The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like The Magic Goes Away

Niven, 1978 · #78 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 71/120

Magic is a finite natural resource and it is running out. An aging sorcerer and his companions set out to steal power from the moon.

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

If you liked The Magic Goes Away, read:

1. Johannes Cabal

   J.L. Howard, 2009 · #87 on the list · 69/120

   A necromancer sold his soul for knowledge. To win it back, he has a year to collect a hundred souls, by running a demonic travelling carnival.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

2. The Princess Bride

   Goldman, 1973 · #59 on the list · 77/120

   Westley, the farm boy, sets out to rescue Buttercup from Prince Humperdinck. Fencing masters, giants and the Cliffs of Insanity lie in his way.

   Close on theme, further reading, real-world blend, climax and fights.

3. Phantastes

   MacDonald, 1858 · #64 on the list · 76/120

   A young man wakes to find his bedroom turning into a forest. He wanders through Fairy Land in search of an ideal of beauty.

   Close on theme, creative details, real-world blend, climax and fights.

4. World of Tiers

   Farmer, 1965 · #57 on the list · 78/120

   A man from Earth is pulled into a series of pocket universes built by godlike Lords. They play deadly games with their creations.

   Close on mood, structure, further reading, creative details.

5. Oz

   Baum, 1900 · #73 on the list · 73/120

   A Kansas cyclone carries Dorothy to Oz. With a scarecrow, a tin woodman and a cowardly lion, she follows the yellow brick road to the Wizard.

   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.