Books like 'Penric's Progress'
Readers who enjoyed Penric's Progress by Lois McMaster Bujold also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy mystery high fantasy action / adventure supernatural magic paranormal ghosts epic gods
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The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 69 ratingsThree hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds... -
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 54 ratingsSarai has lived and breathed nightmares since she was six years old.She believed she knew every horror and was beyond surprise.She was wrong.In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep... -
The Hobbit, Part One by J.R.R. Tolkien
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 43 ratingsSmaug certainly looked fast asleep, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step out onto the floor when he caught a sudden thin ray of red from under the drooping lid of Smaug's left eye... -
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... -
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Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe thrilling, twenty-years-in-the-making, conclusion to the New York Times–bestselling Queen’s Thief series, by Megan Whalen Turner. This beloved and award-winning series began with the acclaimed novel The Thief... -
Dao Dominion by Bruce Sentar
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDar and his dao companions are free of Bellhaven and breaking ground for their new village. But the forest by their village brings its own share of problems. A feral jaguar demoness harasses their hunters while a hive of devil ettercaps threatens village’s safety.All Dar wants to do is get the village ready for the harsh winter. He needs food and lumber to do that... -
Mother of Learning 2 by Domagoj Kurmaić, Nobody103
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAs the months in the time loop seem to add up without end, Zorian forms alliances with acquaintances old and new in an effort to solve the mystery of the loop and save his city—maybe even the world—from destruction... -
The Reckoning by Vanessa Nelson
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMissing girls. A plea for help she can’t ignore. An ancient enemy with plans of his own. Nine-year-old girls are missing from across the lands. Yvonne has promised to find them, and she always keeps her promises. Even when she doesn’t know where to start looking. There’s more trouble around. Mercenaries are disappearing... -
Invasion by K.F. Breene
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsThe Hunter was not trained to admit defeat.With the title of Chosen secured, Shanti and Cayan must look to the next steps in ripping back their freedom from the most deadly tyrant in the land. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones with an agenda.Without mental power to defend themselves, the Westwood Lands are trapped within their own walls... -
Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 62 ratingsThe New York Times bestselling series that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher The Wizards Guild has been shattered by a coup and, in the uproar, Geralt was seriously injured. The Witcher is supposed to be a guardian of the innocent, a protector of those in need, a defender against powerful and dangerous monsters that prey on men in dark times... -
The Steele Wolf by Chanda Hahn
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsAfter finally settling into her new life at the Citadel, Thalia is reunited with her father, who is disturbed at the changes within her. Risking banishment, Thalia must work to prove to her clan and herself that she is still capable of leading them. The problem is, her memories haven’t returned, and she cannot shake the feeling that she doesn’t belong... -
Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsWinner 2016 Readers' Favourite Award for Epic FantasyWinner 2015 LYRA Award for Sci-Fi/FantasyWinner 2015 CIPA EVVY Award for Fiction/FantasyWinner 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award for FantasyWinner 2016 Audible Best Fantasy AudiobookRunner-up 2016 IPPY Awards and 2015 Great Midwest Book Festival for Sci-Fi/Fantasy#1 Bestseller in Epic, Historical and Coming of Age Fantasy... -
Strength by Jane Washington, Jaymin Eve
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsWilla Knight: Dead? Alive? Damned to a state of eternal bad luck? Willa and the Abcurse brothers are back, and more determined than ever to stick by each other. Unfortunately, Staviti has other plans, plans that threaten to change the natural order of the worlds—though nobody really understands why... -
Persuasion by Jaymin Eve, Jane Washington
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsWilla Knight: Dweller? Bad-ass? Notorious pet to five magical beings? In Blesswood, there are rules, and someone is trying to teach her how to follow them. The only problem is Willa. Which shouldn’t be anything new, since she has been a problem since birth—something her pseudo-sister Emmy would agree on. So it definitely shouldn’t be new … but it is... -
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Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 54 ratingsIn the vast dominion of Seven Cities, in the Holy Desert Raraku, the seer Sha’ik and her followers prepare for the long-prophesied uprising known as the Whirlwind. Unprecedented in size and savagery, this maelstrom of fanaticism and bloodlust will embroil the Malazan Empire in one of the bloodiest conflicts it has ever known, shaping destinies and giving birth to legends... -
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 70 ratingsThe dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it... -
