When a strange city of broken umbrellas, wandering words, and living trash opens beneath London, two friends tumble into a prophecy that refuses to behave. Inventive, daring, and gloriously odd, Un Lun Dun turns the portal fantasy inside out and makes the impossible feel right at home.
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Start or resume Shelf TalkThese picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.
In Un Lun Dun, did you enjoy discovering a hidden, magical city beneath a familiar metropolis?
If you loved how Zanna and Deeba stumbled into the surreal, twisted world of UnLondon in Un Lun Dun, you'll be captivated by Richard Mayhew's journey into the mysterious London Below. Gaiman's Neverwhere is packed with bizarre denizens, strange dangers, and that same sense of a secret city lurking just out of sight, loaded with inventive worldbuilding and hidden wonders at every turn.
In Un Lun Dun, did you enjoy a quirky, unconventional young heroine who subverts fantasy tropes?
If Deeba's transformation from sidekick to unexpected hero resonated with you, you'll adore September's wild adventures. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making features a protagonist who breaks the rules of the magical world she enters, defies expectations, and grows in confidence, offering a clever, heartfelt journey much like Deeba's own.
In Un Lun Dun, did you enjoy whimsical, pun-filled adventures and playful use of language?
If you delighted in Miéville's witty wordplay—like the literal unbrellas and smog monsters—then The Phantom Tollbooth will charm you with its clever puns and imaginative settings. Join Milo as he navigates a nonsensical world filled with humor, riddles, and creative surprises on every page.
In Un Lun Dun, did you enjoy dark, magical parallel worlds with child protagonists facing sinister threats?
If the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of UnLondon and Deeba's fight against the Smog gripped you, Coraline will give you chills and thrills as Coraline discovers a shadowy mirror world. With a brave young heroine, eerie creatures, and a battle to save both worlds, Gaiman crafts a dark fantasy that echoes the tone and tension of Un Lun Dun.
In Un Lun Dun, did you enjoy ordinary kids navigating magical urban landscapes with high stakes?
If you enjoyed following Deeba and Zanna as they raced through a city filled with bizarre creatures and magical threats, you'll love Nita and Kit's adventure through an alternate, perilous New York City. So You Want to Be a Wizard offers a fast-paced, goal-driven quest to stop a growing evil, full of inventive magic and heart.
