Leigh Bardugo has earned a devoted following for fantasy novels packed with sharp character work, layered magic systems, and high-stakes intrigue. Whether you were pulled in by Shadow and Bone or the unforgettable crew in Six of Crows, her books offer the kind of immersive storytelling that lingers long after the final page.
If you’re looking for more authors who deliver dark fantasy, memorable heroes, and richly imagined worlds, the writers below are excellent places to turn next:
If you’re drawn to Leigh Bardugo’s sweeping fantasy worlds, Sarah J. Maas is a natural next pick. Her novels feature fierce, complicated heroines, dangerous politics, and plenty of emotional intensity.
Her book Throne of Glass introduces Celaena Sardothien, a gifted assassin forced into a deadly competition in a kingdom simmering with secrets, rebellion, and rising magic.
Readers who enjoy Bardugo’s darker tone and morally complex characters will likely connect with V.E. Schwab. Her stories often explore ambition, power, and the cost of survival in imaginative, beautifully realized settings.
A great example is A Darker Shade of Magic, which journeys through parallel Londons shaped by magic, danger, and uneasy alliances.
Holly Black excels at stories filled with faerie politics, dangerous bargains, and characters who rarely fit neatly into heroic roles. That sharp edge makes her a strong match for Bardugo fans who like dark enchantment and high tension.
The Cruel Prince follows Jude, a mortal girl determined to claim power and respect in the treacherous world of the faerie court.
Cassandra Clare writes fast-paced urban fantasy with elaborate mythology, strong emotional arcs, and a cast of flawed but easy-to-root-for characters. Like Bardugo, she balances action with secrets, romance, and found-family dynamics.
Her popular book City of Bones begins Clary Fray’s journey into a hidden New York filled with demon hunters, ancient rivalries, and concealed magic.
Sabaa Tahir delivers intense, emotionally charged fantasy with brutal regimes, impossible choices, and resilient protagonists. If you appreciate the darker currents running through Bardugo’s work, her novels are well worth picking up.
Check out An Ember in the Ashes, which follows Elias and Laia as their lives collide amid oppression, resistance, and a desperate struggle for freedom.
Laini Taylor brings a lyrical, dreamlike quality to fantasy without losing sight of character depth. Readers who love Bardugo’s immersive worlds and emotionally layered stories may find Taylor especially rewarding.
Her novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone follows Karou, an art student in Prague with a secret life tied to mysterious creatures. It blends identity, love, and moral ambiguity into a vivid and memorable tale.
Naomi Novik writes fantasy rooted in folklore, myth, and richly textured settings. Fans of Bardugo’s atmospheric world-building and complicated relationships will likely appreciate the intelligence and depth of her work.
In her novel Uprooted, Novik tells the story of Agnieszka, a young woman chosen by a powerful wizard tied to an ominous enchanted forest. The novel combines suspense, magic, and friendship with a strong emotional core.
Marie Lu is a great choice for readers who want sharp pacing, strong character dynamics, and high-stakes conflict. Her stories often pair vivid settings with emotional tension and themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and power.
Her book Legend centers on June and Day, two teens from opposite sides of a divided society whose lives become entangled in rebellion, conspiracy, and difficult choices.
Renee Ahdieh writes lush, dramatic fantasy with vivid settings and emotionally charged relationships. Readers who enjoy Bardugo’s sense of atmosphere and strong character interplay may find a lot to love here.
In her novel The Wrath and the Dawn, Ahdieh tells the story of Shahrzad, who volunteers to marry a king known for executing each of his brides at dawn.
Inspired by Middle Eastern folklore, the novel explores revenge, love, and redemption through lyrical prose and layered characters.
For readers craving ornate, myth-infused fantasy, Roshani Chokshi is an excellent option. Her writing shares Bardugo’s gift for elegant world-building and emotionally complex relationships.
In the novel The Star-Touched Queen, Chokshi follows Maya, a princess burdened by a cursed horoscope. When she is swept into a mysterious marriage, she must unravel dark magic, betrayal, and the truth of her destiny.
The result is a story rich with atmosphere, romance, and questions of identity.
Adrienne Young writes immersive fantasy grounded in survival, loyalty, and self-discovery. Her heroines are often tough, determined, and forced to navigate harsh worlds shaped by conflict and tradition.
In her book Sky in the Deep, Young follows Eelyn, a warrior who must join forces with enemy clans against a greater threat. Bardugo fans will likely enjoy the fierce protagonist and vivid sense of place.
Margaret Rogerson blends magic, romance, and adventure in fantasy novels that are both accessible and absorbing. Her stories often spotlight protagonists who grow into their strength while facing extraordinary dangers.
In her novel Sorcery of Thorns, Rogerson follows Elisabeth, a librarian drawn into a magical conspiracy involving living grimoires, sorcery, and sinister forces.
Her love of enchanted details and engaging character work makes her a strong recommendation for Leigh Bardugo readers.
Hafsah Faizal writes atmospheric fantasy inspired by Middle Eastern mythology and culture, with a strong focus on identity, redemption, and the pull between darkness and hope.
In her debut novel We Hunt the Flame, Faizal transports readers to the desert world of Arawiya, where Zafira, a skilled hunter, and Nasir, a conflicted assassin prince, are set on a dangerous path.
If you love Bardugo’s layered characters and dark magical tension, this is a compelling choice.
Tomi Adeyemi combines West African mythology with fast-moving fantasy adventure and powerful emotional stakes. Her novels grapple with injustice, oppression, and resistance while keeping the story thrilling and character-driven.
Adeyemi’s novel Children of Blood and Bone follows Zélie Adebola as she fights to restore magic and hope to her oppressed people.
Her bold world-building and urgent storytelling make her a natural fit for fans of Bardugo’s dramatic fantasy.
Kerri Maniscalco writes dark, engaging novels that mix mystery, romance, and richly atmospheric historical settings. Her protagonists are often intelligent young women determined to uncover secrets others would rather keep buried.
In her book Stalking Jack the Ripper, Maniscalco introduces Audrey Rose Wadsworth, who uses her forensic knowledge and sharp mind to investigate gruesome crimes in Victorian London.
Readers who enjoy Bardugo’s moody atmosphere and confident, capable characters may find her work especially appealing.
