Books like 'In an Absent Dream'
Readers who enjoyed In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary fantasy urban fantasy action / adventure horror mystery dark fantasy supernatural magical-realism magic
-
Kingdom of the Wicked by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsThe seventh instalment in the biggest, funniest, most thrilling comedy-horror-adventure series in the universe…Magic is a disease.Across the land, normal people are suddenly developing wild and unstable powers. Infected by a rare strain of magic, they are unwittingly endangering their own lives and the lives of the people around them...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark female-mc low-fantasy magic paranormal action-adventure audiobook -
![Dark Days by Derek Landy]()
Dark Days by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsMeet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior.Oh yes. And dead.Skulduggery Pleasant is gone, sucked into a parallel dimension overrun by the Faceless Ones. If his bones haven’t already been turned to dust, chances are he’s insane, driven out of his mind by the horror of the ancient gods. There is no official, Sanctuary-approved rescue mission. There is no official plan to save him...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark female-mc friendship low-fantasy magic paranormal action-adventure -
![The One Who Eats Monsters by Casey Matthews]()
The One Who Eats Monsters by Casey Matthews
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLong ago, before history broke in half, elder gods exiled the vengeful deity Erynis to a far corner of Earth. When Ryn is found weakened after saving the life of an innocent villager, the U.S. military mistakes the battered immortal for a feral teenager and places her in New Petersburg, a decaying city full of monsters... -
![The Faceless Ones by Derek Landy]()
The Faceless Ones by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsThe third bone-breaking, belly-busting adventure in the series that puts the “funny” back in, um, funny series...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark female-mc friendship low-fantasy magic paranormal action-adventure -
-
![The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik]()
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 72 ratingsA budding dark sorceress determined not to use her formidable powers uncovers yet more secrets about the workings of her world in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education, the start of Naomi Novik’s groundbreaking crossover series...Categorized as:
boarding-school coming-of-age dark female-mc friendship low-fantasy magic paranormal -
![Lies Ripped Open by Steve McHugh]()
Lies Ripped Open by Steve McHugh
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsOver a hundred years have passed since a group of violent killers went on the rampage, murdering innocent victims for fun. But even back then, sorcerer Nate Garrett, aka Hellequin, knew there was more to it than simple savage pleasure—souls were being stolen.Nate’s discovery of the souls’ use, and of those supporting the group’s plan, made him question everything he believed... -
![Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer]()
Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsAfter escaping her kidnappers and destroying the black market where she was held captive, all Nita wants is to find a way to live her life without looking over her shoulder. But with a video of her ability to self-heal all over the dark web, Nita knows she’s still a prime target on the black market.There’s only one way to keep herself safe... -
![Blood is Thicker by Orlando A. Sanchez]()
Blood is Thicker by Orlando A. Sanchez
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA Broken Pact. An Ancient Enemy. A Bitter Betrayal. What does a vampire fear more than sunlight? The Cazadoras Sangrientas-Blood Hunters. Michiko Nakatomi has led the Dark Council for over a century, maintaining the uneasy truce between humanity and the supernatural. But when an ancient enemy returns the delicate balance is shattered and vampires start dying... -
![A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire]()
A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsWhen October is informed that Simon Torquill—legally her father, due to Faerie's archaic marriage traditions—must be invited to her wedding or risk the ceremony throwing the Kingdom in the Mists into political turmoil, she finds herself setting out on a quest she was not yet prepared to undertake for the sake of her future.... and the man who represents her family's past... -
![The End of the World by Derek Landy]()
The End of the World by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSkulduggery and Valkyrie are back, in an exclusive World Book Day novelette, set after the momentous events of Death Bringer…Hey, punks! Skulduggery and Valkyrie are about to make your day…15-year-old Ryan is running away from home, looking for escape and adventure. But unfortunately, sometimes people DO get what they wish for... -
![Our Dark Duet by Victoria E. Schwab]()
Our Dark Duet by Victoria E. Schwab
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsKate Harker isn't afraid of monsters. She hunts them. And she's good at it.August Flynn once yearned to be human. But no longer. He has a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost.The war has begun.The monsters are winning.Kate will have to return to Verity. August will have to let her back in... -
![Ghost Town by Rachel Caine]()
