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Quick answer: If you loved Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, try The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.
Shadow and Bone introduced readers to the Grishaverse, a world inspired by Tsarist Russia where soldiers called Grisha wield elemental magic. Alina Starkov, an orphaned mapmaker, discovers she can summon light, a power that could destroy the Shadow Fold. Its Slavic-inspired setting, magical court and the charismatic Darkling made it a YA favorite. The books below share its wintry folklore, chosen heroines, mysterious villains and court intrigue. Most suit teens and adults.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Shadow and Bone
Readers love Shadow and Bone because its world feels new. Leigh Bardugo mixes Russian-inspired folklore, kvas and kefta with a magic system called the Small Science, so the Grisha feel both magical and real. Alina’s journey from overlooked orphan to Sun Summoner is satisfying, and the Darkling is one of YA’s most debated villains. The Netflix adaptation combined Shadow and Bone with characters from Six of Crows and introduced the world to millions of viewers.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Shadow and Bone: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear and the Nightingale | Katherine Arden | Fantasy | Russian folklore |
| Uprooted | Naomi Novik | Fantasy | Dark forests and magic |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | YA fantasy | Court intrigue |
| An Ember in the Ashes | Sabaa Tahir | YA fantasy | War and resistance |
| Spinning Silver | Naomi Novik | Fantasy | Fairy tale retellings |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Tomi Adeyemi | YA fantasy | Chosen heroines |
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | YA fantasy | More Grishaverse |
| Deathless | Catherynne M. Valente | Adult fantasy | Older readers who love folklore |
| The Grace of Kings | Ken Liu | Fantasy | Epic worlds |
| Wicked Saints | Emily A. Duncan | YA fantasy | Dark, gothic magic |
| The Star-Touched Queen | Roshani Chokshi | YA fantasy | Lush mythology |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | YA fantasy | Heroines who grow powerful |
| The False Prince | Jennifer A. Nielsen | Middle grade fantasy | Younger readers |
| Vassa in the Night | Sarah Porter | YA fantasy | Modern Russian folklore |
| Siege and Storm | Leigh Bardugo | YA fantasy | Continuing the trilogy |
1. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
In medieval Russia, a girl who can see household spirits defends her village from a dark force. It’s wintry, magical and beautifully written.
2. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
A village girl is taken by a wizard called the Dragon to protect her valley from a corrupted forest. It’s inspired by Polish folklore.
3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A commoner with a rare power is forced into the royal court. Its twists and betrayals will feel familiar.
4. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
A rebel spy and an elite soldier meet in a brutal empire. It’s darker and fast-paced.
5. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Three women in a cold Eastern European kingdom bargain with winter fae and a demon-possessed tsar. It’s a rich Rumpelstiltskin retelling.
6. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Zélie sets out to restore magic in a kingdom inspired by West Africa. It’s epic and action-packed.
7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A crew of thieves takes on an impossible heist. Many fans think it’s Bardugo’s best book.
8. Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
A retelling of Koschei the Deathless set in Soviet Russia. It’s dark, lyrical and for adults.
9. The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
Two unlikely allies rise to overthrow an emperor in a world inspired by Chinese history. It’s sweeping and political.
10. Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
A cleric who can talk to gods, a prince and a blood mage plot to end a war. It’s grim and atmospheric.
11. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
A princess with a cursed horoscope marries a mysterious king. It’s inspired by Indian mythology.
12. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
An assassin competes to become the king’s champion. The series turns into a huge epic.
13. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
An orphan is forced into a plot to impersonate a missing prince. It’s clever, twisty and a great bridge for kids not quite ready for YA.
14. Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
A retelling of Vasilisa the Beautiful set in a magical Brooklyn. It’s weird and fun.
15. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
If you haven’t read it, the sequel adds the beloved privateer Sturmhond and raises the stakes.
How to Pick Your Next Read After Shadow and Bone
- Loved the Russian setting? The Bear and the Nightingale and Deathless.
- Loved the forest and magic? Uprooted and Spinning Silver.
- Want court politics? Red Queen.
- Want darker YA? Wicked Saints and An Ember in the Ashes.
- Stay in the Grishaverse. Six of Crows is the natural next step.
- Younger reader? Start with The False Prince.
Grishaverse Reading Order
Read the Shadow and Bone trilogy first: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising. Then read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, followed by King of Scars and Rule of Wolves, which bring characters from both series together. The Language of Thorns is a collection of Grisha fairy tales that can be read anytime. Many readers find the trilogy a little simpler and the Crows duology more complex, so keep going even if you only liked the first book.
Related: what age Shadow and Bone is appropriate for and books like Six of Crows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like Shadow and Bone?
The Bear and the Nightingale and Uprooted share its folklore feel, while Red Queen matches its court intrigue.
Is Shadow and Bone appropriate for teens?
Yes. It’s YA with violence and some romance, and suits most readers 12–13 and up.
What should I read after the Shadow and Bone trilogy?
Read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, then King of Scars.