V. E. Schwab has a rare talent for crafting stories that are equal parts heartache and magic. Whether it's the parallel Londons in A Darker Shade of Magic, the Faustian bargain in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, or the ambitious anti-heroes of Vicious, her work resonates with readers who love lyrical prose, morally complex characters, and magic that always comes at a cost.
If you’ve devoured her entire catalog and are searching for your next obsession, this list is for you. Here are 15 authors who share Schwab’s narrative DNA, from masters of atmospheric world-building to creators of unforgettable, beautifully broken characters.
Both Schwab and Bardugo excel at creating anti-heroes you can't help but root for. If the found family of misfits in Vicious was your favorite part, you'll find a kindred spirit in Bardugo’s criminal crew. Six of Crows follows six outcasts on an impossible heist, led by the ruthless Kaz Brekker—a character whose cunning and dark past would make him a formidable rival for Victor Vale. The world is gritty, the dialogue is sharp, and the characters are the heart of the story.
If the sweeping, poetic tragedy of Addie LaRue captivated you, Laini Taylor’s writing will feel like a dream. Her prose is lush and imaginative, building worlds that are both fantastical and deeply human. Strange the Dreamer tells the story of a librarian obsessed with a mythical lost city and the blue-skinned goddess who haunts his dreams. It’s a breathtaking tale of myth, war, and a love that transcends worlds.
Schwab's protagonists often fight for their place in worlds that don't want them. Holly Black is the master of this trope, especially in the context of treacherous faerie courts. The Cruel Prince features Jude, a mortal girl raised in the High Court of Faerie, who claws her way to power among beings who despise her. Her ruthless ambition and complex relationship with the titular prince will appeal to readers who love Schwab’s intricate character dynamics and political maneuvering.
Like Schwab, Morgenstern builds worlds that are characters in themselves. Her prose is intoxicating, focusing more on atmosphere and aesthetic than on fast-paced action. The Night Circus unfolds around a mysterious, magical circus that serves as the arena for a duel between two young magicians. The achingly beautiful descriptions and the central, decades-spanning relationship will remind you of the timeless, wondrous feel of Addie LaRue.
For readers who were drawn to the sprawling, multi-layered world of the Shades of Magic series, Samantha Shannon’s work is a perfect next step. The Priory of the Orange Tree is a standalone epic fantasy filled with dragons, assassins, and forbidden magic. Shannon’s world-building is meticulous and immersive, creating a rich history and mythology that feels as deep and lived-in as Schwab’s Arnes.
Stiefvater shares Schwab’s talent for crafting stories that are moody, atmospheric, and deeply focused on the bonds between characters. Her prose is beautiful and often poignant. The Raven Boys follows a group of friends on a quest to find a sleeping Welsh king, blending modern reality with ancient magic. The strange, lyrical quality of the storytelling and its focus on secrets and friendship will resonate with Schwab fans.
Schwab often creates magic that feels wild, ancient, and dangerous, a theme Naomi Novik perfects in her standalone novels. Uprooted is a reimagining of Polish folklore where a young woman is chosen to serve a mysterious wizard who protects the land from a malevolent, sentient forest. The magic is instinctual and untamed, and the fairy-tale atmosphere has a dark, menacing edge that will feel familiar and exciting.
If you love how Schwab’s stories explore the power of narratives and history—especially in Addie LaRue—then Alix E. Harrow is a perfect match. Her writing is stunningly lyrical. The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a love letter to stories, following a young girl who discovers a book that leads her to secret doors to other worlds. It captures a sense of wonder, loss, and self-discovery that is deeply resonant.
Pacat excels at creating tension-filled relationships and morally grey characters with hidden depths, much like Schwab. Dark Rise is a fantasy set in an alternate London where an ancient magical war is poised to reignite. The story is packed with twists, forbidden power, and characters whose loyalties are constantly tested, making it a great fit for readers who enjoy the character-driven suspense in books like Vicious.
Arden’s prose creates a palpable atmosphere, grounding her fantasy in a rich, historical setting filled with Russian folklore. This blend of the mundane and the magical is something Schwab does exceptionally well. The Bear and the Nightingale follows Vasya, a girl who can see the old spirits of the household and forest, as she defies her family and a zealous priest to protect her world from encroaching darkness. Its cold, beautiful, and dangerous world is utterly immersive.
If the adventurous, globe-trotting feel of A Darker Shade of Magic appeals to you, Chokshi's work will be a delight. The Gilded Wolves is set in 1889 Paris and follows a diverse crew of experts on a quest for a powerful artifact. The story blends history, mythology, and intricate magic with puzzles and banter, delivering the same kind of energetic, high-stakes adventure found in Schwab’s more action-oriented books.
Schwab is not afraid to put her characters through hell, and neither is Sabaa Tahir. Set in a brutal, Roman-inspired empire, An Ember in the Ashes follows two characters—a scholar-turned-spy and a soldier-turned-rebel—whose destinies intertwine. The stakes are incredibly high, the world is unforgiving, and the characters are pushed to their absolute limits, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate the darker themes in Schwab’s work.
While often more romance-focused, Maas shares Schwab’s ability to create expansive worlds and characters with compelling emotional arcs. Her stories are addictive and full of twists. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a loose retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" that evolves into a sweeping epic of war, politics, and romance in a deadly fae land. It’s perfect for readers who love the blend of magic, action, and relationship dynamics in Schwab's series.
Aveyard’s work will appeal to readers who enjoy the themes of power, inequality, and rebellion present in Schwab’s books. Red Queen is set in a world divided by blood—super-powered Silvers who rule over powerless Reds. When a Red girl discovers she has powers of her own, she is thrust into the treacherous Silver court. The constant betrayals and political maneuvering will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Schwab is a master of urban fantasy, blending our world with the magical. Melissa Albert does this with a dark, fairy-tale twist. In The Hazel Wood, Alice’s grandmother is the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of dark fairy tales. When her mother is kidnapped, Alice learns that the sinister, magical world from the stories is real and bleeding into her own. This book captures the eerie, unsettling magic found in many of Schwab's novels.
With so many options, the best place to start depends on your favorite V. E. Schwab book:
Happy reading, and may your next book be as unforgettable as your last.