Here are 10 books that Blood Over Bright Haven fans have personally recommended if you like Blood Over Bright Haven. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of A Deadly Education

A. F. E. Smith Author Of Dawn Rising

From A. F. E.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author STEM editor Bird nerd Chocolate addict Slightly incompetent artist

A. F. E.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024

A. F. E. Smith Why A. F. E. loves this book

I read all three books in Naomi Novik's Scholomance trilogy this year (A Deadly Education is the first). I was drawn in by the wonderfully sarcastic protagonist, Galadriel (El). She's determined to remain good despite her immense aptitude towards becoming a dark and powerful sorceress in the 'all shall love me and despair' vein, but that doesn't mean she has to suffer fools gladly. And I was kept immersed by the Scholomance itself - a school for magical children that kills a good percentage of them - as well as a plot that, as it unfolded over the three books, turned out to be both darker and cleverer than I had realised. An absolutely fantastic read in all senses of the word.

By Naomi Novik ,

Why should I read it?

16 authors picked A Deadly Education as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Enter a school of magic unlike any you have ever encountered.

There are no teachers, no holidays, friendships are purely strategic, and the odds of survival are never equal. Once you're inside, there are only two ways out: you graduate or you die.

El Higgins is uniquely prepared for the school's many dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out untold millions - never mind easily destroy the countless monsters that prowl the school.

Except, she might accidentally kill all the other students, too. So El is trying…


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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

Book cover of Swordheart

cathrine

From Cathrine's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Cathrine loves this book

Liked a lot the different religions and the witty writing style

By T. Kingfisher ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Swordheart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle's estate… and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws… and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all.


Book cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl

Random Answer

From Random's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Random loves this book

A long answer would just rehash what everyone says. Bottom line it was my first foray into modern LitRPG (I think I may have read some really early LitRPG from before it being a thing...which I also really like...Quag Keep by Andre Norton back in the 70s maybe?) and turns out as a lifelong gamer (I've been playing RPGs since before DnD had editions) I really enjoy it. I have DCC to thank for turning me onto it.

By Matt Dinniman ,

Why should I read it?

112 authors picked Dungeon Crawler Carl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're…


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Book cover of The Guardian of the Palace

The Guardian of the Palace by Steven J. Morris,

The Guardian of the Palace is the first novel in a modern fantasy series set in a New York City where magic is real—but hidden, suppressed, and dangerous when exposed.

When an ancient magic begins to leak into the world, a small group of unlikely allies is forced to act…

Book cover of The Spear Cuts Through Water

Dale Stromberg Author Of Maej

From Dale's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Misfitish Stormcloudish Solitarish Word-drunk Drunk-drunk

Dale's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Dale Stromberg Why Dale loves this book

This astonishing novel is a rare treasure for any reader who loves both imaginative high fantasy and exquisite, sometimes challenging literary fiction. I read with a double sense of wonderment: at the powerful beauty of the story itself, and at the very fact that it was so powerful and beautiful. It is not often I find a book as good as this.

By Simon Jimenez ,

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked The Spear Cuts Through Water as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The people suffer under the centuries-long rule of the Moon Throne. The royal family-the despotic emperor and his monstrous sons, the Three Terrors-hold the countryside in their choking grip. They bleed the land and oppress the citizens with the frightful powers they inherited from the god locked under their palace.

But that god cannot be contained forever.

With the aid of Jun, a guard broken by his guilt-stricken past, and Keema, an outcast fighting for his future, the god escapes from her royal captivity and flees from her own children, the triplet Terrors who would drag her back to her…


Book cover of Glorious Exploits

Nicholas Jubber Author Of Monsterland

From Nicholas' 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Nicholas' 3 favorite reads in 2025

Nicholas Jubber Why Nicholas loves this book

A witty take on ancient history with the likely lads putting on a play, using their Greek captives for a cast and chatting away with lively Irish jargon that somehow works. A lot of fun.

By Ferdia Lennon ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Glorious Exploits as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2024

'One of the most original and brilliant debuts in years' Irish Times

'Bold and totally unexpected ... I was hooked from the first page' Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain

'Brilliant ... Hilarious, moving, and profound' R. F. Kuang, author of Yellowface

***

Ancient Sicily. Enter GELON: visionary, dreamer, theatre lover. Enter LAMPO: lovesick, jobless, in need of a distraction.

Imprisoned in the quarries of Syracuse, thousands of defeated Athenians hang on by the thinnest of threads.

They're fading in the baking heat, but not everything is lost:…


Book cover of Chrysalis

Alexis Cerritos

From Alexis' 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Alexis loves this book

I really resonate with the main character, the drive to survive and make the best of a terrible situation. They died, in an awful circumstance, and were reborn into a world of danger, and never skipped a beat. I see them, and what they go on to accomplish, the family they cultivate and love, as aspirational.

