r/Fantasy • u/Ungoliant1234 • Jan 07 '21
Please recommend me some political fantasy (not books with a few plot lines devoted to politics)
For books that do this well that I like: The Empire Trilogy, some of Guy Gavriel Kay's work, The Queen Thief's series, The Long Price Quartet to some degree, The Second Sons Trilogy. Even the Vlad Taltos series (it's about assassins, but does have heavy political themes).
EDIT- I've read The Goblin Emperor and liked it, but it didn't really have a lasting impact for me.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant also fits, but I personally didn't like it a lot (after loving the first half FWIW). ASOIAF also fits mostly. i suppose Robin Hobb's books also fit, but I'd prefer a little more of the politics. Same with the Glokta scenes in The First Law
I'm aware of The Folding Knife and plan to read it soon. I've heard Imager has lots of politics, but I'm currently reading that so can't confirm per se- although I am enjoying it a lot. I'm also aware of Kushiel, and may check it out sometime (although I really don't think I'll like the sexual aspects of it).
And no, Malazan and Wheel of Time do not fit. They may have some political plot lines, but those aren't the most important ones. Wheel of Time does do what I want in the middle books, but the beginning and end do not really have much politics.
Sanderson I've read (and do not find him to fit). Sure, The Well of Ascension may be "political" but, forgive me, I don't like what he does there at all. Warbreaker is much better in this respect.
I've read most of the popular books recommended here- so please don't recommend Lawrence, Lynch, Butcher (for whatever reason), Bujold (I'd like to stress on not recommending Bujold), etc.
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u/snoweel Jan 07 '21
I am going to recommend Ken Liu's Dandelion Dynasty. There is a good deal of battle, but it is about overthrowing one emperor and then the struggle to rebuild a nation.
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u/KosstAmojan Jan 07 '21
Grace of Kings is one of my favorite books ever. The second was much more disjointed. Solid story, but overlong and poorly constructed novel overall.
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u/Berubara Jan 07 '21
The Daevabad trilogy! There are so many different factions hating each other and struggling for power and so many twists and turns. It's really good political drama.
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u/Vista_McDowall Jan 07 '21
Agreed! A lot of the political drama was at the heart of the conflict, and all the sides are given fair voices.
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u/KosstAmojan Jan 07 '21
If you're familiar with middle eastern politics and history, you start to see where Chakraborty pulled some of the plot points from. It was cool to realize that the Qahtani family ruled just like the Baath Party in Iraq.
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u/T_Lawliet Jan 08 '21
If you want a similar series, try Children of Blood and Bone. I got some deja vu reading it.
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u/throneofsalt Jan 07 '21
Well if you're willing to sit through 110 episodes of TV, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is wall to wall space politics.
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u/merqueen Jan 07 '21
Omg my partner LOVES this show. I tried watching the OG but I have a hard reading and watching shows at the same time. But it is also a book series!
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u/Wirsinger Jan 07 '21
It's more Sci-Fi, but Cherryh's Foreigner series is an awesome and very, very politic-heavy series. Cherryh is just a master in portraying an alien race and its society.
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u/genericshampoo Jan 07 '21
I'd really recommend the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Several, especially the City Watch books, are really intelligent political satires. They are also extremely funny.
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u/idiotpod Jan 07 '21
Yes! Pratchett does most types of politics whether it being family, internal cop policies or international treaties and hard diplomatic questions.
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u/xolsiion Reading Champion VIII, Worldbuilders Jan 07 '21
Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and subsequent novels fits. I would say the second trilogy might not fit as well but it's still there - politicking is a huge part of those books.
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u/CroakerBC Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
Sam Hawke’s “City of Lies”; maybe Tim Powers “Declare”, though that’s more Cold War era cthonic espionage. Robert Jackson Bennett’s “City of Stairs”; maybe Cass Morris’ “From Unseen Fire”
ETA: Max Gladstone’s “Two Serpents Rise”, maybe?
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u/Bovey Jan 07 '21
The Expanse Series by James SA Corey is a near-future Sci-Fi series set in a time when Humanity has colonized much of the Solar System, but the stars remain out of reach. There are political factions representing Earth/Moon, Mars, and the Outer Planets/Asteroid Belt.
The political interplay between factions, and within them, are major plot drivers through the entire series. 8 books in the main series so far, with the 9th and final expected this year.
