After making a name for herself with her Shades of Magic series, V. E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made a huge impression on readers in 2020. Schwab breathed a strong literary voice into the novel’s titular main character Addie LaRue, while setting up a magical conflict that forces LaRue to reckon with her choices and identity.
If you’re looking for your next speculative novel with themes of immortality, memory, time loops or time travel, here are some other authors locking their characters in similar circumstances of fantastical doubt and disorientation.
Much like Addie LaRue, Hope Arden is locked in an impossible situation. Every time someone looks away from her, they forget who she is entirely. Family, friends, teachers, and police officers alike completely forget her name and face. Claire North’s narrative it poignant, bringing every one of Hope’s emotions to life and she navigates her terrible circumstances with the understanding that her main character is affected by the nightmare she’s living through. The result is a moving, tragic tale of a lonely existence.
This Hugo-award winning novel is the debut of Alix E. Harrow, who has since written Inglenook favorites such as A Spindle Splintered and A Mirror Mended. But her first novel has a particular interest in the interior world of its main character, January Scaller, that brought it to this list. Harrow weaves January’s narrative into a larger reflection on the power and influence of stories, whether they are a tale of romance, adventure, or tragedy.
This incredible novel has earned praise from literary figures like Gillian Flynn and Hilary Martel for its evocative style and fascinating themes. Its protagonist, Ursula, dies and is born again over and over, giving author Kate Atkinson a chance to explore themes of life and death far more closely than a less fantastical story could. Her unique premise captured readers and TV viewers alike, as the novel was adapted into a series by the BBC in 2022.
Much like The Sudden Appearance of Hope, this novel leans more into the psychological, thriller subgenre. Author D. Eric Maikranz invents a secret society of individuals who recall their past lives, implying that the members have lived through centuries of human history. Our protagonist, Evan, must prove his dedication to the group, bringing him more trouble than he could ever imagine. The world of the novel is a dark, twisted place, but thoroughly enjoyable.
Based on Jenny Greenteeth, a character in English mythology, Molly O’Neill’s Greenteeth is a lush, beautifully-written novel about love and family. The elements of magical realism in the narrative are easily mistaken for cozy fantasy, but make no mistake, this book knows exactly what it’s doing. Without epic quests and battles, Greenteeth can focus on its characters, their relationships, and their survival in a world that’s determined to do away with myths and magic, for better or worse.
Like Addie LaRue, Tara, the protagonist of this literary masterpiece lives on the edges of society. Not by choice, and not because of a wish gone wrong, but because she’s trapped in a time loop. Other novels would start with Tara’s discovery of the loop, expositing on the details of her first, second, and third attempts to escape it. Balle refuses this trope, instead starting the story over a hundred days into the loop and choosing to focus on Tara’s existence as a fundamentally free but lonely figure. Tara’s identity, relationships, and environment take center stage, giving Balle the opportunity to dig deep into her protagonist’s unique perspective and circumstance, something she develops further in sequels.
A bestseller like Kuang, Leigh Bardugo is no stranger to a successful story. In The Familiar, she pulls out all the stops, beautiful language, compelling characters, and a historical setting so well-researched and detailed you’ll feel like you took a trip to Spain’s golden age. It isn’t all wealth and luster, though. Bardugo focuses her narrative on poor, Jewish characters in the narrative, mingling the soft magic of her world with real culture. The result is an entrancing novel that speaks directly about oppression and the many people it harms.
Finally, to finish our list, a classic of the genre. Audrey Niffenegger’s astonishing debut is refined, romantic, and heartbreaking. Henry and Claire’s love story is occasionally interrupted with Henry’s disjointed experiences in time travel, allowing the reader to experience the same disorienting, funny, and occasionally harrowing moments as the characters do. As an older, popular title, it has the unique distinction of aging well. The story doesn’t suffer if you already know the ending. You may find that the knowledge of what’s coming only engages you more.
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A book with a magical presence isn’t necessarily a sword-and-sorcery fantasy title anymore. V. E. Schwab wasn’t the first writer to discover that truth, but it’s undeniable that her standalone novels have inspired an interest in similar work. Whether these reads take you to heaven, hell, or another plane of existence, each new title promises a truly transportive experience.
Did this list miss anything? Let us know in the comments or on Instagram what your next read after The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be.
Claire van Doren holds degrees in English literature and journalism as well as a certificate in LGBTQ+ studies from Arizona State University. She is a volunteer reader for Uncharted magazine, a publisher of genre fiction. Her writing has been published by Inner Worlds, Zocalo Public Square, and ASU News.
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