If you were captivated by Aton's perilous journey through the underworld in Chthon, you'll be drawn into Severian's odyssey in The Book of the New Sun. Like Aton, Severian is propelled by a sense of purpose—exile, redemption, and self-discovery—set against a richly imagined, mysterious landscape. The sense of a singular, driving objective will keep you turning the pages as Severian faces challenges both external and internal.

If Aton’s transformation and psychological evolution in Chthon resonated with you, Paul Atreides’ growth in Dune will be equally compelling. You'll follow Paul from a sheltered noble heir to a mythic leader as he confronts destiny, betrayal, and the harsh desert world of Arrakis. The journey is as much internal as it is epic, filled with moments of doubt and revelation.

If you were fascinated by Aton’s morally gray decisions and complex motivations in Chthon, you’ll be riveted by Gully Foyle in The Stars My Destination. Foyle is driven, vengeful, and unpredictable—his path through a futuristic society is marked by both ruthlessness and flashes of unexpected humanity. This novel will challenge your sympathies and keep you guessing about the hero's true nature.

If you enjoyed the deep dive into the subterranean world and nonhuman entities of Chthon, The Left Hand of Darkness will enthrall you with its depiction of the planet Gethen and its unique, gender-fluid inhabitants. Le Guin’s careful worldbuilding and cultural detail invite you to contemplate human nature through the lens of the truly alien.

If the philosophical undertones and questions of identity and consciousness in Chthon intrigued you, Solaris will challenge you even further. As Kris Kelvin confronts the inscrutable, sentient ocean of Solaris, the novel probes the limits of human understanding and the nature of reality itself—perfect for readers drawn to cerebral, unsettling science fiction.