Families who loved The Naming by Alison Croggon often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teen is struggling with a sense of displacement or feels burdened by a past they cannot change. It is a profound choice for young readers who are beginning to realize they have unique talents that set them apart from their peers. The story follows Maerad, a young woman rescued from a life of brutal servitude who discovers she possesses a rare and dangerous gift for magic and music. As she travels across a beautifully realized landscape, she must learn to trust a mentor and claim her own identity. This is a high fantasy epic that deals with heavy themes of loss and recovery, but it is grounded in a deep sense of resilience and the transformative power of art and nature. It is ideal for mature 12 to 18 year olds who enjoy complex world-building and strong female protagonists.