Here are 94 books that Crucible of Lies fans have personally recommended if you like Crucible of Lies. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Real Magic: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, and a Guide to the Secret Power of the Universe

Yvonne Patricia Chireau Author Of Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition

From my list on for beginners who want to practice real magic, folk magic, and Hoodoo.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been studying American styles of magic for more than 30 years. Having received a Ph.D. in Religious Studies, I have explored the idea of magic as a natural counterpart to both religious thought and scientific theory. After teaching courses on this subject to college undergraduates, I recommend these books based on what I have found to be the favorites of students and peers as the most accessible, enjoyable, and practical sources for beginners.

Yvonne's book list on for beginners who want to practice real magic, folk magic, and Hoodoo

Yvonne Patricia Chireau Why Yvonne loves this book

This is the best book on magic for skeptics and modern, rationally-minded readers. The author, who has a Ph.D. in Psychology, argues that magic can be verified and explained scientifically without all of the “woo-woo” that often requires an extra leap of faith for beginning practitioners. Magic is a natural aspect of reality, and each of us can tap into it skills and techniques with practice and persistence. The book provides a brief history of magic and offers a guide with exercises that one can do to strengthen mental and practical abilities.

By Dean Radin ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Real Magic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) turns a critical eye toward such practices as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and psychokinesis. Are such powers really possible? Science says yes.

According to noted scientist and bestselling author of The Conscious Universe, Dean Radin, magic is a natural aspect of reality, and each of us can tap into this power with diligent practice.

But wait, aren't things like ESP and telepathy just wishful thinking and flights of the imagination? Not according to the author, who worked on the US government's top secret psychic espionage program known as Stargate. Radin has…


If you love Crucible of Lies...

Book cover of Dead Lake

Dead Lake by Miranda Kate,

An eviction. A stolen gemstone. a hidden network. Will retrieving her precious obsidian get Tricky killed?

After her cottage is ransacked, new-age witch Tricky knows she’s been targeted by the district. Now she must use her magical ability to discover who stole her prized gemstone—and what they’re plotting.

Book cover of Let it All Burn: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel

Kate Moseman Author Of Silver Spells

From my list on finding magic at midlife.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved fantasy books with female main characters, but as I’ve grown older, it’s been difficult to find contemporary women’s fantasy with main characters over the age of thirty-five. So when I discovered paranormal women’s fiction, a new genre label for stories of midlife women with magic, I was instantly hooked. I read everything I could get my hands on. After that, I was so inspired that I decided to write a contemporary fantasy series of my own, one in which every protagonist was a woman over the age of forty.

Kate's book list on finding magic at midlife

Kate Moseman Why Kate loves this book

Once you read the opening scene where a Tupperware party hilariously goes up in flames, you won't be able to stop reading. 

Author Denise Grover Swank is best known for her women's fiction, and her experience in crafting realistic characters and relationships shines in this book. This book is the whole package of fun and magic. 

Let It All Burn also helped inspire the elemental magic in my own book!

By Denise Grover Swank ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Let it All Burn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Born In Fire

AK Nevermore Author Of Flame & Shadow

From my list on urban fantasies for snark and sass.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love reading about strong main characters stuck in lousy situations that they have to pull up their big girl panties to get out of. I want a read where no one follows the rules, come what may. Wit and clever dialog are definitely one of the things that keep me reading. And all of the books on this list have that in spades.

AK's book list on urban fantasies for snark and sass

AK Nevermore Why AK loves this book

K.F. Breene is one of those authors that once you read one of her books, you need to binge on the rest. Her heroines are strong, sassy, deeply flawed, and honestly don’t give a crap.

The dialogue in these is great, and there are laugh-out-loud moments that keep you turning pages.

By K.F. Breene ,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Heart pounding and laugh out loud funny, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author K.F. Breene will take you on a magical joy ride you won’t soon forget.

Supernatural Bounty Hunter isn’t the sort of thing you see on LinkedIn. But with a rare type of magic like mine, I don’t have many options.

So dangerous or not, the job is mine. And it was going fine, until an old as sin vampire stole my mark, and with it, my pay day.

Knowing I’m poor and desperate, he has offered me a job. I’ll have to work by his side to help…


If you love Mitchell Hogan...

Book cover of Dead Lake

Dead Lake by Miranda Kate,

An eviction. A stolen gemstone. a hidden network. Will retrieving her precious obsidian get Tricky killed?

After her cottage is ransacked, new-age witch Tricky knows she’s been targeted by the district. Now she must use her magical ability to discover who stole her prized gemstone—and what they’re plotting.

Book cover of Blood Feud

James L.P. Thompson Author Of Voidoxity: The Eternal King

From my list on realms of magic, mystery, and monsters.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a Canadian author and artist that loves to write and draw the darker side of fantasy. Ever since I was a child, I have adored mythology, horror, and the creatures and worlds that are present within the fantasy genre. The world of fantasy has unlimited imagination, and its lore and structure grow constantly, which gives endless ideas to us writers to create endless brilliant realms and the creatures that dwell within them.

