If you were fascinated by the intricate, alternate Dutch-dominated world of The Mechanical, you’ll love how Perdido Street Station immerses you in the bizarre, sprawling city of New Crobuzon. Miéville’s world is a labyrinth of strange technologies, overlapping cultures, and political machinations—much like the steampunk Netherlands of Tregillis—making every corner feel alive with possibility.

If you enjoyed following Jax’s struggles with his own programming and the ethically murky choices he faces, Altered Carbon offers a similarly compelling anti-hero in Takeshi Kovacs. The book explores identity, free will, and the cost of survival in a world where morality is just as fluid as consciousness itself.

If the machinations between Dutch rulers, rebels, and the resistance in The Mechanical kept you hooked, you’ll be riveted by Baru’s journey as she navigates and manipulates imperial bureaucracy to undermine it from within. The twists and betrayals are as sharp and devastating as any clockmaker’s plot.

If you were drawn to the clockwork servitors and their struggle for autonomy in The Mechanical, The Windup Girl similarly explores the lives of engineered beings in a world shaped by biotech and corporate power. Emiko’s search for agency and identity will resonate with anyone who rooted for Jax.

If the existential dilemmas faced by Jax—wrestling with his programming, faith, and the possibility of a soul—struck a chord, Anathem will enthrall you with its characters’ intense philosophical debates and the search for meaning in a meticulously built world. Stephenson’s novel is as thought-provoking as it is imaginative.