Books like Mortal Instruments
26 fantasy books to read after Mortal Instruments, by Clare, Cassandra, the closest match first.
-
1. Nightside
by Green, Simon R.
- On the same lists
A superb mix of suspense, humor, fantasy, horror, and romance. A blend of Raymond Chandler and Jim Butcher. This one is a detective noir along the lines of a Harry...
-
2. The Blue Girl
by Lint, Charles De
- On the same lists
Charles de Lint is one of the founders of the Urban Fantasy movement - his influential works have helped shape the entire genre as a whole. And as one of...
-
Asian book 1 Start here
3. King Rat
by Clavell, James
- On the same lists
This is perhaps not Mieville’s best work but it’s certainly the most “urban fantasy” of his novels. Typical of every Mieville novel, there’s a lot of weird stuff going on...
-
4. Ariel
by Boyett, Steven R.
- On the same lists
Post-apocalyptic urban fantasy. The world has changed - the lights don’t work, cars are no longer functional and magical creatures now roam the landscape. The world is no longer the...
-
Twenty Palaces book 1 Start here
5. Child Of Fire
by Connolly, Harry
- On the same lists
I quite liked this one. I think it's probably the best next It’s dark, gritty, and it dose new things in the genre. Yes, it’s got some of the elements...
-
The Detective Inspector Chen book 1 Start here
6. Snake Agent
by Williams, Liz
- On the same lists
A surprising cocktail of Chinese Fantasy, detective fiction, and science fiction that manages to still taste good. The novel is set in a futuristic China (future Shanghai) and incorporates high...
-
7. Un Lun Dun
by Miéville, China
- On the same lists
This was Mieville’s first foray into YA fantasy and boy was it a good one; he manages to subvert the standard fantasy formula, giving the reader a story that’s both...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 1 Start here
8. City Of Bones
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray goes to a nightclub in New York with her friend Simon and sees three tattooed teenagers kill someone, and the body vanishes. She finds that she is...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 2
9. City Of Ashes
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
Sixteen-year-old Clary continues trying to make sense of the swiftly changing events and relationships in her life as she becomes further involved with the Shadowhunters and their pursuit of demons...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 3
10. City Of Glass
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
"Includes a sneak peak at book four of the Mortal instruments, and a chapter from the new prequel series, the Infernal devices"--P. [4] of cover.
-
The Mortal Instruments book 4
11. City Of Fallen Angels
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
Trust is dangerous, and to love is to destroy. Plunge into the fourth installment in the internationally bestselling **Mortal Instruments** series and *"prepare to be hooked" (Entertainment Weekly).* The Mortal...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 5
12. City Of Lost Souls
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
When Jace vanishes with Sebastian, Clary and the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world and Clary infiltrates the group planning the world's destruction.
-
The Mortal Instruments book 6
13. City Of Heavenly Fire
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
A YA series where a young girl discovers her supernatural heritage. Normal humans are even called "mundanes.
As chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim, Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends have to head to the realm of demons in order to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Sebastian, who...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 1 Start here
14. City Of Bones
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother...
-
The Mortal Instruments book 2
15. City Of Ashes
by Clare, Cassandra
- Same author
Clary continues trying to make sense of her swiftly changing life as she becomes further involved with the Shadowhunters and their pursuit of demons and discovers some terrifying truths about...
-
Bobby Dollar book 1 Start here
16. Dirty Streets Of Heaven
by Williams, Tad
- On the same lists
This one by Tad Williams, a master at writing well plotted, rich fantasy tales.This is his second foray into urban fantasy territory (first being War of the Flowers - another...
-
17. Neverwhere
by Gaiman, Neil
- On the same lists
An example of the crossover between Urban Fantasy and Crossworlds. An ordinary man is transported to a world of shadows and darkness and must make his way home.
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...
-
18. Sookie Stackhouse
by Harris, Charlaine
- On the same lists
Vampire Fiction often falls into the Urban Fantasy sub-genre, and this series is a great example of how popular it has become.
For those who love Twilight, the next step should be to read the Sookie Stackhouse novels. The popular True Blood TV series was based on these novels, so if you...
-
Mythago Wood book 1 Start here
19. Mythago Wood
by Holdstock, Robert
- On the same lists
There are many novels and novellas in this cycle which take place in a forest that has been untouched since the last ice age. It is a labyrinth, a place of peril and living myths.
'Unique' is a vastly overused word. It has about as much meaning as Kim K's twitter feed. But in the case of Mythago Wood, it's warranted. Firstly, Holdstock tells the...
-
20. The Anubis Gates
by Powers, Tim
- On the same lists
An award winning novel that has time travel, historical figures, Egyptian mythology, and 19th century England.
In creating this world, Powers borrowed ideas from all over the place. Mythology, Ancient Egyptian theology, quantum theory, and classical literature“ they're all used in The Anubis Gates. It's a...
-
21. Fevre Dream
by Martin, George R. R.
- On the same lists
A lesser known novel by the Game of Thrones creator that is a fine example of a more mythic take on vampirism. Fevre Dream is a steamboat sailing up the antebellum Mississippi River, which just so happens to be carrying the lord of the vampire race. It is a blend of history and myth.
He writes stories where castration, rape, skull-crushing, and child sacrifice are parred for the course. So it should come as no surprise that George R.R. Martin conquered the sub-genre of...
-
Dresden Files book 1 Start here
22. Storm Front
by Butcher, Jim
- On the same lists
A crime version of the Urban Fantasy sub-genre. Harry Dresden is a wizard and a private investigator
Harry Dresden is a wizard. He has decided to use his power to solve minor crimes to make a living, so he opens up his own private eye firm, the...
-
23. War For The Oaks
by Bull, Emma
- On the same lists
What happens when a rock star is pulled into a supernatural conflict between good and evil? Well, let's head on over to Minneapolis of all places and find out
It was in the 80s that the subgenres of fantasy we know today started. One of these – urban fantasy – owes much of its development from War for the...
-
24. Harry Potter
by Rowling, J. K.
- On the same lists
This incredibly popular series is a story of an alternate world, a secret world of wizardy that exists within our own, but seems ever so vast.
Yes, everyone has probably read this. In fact, these these may have been the books that got you started reading fantasy in the first place. These books do make for...
-
The Magicians book 1 Start here
25. The Magicians
by Grossman, Lev
- On the same lists
A prequel novel about a high school senior who is admitted to a school for gifted children, for a magical education in upstate New York. A typical quest story that turns dark. Things are not black and white in this world and the characters are psychologically rich.
School fantasy is often aimed at children, and it's very successful at hitting that market. It's much harder to appeal exclusively to adults, and that's where The Magicians shines. Rather...
-
26. 2005: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
by Clarke, Susanna
- On the same lists
The revival of magic in an alternate Britain with two very different magicians and some fairies, too.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an epic tale of the rebirth of magic in nineteenth-century England. Taking place among the regular historical occurrences of the time, the main difference...
Matches come from series and authors, from the lists the books share, and from the books readers open together. They are rebuilt every night. Back to Mortal Instruments.
The shortlist
Liked Mortal Instruments? New releases and the lists readers are opening most, by email.