100 books like The Game Maker

By Kitty Thomas,

Here are 100 books that The Game Maker fans have personally recommended if you like The Game Maker. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of Born to be Bound

Vivian Murdoch Author Of Dark Hunger

From my list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing since I was in kindergarten. Granted, it started out with poetry, but words are still words. When it comes to omegaverse, I made sure to devour some of the great writers before I even stuck my toe in. The great thing about omegaverse is that you can put it in almost any setting, and it fits. I just happen to like dystopian, and now historical regency England, as my backdrop. I’ve been writing professionally since 2020, and I have never looked back once. This is my passion. This is my calling. This is what I’m meant to do.

Vivian's book list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink

Vivian Murdoch Why did Vivian love this book?

This was the book that broke my Omegaverse cherry. It was dark, raw, and unapologetic, and it left an impression. It’s one of the few reasons I write omegaverse today. This trilogy was the first time a book ever broke me. I was sobbing so hard my husband worried for me, but it left an impression. I have devoured every book since.

By Addison Cain,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Born to be Bound as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Unapologetically raw and deliciously filthy, Shepherd & Claire's dark, gritty story is an emotional punch to the gut!” - Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author

At the mercy of a jealous, possessive villain, gentle Claire begs her city’s savage conqueror to save the vulnerable Omega females, from the violence his soldiers have inspired in her fallen city. Not only does Shepherd refuse her, he takes the desperate and rare Omega woman for his own.

The first book in Addison Cain's exciting, raw, and suspense-filled Paranormal series is an addictive Dark Romance that will consume you mind, body, and soul.


Book cover of Broken

Vivian Murdoch Author Of Dark Hunger

From my list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing since I was in kindergarten. Granted, it started out with poetry, but words are still words. When it comes to omegaverse, I made sure to devour some of the great writers before I even stuck my toe in. The great thing about omegaverse is that you can put it in almost any setting, and it fits. I just happen to like dystopian, and now historical regency England, as my backdrop. I’ve been writing professionally since 2020, and I have never looked back once. This is my passion. This is my calling. This is what I’m meant to do.

Vivian's book list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink

Vivian Murdoch Why did Vivian love this book?

When I tell you this book took my heart and ripped it out, I’m not even joking. I knew it was a dark book. I went in with this knowledge, but knowing and knowing are two totally different things. This was my first foray into contemporary omegaverse and I was fascinated beyond belief. This is one of those books that kept me up all night, downloading the next just so I could get my fix and find out the end of the story. Some of the scenes still live in my head rent-free.

By Eva Dresden,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Broken as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Street smart, stubborn, and struggling.

Quinn Ivers scrapes by one day at a time in a world where Omegas are viewed as less than nothing and are subject to the whims of others. Slinging drinks in a nightclub with a wicked reputation, she just wants to make it to the next day. Her world is rife with an array of dangers, but it's hers and she answers to no one.

Until Tobias Kahler appears and ruins everything, including her.

The man who owns the city has set his eyes on the waitress, and he won't be denied. Merciless and without…


Topics
  • Coming soon!
Genres
  • Coming soon!

Book cover of Philip's Rules

Vivian Murdoch Author Of Dark Hunger

From my list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing since I was in kindergarten. Granted, it started out with poetry, but words are still words. When it comes to omegaverse, I made sure to devour some of the great writers before I even stuck my toe in. The great thing about omegaverse is that you can put it in almost any setting, and it fits. I just happen to like dystopian, and now historical regency England, as my backdrop. I’ve been writing professionally since 2020, and I have never looked back once. This is my passion. This is my calling. This is what I’m meant to do.

Vivian's book list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink

Vivian Murdoch Why did Vivian love this book?

When I first started reading romance, I read nothing but historical. But then, I got bored with it because it all felt the same. That changed when I read this book. It was kinky and filthy, and still had that amazing historical romance mannerisms that I love and crave. I didn’t know books could be like this. I was smitten. Because of her, I fell back in love with historical romances.