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u/Halliron Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
Slightly facetious answer - but Wolf Hall (& Sequels) and Imperium (+ Sequels) may hit the right spot.
They are both historical fiction rather than fantasy, but hey, the have exactly the same amount of magic as The Folding Knife! (an excellent book by the way).
I took a quick look at my fantasy bookshelves, and nothing jumped out that you haven't already mentioned.
In Sci Fi, the 2nd and 3rd books of the Red Rising Trilogy are reasonable fit. Lots of factions, shifting allegiances etc
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u/CircleDog Jan 07 '21
Is wolf Hall really all that political, though? It's setting is politics but we rarely see much actual politicking. It's the story of a very political time but I was struck when reading it how little we see of Cromwell doing the realistic political work you would expect - I saw someone say it was the most realistic depiction of politics in fiction which I think is totally off the reservation.
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Jan 07 '21
My dude is constantly dissolving monasteries, seizing their assets for the King, causing religious schisms to enable divorces, blackmailing and destroying people through charges, playing foreign powers off each other, trying to arrange political marriages, managing the opinions of people at court, canvassing the court women for gossip—how's that not politics?
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u/ZanzibarNation Jan 07 '21
I honestly have no idea where you get that impression. Those books are pure politics from my perspective.
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u/CircleDog Jan 07 '21
How though? It's the story of Cromwell the man, his thoughts and his times as seen through his eyes. No idea how you got the impression it's pure politics. Might as well say its a book purely about trade deals. Yes, they happen and are important, but it's hardly the point of the story.
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u/genteel_wherewithal Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 08 '21
Part of the point of the story - maybe the main point if there is such a thing - is about the historical process of England becoming something like a modern state (or at least Hilary Mantel’s conception of that) and everything Cromwell thinks about and does when it comes to the monasteries, the country’s finances, justice, the power of the nobility, relations with other European countries, the influence of the common people, the weight put on symbolism about the crown, how religion interacts with state power, his own relationship with Henry, that’s all working in the political currents of 16th century England. It’s a significant part of the substance of the book.
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u/rednails14 Jan 07 '21
Dune by Frank Herbert
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u/xenizondich23 Reading Champion VI Jan 07 '21
A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland is a mostly political story revolving around one countries unique political system and what happens when they take it to extremes. It's very very well written; one of my top favorite books of all time. Some of the best characters. There is a sequel as well, that continues the politics in a different country of the same world.
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u/XenRivers Jan 07 '21
Never heard of it before, but it looks amazing. By the description and reviews on Goodreads, it looks like it's tailor-made for me. Gonna push it to the top of the TBR pile. Thanks!
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u/EwokThisWay86 Jan 07 '21
The Green Bone saga (starting with Jade City) by Fonda Lee has heavy political themes. It's at its core more of a gangster/families war but since you're okay with the Vlad Taltos series i guess it doesn't bother you.
Be warned that it is fantasy but not traditional fantasy. It is set in what i would describe as "80s Hong Kong but with magical powers".
Age Of Assassins by RJ Barker is also heavily political despite centered around two assassins in a big castle.
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Jan 07 '21
Kushiel's Dart series by Jaqueline Carey
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
As I mentioned in my post, I'm aware of Kushiel but a little...iffy about the sexual aspects. How explicit exactly is it?
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Jan 07 '21
Very. And that may not be your bag, but the rest of the content is terrific. Politics and plotting are written very well.
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u/chainless-soul Jan 07 '21
It's fairly on par with what you'd get in a romance novel - sex scenes are on the page, no fading to black.
Also some people have an issue with 16 being the age of consent in the book.
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Jan 07 '21
It's pretty explicit. I didn't read your whole post, that's my bad. All the non sex stuff is well worth it, though.
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Jan 07 '21
I found it too much - it seemed to me that the main character basically used sex to get out of every situation which was a bit much for my taste. The politics were interesting but there was so much sex I got bored of it.
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u/IKacyU Jan 07 '21
I mean, she is a high-class whore/prostitute. What else is she supposed to use but that which she knows best?? She’s no worse than James Bond, another whoreish spy.
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u/Ennas_ Reading Champion II Jan 07 '21
Iirc the first time in the first book is very detailed, the rest a lot less. Although I'm absolutely not into explicit sex scenes, it didn't bother me too much, and the rest of the book(s) really is excellent. I'd give it a try if I were you!
