Discover our list of the top authors like Rick Riordan, who create magic and parallel worlds of mythical, fantasy-filled journeysfor readers*.

When he published the Percy Jacksonand theOlympiansseries, Rick Riordan had already been working as a writer. Yet his early novels are not well-known, as the stories of Percy Jackson and his best friends launched the author’s success.

Table of Contents

Must-Read Authors Like Rick Riordan

1. J.K. Rowling, 1965 -

The author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, is an English author with over 600 million copies of her boy wizard series in print. Named by Forbesas the world’s highest-paid author, Rowling was an unknown before she published [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone](https://amazon.com/dp/059035342X? tag=work089-20) in 1997. The book and its six sequels made her a household name and spawned a global media franchise.

The magical world of wizards and witches that runs parallel to the regular world is much like the worlds created by Rick Riordan, which puts her at the top of this list. Rowling has an extensive list of accolades, including winning the Hugo Award for the fourth *Harry Potter book and the British Book Awards Book of the Year accolade for Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book.

“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very own skin.

J.K. Rowling,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

2. Eoin Colfer, 1965 -

Eoin Colfer is an Irish children’s and middle-grade fiction author most famous for his Artemis Fowl series, which he first published in 2001. The books talk of a young master thief who takes on the world of fairies, only to become enamored with it and undergo a major character change. Colfer’s books have all been on theNew York Timesbestseller list several more than once.

The author holds British Children’s Book of the Year, Irish Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year, and German Children’s Book of the Year awards. Colfer’s books fall within the fantasy book genre, and, like Rick Riordan, he has two different worlds in his books that make them excellent reads. Though he is best known for Artemis Fowl, Colfer also has several standalone books, including TheWish List andAirman, published in 2001 and 2008.

“I am unarmed. But Butler here, my …ah…butler, has a Sig Saucer in his shoulder holster, two shrike-throwing knives in his boots, a derringer two-shot up his sleeve, garrotte wire in his watch, and three stun grenades concealed in various pockets. Anything else, Butler?”

Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl

3. Brandon Mull, 1974 -

American author Brandon Mull was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling. He graduated from Brigham Young University and was always known to friends and family for his brilliant imagination as a child. Mull published his first book, Fablehaven, in 2006, after many years of working odd jobs and landing a job marketing for a film. The book was quite successful and launched an entire series.

After that, Mull started the Dragonwatchseries, with the first book published in 2019. As he continued growing his list of books, he published the Beyonders trilogy, the Five Kingdomsbooks*, the Candy Shop Warcollection, andPingo*, among others. Many of his books have become New York Times bestsellers, and he continues to publish fascinating fantasy books for young readers.

“Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others.”

Brandon Mull, Fablehaven

4. Michael Scott, 1959 -

Author Michael Scott has been writing for over 35 years, with over 120 books in his name. Scott is one of Irelands’ most prolific authors and is best known for his fantasy books. The New York Timesbestselling author has many science fiction and fantasy works to his name, including the famous Lost Stories Collection, and writes on Ireland’s mythology, retelling these famous stories for a new generation.

Irish Folk and Fairy Tales Volume 1was his first book, published in 1982. *The Alchemyst,*the first book in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flame series, is one of his best-known works. It won the Rhode Island Book Award in 2008 while being nominated for Irish Book of the Year and several other awards.

“At the heart of every legend there is a grain of truth.”

Michael Scott, The Alchemyst

5. Suzanne Collins, 1962 -

The author of The Hunger Games books, Suzanne Collins, writes young adult fiction with a dystopian flare. She makes it on the list of authors like Rick Riordan because of her use of action and strong characters. However, her books don’t have the mythologic or fairy tale bent of some of the others on this list. Before publishing The Hunger Games in 2008, Collins wrote a book series for younger readers calledGregor the Overlander, which she published starting in 2003. This series focused on an 11-year-old boy who finds a secret world under the ground of New York City, with anthropomorphic rats and cockroaches going to war with one another.

“You see, I tired of constant fear, so I made a decision. Every day when I wake I tell myself that it will be my last. If you are not trying to hold on to time, you are not so afraid of losing it.”

Suzanne Collins, Gregor the Overlander

6. Neil Gaiman, 1960 -

Neil Gaiman is an English author who has written everything from graphic novels to screenplays. His Norse mythology anthology landed him a spot on this list. Though it is more of a nonfiction work, it is written like a story, making it an exciting read. Gaiman grew up in Hampshire and spent most of his childhood in the library, learning to love books.

