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Books Like The Alchemist of Souls

5 books to read after The Alchemist of Souls by Anne Lyle, sorted by what you loved about it.

5 books By Sandro Andreatta, historian Updated
Cover of The Alchemist of Souls

You loved

The Alchemist of Souls

Anne Lyle

A swordsman becomes involved with a nonhuman ambassador and dangerous intrigues in an alternative Elizabethan England.

The Alchemist of Souls.

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If you loved: early modern swordsmanship and political intrigue meet fantastic forces

Cover of The Cardinal's BladesThe Cardinal's Blades

The Cardinal's Blades

Pierre Pevel

Editorial match

What it is
An elite team serving Cardinal Richelieu operates in an alternative France where draconic forces complicate political intrigue.
Why it fits
Early modern swordsmanship and political intrigue meet fantastic forces.
The difference
A French elite-team adventure in a later period.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: political investigation crosses cultural and supernatural boundaries

Cover of City of StairsCity of Stairs

City of Stairs

Robert Jackson Bennett Start with First Divine Cities novel.

Editorial match

What it is
Shara Thivani, a spy working under diplomatic cover. Bulikov, a city living under the power that defeated its gods.
Why it fits
Political investigation crosses cultural and supernatural boundaries.
The difference
A secondary-world city and more explicit post-imperial tensions.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: a professional swordsman's loyalties become politically dangerous

Cover of Traitor's BladeTraitor's Blade

Traitor's Blade

Sebastien de Castell

Editorial match

What it is
Three disgraced travelling magistrates try to honour their murdered king's final orders.
Why it fits
A professional swordsman's loyalties become politically dangerous.
The difference
More immediate action and a strongly personal narrator.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: elizabethan espionage

Cover of The Silver SkullThe Silver Skull

The Silver Skull

Mark Chadbourn Start with Swords of Albion, book 1.

Editorial match

What it is
Elizabethan spy Will Swyfte works to stop faerie and their Spanish allies from gathering three magic items that could devastate the realm.
Why it fits
Spies and swordsmen in Elizabethan England with otherworldly enemies.
The difference
Faerie and the Armada instead of a New World people.

If you loved: historical England with uncanny magic

Cover of Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke Start with The single novel; its internal volumes are not separate series entries.

Editorial match

What it is
Two English magicians revive practical magic during the Napoleonic era, amid social rivalry and faerie danger.
Why it fits
An alternate English history with uncanny forces.
The difference
Regency rather than Elizabethan; much longer.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

FAQ

What should I read after The Alchemist of Souls?

It depends on what you loved about it. For early modern swordsmanship and political intrigue meet fantastic forces: The Cardinal's Blades by Pierre Pevel. For political investigation crosses cultural and supernatural boundaries: City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett. For a professional swordsman's loyalties become politically dangerous: Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell.

How many books like The Alchemist of Souls are on this page?

5 books, grouped by what readers loved about The Alchemist of Souls. Each one says why it fits, what is different and who backs the recommendation.

How this list is made: every match comes from Sandro's research catalog, which records who recommends what (book creators, readers, book sites) and an editorial comparison of what each book offers. Matches marked "Editorial match" are his own comparison. Recommendations cannot be bought.