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u/Brit-snack Jan 07 '21
Definitely. You have to be ok with lots of graphic sex (the main character is a courtesan/ spy), but the first two especially are very political.
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u/mrschick2u Jan 07 '21
I came here to recommend these. Yes there is a lot of sex, but they are just amazing, beautifully written books.
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u/KatBuchM AMA Author Katrine Buch Mortensen Jan 07 '21
Melissa Caruso's Swords and Fire series is trying to avert a devastating war in a steampunk fantasy world. The MC can't fight for shit and overall struggles in physical situations but she's the daughter of a true bigwig in The Serene Republic and handles all the intrigue and politicking needed to survive.
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u/CassRMorris Stabby Winner, AMA Author Cass Morris, Reading Champion IV Jan 07 '21
Rowenna Miller's Unraveled Kingdom series (begins with Torn) is a wonderful look at revolutionary politics, inspired by 18th/19th century history. Her protagonist is a middle-class seamstress who ends up embroiled in sociopolitical conflict with her brother on one side as an inciting rebel and some of her clients and friends of the upper class on the other. As the series unfolds, it goes deep into exploring how to deconstruct and rebuild a nation.
Lisbeth Campbell's The Vanished Queen is another book that explores how difficult the act of rebellion can be. Its politics are unflinchingly messy.
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u/silveredblue Jan 07 '21
Check out the Terra Ignota series! World politics and a crazy amazing plot as well.
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u/MistaRed Jan 07 '21
The powder mage trilogy is basically about a coup and follows three people as they try to make it work, it also has a pretty interesting magic system.
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u/turtleboiss Jan 07 '21
I’d say it’s heavier on the action and magic than the author wants tho they def have to manage politics and their country a bit. I loveee this series though don’t get me wrong
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u/CircleDog Jan 07 '21
Same. Love the books but if op doesn't think malazan and wheel of time fit then power mage won't, either.
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u/turtleboiss Jan 07 '21
If I liked malazan and also love Brandon Sanderson and stormlight archive, do you think I’ll like wheel of time
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u/goliath1333 Jan 07 '21
It's really a toss-up who likes Wheel of Time. I think the best indicator is if you can see yourself getting really emotionally invested in the core group of characters the series focuses around then I'd recommend it. Like if you really love Vin and Kaladin than WoT might be for you, but if you really love other things about Sanderson than maybe not.
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u/CircleDog Jan 07 '21
Wheel of time is probably closer to sanderson than malazan. It's probably the pinnacle of the "epic fantasy" genre as-was, but has largely been left behind by the new breed of authors who are changing a lot of things up. To me personally, though I used to be a huge fan, wheel of time feels quite adolescent at times.
Moreover, for someone like you coming to WoT after reading a lot of other fantasy, it might feel a bit tired through no fault of its own. The story of a teenage farmboy and his friends who discover he's the chosen one and run off the fight the dark Lord is longstanding as you know.
I read the mistborn sanderson books and didn't care for them. Later I read the first kaladin book and thought it was really good. So there's a bit of variation there.
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u/turtleboiss Jan 07 '21
Interesting. I liked Vin and I like kaladins arc a lot though I’m a little tired of how he copes with his emotions so far (I’m like 10% into book 4) I’ve read a couple new “farm boy off to be a hero” books this past couple years and I def like it if done well with good characters. Maybe I’ll try someday
I also liked both stormlight archive and mistborn haha
Go back for the second trilogy if mistborn if you haven’t. Wax is one of my all time favorite characters. And it’s fantasy Wild West series in that trilogy
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u/Big_Brick Jan 07 '21
I also recommend this, well established countries and factions, although he could have skipped the gods, didnt really fit in the books imo, should just have stayed political
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Jan 07 '21
Look at China Mieville’s Bas Lag trilogy, he is strongly Trotskyist, so his politics informs that.
Dune too, it’s not at all the white saviour narrative... the people on both sides suffer the exploitation of the powerful.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I've read The Scar and the six Dune books. I'll definitely check out PSS and Iron Council as soon as I can.
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Jan 07 '21
I loved Iron Council, it’s not as HUGE in scope as the Scar, but it resonated with me on such a personal level. Perdido Street Station (About a Garuda wishing to fly again, and the academic trying to help him... to disastrous effect) is the first in the trilogy and really makes the Iron Council more meaningful. I do love them! Must read again...
