Cyberpunk is my favorite subgenre of science-fiction and who better to read than William Gibson, the father of cyberpunk? He’s one of the genre’s most popular and innovate writers, but also one of its best. Ever since I’ve read Neuromancer, I’ve been obsessed with William Gibson books.

Over thirty years ago, he published Burning Chrome and Neuromancer and changed the face of science-fiction forever.

Neuromancer was a fantastic debut novel, receiving both the Hugo and Nebula award and maintains a loyal fan base to this day. The main reasons that William Gibson’s novel was entirely different from other science-fiction books at the time. Neuromancer was sleek, grim and, most of all, it was cool and full of exciting new concepts. It took us into an urban wonderland, one full of stunning technology and weird characters.

Most interesting, however, when Gibson’s works were first published, the internet wasn’t what it is today. There were no public websites, no YouTube, and no social media. Back then, it was nothing but an information network used by no one but academics.

Yet, Gibson is more than just an innovator, he’s a master of the genre. His body of work is considered by many essential reading.

While Neuromancer is by far his most popular book, all of his works are worth reading and are rightfully regarded classics in their own right.

For this list, I decided not to order the William Gibson books from my least to most favorite, but to go in chronological order. I think it’s the best way to organize his work and to showcase his evolution as a writer. I will, however, provide you with a detailed description of each William Gibson book and share their individual merit. If you’re interested in other science-fiction recommendations, you should check out my list of the best books like Dune and the best science-fiction books.

Table of Contents

• Burning Chrome
• Neuromancer
• Count Zero
• Mona Lisa Overdrive
• The Difference Engine
• Virtual Light
• Idoru
• All Tomorrow’s Parties
• Pattern Recognition
• Spook Country
• Zero History
• The Peripheral
• Agency

Burning Chrome

Burning Chrome is a collection of short stories dating from 1977 to 1985, comprising ten stories in total. Some stories are written by William Gibson, others are collaborations with other writers, such as John Shirley, Bruce Sterling and Michael Sawnwhick.

The most famous story in the collection, the titular Burning Chrome, stands out amongst all of them. It is here that Gibson coined the term cyberpunk.

Johnny Mnemonic, a story about a data trafficker who underwent cybernetic surgery to have a data storage system implanted in his head, is a fantastic read. It’s also our introduction to Molly Millions, one of the main characters in Neuromancer.

Other interesting stories include ‘The Winter Market,’ which centers on such topics as humanity, immortality, consumerism and shows us a frighteningly fascinating version of our future. New Rose Hotel’s the first introduction to the Sprawl universe, centering on corporate espionage. One of the most interesting stories is The Gernsback Continuum, in which a photographer hallucinates the futurism of the past superimposed on the present.

My favorite, however, was The Belonging Kind, by far the strangest story in the collection and one that’s less cyberpunk, but a weird fiction horror story.

Overall, all the stories in Burning Chrome are worth reading. I think it’s one of the best science-fiction short story collections out there and one of the best early William Gibson books. We can already see William Gibson’s interest in anything cyberpunk or cyberspace.

Burning Chrome is essential reading for anyone who’s interested in cyberpunk and it serves as a perfect introduction for his work.

Neuromancer

“The sky was the color of television turned to a dead channel.”

And with this fantastic opening line begins the most popular of all William Gibson books out there.

Neuromancer, written in 1984, is the first novel in The Sprawl Trilogy. It’s not only William Gibson’s debut novel, but THE cyberpunk novel. The William Gibson book that started it all and its influence cannot be understated.

It’s written as a film noir novel, but set in a gritty future full of technological wonders, and invented technological slang. While invented slang can always be tricky, Neuromancer’s has aged extremely well, and even now, forty years after its publication, it still holds up and feels fresh today.

The novel’s plot introduces us to Case. He used to be a skilled hacker and data thief, colloquially called a console cowboy. He used to be one of the best until he stole from his employers. As punishment, his central nervous system was damaged, making him unable to enter cyberspace. He now spends his days in Chiba City as a low-level hustler, drinking, getting high and getting into the occasional bar fight.

This all changes when he’s approached by Molly Millions, a ‘street samurai,’ on behalf of a man named Armitage. Case eventually agrees to work with them on the condition that his central nervous system’s restored. As the job continues, however, more and more strange details are revealed and Case wonders who his real employer is.

Over the course of the novel Case and Molly travel from Japan to the Sprawl and eventually outer space.

Neuromancer’s one of the strangest and most gripping William Gibson books. We get to know sociopathic hologram creators, rouge AIs, space-Rastafarians, and an insane young woman who’s the heiress of a billionaire business clan.

As brilliant a William Gibson book as Neuromancer is, it’s not free of faults. The biggest is William Gibson’s style and his technological vocabulary. Both things take some time getting used to, and an online glossary might make for a more pleasant reading experience.

And yet, Neuromancer’s one of the most brilliant debuts of all time and one of the most important science-fiction novels of the 20th century. It’s a must read for any fan of William Gibson books, science-fiction and cyberpunk.

Count Zero

Count Zero’s the second novel in The Sprawl Trilogy and the sequel to Neuromancer. It’s, however, only loosely related and features an entirely different cast of characters.

The novel’s plot is set seven years after the events of Neuromancer and follows three distinct plotlines which are only brought together by the novel’s end. This style should become a staple in later William Gibson books.

The first plot revolves around Marly, an art specialist. Her life has taken a turn for the worse after a certain scandal. She gets a second chance when she’s hired by a wealthy man to find a certain art piece. Before long, however, she realizes things are too good to be true, and she finds herself in danger.

The second plotline revolves around Turner, a mercenary. On his new job, he and his colleagues are hired by a man named Mitchel. When things turn sour, Turner is forced to keep Mitchel’s daughter Angie alive.

The third and final plotline revolves around Bobby Newmark, a wannabe console cowboy who goes by the handle Count Zero. He almost dies during his first job, but is saved by a woman only known as The Virgin. Soon enough, however, he finds himself entangled in a much bigger plot.

Count Zero’s a well-enough follow-up to Necromancer, but comes with a share of problems. It’s dense in parts and slow in others. The biggest problem, however, are the different plotlines. They feel almost like stand-alone stories until they come together for a rushed climax. This made their connections and the big reveal much less impactful than it could’ve been.

While not as great as Neuromancer, and the weakest in The Sprawl Trilogy, Count Zero is still worth reading for fans of William Gibson books.

Mona Lisa Overdrive

The third and final novel in The Sprawl Trilogy.

The novel’s set eight years after the events of Count Zero. It features both new characters, but also returning characters from the series’ earlier entries.

Once more, we follow multiple, separate plotlines.

One centers around Angie Mitchel, who returns from Count Zero and has thus become a Sense/Net superstar. There’s one thing that’s special about her: she’s able to tap into cyberspace without the usage of a computer. Before long, Angie’s being contacted by a strange, ghostly figure residing in cyberspace.

Another follows a young woman named Mona, a former prostitute who’s got a high resemblance to Angie. She’s hired for a gig which involves, unbeknownst to her, forced surgery to make her look like Angie.

In another one we get to know Kumiko, the daughter of a Japanese yakuza boss who’s sent to London when her father gets involved in a gang war. She falls under the care of a powerful man and meets Sally Shears, who turns out to be Molly. Before long, she takes the girl under her wing.

The last plotline follows Slick Henry, a man who lives at a place named Factory in a large, deserted industrial area. He’s hired by an acquaintance to look after the comatose ‘Count’ Bobby Newmark who hooked himself up into a super-capacity cyber-hard drive known as an Aleph.

Eventually, all those plotlines converge in a fantastic final.

Mona Lisa Overdrive stands out for its fantastic writing that can almost be called poetic in places. Yet, the book also requires much more attention than Count Zero.

The biggest difference to its prequel, however, is the handling of the different plotlines. They are much more inter-connected and these connections become more and more apparent over the novel’s cause. This makes each one of them seem important and doesn’t give the climax the rushed feeling of Count Zero’s.

Overall, Mona Lisa Overdrive feels much more realized than Count Zero and its inclusion of characters from both prior novels makes it a worthy final to The Sprawl Trilogy.

Mona Lisa Overdrive is by many regarded as the best of the earlier William Gibson books.

The Difference Engine

The Difference Engine is an alternate history novel co-authored with Bruce Sterling.

It’s quite a different, but also interesting novel that makes cyberpunk into something both new and old.

The novel’s set in an advanced 1855 London in which computers, here called engines, have been developed. The story revolves around a set of perforated cards which can only be read by a specialized engine.

Yet, not all is well in this London. The Luddites, a group of technology-hating fanatics, have set their sight on the cards. Before long, however, they come into the possession of Ada Lovelace, the Queen of Engines, and the daughter of Prime Minister Lord Byron. Yet, only one man, Edward Mallory, a scientist, knows what the cards are really for.

Before long, all their paths converge and lead to a violent showdown.

The Difference Engine is one of the oddest William Gibson books, and its pacing can be slow. While its plot is complex and interesting, it’s partway ruined by a rather weak conclusion.

Where it stands out, however, is the fusion of a Victorian era setting, computers and cyberpunk makes it incredibly imaginative. If not for the plot or its conclusion, the book’s worth reading for the world-building and ideas alone.

While The Difference Engine is different and one of the weaker William Gibson books on this list, it’s still worth reading for fans.

Virtual Light

Virtual Light is the first novel in William Gibson’s second series, The Bridge Trilogy. It introduces us to another fantastically imaginative future dystopia. It’s another cyberpunk novel, but one not set in as distant a future as The Sprawl Trilogy.

Virtual Light is set in 2006 and presents us with a grim, near-future California. After a devastating earthquake, the San Francisco Bay Bridge is inoperative and abandoned, making the area a giant shantytown.

The novel’s plot is relatively simple. Our protagonist Chevette Washington is a bicycle messenger who lives in said shantytown. Eventually she comes upon a pair of ‘virtual light’ glasses which feed images directly to the optic nerve. Unbeknownst to her, however, the glasses contain an extremely valuable secret and their owner will do anything to get them back.

Another character’s Berry Rydell, a former rent-a-cop who lost his job because of a hacker’s prank. Having hit rock-bottom, he teams up with Lucius Warbaby to track down the glasses.

Before long, however, Berry learns of an evil corporate scheme which involves not only his new partner but also his former employers.

While the plot might not sound as intriguing as those of other William Gibson books, Virtual Light stands out for its world-building. We can recognize both the popular culture and the social trends that form this new world. Even a decade and a half after the novel’s initial release, it remains frighteningly relatable.

Virtual Light is a fantastically William Gibson book that comes with a witty plot and outstanding world-building and is a must read for fans.

Idoru

Idoru’s the second novel in The Bridge Trilogy. It’s another highly imaginative work of near-future fiction, even more so than its prequel.

We get to know Rez, the star of the extremely successful band Lo/Rez. He’s just announced he’s going to get married to a new Japanese pop star, Rei Toei. There’s one problem, however, she’s an Idoru, a wholly synthetic being who only exists in virtual reality.

Colin Laney, on the other hand, has hit rock bottom. He used to work as a private investigator for Slitscan, a TV network. It was his job to search the internet for data to find clues, patterns and paradigms. After being involved in a suicide, however, he’s forced to give up his job and join in with another group, Out of Bounds. Their primary goal is to show the world what a morally deprived place Slitscan really is. It’s now Laney’s task to get to the bottom of Rez’s interest in marrying Rei.

There’s also Chia Pet McKenzie, an active fan of Lo/Rez. When she visits Japan to investigate some rumors related to the band. There she gets involved with the Russian criminal underground and is used to smuggle illegal nanoware.

While these characters and plotlines sound interesting enough, the greatest part of Idoru is William Gibson’s ability to create a strangely different, yet understandable, future.

Idoru’s setting is brilliantly realized and might be the most fleshed out of all William Gibson books to date. We see high-tech hotel rooms, futuristic airplanes, and even the infamous Walled City of Kowloon which is recreated in cyberspace.

Idoru’s a slow novel, but this is also its greatest strength. It gives William Gibson time to speculate, to showcase the merging of culture with social and technological trends and how they affect people.

Idoru’s a dark and disturbing masterpiece, a typical William Gibson book, and a fantastic read.

All Tomorrow’s Parties

All Tomorrow’s Parties is the last novel of The Bridge Trilogy and similarly to Mona Lisa Overdrive, he brings back characters from both earlier installments. Colin Laney’s back, so is rent-a-cop Berry Rydell and bicycle messenger Chevette Washington.

Once more, the novel features multiple plotlines which are slowly converging over the course of the novel.

Colin Laney’s ability to sift through data on the internet allows him to discern upcoming historical nodal points. These nodal points are incredibly rare, and they only appear when the world as we know it changes. They are seldom noticed, but Laney has the feeling he’ll notice the next one. He’s afraid it will bring too big a change, and that it’s going to happen exactly on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge.

To focus entirely on his new obsession, he leaves his normal life behind. He hides at a Tokyo subway station and tries his best to keep what he believes to be a worldwide disaster at bay.

He soon meets Berry Rydell, who’s sent to investigate a murder committed by a man able to hide from Laney’s predictive powers.

Yet other characters, including Chevette Washington, will soon be involved in the novel’s complex plot as well. Even the Idoru makes an appearance, as it finally wants to free itself from its owners.

All Tomorrow’s Parties is one of the most celebrate William Gibson books and features some of his finest prose. His language has become more honed, less purple, but fantastically vibrant.

While the novel’s themes and topics aren’t revolutionary, it’s a fantastically wild ride full of the eccentric characters we’re used to from William Gibson.

All Tomorrow’s Parties also marked a turning point for Gibson. It represents William Gibson’s move away from 80s cyberpunk to a commenter on the near future and mainstream success.

All Tomorrow’s Parties is by many regarded as one of the best, if not the best of all the William Gibson books out there.

Pattern Recognition

Pattern Recognition is the first novel in The Blue Ant Trilogy and one of William Gibson’s all-time best-sellers.

It’s quite different from earlier William Gibson books. The most striking difference is its contemporary setting. It’s less a science-fiction novel and more a thriller about our desire to find order and patterns. Even the technology featured in this novel and the rest of The Blue Ant Trilogy is entirely grounded in reality.

The novel’s plot centers on a girl named Cayce Pollard, an intuitive market-research consultant or ‘coolhunter.’ She earns a living evaluating potential products and advertising campaigns. When she rejects the new logo of Hubertus Bigend, a marketing tycoon and the man at the top of the Blue Ant Corporation, she earns his respect. Yet she makes an enemy of his graphic designer.

Later on, Cayce’s hired by Hubertus again. She’s tasked to investigate a strange snippet of found footage that’s become an internet cult hit.

At first, she treats it as a standard job. When her apartment’s broken into and her computer’s hacked, however, she realizes this job is much more sophisticated and dangers that she thought. Soon, Casey’s forced to explore the deepest crevices of the internet.

Her investigation leads her to Tokyo and even Russia. Yet all this seems to be related to her father, an ex-CIA agent who went missing and is presumed dead after the 9/11 attacks.

While Pattern Recognition can be slow, especially in its later half, William Gibson’s style and the many mysteries the plot holds make it a fantastic read. There’s also Hubertus Bigend, who’s one of the most intriguing characters Gibson ever created.

Pattern Recognition is one of the newer William Gibson books, but one I recommend to any fan of his work.

Spook Country

Spook Country is the sequel to Pattern Recognition and the second novel in The Blue Ant Trilogy.

It’s again set in the same modern-day world as Pattern Recognition and can be seen as a deconstruction of our paranoid, fragmented, post-modern world.

Once more, the novel features a multitude of characters.

Tito’s a man in his late twenties and born in Cuba. He’s a translator, fluent in Russian, lives in a single room in a NoLita warehouse and earns a living transferring delicate information.

Hollis Henry, on the other hand, is a journalist who works for the Node magazine. Yet, Node doesn’t exist yet, but has already more buzz than most other successful magazines. She’s supposed to do a story on a new art form that only exists in virtual reality. She soon realizes that what she’s investigating is much more dangerous.

Milgrim’s a junky addicted to anti-anxiety drugs and pharmaceuticals. He thinks if he doesn’t get his drugs from a man named Brown, he won’t last the day. Yet, Brown’s a man of many secrets. When his curiosity gets the better of him, Milgrim soon knows too much about Brown and finds his life in real danger.

Soon these characters become involved in a story revolving around a mysterious cargo container with CIA-connections. It constantly appears and disappears on the worldwide Global Positioning network, but never makes it to port.

It’s right at the Global Positioning network where we learn of our last character, Bobby Chombo. He’s a talented specialist, but a strange, quiet, unbalanced man.

Spook Country’s a novel that stands out for its fantastically interesting characters and its action scenes. Even more so, it comes with William Gibson’s imaginative style and trademark metaphorical language. Another one of the best modern William Gibson books.

Zero History

Zero History is the last book in and culmination of The Blue Ant Trilogy.

It’s a fantastically quirky tale that deals with modern fashion and brand positioning.

Once more we meet Hubertus Bigend, who played a big role in the prior entries in the series. His newest venture leads him into the field of military fashion, a branch he believes immune to market fluctuations. Yet, when a new pair of trousers of suspiciously similar design to his own, he sets out to find their mysterious designer. To do this, he hires a group of characters, some of which we already know from the prior entries in the series.

One is Hollis Henry, who returns from Spook Country. She vowed to never get involved with Hubertus again. Yet, she’s broke, and she knows Hubertus is willing to pay a lot of money for her work.

Milgrim also returns from Spook Country. He’s a man that can vanish at a moment’s notice, but also fluent in Russian. Having his addiction paid for and cured by Hubertus, he knows he can’t back out when hired by Hubertus.

Garreth, the last member of the group, is a man who thinks and knows he owes Hubertus nothing. Yet, he’s also Hollis’ boyfriend and soon finds himself involved in the book’s events as well.

Before long, the identity of Hubertus’ competitor’s revealed, and we learn just how ruthless a man he is.

Zero History brings The Blue Ant Trilogy to a fantastic conclusion. What makes this William Gibson book stand out, however, is not only the inclusion of former characters but also Gibson’s style. It’s become more refined, but also simpler than in his earlier books. This is especially noticeable in the portrayal of brands. They are often more fully realized and expanded on than actual characters, make the book a strange, but interesting read.

Zero History’s a fantastically weird book, one quite different from the earlier William Gibson books on this list, but still an absolute treat for fans.

The Peripheral

The Peripheral is the first novel in William Gibson’s newest series, The Jackpot Trilogy, and also his first to feature a post-apocalyptic scenario.

This novel can be best described as a slow-burn science-fiction thriller.

It features two different timelines. One’s set a decade from ours before the coming of an apocalypse, the so called ‘jackpot.’ The other’s set in a post-apocalyptic London, decades after the jackpot.

The first timeline follows Flynne Fisher, a woman living in rural America. Her brother’s an ex-marine suffering from neurological damage, and who pilots drones in games to earn cash. One day, Flynne is covering a shift for her bother and witnesses a gruesome murder. This event brings her into contact with inspector Ainsley Lowbeer, who’s investigating the events related to the murder.

Wilf Netherton, on the other hand, lives in the future, post-apocalyptic London. He’s a disgraced publicist, but soon gets involved in the disappearance of his newest client’s daughter.

Both investigations kick the story into motion.

The most interesting aspect of the novel, however, is the inclusion of time-travel. There are specific drones called ‘peripherals’ which allow people to travel between different timelines. Soon enough, Flynne reaches out from Wilf’s past to change her own future.

The Peripheral can be called William Gibson’s return to his science-fiction roots. It’s a novel full of weird, sexy, tech, fleshed out characters and foreshadows a post-scarcity, post-apocalyptic society.

Even if the time-travel mechanics are odd, it’s a great novel that stands out amongst other science-fiction works of today.

Agency

Agency’s William Gibson’s newest novel and the second in The Jackpot Trilogy.

We get to know a woman named Verity Jane. She works as a beta tester, a so-called ‘app whisperer.’ Strapped for cash, she accepts a job from a suspicious tech company to work on their newest customer service system.

She soon discovers that this software is actually an AI named Eunice. Yet Eunice is more than a simple AI and is much more developed and intelligent. Even more interesting, he’s got plans of his own.

When the two of them work together, Verity does her best to hide Eunice’s rapid development from her employer. This soon makes not only her but also Eunice their target.

Even worse, however, agents from the post-apocalyptic future, too, have an interest in Eunice. It’s here we meet Wilf Netherton again. He becomes tasked against his knowledge in aiding Verity on her journey, even if it means bringing large-scale changes to his future world.

Agency’s a novel full of intriguing concepts and characters. Yet, the shifting narratives and the involvement of time travel can make it hard to follow.

William Gibson’s at the top of his game in terms of cyberpunk imagination and description, but the complicated nature of the book might leave you with more questions than answers.

This, of course, doesn’t mean that Agency is a bad William Gibson book. I still highly recommend it for fans of his work and of modern cyberpunk.

Game of Thrones is probably the most popular fantasy series of modern times. That’s the reason many people are looking for other books like Game of Thrones.

With its debut, it revolutionized and revitalized an entire genre. While it’s set in a medieval world, magic and magical creatures are mostly a thing of the past.

Instead, it’s a much more realistic series, one that focuses on political intrigues and power struggles. Its world, however, is dark, full of villains and anti-heroes.

That world comprises Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms, and Essos, a continent to the east. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.

When the hand of the king is murdered, Eduard Stark is called to King’s Landing to become the new hand of the king. This event sets in motion a variety of plots and ploys for the Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these events are the children of Eduard Stark. Over the course of the books, we follow them as they try to survive and find their way in a world that becomes more and more violent.

Even though Game of Thrones was adapted as an HBO series, I highly recommend reading the books. Unfortunately, they remain unfinished to this day.

Game of Thrones is one of the greatest achievements in fantasy and has a reason to be as popular as it is. For this reason, I created a list of 21 other fantasy books and series for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

If you’re interested in more book recommendations, check out my list of books like Lord of the Rings, and my list of books like Dune.

