Dead Things

Fans of Gideon Crowe's cynical, violent, and morally ambiguous approach to magic will find a kindred spirit in James Stark, a supernatural assassin who literally escapes Hell for revenge. Kadrey's series shares Blackmoore's gritty urban setting, fast-paced action, and dark humor, immersing readers in a brutal yet compelling supernatural underworld.

For those who appreciate "Dead Things'" exploration of necromancy and the dark side of dealing with the deceased, Felix Castor offers a similar premise. As an exorcist and occult detective in London, Castor navigates a world of ghosts, demons, and human corruption with a weary cynicism and a knack for getting into trouble, mirroring Gideon Crowe's professional hazards and personal demons.

While sometimes lighter in tone, Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden is the quintessential urban fantasy wizard-for-hire, operating in a Chicago filled with supernatural threats. Readers who enjoy Gideon Crowe's role as a magical problem-solver, his sarcastic narrative voice, and the blend of magic with noir-style investigation will find themselves right at home with Dresden's adventures.

If the necromancy aspect of "Dead Things" is a major draw, Johannes Cabal is an absolute must-read. Cabal is a brilliant, ruthless, and darkly humorous necromancer who literally bargains with the devil for his soul. The series shares Blackmoore's cynical wit, morally ambiguous protagonist, and a deep dive into the practical (and often gruesome) applications of raising the dead.

While set in a more traditional fantasy world, the "Low Town" series perfectly captures the gritty, noir atmosphere and morally compromised protagonist that defines "Dead Things." The Warden, a former soldier turned drug dealer and investigator, navigates a corrupt, crime-ridden city, offering a similar blend of dark mystery, brutal action, and a cynical, world-weary narrative voice.

For readers who enjoy the concept of a hidden magical world coexisting with modern city life, the "Rivers of London" series provides a compelling alternative. Peter Grant, a London police constable turned apprentice wizard, investigates supernatural crimes with a blend of police procedural and urban fantasy, offering a slightly less grim but equally intriguing exploration of magic in the metropolis.

Fans of "Dead Things" who appreciate a blend of dark humor, a hidden bureaucratic world, and the existential horror of powerful magic will enjoy "The Laundry Files." Bob Howard, a computer geek working for a secret British agency, deals with Cthulhu-esque threats using applied mathematics, providing a unique, cynical, and often hilarious take on the supernatural underbelly of the modern world.

This classic urban fantasy offers a rich, atmospheric dive into a hidden, dangerous magical world beneath London, mirroring the sense of a secret supernatural layer in "Dead Things." While more fantastical and less noir, the journey of Richard Mayhew into London Below shares the theme of an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary, often perilous, magical circumstances, with a dark, adventurous vibe.

Readers drawn to the darker, mythological aspects and power struggles within "Dead Things" will appreciate "American Gods." This epic tale follows an ex-con caught in a war between old gods and new deities across America, blending ancient folklore with a modern, gritty landscape. It offers a similar sense of powerful, dangerous magic and morally ambiguous characters navigating a hidden world.

For those who enjoy the more cynical and realistic portrayal of magic and its consequences in "Dead Things," "The Magicians" offers a compelling, darker take on the "magic school" trope. It explores the disillusionment, moral complexities, and psychological toll of wielding powerful magic, appealing to readers who appreciate a more introspective yet still intense and often bleak view of the supernatural.