected dangers.
Neil Gaiman is an imaginative storyteller, blending modern-day themes with rich mythological worlds, suitable for readers who enjoy Susan Cooper’s blend of legend and reality.
In “The Graveyard Book,” Gaiman introduces Nobody Owens, a young boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard when tragedy leaves him orphaned and in danger.
Through Nobody’s unusual upbringing among spirits and ghouls, readers explore friendship, identity, and courage in an engaging blend of eerie atmosphere and heartfelt storytelling.
Gaiman’s skillful weaving of folklore and contemporary life creates a captivating narrative that resonates with fans of Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising” series.
Readers who enjoy Susan Cooper’s mix of magic, legend, and young heroes may appreciate the works of Robin McKinley. McKinley writes fantasy stories filled with brave characters, rich settings, and imaginative quests.
Her novel “The Blue Sword” follows Harry Crewe, a spirited young woman uprooted from her comfortable home and sent to a mysterious desert borderland called Damar. There she encounters ancient magic, fierce warriors, and a destiny she never expected.
McKinley’s storytelling blends adventure, courage, and wonder that fans of Cooper’s novels often seek.
Alan Garner is a British author known for blending folklore, myth, and adventure in his novels. Readers who enjoyed Susan Cooper’s “The Dark Is Rising” series will find similar magic in Garner’s work.
For example, his novel “The Weirdstone of Brisingamen” tells the story of two young siblings, Colin and Susan, staying in rural Cheshire. They stumble upon an ancient stone with mysterious powers and soon find themselves caught in a struggle between good and evil.
Richly layered mythology, secret caverns beneath the countryside, and intense challenges await the siblings as they work to protect the Weirdstone from dark forces.
Fans of Cooper who appreciate the balance between modern everyday life and ancient legend would likely connect strongly with Garner’s imaginative adventure.
Readers who enjoy Susan Cooper’s mix of mythology, history, and fantasy may find a similar charm in the works of T.H. White. White is best known for “The Once and Future King,” a thoughtful reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend.
The novel follows the life of young Wart, later known as King Arthur, as he encounters magic, lessons, and adventures in medieval England.
With the wizard Merlin as his eccentric teacher, Wart learns about leadership and morality, and experiences the complexities of human nature. White’s storytelling style has warmth, humor, and an insightful look at morality and power.
Those who are drawn to Cooper’s thoughtful tales of myth and legend may find White’s perspective equally appealing.