Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn saga and Stormlight Archive series are among the biggest modern fantasy releases, and they may leave readers looking for similar books to dive into. Having written two 10/10 fantasy series, Sanderson is a prolific author within the genre. While there is no shortage of great writers that fall into the category, the author’s writing style and world-building stand out. This makes it difficult to follow some of Sanderson’s best books, which can easily put readers into a slump.
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Fortunately, there are a few fantasy books that make good follow-ups to Sanderson’s, whether it’s because they boast the same level of complexity when it comes to world-building or because they have similar storytelling elements. These hail from some of the biggest fantasy writers out there, so readers may find new favorite authors with backlogs that will keep them occupied. That’s a relief after a book hangover from Sanderson, especially knowing that his next Stormlight Archive book is a long way off.
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10
The Lies Of Locke Lamora By Scott Lynch
For Easy-To-Fall Into Writing, Complex Characters, & Heists
Those who love Sanderson — and especially his original Mistborn trilogy — should check out The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. The first book in Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard sequence, The Lies of Locke Lamora is set in an immersive but dark world that’s easy to fall into, just like Mistborn. Its writing style is accessible to readers who are new to the fantasy genre, giving it another thing in common with Sanderson’s books. And it’s not so simplistic that seasoned fantasy readers won’t enjoy it; it offers the best of both worlds.
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Similar to Mistborn, The Lies of Locke Lamora also tells a heist story with a gang of lovable but morally dubious characters — though its emotional blows come on much quicker than those in Era 1. Overall, it’s a great choice for those looking for fantasy books for beginners, as well as readers looking for a character-driven narrative with similarities to Sanderson’s work.
9
The Black Prism By Brent Weeks
For A Unique & Complex Magic System
Sanderson is known for crafting complex and unique magic systems, from the well-known ones in Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive to those present in his more underrated books, like The Rithmatist. Readers hoping to find a similar approach to magic should give Brent Weeks’ The Black Prism a try. Its light-based magic system bears similarities to Mistborn‘s, and it stands out among the many approaches present across the fantasy genre.
The Black Prism also kicks off Weeks’ Lightbringer series, which scales up to become nearly as epic as Sanderson’s best stories.
The Black Prism also kicks off Weeks’ Lightbringer series, which scales up to become nearly as epic as Sanderson’s best stories — and that’s not where the commonalities end. Both fantasy series benefit from great twists and turns. And although their narratives are very different, they both deal with themes of political and social upheaval.
8
The Fifth Season By N.K. Jemisin
For Impressive World-Building
The strengths of Sanderson’s world-building extend beyond his intricate magic systems. The author fleshes out everything from politics to religion in painstaking detail, and readers looking for similarly impressive world-building can find it in N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season. The first installment in The Broken Earth trilogy, The Fifth Season has quite a bit in common with Sanderson’s work, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first glance. For one, it features a detailed magic system with hard and fast rules that mirror Sanderson’s.
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The Broken Earth trilogy is also set in a broken world that’s still in decline, bearing a resemblance to Mistborn Era 1’s setup. This allows the series to tackle similar themes, even if they do so in different ways. Jemisin’s writing style is distinct, which sets The Fifth Season apart from Sanderson’s work. But it has enough in common with his books to appeal to fans of his, especially those looking for detailed world-building — a strength present in Jemisin’s other series, too.
7
The Assassin’s Apprentice By Robin Hobb
For Readers Looking For Another Expansive Universe
Sanderson’s Cosmere connects many of his stories, and a couple of them — like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive — will span generations once they’re completed. This scope is impressive, but Sanderson isn’t the only fantasy author to showcase such ambition. Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings consists of interconnected series, has several time jumps, and includes a whopping 16 books. The first and best one to start with is The Assassin’s Apprentice, and if readers enjoy it, they’ll have just as much to look forward to as when they first started reading Sanderson.
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In addition to having an impressive scope, The Assassin’s Apprentice and the rest of the Realm of the Elderlings books are incredibly character-driven. This is one area where Sanderson shines, and readers who appreciate that aspect of his stories are bound to enjoy the growth that occurs throughout Hobb’s series. To witness that character transformation, it’s also best to begin with The Assassin’s Apprentice.
6
Jade City By Fonda Lee
For Great Magic, Action, & World-Building
Part of the reason Sanderson’s magic systems get so much attention is that they make for great, easy-to-imagine action sequences. Some of his best action moments have been likened to reading a superhero film on-screen. Readers hoping to experience that in another fantasy book should give Fonda Lee’s Jade City a chance, as its use of jade feels reminiscent of Mistborn‘s metal-based system. And the book’s use of Kung Fu ensures that it has action just as thrilling as anything in Sanderson’s books, even if it looks different.
