1. Howl's Moving Castle/Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett
If you like the film adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, then I think you'll also enjoy Heather Fawcett's Even the Darkest Stars. Not only do both stories deal with wizards and witches, but the magic systems share a similar atmospheric quality. Both stories also feature a curse that needs breaking and a fire demon who likes to strike bargains. I highly recommend both of these magical stories.
Bonus: If you love Howl's Moving Castle, book or film, I would also recommend Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White. Its two main characters strongly remind me of Sophie and Howl.
2. The Lord of the Rings/Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
This comparison may not seem as obvious, but while I was reading Strange the Dreamer, something about the epicness of the story's scale reminded me of Lord of the Rings. In both, you've got a group of travelers who bond on a journey and face danger together. War plays an important role in both stories, and the authors place an emphasis on magical locations. Now, I am by no means a Lord of the Rings expert. (Like at all.) So some of you LotR fans may disagree with me on this one. But I definitely think you get the same vibe from both. I would also, of course, recommend you read the LotR books too if you enjoyed Strange. They're fantastic.
3. Game of Thrones/Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes
To me, Falling Kingdoms feels like a lite Game of Thrones. And I don't mean that in a demeaning way - there are just as many (if not more) betrayals in Falling Kingdoms as there are in Game of Thrones. Both are fantasies with a large cast of characters and perspectives - some who are good, some who are bad, and many who are gray. Broken princes, political schemers, rebels, and avenging princesses all play a role in these war-waging kingdoms. Sidenote: The main ship in this series is slow-burn and GLORIOUS, and also reminds me of a certain pairing in GoT. If you're looking for a YA version of Game of Thrones, I highly recommend picking up Falling Kingdoms.
Bonus: I'd also recommend The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King by Holly Black if you dig bloody political vies for the crown and ruthless characters.
4. Hick/Sadie by Courtney Summers
I recently watched Hick (not just because it stars Eddie Redmayne...*cough*...) and it instantly reminded me of Sadie. Quick trigger warning that both stories involve pedophilia. Hick also includes an implied rape scene. If you like tough hitchhiking heroines, backroad country settings, and gritty topics, I think you'll enjoy both this movie and this book.
5. The Raven Cycle/The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson
Before you complain, I know this is cheating. Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle is slated to become a tv show on SyFy, though, and the stories give off such similar vibes that I had to include it, okay? I had to. So I cheated a little. Just let me explain. The Wren Hunt opens with a girl named Wren being "hunted" by a group of boys in a deadly game played on St. Stephen's Day. Wren is secretly an Augur, a magic-user whose power is slowly being stolen by enemy magic-users called the Judges. Wren has to go undercover amongst the Judges to try and steal back her people's magic. Drama ensues.
The whole story takes place in Ireland and is infused with Irish mythology and history. The way Mary Watson interweaves folklore into the story feels strikingly similar to how Maggie interweaves Welsh folklore into The Raven Cycle. Both stories have a mix of fantasy and contemporary, with a underlying current of magical realism. Both also feature a group of prep school magic boys (though I'd say The Wren Hunt boys have a darker bent to them). Overall, I 100% see these stories attracting the same audience. If you love Blue, Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah, then I highly recommend picking up The Wren Hunt.
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