Taran Matharu, a British author, is best known for the bestselling fantasy series The Summoner Trilogy. Books such as The Novice combine memorable characters, lively action, inventive magic, and immersive world-building.
If you enjoy Taran Matharu’s books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
If Taran Matharu’s adventurous pacing and well-crafted magic appeal to you, Brandon Sanderson is an easy recommendation. His novels are known for intricate magical systems, expansive worlds, and characters who grow through impossible choices.
A strong place to begin is Mistborn: The Final Empire It follows Vin, a street thief who becomes entangled in a rebellion against a tyrant who has ruled for a thousand years.
Magic in this world is tied to metals, which gifted users can ingest to unlock different powers.
As Vin discovers rare abilities of her own, she becomes central to the rebellion’s future. The result is a gripping story packed with twists, sharp plotting, and a memorable cast of heroes and villains.
Sabaa Tahir writes intense, emotional fantasy that should resonate with fans of Taran Matharu. In An Ember in the Ashes, she draws readers into a brutal empire inspired by ancient Rome.
The novel follows Laia, who risks everything to save her imprisoned brother, and Elias, a soldier torn between duty and conscience.
Their paths unfold against a backdrop of danger, betrayal, and growing rebellion. Along the way, the story explores courage, sacrifice, and the cost of resisting a cruel system.
If you like fantasy with strong character arcs, high stakes, and a darker edge, Tahir’s work is a great next step.
Sarah J. Maas is another strong match for readers who enjoy Taran Matharu’s blend of action and fantasy. Her books feature vivid settings, dramatic turns, and larger-than-life characters.
In Throne of Glass, Maas introduces Celaena Sardothien, a notorious assassin offered a chance at freedom after imprisonment. The catch is that she must compete in a deadly contest to become the king’s champion.
As the competition unfolds, court politics, hidden motives, and dark magic complicate everything.
For readers who want sword fights, strong personalities, and a sweeping fantasy backdrop, Maas delivers plenty to enjoy.
If you enjoy Taran Matharu’s mix of fantasy, adventure, and dangerous creatures, Rick Riordan is a natural choice. He is best known for the Percy Jackson series, which begins with The Lightning Thief.
The story centers on Percy, an ordinary-seeming boy who learns he is actually a demigod and the son of Poseidon. Soon he is accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt and must clear his name before the gods go to war.
The novel moves quickly and balances action with humor, mythology, and strong friendships.
If quests, monsters, and relatable young heroes are what you loved in Matharu’s books, Riordan’s novels offer that same sense of fun and momentum.
Cassandra Clare is a good pick for readers who like fantasy layered into a recognizable modern world. Her stories combine supernatural conflict, secrets, and character-driven drama.
In City of Bones, the first book of The Mortal Instruments series, Clary Fray sees a murder that no one else can see, and that moment changes everything.
She soon discovers a hidden world of demon-hunters called Shadowhunters and becomes caught in a web of battles, family secrets, and long-buried truths.
Clare’s fast pace and supernatural intrigue make her an appealing choice for fans of Matharu’s energetic fantasy storytelling.
Christopher Paolini is a great author to try if you’re looking for classic epic fantasy with dragons, danger, and coming-of-age adventure. Like Taran Matharu, he creates stories built around discovery, growth, and rising stakes.
His novel Eragon begins when a farm boy named Eragon finds a mysterious dragon egg. Once it hatches and he bonds with the dragon Saphira, he is forced to flee from enemies who want that power for themselves.
As he travels, Eragon learns magic, uncovers hidden truths, and begins to understand the larger conflict shaping his world.
It’s a sweeping fantasy filled with battles, lore, and the kind of heroic journey many Matharu readers will appreciate.
Leigh Bardugo is often a favorite among readers who enjoy fantasy with rich atmosphere and strong character dynamics. Her novel Shadow and Bone opens the door to a world shaped by war, magic, and Russian-inspired folklore.
Alina Starkov, an orphan and soldier, discovers that she possesses an extraordinary power that could change her country’s future. Taken to the royal court to train, she quickly realizes that glamour and power can hide real danger.
The story blends political tension, friendship, romance, and a steadily growing sense of threat.
If you enjoy magical training, loyal allies, and conflicts that grow far beyond the main character, Bardugo is well worth reading.
Eoin Colfer offers something a little different while still sharing the sense of fun and adventure that makes Taran Matharu’s work so appealing. His writing is witty, inventive, and consistently entertaining.
