Howard Andrew Jones is celebrated for fantasy and historical adventure that combines brisk pacing, vivid settings, and larger-than-life quests. From The Desert of Souls to the series that begins with For the Killing of Kings, his books deliver memorable characters, danger, and a strong sense of wonder.
If you enjoy Howard Andrew Jones, these authors are well worth exploring next:
If the swordplay, ancient sorcery, and relentless momentum in Howard Andrew Jones’s fiction appeal to you, Robert E. Howard is a natural next step. He is best known for creating Conan the Barbarian, one of fantasy’s defining heroes, whose adventures unfold in brutal lands full of monsters, ruins, and dark magic.
A great place to begin is The Hour of the Dragon, a classic novel that showcases Howard’s hard-driving style and helped shape the sword-and-sorcery tradition.
Howard Andrew Jones readers may also enjoy Fritz Leiber, whose fantasy blends danger, wit, and a wonderfully lived-in atmosphere.
His famous duo, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, survive by charm, skill, and quick thinking as they roam the treacherous streets of Lankhmar and beyond. Start with Swords and Deviltry for clever banter, sharp action, and a strong sense of adventure.
Michael Moorcock writes imaginative fantasy centered on haunted, complicated protagonists and high-stakes moral conflict, making him a strong match for readers who appreciate the depth in Howard Andrew Jones’s characters.
In Elric of Melniboné, he introduces a doomed prince armed with a soul-drinking blade and burdened by questions of fate, power, and identity. If you like dark magic and conflicted heroes, this is an excellent choice.
If you’re especially drawn to Howard Andrew Jones’s Middle Eastern-inspired settings, rich history, and magical intrigue, S.A. Chakraborty should be on your list.
Her novel The City of Brass opens the door to a vivid world of djinn, political rivalries, and hidden power. Chakraborty’s immersive world-building and compelling cast make it an easy recommendation.
Saladin Ahmed brings Middle Eastern folklore, history, and mythology into fantasy with energy and style. Like Howard Andrew Jones, he creates distinctive settings and heroes who feel both capable and human.
In Throne of the Crescent Moon, the aging ghul hunter Doctor Adoulla Makhslood is pulled into a dangerous mix of supernatural menace and political unrest.
It’s a lively, character-rich novel that should satisfy readers who enjoy adventurous fantasy with a fresh perspective.
If you like Howard Andrew Jones’s action and strong characterization but want something grimmer and more grounded, Glen Cook is an excellent option. His stories often focus on flawed people navigating war, loyalty, and compromise.
That approach is front and center in the Black Company novels, beginning with The Black Company, where mercenaries struggle to survive in a bleak, war-scarred fantasy world while wrestling with questions of honor and allegiance.
David Gemmell is a standout choice for readers who want heroic fantasy told with urgency, heart, and conviction. His novels are packed with battle scenes, but they also give real weight to courage, sacrifice, and personal code.
In Legend, Gemmell introduces Druss the Legend, an aging warrior making a last stand against impossible odds. It’s a stirring tale of endurance and valor that should resonate with fans of Jones’s adventurous spirit.
If you’re willing to venture into darker territory, Joe Abercrombie offers a grittier take on epic fantasy. His books are filled with sharp dialogue, brutal consequences, and characters who rarely fit neatly into heroic roles.
A strong starting point is The Blade Itself, the opening novel in The First Law series. It delivers memorable voices, black humor, and a cynical but highly entertaining view of power and violence.
Miles Cameron is a great pick for readers who enjoy detailed military strategy, convincing historical texture, and fantasy that feels physically grounded.
His novel The Red Knight, the first book in The Traitor Son Cycle, combines hard-fought battles, political tension, and a richly medieval atmosphere into a gripping and immersive read.
Scott Lynch writes fantasy that is witty, fast-moving, and built around unforgettable characters. If you enjoy the camaraderie and swashbuckling energy in Howard Andrew Jones’s stories, Lynch is an easy recommendation.
Begin with The Lies of Locke Lamora, the first Gentleman Bastard novel. It follows a brilliant con artist through a maze of crime, schemes, and danger in a dazzling fantasy city.
K.J. Parker approaches fantasy with intelligence, dry humor, and a sharp eye for human weakness. His novels often focus less on destiny and more on ingenuity, systems, and the messy realities of power.
If you liked the layered plotting in Howard Andrew Jones’s work, try Parker’s Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, in which an engineer must improvise his way through a desperate siege.
Sebastien de Castell specializes in lively fantasy adventures full of wit, friendship, and swagger. His heroes tend to be quick with a blade and even quicker with a comeback.
Readers who enjoy the character-driven momentum of Jones’s fiction should take a look at Traitor's Blade, a spirited swashbuckler about wandering magistrates facing corruption, betrayal, and danger.
John Gwynne writes muscular, emotionally grounded fantasy filled with fierce battles, loyal friendships, and steadily rising stakes. His work often explores heroism not as legend, but as a difficult choice.
Fans of Howard Andrew Jones’s larger-scale storytelling may enjoy Gwynne’s Malice, the opening novel in the Faithful and the Fallen series, which blends bravery, betrayal, and looming darkness.
Paul S. Kemp writes fast, forceful fantasy with strong pacing, moral ambiguity, and protagonists shaped by inner conflict. His stories balance action with a steady sense of tension and consequence.
If you enjoy Jones’s clear storytelling and adventurous tone, Kemp’s The Hammer and the Blade is well worth picking up. It follows two adventurers into danger, buried secrets, and ancient ruins.
Anthony Ryan is known for immersive world-building, dramatic character arcs, and fantasy that gives equal attention to battle, belief, and loyalty. His books often carry the same sense of scope and seriousness that appeals to Howard Andrew Jones readers.
If you’re looking for a story rich in conflict, growth, and hard-won heroism, try Ryan’s Blood Song, the first novel in the Raven's Shadow series.