Table of Contents

• The Dagger and the Coin Series by Daniel Abraham
• The Accursed Kings Series by Maurice Druon
• Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series by Brian Staveley
• The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
• The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski
• The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
• The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne
• The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett
• The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
• The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy by Tad Williams
• The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist
• The Black Company by Glen Cook
• The Dark Star Trilogy by Marlon James
• The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
• The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson
• The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
• Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
• The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
• The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
• The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson

The Dagger and the Coin Series by Daniel Abraham

The Dagger and the Coin series is a great start for this list of books like Game of Thrones.

It’s set in a world once ruled by dragons. Now, thirteen races exist together in peace.

Trouble stirs when one nation prepares to extend its influence into the Free Cities. Now citizens of both sides have to fight and survive the chaos of war.

The Dragon’s Path, the first book in the series, centers on Marcus Wester, a former hero. He wants nothing more than to leave the battlefield behind and take up another profession. When war starts, however, he’s hired by Cithrin bel Sarcour to help her smuggle her riches not only out of a besieged city, but through a war zone.

This, however, should prove much harder than originally thought, for each army entangled in this war is looking for additional funds. They soon find themselves outmatched and surrounded.

Marcus, however, is only one of many characters in this high fantasy masterpiece.

One I came to enjoy especially, was Geder, the sole remaining heir of a noble house. More interested in philosophy, he makes for a poor soldier, but seems destined for great things.

Each other character is as developed as Marcus and Geder and gives us a unique perspective on the conflict.

What makes The Dagger and Coin series so good are the many political intrigues and military struggles.

It comes with a light and engaging writing style, and a cast of well-developed and interesting characters. It’s a fantastic read for anyone who’s looking for books like Game of Thrones.

The Accursed Kings Series by Maurice Druon

The Iron King is the first book in the Accursed King series.

While it’s not a fantasy series, it was named by George R. R. Martin as the prime inspiration for Game of Thrones.

The series follows the succession of various European monarchs that should come to lead to the Hundred Years’ War, a conflict between the House of Plantagenet in England and the House of Valois in France.

The Iron King is a portrayal of King Philip IV of France, also named Philip the Fair, the Iron King. He’s a cold and silent man, but also handsome and unblinking.

While he reigns over France with an iron hand, he can’t seem to rule his own family. His wife’s adulterous, his sons are weak and his daughter Isabella is unhappily married to an English king who prefers the company of men.

Soon enough, a net of scandals, murders and intrigues surrounds the Iron King. His downfall, however, comes from an unexpected direction. When Grand Master Jacques Molay, the last grand master of the Knights Templar, is sentenced to die at the stake, a curse is put on the king that shall destroy his dynasty.

The Accursed King series is full of political intrigues, lies, drama, deception, battles, assassinations and a disputed succession war.

It’s a fantastic series for fans of not only historical fiction but also books like Game of Thrones.

Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series by Brian Staveley

The Emperor’s Blade is the first book in the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne. It’s an epic fantasy series with high-stake intrigues perfect for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

We’re introduced to the Annurian Empire. When the emperor is murdered, the land’s thrown into chaos. His children, Adare, Valyn and Kaden, are scattered across the land.

At the capital, Adare tries to find her father’s murder, but court politics run rampant and are more than a bit dangerous.

Valyn is training as a soldier, and an ocean away when he hears the news of his father’s death. Yet, he soon realizes that his life, too, is in danger.

The last, Kaden, studies at a remote monastery, set on learning the ancient powers of the disciples of the Blank God. Yet, can he remain alive along to master them?

While each individual path is dangerous, a bigger, even more dangerous conspiracy is at play.

The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne is a series full of magic, moral dilemmas, power struggles and intrigues. It’s a fantastic series for those who are looking for books like Game of Thrones, especially those interested in intrigues and power play.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is without a doubt his magnum opus. The series was inspired by nothing other than the Lord of the Rings and is at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.

The first book in the series, The Gunslinger, introduces us to Roland Deschain. He follows the enigmatic figure of the Man in Black through a decaying fantasy world. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest for he’s set to reach the Dark Tower itself, a legendary building at the center of all universes.

The Dark Tower series come with a cast of interesting characters, villains, locations and an epic quest.

Yet, the series differs from the other recommendations on this list. While it’s a fantasy series, it can be best described as part spaghetti western, part Arthurian legend brought together by a tolkienesque flavor.

Stephen King is at its absolute best in The Dark Tower series and those who are looking for something different from your typical epic fantasy series should check it out.

The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski

Blood of the Elves is the first book in The Witcher Saga.

After multiple video game adaptions and a Netflix series, The Witcher Saga has become massively popular in recent years.

Set in a fictional medieval Poland, it tells the story of Geralt of Rivia. He’s a witcher, a monster hunter with superhuman and magical abilities who lives far longer than normal humans.

His objective is simple: to rid the world of monsters.

Years before the events of Blood of the Elves, the Empire of Nilfgaard attacked the Kingdom of Cintra. This forces Ciri, the Princess of Cintra, to flee. Before long, she comes under the protection of Geralt.

Yet, political trouble causes the onset of a new war, as well as other events which all seem to center on Ciri.

Over the course of the novel, Geralt meets a variety of characters, including his former lover, Yennefer, a powerful sorceress.

The Witcher Saga comprises multiple novels, but also collections of short stories loosely related to the events of the main series. All of those, however, are very much worth reading.

It’s a fantastic series and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

The Sword of Truth is a series of twenty-two epic fantasy novels. Wizard’s First Rules is the first book in the series and was published back in 1994.

Interestingly enough, most of the novels in the series are connected via a general timeline and ongoing events, but can be read as standalone. Only the final three were intended as a trilogy.

The events of Wizard’s First Rule follow Richard Cypher. After his father’s murder, he meets a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell. She turns out to be a confessor sent from the Midlands and appoints Richard the role of ‘Seeker of Truths.’ She hands him a magical sword which amplifies his strength, agility, but also his anger.

From this point onward, the two travel the land. Over the course of the series they meet a variety of unique characters, including Nicci, Cara and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander. Yet, they also meet various adversaries, defeat oppressors and those who want to unleash evil on the world.

The Sword of Truth is another classic in the realm of fantasy. It’s proven massively popular ever since first published. It’s one of the longest, as well as most influential, fantasy series out there. Those who are looking for a truly long, epic fantasy series and books like Game of Thrones should check it out.

The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne

Malice is the first novel in The Faithful and the Fallen series.

Long ago, the Banished Lands were a place of violent Battles. It was there the armies of men and giants fought brutal battles. Yet, while the giant clans were disbanded, their fortresses remain. However, in recent times, the giants began stirring again and giant wyrms are seen roaming the skies.

Those who notice the signs see a greater threat coming, one much more dangerous than the wards of the past.

High King Aquilus summons his fellow leaders, seeking alliances to help fight in the coming conflict. Yet, many are skeptical and have their own troubles.

The novel’s events, however, center on Corban, who wants nothing more than to learn the art of war and use his sword to protect the king’s realm. Before he knows it, however, he’s thrown into the emerging conflict.

Yet, there’s also a dark prophecy who tells of the coming of two champions, one of light, the other of dark.

Malic was first released in 2012, making The Faithful and the Fallen series one of the newest entries on this list.

Yet, since its release, it’s become extremely beloved by many fantasy fans out there.

While John Gwynne’s writing style might need some getting used to, the series plot and its characters are fantastically done and are worth reading for any fan of books like Game of Thrones.

The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Any fantasy fan has heard of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series. Titles like Mort, The Color of Magic, or Guards! Guards! Guards! are probably known even to those who’ve never read a Discworld novel.

It’s a vast series, comprising forty-one books and includes a variety of subgenres.

Yet, The Discworld Series differs from the other entries on this list of books like Game of Thrones.

Most of them are comical and Terry Pratchett uses them to play with and make fun of many tropes established by Tolkien. Yet, he also uses his comedic and fantastic stories to shed light on many real-life issues, and even historical events.

The books in The Discworld Series are an absolute delight to read and lots of fun.

I think any fantasy fan out there should give The Discworld series a try, especially those who are looking for something that’s a little less dark.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is one of the most popular fantasy writers of all time. He’s the man who finished Robert Jordan’s epic The Wheel of Time. Yet, the man’s a literary powerhouse all by himself.

Interestingly, with The Mistborn Series, Sanders set out to go against one of the most common tropes in all of fantasy, that of the epic quest. Instead, he set out to create a world in which the hero failed. This world’s now been stagnant for a millennium under the rule of the Dark Lord.

The plot tells the story of Kelsier who was once a hero and is now reduced to a slave, but also Vin, an orphan who was forced to become a thief.

Kelsier discovers that he’s a Mistborn, someone with great magical powers which are normally reserved for only those of nobility. When Kelsier frees himself, he gets his old crew together, including Vin. Their goal now is nothing short of overthrowing the cruel Lord Ruler.

The books come with an increasingly complex plot that features many gripping turns and twists. The greatest part, however, is Vin. Her tenacity and grit have made her one of the most beloved characters in the series.

Brandon Sanderson is popular for a variety of reasons, and The Mistborn Trilogy is one of them. It’s a fantastic series and just right for people who look for more books like Game of Thrones and even George R. R. Martin cited it as one of his influences.

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy by Tad Williams

Tad Williams was one of the first writers I truly came to love. The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read for any fans of books like Game of Thrones.

It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard, a peaceful land on which humans and non-humans, including the dwarf-like Qanuc and the elf-like Sithi, all live in peace.

When the health of the king, John the Presbyter, fails, this peace is threatened. For Pryrates, the read priest who sets out to accomplish his schemes.

However, an even worse, darker power, the Storm King, stirs and uses this chance to get his realm back.

The plot of the series follows the young kitchen boy Simon, who knows nothing of these events. Before long, however, he gets caught up in them and is forced to go on an adventure like no other.

Simon’s one of the more interesting protagonists on this list. He’s not a grand hero or powerful sorcerer, but merely a normal person who’s forced into events far above anything he could’ve ever imagined. Especially in the first book, The Dragonbone Chair, he feels almost like a bystander who witnesses the events at play.

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read, one that might follow many common tropes, but distorts them well enough to make them fresh and unique. It’s a must read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist

The Riftwar Saga is another popular fantasy series comprising four books. It’s, however, part of the greater Riftwar Cycle and comprises the first series in it.

It’s set in the mythical land of Midkemia. There we get to know Pug, who becomes an apprentice to the master magician Kulgan. He proves unusually gifted in magic.

When he safes the daughter of Duke Borric, Princess Carline, Pug becomes a squire at the Duke’s court.

Before long, however, the wreck of a foreign ship is discovered. Realizing the dangers to come, Duke Borric sets out to sail for the capital, Krondor, to ask for aid.

Yet, their party’s attacked by alien invaders and war breaks out. It’s revealed those invaders entered via a rift and are denizens of another world.

Soon enough, it becomes clear that Pug’s strange magic powers might be the key to stop the conflict.

The Riftwar Saga is full of well-established tropes, including elves and dwarfs, yet it still works out fantastically. While the plot, too, pans out in a way that’s expected, it’s very well told.

The greatest thing about this series, however, are the descriptions of magic and the tactics employed during battle. Pug, too, serves to be a fantastic character and has become a favorite amongst fans of not only the Riftwar Saga, but the entire Riftwar Cycle.

While the series might not be the most original or unique on the list, everything it does, it does right. It makes a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Black Company by Glen Cook

The Black Company is a series of dark fantasy novels comprising ten novels.

It combines elements of epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.

Long ago, a supremely powerful wizard known as The Dominator created an evil empire with his wife, the Lady. Before long, however, a rebellion led by the White Rose takes place and both are imprisoned in the Barrowlands.

Four centuries later, the wizard Bomanz helps the Lady to escape from her prison. She promptly betrays her husband and restores her empire on her own. For this, she employs an elite mercenary unit called the Black Company, the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar.

The hard-bitten men take their pay and do what they must do. Yet, they have doubts and when the White Rose is reborn, they set out to find her.

What makes The Black Company such a great read is the mixture of elements of epic fantasy and military fiction. The best part, however, is the down-to-earth portrayal of the company’s members and their personalities. They are hardened, badass soldiers who talk the way you’d expect people to talk who went through countless battles.

The Black Company is a fantastic series for those who are looking for a grittier, harsher and more brutal series than others. If you’re a fan of military fantasy, it’s definitely a must-read.

The Dark Star Trilogy by Marlon James

Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is the first book in the Dark Star Trilogy. It’s by some hailed as the ‘African Game of Thrones.’

It follows a man named Tracker. He’s known for his skills as a hunter who’s able to find anything and anyone. Eventually, he’s hired to find a boy from the North Kingdom who went missing over three years ago.

Soon enough, however, he has to break one of his fundamental rules: always work alone. For he meets other people who are searching for the boy as well. They are a rag-tag group of mercenaries with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man known as Leopard.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a novel full of African history and mysticism. It gives the story not only an inclusive but also an exotic vibe and makes it different from most other fantasy books and series on this list.

It’s a book full of unforgettable characters and a brilliant combination of politics, mythology and history, but also explores such themes as power, its limits, ambition and fundamental truths.

The only downside to the book might be James’s prose, which can fell overloaded and can take some time getting used to.

Still, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a great choice for those who are looking for a book like Game of Thrones not set in a medieval European world.

The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe

Gene Wolfe’s a writer well-known for his science-fantasy.

The Book of the New Sun is an epic series that’s beloved by millions of fans.

The Shadow of the Torturer is the first book in the series. Its events follow Severine, a member of the torturer guild.

His fate changes when he falls in love with Thecla, a young noblewoman. He eventually safes her from her dire fate by helping her to commit suicide.

Because of this, he’s exiled from the torturer’s guild and his home of Nessus. The head of the guild, Master Palamon, sends him to the distant metropolis of Thrax. Thus begins an adventure full of political intrigues.

The story truly starts when Severine comes in possession of a strange gem, one that a variety of people have set their sights on.

The Shadow of the Torturer and the entirety of The Book of the New Sun is a masterpiece of science-fantasy. It’s a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially for its fleshed-out world and its complex intrigues.

The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson

The Stormlight Archive Series is the second entry by Brandon Sanderson on this list. He’s amongst the best and most prolific writers the fantasy genre offers.

The Way of the King is the first book in the series and probably the longest entry on this list with a page count of roughly one-thousand.

The story’s set in Roshar, a storm-swept world. Long ago, this world was ravaged by the monstrous Voidbringers. Even the legendary Knights Radiant, equipped with Shardplates and Shardblades, mystical weapons which transformed men into near-invincible warriors, couldn’t counter the thread.

Centuries later, Shardblades are so thought after, that kingdoms are traded from them and wars are fought for and won by them.

One such war takes place in a ruined landscape known as the Shattered Plains. It’s a war in which ten armies fight separately against a single foe.

Brightlord Dalinar Kohlin is the commander of one such army. He’s fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. When he has strange visions of ancient times and the Knights Radient, he thinks himself going insane.

Yet, there are other characters. Kaladin, who joined the war to protect his brother and has fallen into slavery. Shallan, a young woman who wants to train under the eminent scholar and heretic, Jashna. Her motifs are less than pure, for she plans for a daring theft. Yet, her studies hint at more, a secret related to the Knights Radient and the true cause of the war.

The greatest thing about the Stormlight Archive Series is the world-building. We not only get to know the world but also complex religions, societies, and much more. While only four of the ten planned books have been released so far, they are nothing short of fantastic.

Sanderson proves once more why he’s one of the biggest names in fantasy today and why fans of books like Game of Thrones should check out his work.

The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. After its release, it quickly became one of the most popular fantasy books of modern times.

Our story starts in the small town of Newarre at the Waystone Inn. There we meet a man named Kote. As it turns out, he’s the famous sword fight and magician Kvothe who’s presumed dead. A traveling biographer named Chronicler approaches him and asks him to record his life story.

Thus begins the coming-of-age story of a magically gifted child who should become a renowned swordsman and one of the most infamous magicians in the world.

We learn of Kvothe’s childhood with a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as an orphan in a crime riddled city and him entering a legendary school of magic. Eventually, we learn of his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king.

It all comes together as a fantastic and gripping story.

While the Kingkiller Chronicle might not stand out in terms of originality, its two things above all else, extremely immersive and fun.

The most interesting part, however, is the magic system, which is amongst the most original and unique on this entire list.

Another thing to note is Rothfuss’ style of writing. Kvothe himself is telling his story and often features stories within stories. This device is used brilliantly and makes for a unique reading experience.

While only two books in the series have been released so far, they are a great read and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World is the first book in the Wheel of Time series and was published back in 1990. By now, the series comprises fifteen books in total and has become a classic of the genre.

The Wheel of Time is often praised for its characters and its extensive world-building.

When author Robert Jordan passed away, it was Brandon Sanderson who completed Jordan’s legacy and finished the last three books.

The Wheel of time is set in a fantasy world in which only woman can use magic. Any man who tries to do so as well will be destroyed by the side-effects.

The Eye of the World tells the story of three boys who are swept up in a battle between Light and Dark. One of them, however, is destined to lead the forces of light to victory.

When their small village of The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs, creatures which are half-man and half-beast, they have to flee. The three boys, Rand, Mat and Perin, are rescued by the Aes Sedai Moiraine. She tells them that the Dark One’s set on destroying the world and only they can stop him.

The Wheel of time is one of the longest fantasy series on this list and features a multitude of characters. It’s an epic journey and epic in scope.

Jordan’s writing is easily digestible, but very descriptive, making the books a delight to read.

While The Wheel of Time differs from Game of Thrones, fans of the series should definitely have a look.

The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings is THE fantasy series and served as one inspiration for George R. R. Martin’s epic.

It’s the one book that started it all, has always been massively popular and became even more so after its movie adaptions. By now, few people haven’t heard of Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring.

It established many of the tropes and standards the genres known for, like elves, dwarfs, dragons, and many others. While it’s copied countless times, it remains unsurpassed to this day.

The story itself starts with Frodo Baggins, who lives in the sleepy hobbit village of the Shire. After a grand celebration, his cousin, Bilbo Baggins, leaves the village and passes a certain ring onto Frodo.

Before long, the wizard Gandalf arrives, suspecting it to be a ring of power. It’s soon revealed that it’s the One Ring and when Gandalf doesn’t return in time, Frodo has to set out by himself to destroy it.

Over the course of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, we witness the first part of his journey and are introduced to the group of characters who make up the fellowship.

The Lord of the Rings comes with some of the greatest world-building and richest history in all of fantasy and features some unforgettable characters.

While it’s quite different from Game of Thrones and less reliant on a character driven narrative, it’s a series any fantasy fan should read at least once.

The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence

The Broken Empire trilogy is by some described as a mixture of Game of Thrones and Assassin’s Creed, and it does not disappoint.

It starts with an interesting diversion of a typical fantasy trope, the hero’s origin. Instead of being born into humble beginnings, our protagonist is quite different.

Jorg Ancrath is a privileged royal child, a crown prince, in fact, raised by a loving mother. When she and his brother are murdered, a nine-year-old Jorg leaves his home and father behind.

He eventually joins a band of bloodthirsty killers, becomes known as the Prince of Thorns, and leads his group in a series of raids and atrocities.

From this point onward, he uses any means possible to get what he wants, which is the throne of the Broken Empire. For this, however, he must return to his father’s castle and confront the horrors of his childhood.

Yet, treachery and intrigues await him and he must use everything he learned if he wants a chance to survive.

The Broken Empire is a series not for the faint of heart. It’s full of intrigues, heavy, shocking violence and abuse.

Yet, it’s also a series that’s well-written and well-constructed and filled with a cast of characters that’s as diverse as fantastic. The best of them all, however, is Jorg himself, who’s not a hero, but an antihero. He’s a character that few people might like, but will still come to root for.

It’s a fantastic trilogy, one I highly recommend for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially those who liked the storyline of Arya Stark.

The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie

The First Law trilogy comprises three novels and three other standalone novels set in the same world. It’s another grimdark fantasy epic featuring a cast of morally gray characters.

The story’s set in The Union, a mystical world reminiscent of Medieval Europe.

It follows a cast of characters amid war. These characters, however, aren’t your typical heroes. They are nothing short of disturbing and antagonistic, but Abercrombie makes them into true antiheroes.

Logen Ninefingers is an infamous barbarian. After his newest feud went too far, he’s in genuine danger. Eventually, he leaves nothing but dead friends and happy enemies behind.

Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar is a dashing and selfish officer. He’s got nothing more on his mind than to beat his friends at cards and dreams of glory in the fencing circles. Yet, war is coming, and he’s soon set out to the battlefields of the frozen North.

Inquisitor Glokta is a crippled torturer who wants nothing more than to see Jezal return in a box. Yet, he hates everyone equally and is bent on cutting treason from The Union one confession at a time. His last trail, however, might lead him to the rotten heart of the government, but only if he can stay alive long enough.

The last is the wizard Bayaz, an old man with a terrible temper. He might very well be the First of the Magi or nothing but a fraud. Yet, he’s the one who shall make the lives of our protagonists a lot more difficult.

Yet, there are no winners in this world. There’s only survival. At the end of the day, it might be luck which trumps over all.

The First Law trilogy is a series full of murderous conspiracies, old scores to be settled and antiheroes. It’s a series that comes with great, brutal fights, but also lots of graphical violence.

Overall, it’s a series that features a cast of fantastic characters and a clever plot that might be just right for those who like books like Game of Thrones.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, brutal and full of war. Yet, it’s also one of the most complex fantasy series out there.

It’s another series that mixes epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.

Yet, it’s quite different from George R. R. Martin’s epic. While Game of Thrones is set in a realistic world, Malazan’s is full of magic, gods, different races and magical creatures.

The story centers on the Malazan Empire, which is bent on conquering the last of the free cities on the continent of Genabackis.

