Books like Shadow and Bone
We knew we needed to make a list of books like Shadow and Bone to finish when the series is done. We all know how it feels to finish our favorite TV series and be left with a void to fill the time. Pick up any of the books below to get sucked into a new world.
Leigh Bardugo’s hit YA fantasy has everything- undiscovered magic, new worlds, and the fight for power. It’s perfect for the small screen! If you have not read Shadow and Bone yet, and want to know where to start, Leigh Bardugo Books in Order is a great resource.
Kirsten and I have a special message from Leigh Bardugo. You can check it out below. Hello, fan girl moment! This series is now complete, and for those of us who couldn’t get enough, I’ve created a list of books you can read next to cure your book hangover.
Best Books like Shadow and Bone
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Book Like Shadow and Bone with Politics
Mirage by Somaiya Daud- Jump to Section
Best Book with Dark Magic Like Shadow and Bone
City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty- Jump to Section
Best Book with a Quest Like Shadow and Bone
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Books with Politics Like Shadow and Bone
Alina Starkov feels like a pawn in a game of politics when she discovers her own latent powers in Shadow and Bone.
Mirage
Author: Somaiya Daud
Year: 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy Sci-Fi
More info: Mirage #1
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The young adult fantasy novel is fast-moving and twists and turns throughout. It is part sci-fi, part fantasy, and part romance for young adults/ new adults. I love the character development and the drama that is so typical of any 18-year-old – especially if you are a spoiled brat, entitled princess.
Trigger Warnings
Violence, Kidnapping, Colonisation
Why Jackie loves it
Amani is a girl who lives on a moon ruled by a cruel and ruthless empire. When she is abducted and taken to the palace she realizes that she looks almost identical to the Princess. Amani must start life anew as a double for the princess or face possible death.
But, as Amani starts a new life, she discovers more about herself and the royal that she must now become. She must immerse herself in the world of royal courts and politics while convincing everyone, including the princess’s fiancé, that she is the princess.
Find this book in: Young Adult Dystopian Novels
Serpent and Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Serpent & Dove Book 1 of 3
New York Times Bestseller, B&N YA Book Club Pick, Indiebound Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Louise Le Blanche is a witch and Reid Diggory is a witch hunter, but when they are forced to be married Lou has to keep her identity a secret and try not to fall for her handsome husband. Could you ask for anything more from enemies-to-lovers books?
She is trying to change his mind about being a witch hunter while hiding her true identity. She is also using the inside knowledge to save her witch friends. Set in the pre-industrial age in Paris, France, this book is perfect for lovers of YA!
Why Kirsten loves it
This book has funny, fierce heroines, a steamy love story, and a cast of characters that is diverse. I devoured all thee books in this series in a week.
Find this book in: YA Books About Witches / Young Adult Fantasy Romance Books/ Books Set in Paris / YA Historical Fiction Books / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / Best YA Romance Books
House of Earth and Blood
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Year: 2020
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: Book #1 of the Crescent City Series
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
House of Earth and Blood is the first in a new series by Sarah J. Maas, of ACOTAR fame. It’s an urban fantasy – and tells the story of Bryce Quinlan and her bodyguard, Hunt Athalar. Strange things are happening in Lunathion and together, Bryce and Hunt are trying to uncover the source of murders happening around Crescent City. If only because then they will be permitted to get away from one another.
But Bryce’s hunt for answers is deeper, she knows that what’s going on now is connected to her best friend, Danika’s murder two years prior. This wild ride was filled with skyscrapers, cellphones, and video surveillance, but also fairies, werewolves, angels, demons, and witches with history and power.
Why Kirsten loves it
My initial turn-off of too many names/places/tribes/species types was quickly overcome by the insane world-building and a story that kept me up until 3 a.m. I fell in love with Bryce and Hunt’s romance, the epic world of the Crescent City series, and the many breadcrumbs and clues SJM scattered throughout this story.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this world-building fantasy. Unlike so many of the other EPIC series, this one is set in an urban setting which makes it unique to any other series I have read. The characters are fantastic in their imperfect, but relatable ways.