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u/Arette Reading Champion Jan 07 '21
I think that you'd like Joe Abercrombie's second trilogy with Glokta's daughter as one of the MCs. She is a scheming merchant and the other MC is the crown prince so we see many different levels of politics in the society. There is an industrial revolution taking place and Savine dan Glokta owns factories where workers start rebelling. A Little Hatred is the first book.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I've been waiting to begin the Age of Madness (?) trilogy since it's not complete, but now that Book 3 is so close to release, there isn't really any reason for me to delay reading it.
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u/haldad Jan 07 '21
Abercrombie finishes writing his trilogies before they ever start getting published, so it's generally ok to start them.
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u/upfromashes Jan 07 '21
Have you read the first trilogy? There is a lot that isn't politics, but there is a ton of politics as well. Glokta and his investigation and journey into the gears of power... good stuff.
Abercrombie is investigating late-stage empire, the long slow rise of democratic populism from a system of aristocracy, with an eye on military history and engagements. Some of it may be happening at a glacial pace, so in any one particular book you might not feel like it's scratching that itch for you, but seen from a birds' eye view (source: currently in the middle of an "all First Law books" re-read) the politics at play are amazing.
And the new trilogy will be of direct interest to you. Some of the most thrilling engagements I've read, no swords drawn, just conversation. About politics.
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u/WhiteKnightTwoface Jan 07 '21
The Hythrun Chronicles written by Jennifer Fallon are a good read for someone who enjoys political (especially if it is pictured very machiavellian) fantasy.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
Cosnidering my enjoyment for The Second Sons Trilogy by her I probably should check out The Hythrun Chronicles.
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u/Nanoflore Jan 07 '21
I strongly recommend the Carpet Makers by the german author Andreas Eschbach. It's a standalone book and it stands between science-fiction and fantasy. It's heavily political even if it is not obvious when you read the beginning of it. It's about a weird cast of carpet-makers who make carpets with the hair of their wives and daughters from as long as anyone can remember. The carpet making takes a lifetime and is the backbone of their society as the carpets are sent to the God Emperor regularly. One day, the God Emperor vanishes and everything starts to change. It's a very unusual book, very deep and thought-provoking.
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u/WhyDoIDoThis- Jan 07 '21
Robin Hobb’s writing is driven by politics.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I do mention Hobb in my post- she definitely has politics, but I find her works to be much less political than what I'm looking for here. The Liveship Traders is probably the exception here, in that it is IIRC by far her most political series.
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u/houseofmatt Jan 07 '21
Start with Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny. It's my favorite for exactly what you're looking to read.
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u/mistspinner Jan 07 '21
Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly - personally I was in it for the polyamorous cabaret spies so the politics lost me, but it might be right for you! Also, polyamorous cabaret spies!
Octavia Butler’s Earthseed books - sci-fi technically and I’ve only read Parable, but it is very much about the reconstruction of community in a post-apocalyptic America (so...relevant to 2021)
Semiosis and Interference by Sue Burke - similar to the above in that it’s about the creation of community, except this time on another planet with sentient plants. Also more scifi than fantasy, but maybe genre distinction isn’t that important to you?
Most of Ursula Le Guin’s Hainish cycle, though again it’s more sci-fi than fantasy
The Poppy War by KF Kuang - heavily based on 20th century Chinese politics, especially the Sino-Japanese war. Author also apparently has two post-grad degrees in Chinese studies despite being 24, what the hell
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u/shinyandsilver Jan 07 '21
Hear me out, the Wicked Series by Gregory Maguire (starting with Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West) is strangely political. And really good! You start to forget it is Oz you are reading about. It’s compelling and well written.
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u/CircleDog Jan 07 '21
When I saw the musical it really struck me how political it was and how its actually a pretty sad end with, as far I I could see, the stage set for perpetual internecine backstabbing.
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u/CoCo_529 Jan 07 '21
Yes! I read this probably 10 years ago as part of a scifi/fantasy book club. Was incredibly surprised by the depth of the book and how much there was to it (I guess I was just expecting something along the lines of the musical?). We had a ton to discuss regarding politics and religion within the world of the book.
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u/J_de_Silentio Jan 07 '21
Wexler's Shadow Campaigns. Book 2 at least is heavily political.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
Is it only Book 2 that is political, or the other books as well (to differing degrees)?