By Golden Angel,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Philip's Rules as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Pride and Prejudice meets Fifty Shades of Grey in this steamy tale of a stern lord and his new wife…

Lady Cordelia knows the Marquess of Dunbury did not marry her for love. Still, as he awakens her passion and pleasure, she begins to hope their marriage can become something more.

The Marquess of Dunbury rules his household with a stern demeanor and a hard hand. His new wife has begun to soften his harsh edges, engaging his more tender emotions. Their passion burns bright, but no relationship is without its tests.

Will a wicked stepdaughter and Cordelia’s own insecurities…


Book cover of Branded

Vivian Murdoch Author Of Dark Hunger

From my list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing since I was in kindergarten. Granted, it started out with poetry, but words are still words. When it comes to omegaverse, I made sure to devour some of the great writers before I even stuck my toe in. The great thing about omegaverse is that you can put it in almost any setting, and it fits. I just happen to like dystopian, and now historical regency England, as my backdrop. I’ve been writing professionally since 2020, and I have never looked back once. This is my passion. This is my calling. This is what I’m meant to do.

Vivian's book list on darker dystopian omegaverse with a large dash of kink

Vivian Murdoch Why did Vivian love this book?

Once again, Addison Cain is on my list for omegaverse, but this time, it’s for a reverse harem omegaverse. Until this time, I had never read reverse harem, but there it was in all its intricate depraved glory. Again, very much on the dark scale, but I still devoured it. There really is no one like her when it comes to darkverse books. She’s literally the one I hold the standard for.

By Addison Cain,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Branded as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Electrifying, dark, and delicious! I devoured every tantalizing word...” Renee Rose, USA Today Bestselling author

Lips brushing my ear, Caspian offers me a fair exchange.

My life in exchange for the freedom of my wards.

Infamous for his cruelty, renowned for his wealth, the most powerful man in the city meets my desperate gaze and smirks.
Aggressive in his appetites, vicious in his demands, Caspian will brook no refusal. So long as I am his, he will enact no restraint, bear no qualms, dress me as he wishes, shower me with riches, and teach me the secrets of pleasure in…


Book cover of The Devil's Bargain

Aveda Vice Author Of Feed

From my list on short monster romances doing things differently.

Why am I passionate about this?

Monsters intrigue me. I’ve always enjoyed the weird and obscure – the creatures who are recognizably not human. Being a queer, autistic person, I’ve often felt as if I didn’t understand the world…or the world didn’t understand me. Reading and writing about monsters sheds a new light on the parts of myself that I was taught are undesirable. By conventional standards, the monsters in these stories are horrifying, yet they find people who love them and their monstrosity. Monsters get their happy endings – and I can get mine, too.

Aveda's book list on short monster romances doing things differently

Aveda Vice Why did Aveda love this book?

We all know the story: someone messes around with magic and ends up indebted to a demon. In this short, however, our main character is a queer Black man, and the devil that finds him won’t take no for an answer. For fans of Omegaverse, dubcon, and monsters that look like monsters, definitely check this out!

By Rian Fox,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Devil's Bargain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The last thing Silas Cromwell expected was for a book to change his life. When a rare first edition book from a famous 19th-century Occultist ends up in Silas's lap at an auction, life as he knows it suddenly changes. Pressured into performing one of the rituals from the book by a friend, Silas gets a tease of regret. Now Silas can’t sleep, is having nightmares that end with him waking up terrified. Something obscene, dark and deadly wants Silas and he isn’t human. Bazaduil lusts for Silas and won’t take no for an answer, even if it means tricking…


Book cover of Ruthless King

E.J. Frost Author Of Snowburn

From my list on scifi and fantasy romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been fascinated by “other worlds” since I found my father’s battered copy of Dune when I was eleven. I’ve been seeking that experience of transportation, of transcendence, that I got from reading Dune, ever since. I’ve found it in diverse places, from the very alien worlds of Jo Clayton’s Diadem from the Stars series to the somehow-familiar woods of Richard and Wendy Pini’s ElfQuest comics. I’ve tried to give that experience back to my readers, in creating worlds wondrous and strange but entirely relatable. The books on this list sparked that same sense of transcendence and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

E.J.'s book list on scifi and fantasy romance

E.J. Frost Why did E.J. love this book?

