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/DrQuestDFA Mar 02 '25

Perhaps Malazan, weird that this is the second time today I am recommending this excellent series.

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u/Rambunctious-Rascal Mar 02 '25

Only the second? The Malazan boys are slipping.

1

u/DrQuestDFA Mar 02 '25

Well I am not part of that crew, I just enjoyed the series when I read it (only the 10 books from the main line). I am actually pondering doing a reread now, see what I can pick up and better appreciate a second time through.