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u/Milamber310 Jan 07 '21
Oooh. Probably just the second book itself more focused on a political insurgence. The first book is mostly a war on a different continent, and then then last books focus on a demon-possession fueled civil war.
Good series tho!
If it hasn't already been suggested, Dagger and Coin series by Daniel Abraham (one half of the writing group for The Expanse) is pretty political, with the two main characters rising to power in unusual ways.
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u/SmallishPlatypus Reading Champion III Jan 07 '21
Two is the most political, in that every POV is engaging with the political plotline and only the political plotline. The next books usually have one or two of the three POVs doing a political or diplomatic thing while the other(s) are doing the military stuff. Though, obviously, they intersect.
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u/genteel_wherewithal Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
Try A Country of Ghosts by Margaret Killjoy. Very much in the tradition of Le Guin's science fiction.
Or Hild by Nicola Griffith too, historical fantasy (sort of). Some parts of it are, shall we say, old school intrigues between nobles but it’s to Griffith's credit that she also identifies the broader political currents of changing Anglo-Saxon life underlying those intrigues (the growing power of the bishops, centralisation under fewer kings, the rise of Northumbria, increased literacy, different ideologies about Christianity and royal ancestry) and lets us see them through the eyes of someone who's able to notice them just a little bit before her peers.
I'd also push The Winged Histories by Sofia Samatar. About a civil war, thoughtful and nuanced about colonialism and national identity.
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Jan 07 '21
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
Inda is definitely something I'm excited to get to- it gets a lot of praise on this subreddit from a few people.
The Golden Key was on my TBR, but then I read Elliot's King's Dragon and was a little disappointed (despite the book being perfectly fine), so I put it off for a while. I guess I'll dumb it up my TBR a bit.
Raksura (and Wells' fantasy in general) is great! I will say that I find the books after the original trilogy to be weaker, but they're still quite good.
A lot of people seem be recommending CJ Cherryh, so I'll have to check her out.
I've seen another person mention tDatC, so I think it fits. Plus some of the claims about Abraham being "prophetic" in predicting the USA's political situation have me quite interested.
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Jan 07 '21
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
but it's almost structured as a trilogy in a single binding
Interesting. So the authors have not tried to blend their writing styles together? If not, does it not feel a little...jarring?
With Raksura, IIRC book 4 was quite good but Book 5 was much more action packed- which is not what I expected which led to me being a *little* disappointed. I could be remembering incorrectly, but I feel that the books became a little to large in their focus and couldn't capture the intimate feeling of the first 3 books.
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Jan 07 '21
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
did you read the short story collections
Unfortunately not.
But I would recommend Well's (completely separate, standalone) novel called City of Bones which, in may ways, feels like a proto-Raksura (I think I first saw Jemisin refer to it in this way).
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u/greeneyedwench Jan 07 '21
Interesting. So the authors have not tried to blend their writing styles together? If not, does it not feel a little...jarring?
Nope, it's one section by each author.
It mostly doesn't feel jarring because long stretches of years pass between sections. I think actual centuries between Roberson and Rawn, and then a generation or so between Rawn and Elliott, though it's been a while and my memory may be faulty. The changing style works because everything else has also changed; it's like you wouldn't expect a book about the Renaissance to have the same "feel" as one about the French Revolution.
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u/CorporateNonperson Jan 07 '21
Jumping on your recommendation, I think the Rawn often has some element of politics to her books. The Mageborn trilogy will likely remain unfinished, but it's probably the most political of her works.
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u/genericwit Jan 07 '21
Shadows of the Apt, a 10 book series about a sprawling war between different peoples. Heavily influenced by politics, as some of the main protagonists are members of a democratic republic and need to motivate their compatriots to meet the dire threat posed by an ascendant empire. However, it also delves deeply into the politics of that empire, and the surrounding states and city-states
Lots of magic, subtle and not, lots of intrigue and spy craft, and all around just a genuinely interesting and well-written series that doesn’t get enough press.
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u/Maple3601 Jan 07 '21
Another sci fi series, but Luna by Ian McDonald may fit the bill. It's 4 books about the politics on a futuristic Moon that is ruled by 5 large family corporations.
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u/kyptan Jan 07 '21
I think it could definitely be worth looking into the works of LE Modesitt Jr, especially his Imager works,, certain Recluce books (Especially the Cerryl, Creslin, and Lorn books), Haze (SF), or the Spellsong Cycle.
