The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Williams, 1988 · #61 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 77/120

Simon, a kitchen boy at the Hayholt, is swept into a war as an undead elf-king returns to claim Osten Ard.

Its strongest scores: mood and epicness. The five books below have the closest scores across all eleven criteria.

If you liked Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, read:

1. Redwall

   Jacques, 1986 · #69 on the list · 74/120

   When a warlord rat besieges Redwall Abbey, a young mouse searches for the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, creative details.

2. The Witcher

   Sapkowski, 1992 · #35 on the list · 85/120

   Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, finds the men who hire him are often worse than the beasts. He is bound by destiny to a princess named Ciri.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

3. The Drenai Saga

   Gemmell, 1984 · #54 on the list · 79/120

   An aging axeman, Druss the Legend, and other heroes of the Drenai stand against impossible odds at fortresses like Dros Delnoch.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

4. Vlad Taltos

   Brust, 1983 · #74 on the list · 72/120

   A human assassin climbs the underworld of an elf-like Dragaeran empire, with a witty familiar on his shoulder.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

5. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser

   Leiber, 1939 · #50 on the list · 80/120

   A towering northern barbarian and a small, quick thief roam the city of Lankhmar, stealing, drinking and getting into trouble with wizards.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

How the scores work: each book is rated 1 to 10 on eleven criteria; real-world blend and climax and fights count double, for a maximum of 120. See the full Fantasy 101.