What to read after Tamora Pierce?

[Lindsay]

Try Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy. I felt there were a lot of parallels between Sabriel from the first book of his series and Alanna.

Graceling is also a really good book. And if you're not looking for a female main character specifically, Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle are a really good series.

Oh! And The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley is simply amazing. I know it says it's the second book in a series but you don't need to read the first one to understand what's going on because they're set a hundred years apart

[F.J.]

Melina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock & Froi of the Exiles. Cind W. Chima's The Seven Realm series, including The Demon King, Exiled Queen and The Gray Wolf Throne.
Best YA High Fantasy you can find on this market, to my mind.

[Lily]

You guys should really try The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner! The first book is called The Thief.

[Emma]

I agree with a lot of the books above, Kristen Cashore and Sharon Shinn's stand alone books are excellent follow ups to Tamora Peirce's later books, however, if you are ready for somethinga little longer and darker, and grown up, try Finnikin of the Rock, or Sharon Shinn's longer series.

[John]

So many of the titles/authors mentioned here are favorites, but I have to add:

The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
The Deed of Paksenarrion: A Novel by Elizabeth Moon

[Ky]

Have you read all of Tamora Pierce's books?
After Alanna there is Dane's series The Immortal's Quartet. The first one in that is Wild Magic Wild Magic
The Circle of Magic Quartet is after that. First book is Sandry's Book Sandry's Book
Then the Protector of the Small Quartet. The first is First Test First Test
After that is the Circle Opens. It starts with Magic Steps Magic Steps
Then the Trickster series or it is also called the Daughter of the Lioness Quartet. It starts with Trickster's Choice Trickster's Choice
Then the Beka Cooper series. The first is Terrier Terrier

I am still working through this list. I am on the second book in the Immortal's Quartet. I am not very far, no. It probably has to do with my reading The Song of the Lioness Quartet about 3 or 4 times.
Haha!
~Kyla MArie Rich : )

[Alanna]

John wrote: "So many of the titles/authors mentioned here are favorites, but I have to add:

The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
The Deed of Paksenarrion: A Novel by Elizabeth Moon"

The Deed of Paksenarrion is really good!

[Ky]

The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld is awesome. Uglies
~Kyla Marie Rich : )

[[deleted user]]

you should Definitely read the Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima The Demon King


or the Study Series by Maria V Snyder Poison Study


They are AMAZING :)

[Evelyn]

I also LOVE Tamora Pierce. I appreciate the recommendations, I have read most of them but some I am going to look up immediately! Let me put in a plug for Tamora's 'Beka Cooper' Series. They are fantastic!

I haven't read any of the 'Circle' books, but I love everything else.

[Annie]

I love tamora perice , the Seven realms by Cinda Willams Chima is similar.

[Daniel]

Annie wrote: "I love tamora perice , the Seven realms by Cinda Willams Chima is similar."

Both of Cinda Williams Chima's series are awesome

[Caitlin]

Evelyn wrote: "I also LOVE Tamora Pierce. I appreciate the recommendations, I have read most of them but some I am going to look up immediately! Let me put in a plug for Tamora's 'Beka Cooper' Series. They ar..."

Definitely agreed on the Beka Cooper books, and you should totally read the Circle books!

[Rachael]

Emma wrote: "I agree with a lot of the books above, Kristen Cashore and Sharon Shinn's stand alone books are excellent follow ups to Tamora Peirce's later books, however, if you are ready for somethinga little ..."

I just read Finnikin of the Rock. Thanks for the rec. I really enjoyed it.

[Mar]

I would definitely try N.M. Browne, his Warrior series. The first one of the series is the Warriors of Alavna. Not really all that similar to either Tamora Pierce's Tortall books or her Circle books but very good all the same.

[Jenelle]

Love a lot of these as well. I'm gonna add The Alchemyst and series, Dragon of the Lost Sea and series, Taran Wanderer and series. If you like Alanna and Cimorene (from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede (which I saw someone else recommend earlier (LOVE her series))) you might also like Kamarie from my book: King's Warrior (which is absolutely shameless, I know, but the book is free on kindle Sunday and Monday this weekend, and in this same genre/line as the Alanna/Cimorene type stories so I'm honestly just suggesting a book you might enjoy that is in this same genre and I'm not even trying to make money on it!)