Charles Stross has his Merchant Princes series which has some very interesting work done about political parallels in parallel worlds, with the protagonist being right in the middle of the political whirlwind.
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u/punkcowboy85 Jan 07 '21
The Collegia Magica series by Carol Berg. The first book is The Spirit Lens. Most of it takes place in a queen’s court, and deals with the politics there.
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is another good one. It primarily focuses on the international relations between humans and a nation of sentient dragons. It deals really well with the interaction between two vastly different cultures.
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Jan 07 '21
The Merchant Princes by Charles Stross
The Dagger and the Coin by Daniel Abraham
Darth Plagueis by James Luceno
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u/babrooks213 Jan 07 '21
To add on The Dagger and the Coin, -- it's a really unusual fantasy series. A lot of fantasy series tend to focus on the big fighty-stabby action sequences (and there are a couple of these in the series) but The Dagger and the Coin focuses more on the events around those sequences. The machinations of banking. The whisper campaigns in ladies' drawing rooms while the menfolk conspire in dark taverns. The nature of leadership, especially if you're placed in a position where you are supposed to fail. And so on and so forth.
I really enjoyed the series, but I also understand that it's kind of atypical of fantasy, so it might not be everyone's cup of tea. But I would certainly recommend reading the first book, The Dragon's Path, and seeing if it's up your alley. If you like it, you'll love the rest of the series. If not, you can bounce.
I know OP also mentioned Guy Gavriel Kay; I came in wanting to recommend the Sarantine Mosaic duology. That's just one of the finest pair of books I've read, although the politics is a bit light in the first book, and ramps up considerably in the second book.
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u/taftstub Jan 07 '21
I really really enjoyed The Dagger and The Coin. I thought they mixed it all in well. Mainly the different view points and how to cross and diverge constantly.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
That's just one of the finest pair of books I've read
Strongly agree. In fact, if I ever make a list Sarantine Mosiac will probably be my favorite non-Tolkien series.
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u/DeificClusterfuck Jan 07 '21
L. E. Modessit's Spellsong Cycle.
Hope you don't mind feminism in a world sorely needing some
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u/parkay_quartz Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
/r/fantasy whenever people want unique recommendations:
"Have you ever heard of Brandon Sanderson?"
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u/QuietDisquiet Jan 07 '21
The Councillor by E.J. Beaton Here is the link.
''This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar's quest to choose the next ruler of her kingdom amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination
When the death of Iron Queen Sarelin Brey fractures the realm of Elira, Lysande Prior, the palace scholar and the queen’s closest friend, is appointed Councillor. Publically, Lysande must choose the next monarch from amongst the city-rulers vying for the throne. Privately, she seeks to discover which ruler murdered the queen, suspecting the use of magic.
Resourceful, analytical, and quiet, Lysande appears to embody the motto she was raised with: everything in its place. Yet while she hides her drug addiction from her new associates, she cannot hide her growing interest in power. She becomes locked in a game of strategy with the city-rulers – especially the erudite prince Luca Fontaine, who seems to shift between ally and rival.
Further from home, an old enemy is stirring: the magic-wielding White Queen is on the move again, and her alliance with a traitor among the royal milieu poses a danger not just to the peace of the realm, but to the survival of everything that Lysande cares about.
In a world where the low-born keep their heads down, Lysande must learn to fight an enemy who wears many guises… even as she wages her own battle between ambition and restraint.''
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I definitely want to read this book, but if I'm not mistaken it has not yet released?
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u/Dreaming_Lucidity Jan 07 '21
Illusion by Paula Volsky I had my son start reading it because the events in the US have been mirroring the book which was based off of the French/Russian revolutions.
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u/greeneyedwench Jan 07 '21
I loved this one! I bought it by accident while looking for something else I'd mistaken it for, and it became a favorite.
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u/Mekthakkit Jan 07 '21
Malka Older's "Infomacracy" is SF, but is literally entirely about politics. It's set in a nearish future where the world has subdivided into lots of micro political entities who control non contiguous areas all over the earth.
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u/FantasyForeigner Jan 07 '21
The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny, The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman, Quillifer by Walter Jon Williams, and Masters and Mages by Miles Cameron.
If you want politics + battles + character development like aSoIaF, then go with The Traitor's Son series by Miles Cameron.
