Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Set in the same world as Shadow and Bone, this heist story brings in a crew of misfits and a sharper, more ensemble-driven plot. Fans of the Grisha magic system will enjoy seeing it used in new ways.
11 books to read next
Books Like Shadow and Bone
If you loved Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Shadow and Bone is a young adult fantasy set in a war-torn country divided by a great shadowy rift. Readers love its blend of military intrigue, a grounded but magical world inspired by Russian folklore, and a slow-building romance alongside a heroine who discovers unexpected power. The pace is brisk, the tone is earnest and atmospheric, and the story rewards readers who enjoy learning a richly detailed setting as it unfolds.
More Grishaverse-style magic
Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi
Like Shadow and Bone, it follows a young heroine with newly awakened magical powers in a land ruled by fear. Its fast pacing and high stakes suit readers who loved Alina's journey.
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas
A young assassin navigates a royal court filled with danger and dark magic, echoing Alina's move from the margins into a world of power. Readers who enjoy a romance threaded through court intrigue will find a lot to like.
Court intrigue and political power
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black
A mortal girl is drawn into a dangerous faerie court where every alliance is a risk. Its sharp politics and prickly romance will appeal to readers who liked the tension in Shadow and Bone.
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
A commoner discovers she has powers that set her against the ruling class, a premise that echoes Alina's secret importance. Readers who want a fast, divided-society story with plenty of betrayal will enjoy it.
Dark, atmospheric fantasy
Uprooted
Naomi Novik
A folklore-inspired fantasy with a dark forest and a wary heroine, drawing on the same Eastern European roots that shape Bardugo's world. Readers who loved the eerie atmosphere of the Shadow Fold will feel at home.
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
A lush, dreamlike setting full of mystery and rival magicians, with a slow-building romance. Readers who enjoy the atmosphere and visual detail of Shadow and Bone may find it equally absorbing.
Spinning Silver
Naomi Novik
Folklore, a cold winter setting, and a heroine who must master a dangerous kind of power. It shares the fairy-tale grounding and grim magic that make Shadow and Bone stand out.
Go deeper into Russian-inspired worlds
The Bear and the Nightingale
Katherine Arden
Rooted in Russian folklore, with a heroine whose gift sets her apart from her village and a looming magical threat. Readers who loved the folkloric texture of Bardugo's world will find it rich and rewarding.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Kelly Barnhill
A fairy-tale atmosphere with witches, enchanted creatures, and a gentle, mysterious tone. Readers who appreciated the folk-inspired magic of Shadow and Bone will enjoy its warmth and wonder.
Ash
Malinda Lo
A retelling of a fairy tale in which a young woman's life is shaped by magic, romance, and a choice between two worlds. Its quiet, emotional focus will appeal to readers who loved Alina's inner conflict.
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