What to read after Tamora Pierce?

[Ashley]

Also, as Tamora Pirce is here on goodreads, I sometimes go check out what she has rated/reviewed. I've found some really great books that way! HTH

[Ellsie]

I suggest the Eon duology. I just finished the first book and loved it. A mon avis, it was like mulan meets the song of the lioness series meets the harry potter series.

[Clare]

Seconding Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, and I'd also recommend her first series, a duology starting with [Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer].

Also maybe check out Sarah Rees Brennan's [The Demon's Lexicon] trilogy, YA urban fantasy with demons and evil sorcerers and stuff.

I'd also like to put in a plug for Monica Furlong's not-nearly-popular-enough Wise Child trilogy.

Also seconding all the Robin McKinley.

[Rachel]

Enjoy :)

[Sparrowlicious]

Did anyone say The Bone Doll's Twin yet?
Actually features a main character who gets the appearance of her male dead twin by magic so that her uncle won't kill her because of throne inheritance reasons.
It's a trilogy, btw.

[Nicky]

Melissa wrote: "I loved the Tortall series and pretty much anything by Tamora Pierce, so what do I read that I will enjoy as much as the Totall books? I really enjoy fantasy and historical fiction with strong fema..."

I feel the same way! I fell in love with all the Tamora Pierce books and am always looking for similar ones that have kick-ass female characters. (In fact I have an entire shelf dedicated to these!)
Here are some of my newer favorites that I have found: Susan Ee (Angelfall) Tracey Ward (Writing on the Wall series), Ann Aguirre (Enclave and the Sirantha Jax series is great too but focuses on a more grown-up character), and Amanda Hocking (all of her series are fantastic but I especially love the zombie apocalypse series The Hollows).
Hope this helps! I'm going to sift through this list for recs of my own. Happy reading!

[Annie]

Emily wrote: "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 ..."
they are very similar, though rangers apprentice is a much easier read

[Evelyn]

Thank you, I have not read Tanya Huff. I have read the other authors you suggested. I will give Tanya a try. Appreciate the suggestion.

[Michelle]

A College of Magics is a GREAT read if you want a heroine story. I loved it.

[chaos]

If you're looking for fantasy with: great setting, diverse and multi-dimensional characters (female characters--lots of them!), and an engaging plot (plots?), I recommend Catherine M. Wilson's trilogy --When Women Were Warriors--

"The Warrior's Path" (#1)
"A Journey of the Heart" (#2)
"A Hero's Tale" (#3)

[Valerie]

Shannon Hale is amazing (: Try her Princess Academy trilogy!

[Mouse]

Juliet Marillier, Patricia Wrede, Robin Mckinely!

[Annie]

So because this Discussion is so messy, I thought I would just put all of the book suggestions onto one comment. The problem was that there are many different books by each of the authors, so I have organized all of the authors that have been listed thus far. If there is a new author or book, please keep it organized so that it will be easier to read in the future. Thanks fellow Tamora Fans. : )


Here they are:


A
A. C. Gaughen
Alan Bradley's;
Alex Flinn
Alison Goodman
Ally Carter
Amanda Hocking
Amelia-Atwater Rhodes's
Ann Aguirre
Anne McCaffrey,
Anne Osterlund

B
Brandon Sanderson

C
Carole Wilkenson
Caroline Stevermer
Carrie Vaughn
Catherine M. Wilson's
Cinda Williams Chima

D
Dawn Cook
Diana Gabaldon
Diana Wynne Jones

E
Eileen Wilks
Eilis O'neal
Elizabeth Moon
Elizabeth Bunce

G
G. P. Taylor
Garth Nix
Gary Paulsen
George R.R. Martin

H
Holly Black,


I
Ian Irvine
Isobelle Carmody


J
Jacqueline Carey
Jamie McGuire
Jane Lindskold
Jane Yolen
Janette Rallison
Janni Lee Simner
Jean Auel
Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Jennifer Roberson
Jessica Day George
John Flanagan
Juliet Marrilier
JV Jones-

K
Karen Miller
Kate Forsyth
Kristen Cashore
Kristin Britain

L
L.A. Meyer's
Laini Taylor's
Laurence Yep
Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty
Llod Alexander
Lyon Flewelling

M
Maria V. Snyder
Mary Hoffman
Megan Whalen Turner
Melina Marchetta
Melissa Mar
Mercedes Lackey
Michael Scott
Moira Katson
Moira Young
Moria J Moore
Monica Furlong

N
N.M. Browne,
Naomi Lane
Neil Gaiman
Nevada Barr's

P
Pamela Dean
Paolini
Patricia A. McKillip
Patricia Briggs
Patricia C. Wrede
Patrick Rothfuss
Philip Pullman

