19 Top fantasy books like The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

Cover of The First Bright Thing by J.R.  Dawson

The First Bright Thing

By: J.R. Dawson

3.60

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

If you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today?Ringmaster — Rin, to those who…

"My love,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"My love,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"I love you,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"I love you,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

If you liked the fantasy plot in The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson , here is a list of 19 books like this:

Cover of Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1) by Hannah Kaner

1. Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

By: Hannah Kaner

3.90

Format: 304 pages, Hardcover

Kissen’s family were killed by zealots of a fire god. Now, she makes a living killing gods, and enj… read more

Similar categories in Hannah Kaner's Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1) book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lgbt
  • fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"But gods love martyrs."

-Hannah Kaner, Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

"Gods love martyrs. - Kissen"

-Hannah Kaner, Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

"Kissen decided to be more proud than afraid."

-Hannah Kaner, Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

"I want you to do this with me, not for me. - Arren"

-Hannah Kaner, Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

Cover of Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

2. Thornhedge

By: T. Kingfisher

4.00

Format: 111 pages, Hardcover

Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone … read more

Similar categories in T. Kingfisher's Thornhedge book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
"Thorns die from the inside out, like priests."

-T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge

"She was theirs; they were hers. The love of monsters was uncomplicated."

-T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge

"Two hundred years. It was immense—unthinkable—and ultimately meant nothing at all. Two years or two hundred or two thousand. The magic endures"

-T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge

"Greenteeth did not slap one another—not out of any virtue, but because a slap was such a useless thing underwater. When greenteeth brawled, it was with teeth and strangling fingers, spines and claws."

-T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge

Cover of Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0) by Travis Baldree

3. Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)

By: Travis Baldree

4.20

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we nee… read more

Similar categories in Travis Baldree's Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0) book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lgbt
  • fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"See you in the story past the story."

-Travis Baldree, Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)

Cover of The Sun and the Void (The Warring Gods #1) by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

4. The Sun and the Void (The Warring Gods #1)

By: Gabriela Romero Lacruz

3.33

Format: 511 pages, Paperback

In a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, a sweeping epic fantasy of c… read more

Similar categories in Gabriela Romero Lacruz's The Sun and the Void (The Warring Gods #1) book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lesbian
  • lgbt
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"I thought tinieblas were nothing but a story—just a word for shadows. Tales to scare children into obedience. Horror tales are inspired by reality."

-Gabriela Romero Lacruz, The Sun and the Void (The Warring Gods #1)

Cover of The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

5. The Familiar

By: Leigh Bardugo

3.84

Format: 387 pages, Hardcover

From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishavers… read more

Similar categories in Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • historical fantasy
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
"But let it be my ambition and not my fear that seals my fate."

-Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar

"There was nothing more dangerous than a woman witha pen in her hand."

-Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar

"She was allowed to want more for herself. And even if she wasn't, she would find a way to get it."

-Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar

"And you're not afraid...of the devil? Of his minions? "Fear men, Luzia," he said. "Fear their ambition and the crimes they commit in its service. But don't fear magic or what you may do with it."

-Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar

Cover of The First Bright Thing by J.R.  Dawson

6. The First Bright Thing

By: J.R. Dawson

3.60

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

If you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today?Ringmaster — Rin, to those who… read more

Similar categories in J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lesbian
  • historical fantasy
  • time travel
  • lgbt
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"My love,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"I love you,"

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"Family finds us, even if we’re born in different places to different homes."

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

"What is the absence of love called? It’s not hate. It’s not even apathy. The word lives in the anticipation of waiting for someone who will never come home."

-J.R. Dawson, The First Bright Thing

Cover of Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

7. Silver Nitrate

By: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

3.61

Format: 323 pages, Hardcover

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau and Mexican Gothic come… read more

Similar categories in Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Silver Nitrate book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
Cover of The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1) by Victoria Schwab

8. The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)

By: Victoria Schwab

4.30

Format: 648 pages, Hardcover

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and set in the … read more

Similar categories in Victoria Schwab's The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1) book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lgbt
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"A head gets lost, but a heart knows home."

-Victoria Schwab, The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)

"Is it possible to have a death wish when you know you cannot die?"

-Victoria Schwab, The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)

"Just because we do not carry on doesn't mean we haven't been. We live a life, we leave a legacy. But the river runs one way and we are carried on it."

-Victoria Schwab, The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)

"I always wanted one. I don't know why. It wasn't ego. Some women just want to see their own reflection. I wanted to know what it felt like. To make another person. And then, when she was here, I want…"

-Victoria Schwab, The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)

Cover of The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang

9. The Water Outlaws

By: S.L. Huang

3.81

Format: 496 pages, Hardcover

Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang's The Water Outlaws are bandits of de… read more

Similar categories in S.L. Huang's The Water Outlaws book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lesbian
  • lgbt
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
Cover of Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

10. Starling House

By: Alix E. Harrow

3.83

Format: 308 pages, Hardcover

A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that ca… read more

Similar categories in Alix E. Harrow's Starling House book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
"You’re a pretty good liar"

-Alix E. Harrow, Starling House

"Survival is a hard habit to break."

-Alix E. Harrow, Starling House

"Maybe the truth is always messy that way."

-Alix E. Harrow, Starling House

"the Bible only got it half right: there were demons aplenty, but no fire at all"

-Alix E. Harrow, Starling House

Cover of The Book of Doors by Gareth  Brown

11. The Book of Doors

By: Gareth Brown

4.04

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover

If you could open a door to anywhere, where would you go? In New York City, bookseller Cassie An… read more

Similar categories in Gareth Brown's The Book of Doors book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
  • time travel
"It's not the number of books that matters, is it? It's what one does with them."