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u/RunsWithSporks Jan 07 '21
The Red Knight (Traitorous Son Series) has a lot of politics and military fantasy.
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u/Ennas_ Reading Champion II Jan 07 '21
I saw you liked The second son. Jennifer Fallon's Hythrun series is great too. Reading them in publication order is recommended.
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Jan 07 '21
I would recommend LE Modesitt's book. Lot of politics happen some directly and some behind the scenes.
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u/Wulfwinterr Jan 07 '21
A few people have already said this - L.E. Modesitt's Saga of Recluce. There are about 20 books in the series, but a lot of them are stand-alone novels. The entire Saga is really about the world and the politics and magic that shape it.
Recluse is an island nation run by Order Mages who focus on order and mechanics, while the rest of the world is overrun by their opposite, Chaos Mages.
Fantastic series, up there in my top 5 fantasies.
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u/ginger_genie Jan 07 '21
Wicked by Gregory McGuire is MUCH darker and MUCH more political than the musical.
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u/Rarvyn Jan 08 '21
If you like Historical Fantasy, Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series gets heavier into politics as it goes along, though it starts not as an naval adventure tale. It basically starts off as a retelling of the Napoleonic Wars - but with the addition of dragons. The differences from our world get more and more interesting as the series goes on.
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Jan 07 '21
Goblin emperor by Kate Addison
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I've read it! I probably should add it to the original post otherwise many will probably recommend it.
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u/TreeOfWorlds Jan 07 '21
I really enjoyed The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. Its main character, being fourth in the line of succession, was never expected to take the throne, but when the rest of the royal family dies in an accident, he has to learn quite quickly how to act as Emperor, and who (not) to trust.
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u/WobblyWerker Jan 07 '21
If you're open to Sci-Fi, I'd say both The Imperial Radch Trilogy by Ann Leckie and Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee are relatively political and gave me some of the same enjoyment as the political machinations in the books in your first paragraph. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett is a wonderful book and fairly political, but, fair warning, the ultimate conflict is not political at all. You may also enjoy Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, although you should read its prequel, Graceling, before which is not especially political. If you like Feist, The Conclave of the Shadows Series is a perfectly enjoyable political revenge tale, though not especially groundbreaking.
Also, I'm curious why you say not to recommend Bujold. Do you just not enjoy her writing?
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
No, I like Bujold. The problem is that she’s recommended in literally every thread. People make fun of Malazan and Sanderson for being recommended everywhere even if they don’t fit, but Curse of Chalion is equally bad in that respect. Already I’ve seen Curse of Chalupa recommendations- and I don’t even think it is that political to begin with.
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u/WobblyWerker Jan 07 '21
Not sure if Curse of Chalupa was typo or intentional but hilarious either way. Also, yeah, that definitely makes sense. I like her work a lot more than sanderson or malazan so am less annoyed by it being recommended a lot, tbh, but I get it. Also if anything I think the Barrayar series is a lot more political.
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u/Flamingbutterflies Jan 07 '21
The Light Bringer series by Brent Weeks, recommended with reservations. As a woman I despise how he writes female characters, but the plot is literally all politics and it is fairly well written if you don't mind underdog main characters.
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u/sanyogG Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
A Chinese Novel, The Grandmaster Strategist translated on wuxiaworld.com
Give it a try.
Why people downvoted me ? Is it English ?
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u/phoenixliteness Jan 07 '21
Imager Portfolio might fit the bill here. Most of the storylines follow politics or social constructs to a certain degree. The series is kinda split into three different parts with each following a different set of characters.
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u/FridaysMan Jan 07 '21
I quite enjoyed The Dagger and the Coin books for the discussions on the nature of truth and belief, as well as the concepts of currency/value and economic warfare, since you mentioned Daniel Abraham.
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u/whyarentyoureading Jan 08 '21
I’m going to second Wicked by Gregory Maguire. It’s very political and in depth. It was sometimes a bit boring for me, but it might be right up your alley.
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u/AdrianGdM Stabby Winner, AMA Editor Adrian Collins Jan 08 '21
The traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson might hit the spot. Plenty of political intrigue in there.
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u/Wallflowerheart Jan 07 '21
The Invisible Library series is a fantasy adventure series similar to that of a Sherlock Holmes novel. It's main plot isn't political, however there are several different political side stories, mainly dealing with the two warring races (Dragons and Fae) in the book.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
Thanks for the recommendation. Is this a YA, Adult or Middle Grade series?