By RinoZ ,

Why should I read it?

28 authors picked Chrysalis as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Anthony has been reborn! . Placed into the remarkable game-like world of Pangera.. But something seems a little off... What's with these skills? Bite? Dig?. Wait..... He's been reborn as a WHAT?!. Follow Anthony as he attempts to adjust to his new life as an ant in his new Dungeon home. He'll have to learn how to survive, level-up, and grow both himself and his bite-sized colony into a force to be reckoned with.. Experience the start of a hit monster-evolution LitRPG series with nearly 30 Million views on Royal Road, making it one of the most popular web serials…


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Book cover of Oaky With a Hint of Murder

Oaky With a Hint of Murder by Dawn Brotherton,

Aury and Scott travel to the Finger Lakes in New York’s wine country to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings at the Songscape Winery. Disturbed furniture and curious noises are one thing, but when a customer winds up dead, it’s time to dig into the details and see…

Book cover of The Raven Scholar

A. F. E. Smith Author Of Dawn Rising

From A. F. E.'s 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author STEM editor Bird nerd Chocolate addict Slightly incompetent artist

A. F. E.'s 3 favorite reads in 2025

A. F. E. Smith Why A. F. E. loves this book

I loved everything about this book! The detailed and immersive world, the gripping and twisty plot, the fantastic characters. This is epic fantasy as it should be done. I can't wait for book 2!

By Antonia Hodgson ,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Raven Scholar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth.

'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW
'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS
'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.

After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete…


Book cover of Story of a Murder

H. J. Reynolds Author Of Without a Shadow

From H.'s 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

H.'s 3 favorite reads in 2025

H. J. Reynolds Why H. loves this book

My new obsession is reading Hallie Rubenhold books. She's incredible at giving a voice to the women in history who have been overlooked and wronged by time. This latest novel is another fascinating read that flips the narrative on a murderer who was not particularly clever or justified in his crimes, though sickeningly he was romanticised even in his own lifetime.

I've read some criticism that this book doesn't deal with a grizzly or interesting enough subject, but really you have to be seriously desensitized to think this way. The man killed his first wife with repeated forced surgeries, and cut his second wife into pieces, even removing the bones so she would be the least human possible. He was a monster and Rubenhold lays bare his incompetence and callousness.

The book also goes into interesting details on how technology played its part in catching the murderer and shines a…

By Hallie Rubenhold ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Story of a Murder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

The new page-turning, feminist retelling of the historical true-crime story of infamous wife-murderer Dr Crippen, brought to justice by an extraordinary group of women.

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING, SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR OF TRUE CRIME SENSATION THE FIVE: THE WOMEN KILLED BY JACK THE RIPPER, WINNER OF THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION.
___________

'Thoughtful, humane, gripping. The kind of popular history you devour in one sitting' Sunday Times, Dominic Sandbrook

'A finely layered portrait of a hypocritical Edwardian society' Financial Times

'An exceptional achievement. I was gripped from the very first page' The…


Book cover of Atmosphere

Lisa Darcy Author Of Lily's Little Flower Shop

From Lisa's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Cat lover Traveler Reader Amateur tennis player Foodie

Lisa's 3 favorite reads in 2025

Lisa Darcy Why Lisa loves this book

I didn’t expect to fall head over heels for 'Atmosphere' because - astronauts, space, stars, astronomy, but I did!
Taylor Jenkins Reid is such a gifted writer and master at creating compelling, believable characters. I was completely drawn into this incredibly space (love) story.

By Taylor Jenkins Reid ,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked Atmosphere as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

The stunning hardcover of Atmosphere features beautiful endpapers and a premium dust jacket!

“Thrilling . . . heartbreaking . . . uplifting . . . the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of one ambitious young woman, finding both her voice and her passion.”—Kristin Hannah,…


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Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of In Ice We Steel

cathrine

From Cathrine's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Cathrine loves this book

Characters, the heist, the rebellion unfolding on the background, POVs on the different sides of the struggle, loved it all, can’t wait to see what’s next

By Ayleen K. Kyrstin ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked In Ice We Steel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Rebellions aren't born. They are forged.

On Kerti Island, where knowledge is scarce and belongs solely to the regime, Zea is a Truth Seeker: scholar, polymath, advisor, prisoner—born and raised to serve. But she is done serving. Her fate will be hers to decide. And her plan might just be the spark that ignites a revolution.

Ax, a thief, doesn't care about rebellion—only money. But what if even the right price can't buy freedom under tyranny?

Veyre, a soldier, is sworn to uphold order, hunting down rebels without question. But can she keep her honor when the orders no longer…


Book cover of A Deadly Education
Book cover of Swordheart
Book cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl

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