Books like The Light Ages
30 fantasy books to read after The Light Ages, by Macleod, Ian R., the closest match first.
-
The Age Of Unreason book 1 Start here
1. Newton's Cannon
by Keyes, J. Gregory
- On the same lists
A world where the heroes of science are literally the masters of the world. Enter Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, masters of the new science of…magic? The basic premise to...
-
The Kingdoms Of Thorn And Bone book 1 Start here
2. The Briar King
by Keyes, Greg
- On the same lists
Keyes stunned the fantasy community with his phenomenal new high fantasy novel, The Briar King, a few years ago. This guy is a master of the English language. His writing...
-
3. Way Of The Wolf
by Knight, E.e.
- On the same lists
Picture a dark, apocalyptic world set in the near future. A world conquered by vampiric aliens, where humans are kept as nothing more than feeding and breeding stock. This is...
-
Oath Of Empire book 1 Start here
4. The Shadow Of Ararat
by Harlan, Thomas
- On the same lists
It is 600 AD and Rome has never fallen. The Roman Empire of the East will join the Roman Empire of the West to invade the inimical Persians who threaten...
-
Incarnations Of Immortality book 1 Start here
5. On A Pale Horse
by Anthony, Piers
- On the same lists
I'm not a fan of Piers Anthony in general (on a personal level I find the man utterly distasteful just read his blog for example and you'll find he's a...
-
6. The Eyes Of A God
by Marco, John
- On the same lists
Very well written fantasy series. Expect the usual grey characterization endemic to all of John Marco's books. Read the other two sequels "Devil's Armor" and "Sword of Angels." Disappointed with...
-
7. Weavers Of Saramyr
by Wooding, Chris
- On the same lists
A fantasy series set in an elaborately detailed medieval Asian landscape. The book has two very well drawn female protagonists. These are some great fantasy books that don't get enough...
-
The Dragoncrown War Cycle book 2
8. Fortress Draconis
by Stackpole, Michael A.
- On the same lists
This High Fantasy series has gone under the radar for some reason. It's fantasy in the classic epic tradition. A band of heroes strives against an all-powerful sorceress. The most...
-
9. Shadow Of The Lion
by Lackey, Mercedes
- On the same lists
Rich and complex high fantasy, set in an alternate Venice. Somewhat slow, especially at the beginning, but a nice long read for that rainy day. Book gets very good if...
-
Aldabreshin Compass book 1 Start here
10. Southern Fire
by Mckenna, Juliet E.
- On the same lists
This saga is a nice change from standard fantasy. It's set in a Mediterranean milieu -- rich, complex, and full of exotic mystery. Overall, a great read. British author McKenna,...
-
The Sun Sword book 1 Start here
11. The Broken Crown
by West, Michele
- On the same lists
Epic in the tradition of Robert Jordan. The characters are well drawn, at the cost of the story's pacing. You will either love West or hate her style. If you...
-
12. In Legend Born
by Resnick, Laura
- On the same lists
Outstanding characterization. Resnick really knows how to write realistic characters. Most of the characters are painted in shades of grey. Her plot is enticing, and after the first few chapters,...
-
13. The Prince Of Shadow
by Benjamin, Curt
- On the same lists
Benjamin does something unique: he creates an epic fantasy based in an Asian (Chinese mythological) setting. Very good series -- sort of like a Robert Jordan (not as big though!)...
-
Dragonriders Of Pern book 1 Start here
14. Dragonflight
by Mccaffrey, Anne
- On the same lists
A series where an alien reptile species has been genetically engineered to be dragons who breathe fire and communicate telepathically.
A classic among dragon-loving fantasy fans. I don't feel the stories or characters are particularly memorable, especially with a raft of better dragon fantasy fiction out there, but still worth...
-
15. Scar Night
by Campbell, Alan
- On the same lists
An interesting premise to this story though the execution is flawed. The style and setting is pretty reminiscent of Peake and Mievilleââ¬â¢s works with the bizarre settings and cast of...
