Here are 43 books that The Dark Lord's Daughter fans have personally recommended if you like The Dark Lord's Daughter. 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 Wolves and Daggers

Rachanee Lumayno Author Of Heir of Amber and Fire

From Rachanee's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Rachanee's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Rachanee Lumayno Why Rachanee loves this book

A re-read of a favorite series for me. Melanie Karsak has done a fun twist on the Red Riding Hood story. And I love a good steampunk novel!

By Melanie Karsak ,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Who’s afraid of the big, bad werewolf?

On the fog-shrouded cobblestone streets of gaslamp London, Agent Clemeny Louvel is the most feared werewolf hunter. Every supernatural creature in Her Majesty’s realm knows the Red Cape Society’s relentless operative dubbed “Little Red.” When the city’s most illustrious alchemists mysteriously disappear, Clemeny is assigned to the case.

To help her get the problem in hand, Queen Victoria appoints Clemeny a temporary partner, Sir Richard Lionheart, a werewolf with a knightly history and a tendency to be far too flirtatious for either of their good.

Can Clemeny trust him to help her chase…


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Book cover of The Time-Jinx Twins

The Time-Jinx Twins by Carol Fisher Saller,

Twelve-year-old identical twins Ellie and Kat accidentally trigger their physicist mom’s unfinished time machine, launching themselves into a high-stakes adventure in 1970 Chicago. If they learn how to join forces and keep time travel out of the wrong hands, they might be able find a way home. Ellie’s gymnastics and…

Book cover of The Thread That Binds the Bones

Kelly McCullough Author Of WebMage

From my list on witty, weird, and wild rides fantasy fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

The things that I am most interested in are books that are deliciously fun to read and books that pick you up out of your comfortable chair and drag you across a fantastic landscape. What does that require? Three Ws for starters. Wit: both on the part of the characters and the author—I like smart characters, biting banter, and clever turns of phrase and story. Weird: in the sense of the unusual and mysterious—good world-building coupled with mysteries meant to be unraveled by the reader as much as by the characters. Wild: fast-paced action filled with sudden turns and unexpected drops and conversations that are three parts well-written words and two parts fencing without a blade. 

Kelly's book list on witty, weird, and wild rides fantasy fiction

Kelly McCullough Why Kelly loves this book

Nina is an absolute master of making things weird in ways that feel utterly natural to the world she’s writing. This starts on page one with ghosts hassling a school janitor about the impending death of two more students, and it never gets one bit less strange.

This is a book about living as an outcast, toxic family, homecoming, found family, and how sudden and unexpected love can be. On the wild side, it’s also about shapechangers, spellcasters of several varieties, ghosts, spirits, the Walking Dead, flying cars, and so much more. Every page is packed with magic, meaning, and the gentle wit that marks all of Nina’s work. If you haven’t read anything of hers, you’re missing out on one of the subtler masters of the genre, and I would recommend this as a great place to start.

By Nina Kiriki Hoffman ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Thread That Binds the Bones as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Tom Renfield, a drifter possessed of extraordinary powers, and Laura Bolte, the equally gifted daughter of an ancient family, are wed amid a supernatural tumult that threatens the thread that binds the bones. Original.


Book cover of Dealing with Dragons

Bruce Coville Author Of Into the Land of the Unicorns

From my list on middle grade and YA fantasy series.

Why am I passionate about this?

Both as a writer and reader, I adore stories of fantasy and magic. The thing is, these stories have what I call a “price of admission,” which is the time and effort it takes to learn the world of the story in order to immerse yourself in it. That's one reason I am passionate about reading series books: they welcome me back to a world I already love and understand. Speaking as a writer, multiple volumes allow me to make the world I've created richer and deeper with each new book. A new book in a beloved series feels like catching up with an old friend, whether you're reading or writing.

Bruce's book list on middle grade and YA fantasy series

Bruce Coville Why Bruce loves this book

I love to laugh, I love fantasy, I love dragons, and this book provides hilarity and dragons in rich measure. Patricia C. Wrede has a delightful way of twisting old tropes into something fresh and new.

