Books like The Quickening
28 fantasy books to read after The Quickening, by Hoover, Michelle, the closest match first.
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1. The Lions Of Al-rassan
by Kay, Guy Gavriel
- On the same lists
Book Flap Description The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has...
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2. Deverry Cycle
by Kerr, Katharine
- On the same lists
Book Flap DescriptionIn a world outside reality, a young girl's spirit hovers between incarnations, knowing neither her past nor her future. In the temporal world lives Nevyn, who long ago...
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The Immortals book 1 Start here
3. Wild Magic
by Pierce, Tamora
- On the same lists
This is Pierce’s best piece - a fantastic and touching tale about Daine, a young girl with the magical ability to speak to animals. It’s a perfect blend of adventure,...
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Exiles book 1 Start here
4. The Ruins Of Ambrai
by Rawn, Melanie
- On the same lists
Amazon Book Description Fleeing persecution to build a free colony on the planet Lenfell, the magic-wielding Mageborns find their new home torn apart by civil war between the Mage Guardians...
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5. Dragon Prince Trilogy
by Rawn, Melanie
- On the same lists
Amazon Book Description Melanie Rawn's best-selling debut is a novel of love and war, magic and madness, and deadly dangerous dragons that hold the secret to unimaginable wealth that could...
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Dragonlord book 3
6. Dragon And The Phoenix
by Bertin, Joanne
- On the same lists
Amazon Book Description Once every thousand years the phoenix of Jehanglan burns to death in a magical release. For millennia the emperors of Jehanglan have tried to harness the awesome...
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7. Rhapsody
by Haydon, Elizabeth
- On the same lists
This one’s a pure romance. If you want an emotional fantasy series with some pretty strong characterization and a well-realized world, Rhapsody is the book you're looking for. There are...
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8. 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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World Of The Five Gods book 2
9. Paladin Of Souls
by Bujold, Lois Mcmaster
- On the same lists
Paladin of Souls is the only book I know of featuring a middle-aged, retired queen on a pilgrimage, who is chalked up as mad—though personally I think she's just bored...
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First Law World book 4
10. 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
11. 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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12. 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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Samaria book 1 Start here
13. Archangel
by Shinn, Sharon
- On the same lists
This series does something a bit different from your usual fantasy romance. The setting of the book is a different world, a world with different legends and religions. There is...
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Graceling Realm book 1 Start here
14. Graceling
by Cashore, Kristin
- On the same lists
Katsa is a pragmatic graceling born with the ability to kill with her bare hands from the time she was eight years old. Graced as all gracelings are with unique...
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Ile-rien book 2
15. 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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Outlander book 1 Start here
16. Outlander
by Gabaldon, Diana
- On the same lists
Claire is on her second honeymoon in 1945 when she walks through an ancient stone circle and right into 1743. This series is part portal fantasy, part historical novel, and part romance.
In the Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon reinvents the use of time-travel in fantasy and historical fiction, crafting a thrilling drama set in the 18th and 20th centuries. The series follows...
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17. Crown Of Stars
by Elliott, Kate
- On the same lists
If there's one thing that can be taken from our own history, it's that that watching monarchies fight for and over power is fascinating. As long as you don't get...
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18. 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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Kushiel's Universe book 1 Start here
19. 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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Mistborn book 1 Start here
20. 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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21. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
by Jemisin, N. K.
- On the same lists
First book in The Inheritance Trilogy, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms centers on the novel's narrator, Yeine, granddaughter of the ruler of the world. Yeine suddenly is named heir to this...
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Abhorsen book 1 Start here
22. Sabriel
by Nix, Garth
- On the same lists
Garth Nix's Sabriel is marketed to the young adult audience but easily appeals to a wider readership. Fantastic world-building paints both the realm of Ancelstierre, and The Old Kingdom, where...
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The Mists Of Avalon book 1 Start here
23. 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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Codex Alera book 1 Start here
24. 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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Damar book 2
25. The Hero And The Crown
by Mckinley, Robin
- On the same lists
A classic book that features many recognizable Fantasy tropes: royalty, romance, enchantment, dragons, war.
Aerin is shy, clumsy, ugly, and mistrusted by the people she is supposed to rule. She is ridiculed for being the daughter of a witch with none of her witchy...
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Sevenwaters book 1 Start here
26. 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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27. 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...
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The Earthsea Cycle book 1 Start here
28. 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...
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 Quickening.
The shortlist
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