It’s here we’re introduced to Whiskeyjack and the remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite group of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to pave the way for the incoming conquest. Unbeknownst to them, however, other powers are slowly gathering in the city.

This, however, is only the start of the first book in this epic series.

Over the course of the next books, we’re introduced to a multitude of fantastic characters, but also dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the series’ major antagonist.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is a fantastic series for a variety of reasons. Its world-building is one of the most detailed and complex in all of fantasy. Malazan’s magic system, too, is entirely unique and works via magicians taping into other dimensions, so-called Warrens, to use their powers.

The most outstanding part in the series, however, are its characters. The books are populated with a cast that’s as vast as it’s fantastic. There’s Whiskeyjack, Fiddler, Kalam and Quick Ben, Anomander Rake, Duiker, Kruppe and Iskara Pust and so many more.

Even better, many of these characters are hardened soldiers or recruits bent on becoming so. Thus, they swear and joke in the sardonic way only soldiers do.

The books, however, are brutal and unforgiving. They are set in a world at war, full of monstrous creatures and ambiguous gods. No one’s safe and if you thought Martin was relentless, you’ve not read The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

The only criticism of this fantastic series is that one can get easily lost in it. There’s so much going on, there are so many characters, location and continents it can be overwhelming. This is most true for the first book in the series Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst in the series. There’s no real prologue and no slow intro. Instead, we’re almost immediately thrown into the middle of a war without knowing what’s going on.

Overall, though, The Malazan Book of the Fallen is one of the greatest fantasy series ever written. While the writing can be weak in the first book, it develops tremendously in book two, which is amongst the best in the series.

If you’re looking for a series full of war, brutal battles and a cast of unforgettable characters, read Malazan.

It’s one of the greatest accomplishments in modern, epic fantasy and definitely worth reading for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

Urban fantasy books have become some of the most widely read books of the twenty-first century.

There’s a good reason for it. Urban fantasy is one of the most exciting, fascinating, and unique genres in modern literature.

While it usually involves fantastical plot, it’s vastly different from standard fantasy. Urban fantasy’s not set in a typical fantasy world, instead it plays out in our modern, real life world or one similar to it.

It’s a dynamic and diverse genre that often combines a variety of well-known tropes with new and unique ideas.

Urban fantasy books are filled with fantastical and mythological creatures like werewolves, vampires, witches, fairies, goblins and many others. Yet, many urban fantasy writers add their own touch to these elements. They distort them or mix them up in new and exciting ways. This makes urban fantasy books a delight to read for those who are looking for unique stories.

For this list, I selected a variety of different urban fantasy books. While some are standalone titles, others might be part of a longer series. All of them, however, are very worth reading.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, I urge you to check out my list of fantasy books like Lord of the Rings or my list of dystopian books.

Table of Contents

• Borderland edited by Terri Windling
• War of the Oaks by Emma Bull
• Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
• Fated by Benedict Jacka
• Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
• Broken Elements by Mia Marshall
• Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
• Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
• Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
• Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
• Storm Front by Jim Butcher
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Borderland edited by Terri Windling

Borderland is said to have started the urban fantasy trend.

Published back in 1986, it’s an anthology of short stories who all take place in Bordertown. It’s a chaotic, dystopian city which divides the human world from the mythical ‘Elflands.’

Things aren’t what they seem in Bordertown. Neither magic nor human engineering works as it should, and their unpredictable combination often proves fatal.

The town itself is inhabited by a cast of wonderful and strange characters. We get to know youthful outcasts and runaways, magical magicians and even so-called half-residents, descendants from the union of humans and elves.

All of them struggle to make sense of the world around them. Yet it’s a world that defies comprehension.

Borderland is a classic amongst urban fantasy books. While it caters primarily towards teenage readers, it comprises a variety of serious themes: disenfranchised youth culture, race relations, class conflict, generation gaps and much more.

Borderland is a great way to start off this list and any fan of urban fantasy books should read it.

War of the Oaks by Emma Bull

War of the Oaks was first published in 1987 and it defined the modern urban fantasy genre in a similar note to the aforementioned Borderland.

It tells the story of a young musician Eddi McCandry. Her life takes a turn for the worse when her band breaks up and her boyfriend dumps her.

Things, however, are bound to get even weirder. One night, as she’s walking home through downtown Minneapolis, she’s drafted into an invisible war between two factions of the fairy folk. From this point onward, she’s about to struggle for her survival in this strange new world. All the while, she’s also trying to put together a new rock band.

War of the Oaks is a novel that’s written in lyrical fashion but also in a style that’s rather rough. It’s a book that’s as fantastic as it’s down to Earth. It tells a story of genuine love, loyalty, devotion, and, of course, real musicians.

War of the Oaks is another of the classic urban fantasy books, and any fan of the genre should check it out.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Patricia Briggs is one of the biggest names in urban fantasy and one of the most innovate writers the genre offers.

Moon Called is the first in the Mercy Thompson series comprising twelve novels.

The book includes a variety of fantastical elements and features a lot of mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, fairies, but also witches, shapeshifters and many others.

It tells the story of Mercy Thompson, a skilled mechanic who’s a shapeshifter, a so-called walker, who can turn into a coyote at will.

She and other mythological creatures live in their home of the so-called Tri-Cities. Everything seems to be all right and life’s harmonious. Yet, trouble’s been brewing below the surface for a long time.

Our story starts when a teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work. Before long, it’s revealed that he not only turned into a werewolf recently but also escaped from a laboratory.

Mercy asks Adam Hauptman, the alpha of the local werewolf pack, for help. This act of kindness, however, has dire consequences, for Mercy soon learns that what happened to the boy wasn’t an isolated incident. From now on, she must set out to save those who are dear to her.

Urban fantasy’s a genre full of badass heroines, but Mercy Thompson proves to be one of the best ones. While Moon Called is an urban fantasy book that comes with a lot of familiar elements, Patricia Briggs is able to warp and change them into an entirely new and innovative story.

Moon Called is definitely one of the best urban fantasy books out there and a fantastic start to a brilliant series.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely is another well-known urban fantasy novel. It’s once again the first in another, longer series of urban fantasy books.

It’s set in a world in which faeries live hidden amongst humans. They have terrible power and are of a cruel nature, especially against non-faerie folk.

Aislinn Foy is a teenager with a special power. She’s a so-called Sighted, which means she’s able to see faeries. For most of her life, however, she’d been afraid of them and chosen to ignore them.

This changes when the faerie Summer King Keenan believes she may be his new Summer Queen. Yet, at the same time, Aislinn got feelings for her best friend Seth. Before long, things get out of control and, even worse, dangerous.

What’s most interesting about the novel, however, is the intertwining of 18th century fairytales and folklore with the modern day expectations of teenagers.

While the book can be teeny and hormone fueled, it makes up for it by being a fantastic read.

Fated by Benedict Jacka

Fated is the first novel in the Alex Versus series, set in Camden London, which comprises fourteen urban fantasy books.

Our protagonist Alex Verus runs a magic shop, but of course not an ordinary one. Instead of selling wands, cards and magic sets, he sells mysterious artifacts, some of which hold incredible power.

Yet, Alex himself is not an ordinary person either. He’s a mage with the power to see into the future. His life, however, is mundane, and he spends his days simply running his store.

All that changes when his apprentice Lune comes into the store with a mysterious crimson glass cube. Alex knows right away that his life’s about to change. While he doesn’t know why and how, he knows he’s in danger and there’s no way of avoiding it.

Fated is a fantastic urban fantasy book and a great introduction to one of urban fantasy’s best series.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

In this urban fantasy book, we get to know Caroline Evelyn Merit. She was a normal twenty-eight-year-old graduate student.

One day, however, she’s attacked by a rogue vampire. Before he can finish the deed, he was scared away by another vampire, allowing Merit to survive the Caroline to survive the encounter. This other vampire is Ethan Sullivan, the head of Cadogan House.

From this day onward, however, she’s a vampire herself and now has to handle her new life. This includes hiding her identity from her roommate, getting together with the other vampires of Cadogan House, but also coping with her attraction to Ethan. Yet, he’s not merely her master, but he’s also got feelings for her of his own.

While Some Girls Bite might sound similar to other urban fantasy books, it’s worth reading. It features an interesting, female narrative, and outlines the many problems our protagonist faces in her new identity in our normal, modern day world.

Broken Elements by Mia Marshall

Broken Elements is the first of three books in the Elements series. It’s a mixture of urban fantasy and murder mystery.

Aidan Brook is an elemental. This means she’s got the power to manipulate water with her mind. When her powers fail her one night, however, the consequences prove fatal.

Unable to cope with what she’s done, she tries to flee her old life and what she’s done. While she’s trying desperately to forget the past, the grisly murder of an old friend draws her back to the scene of her crimes, Lake Tahoe.

Before long, the FBI, too, is on her case and her quiet life ends. Even worse, a deadly killer soon sets his sights on her. Aidan now has to relearn her powers to survive. Yet, can she use them for good, or will she bring even more death?

With a great, tragic protagonist, lots of magical elements and a murder mystery, this book has it all for fans of urban fantasy books and innovative stories.

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

Sandman Slim is the first entry in the Sandman Slim series comprising over ten books.

The book centers on a trope as old as time, the battle between heaven and hell. Yet, this series of urban fantasy books twists this idea, makes it fresh and tells its story uniquely.

We get to know a man named James Stark, who’s known as Sandman Slim. He spent his teenage years as a magician, but before long, his powers were noticed by a demon. This demon took Sandman Slim to hell itself, and for eleven years, he was forced to perform a sideshow to entertain Satan’s minions.

When he’s finally able to escape, he sets out for revenge. He now hunts down the devil, who took him to hell and the mysterious group surrounding him.

Before long, however, he realizes there’s more to all this, and the truth is much more terrifying than he could’ve ever thought. For he soon finds himself dragged into a battle that’s been going on for much, much longer, that between heaven and hell.

Sandman Slim’s a fantastic series featuring a great antihero protagonist. It showcases that the path to retribution and revenge is never an easy one and there are often powers beyond our understanding which might influence and mess with us.

Simply a fantastic novel and part of a fantastic series of urban fantasy books.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Before he wrote American Gods, Neil Gaiman was already a titan of urban fantasy. It’s thanks to Neverwhere, which enthralled millions and was adapted not only into a radio play but also a TV series.

Under the streets of London lies a place that its citizens would never have dreamed of. It’s a city of monsters, saints, murderers, angels, knights in armor and pale girls in black velvet. It’s essentially a city of people who’ve fallen between the cracks.

We get to know Richard Mayhew, a young businessman who recently moved to London and who’s soon going to find out more about the other London. When he helps an injured girl named Door on the street one night, he’s catapulted into this other chaotic, magical place known as London Below.

After losing everything, he now travels London Below to make sense of it all and to find his way back to the normal world, London Above.

Neverwhere is an urban fantasy classic. It showcases Neil Gaiman’s imagination and his talent as a writer. It’s an absolutely fantastic novel with a lot of interesting ideas that doesn’t need to hide behind Gaiman’s other, more popular works.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Dead Until Dark is the first entry in the Sookie Stackhouse series of urban fantasy books. It has proven to be one of the most popular and well known urban fantasy series and served as the inspiration for the show True Blood.

It follows a young woman, Sookie, who lives a seemingly normal life. Yet, there’s more to her than meets the eye. Sookie’s got telepathic abilities. Instead of taking them for normal, however, she thinks she’s going crazy.

In the world of Dead Until Dark, the existence of vampires is common knowledge. They are of a serious and reserved character, which always proves to create fun interactions with the quirky Sookie. These are especially prevalent when she’s interacting with her boyfriend Bill, who’s, of course, a vampire.

The novel’s plot truly gets going when a series of murders happens and vampires get blamed for them. Yet, Sookie and Bill aren’t so sure that’s the truth and set out to solve them.

Dead Until Dark is an interesting and unique mixture of small-town southern America and dark, macabre vampires. It comes with a cast of fantastic characters and an intriguing premise in the form of a murder mystery. It’s a mystery which serves to be far more complicated than originally thought.

While Twilight and other series in the romance vampire subgenre might be more popular, the Sookie Stackhouse series is considered one of the finest entries.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews is another popular and prolific urban fantasy writer. Magic Bites is where it all began. It’s the first in the massively popular Kate Daniels series comprising ten novels and several novellas.

Magic Bites is set in a world which fell victim to a magical apocalypse. One day, magic appeared. Rogue mages rose to power because of their spells, and monsters appeared.

This appearance of magic changed everything and made everything unpredictable. Soon technology started to fail. Guns didn’t fire, cars didn’t start and many other devices didn’t work as intended. Even worse, should either magic or technology work, the other will ultimately fail.

In this unpredictable, dystopian world, we get to know Kate Daniels. She lives in the city of Atlanta amongst vampires, were-creatures, necromancers and many other fantastical creatures. She herself is a sword-wielding mercenary who earns a living cleaning up magical problems.

When her guardian’s murdered, she sets out for answers and revenge. Soon enough, she finds herself involved in a power struggle between two opposing factions. As tensions rise, she becomes pressured by both sides and, before long, things get out of hand.

The most interesting element of Magic Bites has to be the unpredictability of not only magic, but also technology. It allows for quite a few strangely comedic moments, but also for the breaking of established rules.

Magic Bites is a fantastic debut novel of one of urban fantasy’s most popular writers. It’s a great novel with an interesting setting and most of all, a fun read.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is another massive name in the urban fantasy genre and her novel City of Bones helped bring the genre to mainstream attention.

City of Bones is the first of six books in The Mortal Instruments series. It received international acclaim in the young adult urban fantasy genre and was even adapted into a TV series.

Clary Fray is a normal, fifteen-year-old teenager. Her life changes when she witnesses a terrible murder committed by three tattooed teenagers carrying bizarre weapons. Before she can call the police, however, the victim’s body disappears without leaving behind a trace.

The perpetrators are Shadowhunters. They are powerful warriors sent to defeat evil demons that roam the earth.

After a series of increasingly bizarre events, Clary slowly finds herself pulled towards the Shadowhunters’ world. When her mother’s kidnapped, she’s got to team up with no other than the Shadowhunters to find out who’s taken her. Before long, she learns the truth about the Shadowhunters, their world and also the things her mother hid from her.

Now Clary, who used to be just a normal teenager, finds herself amid a supernatural battle between good and evil.

City of Bones is a fantastic young adult urban fantasy novel, one I highly recommend to any fan of urban fantasy books.

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch

Midnight Riot is the first book in the Rivers of London series.

One has to wonder what makes London such a perfect setting for urban fantasy books. It’s a complex city with a rich history and a multicultural population.

Aaronovitch uses all these elements and another staple of urban fantasy, the police, to tell a fantastically, innovative story of magical mysteries. All this is spiced up with a healthy dosage of wry humor.

The novel introduces us to Peter Grant, a rookie cop. He’s assigned to the Case Progression Unit and his primary task is to fill out paperwork. Yet, Peter has a supernatural ability, he can see ghosts. When Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale recognizes these powers, Peter gets sent to magical training and is moved to a different unit.

From here on out, he works with Nightingale to solve various magical cases in London. The direst one, however, is a series of violent attacks that always end with the perpetrator’s face falling off.

Before long, Peter finds himself in over his head and has to solve an age long dispute. He’s now in a new world, an underworld populated by gods, goddesses and a dark entity with an evil plan.

Midnight Riot is a fantastic start to one of urban fantasy’s most beloved series. While the book can be a bit too packed with plot points and events, it more than makes up for it by its fantastic characters. It’s overall a witty and highly enjoyable read.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Storm Front is the first book in the massively popular urban fantasy series The Dresden Files. It’s a series that changed the face of modern urban fantasy forever.

Storm Front tells the story of Harry Dresden, a paranormal investigator and wizard. He’s the best at what he does, especially since he’s the only one at what he does. This makes him a person of high demand at the Chicago Police Department, for which he solves paranormal crimes.

Whenever cases are beyond what the police can handle, they call Harry. His newest case concerns a missing amateur magician and two dead civilians whose hearts have been ripped out. Strapped for cash, he takes the job, but soon finds himself in too deep.

While he tries to figure out what’s going on, the Chicago P.D. soon suspects no other than him. He’s now got to find the missing magician and expose his role in the grisly case.

Yet, behind it all lingers another, more dangerous and dark entity.

Storm Front is an absolutely fantastic novel and the start of a fantastic series of urban fantasy books.

Harry Dresden is a great protagonist, but what makes the book such a delight is the combination of private detective work and the unique, paranormal mysteries at play.

The Dresden Files is one of the most popular and well-beloved urban fantasy series of all time and for a good reason. I highly recommend any fan of the genre to check it out.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

One can’t talk about urban fantasy without mentioning the name Neil Gaiman and his novel American Gods.

While his novel Neverwhere mentioned before on this list was popular, American Gods is what changed everything. It’s one of the most popular and well-known urban fantasy books, if not the most popular. It’s by many called one of the best novels of the twenty-first century.

First published in 2001, it became an enormous success, won multiple awards and was turned into a successful TV series.

Shadow Moon’s an ex-con who’s locked behind bars for three years. He bids his time for all he wants is to get back to his wife Lauren and start a new life.

Yet, days before his release, his wife and best friend die in a car accident. Even worse, he finds out the two of them had an affair. He’s devastated, but upon his release reluctantly accepts an offer by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday to become his bodyguard.

Mr. Wednesday, however, isn’t who he’s supposed to be. He turns out to be Odin, the Norse God of War. He’s on a mission around America to recruit the other Old Gods and form an army to battle against the New Gods.

The New Gods are the modern gods, the gods of progress that have begun to dominate modern society and filled the gap left behind after the fall of the Old Gods. They represent such things as media, technology and commercialism.

Yet, soon enough, Shadow Moon questions his new employer. Why this battle? Something strange is going on and the more mysteries he unearths, the more he finds himself in over his head. Yet, what can a single man do when he’s surrounded by divine beings?

American Gods is nothing short of masterpiece and amongst the greatest urban fantasy books ever written. It’s a novel I highly recommend not only for fans of the genre but for all readers out there.

Dystopian literature is a genre of speculative fiction that has become massively popular over the last decade and a half. It’s no surprise dystopian books are enjoyed by a massive fan base.

While dystopian books were popular in the 19th and 20th century, their popularity has grown significantly in recent years. Our very own world seems on the verge of change because of a multitude of factors. There’s war, climate change, economic chaos, the pandemic, energy shortages and much, much more.

The most fascinating aspect and what always brings readers back to dystopian books is their setting. They always draw from our own world and mirror its elements, such as, amongst others, our society, politics, religion, and technology, and distort them. They essentially present us with a world similar to our own in which one or more of these elements have gone horribly wrong.

While some dystopian books explore apocalyptic events and their aftermath others, many focus on such issues as the decile of society, social issues, dehumanization, injustice and inequality.

Many writers have written about dystopian versions of our future. There’s such classical writers like George Orwell and H. G. Wells, but also contemporary writers such as Suzanne Collins or Kazuo Ishiguro.

What makes dystopian literature such an interesting genre might be the fact that these books show us that, however bad things are, they could be much, much worse.

The best dystopian books, however, are those that serve as cautionary tales and comment on the problems of our very own society, and where they could lead us.

On this list, I included both classics and newer books, and also a few young adult books. All of them, however, are worth reading.

If you’re a fan of general science-fiction, you might also want to check out my list of the best science-fiction books and my list of books like Dune.

Table of Contents

• Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
• Battle Royal by Koushun Takami
• The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
• The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Borne by Jeff VanderMeer
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
• The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
• The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard
• The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Blindness by José Saramago
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
• The Stand by Stephen King
• Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
• The Children of Men by P. D. James
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• The Power by Naomi Alderman
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Noughts & Crosses is the first dystopian book in an award-winning novel series. It’s garnered widespread popularity and was adapted for TV in recent years.

The novel depicts a fictional 21th-century dystopian Britain split by race. In this world, white Noughts are treated as an inferior race while black Crosses are born into privilege and perceived as superior.

The novel’s plot follows two friends, Sephy and Callum. While Sephy’s a Cross and the daughter of a powerful politician, Callum is a Nought, poor, and merely exists to serve Crosses.

Against all odds, however, the two of them chose each other and their love.

It’s a powerful story that reverses traditional racial stereotypes. It’s a story of friendship and love, but a love that threatens the very fabric of society.

Noughts & Crosses is an interesting dystopian book and gives as an entirely new, and uncomfortable look at the very real racial problems in our society. It’s very worth reading.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick’s science-fiction masterpiece that inspired the movie Blade Runner.

It presents us with a post-apocalyptic setting and the resulting dystopian society. Following a nuclear war, the ‘World War Terminus’ huge parts of the world are uninhabitable because of radiation poisoning.

Because of this, real animals have become scarce. Instead, artificial creatures have been created to resemble those made of flesh, including humanoids.

The plot revolves around Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, who’s tasked with killing six Nexus 6 model androids who escaped from Mars.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is an action-packed novel full of vivid and imaginative world-building. We witness a devastated world, a futuristic setting, strange psychological tests to identify androids and social status determined by the number of natural animals one owns.

The major theme of the novel, however, isn’t one about society. Instead, the novel talks about the nature of AI, the future it could lead us to, and what makes us truly human.

It’s a fantastic novel, one I highly recommend to any fan of science-fiction, cyberpunk, but also dystopian books.

Battle Royal by Koushun Takami

When Battle Royal was first published in Japan, it proved massively popular and developed a cult following. Because of its fantastic movie adaption, the novel also became a hit with Western audiences.

It’s a Japanese thriller novel set in a fascist Japan and tells the shocking story of the titular Battle Royal program.

Each year, fifty third-year junior high classes are randomly selected. The students of each class are then kidnapped and dropped off at a remote location. They are provided weapons and provision and forced to kill each other until only one of them remains.

The novel’s story centers on the students of Shiroiwa Junior High School. Shuya Nanahara, our narrator, decides not to ‘play the game,’ as he refers to it and instead to protect his friends.

