Books like Sabriel
30 fantasy books to read after Sabriel, by Nix, Garth, the closest match first.
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1. Abhorsen Trilogy
by Nix, Garth
- Same series
- Same author
A dark epic fantasy tale about a girl who will go into the land of the dead to save her father. It's an exciting adventure that's also scary. Nix is...
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Abhorsen book 2
2. Lirael
by Nix, Garth
- Same series
- Same author
Who is Lirael? Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Abandoned by her mother, ignorant of her father's identity, Lirael resembles no one else in her...
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Abhorsen book 3
3. Abhorsen
by Nix, Garth
- Same series
- Same author
Sometimes the best – and most unique – new fantasy comes from the Young Adult section. Before Twilight reared it's sparkly head, Garth Nix created a world that explores our...
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Abhorsen book 4
4. Clariel
by Nix, Garth
- Same series
- Same author
Award-winning author Garth Nix returns to the Old Kingdom with a thrilling prequel complete with dark magic, royalty, dangerous action, a strong heroine, and flawless world building. This epic fantasy...
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Abhorsen book 5
5. Goldenhand
by Nix, Garth
- Same series
- Same author
The long-awaited fifth installment in Garth Nix’s New York Times bestselling Old Kingdom series, for readers who enjoy series by Rae Carson, Kristin Cashore, Scott Westerfeld, and Cassandra Clare. Goldenhand...
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6. Keys To The Kingdom
by Nix, Garth
- Same author
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a...
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7. Abhorsen Trilogy
by Nix, Garth
- Same author
If you like scary stories, Abhorsen Trilogy (now called 'The Old Kingdom' as Garth Nix is expanding the universe with more tie in books) is one of the best dark...
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8. Accross The Wall
by Nix, Garth
- Same author
A collection of thirteen stories by Garth Nix, with the author's own introductions to each. It opens with "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case", a novella set in...
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Sevenwaters book 1 Start here
9. Daughter Of The Forest
by Marillier, Juliet
- On the same lists
This series follows several generations of a family who have a special relationship with the Otherworld and takes place mostly in ancient Ireland.
This intricate retelling of the Celtic Swans fairy tale takes an enchanting story and embellishes it with depth, believable backstory, ancient magic, and great characters. It is painfully dark, at...
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Kushiel's Universe book 1 Start here
10. Kushiel's Dart
by Carey, Jacqueline
- On the same lists
The first novel in a six-part series, this is an epic tale that features a female protagonist who is both spy and courtesan. She has been chosen to experience pain and pleasure as one.
A lot of novels on this list are either children's stories or young adult. While they make for great stories, there are some great coming of age stories that feature...
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Damar book 1 Start here
11. The Blue Sword
by Mckinley, Robin
- On the same lists
The original "strong heroine" fantasy author, McKinley broke new ground with her work in the 80's. Harry Crewe feels restless, insignificant, invisible. Until kelar, a kind of magical force handed...
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12. The Golden Compass
by Pullman, Philip
- On the same lists
His Dark Materials plunges you into an intriguing alternate universe that is both familiar, and strange. Imagine a world where we each have our own daemons (spirit animals) that are...
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Mistborn book 1 Start here
13. Mistborn
by Sanderson, Brandon
- On the same lists
Though Sanderson's main criticism is a lack of character depth, it's hard to deny the satisfying coming of age stories in Mistborn. The novel describes a classic rags-to-riches story, Vin...
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The Witcher book 3
14. Blood Of Elves
by Sapkowski, Andrzej
- On the same lists
The Witcher series isn’t the first that comes to mind in this genre, especially if your knowledge is limited to the games. However, this particular title features far more training...
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15. Empire Trilogy
by Wurts, Raymond E. Feist And Janny
- On the same lists
This collaboration proves that you don't have to wade neck-deep in magic to make a great fantasy. This series showcases the other side of Feist's Riftwar Saga, which is a...
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Codex Alera book 1 Start here
16. Furies Of Calderon
by Butcher, Jim
- On the same lists
What happens to soldiers after the war is fought? This book tells the story of five veterans and some secrets too.
