If you loved
Middlegame
Seanan McGuire · Book · 2019
If you loved Middlegame, you crave stories where the burden of extraordinary destiny clashes with the intimacy of human connection.
Films on the same thread
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
Like Middlegame, this film captures the visceral, transcendent connection between two individuals whose fates are inextricably woven together across a reality that feels both fragile and profound.
M3GAN 2.0
Gerard Johnstone · Film · 2025
Explores: AI gone rogue, Corporate Espionage, Defense contractor conspiracy.
If Middlegame hit, M3GAN 2.0 shares the thread.
Onward
Dan Scanlon · Film · 2020
Shares a thread with Middlegame: Urban Fantasy.
This story mirrors the core brotherhood found in Middlegame, focusing on how two siblings navigate a magical world while grappling with the heavy emotional weight of their shared history.
Weathering with You
Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Middlegame: Urban Fantasy.
Much like the protagonists in Middlegame, the characters here must confront an overwhelming, reality-altering supernatural environment that tests their personal limits and the strength of their isolated bond.
Series on the same thread
Arcane
Christian Linke · Series · 2021
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
The complex sisterhood and moral ambiguity in this series provide the same intense, character-driven stakes that define the struggle against shadowy organizations and systemic power seen in Middlegame.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
Shares 2 threads with Middlegame: Alchemy, Dark Fantasy.
This series is the perfect follow-up to Middlegame, as it explores the high cost of alchemy and the unbreakable, complicated bond between brothers seeking to restore their fractured lives.
The Magicians
Sera Gamble · Series · 2015
Shares 3 threads with Middlegame: Coming of Age, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy.
If the academic and hidden-world elements of Middlegame intrigued you, this show offers a similarly sharp deconstruction of fantasy tropes grounded in the existential crises of young adulthood.
Alchemy of Souls
Hong Jeong-eun · Series · 2022
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Master-Disciple Relationship, Forbidden Love.
The interplay between destiny and free will in this series echoes the thematic heart of Middlegame, featuring characters caught in a web of ancient power and life-altering magic.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
If Middlegame hit, The Realignment shares the thread.
The Left Right Game
QCODE · Podcast · 2020
This audio journey captures the same eerie, unsettling descent into a hidden world that makes Middlegame so compelling, pushing its characters past the boundaries of our known, mundane reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Middlegame a standalone novel?
Yes, Middlegame is a standalone fantasy novel written by Seanan McGuire. It is a complete story that does not require reading any other books to understand the plot, characters, or the world of amoral alchemy and shadowy organizations that the author introduces.
Has Middlegame won any literary awards?
Yes, Middlegame is a highly decorated work. It was a Hugo Award finalist and the winner of the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Additionally, the book was selected for the 2020 RUSA Reading List, reflecting its critical acclaim within the fantasy genre.
Who is the author of Middlegame?
Middlegame was written by Seanan McGuire. She is a New York Times bestselling author who has also received several prestigious honors for her writing, including Alex, Nebula, and Hugo awards. Her work in this novel explores themes of alchemy and language.
What is the premise of Middlegame?
Middlegame follows a character named Roger, who possesses a unique skill with words and languages. The narrative explores a complex world defined by amoral alchemy, mysterious shadowy organizations, and impossible cities, serving as the central setting for this award-winning fantasy story by Seanan McGuire.