I'm back with another installment of my 'if you like x, you might also like x' recommendations posts! I always love reading these types of posts, and they've been just as fun to make as well (if you'd like to check out a past one, you can find it here!). As usual, I tried to make the initial book a more popular one that people have more likely read than others and then paired it with a possibly lesser known novel. And if you have any of your own recommendations to pair with any of these, let me know! :)
There are a lot of differences between these two books, but also a lot of overarching similarities. If you loved the gritty city setting of Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett, then I guarantee you'll enjoy the extra gritty and unpredictable city of The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Hanrahan. Both casts of characters in each book are compromised of a variety of different people (and a few not-so-human characters) from different backgrounds that end up having to work together to combat a greater threat against each respective city.
I absolutely love sci-fi books that either take place in space or are about exploring a new planet, so I'm always looking for more of those--which is something that both The Martian by Andy Weir and One Way by S.J. Morden seem to do very well. Both books showcase the desperate struggle of survival on the hostile planet of Mars and evoke many of the same ideas and obstacles. Both protagonists have a rather dry sense of humor as they learn how to navigate their new homes and stay alive. If you enjoyed The Martian's dangerous Mars setting and the insight into what it might be like to survive there, you'll love the increased stakes at play in the same setting in One Way.
There are some pretty big differences between these, such as one being set on earth and one being set on what is decidedly not earth, but both explored concepts and ideas in magnitudes that left me feeling mindblown and extremely impressed. If you like books such as Rosewater by Tade Thompson that deal with alien-type species, humanity's relation to them, and other thought-provoking topics, then you should really pick up The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders.
The City in the Middle of the Night: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound
Although Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones has a strong plot and storyline, it is really much more of a character-driven story that explores a lot of dark themes, which is something that The Demon Race by Alexandria Warwick also does. Both books have a dark, ominous tone that permeates the entire story and also feature two incredible female protagonists that must constantly face and struggle with their inner demons. If you loved the atmospheric style of Wintersong and the way in which the author explored human emotions and desires, then The Demon Race should definitely be the next book you pick up.
The Demon Race: Amazon
To round this recommendations list off, I though I'd share some middle grade books. I've seen Small Spaces by Katherine Arden mentioned around here and there--likely because Katherine Arden is a widely loved adult fantasy author--and I think that if you're someone who enjoyed the spooky vibe of that book, you might just like Nightbooks by J.A. White as well. Although the two have vastly different settings, both explore some darker ideas for middle grade books and showcase some awesome kids overcoming their fears and learning to work together to save themselves and their friends.
Have you read any of these? What are your thoughts?
I love your pairing of Foundryside and The Gutter Prayer. I also noticed those similarities!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it isn't just me!
DeleteI haven't read any of these, but all of them sound fantastic. I'm really interested in Small Spaces and Nightbooks. Those sound so good and creepy. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are! Creepy middle grade fiction is ridiculously good, all of J.A. White's books are fantastic.
DeleteI love posts like this!! Definitely adding One Way to my TBR - I love stories set in space!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, me too!
DeleteOooh! I'll have to check out One Way! Great recommendations!
ReplyDeleteErica | Erica Robyn Reads
Thanks! And I hope you do, it's so interesting!
DeleteThanks for the recs. I really enjoyed both Foundryside and The Martian so I'll have to check out your recs for those.
ReplyDelete