Similar to Naomi Novik

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What can you recommend? I’ve just read Deadly Education and want more like that. I loved uprooted and spinning silver. Not keen on the dragon series (just don’t like dragons, not sure why!). I also like robin hobb and Ursula le guin. So probably something written by a woman with lots of action and a little romance, but smart and not too dark. I’ve read most trudi canavan already. Not quite as keen on it as novik’s stuff, lacks a bit of humour!

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden I really enjoyed.

Came on here to see the recommendations as I loved the Temerarie (sp?) dragon series! And wasn't a huge fan of uprooted! But looking forward to seeing what others suggest.

The last fantasy funny books I liked was the Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London series and Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith. Not sure if this is the same but I'm enjoying Eva St John The Fabergé Egg.

Shoot I didn't see the 'written by a woman' part but except Ben Aaronovitch the others I suggested are by women with female main protagonist. Library of the Unwritten I thought bridged the funny/action / not really romance thing well! I can't wait for the sequel.

I've just finished Spinning Silver - it was great, wasn't it!

I also liked Juliet Marillier -start with the Seven Waters book.

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series is fab even though it's on the dark side. The dark and filthy side 😁

And have to recommend Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind books even though they're written by a bloke

Oh I have just finished Deadly Education too.

I second Katherine Arden, that's a lovely series.

Have you read The Night Circus? The Binding? The Invisible Library? The Mercies?

I really like Juliet Marillier but she does get a bit long-winded at times and most of her books follow a certain formula. I did enjoy Daughter of the Forest and Heart's Blood.

I thought Deadly Education was months away still so thank you!

Diana Wynne Jones's books for adults tick all the same boxes for me, especially Deep Secret. I'm just starting to get into Kate Elliott too - loved Black Wolves but maybe don't start there as it's the first in a series and there's some kind of contractual holdup with the next one.

Fantastic, thanks everyone, loads I’ve never even heard of so lots of happy amazon browsing to look forward to!

raspberry you’re welcome! Though I kind of wish I hadn’t read it until the next one was close to being published. Not great at waiting!

Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series is good. I’d also recommend Melissa Caruso’s Swords and Fire trilogy. Both fit the ‘action with a little romance’ requirement!

Thanks Ellie! I’ll add them to the list!

Written by a woman - Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Diana Wynne Jones, also Rachel Neumeier's Griffin trilogy and Katherine Addison's Goblin Emperor

Naomi Novak’s non-dragon books have a combination of lightness of touch, but a serious edge.

Books which might fit the bill.

Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns.

Charlotte English - all of her series.

Robin McKinley - she’s strictly speaking advertised as a YA writer, but don’t let that put you off.

The Five Gods books, starting with The Curse of Chalion by Lous McMaster Bujold.

Garth Nix maybe.

Amanda Hemingway’s Greenstone Grail and her alter ego Jan Siegal’s Prospero’s Children. They’re older books, but I think still in print.

Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks, which has just been republished.

Some of Diana Wynne Jones books for older readers, such as Fire and Hemlock.

Vivian Shaw’s Greta Helsing books.

Lois McMaster Bujold - she writes both SF and fantasy.

Jo Walton

Just adding, there is a dragon in The Invisible Library......but a good one!

I love Lois McMaster Bujold.

I’ve just finished a couple of new-to-me authors who might fit the bill.

The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson and Dawn’s Promise by AW Exley. Both beautifully written and deftly paced. I think the best fantasy books I’ve read in ages.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I’ve now read the Katherine Arden trilogy, all the Invisible Library books published so far (just about managed to stomach the dragons, though they’re not as much fun as the fae!), and the Quantum Curators book. This is starting to get expensive! But they’ve been perfect escapism for the evenings, so thanks everyone. Have dutifully downloaded samples of all the rest mentioned and look forward to working my way through them.

How about Holly Black’s Kind/Prince/Wuern trilogy? (She co-wrote the Spiderwick chronicles a way back.)

This is about sisters discovering the eldest is of Fae blood and the birth father comes and claims them all.

Argh! King/Prince/Queen trilogy. I really should pay attention.

I loved Novik and Arden.

DWJ’s Charmed Life and Howl’s Moving Castle on the lighter side

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell if you’re up for more of a challenge.

Ooh more for the list thanks! This is definitely getting very expensive now haha. I’ve just read the two Margaret Rogerson books. They were both enjoyable but preferred Sorcery of Thorns. I’ve read Jonathan Strange, ages ago though when it first came out.

Thank you for the Lois McMaster Bujold recommendation. How have I never heard of her?! Reading the first Five Gods book and it’s absolutely brill. I’ve got that nice feeling when you discover a new fave author with a huge back catalogue to explore.

I am interested to see Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters series mentioned here and have also seen it recommend on another page recently. The first three books are available on an Audible 3 for 2 and I have a few credits. Should I or will I hold out for the paperbacks?