In other news... I really like parentheses. LOL

[Jeanette]

I haven't looked at this thread for a long time so I don't know if it has been recommended before but the new debut novel "Throne of Glass" by Maas if terrific. It reminded me at once of the strong female characters in Tamora Pierce's books.

[Enirehtak]

This may be a little late but i see no has mentioned Amelia-Atwater Rhodes's The Kiesha'ra Series. The first one is called Hawksong, the second - Snakecharm, the third- Falcondance, the fourth- Wolfcry, and finally the fifth- Wyvernhall. All very amazing on their own. Her series are very intricate. Once you get further into the series the characters become even more stronger and alive .

Also, Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels,and The Sweet Far Thing .

Maria V. Snyder was mentioned for her Study trilogy i noticed. She has another trilogy The Glass series. Her newest series is called the Healer series. ALL VERY GOOD!

[Enirehtak]

not to mention Sharon Shinn's Safe-Keepers Series

[Hannah]

Try the Graceling Series by Kristen Cashore. Graceling Fire and Bitterblue. The main character in each book is a very strong female character like in Tamora Pierce's books. There is fighting and special powers, so it's got all the great stuff Tamora Pierce's books have while still be different enough that you don't feel like you're are reading the same book again.

[Evelyn]

Jeanette wrote: "I haven't looked at this thread for a long time so I don't know if it has been recommended before but the new debut novel "Throne of Glass" by Maas if terrific. ..."

[Evelyn]

Thanks so much for recommending "Throne of Glass", I read it and loved it. I can't wait for the sequel. I am always looking for good authors.

[Evelyn]

Helaneh wrote: "not to mention Sharon Shinn's Safe-Keepers Series"

[Evelyn]

I have read the "Safe-Keepers Series" and really liked them. Keep the recommendations coming!

[Evelyn]

Jenelle wrote: "Love a lot of these as well. I'm gonna add The Alchemyst and series, Dragon of the Lost Sea and series, Taran Wanderer and series. If you like Alanna and Cimorene (from the Enchanted Forest Chronic..."

[Evelyn]

Thank you, I just added "Kings Warrior" to my wish list. It sounds like it would be really enjoyable. (If you don't recommend your books, who will), thanks again.

[Emily]

Some of my favorites besides Tamora Pierce would be Elizabeth Moon (absolute all time favorite - either sci/fi OR fantasy), Tanya Huff (mainly sci/fi for me), Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Tara K. Harper, Gary Paulsen, Holly Black, Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, and i could go on and on lol.

[[deleted user]]

Maybe it's just me, but I think "The Rangers Apprencice" series by John Flanagan is similar to the Alanna books. I've only read the first books in each of the series, but they seem alike.

[JG]

Teresa wrote: "I have a few suggestions. by Sharon Shinn is a great little fantasy with magic, royalty, politics and a little romance. It's one of my faves of all tim..."

i love Poison study!!!!!! i love tamora pierce to but Maria V synder is the reason i know her in the first place

[Leyah]

I strongly recommend Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier. Wildwood Dancing in question had a dark and intricate plot with brilliant characters and lots of compelling emotion. It kept me up all night the first time and I've re-read it four times since. Cybele's Secret, the successor of the aforesaid Wildwood Dancing, is also very good, but, like most sequels, it isn't as good as the first. If you're a bit older you might enjoy the Sevenwaters series, also by Juliet Marillier. My mum loved it but I'm not allowed to yet, so I can't give you a fair recommendation on that point.

Although the Tortall books are really very good and I enjoy reading them, they pale in comparison to Juliet Marillier, and if you give her a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[V.]

Most of the big names have been mentioned already, so I'll second the recommendation for Isobelle Carmody's Obernewtyn books and also add the less well known, but rather good, View from the Mirror quartet by Ian Irvine. Ursula K. Le Guin also seems like a kind of natural progression from YA fantasy- try The Earthsea Quartet.

If you like high medieval fantasy settings with a bit of a feminist twist, I'd consider Marion Zimmer Bradley of The Mists of Avalon fame.

I'm reading the Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin at the moment, and while they aren't really like Tamora Pierce's books at all, they are brilliant and pretty much leave most other fantasy books I've read in the dust. The as yet incomplete series has incredibly rich and complex plotting and probably the best character development I've seen in the fantasy genre. I'm betting these books are going to be considered classics of the genre in the future. Martin does have a lady knight of his own in this series (a major player from the 3rd book on), but she's a quite different interpretation of the trope from our much loved Alanna.