His literary career started in journalism until he wrote biographies of authors Duran Duran and Douglas Adams. Sandman, his groundbreaking graphic novel series, came next, and it won the 1991 World Fantasy Award. In 2008 he published The Graveyard Book, which won the Booktrust Prize for Teenage Fiction in the UK and the Newbery Medal in the US. You might also be interested in our guide on authors like George R.R. Martin).

“It’s like the people who believe they’ll be happy if they go and live somewhere else, but who learn it doesn’t work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. If you see what I mean.”

Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

7. Kwame Mbalia

Kwame Mbalia didn’t start out as an author. As a young man, he was a pharmaceutical meteorologist and publisher for Freedom Fire Books. In 2019, he launched his literary career with his debut novel Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.

The book won the Coretta Scott King Author Honor and was published by Rick Riordan Presents and Disney-Hyperion. The Tristan Strongbooks feature West African mythology and Black main characters, representing the culture and heritage of West Africa. Mbalia is a Howard University graduate and currently lives in North Carolina with his family.

“Everybody has a story, Nana used to say when I was younger. Listen to it, and they’ll be friendly. Engage with it, and they’ll be your friend.”

Kwame Mbalia, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

8. Yoon Ha Lee, 1979 -

Yoon Ha Lee is an American science fiction writer who published theMachineries of Empirenovels. This Korean American writer writes many fantasy books intended for adults, and his debut novel,Ninefox Gambit, won the 2017 Locus Award for Best First Novel. In 2019 he published his first middle-grade book, Thousand Worlds, a Rick Riordan Presents book. This first novel,*Dragon Pearl, * won the 2020 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature. Currently, Lee focuses on middle-grade fiction, not adult books.

“When people gave you work to do, you stopped being a person and became a part of the scenery. Sometimes that was convenient.”

Yoon Ha Lee, Dragon Pearl

9. Roshani Chokshi, 1991 -

Roshani Chokshi is the author of Aru Shah and the End of Time, a* Rick Riordan Presents* book. As a child of a Filipino mother and Indian father, Chokshi was raised learning about Hindu mythology stories. After high school, she attended law school but published her first novel while studying. Her success caused her to drop out to pursue writing full-time.

In 2016, she published her first young adult novel, The Star-Touched Queen, followed by its sequel, A Crown of Wishes. With Aru Shah and the End of Time, she started her middle-grade writing career and the Pandava series. This book was the first in a series of novels about a 12-year-old girl who lives in a museum and accidentally unleashed a demon who freezes time, causing a mythical adventure to begin.

“A particularly good book has a way of opening new spaces in one’s mind. It even invited you to come back later and rummage through what you’d learn.”

Roshani Chokski, Aru Shah and the End of Time

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between fantasy and science fiction?

Fantasy typically involves magical elements, supernatural creatures, and worlds that don’t follow our natural laws, while science fiction explores futuristic technology, space travel, and scientific concepts. Fantasy often looks backward to myth and legend, while sci-fi looks forward to possibilities.

What makes a great fantasy or science fiction book?

Great fantasy and sci-fi books feature well-developed worlds, consistent internal logic, compelling characters, and themes that resonate beyond the genre elements. They should transport readers while telling meaningful stories about human nature and society.

Are fantasy and science fiction books just escapism?

While fantasy and sci-fi can provide escapism, the best books in these genres use their settings to explore real-world themes, social issues, and human nature. They can offer fresh perspectives on familiar problems through their unique contexts.

Why should I read fantasy or science fiction?

Reading fantasy and sci-fi expands your imagination, introduces new ideas and perspectives, and can provide insights into human nature and society through different lenses. These genres often tackle complex themes in accessible and entertaining ways.

10. J. C. Cervantes

New York Timesbestselling author J.C. Cervantes has published books in over 12 countries. Her works have been named to several “best books” lists, including Barnes and Noble’s Best Young Reader Books and Amazon’s Best Books of the Month lists.

Cervantes has middle-grade, young-adult, and adult novels to her name. For middle-grade readers, the A Shadow Bruja novels are well-known. These mythical stories began with The Storm Runner, the second book to carry the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Published in 2018, it tells the story of Zane Obispo, a 14-year-old boy who must take on the god of death from Mayan mythology.

“Note to self: Never ask someone if it’s going to hurt unless you’re 100 percent prepared for the truth.”

J.C. Cervantes, The Storm Runner