Books like The summer tree

The summer tree by Guy Gavriel Kay reads as epic, melancholic. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

The Earthsea quartet

Ursula K. Le Guin · 1977

Both explore coming-of-age

70% genome match

The Lord of the Rings

J. R. R. Tolkien

Same fantasy feel

83% genome match

Abhorsen

Garth Nix · 2003

Both explore sacrifice & destiny

77% genome match

The Black Cauldron

Lloyd Alexander · 1965

Both explore heroism & sacrifice

75% genome match

Harpist in the wind

Patricia A. McKillip · 1979

Both explore destiny & sacrifice

79% genome match

The Blue Sword

Robin McKinley · 1982

Both explore heroism & destiny

75% genome match

The Secret of the Nagas

Amish Tripathi · 2011

Both explore mythology & destiny

73% genome match

Beowulf

Rosemary Sutcliff · 1961

Both explore heroism & good vs evil

76% genome match

Silver on the Tree (The Dark Is Rising #5)

Susan Cooper · 1977

Both explore good vs evil & destiny

75% genome match

Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy

Mary Stewart · 1980

Both explore coming-of-age & destiny

73% genome match

Beowulf

Neil Gaiman · 2007

Both explore heroism & good vs evil

75% genome match

The Darkangel

Meredith Ann Pierce · 1982

Both explore mythology & sacrifice

73% genome match