Find this book in: Guide to All of Sarah J. Maas’s Books / Urban Fantasy Books / Books Like ACOTAR / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels
Books with Dark Magic Like Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone is filled with dark magic. Each of the books below has that same feel.
The City of Brass
Author: S. A. Chakraborty
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: The Daevabad Trilogy #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This historical fantasy takes place in 18th-century Cairo. When Nahri accidentally summons Dara, a Djinn warrior, she is swept to Daevabad, the City of Brass. Soon Nahri must learn who to trust in a city when magic cannot shield her from the danger that threatens from all around her.
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book a few years ago when we first started the blog. This book was one of the books that got me back into reading fantasy, one of my favorite genres to read. I love the dark magic woven throughout.
Find this book in: Mythology Books / Books about Con Artists / Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / Novels Set in Egypt / Historical Fantasy Books
Uprooted
Author: Naomi Novik
Year: 2015
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, HUGO Award Finalist
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Wow! This book is an epic adult fairy tale. It is complex and so unlike any traditional American fairy tale retelling. An enchanted wood, magic, and mythical creatures grab you and pull you in. This is not a typical damsel-in-distress tale so do not let it fool you.
Agnieszka lives next to a wood filled with dark powers. The village depends on the Dragon to protect them from these dark powers. In exchange, one woman from the village must go and serve him every ten years. To everyone’s surprise, he chooses Agnieszka.
Why Jackie loves it
I don’t want to say more about this book and ruin its magic. But, if you love fairy tale retellings or are looking for books like ACOTAR, this is a perfect pick. Novik has yet to write a book I did not devour. This is the first book of hers I read and with each book, she proves herself as a must-read author.
Find this book in: Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / Fairy Tale Retellings for Adults & YA / Like the Lunar Chronicles to Read Now!
The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden
Year: 2017
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Book one of the Winternight Trilogy
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This fantasy book which is based on Russian folklore was a slow build. I wasn’t sure about it until about halfway through when I couldn’t put it down. In fact, I went out to buy the sequel (The Girl in the Tower) immediately because I needed to find out what had happened.
Vasya lives with her family on the edge of a Russian forest where they hear stories of the Blue-eyed winter demon and honor household spirits. When Vasya’s dad brings home a new stepmother who forbids these practices, misfortunes follow. Vasya now must use the gifts that she has kept hidden all these years.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent
Why Jackie loves it
The plot of this story is detailed and unlike anything I have ever read. I felt invested in following Vasya’s story. The writing is captivating and I loved this trilogy in its entirety. I felt like all three books were needed to make this a complete story.
Find this book in: Fairy Tale Retellings / Adult Fantasy Novels / Mythology Books / Best Winter Books
Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Year: 2015
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Duology
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This fantasy duology is set in the Grishaverse, the same universe as Shadow and Bone. Six outcasts come together for a deadly heist. Kaz must assemble a crew that can succeed and make them all rich beyond imagination. To do this, he will need a group of people who might just end up killing each other before they can pull it off.
Why Jackie likes it
I actually liked this duology better than the Shadow and Bone series. This is crazy, I know. I loved the heist aspect, and I really love a fantasy duet!
Find this book in: Fantasy Duology Books / Leigh Bardugo Books in Order / Books like Shadow and Bone / Books With Numbers in the Title
Books Like Shadow and Bone with a Quest
If you love the quest aspect in Shadow and Bone, you will love these books.
Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Year: 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Legacy of Orisha, #1
An Instant New York Times Bestseller, A TIME top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time, A New York Times Notable Children’s Books, A Kirkus Prize Finalist
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When magic disappeared from Orisha, Zelie’s world changed forever. When the king ordered all the Maji killed, Zelie was left without a mother or magic. She is on a quest to find revenge and bring magic back to Orisha (Orisha is a mythical Nigeria). This is one of the fantasy books for teens that builds a whole new world and brings young adult fantasy books to a whole new level.