James' book list on realms of magic, mystery, and monsters

James L.P. Thompson Why James loves this book

The Tekken fighting game franchise has always been an inspiration to me. When this comic book series came out, I was beyond thrilled, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Tekken is a series about a family battle between a son, father, and grandfather, all possessing a form of cursed bloodline and the desire for power and to become the best there is within a fighting tournament. This book and its visuals helped me finalize some of the character aspects within my first novel and helped me picture fight scenes being more powerful and ferocious. I recommend this book and its series to any who likes fantasy-like fights and fighting games/books.

By Cavan Scott , Andie Tong (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blood Feud as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Based upon the biggest fighting videogame franchise of all time, Titan Comics/Bandai Namco's brand new TEKKEN comic series brings the fight right to the page in a bid to determine the true King of the Iron Fist! With a history colored by betrayal and bloody violence, the Mishima Clan are not your average family. Now something emerges that threatens to tear not only this broken dynasty but the entire known universe - asunder!


Book cover of The Bands of Mourning

Katelyn Yates Author Of Mad Marienne

From my list on YA steampunk novels with a dash of fantasy.

Why am I passionate about this?

Steampunk has always been a fascinating genre to me, especially seeing how different creators play with historical elements. But the question that I’m always looking to answer is, “Why is this history different from our own?” What has allowed this alternate Victorian era to create fantastical technology? As I asked this question about my own steampunk books, I found great delight in how other authors have combined magic with their technology to create delightfully refreshing outcomes. I continue to search out these books as I am always surprised at their creativity and novelty.

Katelyn's book list on YA steampunk novels with a dash of fantasy

Katelyn Yates Why Katelyn loves this book

This is my favorite of the Wax and Wayne series! Not only do the characters really work together in ways we haven’t seen before, but the treasure-seeking adventure gripped me tight and wouldn’t let me go. I could not put the book down; from train-top fights to secret base infiltrations, to ancient booby-traps, I was hooked the entire time.

Light humor and deep emotion in equal measure made this an entertaining read that has stuck with me more than any of the other books in the series.

By Brandon Sanderson ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Bands of Mourning as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Mistborn trilogy has become a firm favourite with fantasy fans the world over. The imagination that Sanderson brought to the series and his skill at marshalling epic storylines and dramatic action, his ability to create vivid characters made him a natural choice to complete Robert Jordan's epic wheel of time sequence. But with Mistborn, Sanderson has shown his bountiful talents in his own fiction. Now he returns to the series that made his name with a new story, building on the incredible success of THE ALLOY OF LAW.

The new Mistborn books move the series into a richly imagined…


Book cover of The Door Into Fire

Robert Evert Author Of Sword of Betrayal

From my list on forgotten fantasies.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although I was part of a large family, I frequently felt alone growing up. While my siblings were busy playing sports or running around with their friends, I sat by myself in the basement, reading fantasy stories. Eventually, I began creating my own worlds and published the Riddle in Stone series and Sword of Betrayal. I suppose I’m still trying to find a place where I fit in.

Robert's book list on forgotten fantasies

Robert Evert Why Robert loves this book

The Door into Fire is the first book in the Tale of Five series by Diane Duane. Set in the Middle Kingdoms universe, it follows the adventures of a sorcerous swordsmith who is desperately trying to master the power of the blue Flame while protecting the person he loves from annihilation. The Door into Fire is saga of power, magic, and friendship readers of epic fantasies will love.

By Diane Duane ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Door Into Fire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A sorcerous swordsmith desperate to achieve true power. His stubbornly nonmagical sword. His princely runaway lover. His hungry new fire elemental. Put them all together, and what can possibly go wrong?Herewiss is the only man in centuries to possess the Power of the blue Flame, but he can’t use or control it — not even to help his friend and lover Freelorn, prince of Arlen, exiled from his native land and pursued across the Middle Kingdoms by the usurpers' allies. Invoking perilous sorceries and the even more dangerous assistance of the fire elemental Sunspark, Herewiss manages to rout the armies…


Book cover of The Return of Merlin

Jim Willis Author Of The Wizard in the Wood: A Tale of Magic, Mystery, and Meaning

From my list on magic, mystery, and meaning in 21st century lives.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an author, theologian, musician, historian, and college professor who has written more than twenty books about ancient and alternative history, religion in modern culture, and long-distance, meditative bicycling. My study of the past convinced me that modern life has, for far too many of us, grown one-dimensional. It lacks the magic and mystery that imbued the ancients with the deep and rich mythology which we inherited from them, but then allowed to grow dormant within our sheltered lives. Remembering their vision and experience is a key to restoring our own sense of self-worth and essence. Maybe we all need to meet a “Wizard in the Wood!”

Jim's book list on magic, mystery, and meaning in 21st century lives

Jim Willis Why Jim loves this book

I have been inspired by Deepak Chopra’s spiritual wisdom for more than thirty years. This is one of his rare novels, a wonderful story of time and magic. Merlin the Magician is the quintessential wizard, inspiring such modern-day spin-offs as Gandalf and Dumbledore. What would happen if he were to return today, bringing a message of earthy magic to a world of informative but increasingly sterile, materialistic science? And what if he has, indeed, done just that already?

