Summary: In this article, I've put together 20 books like Name of the Wind that are sure to pull you into amazing worlds and keep you hooked on epic adventures. My top 3 picks:
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
- The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington
- Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Books like Name of the Wind captivate readers with immersive worlds, complex characters, and rich magic systems. These stories often follow heroes on journeys of self-discovery, unlocking mysteries of hidden histories and realms beyond natural laws. For fans of Rothfuss, these books offer fresh adventures and deep themes of light, dark, and the thrill of the unknown.
TOP 20: best Books Similar to Name of the Wind
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
- The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington
- Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
- The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
- The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
- The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
- The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons
- Uprooted by Naomi Novik
- Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
- City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
- The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
- Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
- The Barrow by Mark Smylie
- The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley
- The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
- Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
1. The Lies of Locke Lamora
- Author: Scott Lynch
- About: Follows a witty, charming thief navigating a city of crime and intrigue.
- Style of writing: Clever, darkly humorous, gritty.
- Length: ~191,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Strong; memorable characters and intense plot twists.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It combines an elaborate heist with deep character moments, similar to the charm of Name of the Wind’s protagonist.
2. The Shadow of What Was Lost
- Author: James Islington
- About: A young man discovers his powers amidst a world of magical and political conflict.
- Style of writing: Expansive, epic, and character-focused.
- Length: ~238,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: High; themes of destiny and identity leave a lasting mark.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Fans of complex world-building and coming-of-age tales will enjoy its intricate storyline and characters.
3. Mistborn: The Final Empire
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A rebellion in a world ruled by a dark lord, featuring a unique metal-based magic system.
- Style of writing: Clear, action-packed, and structured.
- Length: ~217,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Strong; themes of hope and resilience resonate deeply.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its inventive magic system and epic scope make it perfect for fantasy lovers looking for originality.
4. The Way of Kings
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: Follows multiple characters in a vast world, each facing personal and epic challenges.
- Style of writing: Detailed, multi-layered, immersive.
- Length: ~383,000 words
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Profound; themes of sacrifice and heroism linger long after reading.
- Difficulty level: High
- Why read it: The deep world-building and memorable characters make it an incredibly rewarding read.
5. The Blade Itself
- Author: Joe Abercrombie
- About: A gritty, dark fantasy following morally ambiguous characters.
- Style of writing: Dark, sardonic, character-driven.
- Length: ~190,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: High; themes of violence and flawed heroes challenge the reader.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high
- Why read it: Its realistic take on heroes and villains provides a different perspective on fantasy tropes.
6. The Black Prism
- Author: Brent Weeks
- About: A story of magic and power struggles with a color-based magic system.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, witty, and dramatic.
- Length: ~217,000 words
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Moderate; themes of deception and power are impactful.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its unique approach to magic and action-packed plot keeps readers engaged.
7. The Bone Shard Daughter
- Author: Andrea Stewart
- About: A story of rebellion in an empire ruled by a magical “bone shard” system.
- Style of writing: Poetic, dark, and introspective.
- Length: ~140,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; themes of control and identity resonate.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: The unique magic system and complex characters make it a compelling read.
8. The Name of All Things
- Author: Jenn Lyons
- About: A richly layered fantasy about destiny, magic, and dragon lore.
- Style of writing: Intricate, descriptive, and epic.
- Length: ~208,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; themes of fate and identity make an impression.
- Difficulty level: High
- Why read it: For readers who enjoy complex plots and morally grey characters.
9. Uprooted
- Author: Naomi Novik
- About: A young woman discovers her magical talents in a village threatened by an enchanted forest.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, fairy-tale-like.
- Length: ~130,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Strong; themes of bravery and love linger.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its beautiful writing and fairy-tale elements offer a unique, enchanting story.
10. Assassin’s Apprentice
- Author: Robin Hobb
- About: The story of a royal bastard with magical abilities, trained as an assassin.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful, introspective, and character-driven.
- Length: ~116,000 words
- Year written: 1995
- Emotional impact: Profound; themes of loneliness and belonging resonate deeply.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its focus on character growth and inner struggles is deeply moving.