Battle Royal is an action-packed novel that features one of the most disturbing scenarios ever created. It also features a fantastic cast of characters, including Shuya Nanahara, Noriko Nakagawa, Shogo Kawada and, of course, Kazuo Kiriyama.

While the novel was first seen as nothing but pure exploitation and shock-value, its status has now changed. Nowadays, it’s often regarded as the Lord of the Flies of the 21th century and one of the best dystopian books out of Japan.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

This classical dystopian book was written in 1951 and is set in a post-apocalyptic world.

One day, a large part of the world’s population is blinded by a meteor shower. What’s even worse, however, is the rise of a huge, locomotive, venomous plant species known as Triffids that roam the Earth and hunt down humans. The few humans who haven’t been blinded now have to find a way to survive.

The Day of the Triffids is a classical catastrophe novel that inspired countless other, similar novels and terrified an entire generation.

Over the course of the novel, it becomes clear that the Triffids might have been genetically modified. This fear of biological weapons came from a certain rumor popular during the time of its writing. It stated that the Soviet Union was experimenting with manipulating nature to do its bidding.

The most interesting aspect about The Day of the Triffids, however, lies in its antagonists. In a post-apocalyptic world, plants and nature are usually seen as a symbol of restoration and hope. Not so in The Day of the Triffids.

The novel’s major theme is the twisted nature of biological warfare and serves as a cautionary tale about the twisted horrors it might create.

It’s a great novel for fans of dystopian books and classical science-fiction alike.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies is the first installment in the Uglies series and presents us with a very interesting idea for a dystopia.

The novel’s set in a world of extreme beauty in which everyone whose normal is considered ugly.

It tells the story of a young girl named Tally who’s about to turn sixteen. She can’t wait for it because it means she’ll finally undergo an operation that will turn her from an Ugly into an extremely pretty person, a Pretty. Once she’s pretty, she’ll be able to enter a high-end paradise of endless fun and leisure.

Before long, however, Tally has doubts about this strange system and eventually joins a colony of her fellow Uglies.

Scott Westerfeld’s dystopian book is social criticism at its finest. It showcases our obsession with beauty and attractiveness and our prejudice against those who aren’t.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Oryx and Crake is the first novel in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy.

It’s set in a world in which humanity has been destroyed by a plague. We get to know Snowman, who believes himself to be the last human on Earth. He spends his days in this post-apocalyptic world surrounded by Crakers, a humanoid species created by his friend Crake.

He eventually embarks on a journey to find answers through what was once a great city and has now returned to wilderness.

As the book continues, our protagonist reminisces in his past and his role in the apocalypse is slowly revealed.

Back in the day, he and his friend stumbled upon the dark side of the internet. This act of childish curiosity should change their lives forever.

In their adult years, the world’s population is destroyed by a plague and those who survive it are set on creating genetically better humans. It’s Snowman, then known as Jimmy, and his friend Crake, who were at the center of this development.

Oryx and Crake is a dystopian novel that’s quite different from Margaret Atwood’s other dystopian book The Handmaid’s Tale.

It’s a story about the effects of our childhood on our adult years. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic modification.

Oryx and Crake will leave you disturbed by how plausible a scenario it presents. While not the most popular of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian books, it’s still very much worth reading.

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin is not only a giant of modern literature, but also dystopian literature.

The Dispossessed is part of the fictional universe of the Hainish Cycle, which comprises seven novels, but can be read as a standalone.

The novel features two worlds, Anarres and Urras. Shelk, a brilliant physicist, lives in the utopian world of Anarres. He attempts, however, to reunite Anarres with his home of Urras.

Urras, however, is a civilization full of war, poverty, and, of course, capitalism. He tries to show the people of Urras a better way to live, but soon realizes it might be for the best if Anarres remains its own state.

It’s quite interesting that The Dispossessed is by some called a utopian novel. Its major themes center on the contrast between the freedom of an anarchic society and one that’s constrained by capitalism. Yet, it’s an ambiguous story, one that hides more below its surface than one might originally think.

Nothing much needs to be said about this dystopian novel. It’s written by a master of the genre and should be read by any fan.

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

Borne is Jeff VanderMeer’s eighth novel and in it, he presents us with a strange, but intriguing version of the future.

The stories set in a nameless city which is left in ruins by ‘the Company,’ a biotech corporation.

Rachel’s a young girl who makes a living scavenging the ruins for products made and left behind by the Company. One day, during a mission, she and her partner discover a strange creature. It’s nothing but a green lump, tangled in grizzly fur. She takes the creature home and names it ‘Borne.’

Soon enough, however, the creature reveals mesmerizing shape-shifting abilities. This event should change her life forever.

Borne’s a novel that’s strange and bizarre. It showcases an ecologically ravaged world and serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of biotechnology.

VanderMeer’s writing is as unconventional as the story, and might take some getting used to, but it’s worthwhile. Borne’s without a doubt amongst the best dystopian books in recent years.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

While George Orwell’s known mostly for his other dystopian novel Nineteen Eight-Four, Animal Farm is also massively popular.

Who doesn’t know the line ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’

Animal Farm’s a classic fable with a lasting lesson. It centers on the animals at Manor Farm. Dissatisfied with their human owners, they stage a revolt and drive them out. At first, all seems well, and the animals enjoy their newfound autonomy. Soon enough, however, another sort of tyranny replaces that of the humans, one that might be even worse.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm shows us how revolutions can go wrong and how their outcome might not bring the change people long for so dearly. In this Animal Farm’s case, it’s a clear criticism of the Soviet Union and the totalitarian regime it became.

What’s most interesting, however, and what makes it work so well, is George Orwell’s choice to not use human protagonists, but animals. Each one of them represents a specific subset of the population.

While it’s a short book, and rather on the nose, it’s still amongst the best dystopian books with a lasting message.

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is one of the first true science-fiction novels ever written and one of the first portrayals of time travel in literature.

While it may not be entirely a dystopian novel, it still presents us with a dystopian version of the future.

During the Victorian era, a scientist develops a time machine and travels to the year 802,701 AD. He discovers Earth has become a utopia and humans have evolved into the childlike Eloi. He spends his time with them and learning about the development of humanity.

When his time machine vanishes, he’s forced to travel down into the deep and ominous tunnels below the surface. He soon discovers there’s another race descended from humans, the cannibalistic Morlocks.

The Time Machine’s major theme is that as brilliant and dazzling as a society might appear, it always has a dark underside to it. The novel also establishes many tropes of the time travel genre, especially its unexpected side-effects that have since become a staple of the genre.

It’s a fantastic novel with a great, convoluted and twisted plot. It’s a late Victorian era masterpiece and one of the most popular science-fiction books of all time.

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is an allegorical tale set several thousand years in the future.

It’s another novel set in a post-apocalyptic world, but one dominated by religious fundamentalism. It’s essentially a new technological dark age after the collapse of civilization. However, some humans have developed telepathy.

The story’s set at Labrabor, whose inhabitants believe that ‘normality’ is the key to preserve their world. Anything that goes against it will cause the wrath of God to come down on them. Therefore, they’ve become eugenicists and kill or banish anyone who differs from them. This, of course, includes people with telepathic powers.

The story revolves around David, the son of a devout man and authority figure and his cousin Rosalind. We soon learn that the two of them have telepathic powers. As they grow older, it becomes harder and harder for them to conceal their powers.

Eventually, they face a dilemma. Wait for discovery and risk death, or flee into the ever-changing and dangerous Badlands.

The Chrysalids is a critic of religious fundamentalism. It showcases the persecution, intolerance, social exclusion, and discrimination such a world could bring. It’s yet another book that gives us an eerie prediction of what our real-life society could be headed towards.

The Chrysalids is often considered John Wyndham’s best book. It’s faced-paced and suspenseful, but also thought-provoking. A great read for anyone looking for dystopian books.

The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard

The Drowned World is one of the earliest works of climate fiction, a subset of the dystopian literature genre.

In the year 2145, the world’s changed and wide spread parts of it have become uninhabitable because of global warming. Many of the cities of Europe and America have become submerged and many animals around the globe have mutated.

The Drowned World’s plot centers on Dr. Robert Kearns, whose part of a group of scientists that must survive in an environmentally devastated London. The city’s changed into a primordial jungle populated by giant lizards, dragonflies and other insects. Things only get worse, for Dr. Kearny is soon beset by strange dreams.

The Drowned World is an adventurous novel that takes us on an unlikely journey. Yet, the novel’s more than a mere adventure. It paints a vivid picture of the dangers of global warming and what its changes would do to the human psychology.

What’s most interesting, however, is that the novel was written back in 1962, but it’s more relevant today than ever before. Another great read.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Trilogy is a vastly popular series of dystopian books and probably the most popular young adult novel series of all time.

It’s a bestseller that’s already regarded as a classic of young adult literature.

The series is set in the totalitarian nation of Panem that was once North America. It comprises a lavish capitol, which rules its surrounding twelve districts with a cruel hand.

Each year, two teenagers, a boy and a girl, are chosen as tributes amongst the population of each district to join the annual Hunger Games.

The titular games are a death battle in an arena with only one winner. This winner earns riches and resources for their district. The entire ordeal, however, is done for the entertainment of those living in the capitol and broadcast live to the entire population.

When her sister gets chosen, Katniss Everdeen of the thirteenth district volunteers to go in her place. She must now train and figure out how to survive in the arena.

This is only the plot of the first novel, however. In the subsequent entries of the series, Katniss and others eventually decide to pick up the fight against the capitol itself.

The Hunger Games Trilogy features a variety of themes. Amongst them are class division, the decadence and disregard of the ruling class, and the power of love even in the direst circumstances. It also harshly criticizes the popular genre of reality TV.

Once more, the dystopia depicted in The Hunger Games doesn’t feel too far off. Following war, new civilizations emerge. Who’s saying it couldn’t be like that of ancient Rome, which served as the inspiration for Panem.

Overall, the Hunger Games are a fantastic young adult series and a fantastic trilogy of dystopian books. This is especially owed to their protagonist Katniss, who serves as a role model for female readers of all ages.

Blindness by José Saramago

In 1998, José Saramago won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Blindness was one of the works mentioned by the committee.

The novel’s set in the year 1990. Overnight, a large percentage of the population of an unnamed city wakes up unable to see. The cause for this is never explained.

From this point onward, the city’s inhabitants have to figure out how to handle this new condition. Order soon disintegrates, food runs scarce, and criminals exploit the situation. Before long, surveillance is heightened and quarantines for those suffering from the condition are imposed.

Blindness is a disorienting read which uses its language and writing style to mimic the lives of the city’s inhabitants.

The novel showcases the fragility of human society and serves as a cautionary tale about how quick things could fall apart. More so, it sheds light on the violence and heartlessness that’s already at play in our society. Yet, it also shows the importance of solidarity and compassion in dire situations.

Blindness is José Saramago at his best. The novel features a unique scenario brought to life by fantastic imagery. Clearly another one of the best dystopian books out there.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

One of the most popular novels by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro.

It’s a coming-of-age tale that’s both powerful and exploratory.

The novel brings with a caretaker, Kathy, who’s in her thirties and reminisces about her childhood.

In the 1980s, she attended an English boarding school called Hailsham. The students were well-cared for, but taught nothing about the outside world.

When Kathy and her two friends, Ruth and Tommy, eventually leave the school grounds, they discover what Hailsham really is.

Never Let Me Go was named by Time as the best novel of 2005. It’s a dystopian book about sacrifice, impermanence, and what it means to be human. It focuses on the question of morality in an age of rapidly developing medical technology.

Its relevant themes and its simple yet emotional writing make it a great read for fans of dystopian books.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

We’s a novel that was written in the early years of the Soviet Union and was published in New York in 1923. It’s an early example of a dystopian novel and is said to have inspired both, Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World.

It’s set 1000 years in the future in a utopia. This utopia’s called OneState and comprises a glass-enclosed city of absolute straight lines.

It’s a totalitarian society and everyone’s under constant surveillance. The citizens live their lives devoid of passion, creativity and even emotions. Everyone’s given up on their individuality and instead of names, people are only known by numbers.

One day, D-503, a mathematician who dreams only in numbers, discovers he can do and think differently. It isn’t long before he becomes involved in a resistance group.

The most interesting part about the novel is to witness how our protagonist discovers feelings and relationships with others. It also sheds light on the strange conventions of the totalitarian rule, and, of course, the consequences of going against it.

We’s fantastically written, and its prose helps to establish the novel’s setting and mood. It features abrupt, dry language which helps us to not only identify with the narrator but also the situation he’s in. However, it paints a vivid picture of the bleak world he lives in.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is without a doubt a classic amongst the many dystopian books out there, and a must-read for any fan of the genre.

The Stand by Stephen King

The Stand’s probably the greatest novel Stephen King’s ever written.

While the novel’s an absolute doorstopper, it’s often advertised using a few short sentences:

‘First comes the days of the plague. Then come the dreams. Dark dreams that warn of the coming of the dark man.’

At the novel’s outset, a patient infected with a hyper-contagious strain of super-flu escapes a biological testing facility. The resulting epidemic wipes out ninety-nine percent of the world’s population.

Soon enough, normal society collapses, survivors struggle, and warring factions rise. This, however, is all just the beginning.

While Mother Abigail strives to create a peaceful enclave for the survivors, Randall Flagg, the ‘Dark Man’ revels in chaos and violence. Soon enough, those similar to him flock to his side.

Stephen King uses the point of view of various characters to showcase the struggles of survival as they travel to their respective destinations.

The Stand features a variety of fantastic characters. There are Mother Abigail, Larry Underwood, Randall Flagg, and, of course, Donald Elbert, the Trashcan Man.

The Stand’s simply a masterpiece, and one of the greatest dystopian books out there.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Sower is one of the most iconic dystopian books out there.

It’s a science-fiction classic set in a disintegrating Los Angeles in the 2020s. It’s a grim, terrifying version of the future. Climate catastrophes have led to scarce resources and global anarchy has arisen.

Lauren Olamina tries her best to survive with her family in this devastated world. Yet, she’s also got to deal with a condition known as hyper empathy. It makes her hyper aware of the pain of others. In a city full of drugs, disease, war, water shortages and despaired people, there’s no end to her suffering.

The novel presents us with a world in which a functioning society is a thing of the past. By now, there’s only sorrow left. Yet, it also shows us the hope people cling to even in the direst situations.

While the novels told from a youthful narrative voice, the novel’s story itself is deep and emotionally mature.

The Children of Men by P. D. James

Originally written in 1992, the novel has become widely popular, more so after its movie adaption in the mid-2000s.

It’s a fantastic, dystopian thriller in which humanity has become infertile. No children have been born in twenty-five years and the last generation has reached adulthood.

Civilization’s slowly falling apart and despair and suicide are commonplace. This deterioration has gone so far that members of this last generation are even allowed to get away with murder.

In this world, we meet the Oxford historian Theodor Faron. He’s given up all hope. This changes when he meets Julian. He and his group of revolutionaries hold the key to the survival of humanity.

The Children of Men is a story about morality, tyranny, but also hope. It also focuses on another problem, that of depopulation.

The most interesting aspect about The Children of Men is the scenario it depicts. While most dystopias or apocalyptic novels rely on war, catastrophe, a pandemic or even aliens and monsters, it depicts an end of the world that’s far more conventional, yet frighteningly possible.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Published back in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 is another classic amongst the many dystopian books out there.

It’s interesting to note that the book was inspired by the Red Scare of the 1940s in which America was under the thump of anti-communist hysteria.

The novel, however, is set in the distant future in which books are banned and intellectual thought is illegal. For this reason, firemen are tasked with the burning of books so the totalitarian regime can control what the members of society learn.

This society mostly comprises people of short attention spans who are constantly bombarded by brainless media.

Our protagonist, Guy Montag, works as a fireman. Things change when he meets a neighbor with a different opinion on the value of books. He soon steals books from the burnings and slowly questions not only his occupation, but society itself.

Fahrenheit 451 is a shockingly interesting book. While it’s unlikely, that books will ever be banned completely, it’s a cautionary tale on where censorship might lead us. Another interesting aspect is the presentation of brainless media consumption and mundane life without critical thinking, which is a theme that seems more relevant today than ever before.

While Fahrenheit 451 was an important book at the time of its writing, it feels even more relevant today because of the rise of Big Data.

It’s definitely a classic and one well worth reading.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver’s an award-winning young adult classic and a coming-of-age story.

It’s set in a society devoid of social problems. It’s a perfect world without fear, war, or pain. Yet, it’s also one without choices. It’s a mundane paradise and essentially a colorless world.

The novel’s plot revolves around the twelve-year-old Jonas who’s chosen as a Receiver by The Giver. This means he has to memorize his community’s history. While he learns about the past, he soon realizes his society isn’t the perfect utopia he was taught. It’s the Giver who only holds the memories of true pain, but also the true pleasures of life.

It’s interesting to note that the book was both widely taught, but also banned for various reasons. These include introducing youth to suicide, sexual awakening and the loss of innocence.

The dominant theme of the book, however, is knowledge. What happens when only a select few can have it? Other themes include the dilemma of growing up and the struggle between individual freedom and security.

The Giver’s widely regarded a classic amongst dystopian books and has inspired many others.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

A Clockwork Orange is regarded a classic and widely popular, especially because of its fantastic movie adaption by Stanley Kubrick.

It presents us with a dystopian, violent and nightmarish version of the future. In this world, youthful dissatisfaction with society is on the rise and has caused a spike in violence.

The novel’s plot revolves around the fifteen-year-old Alex, the leader of an ultra-violent gang. He and his crew commit all sorts of violent deeds as a form to rebel against society. Those acts include not only robbery but also rape and murder.

Eventually, Alex is arrested, and put into a reeducation program. There, he’s forced to undergo therapy to quell his violent urges and to be ‘corrected.’

One of the most interesting aspects about A Clockwork Orange is ‘Nadsat,’ the youthful slang Alex and his friends use. It’s not merely a specific vocabulary, but an entirely made-up language which borrows heavily from both Russian and Shakespeare.

The novel’s biggest themes are those of freedom, free will, psychological manipulation, and, of course, the alienation of youths in a society that doesn’t care about them.

A Clockwork Orange has proven to be highly influential and gave birth to a variety of phrases such as droogs and ultraviolence.

While it can be a rather brutal and violent novel, it’s another fantastic dystopian book.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

The Power is another dystopian novel full of social criticism and features an interesting reversal about patriarchal powers.

Five thousand years in the future, society is dominated by women. A male author decides to write a piece of historical fiction detailing how things changed and how women came into power.

One day, in the 21th century, teenage girls across the world discovered that they had what should become known as ‘The Power.’ It refers to an electric charge which allows them to cause horrible pain and even death. They soon learn how to awaken this power in older woman as well. This strange power changes the entire world, and soon men are no longer in charge. As a new order forms, the question remains if things will be better from now on.

As we read on, the novel interesting intertwines the stories of various women from different parts of the world. This allows us to see various scenarios about how the balance of power was shifted.

The Power is essentially a ‘what-if’ scenario. Its major themes are that of power, how it corrupts us, and how it’s abused. It also serves as a cautionary tale about going too far to right a wrong.

It’s a clever, disturbing and, at times, darkly humorous novel. Yet, it’s not a comfortable read. There’s no utopia here, no equality. Instead the book shows only one thing: it’s not men nor women, it’s humans.

The Power is another fantastic dystopian book, one that puts its focus on woman’s oppression, but also systematic inequality.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven is a fantastic dystopian novel about the enduring power of art.

After a famous actor dies on stage, a deadly flu epidemic wipes out most of civilization and changes the world forever.

The novel centers on a young woman who’s part of a traveling theater group. They visit small communities who’ve survived and perform for them King Lear. Yet, more troubles to come.

The most interesting aspect about Station Eleven is the way it’s told. It moves back and forth in time to show us normalcy before the epidemic started and the altered world that exists twenty years later. To do this, it showcases the lives of various characters. They include the aforementioned dead actor, his wife, a paparazzi who tries to save him, his close friend and a young aspiring actress who witnessed it.

This entire story, however, is held together by the theme of theater.

Station Eleven is a novel full of imagination and world-building. We witness what people remember, what remains of the old world and what changed. This approach gives it almost the feeling of a nonfiction account.

The novel’s dominant theme is the enduring power of art, but also the power of relationships between people and how they help us get through everything, even the end of the world. It also explores what it means to be human in a world that’s lost everything.

It’s not an easy novel to read and its theme of theater might not be for everyone. What it does, however, is show us what extreme conditions can do to human beings. It’s, however, one of the best dystopian books out there.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road is another vastly popular dystopian novel and one of the bleakest ever written.

It’s considered a contemporary classic and won McCarthy the Pulitzer Prize.

The Road is set in a post-apocalyptic America. It’s a world devoid of life where no hope remains. The few strugglers still alive scavenge and fight for the little resources left.

In this world, a father and son travel hoping to reach the coast to make a better life for themselves. They are looking for an end to their suffering and a better life, one that lies at the end of ‘the road.’

What’s interesting to note about The Road is we never learn what caused the end of the world. Yet, as in all good fiction, we don’t need to know what happened to witness its effects.

The Road is a bleak, melancholic and dark novel, one that’s utterly depressing, but ultimately shows how good conquers evil.

When reading The Road, one has to wonder how one would act in a situation such as this. Would we be compassionate or would we give into our individuality, competitiveness and our darkest urges?

The Road is a highly memorable read, especially because of Cormac McCarthy’s beautiful prose and unconventional style. It’s a modern classic and amongst the best dystopian books ever written.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale is by many regarded a classic of feminist dystopian literature. While it was published in 1985, it remains relevant today and feels even more so given the current political climate.

The novel’s set in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian, religious state which was formerly the United States. It emerged following a nuclear war, which left large parts of the population infertile.

In this world, women are subordinate to men, have no rights, no control over their bodies and are forbidden from reading. They are wives, mothers or handmaids.

Handmaids is the term for the few fertile women who remain and who are forced to breed.