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsOnce upon a time, there was a horrible girl... Vanja Schmidt knows that no gift is freely given, not even a mother's love--and she's on the hook for one hell of a debt. Vanja, the adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune, was Princess Gisele's dutiful servant up until a year ago... -
Ascendant by Michael R. Miller
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 27 ratings"Everything dragon lovers crave in a fantasy adventure, and more. Holt and Ash are now two of my favorite fantasy characters ever."- Dyrk Ashton, Bestselling author of the Paternus seriesHolt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean... -
Fyre by Angie Sage
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsThe seventh book in the internationally bestselling Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage, featuring the funny and fantastic adventures of a wizard apprentice and his quest to become an ExtraOrdinary Wizard... -
Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsThe Hunt is on!Three years have passed since Beka Cooper almost died in the sewers of Port Caynn, and she is now a respected member of the Provost's Guard. But her life takes an unexpected turn when her fiancé is killed on a slave raid. Beka is faced with a mixture of emotions as, unbeknownst to many, she was about to call the engagement off... -
A Feast for Starving Stone by Beth Cato
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsTwo countries at war. A delicious taste of magic. And a fierce princess comes of age in a rousing adventure by the author of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge . Princess Solenn’s marriage into royalty should have unified the continental neighbors of Verdania and Solenn’s homeland of Braiz against a common the country of Albion... -
The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsImprisoned, starved and left with no memories, Thalia awakens to find herself at the mercy of an evil cult known as the Septori. Their leader has chosen Thalia as the test subject for a torture device of untold power, designed to change and twist her into something that is neither human nor Denai.Escaping, Thalia finds an unwilling warrior to protect her and an unlikely Denai to befriend her... -
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 75 ratingsThree hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion... -
Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsA paladin, an assassin, a forger, and a scholar ride out of town. It’s not the start of a joke, but rather an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. T... -
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The Heavenly Host by J.L. Langland
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe dishonorable, cheating Forces of Good have been defeated! Tom Perkinje, the reluctant Greater Demon and recent transplant from Harding NJ to the Abyss has defeated and captured the not-so-valiant Sir Talarius, Knight Rampant of Tiernon and has humiliated and demoralized the army known as the Rod of Tiernon, that helped Talarius cheat in battle with Tom... -
May Bird, Warrior Princess by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAt Hog Wallow Middle School, May Ellen Bird was always slightly invisible. Then she went on a long trip to the land of the dead, where ghost towns glowed blue in the dark dusk and spooky specters dwelled in cities on the Dead Sea... -
The Physicians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsWhen a mysterious plague breaks out in the army fort guarding Vilnoc, the port capital of the duchy of Orbas, Temple sorcerer Penric and his demon Desdemona are called upon by General Arisaydia to resurrect Penric’s medical skills and solve its lethal riddle... -
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 Executioner's Blade by D.K. Holmberg
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsExecutioners have never cared about the magic that lurks within the kingdom. Finn can no longer ignore it.Finn has grown into the role of executioner, taking on more responsibility with each passing year. After thwarting another plot against the kingdom, he’s developed a reputation—and the attention that comes with it... -
A Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins... -
The High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsFor Karigan G'ladheon, the call of magic in her blood is too strong to resist. Karigan returns to the Green Riders, the magical messengers of the king, to find she's badly needed. Rider magic has become unstable, many Riders have been lost, and the Rider corps is seriously threatened. The timing couldn't be worse. An ancient evil, long dormant, has reawakened, and the world is in peril... -
Raven's Ruin by J.A. Andrews
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe growing power in Sable’s words nearly changed the world. Until she was betrayed and silenced.A year ago on the land’s biggest stage, Sable’s voice nearly burned down the carefully constructed lies of the Kalesh Empire.Now, Sable’s skills are merely tools in High Prioress Vivaine’s desperate negotiations with the new Kalesh Ambassador, who’s denounced Sable as a zabat. A rebel. A firestarter... -
Ghost in the Mask by Jonathan Moeller
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCaina Amalas is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through cunning and valor she has cast down both proud lords and mighty sorcerers. But a power darker than any she has ever faced is awakening... -
Dragon Piper by Sarah K.L. Wilson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTime is running out.Amel Leafbrought is still recovering from a grievous wound, but when a good friend offers her a chance at a risky opportunity to get Savette the support she needs, Amel chooses to take it. But the opportunity comes with a limited time window and Amel will have to do something she never imagined would be her job... -