R
Rachel E Carter
Rae Carson
Robin LaFevers
Robin McKinley

S
Sara Douglass
Sarah J Maas
Sarah Raasch
Scott Westerfeld
Shannon Hale
Sharon Shinn
Sherwood Smith
Susan Fletcher
Stuart Hill
Susan Cooper
Susan Ee
Suzanne Collins

T
Tanith Lee
Tanya Huff
Tara K. Harper,
Tracey Ward
Trudy Canavan

U
Ursula Le Guin's

[Sara]

I agree with Katherine about Robin McKinley (I would recommend "The Blue Sword" first) and Haniccol about Anne McCaffrey- Pern:Harper Hall trilogy (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger and Dragondrums.) They are both very similar to Tamora Pierce. I would also recommend the Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. SO GOOD! Poison Study is the first book and it is my favorite. Yelena is a strong female lead character who has magic and learns to kick butt. Another, series I would recommend is the Ranger's Apprentice series. It doesn't have a female lead character, but it does have strong female characters in it. None of the books I'm recommending have bad language or explicit sex.

[Mette]

Oh great thread, I really need something after Tamora and it's so hard to find! Just want to add some of my own favourites:
The Earthsea quartet by Ursula Le Guin is really good however the main caracter is male. The Marmawell triology by Martine Bates has a good magic feel and a strong female main caracter.
The Stone and the flute by Hans Bemmann also male main, but the story is great and the magic beautifull.

[Michelle]

Not sure if this has been previously recalled, but I just remembered the Wind on Fire trilogy by William Nicholson. Great reads.

[Rach]

Some fabulous suggestions here. Definitely a few for me to add to my reading list!
Another series I think Pierce fans would enjoy is The Others by Anne Bishop. It starts with Written in Red. It's on an epic scale and will definitely draw you into the world she's created!

[Wardah]

Me too, I was going to suggest it too, After reading Heralds of Valdemar, I realized that they are quite similar, and though Heralds was published first, I can't help but think Green Rider is better

[Wardah]

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 are fa..."
You should definitely try The Circle series, It is epic

[Kaegan]

Jeanette wrote: "Try Graceling. Also a terrific strong female. Mercedes Lackey has many trilogies set in a place called Haven. Many of her books also follow that pattern. I would start with Arrows flight."

I was also going to recommend Graceling. Excellent series. :)

[Mary]

It makes me happy that so many Pierce fans have found and love Kristin Cashore already. Graceling is phenomenal, and the sequels, Fire and Bitterblue, are really important additions to YA fantasy.

There's an even more recent trilogy that I'd like to mention: The Winner's Curse/The Winner's Crime/The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski. It's most closely related to Aly's books (Trickster's Choice, Trickster's Queen) in terms of themes and complexity. Complex character development and meaningful exploration of colonialism/imperialism.

Then there's Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, a really beautiful and original take on dragon fantasy.

The newest author I'm excited about is Intisar Khanani, who's published the standalone Thorn and started the series Sunbolt. Both are incredible.

[Miki]

I find the Ranger's Apprentice series a good read similar to Tamora's series'.

[Joanna]

This list makes me so happy! I'm rereading all the Pierce books on holiday, and nothing else seems to have quite the same feel, or the vivid humorous characters

[Kelli]

Green Rider This was an excellent book that I was introduced to. Absolutely love it!

[isa]

Anyone knows of books with a similar romance as Numair and Daine? They're one of my favourite book couples.

[Zoë]

isa wrote: "Anyone knows of books with a similar romance as Numair and Daine? They're one of my favourite book couples."

I think it depends what aspect of their romance you especially like. If it's the student/teacher aspect then you may like UPROOTED by Naomi Novik (although this is adult fantasy, and the male character in that is not at all nice to the heroine at first, so it's unlike N&D in that way). If it's Numair's gentleness & kindness toward Daine, and the age difference, you might (sorry for the plug!) like BAREFOOT ON THE WIND by - er - me? If you like the way that Daine is talented and clever and stands up for what's right - and Numair sort of has to run around after her trying to stop everything going BOOM - you might like CROWN DUEL/COURT DUEL by Sherwood Smith.

[Jayne]

Melissa mcshane’s crown series starting with servant of the crown!

[Race]

This is what I love about the internet... about two and a half years since the last post and this thread is EXACTLY what I was looking for today!!!

I've read virtually all of Tamora Pierce's books and am always eagerly awaiting her next one...

BUT... there are still a lot of authors in this thread I haven't read. I've been looking for something to read that isn't rereading one of my favorites for a while, so finding this thread has been a Godsend!

After going through this thread (and finding SEVERAL new authors I want to check out... Mercedes Lackey's Arrow trilogy first!) I wanted to contribute based on what I've read (and reread until I know plotlines by heart...) so others can enjoy them too.

