If I had to teach a course on what Spiral is at its core (obviously this would be in an old stone building with roses climbing up the side and there's probably a turret) here are the books that would be on your syllabus. So if you'd like to dive deeper into the labyrinth of Spiral, add these to your TBR. Also, you should read them anyway. They're magnificent.
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
A terrifyingly prophetic dystopian sci-fi novel from one of the best writers to ever live. Part of a sadly unfinished series, but so worth the read.
PAPERBACK | AUDIOBOOK
PAPERBACK | AUDIOBOOK
JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL
A nearly unmatched historical fantasy filled with skittering lore, terrifying magic and an engrossing world like no other. Standalone novel.
TITHE
I know I've told most of you before, but this series altered my brain chemistry as a kid. YA urban fantasy, first of a trilogy.
THE STARLESS SEA
The perfect painfully wistful, yearning-filled tale for those of us always hunting for doors. (Side note: I didn't like The Night Circus, so do with that what you will.) Standalone urban fantasy.
PIRANESI
Yes, I put two Susanna Clarke novels on this list. We are devotees of Clarke here. If Jonathan Strange is about magic returning, Piranesi is about it leaving us, and the keening ache it leaves behind. Standalone literary fantasy.
BABEL
The only historical fantasy to match--and probably even surpass--Jonathan Strange. A searing takedown of colonization and the racism embedded at the root of higher education. Standalone historical fantasy.
HER BODY & OTHER PARTIES
A seminal work of fiction, this short story collection dives into what it means to exist as a woman in our society. This book was all Spiral staff talked about for, like, three months when it came out. Standalone short stories.
MORTAL LOVE
I can't explain this book to you. Just let it happen to you. Strange, half-mad and ephemeral. A razor blade wrapped in tissue-thin green silk. Sadly out of print. Standalone literary fantasy.