If you liked
Books like Paladin of Souls
by Lois McMaster Bujold
Lois McMaster Bujold's Paladin of Souls won the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Locus for best novel in 2004. Ista's pilgrimage through the Five Gods world is one of the most-cited middle-aged fantasy protagonists in modern SFF. These five next.
The shortlist
What to read next
Falling Freeby Lois McMaster Bujold
“Lois McMaster Bujold's 1988 Nebula winner. The Quaddies and Leo Graf. The first book of what became one of the great SF series.”
Steles of the Skyby Elizabeth Bear
“Steles of the Sky by Elizabeth Bear 2014 review. The final book of the Eternal Sky trilogy lands its Mongol-empire-inspired epic fantasy with rare grace.”
The Hidden Queenby Alma Alexander
“The Hidden Queen by Alma Alexander 2004 review. A Croatian-Australian fantasy debut that opens a duology about a princess in hiding learning to use magic she should not have.”
Changer of Daysby Alma Alexander
“Changer of Days by Alma Alexander 2004 review. The conclusion to the duology that began with The Hidden Queen, escalating the political stakes without losing the patient register.”
The Blade Itselfby Joe Abercrombie
“Grimdark fantasy with a beating heart underneath the cynicism. Abercrombie writes the kind of characters you would cross a kingdom for.”
FAQ
Common questions about Paladin of Souls read-alikes
- Should I read The Curse of Chalion first?
- Yes. Curse is Paladin's predecessor in the Five Gods world and contextualizes Ista's arc in ways the standalone framing of Paladin only hints at. The Hallowed Hunt is the third Five Gods novel.
- What about the Vorkosigan Saga?
- Falling Free is the chronological first Vorkosigan novel (a quaddie-engineer prequel). The natural entry point for most readers is The Warrior's Apprentice, then Cordelia's Honor, then Memory.
- I want more middle-aged fantasy protagonists. What else?
- Robin Hobb's late Fitz books (Fool's Quest, Assassin's Fate) and Tamsyn Muir's Harrow the Ninth are the closest contemporary cousins outside our review catalog.
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