Mackenzi Lee is known for lively historical YA fiction filled with wit, adventure, and memorable characters. Best known for The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, she blends humor, heart, and identity-driven storytelling in a way that feels fresh and irresistible.
If you enjoy Mackenzi Lee’s books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Leigh Bardugo writes fantasy with sharp characterization, layered relationships, and immersive worldbuilding. One of her best-known novels, Six of Crows, follows a crew of criminals led by Kaz Brekker, a brilliant thief with a haunted past.
When the group takes on a seemingly impossible heist, every step brings new danger, shifting loyalties, and hard choices. The fast pace, clever plotting, and crackling dialogue make it especially compelling.
Readers who love Mackenzi Lee’s flawed, charismatic casts will likely find plenty to enjoy here.
Sarah Waters is a standout in historical fiction, especially when it comes to suspense, atmosphere, and emotionally rich characters. Her novel Fingersmith, set in Victorian England, begins with Sue Trinder, an orphan raised among thieves.
Sue is drawn into a scheme to help swindle an heiress named Maud Lilly by assisting in her seduction. But nothing unfolds as expected. Twists, deception, and shifting power dynamics turn the story into a gripping, unsettling read.
Genevieve Cogman is best known for her fantasy series The Invisible Library. The story centers on Irene, a librarian-spy working for a secret organization that travels across parallel worlds in search of rare and powerful books.
In one mission, Irene heads to an alternate London shaped by magic, chaos, and political intrigue. Alongside her assistant, she must deal with rival agents, dangerous creatures, and forces that threaten the balance between realities.
It’s an imaginative premise with a literary twist, perfect for readers who enjoy clever adventures and unusual settings.
Madeline Miller brings mythological stories to life with lyrical prose and deep emotional insight. In The Song of Achilles, she reimagines the legend of Achilles and Patroclus through a deeply personal lens.
The novel traces their bond from youth to the battlefield, balancing tenderness with the looming tragedy of the Trojan War. Themes of love, fate, loyalty, and loss give the story lasting impact.
If Mackenzi Lee’s blend of emotion and adventure appeals to you, Miller is an excellent next choice.
V.E. Schwab creates imaginative fantasy worlds populated by morally complicated characters. In A Darker Shade of Magic, readers meet Kell, one of the few magicians able to travel between parallel versions of London.
Each London has its own relationship to magic, from thriving to nearly extinct. Trouble begins when Kell smuggles something forbidden and becomes entangled in a chase that spans worlds and threatens them all.
Like Mackenzi Lee, Schwab pairs high-stakes adventure with memorable personalities and strong narrative momentum.
Samantha Shannon is celebrated for expansive fantasy worlds and intricate storytelling. Her novel The Priory of the Orange Tree, delivers dragons, political tension, ancient threats, and a cast of determined characters.
At the heart of the story is Queen Sabran, whose survival is tied to the stability of her kingdom, and Ead, a secret protector who uses forbidden magic to keep her safe. As old dangers rise, questions of duty, faith, and power become impossible to ignore.
It’s a sweeping read for anyone drawn to ambitious fantasy with emotional depth.
Naomi Novik writes fantasy that feels both classic and original, often drawing on folklore and fairy-tale traditions. In Uprooted Agnieszka, a young woman from a quiet village, is chosen to serve the mysterious wizard known as the Dragon.
Though feared by the villagers, the Dragon protects their valley from the corrupting magic of the nearby Wood. As Agnieszka learns more about her own abilities, the story grows into a rich blend of folklore, danger, and unexpected connection.
Readers who appreciate character-focused fantasy with a strong sense of place may find Novik especially rewarding.
Ruta Sepetys writes historical fiction that shines a light on lesser-known tragedies and the people caught within them. In Salt to the Sea, four young people flee the devastation of World War II, each carrying secrets of their own.
Their paths converge aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship tied to one of history’s deadliest maritime disasters. Sepetys handles the material with empathy and urgency, making the past feel immediate and deeply human.
If you value emotionally resonant historical fiction, she’s a strong recommendation.
Ashley Poston writes warm, funny stories full of heart, charm, and lovable characters. In Geekerella, she gives the Cinderella story a modern fandom-centered twist.
The novel follows Elle, a devoted fan of a cult sci-fi series who dreams of escaping her difficult home life. When she starts texting someone about an upcoming convention, she has no idea he’s the actor set to star in the reboot she’s obsessed with.
Sweet, playful, and full of fan culture, it’s a great pick for readers who enjoy contemporary retellings with humor and sincerity.
Libba Bray has a flair for atmospheric settings, bold ideas, and unforgettable casts. Her novel The Diviners, takes place in 1920s New York and follows Evie O’Neill, a girl with a supernatural ability to uncover hidden truths through objects.
When a string of murders terrifies the city, Evie is pulled into an eerie investigation involving occult forces and growing danger. The combination of Jazz Age glamour and supernatural suspense gives the book a distinctive energy.
It’s a strong match for readers who like historical settings with a dark, unusual edge.
Alix E. Harrow writes with a sense of wonder that makes the impossible feel just within reach. In The Ten Thousand Doors of January, she tells the story of January Scaller, a young girl who discovers that hidden doors can open into other worlds.
As January uncovers a mysterious book and begins piecing together the truth about her own life, the novel unfolds into a tale of longing, discovery, and resistance. It blends fantasy and mystery in a way that feels both magical and intimate.
Readers who enjoy lyrical storytelling and portal fantasy should take note.
Elizabeth Wein is especially admired for historical fiction featuring courageous young women under extraordinary pressure. In Code Name Verity she tells the story of a British spy and her best friend, a pilot, during World War II.
After being captured by the Nazis, the spy is forced to write a confession, and through it the reader gradually learns the truth of their friendship, mission, and sacrifices. Tense, moving, and expertly structured, the novel leaves a lasting impression.
For readers drawn to emotional stakes and wartime settings, it’s a standout.
Adrienne Young writes immersive, atmospheric fiction with strong emotional pull. Her novel Fable follows a young woman left behind on a dangerous island by her father, where survival depends on grit, skill, and nerve.
Fable earns her way through a harsh world of traders, secrets, and shifting alliances while trying to reclaim her place in her father’s life. Adventure, romance, and a strong sense of setting keep the story moving.
If you like resilient protagonists and vivid worlds, Young is a great author to explore.
Holly Black excels at writing dark, glittering fantasy full of power struggles and sharp-edged characters. In The Cruel Prince, Jude, a mortal girl, is raised in the dangerous world of the fae after her parents are killed.
Surrounded by beauty, cruelty, and constant reminders that she does not belong, Jude decides she will win power on her own terms. Her tense rivalry with Prince Cardan drives much of the novel’s intrigue and emotional spark.
Readers who enjoy ambition, manipulation, and complicated relationships will likely be hooked.
E.K. Johnston is known for retellings and reimaginings that bring fresh perspective to familiar tales. In A Thousand Nights, she draws on the story of Scheherazade, following a young woman who chooses to marry a tyrannical king in order to save her sister.
What follows is a quiet but powerful story of resilience, intelligence, and transformation. Johnston’s prose creates a strong sense of atmosphere while keeping the emotional focus close and compelling.
Fans of Mackenzi Lee’s inventive approach to historical and character-driven storytelling may find her work especially appealing.
