Shannon Messenger is beloved for adventurous fantasy novels filled with hidden worlds, high-stakes friendships, and characters readers quickly grow attached to. Her Keeper of the Lost Cities series blends mystery, magic, humor, and emotion in a way that keeps pages turning.
If you enjoy reading books by Shannon Messenger, these authors are well worth adding to your list:
Fans of Shannon Messenger’s fast-moving plots and magical discoveries will likely enjoy Rick Riordan. His books combine mythology, humor, and modern settings in a way that feels both exciting and accessible.
In Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Percy discovers that he is a demigod and the son of Poseidon.
When Zeus’s lightning bolt is stolen, Percy sets out with Annabeth and Grover on a dangerous quest to recover it and stop a war among the gods.
Along the way, readers encounter monsters, reimagined myths, and a cast full of energy and personality. Riordan’s lively style makes him an easy recommendation for anyone craving another clever, action-packed fantasy adventure.
Readers drawn to Shannon Messenger’s imaginative worlds may also enjoy Holly Black, especially if they like fantasy with a sharper, darker edge. Black creates magical settings that feel enchanting and dangerous at the same time.
In The Cruel Prince, readers meet Jude Duarte, a mortal girl raised in the treacherous faerie kingdom of Elfhame. To survive there, Jude must navigate shifting alliances, court politics, and intense rivalries.
The result is a gripping story full of ambition, deception, and dark beauty. If you like rich fantasy settings and tense character dynamics, Holly Black is a strong next pick.
Brandon Mull writes fantasy that is adventurous, funny, and packed with magical surprises. Readers who enjoy Shannon Messenger’s sense of wonder should have a great time with Mull’s series Fablehaven.
In the first book, siblings Kendra and Seth visit their grandparents and learn that the estate is actually a secret preserve for magical creatures. When the sanctuary’s protections begin to fail, dangerous beings threaten both the preserve and the human world.
As the siblings uncover hidden secrets, they are forced to grow braver and wiser. Mull’s stories balance humor, danger, and imaginative world-building in a way that feels especially appealing to fans of Keeper of the Lost Cities.
If you love stories about discovering a hidden magical life, J.K. Rowling is an obvious match. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone opens with Harry learning on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard.
He soon enters Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where staircases move, secrets lurk behind locked doors, and friendship becomes just as important as magic. Alongside Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry begins unraveling a mystery hidden within the castle.
Rowling’s storytelling mixes wonder, suspense, humor, and heart. Readers who enjoy magical schools and memorable friendships will find plenty to love here.
Cassandra Clare writes fantasy full of danger, mystery, and hidden supernatural worlds. Her books are a good fit for readers who enjoy fast-paced stories and layered magical settings.
Her series The Mortal Instruments begins with City of Bones , where Clary Fray discovers that a secret world of shadowhunters, demons, and other supernatural beings exists alongside ordinary New York City.
Suddenly, everything she thought she knew about her life changes. Clare blends action, friendship, and hidden powers into a story that keeps the stakes high from the very beginning.
For readers who like Messenger’s combination of adventure, strong character bonds, and magical secrets, Cassandra Clare offers a more intense but equally immersive reading experience.
Tamora Pierce is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy courageous young heroes and richly imagined fantasy worlds. Her stories often center on personal growth, determination, and earning one’s place in a complicated world.
In Alanna: The First Adventure, Alanna disguises herself as a boy so she can train as a knight, defying the expectations of her kingdom. As she learns combat and develops her magical gifts, she also faces danger, prejudice, and powerful enemies.
Pierce’s writing delivers adventure with real emotional weight. Fans of Shannon Messenger who appreciate brave protagonists and satisfying character development should definitely give her a try.
Chris Colfer brings a playful, imaginative energy to fantasy, making him a fun choice for Shannon Messenger readers. His books are especially appealing if you like whimsical settings and sibling-centered adventures.
In The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, twins Alex and Conner Bailey are transported into a world filled with fairy tale characters they thought existed only in stories.
To find their way home, they must gather the ingredients for the Wishing Spell while avoiding villains and navigating a series of unexpected obstacles.
The novel offers humor, heart, and a fresh take on familiar tales. It is a lively, accessible fantasy series that younger readers in particular may find hard to resist.
Lisa McMann is a great option for readers who enjoy fantasy mixed with mystery and hidden worlds. Her stories often begin with unsettling premises and then open into imaginative, high-stakes adventures.
Her novel The Unwanteds follows twins Alex and Aaron in a society where creativity is seen as dangerous. When Alex is labeled an Unwanted because of his imagination, he expects punishment or worse.
