If you found yourself swept up by Michael Perrin's journey between worlds and his pursuit to understand and resolve the conflict between humans and mythic beings in The Serpent Mage, you'll be equally captivated by Skafloc's quest in The Broken Sword. Anderson crafts a relentless, goal-driven narrative centered around the retrieval of the eponymous sword, setting personal stakes amidst a clash between Norse gods and faerie. The hero's mission shapes every twist, echoing the sense of purpose and adventure you enjoyed.

If you loved the richly layered settings, from parallel worlds to magical academia, in The Serpent Mage, you'll be mesmerized by the sprawling city of New Crobuzon in Perdido Street Station. Miéville's world is a fascinating labyrinth of steampunk technology, bizarre species, and political intrigue—much like Bear's marriage of science and myth. The immersive detail and complexity will draw you in, rewarding your curiosity about every corner of the universe.

If the fusion of ancient myth and present-day reality in The Serpent Mage enthralled you, you'll be spellbound by Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Shadow's journey across America brings him face-to-face with gods old and new, echoing Michael Perrin's encounters with beings of legend in California. Gaiman's novel, like Bear's, weaves mythology into the fabric of the modern world, creating a tapestry where the mystical and the mundane are inseparable.

If you were drawn to the philosophical undertones and questions of reality in The Serpent Mage, Le Guin's The Lathe of Heaven will deeply resonate with you. The protagonist, George Orr, discovers his dreams reshape reality, sparking profound debates about fate, ethics, and the nature of existence—much as Bear's novel contemplates the boundaries between science, magic, and human purpose.

If you appreciated the intricate logic and structure of magic—where every spell carries weight and consequence—in The Serpent Mage, you'll be enthralled by Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. The novel immerses you in Regency England's magical revival, with two magicians navigating a system of magic as scholarly and rigorous as any science. The rules, risks, and research behind every act of sorcery will satisfy your craving for magical complexity.