If you were drawn to the way Absolution uses haunting ambiguity and unsettling revelations to explore what it means to be human, you'll find Never Let Me Go equally powerful. Ishiguro's novel follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy as they slowly uncover the true nature of their existence at Hailsham, leading to deep questions about identity, memory, and the cost of survival. Like VanderMeer, Ishiguro lingers in the shadows of philosophical uncertainty, inviting you to reflect on what it means to live—and to lose.

If you appreciated the ecological focus and the sense of nature as both threat and salvation in Absolution—the way VanderMeer entwines the fates of his characters with the fate of the natural world—The Overstory will captivate you. Powers weaves together the stories of disparate people, all profoundly affected by trees and the environment, creating a narrative that is as lush and interconnected as a forest canopy.

If the eerie, unraveling world and the relentless sense of transformation in Absolution gripped you, The Book of M offers a similarly mesmerizing post-apocalyptic journey. Follow Ory as he searches for his wife Max, who has lost her shadow—along with her memories—in a world where identity and reality are dissolving. Like VanderMeer, Shepherd crafts a world where change is both terrifying and strangely beautiful.

If the psychological unease and dreamlike horror of Absolution lingered with you, you'll be transfixed by Mexican Gothic. The story follows Noemí as she enters the decaying High Place mansion, where reality warps and secrets fester. Moreno-Garcia conjures a sense of dread and mental unraveling akin to VanderMeer's, making you question what is real alongside her protagonist.

If you loved the intricate structure and the way Absolution weaves parallel narratives and hidden connections, Cloud Atlas will enthrall you. Mitchell's novel spans centuries and genres, with six interlinked stories that echo and transform each other. The shifting perspectives and recurring motifs create a tapestry of fate and consequence that rewards close reading, just as VanderMeer's work does.