In Artemis Fowl readers meet Artemis, a brilliant twelve-year-old criminal mastermind who kidnaps a fairy captain and ignites a clash between the human and magical worlds.
The book mixes high-tech fairy lore, clever schemes, and plenty of sharp humor.
For readers who like fantasy that feels quick, smart, and fresh, Colfer is an excellent choice.
J.K. Rowling remains one of the most widely read fantasy authors for good reason. Her books combine accessible storytelling, memorable characters, and a magical world that is easy to get lost in.
Her book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, follows Harry Potter, an orphan who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard.
At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry finds friendship, belonging, and danger in equal measure. As he learns more about magic, he also begins uncovering the mysteries surrounding his own past.
Readers who enjoy Matharu’s magical creatures, training sequences, and sense of discovery will likely feel right at home here.
Joe Abercrombie is a strong option for readers who want fantasy with a grittier, more morally complex edge. His stories are darker than Taran Matharu’s, but they share a talent for momentum, conflict, and memorable characters.
In The Blade Itself. readers meet Logen Ninefingers, a feared warrior pulled into dangerous events far beyond his control.
He is joined by Jezal, a vain but talented swordsman, and Glokta, a brilliant inquisitor shaped by pain and bitterness.
As their paths begin to overlap, the novel builds toward war, betrayal, and uneasy alliances. If you want fantasy that is sharper, darker, and packed with personality, Abercrombie is a rewarding pick.
Holly Black writes fantasy with a darker, more dangerous atmosphere, making her a good match for readers who enjoy magical power struggles and high-stakes intrigue.
Her novel The Cruel Prince follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl raised in the treacherous world of faerie. Determined to earn power and security, she must navigate shifting loyalties, cruelty, and deception at court.
The story is tense, clever, and full of reversals that keep the pressure high.
If you like fantasy that leans into ambition, manipulation, and dangerous beauty, Holly Black is an excellent author to try next.
Marie Lu is best known for fast-moving stories with strong tension and compelling rivalries. While her work often leans more dystopian than fantasy, readers who like Taran Matharu’s pace and character-driven conflict may still find a lot to enjoy.
In Legend. the setting is a future America shaped by war and class division. The story follows June, a military prodigy, and Day, a wanted criminal, whose lives collide after June’s brother is murdered.
As June hunts Day, both begin uncovering unsettling truths about the government and the society around them.
The result is a tense, emotional novel filled with pursuit, suspicion, and revelations that keep the pages turning.
Philip Pullman is an excellent recommendation for readers who enjoy imaginative fantasy with depth and wonder. His storytelling has a thoughtful quality, but it never loses its sense of adventure.
Pullman’s The Golden Compass, the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy, follows Lyra Belacqua as she becomes entangled in a mystery involving kidnapped children, strange experiments, and a mysterious substance called Dust.
With her daemon Pantalaimon at her side, Lyra journeys through a world filled with witches, armored bears, and powerful institutions hiding dangerous secrets.
The novel combines wonder, suspense, and emotional weight, making it a strong choice for readers who want fantasy that feels both epic and distinctive.
Jonathan Stroud is a particularly good fit for readers who enjoy fantasy with wit, action, and memorable magical partnerships. His books have a playful edge without sacrificing suspense.
One great place to start is The Amulet of Samarkand, the first novel in Stroud’s Bartimaeus Sequence.
The story follows Nathaniel, a young magician’s apprentice who summons Bartimaeus, a sarcastic and highly intelligent djinni, to help him take revenge on a powerful magician.
Their partnership is entertaining from the start, and the novel’s blend of humor, magic, politics, and danger gives it a distinctive charm. Bartimaeus’s voice, in particular, makes the book especially memorable.
Victoria Aveyard is a strong choice for readers who enjoy rebellion, hidden powers, and fast-moving fantasy plots. Her work shares with Taran Matharu a love of high stakes and dramatic turns.
Her novel Red Queen is set in a kingdom divided by blood. The powerful Silver elite rule over the ordinary Reds, who live in poverty and oppression.
When Mare Barrow, a Red girl, unexpectedly reveals powers of her own, she becomes a threat to the entire social order.
From there, the story builds into a tense mix of court politics, rebellion, and betrayal. If you enjoy underdog heroes, dangerous secrets, and constant twists, Aveyard is well worth trying.