While Jade City and the rest of the Green Bone saga don’t have a ton in common with Sanderson’s work when it comes to plot or prose, they do benefit from character-driven narratives and overlapping themes. This is a compelling reason for Sanderson fans to pick up Lee’s series, which is often compared to The Godfather. Sanderson fans who can get on board with that vibe will eat up Lee’s series.
5
Six Of Crows By Leigh Bardugo
For Another Magical Heist Story, Multiple POVs, & Great Characters
Continuing the trend of character-driven narratives with similar storytelling elements, Six of Crows is an ideal follow-up to Sanderson’s work — particularly the Mistborn trilogy, though fans of his YA novels may also appreciate it. The first book in Leigh Bardugo’s duology of the same name, Six of Crows tells a multi-POV story about a gang of outcasts embarking on an impossible heist. There’s great banter, the same detailed magic system as her prior Grishaverse novels, and lots of action and twists.
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These are all things Sanderson fans can appreciate, especially those who enjoy his novels aimed at younger audiences. Like Sanderson, Bardugo throws readers right into the story, while making it easy to understand and get invested in. She also has some kick-ass female leads, which Sanderson’s books also benefit from.
4
The Grace Of Kings By Ken Liu
For Fresh Storytelling With Similar Themes & Scope
Ken Liu’s The Grace of Kings is another fantasy book worth picking up after Sanderson, as book one in The Dandelion Dynasty is a fresh addition to the genre that has common themes and a similar scope to the author’s work. Although The Grace of Kings doesn’t feel all that similar when it comes to the narrative, its focus on overthrowing an empire and determining what comes next is reminiscent of Mistborn. The fact that the series spans generations also gives it an impressive scope on par with Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.
One must be familiar with stories like Sanderson’s in order to appreciate what Liu does in The Dandelion Dynasty.
The Grace of Kings is also an all-around great read for seasoned fantasy lovers, as it subverts many of the common tropes seen within the genre. Sanderson’s books feature many of the tropes in question, so the authors are dissimilar in that regard. However, one must be familiar with stories like Sanderson’s in order to appreciate what Liu does in The Dandelion Dynasty. Therefore, it makes sense to pick up The Grace of Kings after making your way through Sanderson’s backlist.
3
Blood Over Bright Haven By M.L. Wang
For A Detailed Magic System & Strong Character Writing
After the excitement surrounding The Sword of Kaigen, it’s no surprise that M.L. Wang’s Blood Over Bright Haven is taking off. And Sanderson readers shouldn’t overlook this novel, as it has clear strengths that mirror those of his work. While Blood Over Bright Haven leans darker than most of Sanderson’s books — and has an academic setting that feels reminiscent of other authors and series — its magic system is detailed and unique. This makes it an ideal read for anyone who appreciates that element of Sanderson’s backlist.
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Blood Over Bright Haven also boasts great character writing, along with morally gray personalities. And the novel digs into themes of oppression through its political storylines. Such details will be a draw for those who enjoy Sanderson’s books, as they’re just as present in his work.
2
The Will Of The Many By James Islington
For An Intricate Magic System, Similar Themes, & A Great Ending
James Islington’s The Will of the Many has gotten a lot of attention since its 2023 release, and it’s a great choice for any fantasy reader. However, some elements of Islington’s novel will appeal to Sanderson readers specifically, including its intricate magic system and overlapping themes. The former centers on a person’s control of “Will,” and it comes with a structure and rules that’s on par with Sanderson’s magic systems. The book’s focus on overcoming a corrupt empire and the questions it raises are also draws.
The Will of the Many also does a great job with its ending, which is why readers are so eager to get their hands on the sequel.
The Will of the Many also does a great job with its ending, which is why readers are so eager to get their hands on the sequel, The Strength of the Few. Like Sanderson, Islington does a good job of giving the book a proper conclusion, while delivering enough twists to leave readers wanting. Fortunately, The Strength of the Few will be here in November 2025, meaning readers will have answers soon — and they can dig into it while they wait for Sanderson’s next release.
1
Promise Of Blood By Brian McClellan
For Its Compelling Magic System, Similar Themes, & Easily Accessible Story
Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage trilogy is often recommended for Sanderson fans, and those interested in diving in must start with Promise of Blood. McClellan’s books benefit from interesting world-building and magic systems, but like Sanderson’s, they’re still accessible and easy to read.
This makes Promise of Blood a great option for newcomers and fantasy lovers alike. Both will no doubt appreciate the gunpowder-based magic system (which feels reminiscent of Mistborn‘s metal-based one) and the intersection between magic and tech (which Mistborn Era 2 touches on). The political themes and involvement of the gods also give the series commonalities with Brandon Sanderson’s work, giving fans more reasons to pick up Promise of Blood and its sequels.
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