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsDeep in the heart of Texas, Morganville is a small college town full of laid-back students and eccentric townies, not to mention the sort of creatures you wouldn't want to run into after dark. Despite their obvious differences, the human and vampire residents of Morganville have learned to coexist, but that doesn't stop genius student Claire Danvers from keeping up her guard... -
![Lake Silence by Anne Bishop]()
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsIn this thrilling and suspenseful fantasy, set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, Vicki DeVine and her lodger, the shapeshifter Aggie Crowe, stumble onto a dead body . . . and find themselves enmeshed in danger and dark secrets.Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly...Categorized as:
dark female-mc friendship magic paranormal abuse action-adventure alternate-universe -
![Lord of the Shadows by Darren Shan]()
Lord of the Shadows by Darren Shan
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsBook 11 of The Saga Of Darren Shan. Darren's going home. Back to where everything started. The town's changed a lot in the years that he's been away -- but then, so has Darren...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark friendship low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal retellings -
-
![Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint]()
Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom World Fantasy Award-winning author Charles de Lint, a tale of love, courage, and the transforming power of imagination Isabelle Copley's visionary art frees ancient spirits. As the young student of the cruel, brilliant artist Vincent Rushkin, she discovered she could paint images so vividly real they brought her wildest fantasies to life...Categorized as:
fairy-tale low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal retellings action-adventure anthologies -
![With Silent Screams by Steve McHugh]()
With Silent Screams by Steve McHugh
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsHis name is Nathan Garrett, but he’s also known as Hellequin. And murdering one of his friends and trying to blow him up is a good way to get this centuries-old sorcerer’s full attention…An old friend’s dead body, a cryptic note, and an explosion that almost costs him his own life propel Nate headfirst into a mystery involving a new threat from an old foe...Categorized as:
dark historical-fiction low-fantasy magic paranormal retellings action-adventure adult -
![Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong]()
Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong has bewitched audiences with her Otherworld series of supernatural thrillers. Now, in this new collection of shorter fiction, some of Armstrong's most tantalizing lead characters appear alongside her unforgettable supporting players, who step out of the shadows and into the light... -
![Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong]()
Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong has bewitched audiences with her Otherworld series of supernatural thrillers. Now, in this new collection of shorter fiction, some of Armstrong's most tantalizing lead characters appear alongside her unforgettable supporting players, who step out of the shadows and into the light... -
![Midnight by Derek Landy]()
Midnight by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsSkulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are back in their most gripping story yet, as book 11, Midnight, picks up where Resurrection left off – and runs.For years, Valkyrie Cain has struggled to keep her loved ones safe from harm, plunging into battle – time and time again – by Skulduggery Pleasant’s side, and always emerging triumphant... -
![The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction by Neil Gaiman, Marlon James]()
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction by Neil Gaiman, Marlon James
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAn outstanding array—52 pieces in all—of selected fiction from the multiple-award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, curated by his readers around the world, and introduced with a foreword by Booker Prize-winning author Marlon JamesSpanning Gaiman’s career to date, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction is a captivating collection from one of the world’s most beloved...Categorized as:
dark low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal retellings 21st-century action-adventure -
![Bite Club by Rachel Caine]()
Bite Club by Rachel Caine
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine is "a first-class storyteller" (#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris). After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble... -
![Our Dark Duet by Victoria E. Schwab]()
Our Dark Duet by Victoria E. Schwab
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsTHE WORLD IS BREAKING. AND SO ARE THEY.KATE HARKER isn't afraid of monsters. She hunts them. And she's good at it.AUGUST FLYNN once yearned to be human. He has a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost.THE WAR HAS BEGUN.THE MONSTERS ARE WINNING.Kate will have to return to Verity. August will have to let her back in... -
![Unhinged by A.G. Howard, Nathalia Suellen]()
Unhinged by A.G. Howard, Nathalia Suellen
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsAlyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark fairy-tale female-mc magic paranormal retellings action-adventure -
![Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire]()
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 49 ratingsTwin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.This is the story of what happened first…Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline... -