[Aj]

I recently read Catherine M. Wilson's 3 book series, "When Women Were Warriors". Not your average castle & quest story. Low on combat (refreshingly) but very rich in spiritual path, story telling tradition and strong female role models.

[Aj]

These series are very different from Tamora Pierce's books but if you're looking for strong female characters to root for, check out Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce series; L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series.

[Jayne]

Sharon Shinn's Safekeeper/Truthteller/Dreammaker series is awesome too - not as Epic but great world building.

I second the Shannon Hale, Sherwood Smith and Robin McKinley recommendations!

[Jayne]

Sorry I didn't see the second page of recommendations that someone already recommended Sharon Shinn.

I just finished the False Princess by Eilis O'neal - it was good.

Also Starcrossed by Elizabeth Bunce

[Meg]

I am surprised no one mentioned Garth nix. The necromancer series. Also, the Sally Lockhart trio from Pullman, while not fantasy, has a fantastic female lead. you might also bridge to george r r Martin.

[Margot]

try "The Claudi Journals" by Tanith Lee. They have that scifi thing going, romance, adventure, strong female characters, and fantastic plot.

[Brittinie]

Maria V Snyder's Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study are all amazing, have a strong female character as the lead, and they are set in a rich fantasy world. They satisfied my hunger for more Tamora Peirce-ish books. Snyder has also written three books set in the same world of which I believe Storm Glass is the first. I didn't enjoy the second trilogy as much, but it was definately a good read anyway.

[Michelle]

Everything by Brandon Sanderson! Start with the Mistborn trilogy or Elantris

[Lorinda]

I loved the Sword Dancer series by Jennifer Roberson. Though the lead character in the first book is a man, Dell proves that she can hold her own in any mans world and kick most of their butts in the process.

[Sarah-jean]

Totally agree with so many posts on here - The King Killer Chronicles are a must!

You may also want to try Sara Douglas's Star Man Trilogy and Redeemer Trilogy. She has done some fabulous other stories set in the same universe (Tencendor).

I also enjoy Garth Nix's Abhorsen series.

G. P. Taylor is an interesting fantasy author - not like Pierce, but I enjoyed the worlds he creates.

Anything by Neil Gaiman is always fun too!

In terms of strong female characters, I can never go past the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel or Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon.

And if you enjoy the mythic side of Pierce, you might want to give the Seven Waters books by Juliet Marillier a try.

Have fun!

[Evelyn]

Since Tamora Pierce is at the top of my favorites, I sure appreciate all these ideas. I love a lot of the authors listed so far.

My choices are limited because I don't want to read profanity and explicit sex. I have seen some great books that I have had to eliminate.
Soooo, any new suggestions with these parameters in mind? Thanks!

[Terri]

You could try beautiful disaster i found it diverting, innocence and scandal, friendship boundary lines, and a bad boy

[Eh]

Reading the seven realms series bk 1 now. Though Raisa has potential, I wouldn't put her as equal to any of Tamora Pierce's mains. She seems to be spending a lot of time working her courtships and getting kidnapped. Maybe it will get better.

[Liz]

I rather liked Moira Katson's Light and Shadow series. Great character and world building, even with the characters you don't like. She has two strong female leads, and the intrigue really draws you in.

[Tamara]

Garth Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy

[Sophia]

This list was a God send! I've just finished reading Bitterblue (from the Graceling series -graceling, fire, bitterblue- by Kristen Cashore) and I feel totally lost. Ive read all of Tamora's books, the Alanna series 3 times over.

I'd like to recommend Axis by Sara Douglass and really the whole series. Hard to get a hold of the whole series sometimes though. But i 100% loved it; its not written the same in that its a bit more mature, but its the same sort of thing- magic, kings, finding yourself etc (with romance of course)

Enjoy :)

[Daniel]

Eh wrote: "Reading the seven realms series bk 1 now. Though Raisa has potential, I wouldn't put her as equal to any of Tamora Pierce's mains. She seems to be spending a lot of time working her courtships and ..."

The series gets much better

[Sarah-jean]

Have started the Graceling series, I love it so far.

Have also started Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, the magic is really cool - and a strong female lead too - I recommend it, although the third book doesn't come out till next year.

[Ashley]

I've not yet read all the previous responses, so do forgive if I'm repeating. I really liked The Godspeaker Trilogy by Karen Miller! Fantasy with strong, AMAZING female leads! I think you will like it :)