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I Destroyed the Elf Prince's Harem by Jocelynn Drake
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWho hasn't wanted to disappear into their favorite book? Live in the world of their favorite characters?Well, when this author fell off a bridge thanks to flipping a magic coin, I woke up in the one place I didn't want to be—my own unfinished novel.Now I'm trying to untangle this twisted plot, put the hero back on track to finding his brother's killer, and getting his happily ever after... -
Shards of Time by Lynn Flewelling
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsAcclaimed author Lynn Flewelling brings her beloved Nightrunners series to a close—at least for now—with a thrilling novel of murder, mystery, and magic. The governor of the sacred island of Korous and his mistress have been killed inside a locked and guarded room... -
Storm Glass by Jeff Wheeler
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsTheirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society... -
The Water Ruptures by D.K. Holmberg
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Disciples of the Draasin Lord have again been defeated, yet a traitor remains within Terndahl. The Inquisitors have come, and their presence has everyone on edge.With the help of the Keystone, Tolan has discovered the ability to shape each of the element bonds. Now that he’s passed testing to the second level at the Academy, he finally feels as if he belongs... -
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... -
Enchanters' End Game by David Eddings
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 62 ratingsTHE DRIVE OF PROPHECYThe quest was over. The Orb of Aldur was restored. And once again, with the crowning of Garion, there was a descendant of Riva Iron-grip to rule as Overlord of the West.But the Prophecy was unfulfilled. In the east, the evil God Torak was about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion had to face the God, to kill or be killed... -
A Warrior's Knowledge by Davis Ashura
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAlternate Cover Edition for ISBN-10: 099112765X / ISBN-13: 9780991127658."The redemption of the fallen man is neither easy nor quick. It is fraught with hardship and loss, and those who seek to aid someone traveling this twisted path might do best to journey ahead and light the way." (The Word and the Deed)Rukh Shektan has lost everything: his home, his standing, and his future... -
Between Wrath and Mercy by Jess Wisecup
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA mother will do anything to save her child, no matter the cost.After her daughter is kidnapped, Emmeline Highclere—a thirty-four-year-old mother living in isolation with memories and grief her only companion—must do everything in her limited power and divine abilities to get the girl back... -
Spirit's End by Rachel Aaron
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsEli Monpress is clever, he's determined, and he's in way over his head.First rule of thievery: don't be a hero. When Eli broke the rules and saved the Council Kingdoms, he thought he knew the price, but resuming his place as the Shepherdess's favorite isn't as simple as bowing his head... -
The Emerald Sea by Richelle Mead
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe dazzling conclusion to #1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead's The Glittering Court series.Meet Tamsin, the Glittering Court's hard-angled emerald. Her outsized aspirations make her a fierce competitor, rising to the top of the ranks. But when the ship she boards for the New World is tragically lost at sea, she is quite literally thrown off-course... -
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Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn this sequel novella to Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor in time for their Midwinter Ball!Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn... -
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsIn a land threatened by treacherous war and beset by demons, royal dowager Ista, released from the curse of madness and manipulated by an untrustworthy god, is plunged into a desperate struggle to preserve the endangered souls of a realm... -
Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 69 ratingsA magnificent epic set against a history of seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men - of strange lands and events - of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled! THE BELGARIADLong ago, so the Storyteller claimed, the evil God Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West... -
Tomes Apprentice by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt’s like the start of a bad joke: a Master of Tomes, his apprentice, and ninety world-saving records get lost at sea. Mei Li really wishes the joke wasn’t her life. For two years she’s been stranded in a remote village with no knowledge of where her master is or what’s going on in the world... -
Penric's Fox by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsSome eight months after the events of Penric and the Shaman, Learned Penric, sorcerer and scholar, travels to Easthome, the capital of the Weald. There he again meets his friends Shaman Inglis and Locator Oswyl... -
The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe second novel in an action-packed epic fantasy series set in a world with dragon-fuelled magic, where master con artist Ardor Benn must infiltrate a centuries old secret organisation to find a missing royal heirArdor Benn saved civilisation from imminent destruction, but his efforts brought war to the kingdom. It is believed that the rightful rulers have all been assassinated...
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