Zelie must use the help of a princess to escape from the crown prince who wants to finish what his father started and erase all magic permanently. This book is filled with magic, spirits, and danger.
Why Jackie loves it
I enjoyed this book which is the first in a fantasy series for Young Adults. I listened to the amazing audiobook and I loved listening to the story the way that the story was intended to sound.
Find this book in: Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / YA Books About Witches / 15 Novels About Africa / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing
Furyborn
Author: Clare Legrand
Year: 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Empirium #1
Spice Rating: 💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Rielle and Eliana are separated by 1000 years but, their stories will come together in an amazing way. The plot is intricate and the characters are believable. Both women are fighting wars in their time, but their lives are tied to one another in such a creative way. I cannot wait to read the rest of this YA fantasy trilogy.
Trigger Warnings
Violence, Death
Why Jackie loves it
This book is a true YA fantasy for the fantasy lover. It is fast-moving and non-stop action that is centered around two powerful and fierce women who have the power to save or doom the world. This plot has a striking similarity to Shadow and Bone. If you loved the Greishaverse Trilogy, you’ll love this trilogy too.
Plot
I read this as research for our Books to Read if You Love A Court of Thorns and Roses post. It’s another Beauty and the Beast retelling, except this Beauty is more like Katniss Everdeen. No ballgowns or talking tea-pots, just a female huntress out to avenge her father’s death and free the beast from his prison.
Why Kirsten loves it
Light on the romance, heavy on the hunting descriptions. Yet there was a charm in this young adult fantasy set in the wilds of Russia that I found as captivating as the magical firebird in the story.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this Beauty and the Beast retelling. Yeva is a strong character who takes matters into her own hands.
Find this book in: Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Year: 2015
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Duology
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This fantasy duology is set in the Grishaverse, the same universe as Shadow and Bone. Six outcasts come together for a deadly heist. Kaz must assemble a crew that can succeed and make them all rich beyond imagination. To do this, he will need a group of people who might just end up killing each other before they can pull it off.
Why Jackie likes it
I actually liked this duology better than the Shadow and Bone series. This is crazy, I know. I loved the heist aspect, and I really love a fantasy duet!
Find this book in: Fantasy Duology Books / Leigh Bardugo Books in Order / Books like Shadow and Bone / Books With Numbers in the Title
A Special Message from Leigh Bardugo & Eric Heisserer
Netflix’s Shadow and Bone
The show officially premieres on Netflix on April 23rd. The official synopsis for the show is below, as is the trailer, and it has me high-key ready to binge-watch!
Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free.
With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems.
There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive.
Netflix’s Shadow and Bone Cast
I mean…get your popcorn ready people!
Shadow and Bone is set to star Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, Archie Renaux as Malyen Oretsev, and Ben Barnes as General Kirigan, and from the trailer, the casting seems spot on! Confused by who General Kirigan is from the books? He was known as The Darkling in the book series.
The series also stars Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej, Kit Young as Jesper Fahey.
I can’t wait to see this show on the small screen. It’s always fascinating to see the changes that they make for TV adaptations and see actors bring my favorite characters to life.
Expert Tip
If you loved Shadow and Bone, look for other fantasy books with world-building like that found in the Grishaverse. Look at the aspects of Shadow and Bone and see what appeals to you. This information will help guide your next read.
- Magic and Politics
- Dark Magic
- High Emotional Stakes
- Quest
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best books like Shadow and Bone?
Shadow and Bone is a young adult world-building fantasy. It is filled with politics, dark magic, and a quest. Children of Blood and Bone is a fantastic series that you will love if you are looking for something to read after the Shadow and Bone series.
Epilogue
Did you find something you want to read from my list of books like Shadow and Bone?
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