American Gods
Neil Gaiman is an ever-popular writer who's branched into cinema, comics, and books. Quite a few people will argue that Neverwhere or Stardust is better than American Gods, but I disagree. American Gods is arguably his best work because it explores some interesting conceits whereas many of Gaiman's other tales are great tales, but don't do anything "new" (other than being really well written of course).American Gods pits the "Old Gods" of the past against the "New Gods" of the digital world.This is not your classic boy wizard versus dark god fantasy tale, but rather a more insightful, intelligent, and deep look into modern and ancient beliefs and the clash that results. It's a whole and whole urban fantasy tale -- a genre in which Gaiman has helped to lead the modern pack. So if you are looking for a stellar standalone fantasy novel, you'll have to search far and wide to do better than American Gods.
Similar Recommendations
The obvious recommendation here is more books by this author. Gaiman writes some other worthy standalone fantasy books: Neverwhere and Anansi Boys.Both books are great (Anansi Boys is set in the same world as American Gods) but I prefer Neverwhere which is a good ol' fashion rattlingly good adventure tale. Gaiman's got more great fantasy standalone such as Stardust and The Graveyard Book (the perfect book to read to your kids before bed!) which should not be missed either.
"For more books about ancient myths coming to life in modern society":
If you like the whole ancient mythical figures coexisting with the modern world theme, give Mythago Wood a read. You'll also want to read Tim Power's The Anubis Gates which incorporates ancient myths coming to life with time travel -- a weird mix but a hell of an entertaining novel. You should also check out Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay which also has a similar theme/plot.
"For more books with a similar "style" to Gaiman"
Honestly, Gaiman is in a league of his own when it comes to HIS style of urban fantasy fiction. However, there are a few other authors that do some interesting stuff in the same fantasy subgenre. Check out China Mieville (start with Perdido Street Station) -- another writer who writes interesting (and oh-so-weird) Urban Fantasy.
For a different, darker urban fantasy tale, you might want to give The Magicians by Lev Grossman a gander which has mixed reviews but really does something different with the fantasy genre.
Booklists having this book
Best Stand Alone Fantasy Books
Most of the books listed on this website's top fantasy lists have been part of a series, either because of the financial incentive behind publishing multiple books in the same... Read more
Other books by Gaiman, Neil
American Gods
Neil Gaiman is an ever-popular writer who's branched into cinema, comics, and books. Quite a few people will argue that Neverwhere or Stardust is better than American Gods, but I... Read more
Good Omens
Fantasy has never been so clever or funny as it is in the brilliant Good Omens.Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen form a super team and pen one of the funniest... Read more
American Gods (2003)
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Anansi Boys
Good Omens
A sushi-loving angel, a gearhead demon and Death as a gamer nerd. Do we even need to be a plot?Why it's on this listSometimes fantasy (and its audience) takes itself... Read more
Neverwhere
Most (all?) of Gaiman’s works are urban fantasy. The crowd favorite is Neverwhere, which is an interesting take on the whole multiverse conceit found in science fiction. The premise is... Read more
Ocean At The End Of The Lane
A powerful story that deals with themes of childhood, innocence, and growing up. What's particularly powerful is Gaiman's ability to harness feelings that most of us, as children, have experienced... Read more
The Graveyard Book
Gaiman is one of the biggest names in modern fantasy, and for good reason. His ability to craft fairytale-like, lyrical stories is almost unparalleled. With The Graveyard Book, he goes... Read more
Coraline
This haunting children's novel follows a young, curious girl named Coraline, who discovers a hidden world inside a locked cupboard in her home. Inside this world, everything is better. Her... Read more
Stardust
The Sandman
Neil Gaiman is Neil Gaiman. Picking which of his books should be on these lists is kind of like picking the best Queen song. They're (mostly) brilliant, so it comes... Read more
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In his novel, American Gods, Neil Gaiman ventures into the heart of contemporary America, juxtaposing the decline of America's 'Old Gods' with the rise of new 'deities' (e.g. technology, mass... Read more
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Gaiman's work is perfect for anyone who's after stories with 'mundane' protagonists from the real world who are pulled into worlds of unsettling dark fantasy. His stories have worth not... Read more
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