Books Like...
'The Stress of Her Regard' by Tim Powers is a dense and intricate work that defies easy categorization, blending elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and vampire lore. The plot revolves around the 19th-century poets Byron, Shelley, and Keats battling ancient vampire succubus creatures known as the Nephilim. The book weaves together historical facts, the works of the poets, folklore, mythology, and early 19th-century scientific knowledge into a cohesive and imaginative narrative. Through lyrical language and well-conceived imagery, Powers creates a literary epic of scope and grandeur set against the backdrop of European and Middle Eastern mythology.
If you liked The Stress of Her Regard, here are the top 77 books to read next:
- #1
Save:"Last Call" by Tim Powers is a complex and masterfully crafted urban fantasy novel set in Las Vegas, blending elements of magic, poker, and mythology. The story revolves around a battle for godlike power where characters race across the country trying to embody legendary personas while playing a high-stakes game of cards. Powers weaves a tale of myth meeting the mundane, combining the mystic with the banal in a gritty, American-style version of the Fisher King legend.
The writing style in "Last Call" is described as compelling and addictive, with intricate mythology, engaging characters, and a fast-paced plot. Powers skillfully incorporates elements like Tarot, poker, chaos theory, and Egyptian mythology, creating a world where the supernatural intersects with the everyday. The novel is praised for its depth, believability, and the way it explores themes of family, love, and the haunting nature of the past within a fantastical setting.
He knew that out over the desert, visible to any motorists along the lonelier stretches of Boulder Highway, the rain would be twisting in tall, ragged funnels under the clouds; already some flooding h... - #2
Save:'Declare' by Tim Powers is a supernatural espionage thriller set during the Cold War period, blending elements of espionage, historical fiction, and dark fantasy. The story follows the involvement of three spies over 60 years in dealing with creatures known as djinn and fallen angels. The plot intricately weaves together British and Soviet military operations, espionage activities, and supernatural elements, creating a complex and detailed narrative that spans different time periods. The author's writing style combines spy novel tropes with Arabian Nights tales and Lovecraftian horror, offering a unique and engaging reading experience.
The book delves into the world of secret agencies working to recruit, control, or eliminate supernatural beings within their national spy agencies, adding layers of mystery and intrigue to the plot. Powers' meticulous research and incorporation of real historical events into the narrative provide a sense of authenticity, while his skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged with a blend of espionage, magic, and historical intrigue.
Hale had automatically started counting, and Spenser made four. “I imagine so,” he said, hastily and at random. “Uh, ‘which being dead many years, shall after revive,’ is the bit you’re thinking of. I... - #3
Save:"The Drawing of the Dark" by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy novel set in the 16th century during the Ottoman siege of Vienna. The story follows Brian Duffy, an Irish soldier of fortune, who becomes entangled in a battle between good and evil forces, involving magical creatures, ancient mythologies, and the fate of the Western world. Powers weaves together elements of Celtic mythology, Arthurian legends, and Norse folklore to create a narrative filled with action, mystery, and supernatural twists.
The book is praised for its unique blend of historical events and fantastical elements, offering a rollicking adventure through Venice and Austria. Powers' storytelling ability is highlighted, showcasing a strong and heroic lead character in Brian Duffy, amidst a backdrop of war, magic, and the struggle between light and darkness.
All night the hot wind had swept up the Adriatic, and from the crowded docks down by the arsenale to the Isola di San Chiara at the western mouth of the Grand Canal, the old city creaked on its piling... - #4
Save:The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy novel that combines elements of time travel, ancient Egyptian magic, and eccentric characters set in 19th century London. The story follows Brendan Doyle, an academic who gets stranded in the past after agreeing to guide a group of time travelers to a lecture by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As he navigates through a world filled with sorcerers, beggars, magicians, and supernatural threats, he becomes entangled in a complex plot involving Egyptian gods, body snatching, and a group of individuals attempting to alter history. The writing style of the book is described as engaging, quick-paced, and filled with rich historical details and folklore, creating a unique blend of genres and themes.
“In this flowing stream, then, on which there is no abiding, what is there of the things which hurry by on which a man would set a high price? It would be just as if a man should fall in love with one... - #5
Save:In 'Anno Dracula', Kim Newman presents an alternate history where Dracula marries Queen Victoria, becoming the Prince Consort, while Jack the Ripper targets vampires in London, creating chaos. The story follows Charles Beauregard and Genevieve Dieudonne as they investigate the Jack the Ripper murders, amidst a backdrop of vampires ruling England and a mix of real and fictional characters from the Victorian era.
A treeline at dusk. Tall, straight, Carpathian pines. The red of sunset bleeds into the dark of night. Great flapping sounds. Huge, dark shapes flit languidly between the trees, sinister, dangerous. A... - #6
Save:'On Stranger Tides' by Tim Powers is a swashbuckling tale set in the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. The story follows Jack Shandy, a man thrust into the dangerous world of pirates, voodoo magic, and the quest for the Fountain of Youth. The book combines historical elements such as real pirates like Blackbeard with magical elements like zombies and sorcery, creating a fast-paced and adventurous narrative. The writing style is described as engaging, with intricate plotting and fantastical ideas that keep the reader entertained throughout the story.
Gripping one of the taut vertical ropes and leaning far out over the rail, John Chandagnac waited a moment until the swell lifted the huge, creaking structure of the stern and the poop deck on which h... - #7
Save:In 'The Seance' by John Harwood, Constance Langton inherits the haunted Wraxford Hall and delves into the dark history of the house, uncovering mysteries of disappearances and deaths. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, intertwining tales of fraudulent mediums, broken families, and eerie occurrences. As Constance seeks to uncover the truth behind the sinister events, she is drawn into a web of secrets and dangers, leading to a chilling climax that ties together the threads of the story.
The book combines elements of a gothic mystery with themes of family heritage, the supernatural, and curses set in Victorian England. Through intricate storytelling and atmospheric descriptions, the author creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged as they unravel the haunting secrets of Wraxford Hall and its inhabitants.
If my sister Alma had lived, I should never have begun the séances. She died of scarlatina, soon after her second birthday, when I was five years old. I remember only fragments from the time before sh... - #8
Save:Sinder was a Wendigo, a monster of legend, surviving deep in the wilderness that separated the villages of the land, feeding from humans as her kind always did.
Neil was a young man who wanted nothing more than a life of adventure, far away from t
... - #9
Save:Anno Dracula: The Bloody Red Baron is the second novel in the Anno Dracula series by Kim Newman. The book continues the alternate historical narrative where vampires openly coexist with humans. Set during World War I, the story delves into the war-torn era with vampires fighting on both sides. The plot revolves around Graf von Dracula, who is the military commander in chief of Germany, and Charles Beauregard, a human adversary trying to thwart Dracula's sinister plans. The writing style of Kim Newman seamlessly blends real historical events with fictional characters, creating a dark and compelling narrative filled with horror and humor.
Four miles from the lines, heavy guns sounded as a constant rumble. Cakes of frozen snow gleamed vaguely in the pitted black road. The fall was days old. Bundled in his trench-coat and a useless tarta...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Anno Dracula ) - #10
Save:In "Alternate Routes" by Tim Powers, the story revolves around the complex and often terrifying freeway system in Los Angeles, which attracts ghosts and can even provide passage between our world and theirs. The main characters, Herbert Woods (Vickery) and Ingrid Castine, find themselves allies in opposing a mysterious government agency's efforts to manipulate this connection. The book combines elements of spiritualism with a touch of mythology, offering a unique and eerie perspective into the supernatural world.