Even better, she is a master of creating feisty female characters...the kind that I wanted my daughter and my students to read about. 

By Patricia C. Wrede ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Dealing with Dragons as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Meet Princess Cimorene-a princess who refuses to be proper. She is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart . . . and bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon. And not just any dragon, but Kazul-one of the most powerful and dangerous dragons around. With a new look and new introduction from the author, this story is sure to acquire a new generation of fans. AGES: 10-13 AUTHOR: Patricia C. Wrede has written many novels, including all four books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles as well as 'Sorcery and Cecilia', 'The…


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Book cover of The Time-Jinx Twins

The Time-Jinx Twins by Carol Fisher Saller,

Twelve-year-old identical twins Ellie and Kat accidentally trigger their physicist mom’s unfinished time machine, launching themselves into a high-stakes adventure in 1970 Chicago. If they learn how to join forces and keep time travel out of the wrong hands, they might be able find a way home. Ellie’s gymnastics and…

Book cover of Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot: Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality Regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country

Ami Hendrickson Author Of Dear Alderone

From my list on featuring letters, notes, and journal entries.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always loved writing, receiving, and reading letters—slips of paper that hold one person’s thoughts in order to transfer them to another person. One of my prized possessions is a short stack of letters I wrote to my parents from summer camp when I was 10 years old. Each one relays some catastrophe—a fall from a horse, a motorcycle crash, a waterskiing incident—with the relish of a wartime correspondent. Epistolary novels, diaries, and journal entries will always fascinate me. I love their immediacy. I begin reading and am immediately captivated by words that are ostensibly written for someone else but which speak directly to me.

Ami's book list on featuring letters, notes, and journal entries

Ami Hendrickson Why Ami loves this book

I love the verve and charm of this story, told through a series of letters between two young Regency women who are best friends. Though the magical elements add mystery and keep the plot moving, I especially enjoyed experiencing the narrative through their correspondence with each other.

The letters add nuance to the characters, making me imagine that I am involved in the events of their lives—even though it takes days for the post to carry the letters to their destination. A side note that makes me love the book even more is the story of how it came to be: a fan met an author, and they collaborated to create this project.

By Patricia C. Wrede , Caroline Stevermer ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

A great deal is happening in London this season. For starters, there's the witch who tried to poison Kate at Sir Hilary's induction into the Royal College of Wizards. (Since when does hot chocolate burn a hole straight through one's dress?!) Then there's Dorothea. Is it a spell that's made her the toast of the town--or could it possibly have something to do with the charm-bag under Oliver's bed? And speaking of Oliver, just how long can Cecelia and Kate make excuses for him? Ever since he was turned into a tree, he hasn't bothered to tell anyone where he…


Book cover of The Tombs of Atuan

Simone Snaith Author Of Between the Water and the Woods

From Simone's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Simone's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Simone Snaith Why Simone loves this book

I had read A Wizard of Earthsea before and I reread it first, so that I could read the next two in the original trilogy. I could definitely have included A Wizard of Earthsea on this list, but since it was a reread, I skipped it.

What I loved about The Tombs of Atuan was the fascinating and disturbing world of the temple in which Tenar is raised, with all of Le Guin's excellent description. Tenar herself is an interesting character because she is so immersed in her child priestess role and fully committed, until the cracks in her world start to show.

