If you loved the witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments between Mona and her animated sourdough starter, Bob, in A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, you'll delight in the sharp, playful dialogue and absurd magical mishaps surrounding Sophie and the unpredictable wizard Howl in Howl's Moving Castle. Diana Wynne Jones brings the same warmth, wit, and subversive humor to her world of moving castles, quarrelsome fire demons, and magical cake-baking.

Mona's evolution from a shy baker to a courageous defender of her city is mirrored in The Girl Who Drank the Moon, where Luna must discover and accept her own magical abilities. If you enjoyed watching Mona grapple with responsibility, fear, and hope, you'll be moved by Luna's coming-of-age as she learns what it means to be powerful—and to use that power wisely.

If the resilience and optimism of Mona—persisting through danger with hope and kindness—drew you in, The Goblin Emperor offers a similarly uplifting spirit. Maia, thrust into a treacherous court, meets cruelty with compassion and struggles to do right, even when the world is grim. Addison's gentle, hopeful approach to adversity is a balm for fans of T. Kingfisher's style.

Elisabeth, like Mona, is a young woman who never expected to be a hero, yet must face magical threats to save those she loves. If you enjoyed Mona's scrappy determination and clever problem-solving—especially as she stands alone against impossible odds—you'll be captivated by Elisabeth's courage amidst living grimoires and sinister sorcery.

If you were charmed by the close-knit community of Mona's bakery, her tight circle of allies, and the sense of home amid magical chaos, you'll adore the found-family warmth and gentle intimacy of The House in the Cerulean Sea. The story follows Linus as he grows attached to a quirky magical household, building bonds in a story brimming with comfort and hope.