-Gareth Brown, The Book of Doors

"One does not look at a dog and assume it is the only animal to exist. ~ Edmund Fox"

-Gareth Brown, The Book of Doors

Cover of In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

12. In the Lives of Puppets

By: T.J. Klune

3.92

Format: 432 pages, Hardcover

In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots—fatherly in… read more

Similar categories in T.J. Klune's In the Lives of Puppets book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lgbt
  • fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"Hap?"

-T.J. Klune, In the Lives of Puppets

"I found you. I fixed you. I saved you, but you did the same for me."

-T.J. Klune, In the Lives of Puppets

"Humans were foolish. Careless. Cruel. But only a few. Most were full of light."

-T.J. Klune, In the Lives of Puppets

"I've made my choice. I need you to make yours. You're not a puppet. Not anymore."

-T.J. Klune, In the Lives of Puppets

Cover of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark  Lawrence

13. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

By: Mark Lawrence

None

Format: 559 pages, Hardcover

A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than ci… read more

Similar categories in Mark Lawrence's The Book That Wouldn’t Burn book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
  • time travel
Cover of The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei

14. The Deep Sky

By: Yume Kitasei

3.71

Format: 399 pages, Hardcover

Yume Kitasei's The Deep Sky is an enthralling sci fi thriller debut about a mission into deep space… read more

Similar categories in Yume Kitasei's The Deep Sky book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
"...wanting to prove they were strong enough to withstand anything. Except strength could make you brittle. Big enough impact, and you splinter."

-Yume Kitasei, The Deep Sky

Cover of He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2) by Shelley Parker-Chan

15. He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2)

By: Shelley Parker-Chan

4.25

Format: 486 pages, ebook

How much would you give to win the world? Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is riding high after … read more

Similar categories in Shelley Parker-Chan's He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2) book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • lesbian
  • historical fantasy
  • lgbt
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
  • queer
"A man's greatest treasure is his sons."

-Shelley Parker-Chan, He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2)

"Take him out drinking with you somewhere in Qingyuan tonight. Then on the way home,"

-Shelley Parker-Chan, He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2)

"This was the part she loved, fiercely. The leap from which there was no turning back; the buoyant thrill of knowing that all the threads of action would come together—had to come together—into succes…"

-Shelley Parker-Chan, He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor, #2)

Cover of Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

16. Ink Blood Sister Scribe

By: Emma Törzs

4.03

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover

In this spellbinding debut novel, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's li… read more

Similar categories in Emma Törzs's Ink Blood Sister Scribe book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
  • lgbt
"Cold was easier to bear when you'd never been warm."

-Emma Törzs, Ink Blood Sister Scribe

"Secrets were currency and Isabel intended to stay rich."

-Emma Törzs, Ink Blood Sister Scribe

"Nothing could be worse than being stared at by his own eye."

-Emma Törzs, Ink Blood Sister Scribe

"...the closet of her sexual subconscious was full of petticoats."

-Emma Törzs, Ink Blood Sister Scribe

Cover of On Earth as It Is on Television by Emily  Jane

17. On Earth as It Is on Television

By: Emily Jane

3.64

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

First Contact stories have never been as intoxicating and fun as in Emily Jane’s novel of the sudde… read more

Similar categories in Emily Jane's On Earth as It Is on Television book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
Cover of The Endless Vessel by Charles Soule

18. The Endless Vessel

By: Charles Soule

3.79

Format: 456 pages, Hardcover

A few years from now, in a world similar to ours, there exists a sort of “depression plague” that p… read more

Similar categories in Charles Soule's The Endless Vessel book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • adult
  • fantasy
  • fiction
  • time travel
Cover of The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah  Brooks

19. The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands

By: Sarah Brooks

3.67

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

For fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library, a stunning historical fantasy novel set on a grand e… read more

Similar categories in Sarah Brooks's The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • historical fantasy
  • historical
  • fiction
  • historical fiction
  • adult
  • fantasy
Cover of Faith of their Fathers: A Saga of Iceland by Samuel M. Sargeant

20. Faith of their Fathers: A Saga of Iceland

By: Samuel M. Sargeant

4.60

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

A gripping and taut historical thriller set in Medieval Iceland—written by a PhD scholar of Mediev… read more

Similar categories in Samuel M. Sargeant's Faith of their Fathers: A Saga of Iceland book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

  • fiction
  • historical fiction
Cover of Anticipation by Neil  Taylor

21. Anticipation

By: Neil Taylor

4.19

Format: 304 pages, Paperback

You are being played. Your every move is being watched by businesses hoping to manipulate your b… read more

Similar categories in Neil Taylor's Anticipation book and J.R. Dawson's The First Bright Thing

20 Best fiction books like The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

Transform Your Habits

Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

Hannah Kaner

3.90

Transform Your Habits

Thornhedge

T. Kingfisher

4.00

Transform Your Habits

Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)

Travis Baldree

4.20

Transform Your Habits

The Sun and the Void (The Warring Gods #1)

Gabriela Romero Lacruz

3.33

View all the books

21 must-read fiction books like The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

Transform Your Habits

Godkiller (Fallen Gods, #1)

Hannah Kaner

3.90

Transform Your Habits

Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)

Travis Baldree

4.20

Transform Your Habits

The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1)

James Islington

4.63

Transform Your Habits

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

4.40

View all the books

Never miss a story from us, get weekly updates in your inbox.