Books Like...

The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory is the first book in the Enduring Flame trilogy, a sequel to The Obsidian Trilogy. The story follows Tiercel and Harrier, two teenage friends who embark on a quest to restore the Balance of the world when a Wild Mage becomes convinced that darkness must be allowed to seep back. The book is a traditional epic fantasy tale involving magical creatures, High Magic, Wild Magic, and a journey filled with adventure, danger, and self-discovery. The writing style is described as solid, with likeable characters, but at times borrows elements from other fantasy works like Tolkien, and features a coming-of-age theme.

The Elvenbane is a high fantasy novel set in a world where elves are tyrannical rulers and dragons play a significant role in the story. The main character, Shana, is a half-human, half-elven girl raised by dragons, who possesses unique powers. The book explores themes of rebellion, power struggles, and the discovery of one's true identity. The plot moves quickly with well-developed characters, blending elements of elves, dragons, mages, and half-elves in a captivating narrative style that keeps readers engaged.

The Last of the Renshai is a high fantasy novel set in a world based on Norse Mythology, following the warrior race called the Renshai who dedicate their lives to mastering swordsmanship. The story revolves around the main character, Rache, a young blonde warrior whose life is thrown into chaos when his village is attacked. The plot is fast-paced, filled with unexpected twists and turns, as it follows Rache's journey over the next decade. The book features immortal wizards, warriors, kings, gladiators, and hunters, all with clear motivations for their actions, resulting in collision courses that cannot be avoided.

The writing style of the book is fast-paced, covering a lot in a few pages, with a depth in the world-building, realistic characters, and great action scenes. The plot twists and turns without slowing down, and the characters respond emotionally to the events around them, making them relatable and likable even amidst dire circumstances.

'The Oathbound' by Mercedes Lackey is the opening book in the duology of books dealing with Kethry and Tarma, a mage and a sword-sworn fighter bound by oath to one another and to the Goddess. The story follows their adventures as they travel together as mercenaries, defending women in need of deliverance despite the personal peril they face. The book is structured more like a collection of short stories, each chapter presenting a different adventure, rather than a continuous building story. The characters of Tarma and Kethry are engaging, and the plot, while somewhat episodic, is strong and enjoyable, especially when accompanied by the sequel 'Oathbreakers'.

The book delves into the journey of Tarma and Kethry, two oathbound sisters with contrasting roles - a Sworn Sword and a mage, united by their oath to protect women in distress. The plot unfolds through a series of episodic adventures that highlight the bond between the two women and their dedication to their cause. Despite being written over 30 years ago, the book is praised for being ahead of its time in focusing on two strong female protagonists and tackling themes of femininity and female empowerment within a fantasy setting.

"Winds of Fate" follows the story of Elspeth, the Heir to Valdemar, as she embarks on a quest to find mages to help defend her kingdom against the threat of Ancar. Alongside her companion Skif, Elspeth faces challenges and discovers her own magical abilities, while also encountering the Tayledras, a magical community. The plot weaves between Elspeth's journey and the story of Darkwind, a Tayledras mage turned scout, as they both navigate through their respective challenges. The writing style is described as simple and suited for a young adult audience, with long minor scenes and concise major scenes, focusing on character development and world-building.

The Book of Earth revolves around the young girl Erde, who is forced to flee her home to escape a power-hungry monk and her like-minded father. She becomes the dragon guide for Earth, a dragon searching for the being who is calling him. As Erde and Earth embark on a journey together, they encounter challenges, mysteries, and a cast of intriguing characters, ultimately leading to a satisfying and mysterious end that sets the stage for the rest of the Dragon Quartet series. The book is described as a page-turner with elements of power struggles, personal growth, friendship, and a unique twist on the typical dragon fantasy narrative.

'A Strange and Ancient Name' by Josepha Sherman follows the journey of young Prince Hauberin, a half-elven prince of Faerie, who embarks on a quest to discover the origins of his human lineage after being cursed. Accompanied by his friend Li, a wind elemental, they travel to medieval France and other otherworldly places, encountering magical creatures and facing challenges along the way. The plot involves a blend of civilized and wilderness areas, with elements of adventure, fantasy, and mystery woven into the storyline.

The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon is set in a time before the Valdemar kingdom, during a war between two powerful mages, Urtho and Maar. The book follows the story of Skandranon, a gryphon, and his human friend Amberdrake, as they navigate the complexities of war, loyalty, and friendship in a world filled with magical creatures and political intrigue. The narrative explores themes of power struggle, creation of magical beings, and the battle between good and evil, all while providing a fast-paced and emotionally charged adventure that captures the readers' imagination.

"The Calling of the Three" by Ru Emerson is a fantasy novel that explores a world where magic exists and the characters are faced with the task of fighting against an usurper to restore the rightful duke. The plot involves three Americans who are transported into this magical realm and must protect the heir and his sister, despite their lack of knowledge about this world. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of action and character development that quickly draws the reader into the story.

'Elvenblood' in the Halfblood Chronicles series by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton follows Shana and a group of halfbreed wizards as they escape into the wilderness to flee the wrath of the elven lords. As they try to establish a base without being torn apart by political factions, the story unfolds with elements of dragons, elves, and wizards adding depth to the plot. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of fantasy elements that keep the readers intrigued and entertained throughout the book.