Books like The Sandman
30 fantasy books to read after The Sandman, by Gaiman, Neil, the closest match first.
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1. Good Omens
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
- On the same lists
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...
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2. A Tale Of The Malazan Book Of The Fallen
by Erikson, Steven
- On the same lists
Starting this series is like being thrown into a tornado. Strapped to a cow. With a lightning rod attached to your head. It's chaotic and you'll find yourself confused but...
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3. The Nightrunners
by Lansdale, Joe R.
- On the same lists
Considering that fantasy gives authors the opportunity to create entirely new cultures, it's surprising that so few erase the negative aspects of our own society – sexism, racism, and homophobia...
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Abhorsen book 3
4. Abhorsen
by Nix, Garth
- On the same lists
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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5. The Book Of Atrix Wolfe
by Mckillip, Patricia A.
- On the same lists
Patricia McKillip is one of the most eloquent fantasy writers in modern fantasy. She combines great characters with epic adventures to create books imbued with mystery. Why it's on this...
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6. The Dark Elf Trilogy
by Salvatore, R.a.
- On the same lists
A disclaimer: If you're not a Dungeons and Dragons aficionado and have read extensively within the genre, you might be tempted to avoid The Dark Elf Trilogy. This is because...
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7. Ocean At The End Of The Lane
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
A nameless protagonist had a magical childhood where he became part of a battle between the supernatural forces of good and evil. This book does not necessarily reveal the wonder within our mundane world. But, it is a kind of fairy tale.
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...
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8. 2003: The Facts Of Life
by Joyce, Graham
- On the same lists
The Facts of Life is set during and after World War II in Coventry, England. The novel begins with a young girl, Cassie, and her newborn baby, Frank. Cassie was...
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9. The Acts Of Caine
by Stover, Matthew Woodring
- On the same lists
The Acts of Caine is another series that takes traditional fantasy and turns it upside down. The books take us away from boring clichés and blends sci-fi, dystopia, and fantasy...
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10. Deverry Cycle
by Kerr, Katherine
- On the same lists
This series is an example of Celtic/Historical Fantasy and does a wonderful job bringing ancient Welsh culture to life.
Deverry Cycle is a twelve-book series, but don't panic, it's broken up into "cycles," so every four books or so you get a satisfying ending. The heavy Celt flavor is...
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11. The Sword Of Truth
by Goodkind, Terry
- On the same lists
Most would argue that this series gets worse with every addition. But Wizard's First Rule is good enough to get the series included on the list. It's probably more of...
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12. American Gods
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
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...
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13. Good Omens
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
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...
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American Gods book 1 Start here
14. American Gods (2003)
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
An ambitious and award-winning novel that is, at its simplest, a road story, but it is also a complex story of old gods and new, of folklore, of past selves, of culture and belief.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman won the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novel. "American Gods" is a novel written by Neil Gaiman, first published in 2001. The story follows the character...
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American Gods book 2
15. Anansi Boys
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
Fat Charlie Nancy's normal life ended the moment his father dropped dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn't know his dad was a god. And he never knew he...
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16. Neverwhere
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
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...
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17. The Graveyard Book
by Gaiman, Neil
- Same author
Raised by ghosts in a graveyard, a boy must face the living world, in Gaiman's warm and eerie fairy tale.
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...
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The Death Gate Cycle book 1 Start here
18. Dragon Wing
by Weis, Margaret
- On the same lists
The Death Gate Cycle
The Death Gate Cycle has been praised endlessly for its world-building, so it’s no surprise that an incredible magic system backs it up. Humans are split into two races, the...
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Farseer book 1 Start here
19. Assassin's Apprentice
by Hobb, Robin
- On the same lists
Several sets of linked trilogies and short stories of high fantasy set in the same world.
How could a story about the apprentice of an assassin not be grimdark? It couldn't, that's how. This first entry sparked off three trilogies about the one protagonist, which contain...
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20. His Dark Materials
by Pullman, Philip
- On the same lists
A trilogy of young adult novels where science, theology, and magic are intertwined.
This series is challenging. Not because it's badly written or because there's a complex world to understand, but because it asks the reader to consider their beliefs and question everything...
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21. War Of Light And Shadow
by Wurts, Janny
- On the same lists
This series is epic in every sense of the word. It takes place over many generations, its world is complex and detailed and the quest at the heart of the...
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The Saga Of Recluce book 1 Start here
22. The Saga Of Recluce
by Jr., L. E. Modesitt
- On the same lists
The Saga of Reclucedescribes a constant war between order and chaos, and its magic system is a significant part of that. Where Order is present in the molecular bonds that...
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Ile-rien book 2
23. The Death Of The Necromancer
by Wells, Martha
- On the same lists
Martha Wells is best known for her Books of Raksura series, but this nebula nominated book is one of her best by far. Despite its publication in the late nineties,...
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A Song Of Ice And Fire book 1 Start here
24. A Game Of Thrones
by Martin, George R. R.
- On the same lists
Noble houses scheme for a throne while an ancient winter gathers in the north, the epic that made grimdark mainstream.
Because, duh, it was going to be on here somewhere. I almost feel as if it isn't worth writing an entry on this one, because everyone knows it so well,...
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25. 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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26. Tigana
by Kay, Guy Gavriel
- On the same lists
Tigana is based on Renaissance Italy. Kay uses Italian politics to make the story seem plausible.
Tigana is both a sweeping epic and a look into human nature – flaws and all. The characters and plot exist in an area of grey where good and evil...
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The Dark Tower book 1 Start here
27. The Gunslinger
by King, Stephen
- On the same lists
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba An impressive work of mythic magnitude that may turn out to be Stephen Kings greatest literary achievement...
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Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn book 1 Start here
28. Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn
by Williams, Tad
- On the same lists
Epic fantasy with attention to characters and details.
Tad Williams' series was the source of inspiration for many of the titles on the listand some outside of it. Authors like R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and more all cite...
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Sevenwaters book 1 Start here
29. 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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The Wheel Of Time book 1 Start here
30. 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...
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 Sandman.
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