Here's a list of the authors and sets I HAVE read and feel they are definitely in the running for That Next Good Book To Read After Tamora Pierce for those who haven't. I know many of these have been suggested already but hopefully this will give someone new to this thread a great starting spot...

Just to make sure we're on the same page, I'll list all of Tamora's books first...

----------
Tamora Pierce (in some semblance of order)

Alanna the Lioness -
The First Adventure
In the Hand of the Goddess
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Lioness Rampant

Dane the Wild Mage (The Immortals) -
Wild Magic
Wolf Speaker
Emperor Mage
The Realms of the Gods

Keladry the Protector of the Small -
First Test
Page
Squire
Lady Knight

Aly the Daughter of the Lioness -
Tricksters Choice
Tricksters Queen

Numair Chronicles -
Tempests and Slaughter

Beka Cooper Provost's Dog -
Terrier
Bloodhound
Mastiff

Tortall and Other Lands (short stories, several set in Tortall)

Circle of Magic -
Sandry's Book
Tris' Book
Daja's Book
Briar's Book

The Circle Opens -
Magic Steps (Sandry)
Street Magic (Briar)
Cold Fire (Daja)
Shatterglass (Tris)

The Circle Reforged series-
The Will of the Empress
Melting Stones
Battle Magic

-----------
Kristin Cashore - Graceling series
Graceling
Fire
Bitterblue
Winterkeep

---------
Anne McCaffery - Harper Hall trilogy
Dragonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums

---------
Maria V. Snyder - Chronicles of Ixia
-
Poison Study Series-
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
-
Glass Study Series-
Storm Glass
Sea Glass
Spy Glass
-
Soulfinder Series- (aka 4, 5 and 6 in the Poison Study series)
Shadow Study
Night Study
Dawn Study

---------
Kristen Britain - Green Rider series
Green Rider
First Rider's Call
The High King's Tomb
Blackveil
Mirror Sight
Firebrand
Winterlight (9/7/21)

---------
Michelle Sagara West - Chronicles of Elantra

Cast in Shadow
Cast in Courtlight
Cast in Secret
Cast in Moonlight (short story in Harvest Moon anthology)
Cast in Fury
Cast in Silence
Cast in Chaos
Cast in Ruin
Cast in Peril
Cast in Sorrow
Cast in Flame
Cast in Honor
Cast in Flight
Cast in Deception
Cast in Oblivion
Cast in Wisdom
Cast in Conflict (6/29/21)

----------
Moira J Moore Triple S Series-
Resenting the Hero
The Hero Strikes Back
Heroes Adrift
Heroes At Risk
Heroes Return
Heroes at Odds
Heroes' Reward

------------
Laini Taylor -
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Night of Cake and Puppets (short story)
Days of Blood and Starlight
Dreams of Gods and Monsters

---------
Suzanne Collins Hunger Games-
Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay

---------
Trudi Canavan Black Magician Series-
The Magician's Guild
The Novice
The High Lord
The Magician's Apprentice (prequel)

-------------
Caitlin Brennan White Magic Series-
The Mountain's Call
The Song of Unmaking
Shattered Dance

----------
Ok... I've got a baker's dozen of other series/authors in the paranormal/magic/fantasy genres I've enjoyed like Cate Tiernan, Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels and Sweep series, PC Cast, Deborah Harkness, Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson series, Carrie Vaughn Kitty Norvell series, Kim Harrison, Laurell K Hamilton >early< Anita Blake, Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse series, Liz Braswell Nine Lives of Chloe King trilogy, Richelle Mead Vampire Academy and spinoff series (until she got tired of writing them... lol) as well as her Dark Swan and Georgina Kincaid series.

However, the ones above are the ones that, to me, hit closest to Ms. Pierce's character and world-building styles.

[Susan]

Grateful for all these suggestions. As a librarian let me add a few more names not mentioned in earlier posts.

For children :
Heartseeker (and it's sequel) by Beatty, Melinda *about a girl who can tell when people are lying
The Castle Behind Thorns by Haskell, Merrie
Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac
Red : The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Shurtliff, Liesl

For Young Adults :
Life as We Knew It by Pfeffer, Susan Beth *first in a series of what disasters would befall when the moon is knocked into a closer orbit
The Girl of Fire and Thorns *first in a series by Carson, Rae
The Healer's Apprentice by Dickerson, Melanie *historical Christian fiction lightly based on fairy tales

[Shoshanna]

Fantasy that i enjoyed:

Meridian, by Barbara Kesel
Mystic, by Ron Marz (adult mature, briefly in spots)

Both are adventurous in their own way. Each woman gets powers. Meridian is a floating world, while the other one is about magic - her sister has powers.

Hope you enjoy them as much as i have :)