Books like 'The Fire Thief'
Readers who enjoyed The Fire Thief by Terry Deary also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical fantasy action / adventure comedy mystery supernatural myths historical-fiction humor time-travel
-
Bloodline by Will Wight
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsIt’s time to go back home.In the years since Lindon left Sacred Valley, he has attained power beyond anything his family thought possible. Now he’ll have to put those powers to the test, because a Dreadgod is on its way.Lindon and his allies set out to evacuate the valley before the arrival of the Wandering Titan, but their sacred arts are weakened by an ancient curse...Categorized as:
gods humor magic myths paranormal action-adventure ancient-china ancient-civilization -
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 73 ratingsMoscow, 1929: a city that has lost its way amid corruption and fear, inhabited by people who have abandoned their morals and forsaken spirituality. But when a mysterious stranger arrives in town with a bizarre entourage that includes a giant talking cat and a fanged assassin, all hell breaks loose...Categorized as:
classics historical-fiction humor magic paranormal 20th-century action-adventure adult -
The Fall of the House of Cabal by Jonathan L. Howard
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsJohannes Cabal, a necromancer of some little infamy, has come into possession of a vital clue that may lead him to his ultimate goal: a cure for death. The path is vague, however, and certainly treacherous as it takes him into strange territories that, quite literally, no one has ever seen before...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic paranormal victorian action-adventure adult -
Light My Fire by G.A. Aiken
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe trouble with humans is that they're far too sensitive. Forget you put a woman in the local jail for a few months - and she takes it so personally! And yet she is the one trying to assassinate the queen. And now I'm trapped with Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight.. -
-
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc by Jennifer Cody
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLawton:I don’t know if I appreciate learning new things about myself. Bonding with Berklak has been eye-opening, but I might be a tiny bit terrified by it, because suddenly I have more magic than I’m supposed to, and now I kind of understand why other necromancers have rampaged across thyr... -
The Brothers Cabal by Jonathan L. Howard
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsHorst Cabal has risen from the dead. Again. Horst, the most affable vampire one is ever likely to meet, is resurrected by an occult conspiracy that wants him as a general in a monstrous army. Their plan: to create a country of horrors, a supernatural homeland. As Horst sees the lengths to which they are prepared to go and the evil they cultivate, he realizes that he cannot fight them alone...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic paranormal victorian action-adventure adult -
The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsGemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side... -
Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsWhen the children of his village were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox sought a wiseman to save them. He found master Li Kao, a scholar with a slight flaw in his character. Together, they set out to find the Great Root of Power, the only possible cure... -
Darke by Angie Sage, Mark Zug
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsIn the sixth book of the Magykal series, Alther Mella has been Banished, a Darke Domaine engulfs the Castle, and a Darke dragon is on the loose. Septimus Heap must use all of his skills to save the Castle and the Wizard Tower from destruction: He must enter the Darke. But he cannot do this alone... -
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsHis father and uncles are enchanters, his mother a powerful sorceress, yet nothing seems magical about Christopher Chant except his dreams. Night after night, he climbs through the formless Place Between and visits marvelous lands he calls the Almost Anywheres. Then Christopher discovers that he can bring real, solid things back from his dreams...Categorized as:
children classics humor magic paranormal 20th-century action-adventure alternate-history -
The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood, Katherine Kellgren
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFans of Lemony Snicket and the Mysterious Benedict Society books will devour the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, about a governess and her three charges--children who have been raised by wolves. In The Interrupted Tale, the fourth title in the acclaimed and hilarious mystery series, Miss Penelope Lumley's sixteenth birthday is not quite sweet...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor industrial-era paranormal victorian action-adventure alpha-mc -
The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud, Simon Jones
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsIt is 950 B.C.E., and King Solomon rules Jerusalem with a steely hand; a hand on which gleams a magic ring of immense and unforgiving power. Solomon has just begun work on his marvelous temple, charging Khaba, a formidable magician in his royal court, to oversee its construction. The workforce is an ill-behaved bunch of demons, a particularly unruly djinni named Bartimaeus among them...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor magic myths paranormal retellings action-adventure -
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc by Jennifer Cody
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsBerklak:Being a half-orc is fun most of the time. Most people think I’m all orc, and that usually slicks things up so I can glide in and out of town without much fuss. Most of the time things go really smoothly for me... -
The Long-Lost Home by Maryrose Wood
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsUnhappy Penelope Lumley is trapped in unhappy Plinkst! Even the beets for which Plinkst is inexplicably famous fail to grow in this utterly miserable Russian village...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor industrial-era victorian action-adventure animals audiobook -
-
The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsIn this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie-blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic-can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake... -
Queen of Whispers and Mist by Meg Anne
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA champion fighting for love.The game is over. The title won. His prize? The woman he’s walked to the ends of the earth to find.There’s only one problem.When Shadow comes to him, it’s not as his lover, it’s as his executioner. Left with no other options, Ronan has two choices.Take back what is his, or die trying.An assassin on the run... -
Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAre you ready for Ivy Pocket? The wickedly funny, completely unreliable maid of no importance returns—this time as a coffin maker’s daughter—in this action-packed sequel to Anyone but Ivy Pocket. School Library Journal says, “Fans of . . . Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will love Ivy Pocket’s zany adventures...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor action-adventure book children-books comedy family -
Gossip and Gorgons by Tilly Wallace
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOne look could turn you to stone...The newly married Lord and Lady Wycliff are cordially invited to a house party--to be mocked and ridiculed as entertainment. Wycliff insists on attending to discuss business with their host, while Hannah longs to hide in the library with its rare volumes on the Fae...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic myths paranormal action-adventure adult -
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 6 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFinal boss fight! Fight necromancer? (yes) (NO) I’m not beating up an old lady. Pretty sure the old lady could take you. Still not doing it. Time to negotiate... -
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 5 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsYou must negotiate return of dragon wing. Penalty levied against party members. Piemu unleashed. Accept quest? (YES) (no) How is this harder than the pirates? I’m looking at the reason. Uncalled for. True, but still uncalled for... -
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 4 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDragon wing located on pirate ship! Board ship? (YES) (NO?!) I feel like this is a bad idea... -
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 3 by A.J. Sherwood
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDo you wish to deploy the necromancer to fight? (YES) (no) The leg bone’s connected to the ~ leg bone... -
Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsBryony and her sisters have come down in the world. Their merchant father died trying to reclaim his fortune and left them to eke out a living in a village far from their home in the city. But when Bryony is caught in a snowstorm and takes refuge in an abandoned manor, she stumbles into a house full of dark enchantments... -
The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsrelates the adventures of Satan, the sinless nephew of the biblical Satan, in Eseldorf, an Austrian village in the year 1702. Twain wrote this version between November 1897 and September 1900. "Eseldorf" is German for "Assville" or "Donkeytown"...Categorized as:
classics historical-fiction humor myths paranormal retellings 20th-century action-adventure -
-
Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord by L.G. Estrella
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsTwo necromancers, an army of golems, and a demon lord – it sounds like a recipe for trouble, and for Timmy, it definitely is. To earn his pardon and avoid horrible torture and/or gruesome execution, Timmy has to complete every mission the Council throws his way, most of which seem to involve extremely scary things trying to kill him. At least he’s got help – sort of... -
Magicians of Quality by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFor country-bred cousins Cecelia Rushton and Katherine Talgarth, something extraordinary is afoot besides the constant whirl of Regency balls - something Young Ladies of Quality rarely come in contact with: magic. Oh, not the mere love spells used by country folk, but real sorcery capable of thwarting ambitions and destroying life... -
Sunset Specters by Gary Jonas
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA SORCERER SEEKING IMMORTALITY The powerful wizard, Henry Winslow, arrives in 1877 and sets out for the Barbary Coast in San Francisco to steal a bit of life energy from his parents before he can head to the 1920s to complete his immortality ritual...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era paranormal time-travel action-adventure adult audiobook -
Wyrde and Wicked by Charlotte E. English
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings‘When it comes to the Wyrde, there is no such thing as harmless. Every single one of us is a walking disaster.’ Winter has come to Werth Towers, and brought a deal of trouble with it. Not that any of it is the fault of Miss Gussie Werth. To be a one-woman catastrophe might be seen as a misfortune, but really, there can be no hope of a cure...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic myths paranormal retellings action-adventure -
The Hell-Hound of the Baskervilles by G.S. Denning
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe game s afoot once more as Holmes and Watson face off against Moriarty s gang, the Pinkertons, flesh-eating horses, a parliament of imps, boredom, Surrey, a disappointing butler demon, a succubus, a wicked lord, an overly-Canadian lord, a tricycle-fight to the death and the dreaded Pumpcrow. Oh, and a hell hound, one assumes...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor magic paranormal retellings action-adventure adult audiobook -
Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA shooting star crashes to earth and changes Elliot's life forever. The star is Virgo - a young Zodiac goddess on a mission. When the pair accidentally unleash the wicked death daemon Thanatos, they turn to the old Olympian gods for help... -
The Unseen Guest by Maryrose Wood
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe third book in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place the acclaimed and hilarious Victorian mystery series by Maryrose Wood, perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Trenton Lee Stewart has a brand-new look.Since returning from London, the three Incorrigible children and their plucky governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, have been exceedingly busy...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor industrial-era paranormal victorian action-adventure alpha-mc -
The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsThanks to their plucky governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf cubs now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction humor industrial-era paranormal victorian action-adventure animals -
Another Fine Myth by Robert Lynn Asprin
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsSkeeve was a magician's apprentice--until an assassin struck and his master was killed. Now, with a purple-tongued demon named Aahz as a companion, he's on a quest to get even... -