-
![Imajica by Clive Barker]()
Imajica by Clive Barker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsImajica is an epic beyond compare: vast in conception, obsessively detailed in execution, and apocalyptic in its resolution. At its heart lies the sensualist and master art forger, Gentle, whose life unravels when he encounters Judith Odell, whose power to influence the destinies of men is vaster than she knows, and Pie 'oh' pah, an alien assassin who comes from a hidden dimension... -
![Bec by Darren Shan]()
Bec by Darren Shan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsAs demonic Fomorii ravage their land, Bec and a band of warrior companions leave their devastated rath to answer a plea for help. An orphaned priestess-in-training, Bec hopes the journey will help her solve the mysteries of her birth. But fighting demons has a steep price..Categorized as:
dark historical-fiction low-fantasy magic paranormal retellings 21st-century action-adventure -
![Slashback by Rob Thurman]()
Slashback by Rob Thurman
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsI stopped and let them circle me, first because it was intriguing and, second, because, honestly, what could they do? Only knives, but all armed, and that made them even more interesting. Interesting. Fun.Playtime…Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living... -
![Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near]()
Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA deliciously dark bubblegum-gothic fairytale from a stunning new Australian talent.‘He's gone the same way as those little birds that bothered me with their awful songs! And you will too, you and your horrible heart-music, because you won't stay out of my woods!'There's a dead girl in a birdcage in the woods. That's not unusual. Isola Wilde sees a lot of things other people don't... -
![The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins]()
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 49 ratingsA missing God.A library with the secrets to the universe. A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away.Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts... -
![Long Lost by Jacqueline West]()
Long Lost by Jacqueline West
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEleven-year-old Fiona has just read a book that doesn’t exist. When Fiona’s family moves to be closer to her older sister’s figure skating club—and far from Fiona’s close-knit group of friends—nobody seems to notice Fiona’s unhappiness. Alone and out of place, Fiona ventures to the town’s library, a rambling mansion donated to the town by the long-dead heiress...Categorized as:
paranormal magical-realism family dark historical-fiction low-fantasy middle-grade fantasy -
![Ensnared by A.G. Howard, Nathalia Suellen]()
Ensnared by A.G. Howard, Nathalia Suellen
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsAfter surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . -
![Weaveworld by Clive Barker]()
Weaveworld by Clive Barker
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 43 ratingsClive Barker has made his mark on modern fiction by exposing all that is surreal and magical in the ordinary world --- and exploring the profound and overwhelming terror that results...Categorized as:
dark low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal portal-travel retellings 20th-century -
![The Wonderful Adventures of Geoffrey Scrutinous by Derek Landy]()
The Wonderful Adventures of Geoffrey Scrutinous by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA short story written by Derek Landy dedicated to the winner of the character competition, Charlie Smith, containing the winning entry of "Geoffrey Scrutinous"... -
![Reckoning by Lili St. Crow, Lilith Saintcrow]()
Reckoning by Lili St. Crow, Lilith Saintcrow
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsNobody expected Dru Anderson to survive this long. Not Graves. Not Christophe. Not even Dru. She's battled killer zombies, jealous djamphirs, and bloodthirsty suckers straight out of her worst nightmares. But now that Dru has bloomed into a full-fledged svetocha — rare, beautiful, and toxic to all vampires — the worst is yet to come...Categorized as:
boarding-school dark female-mc friendship magic paranormal action-adventure alpha-mc -
-
![Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko]()
Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe third book in the bestselling Russian trilogy that is part fantasy, part vampire story, and part detective story, tells of an ancient race of humans who have supernatural powers and swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light. In Twilight Watch, they face their greatest threat yet...Categorized as:
dark low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal 21st-century action-adventure adult -
![I’m Glad You’re Dead by Hunter Blain]()
I’m Glad You’re Dead by Hunter Blain
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAfter helplessly witnessing the execution of his family, John is approached by a strange man that promises the power of revenge, for a price; his life for the ability to walk the mortal plane for eternity. Fast forward several hundred years where John finds himself with an unlikely ally, Father Thomes Philseep... -
![Crushed by Eliza Crewe]()
Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMeda's back. This time she has a friend. The battle is over; the choice has been made. Meda Melange has officially hung up her monstrous mantle and planted her feet firmly on the holy and righteous path of a Crusader-in-training. Or, at least, she’s willing to give it a shot. It helps that the Crusaders are the only thing standing between her and the demon hordes who want her dead...Categorized as:
boarding-school dark female-mc friendship low-fantasy magic paranormal action-adventure -
![The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin]()
The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsIt's said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, then the Tower will crumble and the kingdom will fall. Resurrected sorcerer Matthew Swift is about to discover that this isn't so far from the truth...One by one, the protective magical wards that guard the city are falling: the London Wall defiled with cryptic graffiti, the ravens found dead at the Tower, the London Stone destroyed...Categorized as:
dark low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal 21st-century action-adventure adult -
![Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine]()
Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 49 ratingsMORGANVILLE IS SUCH A NICE PLACE TO LIVE... AND DIE. IF YOU DON'T MIND THAT SORT OF THING. When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy... -
![Oblivion by Kelly Creagh]()
Oblivion by Kelly Creagh
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThis electrifying conclusion to the Nevermore trilogy takes one last trip to the dream world of Edgar Allan Poe to reveal the intertwined fates of Isobel and Varen.The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins? —Edgar Allan PoeThe fine line between life and death blurred long ago for Isobel Lanley...Categorized as:
dark female-mc friendship historical-fiction magic paranormal retellings action-adventure -
![Middlegame by Seanan McGuire]()
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsNew York Times bestselling and Alex, Nebula, and Hugo-Award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organizations, and impossible cities in this standalone fantasy.Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story.Meet Dodger, his twin... -
![Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko]()
Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe definitive English language translation of the internationally bestselling Ukrainian novel—a brilliant dark fantasy with "the potential to be a modern classic" (Lev Grossman), combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way.Our life is brief . .Categorized as:
boarding-school coming-of-age dark female-mc magic magical-realism paranormal 21st-century -
![Betrayals by Lili St. Crow, Lilith Saintcrow]()
Betrayals by Lili St. Crow, Lilith Saintcrow
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsShe’s no angel...Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?)Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England Schola for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem—she’s the only girl in the place...Categorized as:
boarding-school dark female-mc friendship magic paranormal action-adventure alpha-mc -
![Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz]()
Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsHigh school juniors Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: They both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to see the future through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control. Camelia's gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn't yet comprehend... -
-
![Tales From the Hinterland by Melissa Albert]()
Tales From the Hinterland by Melissa Albert
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA gorgeously illustrated collection of twelve fairy tales by the author of The Hazel Wood and The Night Country!Journey into the Hinterland, a brutal and beautiful world where a young woman spends a night with Death, brides are wed to a mysterious house in the trees, and an enchantress is killed twice―and still lives...Categorized as:
dark fairy-tale historical-fiction low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal retellings -
![Demon Road by Derek Landy]()
Demon Road by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe mind-blowing new supernatural thriller from bestselling author DEREK LANDY, creator of international sensation Skulduggery Pleasant.Full of Landy’s trademark wit, action and razor-sharp dialogue, DEMON ROAD kicks off with a shocking opener and never lets up the pace in an epic road-trip across the supernatural landscape of America... -
![Magic on the Storm by Devon Monk]()
Magic on the Storm by Devon Monk
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsAllison Beckstrom is committed to her work tracing illegal spells. Now, there's an apocalyptic storm bearing down on Portland, and when it hits, all the magic in the area will turn unstable and destructive... -
![Last Call by Tim Powers]()
Last Call by Tim Powers
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsTwenty years ago Scott Crane abandoned his career as a professional poker player and went into hiding, after a weird high-stakes game played with Tarot cards. But now the cards - and the supernatural powers behind them - have found him again.Crane's father killed gangster Bugsy Siegel in 1948 to become the Fisher King, and to keep that power he is determined to kill his son...Categorized as:
dark historical-fiction low-fantasy magic magical-realism paranormal retellings 20th-century -
![Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong]()
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsPaige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her... -
![The Slightly Ignominious End to the Legend of Black Annis by Derek Landy]()
The Slightly Ignominious End to the Legend of Black Annis by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratings...
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.