One of them is Offred. She’s sent to the house of The Commander and his wife. Her sole reason for existing is now to bear the Commander’s child. Month after month, she prays to become pregnant, yet things slowly escalate.

The Handmaid’s Tale’s written in Margaret Atwood’s typical, unconventional style. It also features alternating storylines to present us with all parts of this nightmarish but complex universe.

It’s a scenario that’s disgustingly possible, especially given what’s currently happening in certain parts of the world. The world of The Handmaid’s Tale’s a hellish version of America which might nowadays not be too far off.

The Handmaid’s Tale is without a doubt one of the greatest dystopian books ever written and a fascinating look at not only a dystopian society but also gender discrimination.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four simply can’t be missed on a list like this.

Who doesn’t know about Big Brother or the famous, contradictory statement ‘War is Peace.’

The novel’s set in a totalitarian future. Earth is divided into three continental-sized nations who are perpetually at war with one another.

The story’s set in the totalitarian nation of Oceania in a province that was formerly known as Great Britain. Everything and everyone’s slave to this tyrannical regime led by The Party. Surveillance and censorship run rampant and free thinking is known as ‘thoughtcrime.’

Our protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth and rewrites history to fit the needs of the party. Yet, he’s not fond of the totalitarian world he lives in. It’s one of demand and absolute obedience and every aspect of his life is under the watchful eye of Big Brother, the symbolic, omnipotent head of the Party.

Before long, however, he’s contacted by his superior, an Inner Party official named O’Brian. He tells Winston he’s part of an underground resistance group known as the Brotherhood.

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a chilling portrayal of the dangers of manipulation, surveillance and censorship until the truth doesn’t matter or doesn’t even exist anymore.

It features a variety of terrifyingly interesting ideas. There’s, of course, the massive propaganda, but also concepts such as the rewriting of history, the changing of language, government-controlled media and even the indoctrination of children to survey their own parents.

Nineteen Eighty-Four shines with its meticulous and scary world-building. It can be considered one of the most terrifying, bleak and depressing novels ever written. It’s a story in which there’s no hope, no victory, only servitude and eventually, everyone will one day love Big Brother.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World is another one of the most famous dystopian books ever written and my all-time favorite.

The novel describes a scenario that’s strangely realistic and frankly said, frightening. It was inspired by the utopian novels of H. G. Wells, but has been twisted into a caricature of them.

It’s set in the year 2540 in a technologically advanced future and an idealistic utopian society.

Humans aren’t born anymore, but are genetically engineered and bred in artificial wombs. They go through childhood indoctrination before they are assigned to a specific cast. This cast is predetermined by their genetic make-up and level of intelligence.

In this society, wars and conflict are a thing of the past and everyone’s happy. Yet, intellectual pursuit has given way to complacency. There are no long-lasting relationships. Should anyone feel doubt, be unhappy or even depressed, it can all be fixed by a drug called Soma.

Our protagonist, Bernhard Marx, is a member of the Alpha cast, yet he grows more and more uncomfortable with society. The plot, however, only truly starts when he visits a savage reservation. There he meets John, a man born naturally who grew up knowing nothing about the real society.

Brave New World might be described as a utopia, but it all comes at a cost. It’s a cold, uncaring world full of numbing drugs and indoctrination. Concepts such as love, care, compassion and even families are a thing of the past.

Brave New World features a variety of themes. The most prominent, however, are the ones of genetically engineering, the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, indoctrination, blind consumerism and the disregard of intellectual pursuit.

Another important theme is that of individual freedom and freedom of expression. We see this especially in the story of John.

Brave New World is probably one of the most disturbing dystopias, given how realistic it appears. Even nowadays, with streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, amongst others, we can consume endlessly and give into the illusion of happiness or at least complacency.

It’s a fantastically well-written novel with interesting characters and without a doubt amongst the greatest dystopian books ever written, if not the greatest.

Haruki Murakami is one of the most popular and widely read contemporary Japanese writers and for a good reason. The best Murakami books are read by millions of dedicated fans.

While he’s a Japanese writer, he’s heavily influenced by Western culture. This makes his novels an interesting blend of Wester pop-culture references and Japanese culture.

What he’s most known for are his books of magical realism, which are full of weird, absurd and surrealistic elements. Yet, he often uses those to outline the problems of our contemporary society.

His strange, magical adventures often bring to light deeper themes, such as isolation, finding happiness and identity. Many of his novels center on our urge to explore ourselves and to understand the inner workings of human identity. They are a mixture of surrealistic fantasy and a discussion of human nature.

To do so, Murakami plunges his characters into metaphysical realms, dreamscapes, the unconscious and even the afterlife.

As much as I love Murakami’s works, I can be a bit divided on him. I’ve got a strange relationship with his works. While I enjoy some of his books massively, there are others I truly disliked.

Those are, however, a few outlines and I enjoy most of his works. It’s the strange mixture of easily digestible prose, serious topics and the myriad of strange, surreal and weird elements he employs. It’s a sense of otherworldliness that surrounds his books and that always draws me back to him.

If you’re looking for absurd novels or magical realism, you could do much worse than to pick up his books.

Murakami has written both fiction and non-fiction as well as short story collections. For this list of the best Murakami books, however, I want to focus solely on his fictional novels.

Table of Contents

• 1Q84
• Dance Dance Dance
• South of the Border, West of the Sun
• Hear the Wind Sing
• Sputnik Sweetheart
• Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
• Pinball, 1973
• The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
• Norwegian Wood
• A Wild Sheep Chase
• After Dark
• Kafka on the Shore
• Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

1Q84

1Q84 is probably Murakami’s most widely read book, reaching one million sales after publication.

While the setting might push it into the realm of science-fiction, it’s essentially a romance and mystery novel.

The book focuses on two different characters.

One is Aomame, a woman who works as a fitness instructor and doubles as an assassin who kills male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The other is Tengo, a math teacher and copywriter.

At the outset of the novel, Aomame realizes strange discrepancies in the world around her. She soon realizes she’s entered a parallel world, one she terms 1Q84, the Q representing a question mark.

Meanwhile, Tengo takes on another job as a copywriter. Because of this, however, he becomes entangled not only with the work but also with its unusual writer. Soon, his normal, mundane life changes.

Before long, our two characters’ lives converge.

Like other Murakami books, 1Q84 focuses on a variety of themes, but the most prevalent is that of religious groups, their power and the damage they can cause. 1Q84 focuses on a fictitious religious cult called Sakigake, which is trying to establish a connection with the spirits of the Earth, the Little People.

1Q84 is the single Murakami book I really didn’t enjoy. The story was typical Murakami and all his strange, unusual elements were there, yet the book didn’t work out for me.

The biggest problem was the length and the pacing. At almost a thousand pages, the book felt way too long, became tedious and repetitive. A lot of times, it felt like the plot wasn’t moving forward and instead, certain points were brought up again and again.

I still included the book, however. The first half of the book is fantastic and makes it a great addition to this list of the best Murakami novels. It’s only in the second half where the book becomes progressively weaker. Yet, this is merely my opinion, and I’m sure many Murakami fans will enjoy this book.

Dance Dance Dance

Dance Dance Dance is the sequel to ‘A Wild Sheep Chase’ featured later on this list and is set four years after the events of said novel.

The book focuses on a lot of themes typical for Murakami: loss, abandonment and supposedly includes some of Murakami’s real-life experiences.

Dance Dance Dance is a deconstruction of the Japanese economy and advanced capitalism. It discusses the contemporary tendency to commodify and sell anything, including relationships, friends, and family.

Our narrator Boku’s more lost in life than ever. He’s unambitious, apathetic and directionless. Even worse, his girlfriend Kiki, an ear model he got to know in ‘A Wild Sheep Chase,’ went missing.

Boku’s quest leads him through the strange, multifaceted culture of modern Japan, but also turns mystical. He’s thrown into a strange world of sexuality and metaphysical dread.

The most notable element of the novel, however, is the mysterious Sheep Man. He’s a strange figure our narrator encounters in a dimly lit hotel room. The Sheep Man’s central to the events taking place, yet he only ever offers Boku cryptic explanations.

Dance Dance Dance can be best described as a suspense novel rich in surrealistic elements.

It is, however, a slowly moving book, and one I often found too slow and a tad bit boring. While I realize the book’s often regarded as one of the best Murakami books out there, it didn’t quite work for me.

South of the Border, West of the Sun

This novel can be best described as a love story full of deep loneliness. While I think it can be a beautiful book, it’s not amongst the best Murakami books.

Our narrator Hajime’s much less likeable than those of Murakami’s other books. While he’s an unpleasant person, however, he’s also interesting. Yet, his decisions, behavior, and feelings of emptiness can be quite alienating to readers.

While most other children had siblings, Hajime grew up as an only child. He spent most of his time with Shimamoto, who was also an only child. Together, the two of them often listened to her father’s record collection. When her family moved away, however, the two of them lost contact.

In the present, Hajime is in his thirties and seems to have found happiness. He’s got a loving wife, two daughters and runs a successful jazz bar.

That’s until Shimamoto reappears at his bar. She’s beautiful, intense and mysterious and suddenly Hajime’s thrown into the past and puts everything he’s got at risk.

While Shimamoto has a secret, she’s unable to escape from, Hajime doesn’t seem to be able to escape her and soon joins her on a mysterious journey.

Yet, their affair doesn’t long, and Hajime has to return to his old life, one he thought he’d escaped from.

While I don’t think South of the Border, West of the Sun, is amongst the best Murakami books, it contains some interesting musings. The most prevalent of those are happiness and loneliness. The book makes you reflect on your own life and makes you wonder if it’s all worth it.

South of the Border, West of the Sun, is a story that begs the question ‘what if’ and showcases how much our childhood influences the rest of our life.

It’s not a bad novel, but again, it didn’t quite work for me. It’s also a book that’s rather atypical for Murakami, and doesn’t feature his usual strange and surrealistic elements.

Hear the Wind Sing

Hear the Wind Sing is Murakami’s debut novel. While I enjoyed it a lot, it’s also got its problems.

It’s less a novel that follows a coherent, developing plot, but more a collection of anecdotes that play out when a university student returns to his hometown.

Even though Murakami’s non-traditional narrative and many of his usual themes are already at play here.

Our narrator, Boku, is a man who works here and there, slipping in and out of work to figure out what will bring him the most meaning in life. His best friend is known as The Rat, who follows Boku on many of his journeys. Amongst other things, the two of them develop a deep relationship with a Chinese bartender.

Each of these characters tries to figure out where their youth has gone, what happened to their childish idealism and how they should face the uncertainty of the future with confidence.

While the novel’s plot isn’t too deep, it makes up for it with its quick, light and simple writing style. It also offers us a deeper look at young man who are lost in our modern world.

While it’s far from one of the best Murakami books out there, I enjoyed it and I think it’s definitely worth reading.

Sputnik Sweetheart

Sputnik Sweetheart can be best described as a romantic detective story. It’s a tale about attraction, desire, and self-discover, but also sexuality and the psychology of love and loss.

Our narrator, K, is a teacher who’s deeply in love with his friend Sumire, a free-spirited writer. The two of them spend hours on the phone in which Sumire talks about the big questions of life. Yet, K’s never able to reveal his feelings for her.

Before long, Sumire meets and falls in love with Miu, a woman seventeen years her senior. The two of them soon take off for a vacation in Greece.

When K gets a call from Miu that Sumire disappeared, he sets out for Greece himself to help find her. It’s there he enters Sumire’s world and realizes there’s much more to reality.

Sputnik Sweetheart is definitely one of Murakami’s stranger, more confusing books and it will leave you with more questions than answers.

It’s a novel that focuses heavily on human nature, longing and loneliness. It’s a short, yet subtle and haunting novel that definitely deserves its place on a list of the best Murakami books.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is one of Murakami’s more recent novels.

It’s a novel concerning one Tsukuru Tazaki and tells us about his teenage years and his present-day life. In the 90s, Tuskuru had a group of friends from high school. Each one of them had a name related to a certain color. Only Tsukuru didn’t and thus became regarded as colorless.

Their friendship was deep, but ended when Tsukuru went to college. One day, all of his friends stopped talking to him, making him depressed and suicidal.

In the present day, Tsukuru is thirty-six years old and works as an engineer. Yet, even now, he’s still haunted by the mystery of what happened.

It’s his girlfriend who finally encourages him to reach out to his friends and to find out why they cut contact. Thus, a journey of self-discovery begins in which Tsukuru has to figure out who he really is as a person.

The novel gives us both an inward and outward look at the struggle of growing up and growing as a person. His quest for understanding brings Tsukuru back to his hometown, but also all the way to Finland.

The most prevalent themes in the novel are forgiveness and being true to oneself.

What’s interesting to note is that this novel is entirely realistic and contains none of Murakami’s usual surreal and weird elements.

It’s also less epic than some of Murakami’s other books, but also much more personal. It’s a great novel for Murakami fans and is very well worth reading. The absence of any weird elements, however, makes it hard for me to consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

Pinball, 1973

Pinball, 1973 is Murakami’s second novel and the sequel to Hear the Wind Sing.

The novel explores our narrator’s relationship to a woman named Naoko who committed suicide during his college days.

While it might sound like a dark novel, it turns out to be much more lighthearted, comical and weird. This is mostly attributed to the twins. These two weird women turn up at and being staying at Boku’s apartment and help him deal with loss and loneliness.

The novel’s plot, however, centers on Boku’s quest to find his favorite pinball machine from his days with Naoko, the ‘three flipper starship.’ Yet, this quest isn’t so much about the pinball machine, but more about his reconciliation with Naoko’s memory.

While Pinball, 1973 is still somewhat unrefined, it’s full of Murakami’s usual themes and elements. The characters are quirky and the entire novel and the events taking place have an almost otherworldly feeling about it.

Similarly to Hear the Wind Sing, the book’s more a collection of different episodes in Boku’s and other character’s lives. They are, however, full of musings about life.

It’s an odd little novel, but one I enjoyed a lot and regard as one of the best Murakami novels.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is one of Murakami’s most celebrated novels, so it’s well deserving of a spot in the best Murakami novels.

It features a strange mystery that only gets stranger the longer the novel progresses. It’s an almost perfect surrealistic tale which combines quirky characters and alternate realities with suburban Japan.

Our protagonist, Toru Okada, is a man who recently quit his job and has become a house husband. His days are spent cooking, listening to music, chatting up the neighbors and waiting for his wife to return home.

When their cat goes missing, Toru’s sent out on a quest to find it. Soon enough, however, his wife acts strangely. She comes home later and later, drops him strange hints and refuses to have sex with him. Before he realizes it, she seems to have left him and so he embarks on a new search, this time for his wife.

Eventually, he learns his wife’s held in another world which has taken on the form of a labyrinthine, infinite hotel. And so, Toru has to find a way of entering this metaphorical place.

During his search, he comes across many weird characters. The standouts here are the nihilistic teenager May Kasahara and the military Lieutenant Mamiya. While May’s a fantastic character and her interactions with Toru are great, it’s Mamiya’s tale that sets him apart. He used to be a soldier during the Japanese occupation of Manchukuo and witnessed horrible things.

Yet, those are only two of all the characters Toru encounters and each one of them serves to be as weird and quirky as the next.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a novel full of awkward moments, of violence and tension. It features themes of sex, violence, and memories lost and regained. It also deals with Japan’s painful history during World War II. Yet, it also features many of Murakami’s other typical elements.

Overall, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a puzzle, one that only slowly comes together. It’s a detective story, but at the same time, comedy and menace. It’s, however, always weirdly imaginative and surreal.

While I liked the oddness of the plot, and many of the smaller stories, the novel itself felt a bit too unfocused and loosely structured. The mystery of Toru’s quest seemed less central and became almost a backdrop for strange, unrelated tales.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is still very much worth reading, both for fans of Murakami and those interested in surreal novels. While I had my problems with it, it’s hard to not consider it one of the best Murakami books.

Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood was Murakami’s breakthrough novel and made him famous both in Japan and internationally.

What’s special about Norwegian Wood is that it lacks any of the absurd or weird elements so typical in his books. It’s not a work of magical realism, but one grounded entirely in reality.

The title of the novel is taken from a 1965 Beatles song. When our narrator, Toru Watanabe, listens to this same song, he reminisces about his college days back in the 60s. It’s a time in which the Japanese students rose against the government.

Yet, it’s also the time when his best friend committed suicide and he became infatuated with two women, Naoko and Midori.

Naoko was his former best friend’s girlfriend. She’s coping with her lover’s suicide and suffers from severe mental issues. Soon enough, Naoko tells Toru that she hears her former lover’s voice who’s calling to her from another world.

Midori is the complete opposite. She’s an energetic and friendly young girl, very much in love with life.

The novel centers on Toru’s feelings and his choice between saving Naoko and his desire for Midori.

Yet, Norwegian Wood is more than a simple love story. It’s a tale of growing up and how to deal with loss. It’s a very personal and tender book. We witness Toru walking the streets of Tokyo with Naoko, or spending the evening on a rooftop with Midori.

Overall, Norwegian Wood can be dark, and there’s an almost sinister undertone prevalent throughout the novel. Yet, it also offers hope and a chance to grow up.

The only real problem I had with the book was its heavy focus on sex and sex scenes and its portrayal of mental illness.

Still, it’s a fantastic tear-jerker and regarded as one of the best Murakami books for a reason.

A Wild Sheep Chase

A Wild Sheep Chase is the third installment of Murakami’s so called ‘Trilogy of the Rat’ after Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 and brings it to a close. It’s by far the best of the trilogy and even outshines its sequel Dance Dance Dance.

While it’s a book, that’s more straightforward compared to his later work, it’s heavy on magical realism.

Our narrator Boku’s now in his thirties and runs a publishing company in Tokyo. When his friend The Rat sends him a photograph of a herd of sheep, he uses it in an advertisement.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the photograph depicts a strange, magical sheep with a star-shaped birthmark. This soon gets him the attention of a powerful political and leader of a giant business syndicate only known as ‘The Boss.’

The man clarifies that Boku’s in trouble and gives him an ultimatum. He’s got to find the sheep or face dire consequences.

And so, our narrator sets out to the rural areas of Hokkaido to find not only the sheep but also his friend who seems to be entangled in the events at play.

From here on out the book serves to only get stranger.

What starts out as a detective novel in which one man takes on an all-powerful syndicate soon develops into a beautiful and sad tale of trauma and things lost.

A Wild Sheep Chase features many themes, such as Japanese culture and identity in post-WWII Japan, Japanese religious tradition and sexuality. At the center, however, is the conflict between individual will and the all-encompassing, impersonal power of the state.

While it features Murakami’s typical surrealist elements, it serves to be easily comprehensible, accessible and readable. Even though it’s one of his earlier works, I consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

After Dark

After Dark is one of the more cozy Murakami novels out there.

We get to know Mari, a young woman who spends her nights at a Denny’s. One night, she encounters a young man who insists he knows his older sister. This event sets in motion Mari’s odyssey through the sleeping city.

It’s a tale set in a single night, but which sheds light on the lives of a diverse cast of Tokyo residents. It’s in this setting that fantasy and reality collide.

The book features some of Murakami’s usual surreal and strange elements, but they didn’t feel as central to the plot as in others.

After Dark’s plot, too, isn’t as gripping or extensive as that of other Murakami novels, but I found its atmosphere much richer. There’s just something about the night, those who populate it, and how they spend their time during these late hours.

At the center of the novel, however, is a deep feeling of loneliness. While we all share the world together, and we all interact and affect each other’s lives, we’re all isolated.

It’s an enchanting little novel, one I truly came to love and regard as one of the best Murakami books out there.

Kafka on the Shore

Kafka on the Shore is Murakami at his best, but also his most confusing.

It’s a novel that blends pop-culture references, cats, magical realism, sexuality and Japanese religious tradition into an utterly stunning and mind-boggling journey.

The novel revolves around two characters.

One is Kafka Tamura, a fifteen-year-old boy who escapes from his father’s home to avoid an oedipal curse. After leaving, he sets out to find his long-lost mother and sister. His journey eventually leads him to a private library on the island of Shikoku. There he meets the beautiful, but odd Miss Saeki, who might or might not be his mother and the even odder Oshima.

The other character is Nakata, a strange and illiterate old man. What makes Nakata special is his ability to talk to cats. Because of this, he’s become a cat locator. His story beings when he’s hired by the mysterious Johnnie Walker to find a lost cat. As it turns out however, Johnnie Walker is a cat killer and Nakata is forced to leave Tokyo. He ends up traveling with a truck driver, Noshino, who grows fond of the old man. Eventually, their journey, too, leads them to Shikoku.

It’s there that the two narratives converge.

Kafka on the Shore features a variety of strange characters and even stranger events. While some of these might be comical, the book’s a serious tale. It’s one heavy with musings on both reality and the metaphysical world.

It’s a complex work, heavily layered with symbolism. Murakami himself once said, it’s a book full of riddles and their solution is unique for each reader.

While the book focuses heavily on spirituality and religion, it’s essentially a coming-of-age tale of a fifteen-year-old boy and his journey to become an independent adult.

Kafka on the Shore is without Murakami’s weirdest book and it will leave you utterly confused after your first read-through. Yet, it’s nothing short of a magical realism masterpiece, one that’s without a doubt one of the best Murakami books out there, if not the best.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is hands-down my favorite Murakami novel, even surpassing Kafka on the Shore.

It’s notable Murakami’s only pure science-fiction novel and features two seemingly unrelated narratives that couldn’t be more different.

The first focuses on a man who’s a ‘Calcutec.’ This means he’s a human data processor who specializes in using his subconscious mind for encryptions. His job is to shuffle and encrypt data so the agents of an organization known as The Factory can’t steal it. Before long, he finds himself at the center of an underground information war.

The second narrative is much stranger and set in a small town in a fantasy world. This town’s surrounded by a massive, impenetrable wall. Even more mysterious, all inhabitants seem to have lost their shadow and its only exit is protected by a fearsome gatekeeper.

