Books like Un Lun Dun
30 fantasy books to read after Un Lun Dun, by Miéville, China, the closest match first.
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New Crobuzon book 1 Start here
1. Perdido Street Station
by Miéville, China
- Same author
The cycle blends multiple genres, including Steampunk, Sci Fi, and Horror. Magic is commonplace and practiced by skilled professionals.
The famous (or infamous, depending how you view the New Weird movement) novel is generally considered one of the founding pillars of the New Weird genre. This novel meets many...
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2. The City & The City
by Miéville, China
- Same author
A startling premise that was so foreign yet so fascinating. This is a detective novel like you've never read, with such a distinct setting that you'll never forget it. And...
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3. New Crobuzon
by Miéville, China
- Same author
This is a different sort of fantasy and helped solidify the New Weird / Slipstream movement. The New Crobuzon novels are loosely connected (set in the same world), with the...
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4. 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...
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5. 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...
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Asian book 1 Start here
6. 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...
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7. 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...
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8. Mortal Instruments
by Clare, Cassandra
- On the same lists
What Twilight really should have been. Think of this as a more adult, more complex vision of Twilight. Basically, on every single level, this series supersedes Twilight.
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9. Peter Pan
by Barrie, J. M.
- On the same lists
Another classic book that features a story for all ages and genders. Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Peter Pan is one of those stories that stays with...
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10. Princess Bride
by Elwes, Cary
- On the same lists
An awesome movie, but an even better book. It’s a delightful book for children and adults too - a true tale for all ages. What’s specifically awesome about this story...
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11. Keys To The Kingdom
by Nix, Garth
- On the same lists
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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Young Wizards book 1 Start here
12. So You Want To Be A Wizard
by Duane, Diane
- On the same lists
A compelling book that touches on a lot of issues that face kids. It’s also a pretty damn exciting story about two kids learning how to be wizards. It’s a...
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13. Where The Wild Things Are
by Sendak, Maurice
- On the same lists
A strong series for kids looking for a bit of adventure fantasy. It’s not deep or particularly complex; it’s not a classic that tries to teach you something grand as...
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Artemis Fowl book 1 Start here
14. Artemis Fowl
by Colfer, Eoin
- On the same lists
Artemis is an unusual protagonist in Juvenile Fantasy because he's an anti-hero—he's rich, spoiled, smart and a criminal mastermind. A thoroughly engaging series with a sly wit.
Amazon Book Description From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid...
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15. Septimus Heap
by Zugy, Angie Sage And Mark
- On the same lists
This one takes place in the fictional city of The Castle which is surrounded by a great wall.The books are light reading and don't take themselves too seriously. A good...
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16. Ranger's Apprentice
by Flanagan, John A.
- On the same lists
A juvenile/young adult series set in a medieval Europe that resembles our own. The story follows an orphan protagonist who seeks to protect the kingdom from evil invaders.
A strong series for kids looking for a bit of adventure fantasy. It's not deep or particularly complex; it's not a classic that tries to teach you something grand as...
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New Crobuzon book 2
17. The Scar
by Miéville, China
- Same author
When his mother dies, a little boy is angry at his loss but does everything he can to hold onto the memory of her scent, her voice, and the special...
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New Crobuzon book 3
18. Iron Council
by Miéville, China
- Same author
Following Perdido Street Station and The Scar, acclaimed author China Miéville returns with his hugely anticipated Del Rey hardcover debut. With a fresh and fantastical band of characters, he carries...
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19. 2010: The City & The City
by Miéville, China
- Same author
Imagine two cities that share the exact same geographic space, but do not interact with one another under any circumstances. Unless the government authorities grant permission, that is. If citizens...
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Alice's Adventures In Wonderland book 1 Start here
20. Alice In Wonderland
by Carroll, Lewis
- On the same lists
If there is one childrenâs classic your kids should read and only one, than it should be Alice in Wonderland. Itâs a book thatâs influenced an entire generation of pop...
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Redwall book 1 Start here
21. Redwall
by Jacques, Brian
- On the same lists
A series of books about the lives and adventures of rodents.
Action, sword fighting and adventures but with the heroes and villains of the tale mice, badgers, and other talking animals. Redwall is a fast-paced action series for kids that’s wonderfully...
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22. 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...
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Twenty Palaces book 1 Start here
23. 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...
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The Detective Inspector Chen book 1 Start here
24. 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...
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Tales Of Alderley book 1 Start here
25. The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen
by Garner, Alan
- On the same lists
While vacationing with their Mother's ancient nurse in Wales, young Colin and Susan come to learn of the Legend of Alderley, a story of mystery and magic. Obviously, at first...
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Charlie Bucket book 1 Start here
26. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
by Dahl, Roald
- On the same lists
Charlie is a poor yet happy child who lives with his mother, father and four old grandparents in a one-room bungalow on the outskirts of town. He is the kind...
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27. James And The Giant Peach
by Dahl, Roald
- On the same lists
James and the Giant Peach is about a little boy named James, whose parents died, and now lives with his wicked aunts. One day, someone suspicious gives him a bag...
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28. 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...
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29. 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...
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30. The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz
by Baum, L. Frank
- On the same lists
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Another classic quest story about a young girl who just wants to go home.
A true classic and not at all like the movie. Because of the popularity of the movie, many assume the book and the movie are the same; but this is...
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 Un Lun Dun.
The shortlist
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