Most of theitems on this list made it thanks to their unique ideas. Instead, Codex Alera takes a system familiar to millions of children. While many authors claim inspiration from...
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The Earthsea Cycle book 1 Start here
17. A Wizard Of Earthsea
by Guin, Ursula K. Le
- On the same lists
Today, Ursula K. Le Guin’s magic system may not sound exceptional. Like many, it uses the knowledge of true names to control elements, creatures, and even humans. Consider, however, that...
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The Wheel Of Time book 1 Start here
18. The Eye of the World
by Jordan, Robert
- On the same lists
One of the most definitive versions of classic epic fantasy -- especially the Fat Fantasy version of it.
The Wheel of Time is known for its extraordinary characterization and epic plot, but it also features some of the best elemental magic. It integrates classic and unique components, crafting...
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19. Liveship Traders Trilogy
by Hobb, Robin
- On the same lists
A nautical fantasy featuring pirates, dragons, and magic? What's not to love? To top it off, Liveship Traders is filled with fantastic women. Ronica, the widow of the liveship's former...
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First Law World book 4
20. Best Served Cold
by Abercrombie, Joe
- On the same lists
Monza Murcatto is out for blood. Known as the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Styria, she is betrayed by her employer and left for dead....
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Study book 1 Start here
21. Poison Study
by Snyder, Maria V.
- On the same lists
Yelena is about to be executed for murder and is offered an alternative: food taster to the king. She herself is poisoned and must appear for her daily antidote or...
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22. The Black Jewels Series
by Bishop, Anne
- On the same lists
A landmark step in feminist fiction, this dark fantasy series is unlike anything you've ever read. Bishop takes the physical and typical differences between men and women, highlights rather than...
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Ile-rien book 2
23. Death Of A Necromancer
by Wells, Martha
- On the same lists
A delightful blend of different genres with elements of steampunk, mystery, and Gothic tossed in. It's a unique story that really showcases Well's talents. Death of a Necromancer is Well's...
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Raven's Shadow book 1 Start here
24. Blood Song
by Ryan, Anthony
- On the same lists
One of the best fantasy novels in recent times, Blood Song also happens to have many school-like elements. Left as a child at the gates of the Sixth Order, Vaelin...
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The Mists Of Avalon book 1 Start here
25. The Mists Of Avalon
by Bradley, Marion Zimmer
- On the same lists
A story of King Arthur's court, through the eyes of Arthur's half-sister Morgaine Le Fay.
I can't do a list of the top 50 fantasy novels with strong female leads without including The Mists of Avalon. Considered one of the great classics of modern fantasy...
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The Queen Of The Tearling book 1 Start here
26. The Queen Of The Tearling
by Johansen, Erika
- On the same lists
In a post-apocalyptic rendition of Earth, civilization has returned to medieval technology, and the rightful queen who was hidden away as a child seeks to regain her throne. Johansen attempts...
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27. Tiger And Del Series
by Robertson, Jennifer
- On the same lists
This series starts off with so much promise. Del, brave warrior-woman in the North has been training for five years to rescue her brother from slavers in the South and...
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28. Red Rising (not Magic, But Hunger Games Survival Meets School Setting With Some Fantasy Elements)
by Brown, Pierce
- On the same lists
Books in this sub-genre focus almost entirely on magic, but Red Rising stands in stark contrast to that. Part dystopia, part sci-fi fantasy, Red Risingfocuses on the story of a...
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29. Long Price Quartet
by Abraham, Daniel
- On the same lists
Western settings. Farm boys. Spoilt rich kids. Often, coming of age fantasy hits you over the head with unsubtle interactions and world-building. Abraham's Long Price Quartet does not fit into...
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Time Quintet book 1 Start here
30. A Wrinkle In Time
by L'engle, Madeleine
- On the same lists
An award winning, YA series of books that present, at least in part, a Christian world-view.
With a foot in both Science Fiction and Fantasy, A Wrinkle in Time is a bridge between reality and fantasy, a meeting place for adult and child readers alike. Meg...
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 Sabriel.
The shortlist
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