Books Like...

'The Order of Odd-Fish' by James Kennedy is a whimsical and bizarre adventure following 13-year-old Jo Larouche as she gets entangled in a mysterious plot involving colorful characters, ancient prophecies, and a world filled with absurdity and wonder. The writing style is described as reminiscent of authors like Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman, yet wholly original, with a depth of character and story that captivates readers of all ages. The plot unfolds at a fast pace, blending elements of fantasy and humor to create a compelling and entertaining narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

A Green and Ancient Light is a beautifully written book that tells the story of a young boy spending a summer with his grandmother during WWII on a remote island. The plot unfolds slowly, blending fantasy elements with a realistic setting, creating a magical and heart-wrenching tale. The narrative is filled with subtle magical moments, deep friendships, and unexpected adventures, all seen through the eyes of the older main character reminiscing about his childhood experiences.

The writing style of A Green and Ancient Light is described as poetic and enchanting, with rich descriptions that immerse the reader in the sensory details of the story. The book delicately balances between the realms of reality and fantasy, keeping the magic just at the edge of the faery land, creating a sense of wonder and mystery throughout the narrative.

'Howl's Moving Castle' by Dianna Wynne Jones is a whimsical and charming fantasy novel that has captured the hearts of readers. The story follows a unique and magical world where characters come alive with top-notch British banter and humor. introduces readers to characters like Howl, a broody troubled magical dude, witches, and a sweet protagonist named Sophie. The plot is light and low stakes, focusing on the silly and whimsical adventures of the characters rather than heavy themes like war and politics.

The writing style of 'Howl's Moving Castle' is described as funny, sweet, simple, and cozy. The author's storytelling is captivating, creating a world that feels comforting and enchanting. Readers find the book to be a delightful read that oozes comfort, making it a favorite comfort book for many. The whimsical and light-hearted tone of the book, along with the charming characters, adds to the overall appeal of this beloved fantasy novel.

'Flying Witch T01' by Chihiro Ishizuka is a gentle and charming story that follows the adventures of Makoto, a teenage witch-in-training, as she moves from Yokohama to rural Aomori to complete her training and experience life outside the city. The plot revolves around Makoto's interactions with her extended family, her new friends, and the supernatural occurrences that she encounters in her everyday life. The writing style focuses on portraying a soothing and sweet narrative, blending elements of slice of life with a touch of magic, where mundane activities are interspersed with cute and funny examples of the supernatural.

The book captures a romanticized version of life in rural Japan, offering a restful and heartwarming portrayal of Makoto's journey of self-discovery and magical exploration. Readers are drawn into a world where every character, from Makoto to her cat familiar Chito, is depicted as a model of decency and politeness, emphasizing the importance of relationships and everyday experiences in shaping the narrative.

'Kiki's Delivery Service, Volume 1' is a cute and enjoyable story about a young witch named Kiki who starts a delivery service in a new village with her persnickety black cat, Jiji. The book follows Kiki's adventures as she meets interesting characters, such as a kind baker woman and an inquisitive boy, while navigating the challenges of being a witch approaching her 13th birthday. The plot differs from the movie adaptation, focusing on Kiki's experiences in a new town and her efforts to make a living using her only magic ability - flying.

The writing style of the book is described as adorable and well put together, capturing the essence of Kiki's spunky personality and her journey towards independence and adventure. Despite some minor stiltedness in the English translation, the book is deemed enjoyable for readers of all ages, with the potential to attract new fans to Kiki's story.

Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun is a dark fantasy novel that follows the story of Ofelia, a young girl living in Spain during World War II. Through a mix of fairy tales and reality, the book weaves a tale of Ofelia's journey into the Underground Kingdom, where she must complete tasks to prove her worth as a princess. The writing style of the book combines the descriptive language of Cornelia Funke with the magical storytelling of Guillermo del Toro, creating a beautifully dark and enchanting world that explores themes of life, death, good, evil, and the power of imagination.

A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge is a captivating tale set in the underground world of Caverna, where facial expressions are learned and manipulated for social status. The story follows Neverfell, a girl with natural and varied expressions, as she navigates the intricate society of Caverna, uncovering political machinations and dark secrets. Hardinge's writing style is praised for its imaginative world-building, rich characters, and intricate plot twists that keep readers engaged till the very end.

When Wise Child's grandmother dies, leaving her abandoned by her parents, she is taken in by Juniper, the village witch, who teaches her about herb lore, healing, and real magic. The story follows Wise Child as she learns to appreciate the freedom and responsibilities that Juniper provides, while facing challenges from her mother's return and the village's disapproval of Juniper. Set in medieval Scotland, the book explores themes of personal value, respect, and the journey from being spoiled to hardworking through love and care.

'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' by Kelly Barnhill is a beautifully written tale that weaves together elements of good and evil, featuring characters like a swamp monster, a tiny dragon, a good witch, a bad witch, and babies left in the forest who drank starlight. The story follows Luna, a girl who was accidentally fed moonlight instead of starlight, and her coming of age journey through fairy tales. The plot unfolds in a magical world where Luna is raised by an adoptive family consisting of a kind witch, a swamp monster, and a tiny dragon, while facing challenges from the oppressive village of the Protectorate.

'The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making' by Catherynne M. Valente is a whimsical modern fairy tale following a 12-year-old girl named September who embarks on an adventurous journey to Fairyland. Along the way, she encounters fantastical creatures, makes unusual friends, and must use her wits to protect Fairyland from the wicked Marquess. The book is described as a delightful blend of classic fairy tales like 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'The Wizard of Oz', featuring a colorful and sometimes dark world filled with whimsy and imagination. The narrative style is praised for its creative use of language, quirky storytelling, and engaging storytelling that appeals to both children and adults.