After the narrator arrives in this town, his memories taken away, his shadow’s cut off from him and he gets assigned a job at the town’s library. From here on out, he tries to get back his shadow and to escape this strange town.

The most notable element of the town, however, are the many unicorns who live nearby.

These two plots are both as strange as they sound and are extremely unique to one another.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is an absolutely fantastic book which blew me away when I first read it.

It’s populated by a cast of characters as interesting as they are weird. While our narrator’s a human data processor, he’s far from the weirdest addition. We encounter deranged scientists, psychotic thugs, mysterious librarians and even subterranean monsters.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, however, also features deeper elements. Its themes, such as fulfillment, choices, as well as internal and external pressure and a good chunk of existential musings.

Yet, the most prevalent theme is without a doubt the relationship between conscious and subconscious mind. It’s this relationship that also inspired, at least in part, my short story The Special Dish.

It’s an extremely interesting book, my favorite and without a doubt one of the best Murakami books. I highly recommend it to any fan of Murakami, but also to those who like unique mysteries and science-fiction.

Frank Herbert’s Dune, originally published in 1965, has become a cornerstone of science-fiction. It quickly became a fan-favorite and many science-fiction readers are looking for more books like Dune.

It’s an epic story that has been adapted for TV and movies several times.

Dune is by many seen as the greatest science-fiction novel ever written. Even today, it remains one of the most important and influential science-fiction novels ever written.

It’s set in the distant future, in a time when a huge interplanetary empire rules over various planetary fiefdoms.

Our protagonists are the member of House Atreides which is assigned fief ruler of the planet Arrakis. Arrakis is known as Dune for its inhospitable climate and shifting sands.

Yet, there’s much more to the planet. It’s the only source in the universe for the melange, or spice, a drug that not only extends life and enhances mental abilities, but is also necessary for space navigation.

Before long, however, the Emperor conspires with the House Harkonnen. They are the former stewards of Arrakis and an enemy of House Atreides.

Dune is a rich novel full of different cultures, alien ecology and political intrigue. Yet, there are more of these. It focuses heavily on climate change and environmental issues, but also features religious symbolism and physical musings.

It’s a fantastic novel of ambitious scope that will stay with you long after you finished it.

Altogether, the original Dune saga comprises six novels by Frank Herbert himself and more than a dozen written by his son Kevin J. Anderson

For this article, I’ve put together a long list of books like Dune you’re sure to enjoy. If you’re looking for more science-fiction recommendations, be sure to check out my list of the best science-fiction novels.

Table of Contents

• Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie
• The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
• Hyperion by Dan Simmons
• Jaran by Kate Elliott
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
• The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett
• Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
• The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
• The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley
• The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
• Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
• Involution Ocean by Bruce Sterling
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
• The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
• Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie is a space opera set in a massive galactic empire.

It tells the story of an AI who controls the massive spaceship Justice Toren, but is also linked to thousands of human soldiers.

When the Toren Justice is destroyed, a fragment of the AI lives on in a single human body going by the name Breq. Breq now sets out on a quest for both finding answers and vengeance.

Ancillary Justice is a mystery that’s slowly unraveled. It’s a story full of political intrigue, philosophical discussions and centers heavily on artificial intelligence. The best part, however, is the layered plot and its massive payoff.

Another point to note is that Ancillary Justice was the first novel to win the Hugo, the Nebula and the Arthur C. Clarke award.

It’s a brilliant book for those who are looking for books like Dune. It’s smart, fun, inventive and features a cast of fantastic characters.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

After its release The Fifth Season won the Hugo award for best novel, so you know it’s going to be good. Even more so when you learn all three books in the trilogy won the Hugo award.

Simply said, it’s a masterpiece which tells a similar tale to Frank Herbert’s renowned classic.

It’s set in an alternate, far-future earth set on a single, Pangea-like continent which is caught in a cycle of catastrophe and wracked by natural disasters. The titular ‘fifth season’ is what the inhabitants call the recurring periods of catastrophic climate change.

The opening of the book starts when a powerful ‘orogene,’ a human who can manipulate Earth’s crust, causes massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and tears the land in two.

Orogones are a race of magical users who are enslaved and oppressed. Each of our narrators is a member of this race and as their stories slowly become entwined, the complexity of the overall plot becomes clear.

The Fifth Season is a novel that centers on both a very personal, family narrative and world-spanning, cataclysmic action. Political and magical power go hand-in-hand, yet a lot is hidden under the surface.

The Fifth Season is a fantastic fusion of science-fiction and fantasy, and it more than deserves its place on this list, especially for its fantastic storytelling.

Similar to Dune, it features both theological and supernatural elements akin to those of the Bene Gesserit. It’s a book that stands out for its meticulous world-building and deep character development.

It’s again only the first book in a series and followed by two sequels, The Obelisk Gate and the Stone Key. Both two are worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Hyperion can be called the Canterbury Tales of science-fiction.

It’s another novel set in the far-future, the 29th century. This masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who likes books like Dune.

Taken inspiration from the way the Canterbury Tales, it comprises six novellas.

They center on several pilgrims who meet on board a ship on their way to a world called Hyperion. This world is not connected to others via a farcaster portal and beyond the reach of the galactic law. When war rages, these seven pilgrims set out on their final voyage in search of answers.

These pilgrims are the Priest, the Soldier, the Poet, the Scholar, the Detective, and the Consul. On the way, each of them tells their story about how they came to take this journey.

All those stories, however, slowly reveal a larger plot little by little.

Dan Simmons uses these stories to paint a rich picture of his universe. It’s a vast place, one populated by desert planets, ocean planets and replicas of Earth.

Hyperion is a novel that features religion, war, family strife, political intrigue and artificial intelligence.

Once more, it’s only the first in Dan Simmons’ fictional universe and is followed up by three other books in his ‘Hyperion Cantos.’ All of them are equally worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Jaran by Kate Elliott

Kate Elliot’s novel is set in an interstellar future in which the vast Chapalii Empire governs conquered planets. One of them is earth.

Similar to Dune, the novel focuses on a protagonist caught in the middle of interstellar politics, war, and intrigue. Her name is Tess Soerensen, and she’s the sister of the former leader of Earth’s rebellion against the alien invaders.

While the rebellion was a loss, however, the rebellion’s leader was given a dukedom and granted nobility.

Tess, however, leaves her home for the planet Rhui. There she meets the jaran, the natives who live as nomads and who’ve long forgotten their heritage. Before long, Tess is intrigued by their ways and comes to share an emotional connection with their charismatic leader, Ilya.

Soon enough, Tess finds herself between tradition and advancement, extinction and survival.

The most interesting thing about Jaran, however, is that it uses many established tropes, but changes them up and moves them into new directions.

Jaran is a book highly recommended for those who like books like Dune.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness is one of the earliest and finest examples of feminist science-fiction.

It centers on a Terran named Genly Ai who’s takes to negotiate with the planet Gethen to join a vast interstellar confederation. The inhabitants of Gethen, however, are ambisexual and their culture clashes with those of the confederacy.

It’s essentially a novel which focuses on and explores an alien culture through the eyes of a visitor.

The novel again focuses on extreme climate conditions. At one point, our main character, Gently Ai, has to travel across an ice sheet for 80 days, almost losing his life. Another similarity to Dune is the focus on religion and prophetic elements.

What The Left Hand of Darkness is best known for, however, is its study of gender.

It’s a fascinating, and thought-provoking read and one I highly recommend not only for those looking for books like Dune, but for any fan of science-fiction.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in The Expense novel series which comprises nine novels.

Humanity has colonized the solar system, which is divided between three warring factions.

The novel itself explores two major plot points.

The first centers on James Holden, who’s working on the ice hauling ship ‘Canterbury.’ His life changes when the Canterbury responds to a distress signal. The crew stumbles upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli where they find a secret they never wanted to know and who someone’s willing to kill for.

The other centers on detective Miller, who’s looking for a lost girl. Before long, this search leads him to the Scopuli. He soon realizes this girl might be the key to everything.

These two mysteries are, of course, connected, and the clearer this connection becomes, the more the intrigue grows.

As the novel continues, our main characters are slowly brought together from different points in the solar system. Both Miller and Holden must now hold their own not only against the Earth government but also the Outer Planet revolutionaries and secretive corporations.

In the end, the stakes are high, and our heroes know that what they are after could save or destroy humanity. For out in the belts, a single ship can change the fate of the universe.

Leviathan Wakes is a fantastic book, one much closer to home than other books like Dune. It’s very worth reading, especially for its mystery elements and the fantastic narrative.

The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett

The Long Tomorrow is one of the few novels on this list preceding Frank Herbert’s Dune.

It was written back in 1955 and tells the story of two boys.

In a post-apocalyptic world, science and civilization are feared. Yet, our protagonists long for something greater than their simple, agrarian life.

Together they set out, travel through a war-torn land and discover a lot about themselves, but also the basis for the beliefs that have spread.

The Long Tomorrow is an interesting and well-written book with a great premise. What makes it especially worth reading is that it precedes most of the other novels on the list.

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Lord of Light is an interesting blend between science-fiction and mythology.

It might sound similar to Dune at first hand, but it’s also vastly different.

While Dune creates its own mythology from scratch, Lord of Light blends Hindu and Buddhist beliefs into a fantastic interstellar adventure.

While Earth is long dead, this novel is set on a post-Earth colony. There, a group of man has gained control of technology, become immortal and now rule their world as the Hindu pantheon.

Opposing them is Mahasamatma, once known as Siddhartha, who’s known as the Lord of Light.

Yet, where Lord of Light stands out, the most is in terms of political intrigue. Like in Dune, it’s one of the major themes of the novel. Yet, it also heavily focuses on the themes of colonialism and spirituality.

Overall, a book very worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

This novel follows Severian, who’s a member of the torturer guild.

His life changes when he falls in love with one of the condemned, a young noblewoman. First, he’s delaying her torture before he eventually helps her commit suicide to save her from her dire fate.

This act leads to his exile from the guild to a distant metropolis.

This exile is the beginning of a heartbreaking adventure full of political intrigues not too different from that of Paul Atreides in Dune.

Yet, things get much more interesting when he comes into possession of a strange gem. It soon becomes clear that a variety of people seem determined to get their hand on it.

Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer is a masterpiece of science-fantasy and a great pick for fans of books like Dune.

The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley

The Stars are Legion comes with a very interesting and unique setting.

While many other books like Dune are heavily inspired by Frank Herbert’s epic, the Stars are Legion is entirely different when compared to Dune. What it stands out for, however, is its epic scale, prose, characters and storytelling.

It’s set in a collapsing mass of world-ships at the edge of the universe called Legion.

Wars about control of legion are an ever-present reality, but so far there’s been no resolution.

As world-ships die, people get desperate and different factions try to uncover the secret of the central ship around which all others orbit.

At the center of these events is Zan, an amnesiac girl who’s trying to regain control of one world-ship and leave Legion. While she’s far from the only one with this goal, she, similar to Paul Atreides in Dune, seems to be the key.

She bands together with a group of other cast-offs and starts a war that only she can hope to win. Before long, Zan will learn that she carries what could destroy all of Legion or lead to its salvation.

The Stars are Legion is a fantastically well-written novel that tackles contemporary problems such as politics, gender identity and using people as mere tools to gain power.

The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

The Foundation Trilogy is yet another work centering on a vast galactic empire.

Yet, Asimov’s story is different, as it portrays the collapse of an empire. What’s interesting, however, is that this collapse can’t be averted. Instead, its effects on humanity can only be dampened as much as possible.

The story of The Foundation Trilogy centers on the efforts to preserve the empire’s galactic knowledge and culture and eventually establish a new galactic empire.

It’s inspired by Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which is noticeable right away.

The Foundation Trilogy focuses much less on a single narrative, but presents us with various events that take place during the fall of the Galactic Empire and the subsequent rise of the Foundation. Each of these events is detailed in a short story or novella, features its own characters, plots and crises to overcome.

What’s interesting about The Foundation Trilogy is that it relies much less on gripping action and space battles, but more on clever plots, twists and political theory.

Originally published in the 1950s, The Foundation Trilogy is considered a masterpiece of science-fiction.

If you’re looking for books like Dune, a science-fiction fan and have never read it, I highly recommend it. It’s at the pinnacle of the genre and considered one of the greatest works of science-fiction at all.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Kim Stanley’s Red Mars is the first in his acclaimed Mars trilogy. It’s a book like Dune, mostly for its setting.

It tells the story of an international expedition comprising one hundred colonists who set foot on the barren planet with plans to establish a colony there.

Using a variety of terraforming technology, they set out to change the planet forever. Yet, there are, of course, those who want to prevent the planet from ever changing.

Red Mars, however, as opposed to Dune, is a hard science-fiction novel. It concerns itself deeply with terraforming and dives deep into it and its intricacies.

Yet, it’s not merely a book about planetary physics, but also one about war and politics. It also discusses a variety of contemporary problems, namely environmental issues and our overreliance on certain resources such as oil.

In Red Mars, the central question is one about human nature. Is it possible to build a better society? To discuss this question, Kim Stanley Robinson uses the attempted colonization of Mars.

Red Mars is a great read for science-fiction fans, especially those who like hard science-fiction.

Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer

Riverworld is an odd book, yet similar other books like Dune it’s set in the far future.

The ‘Riverworld’ is a terraformed planet. It comprises a single river and valley that runs the entire circumference of the planet and is fed by a polar water source.

One day, for unknown reasons, every Homo sapiens, from the first to the latest most evolved, is resurrected along the banks of the river.

Stories of the dead coming back to life are nothing new, but Riverworld is definitely different, which can be noticed by its cast of characters.

While it features its fair cast of fictional characters, it also features prominent historical figures. Those include Mozart, King John of England, Hermann Goring and Mark Twain.

Yet, what makes the book even more interesting is its focus on how a modern, futuristic society changes these characters.

While Riverworld might sound weird at first hand, it’s a very interesting book with a unique setting that tackles deeper questions than one would first imagine. It especially focuses on sexual and religious themes.

It’s definitely a must-read for fans of books like Dune and especially for those who are interested in historical figures.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

At first glance Brave New World might not appear a book like Dune, but similarly to Dune it depicts a futuristic society and people’s struggles for what’s important.

The book’s story is set in 2540 and humanity lives in an idealistic society. People aren’t born but engineered in artificial wombs. They go through childhood indoctrination before they are put in predetermined castes.

In this society, there are no long-lasting relationships and everyone belongs to everyone. Depression, doubt, and unhappiness can simply be cured by a drug called Soma.

Bernard Marx is a member of the highest caste who disapproves of this society and its methods. The plot truly starts, however, when Bernard visits a savage reservation and meets John. John is a young man born naturally who grew up in the reservation and knows nothing about the real society.

What’s interesting about Brave New World is that its society might be called a Utopia. People are happy, live peacefully. There’s no war, but it all comes at a price. It’s a terrifying concept, especially given how realistic it might become.

Brave New World is a fantastically written novel, ripe with scientific background and populated by interesting characters. It’s without a doubt one of the greatest dystopian novels ever written.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the fantastic Remembrance of Earth Past trilogy. It’s yet another hard science-fiction novel.

With its focus on scale, it’s easy to see why the Three-Body Problem can be compared to Dune. However, it’s modern and nothing short of unique in the realm of science-fiction.

It tells the story of a first contact gone wrong.

During China’s Cultural Revaluation, a secret military project sends signals into space. Eventually, a signal from an alien civilization, referred to as the Trisolarans, is intercepted by the Chinese government.

A group of scientists, including Ye Wenje, is brought together to deceiver their message. The alien civilization lives in a solar system which comprises three solar-type stars orbiting each other in an unstable three-body system. It soon becomes clear that the Trisolarans are on the brink of destruction, yet this is not the only thing the scientists uncover.

The story of the novel features a huge cast of character and explores fascinating physical concepts. Yet, it also focuses on politics, government authority and other similar themes.

After reading this novel and especially the rest of the series, it’s easy to see why Cixin Liu is China’s most popular science-fiction writer. The Three-Body problem is often called the best Chinese science-fiction novel of all time and highly recommended to those who are looking for books like Dune.

Involution Ocean by Bruce Sterling

Involution Ocean is another book like Dune, which might be called a speculative fiction version of Moby Dick.

Our protagonist, John Newhouse, is hooked on a powerful narcotic drug named Flame.

There’s only one source. It’s derived from whale-like creatures native to the dust seas on planet Nullaqua.

When the drug gets outlawed by the Galactic Confederacy, however, John has no choice but to sign up as a seaman aboard a dust whaler and hunt the creature himself.

Involution Ocean features not only a setting similar to Dune, but also a cast of fantastic characters. They comprise junkies, misfits, but also weirder characters and those who hide their own dark secrets.

Yet, the plot of the book doesn’t center on political conflict or war. Instead, similar to Moby Dick, it centers on the confrontation between man and beast.

The book, however, also focuses on and studies the various aspects of human nature.

Involution Ocean presents us with an astonishing imaginative world. Yet, what makes it so similar to Dune is its focus on a rare commodity and the native megafauna which are both very reminiscent of the planet Arrakis.

A brilliant novel that is highly recommended reading for fans of science-fiction.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Windup Girl is a novel set in a dystopian future Thailand. It follows a diverse set of characters as they try to survive in this setting.

One is a man named Anderson Lake. He works as a Calorie Man for the AgriGen Corporation. Working undercover as a factory manager, he’s tasked with combing Bangkok’s street markets for foods thought to be extinct.

Emiko, on the other hand, is known as the Windup Girl. She’s a beautifully engineered being who was grown and created to satisfy the whims of a Japanese businessman. After being abandoned, she now walks the streets of Bangkok.

People like Emiko are known as New People. They are feared and regarded as soulless. They are nothing but slaves, soldiers, or toys.

The Windup Girl is a fascinating novel set in a future in which fossil fuels are a thing of the past and bio-engineering runs rampant.

The book focuses heavily on such issues as climate change, the nature of humanity and how counts as human, who doesn’t and why not. Another, more important them, however, is that of calories becoming a currency and that of bio-terrorism.

The Windup Girl is nothing short of fascinating and one of the greatest science-fiction novels of the twenty-first century. Those looking for books like Dune should definitely check it out.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War starts out similar to many other science-fiction novels and space operas. Humanity gets in contact with aliens, conflict starts and war breaks out.

Our protagonist, William Mandella, becomes part of an elite military unit that travels the galaxy to fight the alien enemy in what should become known as the Forever War.

While the earlier chapters in the book which focus on military training and the first battle against the alien antagonist can be weak, the book soon gets much more interesting. It explores a variety of complex themes and draws an intricate and realistic picture of not only interstellar war but also futuristic society.

As the story continues, Mandella wants to go home, but soon realizes that what he remembers as his home might not be anymore. Because of the vast distances of space and the unexpected circumstances of space travel, he might only age months while on Earth decades and even centuries pass.

While the Forever War is a space opera, the battle scenes are actually one of its weaker elements. They are much more realistic than those in other novels, but also less exciting.

Where the book really stands out is in the exploration of its various more complex scenes. The most interesting of those is the vast changes society goes through over decades and centuries and how one adapts to them.

While the book has its weaker elements, it more than makes up for it by the complex themes it tackles.

It’s clearly one of the best science-fiction novels out there and highly recommended for those who look for books like Dune.

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Starship Troopers is another classic in the realm of science-fiction. The story is set in the far future and humanity is dominated by a military elite referred to as the Terran Federation.

The novel follows Juan ‘Johnny’ Rico, a young man, through his service in the Mobile Infantry in which he goes from recruit to officer.

All this is told against the backdrop of an interstellar war between humanity and an alien species known as ‘Arachnids’ or ‘Bugs.’

As a big fan of the movie by the same name, I expected the book to be an action packed science-fiction novel, but it was a much deeper and more complex book.

Many parts of the book are devoted to classroom scenes in which Rico and others discuss philosophical and moral topics. Those include civic virtue, war, military doctrine and suffrage.

While I don’t agree with Heinlein’s ideas and find some of them questionable, these discussions were some of the most interesting parts in the book.

Yet, the book still has its scenes of brutal action, they just aren’t the focus of the novel.

Overall, Starship Troopers is a science-fiction class. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for books like Dune, but especially those who are interested in military science-fiction.

The Lord of the Rings was published in 1954 and is considered by many the fantasy series. J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic basically created the fantasy genre and serves as its foundation even today. No wonder there are so many other books like Lord of the Rings out there.

It’s known for its grand world-building, the rich history, the language and many other elements popular in today’s fantasy. It brought us wizards, dragons, magic, swords, and many more.

With 150 million copies sold, The Lord of the Rings proves to be one of the world’s best-selling novels, not merely in the fantasy genre.

Over the decades, there have been many imitators, and many other writers broke into the fantasy genre after Tolkien. Many fantasy fans are searching for something that can quell their hunger for similar novels, epic quests and adventures.

Yet, fantasy today has become much more than books about elves and hobbits. While many follow the tropes popularized in The Lord of the Rings, others are vastly different.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Frodo’s quest or if you’re just looking for other fantasy recommendations. There’s a plethora of fantasy books and series out there since it proved to be one of literature’s most popular genres.

Even in a genre as vast as fantasy, however, only a few books ever come close to Tolkien’s great classic.

For this article, I’ve put together a list of outstanding fantasy series and books like Lord of the Rings, which I’m sure any fantasy fan will enjoy. If you’re looking for horror and science-fiction recommendations check out my list of the best horror books and the best science-fiction books.

Table of Contents

• The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
• The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
• The Legend of Drizzt Series by R. A. Salvatore
• The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
• The Dark Tower by Stephen King
• The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett
• The Dragonlance Chronicles by Wise and Hickman
• The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien
• The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
• The Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope
• The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
• The Odyssey by Homer
• Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Series by Tad Williams
• A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
• The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

Let’s begin this list of books like Lord of the Rings with one of the most popular and celebrated fantasy series of all times.