Instead, he is taken to Artimé, a secret place where creativity is valued as a source of magic and strength. But that discovery brings its own risks, conflicts, and revelations.
McMann’s world is inventive and emotionally engaging, making this a strong recommendation for readers who like magical systems that feel both original and meaningful.
Katherine Applegate offers something a little different: stories with warmth, emotional resonance, and unforgettable characters. Readers who love the heartfelt side of Shannon Messenger’s books may especially connect with her work.
In The One and Only Ivan, Applegate tells the story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla living in a shopping mall.
His quiet routine changes when he befriends a young elephant named Ruby, and that relationship pushes him to think differently about captivity, kindness, and hope.
Told from Ivan’s perspective, the novel is moving, thoughtful, and memorable. It is an excellent pick for readers who appreciate emotional depth as much as adventure.
Jennifer A. Nielsen writes gripping stories driven by danger, clever twists, and determined young protagonists. If you enjoy the suspense and momentum in Shannon Messenger’s books, Nielsen is well worth exploring.
Her novel The False Prince follows Sage, a sharp and resourceful orphan chosen by a nobleman for a dangerous scheme: impersonating a kingdom’s long-lost prince.
As Sage competes against other boys for the role, he must navigate secrets, manipulation, and threats that could cost him his life.
The pacing is strong, the stakes stay high, and Sage is the kind of hero readers love to follow. This is a particularly good recommendation for anyone who enjoys strategy, tension, and surprising reveals.
Lloyd Alexander is a classic choice for readers who enjoy magical journeys, memorable companions, and coming-of-age adventure. His fantasy has a timeless quality that still feels inviting today.
He is best known for The Chronicles of Prydain, which begins with The Book of Three.
The story introduces Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who dreams of heroism. When the magical pig under his care escapes, he is swept into a much larger quest filled with danger, strange allies, and dark forces.
Alexander combines humor, warmth, and genuine wisdom, creating a fantasy world that feels adventurous without losing sight of character. Readers who like stories about growing into courage will find a lot to enjoy here.
Suzanne Collins is known for tense, emotionally charged stories that place young characters in impossible situations. While her work is darker than Shannon Messenger’s, readers who enjoy strong protagonists and compelling stakes may still be drawn in.
Her novel The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian future where children from each district are forced to compete in a televised fight to the death.
When Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her younger sister, she enters an arena where survival depends not only on skill, but also on judgment, restraint, and moral courage.
Collins writes with intensity and clarity, and Katniss is a heroine readers rarely forget. This is a great pick for those ready for a more serious, high-pressure kind of adventure.
Tui T. Sutherland is a wonderful recommendation for readers who want more fantasy, action, and strong group dynamics. Her books are energetic, imaginative, and easy to get swept up in.
Readers who love Shannon Messenger’s magical worlds and adventure-filled plots may enjoy Sutherland’s series Wings of Fire.
In the first book, The Dragonet Prophecy, five young dragonets are raised in secret because they are believed to be destined to end a war between dragon tribes. As they begin uncovering the truth, they face danger, betrayal, and difficult choices.
Sutherland fills the story with action, loyalty, humor, and heart. It is an especially good fit for readers who enjoy ensemble casts and fantasy worlds with their own distinct cultures and conflicts.
Jessica Townsend is an excellent pick for anyone who loves the wonder, mystery, and magic found in Shannon Messenger’s books. Her writing has a vivid, immersive quality that makes her fantasy world feel wonderfully alive.
Her debut novel, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, introduces Morrigan, a girl cursed from birth and expected to die on her eleventh birthday.
Instead, she is whisked away by the enigmatic Jupiter North to the extraordinary city of Nevermoor. There, she must complete a series of trials for a chance to join the prestigious Wundrous Society.
With its imaginative setting, intriguing mystery, and charming cast, this book is easy to recommend to readers looking for a magical world they can sink into completely.
Diana Wynne Jones is a natural match for readers who love inventive fantasy and unforgettable characters. Her books often feel whimsical on the surface while hiding surprising emotional depth underneath.
One of her best-known novels is Howl’s Moving Castle, which follows Sophie, a young woman who is transformed into an old woman by a witch’s curse.
To break the spell, she seeks out the wizard Howl and ends up living in his bizarre moving castle, where magic doors, a fire demon, and plenty of chaos await.
The novel is funny, enchanting, and full of charm. Readers who enjoy fantasy that feels clever, character-driven, and a little unpredictable should not miss Diana Wynne Jones.
