12 books featuring lost magical cities

There’s something spellbinding about the idea of a lost city—a magical realm that has been buried beneath time, forgotten by the world, yet still pulsing with untold secrets and unimaginable power. These cities are often whispered about in legends and old maps, waiting to be rediscovered by the daring few. The allure of lost magical cities is irresistible, drawing readers into worlds where ancient magic, forgotten history, and hidden treasures await. Here are 12 captivating books where explorers, adventurers, and dreamers set out to uncover these forgotten realms.

1. The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

In The City of Brass, the city of Daevabad is an ancient, magical kingdom hidden in plain sight. The story follows Nahri, a young woman from 18th-century Cairo, who unwittingly stumbles upon the legendary city of the djinn. Daevabad is a city of secrets, politics, and ancient magic, where rival factions vie for control and an age-old curse threatens to bring everything to ruin. The city itself is as much a character as the people in it—its enigmatic nature and hidden past unfolding as Nahri unravels the truth about her own mysterious origins.

2. The Lost City of Z by David Grann

Based on real-life events, The Lost City of Z tells the gripping tale of British explorer Percy Fawcett’s obsession with finding a forgotten ancient civilization in the Amazon. Fawcett believed in a lost city, “Z,” buried deep within the jungle, full of riches and untapped knowledge. This non-fiction narrative is a stunning exploration of ambition, obsession, and the mystery of long-lost civilizations. Grann’s account leaves readers questioning whether Fawcett’s city was real or just the product of a fevered imagination—but it’s a journey that pulls readers into the allure of the unknown.

3. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

In The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Jemisin crafts a world where cities are built upon ancient and dangerous magic. The city of Sky, once ruled by gods and now in the hands of humans, harbors deep secrets of its divine past. Yeine Darr, the protagonist, discovers that her fate is tied to the very city that holds these ancient, magical legacies. The novel’s world-building is rich and immersive, blending political intrigue with a history steeped in power, oppression, and the remnants of forgotten gods. It’s a journey into a city that has never forgotten its divine origins, even if its inhabitants have.

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

While not a traditional “lost city,” the circus in The Night Circus is a magical realm that exists outside the boundaries of time and space. This mysterious and enchanting circus only appears at night, seemingly out of nowhere, and is filled with illusions, impossible feats, and magical wonders. Behind its velvet curtains lies a world that many have forgotten, an ephemeral kingdom that exists only for those who seek it out. Morgenstern’s prose conjures a world of magic and mystery, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, making it a city of forgotten dreams and forbidden magic.

5. The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford

While The Secret History of the Mongol Queens is a non-fiction account of the forgotten queens who helped build the Mongol Empire, the cities they ruled remain hidden in the sands of time. Weatherford uncovers the often-overlooked history of these women, whose legacies were erased by history. The cities and realms they once held sway over were powerful and magical in their own right, controlling vast territories and hosting untold treasures. Through the lens of history, we glimpse these lost realms and the incredible power that once resided within them.

6. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

In The Bone Shard Daughter, the world of Iskari is filled with ancient cities built upon forgotten magic. The capital city of the Empire, once a center of power and prosperity, now faces the decay of its civilization. Lin, the young daughter of the emperor, embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of her family’s past and the lost magic that once fueled the empire’s dominance. Forgotten cities, hidden powers, and an ancient system of magic slowly come to light as Lin confronts the dangerous truths of her heritage.

7. The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma

The Map of Time is a time-travel novel that weaves the concept of lost cities into its intricate narrative. The book features a forgotten city in the past, full of dangerous magic and historical mysteries that intersect with time itself. As characters attempt to travel to this hidden realm, they must confront not only the challenges of navigating time but also the dark, mythical powers that once ruled the city. Palma blends science fiction, fantasy, and historical intrigue, creating a compelling story about the forgotten dimensions of our past.

8. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

In City of Stairs, the city of Bulikov once thrived under the protection of its gods, who imbued it with unimaginable power. But when the gods were overthrown and banished, the city became a shadow of its former self, its magic erased from existence. Shara Thivani, a spy sent to investigate a murder, discovers that the city’s forgotten magic still lurks beneath the surface. As she uncovers secrets about the gods and the city’s history, she is drawn into a web of intrigue, political corruption, and lost realms of divine power.

9. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

In Perdido Street Station, Miéville presents the city of New Crobuzon, a sprawling metropolis filled with bizarre creatures, dark magic, and forgotten histories. Among the labyrinthine streets and towering structures, there are hints of an even older city hidden beneath the modern world, a place where ancient powers and forbidden experiments still stir. The book’s exploration of the city’s underground areas uncovers lost realms and forgotten dimensions, where science and magic converge in strange and dangerous ways.

10. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

In The Priory of the Orange Tree, the ancient dragon-riding city of Naimes stands as one of the last bastions of magic, a forgotten world where dragons and humans once lived in harmony. As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, a group of women must uncover the secrets of the forgotten cities and the powerful magic that can save—or destroy—the world. Shannon’s epic world-building immerses readers in a realm where forgotten magical cities still pulse with ancient power, waiting to be rediscovered.

11. The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy is set in a world filled with forgotten civilizations, lost cities, and cataclysmic events that have erased much of the past. As the protagonists uncover the history of their world, they discover remnants of ancient cities and powerful, long-dormant forces. The trilogy’s exploration of these forgotten realms touches on themes of power, survival, and the fragility of civilizations, making it a profound look into how cities rise and fall, leaving only echoes behind.

12. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

In The Alchemist, Santiago’s journey to find treasure is also a journey to uncover ancient, forgotten places that are buried in the sands of time. Along the way, he meets characters who guide him toward a lost city of legends—the location of the alchemist’s stone, a place where magic and alchemy combine to reveal the secrets of the universe. Coelho’s story is as much about the discovery of external places as it is about the exploration of inner realms, where the forgotten city is not just a physical space, but a spiritual destination.

Final Thoughts

The concept of lost magical cities is an enduring theme in fantasy and adventure, evoking a sense of wonder and discovery that appeals to our deepest desires to explore the unknown. Whether they are hidden in the depths of ancient jungles, buried beneath the sands of time, or tucked away in parallel dimensions, these cities hold the promise of untold magic, mystery, and power. Each of these 12 books invites readers to journey into realms where forgotten civilizations rise again, and the allure of discovery beckons at every turn.