The Wheel of Time is often praised for its fantastic world-building. It has rightfully taken its place as a classic of the fantasy genre ever since its debut back in 1990.

Its first book tells the story of three boys, Rand, Mat and Perrin. Their home of Emond’s Field is attacked by Trollocs and a Myrddraal who are intent on capturing the boys. They are rescued by Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai who tells them the Dark One wants to destroy the Wheel of Time. Before long, they realize they are the only ones who can stop him. Yet, what can three boys do against the embodiment of pure evil? An epic journey foretold in prophecy begins.

The Wheel of Time comprises 15 books, so it’s a long series and a serious time investment. It comes with dozens of characters, battles and a lot more to immerse you in Robert Jordan’s extensive world.

Jordan’s writing style also adds a lot to the readability of the series. While easy to read, his writing’s extremely descriptive and has a unique style that makes it stand out amongst other series.

Even if the middle books of the series slow down a little, overall, reading The Wheel of Time is an incredible experience.

The series proved massively popular and is beloved by fans of books like Lord of the Rings. When Jordan died in 2007, Brandon Sanderson, a fellow fantasy writer, stepped up and finished the series to honor Jordan’s creation.

If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, The Wheel of Time is definitely a must read.

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

The Kingkiller Chronicles is another extremely popular fantasy series. It tells the tale of a man called Kvothe.

Over the course of the books we learn of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, the time he spent as an orphan in a crime-riddled city and we learn of his entry into the legendary school of magic. It’s the story of a boy who should one day become a renowned swordsman and the most notorious magician the world has ever known. Perhaps he’s even the most wanted man in the world. It’s a tale of adventure and tragedy; a story of resilience and redemption.

While the series doesn’t stand out in terms of originality, it’s extremely immersive. The only downside is that the series isn’t finished, which is unfortunately often the case in the fantasy genre. The two books release so far, however, are excellent.

What’s most interesting about the books, however, is Rothfuss’ writing style. It’s Kvothe himself who tells his story. The books often feature stories-within stories to get a tale across. Rothfuss uses this device brilliantly to create a detailed and rich universe. The series also features one of the most unique magic systems in the genre.

The Kingkiller Chronicles is a series high on action that’s fantastically written. It’s another must-read for people who like books like Lord of the Rings.

The Legend of Drizzt Series by R. A. Salvatore

R. A. Salvatore is a name that any fantasy fan will recognize. With almost 40 novels to his name, he’s one of the most prolific and popular fantasy writers of all time.

The Legend of Drizzt Series is set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons and proved massively popular.

The first book in the series gives us a detailed description of Drizzt’s earlier life. Born a male into the matriarchal society of the drow, he’s determined to leave his oppressive home of the enormous city state of Menzoberranzan. It’s a place and society full of evil and cruelty.

During his time surviving in Menzoberranzan, he develops his own moral code. He becomes a warrior, embarks on thrilling adventures and dangerous journeys. This long series details all of his exploits and conflicts. Each one of them is exciting in their own right.

The style of the world-building in this book and the entire series is very akin to that of The Lord of the Rings and comes with its typical staple of fantasy races. We meet elves, orcs, dwarfs and even halflings who are reminiscent of the Hobbits in more than one way.

It’s a fantastic series and a great read for both hardcore fans of the genre and for those who are looking to get into fantasy. I highly recommend checking out at least the first book of the series if you’re looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin’s series is nothing short of fantastic and some readers state its importance to the fantasy genre is second only to The Lord of the Rings.

While it’s not as popular and often overlooked, Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most outstanding fantasy writers of our time and one of the greatest world-builders.

Yet, The Earthsea Cycle is more often compared to The Hobbit than the epic quest featured in The Lord of the Rings. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story.

Where it sticks out, however, is its use and focus on magic. It’s the story of a young man who learns how to be a wizard, written long before Harry Potter was around.

Duny is a young boy who lives in a sleepy community. Soon enough, however, his true calling and name are revealed. When his aunt recognizes his magical abilities, she teaches her nephew. Yet, his adventure only really begins with the mage Ogion, who takes him on as an apprentice at the Mage School.

It’s here he has to learn more about the nature of magic, his responsibilities as a mage, and has to balance the two. Duny, whose real name is Ged, is a different type of protagonist. He’s an arrogant prick who rubs many of his fellow students the wrong way. This, however, makes his fall from grace much more poignant. In the end, he’s nothing but a fragile boy, and thus a much more relatable character than others.

The Earthsea Cycle is a rich series that features some outstanding world-building and writing. What’s interesting to note is that it’s a series which focuses much more on characters, their personal journey and growth, and not a single epic quest.

It’s definitely worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Dark Tower by Stephen King

Starting with The Gunslinger, this series is nothing short of Stephen King’s magnum opus. While Stephen King isn’t known to be a fantasy writer, the Dark Tower can be compared to The Lord of the Rings in more than one way. It’s a chilling tale of tragedy, redemption and bloody action.

The Gunslinger introduces us to Roland Deschain, who sets out after the enigmatic Man in Black. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest, for he’s set out to reach the Dark Tower.

As the series continues, we meet various characters, villains and get to know a variety of different locations. It’s, without a doubt, an epic series about an epic quest that rivals that of Tolkien.

The Dark Tower is a dark and fascinating tale centered on a decaying fantasy world. Yet, it’s much different when compared to the books on this list. It’s part spaghetti western and part Arthurian legend, but we can clearly see the tolkienesque flavor added to the mix.

It’s at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.

The Gunslinger and many other books in this series are amongst the best King has ever written.

While the Dark Tower might be different from the other books on this list, it’s definitely worth reading for those who are interested in books like Lord of the Rings.

The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks

There are many fantasy novels and series who are compared with and criticized for being too similar to The Lord of the Rings. The Sword of Shannara is one of them.

We meet Shea, who lives a quiet life in Shady Valley, oblivious to the world around her.

She’s eventually taken from her village by the wizard Allanon to find a magical artifact in order to stop the evil warlock Lord who threatens to destroy the Four Lands. This artifact is The Sword of Shannara which can be only used by someone of Shannara blood. By now, there’s only one decedent left, no other than Shea herself.

When you read the first chapters of The Sword of Shannara, you can’t deny that the novel was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. It’s extremely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, including Wraith-like beings hunting down our main characters.

After these initial chapters, however, the story forms into its own and takes on an entirely different direction.

It’s definitely a great tale and our main characters are both interesting enough to hold our attention. Especially Allanon is quite a thought provoking and significant character.

What I enjoyed especially was that the quest to destroy the warlock Lord wasn’t as drawn out as that to destroy Sauron. Instead, the series expands into several other adventures, spin-offs and sequels and creates its very own identity.

By now, the series comprises almost 40 books and has evolved from pure fantasy to a science-fantasy hybrid. While it might have started out as a clone of The Lord of the Rings, it’s by now one of the most inventive and sprawling fantasy series out there. It covers thousands of years of history, giving it the same epic and mythic feeling that made The Lord of the Rings so popular.

What’s even more interesting, however, is how many of its standard fantasy tropes featured in earlier books are revealed to be more than that in later books.

While the first book has its problems, I still consider the series a worthwhile read for those who love books like Lord of the Rings.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

It’s no surprise that C. S. Lewis and Tolkien have been best friends. At Merton College of Oxford University, the two of them got to know each other and bonded over their mutual fascination with Norse mythology.

The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. During World War II, they are sent from London to the home of Professor Digory Kirke. It’s there that they discover a wardrobe that leads to the magical lands of Narnia. From then on, they have to help Aslan, a talking lion, to save Narnia from the White Witch.

Each book in the series details their adventures as they protect the lands of Narnia.

While The Lord of the Rings was clearly aimed towards adults, The Chronicles of Narnia is much more tailored towards younger readers. This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s not a great read for adults as well.

While Tolkien focused on Western and Scandinavian Mythology, Lewis drew inspiration from the classics. His books are full of fauns, mermaids, minotaurs, elves and wizards.

It’s a fantastic series, one that’s very well worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series is one of the most popular fantasy series out there. It comprises 41 books and spans a multitude of subgenres.

It’s, however, quite different from many other series on this list. The Discworld Series stands out by being comical and playing and making fun of many of the tropes established by Tolkien.

It’s a series that’s highly recommended to any fantasy fan out there, but even other readers will surely enjoy the tales of the Discworld.

You’ll find epic quests, lighthearted comedy, but it’s all slightly different from other, every day fantasy books.

What’s most interesting, however, is how Terry Pratchett often uses his comedic fantasy to shine light on real-life issues. Which is something you’ll surely notice if you read the series.

Overall, The Discworld is extremely popular for a good reason and anyone who’s a fan of books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Dragonlance Chronicles by Wise and Hickman

The Dragonlance books are a collection of tales inspired by the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons.

They have taken a well-known world, fleshed it out and extended and populated it with memorable characters and plots.

While some of them can be slightly over the top, they are always a lot of fun to read.

The series blends brilliant writing with your typical fantasy tropes and clichés to create something extraordinary.

While it can be rather stereotypical as far as epic fantasy is concerned, the stories themselves are nothing short of phenomenal.

If you’re looking for more epic stories about elves, halflings and dragons, the Dragonlance Chronicles are not a terrible choice.

The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion comprises some of Tolkien’s earliest works with some stories completed in the 1910s. It’s a collection of tales and short stories that outline the mythology and history of Middle-earth.

This book is definitely a must read for fans of The Lord of the Rings and those who love books like Lord of the Rings. It gives you a lot of additional information on anything you might be interested in and fleshes out Tolkien’s universe.

The Silmarillion takes us back to Middle-earth’s first age. Many of the tales, however, aren’t fleshed out short stories, but read more like folktales or legends. Yet, this only serves to give them a certain character. The Silmarillion is a book full of lore, but a great read especially for those who love world-building.

The book, however, was never finished by Tolkien himself, but by his son Christopher.

One thing to note is that The Silmarillion is a tough book to go through. It’s extremely complex, dense and full of mythical characters, terms and places. This is the main reason it never became as popular as The Lord of the Rings.

Yet, I still regard it as a must-read for anyone who likes books like Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

What better to read for fans of books like Lord of the Rings than The Hobbit, Tolkien’s first book published back in 1937? While it stands well on its own, many people recommend reading it as a follow-up to The Lord of the Rings. The book reveals more about Bilbo, the ring and Gandalf making it not only a great read, but it also adds to the experience of Lord of the Rings itself.

The Hobbit tells the story of Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo. One day, Gandalf shows up at his doorstep and convinces him to go on a quest with 13 dwarfs to win a treasure guarded by the terrible and wicked dragon Smaug.

The Hobbit is a much more charming and gentle story than The Lord of the Rings because it was written for children. It’s also a lot more episodic in fashion, and each chapter contains its own micro-story.

The best part of the book might be the chapter titled ‘Riddles in the dark.’ It’s here where Bilbo meets Gollum and gains a certain magical ring.

The Hobbit is a quick read, but it’s definitely worth reading, especially for fans of books like Lord of the Rings and its connection to the events therein.

The Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope

Starting with Song of Blood and Stone, The Earthsinger Chronicles might be the newest entry on this list. Yet it’s a fantastic series.

It introduces us to the magical world of Earthsingers and The Silent. They are two warring worlds held apart by a fragile veil called the Mantle.

Our protagonist, Jasminda, is a farmer who wants nothing more than to live a quiet life away from judgement. She’s an Earthsinger who lives amongst The Silent. This makes her someone who possesses ancient magical powers.

For these powers and the color of her skin, she’s shunned by the people around her.

It’s a band of Lagrimari soldiers who destroy her quiet life. Because of them, however, she meets Jack, a spy from the other side of the Mantel. She soon learns that the separation between the two worlds is failing and peace might be at risk.

Jasminda’s Earthsong might be the only thing that prevents the failing of the Mantel and The True Father from crossing over into her world and taking over.

The book tackles a variety of issues, such as race, homophobia, xenophobia and much more. Yet, it all comes with some great world-building and lots of interesting political dynamics.

Penelope’s writing can be best described as lyrical prose, which is strangely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, which he called a poetic song.

The Earthsinger Chronicles is an interesting series, one that tackles many of the problems of our time, but mixes them with traditional fantasy elements. While it’s quite different from many other books on this list, I think more people should read it. It’s especially interesting for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy has proven a fan favorite and has become one of the most popular fantasy series in recent years. It’s definitely worth reading for those who are looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The series centers on Kelsier, a once hero and now slave and Vin an orphan who’s turned into a thief to survive. What’s special about them, however, is that they have extraordinary powers which are usually reserved only for the nobility.

Together, the two of them lead a band of rebels to eliminate the Lord Ruler.

What makes these books so great is the plot, which is incredibly complex and comes with many twists and turns. Yet, there’s also Vin. With her grit and tenacity, she’s become one of the series’ most beloved characters and a fan favorite.

What’s most interesting, however, is how the series was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Sanderson didn’t merely want to write another series based on an epic quest to save the world. Instead, he thought about a world in which Frodo’s quest failed and the Dark Lord reigns supreme.

Overall, the Mistborn trilogy is an amazing fantasy series and a must-read for fantasy fans.

The Odyssey by Homer

One of the earliest work of what can be considered epic fantasy.

It’s set after the events of the Trojan War depicted in the Iliad. Odysseus and his men prepare to sail home, but after angering the god Prometheus, they spend ten years being lost. They encounter mythical enemies, endure multiple challenges and have to show wit and tenacity to overcome them.

The Odyssey is one foundation of Western literature and especially the fantasy genre. There’s no doubt that this work inspired Tolkien’s epic.

It’s a fantastic read, especially for those interested in mythology, but also any fantasy fan out there. If you like books like Lord of the Rings, give the Odyssey a try.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Series by Tad Williams

Tad Williams is a writer I always loved. The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is his big venture into the realm of fantasy. It’s a series clearly inspired by Tolkien, but who shapes its own identity.

It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard. Humans, dwarf-like Qanuc and the immortal elf-like Sithi, live in peace. It’s all because of the human king, John the Presbyter.

When the king’s health fails, however, so does this peace. For the world hides a dark secret that finally beings to stir when the read priest Pryrates sets out to accomplish his scheme. Yet, there are far more terrible powers hidden in the world.

The young kitchen boy Simon knows nothing about these things, but gets caught up in the events of the novels. He’s forced to go on an adventure that takes him to places far away from his home.

This choice of character is interesting for Simon’s entirely relatable to the reader. Especially early on, he feels more like a bystander and watcher who’s dragged into the events at play.

It’s a fantastic series with some great characters and action. If you’re looking for a series of books like Lord of the Rings, Tad Williams’ epic is definitely a must-read.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

This is probably the most famous and popular fantasy series after The Lord of the Rings. When the series first debuted, it not only revitalized but revolutionized a genre that seemed stuck.

It’s set in a medieval world in which dragons once proved to be the supreme military power and seasons lasted for years.

Yet, the story itself is low on magical elements and instead focuses on political-intrigues and power-play. While there are magical elements to be found, they are scarce. This, however, only heightens their impact. The Song of Ice and Fire is a series that focuses much more on realism than any other series on the list.

It’s set in a dark, violent world, full of intrigues, villains and anti-heroes. Its narrative is almost entirely character driven and adds a lot of emotional depth.

The story is set in Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms and Essos, a continent to the East. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.

Before the series’ outset, Robert Baratheon led a rebellion and took the throne from the last ruler Aerys II. Years later, the land is at peace, but trouble stirs again. The hand of the king suddenly dies and Eduard Stark, his old friend, is called to Kings Landing to become the new hand of the king. This sets into motion a series of events and ploys for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these and other events are the children of Eduard Stark and we follow them as they try to survive in a world that becomes increasingly violent.

Most impressive about the series is its set of characters. There are a lot of characters to be found in A Song of Ice and Fire. Yet, be they villain or protagonist, they all prove massively interesting and the many POVs give us insight into all of them. Be they Lannister, Stark, Baratheon or Targaryen, they all have set their eyes on the Iron Throne.

Yet, there’s another danger. In the north, beyond the 8000-year-old Wall, the Others loom.

Even though there’s the HBO series based on Martin’s books, I highly recommend reading the books. They far eclipse the adaption and are much more detailed. Yet, the books remain unfinished to this day and most likely will never be finished.

Even though, A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the greatest accomplishments in the fantasy genre and anyone looking for books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson’s epic is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, full of war and brutality and one of the most complex series I’ve ever come upon.

It centers on the Malazan Empire, whose armies set out to conquer the last remaining free cities on the continent of Genabackis.

The first book of the series introduces us to Whiskeyjack and what remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite unit of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to prepare for the impending conquest. Yet, other powers gather around the city and soon things go out of hand.

This, however, is only the first book of this epic series about war. Over the course of the series we get to know new characters, new dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the major antagonist of the series.

What makes this series so great, however, are the many characters. The books are populated by a vast, yet incredible cast of characters. I’ve you read the books I’m sure you’ll come to love Whiskeyjack, Kalam, Quick Ben and especially Anomander Rake.

What makes things even better is that almost all the main characters are hardened soldiers whose talk is full of dry, crude and sarcastic soldier humor.

Yet, one thing has to be said about these books. They are brutal and unrelenting. One of the best things is that it’s a depiction of a world of war and full of dangerous creatures and ambitious gods is unforgiving. Over the course of the books, you will learn just how unrelenting it is, and that almost no one’s safe.

While it’s a series full of action and brutal battles, it also contains its fair share of philosophical musings. Especially Toll the Hounds, one of the later books in the series, is full of retrospections about life and the world.

The greatest parts about the Malazan book of the Fallen, however, are the world-building and its magic system. Over the course of the books, we slowly get to know more about the world, the Malazan Empire and many other things.

The magic system in Malazan is entirely unique and based on different planes called Warrens. Magic users can tap into them and control them. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before and absolutely fantastically done.

The only criticism I have for the series is that there’s sometimes too much going on and one can easily get lost in a world and story that is almost too rich. The worst offender of this is book one, The Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst book in the series. It throws you into the world, explains nothing and leaves you hanging while you’re trying to make sense of things. Frankly said, the Malazan world can be overwhelming. Things get better, and the book isn’t bad by any means, but it still proves a challenge.

Overall, however, I think if you’re looking for a series that’s full of magic, war and brutal battles that comes with a cast of fantastic characters, you can’t go wrong with The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

It’s one of the best epic fantasy series out there for people who look for books like Lord of the Rings. I can’t recommend it too much.

Kurt Vonnegut’s one of the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century. He was an extremely prolific writer with a career spanning over 50 years who’s published 14 novels, countless short stories, essays and a variety of other works.

The best Kurt Vonnegut Books are almost always satirical. They use dark wit and black comedy to shed light on a variety of serious issues such as war, death and environmental destruction. They are, however, always entertaining.

What propelled Kurt Vonnegut to fame was his sixth novel, Slaughterhouse Five.

Nowadays, Kurt Vonnegut is regarded as one of the most influential and popular American writers of all time and a pioneer of postmodern literature.

Table of Contents

• Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Discovering Kurt Vonnegut
• Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Why You Should Read Kurt Vonnegut
• Player Piano
• Jailbird
• Kurt Vonnegut: Letters
• Welcome to the Monkey House
• Mother Night
• A Man Without a Country
• God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
• Breakfast of Champions
• The Sirens of Titan
• Slaughterhouse-Five
• Cat’s Cradle

Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Discovering Kurt Vonnegut

I first learned of Kurt Vonnegut back in 2010. Back then, I was relatively new, not only to American literature, but serious literature.

I made the plunge and got myself a few select books that were highly regarded. One of those books was Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. The novel’s description had caught my eyes, especially since I’m from Dresden in Germany.

Reading it was quite an experience, as those of you who’ve read it can imagine. It’s a non-linear, anti-war novel which jumps from place to place and event to event without rhyme or reason.

The moment I’d finished it, I’d become a full-blooded fan of Kurt Vonnegut.

Over the years, I’ve read almost all of his novels and quite a few of his other works, but my appreciation for him has only grown.

Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Why You Should Read Kurt Vonnegut

There are a lot of things about the best Kurt Vonnegut books I can’t help but love.

He’s amongst the most profound American writers and he’s shed light on a lot of important issues while always remaining funny and entertaining.

His works are also easily accessible, which I still find interesting, given he’s a pioneer of postmodern literature. Whenever I think about postmodernism, the first names that come to my mind are Thomas Pynchon and David Foster Wallace. Both are writers who are infamous for how inaccessible their works can be to the normal reader.

What makes Kurt Vonnegut so interesting is his special style. He creates a certain closeness between himself and the reader. Reading one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books often feels like listening to a story told to you by an old friend.

This closeness is often supported by his many meta-fictional elements, which he uses to address the reader personally. It’s quite fascinating.

Mostly, however, I think it’s his timeless with and the many words of wisdom he shares with his readers. While his work is satirical and comical, it’s often full of deep and profound insight.

“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”

For this article, I want to focus not only on his novels but also include some of his other works I deem important. If you’re looking for more recommendations, check out my list on the best Hemingway books and the best Mark Twain books.

Here’s my list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Player Piano

Player Piano is Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel, but also one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books. It depicts a dystopia set in a post-World War Three America.

It’s different from many of Kurt Vonnegut’s other later novels, namely that it follows a straight-forward narrative.

In Player Piano, society has been restructured. All factories, manual labor and other jobs have been replaced by machines. This robotic workforce results in devaluing human participants and human workers have become almost entirely obsolete.

The novel’s plot centers on Dr. Paul Proteus, who manages a factory and a religious leader from a faraway land. After their meeting, Paul realizes that he’s not managing machines, but that he’s just another cog in the machine.

Before long, Paul radicalizes himself and rebels against this purposeless system.

Player Piano, like many other best Kurt Vonnegut books, is still relevant today and feels even more so in our high-tech society. It explores and showcases the dark side of modern technology.

Even though it’s Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel, one can already see his genius. It’s full of societal observations and asks the various questions we know from Kurt Vonnegut.

