If you were captivated by Baru's deft navigation of treacherous imperial politics, you'll love A Memory Called Empire. Mahit Dzmare is thrust into the heart of a powerful empire and must wield wit, diplomacy, and subterfuge to survive shifting alliances, assassination plots, and cultural intrigue. The layers of betrayal and ambition echo the same tense, high-stakes political games you admired in Baru's story.

If Baru’s calculated decisions and moral grayness drew you in, you'll find Maia’s path in The Goblin Emperor equally compelling. Maia is thrust into the throne room of a hostile court, forced to balance personal ethics with the demands of rulership. His every choice is fraught with compromise, and the tension between idealism and political necessity will resonate with your appreciation for complex, morally ambiguous heroes.

If you were fascinated by Baru’s evolution from idealistic outsider to hardened political operator, Rin’s brutal journey in The Poppy War will grip you. The novel traces her rise from poverty to military academy and into the horrors of war, forcing her to make devastating decisions that fundamentally change her. The raw, unflinching character growth mirrors Baru’s own harrowing transformation.

If you were enthralled by the rich, meticulously crafted societies and the cultural depth of The Traitor Baru Cormorant, City of Stairs will sweep you away. Shara Thivani uncovers ancient secrets and navigates the fraught relations between conquered and conqueror in a city where history is literally rewritten. The complex setting and its impact on politics and identity evoke the same immersive worldbuilding you enjoyed.

If Baru’s relentless drive to undermine the empire from within kept you turning pages, you’ll appreciate Cazaril’s quest in The Curse of Chalion. Thrust into the heart of a corrupt court, Cazaril must protect his charge and unravel a supernatural curse through cunning, sacrifice, and intrigue. The focused, goal-driven narrative echoes Baru’s own dogged pursuit of her objective.