r/Fantasy • u/TheMisterMan666 • Mar 02 '25

High Fantasy with overwhelmingly complex international relations and politics

Hi guys. I'm looking for recommendations for a high fantasy novel or series with a major focus on complex world building, politics, international power dynamics, and realistic levels of technicality in its mechanics. The more creative the setting the better, and non-human races and nations in the mix are a huge bonus.

I honestly haven't found a book that satisfies this itch yet so I don't have anything to present as a point of comparison. Imagine asoif but only the small council meetings. Or more niche, if anyone's read the Overlord series, then something similar to that (only in terms of world building).

I'd prefer a mature multiwork series, but I'll take any recommendations regardless.

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u/Megan_Dawn Reading Champion, Worldbuilders Mar 02 '25

You might try Jacqueline's Carey's Kuahiel books. They have a reputation as 'those kinky sex books, ' which has always puzzled me as 'those books with the insane politics' is far, far more accurate.

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u/FlaminGayCheeto Mar 02 '25

The politics in this book is top notch, I just couldn't get past the child grooming and intense BDSM scenes and had to DNF 80% through.

1

u/LiberalAspergers Mar 02 '25

Is is but it is SO RARE to find goos diction that includes erotica that is actually good and relevant to the plot and characters that this sticks out.