By Deepak Chopra ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Return of Merlin as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Since the 1980s, an increasing number of black writers have begun publishing speculative-fantastic fictions such as fantasy, gothic, utopian and science fiction. Writing into two literary traditions that are conventionally considered separate -- white speculative genres and black literary-cultural traditions -- the texts integrate an African American sensibility of the past within the present, with speculative fiction's sensibility of the present within the future.

Thaler takes stock of this trend by proposing that the growing number of texts has brought forth a genre of its own. She analyzes recent fictions by Octavia E. Butler, Jewelle Gomez, and Nalo Hopkinson as…


Book cover of Chosen

Laurie Bowler Author Of The Realm of Witches

From my list on fantasy you will get lost inside of.

Why am I passionate about this?

I especially love reading fantasy stories and stories based on actual historical events. I've been an avid reader since I was a little girl; while my siblings were playing outside or inside with toys I was the one sat curled up in the corner reading. I've also worked hard and gained qualifications in creative writing. I've also had a passion for writing and have written my own fantasy novels; being an author is simply amazing because you can create characters that are unique and special as well as true to life, plus you get to create worlds that are entirely different to our own. 

Laurie's book list on fantasy you will get lost inside of

Laurie Bowler Why Laurie loves this book

Chosen is an incredible action-packed book that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. From the strong heroine, fantastic hero, and a whole group of crusaders banding together as they fight the very thought out and realistic villain. The depth of the characters is intriguing along with the way the author has set the scene throughout the story. The fight scenes are graphic which adds the extra ‘wow’ factor to the entire story. I personally loved this as a book that you can truly sit back, relax, and be pulled out of this world into the world the author has created. 

By K.F. Breene ,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

This series is what K.F. Breene does best - strong heroine, incredible hero, and a community of underdogs that never say die! Binge this completed series!

"What an incredible action packed adventure!" ★★★★★

"If you like a strong female, great plot, awesome characters, sexy alpha male who is gonna be more complex than you first thought...and a great villain. Then READ THIS SERIES. ★★★★★

It is said that when war threatens the world, one individual will be selected by prophecy to lead the Shadow Warriors out of the Land of Mist and reclaim the freedom which has been stolen.
~~…


Book cover of My Neighbor Totoro

Marisha Wojciechowska Author Of My Globetrotter Book: Paris

From my list on for globetrotter kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

My Globetrotter Book’s creative adventure originated from a deep desire to show the world to my son... I am from Quebec, Canada, but I have lived and traveled across the globe with my family for 20+ years and – so far – have lived in Montreal, Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Bangkok! I work as an international consultant on water security issues with the United Nations and other international organisations. My son has grown up, so now, I continue to inspire other kids to explore the myriad beauties and cultures of the world and, as of 2022, to "journey within" with the creation of My Bodytrotter Book.

Marisha's book list on for globetrotter kids

Marisha Wojciechowska Why Marisha loves this book

For any child who has an interest in Japan, this is a must! This Studio Ghibli animation is also delightful in its graphic novel form. Set in rural Japan, the two young sisters Satsuki and Mei meet Totoro, a magical colossal good-natured creature who lives in the trunk of a big tree. The story is infused with enchantment, humor, and childhood delight. All children deserve to have their childhood enriched with this Japanese jewel.

By Tsugiko Kubo ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Neighbor Totoro as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of Studio Ghibli's most beloved classics.

The beloved animation classic by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro, is now a novel. This edition features original illustrations by Miyazaki himself, accompanying a story by veteran children's author Tsugiko Kubo.

Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. Soon, in the woods behind their spooky old house, Satsuki and Mei discover a forest spirit named Totoro. When Mei goes missing, it's up to Satsuki to find her sister, and she'll need help from some new, and…


Book cover of Rhymes from the Wicked Nursery

Amie Irene Winters Author Of Strange Luck

From my list on brimming with magic.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an American horror and fantasy writer, addicted to reading dark fiction and Gothic literature. I’ve always loved the spookier things in life and wrote my first horror story when I was nine. When not writing books, I love breaking a sweat in Jiu-Jitsu class, baking desserts, and traveling. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have.

Amie's book list on brimming with magic

Amie Irene Winters Why Amie loves this book

Although this isn’t a novel, this poetry collection simply sounded magical with a hint of spooky – my favorite! I met J.D. Estrada years and years ago when we were both starting out. We worked together on several projects, including panel discussions and interviews about publishing and writing. He has since produced eighteen books. I need to catch up! Rhymes From the Wicked Nursery is his latest. I love that this collection focuses on poetry inspiring fear instead of relief. That in a sense is its own kind of unique magic. All in all, this is a great, quick read full of thought-provoking and fun prose that I greatly appreciated.   

By J.D. Estrada ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rhymes from the Wicked Nursery as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Rhymes from the Wicked Nursery is a poetry collection full of verses that will definitely not go gently into the night. So tuck in, keep a night light handy, and read at your own risk.

This is JD Estrada's 18th release. He really hopes it keeps you up at night while feeling bad at the things that make you giggle.


Book cover of Real Magic: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, and a Guide to the Secret Power of the Universe
Book cover of Let it All Burn: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
Book cover of Born In Fire

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