The only problem I have with Player Piano is that it’s a bit too similar to Aldous Huxley’s Brave new World, which is, in my opinion, the superior of the two books.

Jailbird

Jailbird is Kurt Vonnegut’s novel about Watergate. It’s a departure from Kurt Vonnegut’s usual science-fiction themes in favor of a more realistic story.

This one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books is written as a fictional memoir by Walter F. Starbuck, who was released from a minimum-security prison for his role as Watergates ‘least-known-co-conspirator.’

The novel outlines twenty-four hours of Starbuck’s life. The man’s nothing but a drone, but gets caught up in the scandal. He never quite knows what’s going on and what to make of the nonsensical events taking place around him.

It’s Kurt Vonnegut’s most explicitly political novel and also his most cynical. It explores the incompetence of bumbling government officials in a highly comical way but doesn’t fail to showcase how profoundly dangerous they can be. Yet it also focuses on such topics as economical greed, exploitation of political power, changing cultural values and how easily empathy and compassion can be lost.

While it might sound like Jailbird’s a dense, political thriller, it’s the opposite. It’s an incredibly hilarious and fast-paced satire, one which is perfectly on target and a great addition to this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Kurt Vonnegut: Letters

This is the most recently published book on the list, but also one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

While Kurt Vonnegut’s always put autobiographical elements in his fiction, this is probably the closest we ever come to a true autobiography of the man.

As the name states, this is a collection of letters from throughout Kurt Vonnegut’s life. It contains a multitude of letters from before he was famous.

Some are from when he served in the war, some during his time as a prisoner of war and others are letters to colleagues, friends and family. There are even letters of protest to certain school boards who had his books banned.

The ones I came to enjoy the most, however, were those about his profession, about the craft of writing.

Kurt Vonnegut: Letters is a book for those who are more interested in the man behind the typewriter.

It’s a book full of love, compassion, but also societal comments and, of course, his timeless wisdom. It’s a fantastic, insightful read.

Welcome to the Monkey House

Welcome to the Monkey House is one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books and also his best-known short story collection. It’s a kaleidoscope of wonder and weirdness.

Many of the twenty-five short stories in this collection were published during Kurt Vonnegut’s earlier career. While many of them are science-fiction stories, the collection also contains short stories of other genres, such as comedy.

The themes of the stories differ. They explore topics such as over-population, capitalism and over-consumption, the sexual revolution, technology and, of course, the ever-enlarging role of governments in society.

We encounter dystopian despots, love-poem writing computers, people who’ve reversed aging and even a ‘Handicapper General.’

The last of these is featured in my favorite story of the collection, the fantastic ‘Harrison Bergeron.’ Set in a dystopian future, the government imposes handicaps on all citizens to ensure that no one’s smarter, stronger or better looking than anyone else.

While some stories can be dated and a bit too weird, they are all enjoyable. Those who stand out, however, are amongst the best short fiction I’ve ever read and make this one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Mother Night

Mother Night is one of Kurt Vonnegut’s lesser known novels, but I still regard it as one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

It’s written as yet another fictional memoir by one Howard W. Campbell Jr. He’s an American who lives in Germany during the 1930s. While he’s strictly apolitical, he joins the Nazi party and becomes a well-known Nazi propagandist.

Unbeknownst to the Nazis, however, he passes coded messages to the U.S. War Department via his radio program.

The novel offers an interesting glimpse into the propaganda machines so common during World War II. Yet, the central question is a much simpler one: can you do good while you pretend to do evil? It’s a question of moral, one whose answer is neither black nor white, but nothing but shades of grey.

Yet, as always, the novel’s full of Kurt Vonnegut’s dark sense of humor. It’s a thought-provoking examination of the absurdities of war and the lies we tell ourselves to justify them.

Mother night is not a straightforward novel, however. It’s a piece of metafiction in which Kurt Vonnegut himself plays the role of the memoir’s editor.

What makes it even more interesting is that it’s a prime example of the unreliable narrator. You never know if any part of Campbell’s tale is true. The more complex the story becomes, the more difficult it is to even determine if he’s guilty and what he might be guilty of.

Another interesting note about this novel is that both Kurt Vonnegut’s parents spoke German, but chose not to educate their son in the language or any German traditions. The reason was simple: the anti-German sentiment of the interwar years.

One can clearly see the parallels between Campbell and Kurt Vonnegut, namely those of cultural dislocation and restlessness.

Mother night can be seen as a predecessor of Slaughterhouse-Five, which I’ll talk about later on this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books. It, too, is an examination of the complexities of war, but also gives us insight into the internal struggle of the ‘bad guys.’

A Man Without a Country

This collection of essays is the last thing Kurt Vonnegut published before his death and a worthy addition to this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

It’s another work that comes close to an autobiography, and each essay contains a small memoir from his own life.

As with all his other works, these essays are full of humor and wit. It shares Kurt Vonnegut’s thoughts and comments on his own life, but also other topics such as the country, art and many other topics. It’s a profound read, one full of timeless wisdom and life’s many ironies.

Kurt Vonnegut addresses such topics as war, climate change, and even talks about what he presumes is our impending planetary destruction. He sheds light on the human condition and shares what he presumes are the dangers of political and religious leaders whose teachings and advice often ignore fact and foresight.

Yet, it’s not a work that’s solely apocalyptical. It’s also full of enthusiasm and sums up life in all its horrors and glories. We are messed up species, but for all our foolishness we’re loveable and precious.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, is another one of Kurt Vonnegut’s novels not set in the realm of science-fiction. Instead, it’s a more down to Earth story.

It’s also the first novel that features Kurt Vonnegut’s in-literature alter-ego Kilgore Trout. He should become a regular in his novels and always serves as Kurt Vonnegut’s mouthpiece to share his own thoughts on the issues at play.

The novel tells the story of Eliot Rosewater, a man who’s never sober, but who’s also insanely rich. He’s a trust fund millionaire who develops a conscience, realizes the errors of his ways and leaves New York City for his hometown of Rosewater. There he sets up the Rosewater Foundation to share his unlimited amount of love and money with anyone who comes to his office.

Yet, the people of Rosewater barely deserve it and resent Eliot, who dispenses his money, advice and unwanted help.

The novel doesn’t shine so much for its plot, but for its observation and criticism of capitalism. It’s a highly comical ride through the world of extreme riches, corporate greed and extreme, even comical, family wealth.

Once again, Kurt Vonnegut’s novel proves relevant in today’s day and age given both massive wealth disparity and the idea of universal basic income.

At the end, however, there’s only one simple truth the novel mentions: regardless of who we are, we’re all human.

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions is one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most iconic and influential novels and, in my opinion, one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books out there. It’s also his darkest and most complex one. It’s a postmodernist satire that feels as relevant today as when it was published.

The novel focuses on a variety of issues, such as suicide, free will, mental illness, racism and economic inequality, amongst other things. It’s a book that showcases just how close one can get to the edge of suicide.

Breakfast of Champions is yet another novel that focuses heavily on Kurt Vonnegut’s alter-ego, Kilgore Trout. He’s an aging science-fiction writer with little recognition and even less appreciation.

Yet there’s also Dwayne Hoover, a wealthy automobile dealer who’s on the verge of going insane. Dwayne becomes enamored with one of Trout’s novels, takes it as gospel and a message from the creator of the universe. This message entails that he’s the only person on Earth with free will. This sends him over the edge and he attacks those around him, for he takes them as nothing but robots.

It’s also an interesting novel to read from a writer’s perspective. Our protagonists, both Dwayne and Trout, might very well be two sides of Kurt Vonnegut himself. One is the writer trying to find appreciation and recognition, the other the part of him that fears going insane.

The focus of Breakfast of Champions is clearly on the question of free will, what it means to be human and our blind fate in fiction rather than fact.

While the plethora of issues tackled in this novel might make it appear dense, one couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a fantastic read, one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books and proofs as insightful as it is amusing.

The Sirens of Titan

The Sirens of Titan is by some called Kurt Vonnegut’s most creative and weirdest novel. It’s a postmodern epic, a thrilling space opera.

While it might not be amongst his most famous works, it’s definitely one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

The story follows Malachi Constant, the richest man on Earth on a mission to Mars to take part in an interstellar war. On his way, he collides with a ‘chrono-synclastic infundibulum.’ As a result, he’s converted into pure energy, and, amongst other things, gets to know everything that has ever happened and will happen.

The Sires of Titan is an adventurous ride through space and time. Many of the characters introduced here are featured in his later works. The most notable amongst them is the alien race from Tralfamadore, who should also be featured in Slaughterhouse-Five.

The novel’s themes are manifold, but once more they center on Kurt Vonnegut’s major ones: the negative impact of organized religion, the question of free will and the purpose of man.

As it turns out, however, man’s nothing but a giant Rube Goldberg machine created by no other than the Tralfamadorians to get a spare part for a stranded intergalactic messenger.

In The Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut conjures up a universe that’s deeply meaningless, but one that’s full of compassion and sympathy.

It’s a novel as hilarious as Kurt Vonnegut’s other works, but it proves to be much more bizarre.

Slaughterhouse-Five

“So it goes.”

It’s a line so simple, yet it completely encompasses the theme of this novel.

Slaughterhouse-Five is Kurt Vonnegut’s most popular novel, the one which caused his breakthrough and led to his commercial success.

It’s hailed as the best Kurt Vonnegut book, and one of the greatest anti-war books ever written. It showcases that not only was World War II not a good war, but that no war can ever be seen as good.

While it’s full of Kurt Vonnegut’s usual slapstick humor and black satire, it also packs a serious emotional punch. It’s an exceptional novel, one that shows optimism and cynicism, as well as compassion and disgust for humanity.

The novel’s protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, an American soldier, becomes ‘unstuck in time’ and moves uncontrollably back and forth through his life. We witness him as a young man, as a prisoner of war, but also in the future when he’s captured by the Tralfamadorians and placed in a zoo on their planet.

What’s most interesting about Slaughterhouse-Five is the non-linear narrative, which unfolds as a consequence of Billy’s condition. While it might sound confusing, it’s fantastically executed and makes the novel a hallmark of postmodernist literature.

Yet, there’s more to this structure than a mere literary gimmick. It’s often discussed as a representation of the thinking patterns of those who have PTSD. Even more so, it might represent Kurt Vonnegut’s own struggles to come to terms with the wartime atrocities he witnessed during the bombing of Dresden.

This focus on Dresden’s bombing gives us a visceral and devastating portrayal of war’s ugly side.

When the novel was first released in 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, it received much praise, but also much criticism for its anti-war sentiment.

Either way, Slaughterhouse-Five is not only one of the most popular but also the best Kurt Vonnegut books for a reason. It’s a fantastic read and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Cat’s Cradle

Cat’s Cradle is in my opinion the best Kurt Vonnegut book, even eclipsing Slaughterhouse-Five.

Even though its prose is simple and easily digestible, it’s a postmodern masterpiece.

It was written during a time of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union when there was an uneasy sense of the world ending.

What’s interesting about Cat’s Cradle is that it’s much more accessible because its structure is straightforward as opposed to the nonlinear narrative of Slaughterhouse-Five.

Our narrator John embarks to write a book he calls ‘The Day the World Ended.’ It’s about the invention of the atomic bomb and aims to capture their lives on the day Hiroshima was obliterated.

He eventually meets the family of one of the inventors, a man named Felix Hoenikker. Central to the plot is a form of water known as ice-nine. It was developed by Hoenikker and freezes solid at much higher temperatures. It also transforms any regular water it comes into contact with into ice-nine. Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

As you can probably tell, it’s a novel about an apocalyptic event, one which unfortunately seems horrifyingly plausible. As funny and hilarious as the book is, there’s a deep sense of dread lingering below it.

Cat’s Cradle has a cast of fantastic characters and an unforgettable location. For most of the book takes place on the Caribbean island of San Lorenzo, which is ruled by a president-dictator.

The most interesting part about the island, however, is the religion of Bokononism, a religion Kurt Vonnegut created specifically for the novel. It even comes with an entire vocabulary of nonsense words. Now, this is, of course, a Kurt Vonnegut novel, so it’s not a serious religion. It’s entirely satirical, full of nonsensical ideas and lies. Yet, it showcases, however, the idea of creating a utopian society based on religion.

It’s through Bokononism that Kurt Vonnegut unmasks the grand scheme of many religions to prod those people to motivation who otherwise have none. Yet, it also shows how fantasy, however odd and unbelievable, can often be preferable to the truth.

Cat’s Cradle is a hilariously comical satire that touches on a variety of serious topics, such as weapons of war, the arms race, religion and many others. As with many other novels, it’s also full of Kurt Vonnegut’s typical dark humor and societal commentary.

Cat’s Cradle is a short book, but an outstanding one. It’s not only the best Kurt Vonnegut book out there but also one of the best books ever written.

Stranger Things is a series that has taken the world by storm. A mixture of young relatable protagonists, 80s nostalgia and Lovecraftian horror has made it a favorite of mine.

I’ve loved Stranger Things ever since its first season was released on Netflix.

I guess I’m a fan of stories about youthful protagonists encountering dangerous scenarios. It takes us back to the past, to our own youth, makes us reminisce about it, but also makes us wonder how we’d handle a situation like that.

Stranger Things, however, did even more. It combined this nostalgia and reminiscence with nothing other than Lovecraftian horror in the form of the twisted Upside Down and the terrifying Demogorgon.

It’s a series that’s nothing short of fantastic.

For those of you who can’t wait for season four, I put together a list of Stranger Things books and other, similar books you might want to read.

Here’s my list of Stranger Things books:

Table of Contents

• Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond
• Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher
• Stranger Things: Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff
• Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta
• Stranger Things: The Other Side by Jody Houser and Stefano Martino
• It by Stephen King
• The Body by Stephen King
• Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
• Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
• Skeleton Crew by Stephen King
• The Collected Works of H. P. Lovecraft
• Cold, Thin Air: Volume 2 by C. K. Walker
• Two Years’ Vacation by Jules Verne

Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond

Suspicious Minds is one of the Stranger Things books set before the events of the show.

This prequel shows us what happened to Eleven’s mother, while she was a text subject in the MKUltra program. The novel’s set in a mysterious lab, features sinister scientists and reveals a secret history.

We’re taken back to the year 1969. Terry Ives, Eleven’s mother, is a young college student who eventually joins the MKUltra, a secret government program about unleashing the greatest of human potentials. Soon enough, however, things turn dark as more and more about the project’s revealed.

Suspicious Mind is a great read for any fan of the show and is probably one of the most popular Stranger Things books out there.

Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher

Darkness on the Edge of Town’s is another one of the Stranger Things books set before the events of the show. This one’s all about Jim Hopper and reveals his past life as a police detective in New York City.

The year’s 1977 and Jim Hopper’s just returned from the Vietnam War and tries to return to his normal life. Things change when federal agents arrive to investigate a series of cultish murders.

Before long, however, Hopper notices things aren’t what they seem. He sets out to figure out the truth before the agents can bury it forever.

While Suspicious Minds contained many of the supernatural elements Stranger Things is known for, Darkness on the Edge of Town is much more realistic, but also grittier.

It’s a fantastic Stranger Things book and very well worth reading, not only for fans of Jim Hopper.

Stranger Things: Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff

Max Mayfield was a character who was introduced in the second season of Stranger Things. After her parents divorced, she and her stepbrother, Billy Hargrove, moved to the small town of Hawkins.

While Billy soon became one of the most hated characters, Max quickly became the newest member of our group of main characters.

Runaway Max sheds light on Max’s past, but that’s only the case for the first half of the book. The rest of the book, however, serves as a retelling of the events of season two from the perspective of Max. While it’s interesting to follow events through her eyes, it doesn’t add a lot to the experience.

Yet, it’s still an interesting and well written Stranger Things book, one that’s definitely worth buying for fans of the series.

Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta

Rebel Robin is a book all about season three’s Robin who quickly became a fan favorite.

It’s less a Stranger Things book, and more a novel about Robin Buckley. It’s a story of self-discovery that begins during Robin’s sophomore year. When Robin’s friends begin dating, she realizes something about herself: she likes girls.

The book follows her as she comes to terms with herself and her sexuality.

While Rebel Robin’s not a horror book, it’s still worth reading for fans of self-discovery stories and fans of Robin Buckley.

Stranger Things: The Other Side by Jody Houser and Stefano Martino

I’m usually more a fan of manga, but I’ve recently ventured into graphic novellas as well.

The Other Side is a graphic novella all about my favorite part of Stranger Things, the dark, twisted world of the Upside Down. After Will finds himself in this strange and dangerous world, we follow him as he tries his best to survive.

What makes this Stranger Thing book so interesting is the focus on the Upside Down. The moment we learned of this strange place, I was hooked and wanted to learn more about it.

While we didn’t learn too much about it in the show itself, we do in this Stranger Things book. It’s well worth reading, especially for those fans who want to learn more about the Upside Down.

It by Stephen King

Fans of Stranger Things might very well be familiar with It by Stephen King.

While the novel itself has many similarities with Stranger Things, its 2017 adaption also featured Finn Wolfhard, who played the role of Mike in Stranger Things.

The novel follows a gang of kids, the so called ‘Losers Club’ who have to fight a supernatural entity which manifests as the Pennywise.

Yet, It is more than just a horror novel, it’s a coming-of-age tale and one about a group of underdogs triumphing over a terrible evil.

The story of It, however, continues thirty years later. After the death of one of their former members, the Losers Club has to bind together once more and defeat It for good.

It is one of Stephen King’s most cherished and popular novels and I think it’s the best example of Stranger Things books not related to the show.

The Body by Stephen King

Here we have another entry by horror master Stephen King. The Body’s another coming-of-age story featuring four young boys who set out to find the body of a missing boy.

What begins as a quest to become local heroes soon turns more dangerous when the boys get more than they ever bargained for. They have to not only confront their own inner demons but also a group of local bullies.

It should become an unforgettable adventure, not only for our four heroes, but for anyone who picks up this novella.

The Body’s most known for being the basis for the 1986 movie Stand by Me, but the novella very well stands up for itself. It’s another great Stranger Things book any fan of the show should pick it up.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What begins when two thirteen-year-old boys, Will and Jim, attend an October carnival called “Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Show,” soon turns into quite an adventure.

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a dark fantasy novel penned by the great Ray Bradbury.

At the carnival, the boys witness how an adult man rides a carousel backward and turns back into a twelve-year-old boy. From here on out, things get not only stranger and more mysterious but also much more nightmarish.

It’s a fantastic novel, one full of adventure and a cast of characters as weird as they are unforgettable.

It’s a dark and weird novel, but one I highly recommend to any fans of Stranger Things.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

Meddling Kids is a novel very reminiscent of Stranger Things and contains a variety of elements that made the show so popular.

The novel proves a fascinating mixture between the teen detective genre and Lovecraftian Horror.

At the outset of the novel, a group of young detectives set out to solve the mystery of Sleepy Lake. After spending a terrifying night at Deboën Mansion, they eventually learn who the culprit is.

Yet, thirteen years later, each surviving member of the group suffers from trauma related to this very night. When they learn they got the wrong guy, the group has to reunite to find out what really happened back in 1977.

Meddling Kids is a fantastic mixture of spin-tingling horror and young detective fiction, one that is both fresh and original.

If you loved Stranger Things, I’m sure you’ll love Meddling Kids.

Skeleton Crew by Stephen King

Skeleton Crew is my favorite Stephen King short story collection. It features a variety of stories, as well as King’s popular novella, The Mist.

While Stephen King’s a horror writer, some stories in this collection can be different. Examples are The Jaunt and Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut, which are both amongst the best stories in this collection.

Yet, the collection has its fair share of disturbing and terrifying stories. The best amongst them is without a doubt the suspenseful Gramma which is told entirely and intimately from the perspective of a young boy.

Overall, Skeleton Crew is amongst the best horror short story collections I’ve read and a great entry point to the works of Stephen King. Anyone who’s looking for Stranger Things books might want to give this one a try.

The Collected Works of H. P. Lovecraft

I’m a huge fan of the works of H. P. Lovecraft, as you can see in my list of the best Lovecraft stories.

Lovecraftian fiction and cosmic horror have always been amongst my favorite genres. If you, like me, enjoyed the twisted Upside Down and the many horrors it spawned, you could do much worse than to read the works of H. P. Lovecraft.

While his earlier works are more reminiscent of twisted horror stories, it’s his later works, those works who make up the Cthulhu Mythos,

While his earlier works are more reminiscent of twisted horror tales in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe or Lord Dunsany, are not bad, it’s his later works that will be most interesting to fans of Stranger Things. It’s his great texts, those who make up the Cthulhu Mythos who were without a doubt an inspiration for Stranger Things and the Upside down.

If you like Stranger Things, the Upside Down, you could do much worse than to check out the works of H. P. Lovecraft.

Cold, Thin Air: Volume 2 by C. K. Walker

I’m a big fan of Reddit’s Nosleep. I’ve shared a fair number of my short stories on there, but have read countless others over the years.

My favorite of the many talented writers on Nosleep has to be C. K. Walker. She’s published three volumes of short fiction, but my favorite amongst them is, without a doubt, Volume 2.

It contains some of her best stories, but the most akin to Stranger Things has to be her masterpiece, Borrasca.

This long, epic tale centers on an urban legend in a small mining town and features a cast of teenage protagonists.

While it’s another anthology and not one of the official Stranger Things books, I still think the works of C. K. Walker are very worth reading, especially Borrasca.

Two Years’ Vacation by Jules Verne

This one might be a strange and unexpected addition to the list. Two Years’ Vacation by Jules Verne is an adventure novel and couldn’t be farther from the horror so prevalent in Stranger Things.

The reason I added it to the list, however, is the scenario depicted in the novel. It tells the story of a group of school boys who get stranded on a deserted island and have to struggle to survive.

It can be best described as a Robinson Crusoe-type story, but one for and with children.

Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this novel. The survival aspect was quite interesting and well done and it became rather gripping in its later half.

If you’re tired of horror and want to read something akin to a Stranger Things book in a different genre, give this one a try.