-
16. Ill Wind
by Caine, Rachel
- On the same lists
A pretty decent urban fantasy read. You'll find a lot to like about it; I don't feel itââ¬â¢s close to the best the genre has to offer, but for a...
-
Winds Of The Forelands book 1 Start here
17. Rules Of Ascension
by Coe, David B.
- On the same lists
A series that's been round for a while now. It's good enough to read if you are clamoring for some fantasy with a lot of politics and scheming and slowly...
-
The Books Of Pellinor book 1 Start here
18. The Naming
by Croggon, Alison
- On the same lists
Female-centric epic fantasy that borrows quite freely from Tolkien. It's not a bad read at all, though it's not that good of one either, mainly due to the flat characters...
-
The Chathrand Voyage book 1 Start here
19. The Red Wolf Conspiracy
by Redick, Robert V. S.
- On the same lists
This series has evolved as one of the more entertaining and complex epic fantasy series out there. Thereâs a cast of eclectic characters, politics, magic, and war and an epic...
-
20. Lamentation
by Scholes, Ken
- On the same lists
A very interesting epic fantasy tale, sort of a cross between A Song of Ice and Fire and Lions of Al-rassan. The series proves to come off the rails a...
-
21. Malice
by Gwynne, John
- On the same lists
An interesting tale with some good mythology woven in, but I found it hard to get into. Some compare it to A Song of Ice and Fire (are not all...
-
Seven Forges book 1 Start here
22. Seven Forges
by Moore, James A.
- On the same lists
A gritty fantasy that tries to break some of the standard rules and succeeds to a point. There's some good world building in this one and the setting itself is...
-
23. The Difference Engine
by Sterling, William Gibson, Bruce
- On the same lists
and William Gibson. An example of Retro Futurism with a Steampunk feel.
A classic - perhaps THE classic steampunk novel, penned by two of the genre’s founders: William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. The premise of this novel is a simple “What If”...
-
Oswald Bastable book 1 Start here
24. The Warlord Of The Air
by Moorcock, Michael
- On the same lists
Steampunk has been around for a few decades, though it’s only the past few years that it’s established its very own subgenre. The Warlord of the Air is a classic...
-
25. 20 Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
by Verne, Jules
- On the same lists
Other writers may dabble in Victorian-era fantasy, but for the “original” Victorian-era fantasy writer, Jules Verne is the authentic deal, actually being a Victorian-age science fiction writer. 20 Thousand Leagues...
-
26. The Time Machine
by Wells, H. G.
- On the same lists
Follow a time traveller into an alien-like future Earth to witness the consequences of humanity's social and biological choices and evolution.
A mechanical contraption that lets you travel back in time. Classic steampunk from a classic author.
-
27. Frankenstein
by Shelley, Mary
- On the same lists
Arguably the first Sci Fi novel and one that is also very much part of the Gothic tradition.
While not “strictly” a steampunk, this is one of the first science fiction novels, the ultimate science-gone-wrong story, and Victor Frankenstein is the quintessential mad-scientist, harnessing the power of a...
-
28. Girl Genius
by Foglio, Phil
- On the same lists
I like to try and include different types of books on these lists and for a comic steampunk (they generally tend to be so…serious), Girl Genius deserves a nod. The...
-
The Clockwork Century book 1 Start here
29. Boneshaker
by Priest, Cherie
- On the same lists
Steampunk in an alternate American Civil War, also a gold rush, and some zombies. A literary novel that blends the fantasy, science fiction, horror, and alternate history genres.
This one is for the discerning steampunk reader who loves a well-thought-out tale, great writing, and an interesting premise. Set in an alternative American Civil War, a son’s quest to...
-
30. The Diamond Age
by Stephenson, Neal
- On the same lists
A coming of age story for a young girl in a world where nanotech has become part of all aspects of life.
Unlike the typical steampunk,, Neal Stephenson’s masterpiece does not feature steam and clockwork technology, but futuristic nano-technology that’s pervaded society on every level. This novel is so much more than...
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 The Light Ages.
The shortlist
Liked The Light Ages? New releases and the lists readers are opening most, by email.