I’m always enamored of a truly dark, gritty setting. I want to see the dirt under the hero’s nails. Smell his sweat and hear his harsh breaths as he fights or...does other things. Aimes’s world in the Ruthless Warlord series is visceral. It grabs you by the throat, shakes you, throws you down, and smothers you. It’s brutal and in some ways unbearably harsh. But Aimes’s books are always tempered with humor, warmth, and ultimately, triumph of the human spirit. I may shiver and shudder my way through Nikolai and Dahlia’s story, but I feel hopeful by the end, and that’s why I return to Aimes’s books again and again—to be, ultimately, uplifted.

By Alison Aimes,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ruthless King as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"I tore myself away to throw dinner at the kids and then hurried back. Ruthless King was EVERYTHING I want in a romance and more." -5 Star Reviewer
He's the most brutal crime boss in the galaxy—and she belongs to him now.
Payment for a debt owed. Pawn for an act of vengeance. Property to be used.

Irresistibly gorgeous mafia king Nikolai Skolov is dominant, hard, possessive—and determined to bend innocent Dahlia Lundin to his will. But she is equally determined to resist. The lives of those she loves depends upon it.

Except Dahlia isn't prepared for the insatiable hunger…


Book cover of Fever

Elizabeth Stephens Author Of Taken to Voraxia

From my list on alien romances featuring heroines of color.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a woman of color, impassioned reader, and author to boot, I'm always advocating for inclusion in my romance reads. All of my romances feature a lead or leads of color and I'm particularly drawn to books where I can identify myself in the heroines. I like to provide other readers of color with the same experience through my books, while writing compelling romances that can be enjoyed by anyone. I have published 12 novels, with 4+ coming out in 2022. I've hit the bestseller charts on Amazon in SciFi romances and multicultural romances with every new release. You can expect my Xiveri Mates series in audio, French, and German as early as March 2022.  

Elizabeth's book list on alien romances featuring heroines of color

Elizabeth Stephens Why did Elizabeth love this book?

I am obsessed with these books!!! I have read every Alpha Horde book Milana has written (there are over 10 across two different series). There’s a very, very sexy amazingly possessive alpha alien hero who is paired with a strong heroine who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. Slowly, she’s convinced. This recommendation is omegaverse with Alpha males and Omega females thus you’ll see traditional ABO kinks such as knotting. 

By Milana Jacks,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fever as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Fever Hordesman sits outside my house, wailing punny lyrics while beating a rock rhythm on his armor, and I'm late for work. My Omega heat’s coming on early, throwing a monkey wrench into my single-minded plan to ignore his single-minded quest to mate me. I have to admit—privately—his strong jaw, full mouth, and a scent that can send over a dozen Omegas into heat, make my girly bits quiver. Just a little.When the Swarm approaches me with an offer I can’t refuse, keeping Sotay at arm’s length is no longer an option. He’s got something the Swarm wants. If…


Book cover of Soul Eater

Elle Arroyo Author Of The Nine: Zane

From my list on dark fantasy enemies to lovers mm romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an author and avid reader of romance, especially those full of conflict in a world heavy with magic, shifters, vampires, and others. My dad was a great storyteller and sparked my interest in the paranormal. When I was a kid, he’d tell me stories about growing up in the mountains of Puerto Rico. The evil that lived there. My imagination took it from there. I wish I would’ve written down those stories. I can’t get him to talk about them anymore. It might be the reason why The Nine: Zane had started out as a contemporary romance story until Zane took over with all his paranormal drama. 