Her interactions with Ged, once he arrives and changes everything, are so sweet and I was disappointed that they weren't together in the third book, The Farthest Shore. But I fully plan on reading Tehanu next to get more of the two of them. As always, Le…

By Ursula K. Le Guin ,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked The Tombs of Atuan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

The second book of Earthsea in a beautiful hardback edition. Complete the collection with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Furthest Shore and Tehanu

With illustrations from Charles Vess

'[This] trilogy made me look at the world in a new way, imbued everything with a magic that was so much deeper than the magic I'd encountered before then. This was a magic of words, a magic of true speaking' Neil Gaiman

'Drink this magic up. Drown in it. Dream it' David Mitchell

In this second novel in the Earthsea series, Tenar is chosen as high priestess to the ancient and nameless…


Book cover of The Goose Girl

Jan Bozarth Author Of Queens of Aventurine

From my list on fantasy adventure books with female heroines.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been interested in feminine culture and how we move through loss & disappointment, build self-worth, find beauty, make and keep friendships, handle family strife, love the natural world, and value a rich imagination. I love creating fantasy worlds. My fantasy world is fueled by a lifetime of lucid dreaming and a group of animal spirits who always find a place in my stories. Music is my lifelong passion and profession, so original songs are a part of my storytelling package. I am steeped in the expression of the many facets of being a girl and practiced at the myriad of ways to explore them creatively. 

Jan's book list on fantasy adventure books with female heroines

Jan Bozarth Why Jan loves this book

I was quickly captivated by the story of Princess Ani and her magical gift of animal speak. I related to her insecurity of being an outcast, feeling different, and finding refuge within the natural world. Her fast-paced story engages with both colorful and menacing characters as she confronts parental conflict, loss, betrayal, and true love.

Inspirational to read as she faced these challenging obstacles and evolved into self-acceptance, realizing that her differences and gifts were actually her greatest allies. This story explores bonds to animals and nature, parental conflict, betrayal, determination, insecurities around being different, acceptance, and listening to one’s inner voice.

By Shannon Hale ,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Goose Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

In this beloved first book in the Books of Bayern, from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale, Princess Ani must become a goose girl before she can become queen.

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life listening to her aunt's stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. As she grows up, Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but she never feels quite comfortable speaking with people.

So when Ani's mother sends her away to be married in a foreign land, she finds herself at the mercy of…


Book cover of Howl's Moving Castle

Joe Mahoney Author Of Adventures in the Radio Trade: A Memoir

From Joe's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Broadcaster Family man Dog person Aspiring martial artist

Joe's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Joe Mahoney Why Joe loves this book

I was curious about this book after having seen the movie. I quite like the movie, but I love the book. It's terrific, and quite a bit different than the book. It's written with humour, panache and originality. Terrific characters and concepts. Howl pops right off the pages. If you love inventive fantasy, you'll love Howl's Moving Castle.

By Diana Wynne Jones ,

Why should I read it?

25 authors picked Howl's Moving Castle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

Now an animated movie from Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, the oscar-winning director of Spirited Away

In this beloved modern classic, young Sophie Hatter from the land of Ingary catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell...

Deciding she has nothing more to lose, Sophie makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on the hills above her town, Market Chipping. But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl, whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls...

There Sophie meets Michael, Howl's apprentice, and Calcifer…


Book cover of The Hobbit

R.M. Tembreull Author Of Fractured State

From my list on fiction books employing extremes in storytelling.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, my imagination and love of art drew me to comic books, and later, to immersive, worldbuilding fantasy. My 26-year hiatus from devoted creative pursuits while serving in the Air Force rewarded me with amazing experiences around the globe. As an Airman, naturalist, and scuba diver, I have been immersed in worldly ‘extremes’: the best and worst of humankind; nature’s most remote places and incredible creatures; and troubled regions afflicted by climate change and conflict. I now distill my experiences and creativity into the genre of “eco-fantasy.” The books of my diverse selection also leverage and explore worldly and otherworldly ‘extremes’ to elevate their stories. Enjoy!

R.M.'s book list on fiction books employing extremes in storytelling

R.M. Tembreull Why R.M. loves this book

It would be the most extreme of criminal acts for this beloved book not to be my ‘list topper!’ Reading this book instilled an instant love of good fantasy storytelling in me early on. It defines the fantasy genre, exemplifying the absolute best extremes in great world-building, characters, and epic storytelling.