11. City of Stairs
- Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
- About: A murder mystery set in a city where gods once ruled but have since fallen.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, suspenseful, and richly descriptive.
- Length: ~160,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Moderate to high; themes of faith, loss, and power are thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its mix of mystery and mythology creates a unique and immersive world.
12. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
- Author: Susanna Clarke
- About: A tale of two magicians in 19th-century England exploring the boundaries of magic.
- Style of writing: Victorian, elegant, and witty.
- Length: ~298,000 words
- Year written: 2004
- Emotional impact: High; its whimsical yet haunting narrative lingers.
- Difficulty level: High
- Why read it: It’s a literary and atmospheric exploration of magic in a historical setting.
13. The Priory of the Orange Tree
- Author: Samantha Shannon
- About: An epic fantasy featuring dragons, political intrigue, and a fierce cast of female characters.
- Style of writing: Lush, expansive, and vivid.
- Length: ~297,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong; themes of courage and loyalty resonate.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A fresh take on dragon lore and a powerful, female-driven story make it a standout.
14. The Queen of the Tearling
- Author: Erika Johansen
- About: A young queen fights to reclaim her throne in a dystopian, magical world.
- Style of writing: Gritty, character-focused, with dystopian elements.
- Length: ~139,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Moderate; the queen’s personal growth and struggle are memorable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a thrilling story of personal strength, with a unique blend of fantasy and dystopia.
15. Foundryside
- Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
- About: In a world where magic is coded into reality, a thief discovers a powerful artifact.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, inventive, and clever.
- Length: ~160,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Moderate; themes of freedom and transformation are inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its unique “scriving” magic system and fast-paced heist plot make it a fun, engaging read.
16. The Barrow
- Author: Mark Smylie
- About: A dark fantasy adventure involving a deadly quest for an ancient artifact.
- Style of writing: Gritty, dark, and intense.
- Length: ~204,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: High; its intense plot and themes of mortality are gripping.
- Difficulty level: High
- Why read it: For fans of dark, adventure-laden quests with a morally ambiguous tone.
17. The Emperor’s Blades
- Author: Brian Staveley
- About: Three siblings navigate a treacherous world of politics, magic, and mystery.
- Style of writing: Action-oriented, detailed, and epic.
- Length: ~186,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Strong; themes of family and duty are impactful.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a tale of power and sacrifice, with each sibling’s journey richly interwoven.
18. The Sword of Kaigen
- Author: M.L. Wang
- About: A Japanese-inspired fantasy with themes of war, family, and self-discovery.
- Style of writing: Emotional, intense, and poetic.
- Length: ~200,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Very strong; themes of sacrifice and resilience linger.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Its intense character-driven narrative and unique cultural setting make it deeply affecting.
19. Neverwhere
- Author: Neil Gaiman
- About: A dark and whimsical journey through an underworld beneath London.
- Style of writing: Witty, surreal, and vivid.
- Length: ~98,000 words
- Year written: 1996
- Emotional impact: Moderate; it’s haunting and memorable.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: Its darkly enchanting tone and unique setting are unforgettable.
20. Spinning Silver
- Author: Naomi Novik
- About: A retelling inspired by Eastern European folklore, featuring a young woman facing magical challenges.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, fairy-tale-like, and immersive.
- Length: ~163,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High; themes of strength and survival resonate.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a beautiful reimagining of folklore with themes of empowerment and resilience.
Conclusion
If you loved Name of the Wind as much as I did, I think these 20 books offer the perfect next adventure, with new worlds and deep, complex stories to dive into. My top picks—The Lies of Locke Lamora, The Shadow of What Was Lost, and Mistborn: The Final Empire—really capture that same epic fantasy magic, with clever protagonists, intricate magic systems, and immersive plots that stay with you long after you finish. Whether you're drawn to tales of cunning thieves, epic quests, or unique magical realms, each book here promises a journey as unforgettable as Kvothe’s. Happy reading!
