The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like Raven's Shadow

Ryan, 2011 · #92 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 66/120

Vaelin al Sorna, given to a warrior order as a boy, rises through its brutal training into war, faith and a hidden gift.

Mood6Theme6Structure6Further reading3Creative details6Real-world blend1Divine influence6Climax and fights8Epicness7Genre standard4Originality4

Its strongest scores: climax and fights and epicness. The five books below have the closest scores across all eleven criteria.

If you liked Raven's Shadow, read:

  1. The Demon Cycle

    Brett, 2008 · #85 on the list · 70/120

    Demons rise from the ground each night and only magic wards stand between them and humanity. A boy determined to fight back becomes a legend.

    Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

  2. The Bound and the Broken

    Cahill, 2019 · #90 on the list · 68/120

    A wandering bard and a trapped noble woman face the gods' meddling in a world on the verge of war.

    Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

  3. The Riyria Revelations

    Sullivan, 2008 · #93 on the list · 64/120

    A cynical ex-assassin and an idealistic swordsman, thieves for hire, are framed for a king's murder and pulled into a scheme to restore an ancient empire.

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

  4. Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne

    Staveley, 2014 · #80 on the list · 71/120

    After their emperor father is murdered, his three heirs must face assassins, ancient beings and the secret hidden behind their faith.

    Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

  5. A Land Fit for Heroes

    Morgan, 2008 · #84 on the list · 70/120

    Three veterans of a war against lizard-invaders now live on its bitter fringes. They are drawn back to face a stranger threat, the dwenda.

    Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

Featured pick

Acenes of Sparta: The Dragon Slayer

Manolis Tsongas, 2026 · #5 on the list · 101/120 · for adults and mature teens

A dragon is the real reason King Leonidas and his three hundred died at Thermopylae. Sixty-two years later the gods send a Spartan boy of the agoge to kill it. The book takes lessons from tragedy and the cost of sacrifice, as is the Greek way.

The Illustrated HardcoverRead free on Kindle Unlimited

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.