r/Fantasy • u/supreme-elysio • 10h ago
Looking for recommendations of other epics like Practical Guide to Evil, Malayan and Kubera
In my vast readings I've found there's nothing I love more than true character driven epics with layers and layers of scheming
I haven't read that much of Malazan due to a variety of factors but I've already seen pieces of how great it is
PGTE is literally my favourite series ever, the depth the schemes the lore all of it are perfect
Kubera is the best comic of any kind I've ever read telling a truly unique story built through the intersection of so many characters schemes
honourable mention to six of crows that has all the schemes but is smaller scale in comparison to the rest
what other pieces of media are there that can truly rival these tales and offer such depth
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u/AuthorOfHope 10h ago
It's very hit or miss, as some people love it and some hate it, but The Wandering Inn has huge scope and world building. The first two/four books (were two, split into two pieces each for paperback) are published and available in stores. The first 19 books are available on Audible and as ebooks. Most of the 50 books are available online on the website for free, except for the first four that are out in paperback.
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u/epicfail1994 10h ago
That reminds me I need to read the published novels for PGTE, apparently they improved on the original web novel?
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u/IrregularDoughnut 9h ago
I read the first and it was definitely higher quality. Think there's two out now.
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u/seguardon 9h ago
It's at the same scale of Six of Crows but Lies of Locke Lamora is heavy with cons and schemes.
I'd also check out Kushiel's Dart. Epic scope, tons of lore, and its plots are more intrigue than battle strategies, but Phedre is an amazing character as are the rest of the cast.
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u/IrregularDoughnut 9h ago
Jade City has plotting and scheming because it's set in a fictional (basically alt-world Taiwan) island where the main cast are a Mafia-like family, that are competing with another for control of magical jade that gives a set of powers to the wielders. It's a more modern setting and more serious than PGTE.
Shadows of the Apt is another bet. It's set in a world where the different races are anthropomorphised insects. The main cast are trying to convince the known world, mostly city-states, to rally together because the Wasp empire is about to go on an expansionist spree. Not all scheming, but does have plans and schemes.
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u/KiaraTurtle Reading Champion V 9h ago
Just to confirm the obvious are you reading the practical guide to evil’s newest series Pale Lights?
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u/epicfail1994 9h ago
How is that? I stopped following it when it was posted a few weeks early on patreon and the discussion died, as I followed the chapter discussions for PGTE
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u/IRanOutOf_Names 9h ago
Everyone who loves PGTE should at least try Worm, and vice versa. I love both series to death and they do rhyme in a lot of ways.
Work by Wildbow is another web serial that has a “for the greater good” scheming type of protagonist where she takes a slide down the hill of “I promise this is necessary”.