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsCharmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William's tiny cottage while he's ill should have been easy. But Great-Uncle William is better known as the Royal Wizard Norland, and his house bends space and time. Its single door leads to any number of places—the bedrooms, the kitchen, the caves under the mountains, the past, and the Royal Mansion, to name just a few...Categorized as:
children classics humor industrial-era magic paranormal 21st-century action-adventure -
-
The Prophecy Con by Patrick Weekes
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBook Two in the Rogues of the Republic series.Who would have thought a book of naughty poems by elves could mean the difference between war and peace? But if stealing the precious volume will keep the Republic and the Empire from tearing out each other's throats, rogue soldier Isafesira de Lochenville - "Loch" to friends and foes alike - is willing to do the dishonest honors... -
The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovitch
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsMeet Augustus Berrycloth-Young—fop, flaneur, and Englishman abroad—as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps... -
Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsMany years ago a slighted fairy placed a curse on a beautiful young princess--a curse that caused her and all her female descendants to turn into mean, ugly witches if they ever touched a flower after turning sixteen. Now, Princess Emma, who is about to turn sixteen herself, is determined to break the spell once and for all... -
The Fear Institute by Jonathan L. Howard
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsJohannes Cabal and his rather inexact powers of necromancy are back once more. This time, his talents are purchased by The Fear Institute as they hunt for the Phobic Animus - the embodiment of fear... -
Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsEmma and Eadric have no sooner turned back into humans (from being frogs) than Emma's mother is in a panic, Aunt Grassina is distracted because she's found her true love turned into an otter, and Emma's magic is so out of control she sends herself to the dungeon by mistake... -
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 47 ratingsEdward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor magic paranormal retellings action-adventure alternate-history animals -
Johannes Cabal the Detective by Jonathan L. Howard
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsJohannes Cabal is back -- a little older, a little wiser, but just as sharply funny, cuttingly sarcastic, and unexpectedly violent as ever. For necromancer Johannes Cabal, dealing with devils, demons and raising the dead is pretty much par for the course. But when his attempt to steal a rare book turns sour, he is faced by a far more terrifying entity -- politics...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic paranormal victorian action-adventure adult -
The Hound of the D'Urbervilles by Kim Newman, Tom Hodgkins
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsImagine the twisted evil twins of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and you have the dangerous duo of Professor James Moriarty—wily, snake-like, fiercely intelligent, terrifyingly unpredictable—and Colonel Sebastian Basher Moran—violent, politically incorrect, debauched. Together they run London crime, owning police and criminals alike...Categorized as:
classics historical-fiction humor industrial-era retellings victorian action-adventure adult -
Eight Skilled Gentlemen by Barry Hughart
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsOnce again World Fantasy Award-winner Barry Hughart blends folklore and fantasy to create a work of enchantment set in an ancient China that never was…but should have been. Master Li and Number Ten Ox—heroes of Bridge of Birds and The Story of the Stone—return to solve the mystery of how and why respected mandarins are being mysteriously murdered...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor magic myths paranormal retellings 20th-century action-adventure -
Hell Breaks Loose by Derek Landy
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTravel back to 1703 with Skulduggery Pleasant in this standalone novel featuring all your favorite characters. So many enemies, so little time . . . Italy, 1703. As the war with Mevolent rages on, the Dead Men are dispatched to a walled town in the Tuscan hills – not to assassinate the Lord of the Dark Sorcerers, but to save him... -
-
Flyte by Angie Sage, Mark Zug
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 53 ratingsIt's been a year since Septimus Heap discovered his real family and true calling to be a wizard. As Apprentice to Extra Ordinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, he is learning the fine arts of Conjurations, Charms, and other Magyk, while Jenna is adapting to life as the Princess and enjoying the freedom of the Castle.But there is something sinister at work... -
The Sign of the Nine by G.S. Denning
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“If you ever wondered how much better Sherlock would be if people could hurl hellfire at each other, well this one is for you.” Starburst Magazine on A Study in BrimstoneWarlock Holmes may have demons in his head, but now Dr. John Watson has a mummy in his bloodstream...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor magic paranormal retellings action-adventure adult audiobook -
The Dao of Magic #3 by Andries Louws
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA sea of savage beasts. An ancient order of mages. A looming cataclysm. Now that Drew has become even more powerful by stepping into the Foundation Realm, new challenges await him. He is quietly growing his school and sect, and allowing his students to recruit whoever they want so he can take it easy. Trouble looms as his old mistakes come back to haunt him... -
Death Rites by E.A. Copen
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAccused of murder. Hunted by gods. Low on ramen.After getting out of prison, necromancer and curio shop owner Lazarus Kerrigan has done his best to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately for him, fate has other plans.When a woman is found dead on his doorstep, Laz’s checkered past makes him the prime suspect, especially since he was the last person to see her alive... -
Organ Grind by E.A. Copen
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNo guts, no glory.Being one of the four horsemen sucks. The hours are long, the pay is crap, and every god or monster you meet wants to kill you.For Lazarus Kerrigan, professional necromancer, even helping the police search for some missing internal organs is a welcome relief... -
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
Rated: 3.95 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsJust when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse...Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways...Categorized as:
historical-fiction humor industrial-era magic paranormal victorian action-adventure adult
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.