If you were captivated by the lush, layered setting and dense atmosphere of Avram Davidson’s The Phoenix And The Mirror, you’ll be enthralled by Gene Wolfe’s Shadow & Claw. Wolfe crafts a decaying, enigmatic Urth full of forgotten technologies, arcane rituals, and cryptic societies, immersing you in a world as intricate and strange as Vergil Magus’s ancient Rome. The culture, history, and even language of the setting are revealed through subtle hints and evocative prose, rewarding attentive readers with each discovery.

If you loved how The Phoenix And The Mirror explores alchemy, myth, and the search for hidden truths, then John Crowley’s Aegypt will speak to you. Crowley delves into the boundaries between history and myth, reality and imagination, much like Davidson’s Vergil seeks secret knowledge. The philosophical undertones and meditations on magic, memory, and meaning are at the heart of both novels, offering a deeply reflective and rewarding experience.

If you were fascinated by the arcane, scholarly approach to magic in The Phoenix And The Mirror, you’ll find much to love in Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Here, magic is a lost art being rediscovered through meticulous study and ritual, echoing Vergil Magus’s quest to craft a mirror of ultimate power. The elaborate magical system, complete with its own rules and forgotten lore, becomes a character in itself, shaping the destinies of those who dare to master it.

If you appreciated the way The Phoenix And The Mirror combined real history with fantastical invention and layered mysteries, you’ll be swept up by Tim Powers’s The Anubis Gates. Powers takes you through a labyrinthine plot involving time travel, ancient sorcery, and historical figures, all meticulously interlaced. Like Davidson, he creates a puzzle-box narrative where each revelation deepens the sense of wonder and intrigue.

If you were drawn to the mythic resonance and the imaginative recasting of ancient figures in The Phoenix And The Mirror, Roger Zelazny’s Lord of Light is a perfect next step. Zelazny fuses Hindu mythology with science fiction, populating his world with gods and heroes engaged in philosophical and magical battles. Like Davidson, he weaves old myths into new forms, crafting a story where the past and the fantastic are inseparable.