So You Liked Shadow and Bone

As we’re coming toward the end of May, I realized that I never did a So You Liked post for this month! Which may be some of the more time consuming posts that I write, but I love them. Reader’s Advisory is one of my favorite aspects of my job, and writing these posts actually helps with that! At least, when I’m on the teen side of things. With the popularity of the new show, I decided to focus on Shadow and Bone today!

Funny story about that: when I was on the desk at work, someone came up looking for the next book in this series, and they were impressed I knew exactly what they were talking about. It just goes to show that I definitely know my stuff! Anyway, if you’ve already marathoned the show and the books, check out these books to read next! They’re perfect if you like Shadow and Bone or any of the follow up series (Six of Crows or King of Scars).

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Shadow and Bone Read-A-Likes

Looking for a girl who’s ready to save the world?

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

When Deka’s blood is found to be impure, she knows she’s bound for death. However, a mysterious stranger shows up and offers her a chance to be a warrior. Little does she know all the secrets her world is hiding. Deka is a fierce protagonist, and like Alina, she grows into her powers.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal 

Zafira braves the forest, pretending to be a man in order to keep her family safe. Nasir is the country’s most feared assassin–and its prince. The two go on a quest to retrieve an artifact that will bring back magic forever. Zafira is ready to do whatever it takes to defend her family. She’s ready to save the world.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Katsa is a Graceling, a person who is born with an extreme skill. Her’s just happens to be able to kill a man with her bare hands. When she uncovers a secret about the kingdom with Po, a Graced foreign prince, it might be up to her to save the kingdom. This fits into earlier YA, but still holds up today! It’s a whole new world to dive into.

Maybe you want more of a mythology feel.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she goes undercover with the resistance to the Empire to get him back. It’s there she meets Elias–the Empire’s best soldier. But he has a secret too. He doesn’t want to be a soldier anymore. This is one of my favorite fantasy series, and bonus! All the books are out now, so you can marathon them all.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

All her life, Tarisai has wondered what it would be like to be a part of a real family. She’s grown up in isolation with an absent mother known as The Lady. When Tarisai is sent away to be a part of the Crown Prince’s Council, she just has one order: to assassinate the prince. A unique fantasy, filled with mythology, magic, and great characters. Read it before the sequel comes out this August!

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

In the Russian wilderness, winter is long and dark. When Vasya’s father remarries and her stepmother tries to change their village ways, Vasya knows she’ll have to pull upon her concealed power to save them from demons. If you like the Slavic feel of Shadow and Bone, you’ll definitely fall in love with this story.

Perhaps you want a heist novel instead!

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Séverin Montagnet-Alarie lives in Paris in 1889. When he’s asked to help the Order of Babel on a mission, he’s offered something in exchange: his true inheritance. In order to find the artifact needed, Séverin puts together a team of experts to explore the heart of Paris. If you like the group dynamic in Six of Crows, you’ll get the same feel in this book.

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

Ancient prophecies rule the city of Eldra. Cassa is determined to fight back against the council that uses these prophecies to keep their power. But she can’t do it without the help of her friends. This book isn’t quite a heist, but it is about a group working together against a larger power.

City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

After fleeing the Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother are trying to rebuild their life. When her mother is found dead in the study of her employer, Tina is led into a life of crime working for a gang called the Goondas. It’s a job with them that will let her get the vengeance she’s been waiting for. Not quite fantasy, but it has that high stakes thrill you get from Six of Crows!

Do you want something that features conflict between kingdoms?

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

Jazmyne and Iraya are sworn enemies. Jazmyne is the queen’s daughter, and Iraya has been in prison for years. However, in order for Jazmyne to be able to take the crown, she’ll need Iraya’s help. We love a good story where enemies have to work together in order to both get what they want. The tension between Jazmyne and Iraya’s countries feels similar to what happens in Ravka.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

After a vengeful spirit abducts his sister, Malik has to disguise himself as a prince in the Solstasia festival competition. In order to get his sister back, he has to assassinate Karina, the Crown Princess. But what happens when there’s a spark between them? There’s a lot to love in this book, from the characters to the world building. Plus, the sequel also comes out this August!

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Annie and Lee are living in a world after a brutal revolution upended the status quo. They’re both training to be dragonriders, which now everyone has the opportunity to do. But when some key players from the old regime resurface, Annie and Lee have to make a stand. The sequel to this one just came out, and I can’t wait to read it!

Or maybe you’re in it for the romance.

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens

After spending most of his life in the palace to hide his magic, Prince Tal is ready to see the kingdom in his coming-of-age tour. However, the tour goes terribly wrong after Tal gets captured. And the only one who can save him is a strange boy he tried to save. While the world-building in this isn’t quite on par with Bardugo’s, the romance definitely is. Swoonworthy for sure!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude and her sisters have lived in the High Court of Faerie since Jude was seven years old. All Jude wants is to belong there, to be one of them. In order to win her place at court, she must defy Prince Cardan, the one fey she hates the most. Definitely enemies to lovers vibes, with that dark romance you get from Alina and the Darkling in Shadow and Bone.

Crier’s War by Nina Varela

The Automae rule the kingdom of Rabu after a brutal war. Ayla is a human servant, desperate to get her revenge. When she’s assigned to Crier, the ruler’s daughter, now is her chance. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love. Another enemies to lovers, but with a more unique feel from the other books. But there’s still that forbidden element!