Elle's book list on dark fantasy enemies to lovers mm romance

Elle Arroyo Why did Elle love this book?

This is a monster mm romance in a dystopian setting with a human soldier who hates the monsters that breached into the human world.

When faced with the enemy, the soldier learns that the monsters are not what they seem.

I love this one because the monsters aren’t all good, but neither are they the evil the world thinks. The lines are blurred, and I think it works. 

By Lily Mayne,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Soul Eater as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Eight Minutes, Thirty-Two Seconds

Marlena Frank Author Of The Seeking

From my list on dark fantasy with unique monsters.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love reading about monsters as much as I love writing about them. Unfortunately, it also means I’m super picky about the dark fantasy I read. These authors don’t disappoint. Dark fantasy is a genre that I continue to return to, whether it’s aimed at teens or adults. I’ve had to deal with many monsters in my life and I understand that they can take many shapes and forms. These books are some of the very best I’ve read and I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have. 

Marlena's book list on dark fantasy with unique monsters

Marlena Frank Why did Marlena love this book?

A dystopian novella that seems confusing at first but makes sense as you continue along. It requires piecing together broken memories, broken friendships, and flashes of emotion that are rarely understood. Each glimpse lasts only eight minutes and thirty-two seconds. It’s quite an incredible feat of storytelling. I read this in one sitting with the sun setting outside and me barely even noticing that time existed. I was fortunate enough to know and work alongside Salomon before his recent passing and this was a book I was privileged to provide a blurb for. I was blown away by the story that unraveled before me. I promise you will be too. 

By Peter Adam Salomon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Eight Minutes, Thirty-Two Seconds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Over eight billion people died when the world ended. Two survived.L and M don’t know why they’re alive. They don’t remember what happened. Addicted to a drug that kills them for eight minutes and thirty-two seconds, they risk the end of humanity in order to learn the truth.


Book cover of Trail of Lightning

R.M. Olson Author Of Redshift

From my list on restoring your faith in humanity.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a former journalist-turned-lawyer and a recovering news junky, I’ve spent much of my life watching unhappy scenarios play out. But what’s always astonished me me is how, no matter how bad things get or how difficult the situation, there’s a spark of humanity, of kindness and compassion and optimism, that comes out in people at the most unexpected of times. Now, as an author and a parent, I find myself drawn to stories that remind me of that—that no matter how bleak life may look, how cruel or arbitrary the circumstances, there’s something good and beautiful and worth fighting for, not “somewhere out there,” but inside us. 

R.M.'s book list on restoring your faith in humanity

R.M. Olson Why did R.M. love this book?

I read this book after a long, dull period when I couldn’t seem to find anything to read that sparked my interest. Trail of Lightning picked me up, whirled me around, and made me fall head-over-heels in love with speculative fiction again.

Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world, it’s brutal and gripping, but where there should only be sadness and despair, there are unexpected moments of un-looked-for kindness. This isn’t a light read, and it isn’t exactly happy—but there’s a beautiful optimism underlying the bleakness, that after all, even in the worst of circumstances and at the worst of times, people can be kind. 

By Rebecca Roanhorse,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Trail of Lightning as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time

2019 LOCUS AWARD WINNER, BEST FIRST NOVEL

2019 HUGO AWARD FINALIST, BEST NOVEL

Nebula Award Finalist for Best Novel

One of Bustle's Top 20 "landmark sci-fi and fantasy novels" of the decade

"Someone please cancel Supernatural already and give us at least five seasons of this badass Indigenous monster-hunter and her silver-tongued sidekick." -The New York Times

"An excitingly novel tale." -Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse and Midnight Crossroads series

"Fun, terrifying, hilarious, and brilliant." -Daniel Jose Older, New York Times bestselling…


Book cover of Born to be Bound
Book cover of Broken
Book cover of Philip's Rules

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in dystopian, monsters, and video games?

Dystopian 621 books
Monsters 170 books
Video Games 101 books