Tolkien set the high bar I strive for in all areas in my own writing with one of the most memorable stories in one of the most unforgettable worlds of all time … and he managed to pull it all off within the context of a single book! No matter how many times I go back and re-read this one, I find something new to cherish, and you will too!

By J.R.R. Tolkien ,

Why should I read it?

53 authors picked The Hobbit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Special collector's film tie-in hardback of the best-selling classic, featuring the complete story with a sumptuous cover design inspired by THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and brand new reproductions of all the drawings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey 'there and back again'. They have a plot to raid…


Book cover of Spell Sweeper

Kerelyn Smith Author Of Mulrox and the Malcognitos

From my list on fantastically fun ensemble casts.

Why am I passionate about this?

When I set out to write my debut novel, I knew it was a book I wanted to fill with joy. I wanted to write something that readers would want to return to again and again. When I thought about the books that had been like that for me, Little Women, the Harry Potter series, and The Wind in The Willows, I saw a clear pattern emerging: a strong ensemble cast. Much of our life is not about our individual interior struggles but about how we find our place in a world filled with different people. Seeing successful models of this is so important to readers of all ages, but especially for young readers. 

Kerelyn's book list on fantastically fun ensemble casts

Kerelyn Smith Why Kerelyn loves this book

Spell Sweeper is another fantastic recent release by the talented Lee Edward Fodi that I just couldn't put down. Set in an updated magic school, the story will pull you in with its incredible world-building. The main character, Cara, is a loveable outcast. She's a sort of anti-chosen-one who is forced into an adventure with her fellow remedial magic students, the nervous Gusto, and the talking, magical fox Zuki. But when she finds out she will also have to work with her rival, the seemingly too perfect Harlee Woo, who Cara thinks might be secretly behind the recent magical instabilities, the heat really turns up. Though Cara feels isolated and intentionally pushes others away, she ultimately has to learn to trust her companions and, more importantly, herself. 

By Lee Edward Födi ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Spell Sweeper as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Featuring a failed young wizard and her cleanup crew, this delightfully dysfunctional middle grade fantasy is an imaginative twist on magic school that's perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil.

Cara Moone is a wizard-but she's basically flunked out of wizard school. Now she's in training to be a MOP, also known as Magical Occurrence Purger, also known as it's Cara's job to sweep up the hazardous dust a real wizard's spells leave behind.

A real wizard, that is, like Harlee Wu, the so-called Chosen One destined to save the magical world. But when one…


Book cover of The Cruel Prince

E.C. Glynn Author Of Heretic Behaviour

From my list on fantasy books with torment, heresy, and forbidden romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Hi, I’m E.C. Glynn. I love writing stories that tackle the messiness of religious societies and belief systems through a fantasy lens. What qualifies me for such an endeavour? Well, with a Master's in International Relations, a decade as a Recovering Catholic, a career as an Officer in the Army, and an unhealthy fascination with cults, I think that’s not a bad place to start for developing a nuanced and interesting perspective on the topic. I am a very picky reader and need to read books that have beautiful prose, interesting worlds, complex and convoluted concepts, and believable dialogue to enjoy my reading experience.

E.C.'s book list on fantasy books with torment, heresy, and forbidden romance

E.C. Glynn Why E.C. loves this book

I have re-bought this book multiple times because I keep giving it away as a gift.

I am OBSESSED with the dynamic between the main male character and the main female character. The tricksy nature of the fae, combined with the forbidden nature of humans in the fae realm, lends such a delicious tapestry to the complicated social dynamics between Jude and Cardan, and indeed the rest of the Fairie Court.

I particularly loved the transition of Jude throughout this book – she hardens as Cardan softens, and in a dangerous world, it’s just the perfect combination.

Adore, adore, adore.

By Holly Black ,

Why should I read it?

14 authors picked The Cruel Prince as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

"Lush, dangerous, a dark jewel of a book . . . intoxicating" - Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Six of Crows

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The terrifying assassin abducts all three…


Book cover of Wolves and Daggers
Book cover of The Thread That Binds the Bones
Book cover of Dealing with Dragons

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