The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like Lyonesse

Vance, 1983 · #66 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 75/120

In the drowned kingdoms of the Elder Isles before Arthur, kings scheme, a fairy-raised princess grows up, and wizards keep their own counsel.

Its strongest scores: creative details and mood. The five books below have the closest scores across all eleven criteria.

If you liked Lyonesse, read:

1. Johannes Cabal

   J.L. Howard, 2009 · #87 on the list · 69/120

   A necromancer sold his soul for knowledge. To win it back, he has a year to collect a hundred souls, by running a demonic travelling carnival.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, creative details.

2. Silverlock

   Myers, 1949 · #52 on the list · 80/120

   A shipwrecked cynic washes up in the Commonwealth, where every character and place comes from world literature. He reluctantly grows through his journey.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, creative details.

3. Bartimaeus

   Stroud, 2003 · #41 on the list · 84/120

   In an alternative London run by magicians, a boy summons a sardonic five-thousand-year-old djinni to settle a grudge. He sets a revolution in motion.

   Close on mood, theme, further reading, creative details.

4. World of Tiers

   Farmer, 1965 · #57 on the list · 78/120

   A man from Earth is pulled into a series of pocket universes built by godlike Lords. They play deadly games with their creations.

   Close on theme, structure, creative details, real-world blend.

5. The Iron Dragon's Daughter

   Swanwick, 1993 · #43 on the list · 83/120

   A changeling girl is enslaved in a faerie factory that builds war dragons. She escapes with one of them into a world as grim as our own.

   Close on mood, structure, further reading, creative details.

How the scores work: each book is rated 1 to 10 on eleven criteria; real-world blend and climax and fights count double, for a maximum of 120. See the full Fantasy 101.