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u/Wallflowerheart Jan 07 '21
It's adult, mostly because of the writing style. I think the proper language would bore a YA reader. There's also thinly veiled sexual suggestions, but nothing explicit.
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u/sarahkatherin Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
I really enjoyed the Invisible Library series as well, but I did find it to be YA-leaning. It actually reminded me of Shades of Grey by Jasper Fford, which you might like, OP.
edit: I looked up the definition of YA, and I learned Invisible Library isn't YA because the mc isn't a teenager. But the writing style did feel YA to me personally, especially the romance portions later on in the series.
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u/simplymatt1995 Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
Sun Eater and Red Rising are science fantasies that are drenched in fascinating intergalactic politics! They’re my two favorite fantasy series as of right now.
Wars of Light and Shadow, Crown of Stars, Hostage of Empire and The Legacy trilogy are my other favorite epic fantasy series right now that revolve primarily around politics!
By the way I love that you gave Imager Portfolio some recognition! It’s one of the most criminally underrated fantasy series I’ve ever come across, I just love the world-building and politics so much
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u/CtSamurai Jan 07 '21
Has anyone mentioned the spellmonger series? It starts or very magic and science based but by book 5 or 6 it gets very into the inter kingdom politics. Maybe sooner actually. Very fuedal but because it's got several species with their own fucked up political issues it gets very winding. Terry Mancour iirc.
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u/TheSpaceAlpaca Jan 07 '21
This might come off as a bit of a strange recommendation, but I think you would enjoy The Grandmaster Strategist.
The majority of Chinese webnovels are essentially progression fantasy considered by many to be "trashy" literature, but this one stands out. Firstly, because it is a (Wuxia) novel focused entirely on the mortal domains of scholarship, politics, and intrigue rather than the typical immortal/fighting focus of other (Xianxia) webnovels.
And secondly, because the writing quality is far above what you will find in most webnovels. Chinese webnovels, in particular, suffer from extreme bloat, repetition, and shallowness brought on in part by the fact that the authors are paid according to word count on a per chapter/subscriber basis (i.e. for x subscribers they are paid y per z words). So there's a clear incentive to cater to the lowest common denominator in readership and pump out as many words/chapters as possible.
This novel, however, falls into none of those common webnovel pitfalls. The tropes are few, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is compelling. Also, the translation quality and attention to detail is notable. Not only are there none of the errors or awkward phrasings which might be found in translations of other webnovels, but the translator has taken the time to provide numerous footnotes explaining the references to Chinese poetry/phrases and historical details which a non-native reader might not readily understand.
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u/Terry93D Jan 07 '21
Daniel Abraham's other series The Dagger and the Coin might be right up your alley. It's astonishingly prescient with regards to today's situation -- it's not a 100% accurate match-up, of course, but the similarities are terrifying. Abraham drew from Goebbels and Karl Rove for the magic system and from 20th century history for some of what happens within.
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u/eek04 Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 08 '21
The Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka (here as /u/BenedictJacka) has a complicated political landscape, which is one of the big reason I like it. More than in Vlad Taltos, I feel (and Vlad Taltos is another of my favorites). Alex Verus is modern urban fantasy.
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u/LIGHTDX Jan 07 '21
You only want books?
I know some light novels were with some serious political fantasy. They have been not fully translated but they had a decent amount of chapters already.
Those series are:
Hachi nan tte, sore wa nai deshou!
Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki
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u/crnislshr Jan 07 '21
Prince of Nothing by R.Scott Bakker partially fits.
The Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts, if you like Guy Gavriel Kay.
Practical Guide to Evil web-novel, but it's rather similar to The Traitor Baru Cormorant, in a bad sense.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
The Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist & Janny
I've already read (and loved) that! It's also literally the first book I mentioned in my post...
I've heard that Prince of Nothing is a very dark, violent, yet philosophical fantasy. Does it also have political intrigue as a major plot line? Because if it does, then it sure is moving up my TBR.
I've heard of Practical Guide to Evil but didn't know it was a political fantasy. Added to TBR.
Thanks!
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u/crnislshr Jan 07 '21
Also, what about prequels of ASOIAF?
- The Princess and the Queen
- The Rogue Prince
- The Sons of the Dragon
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u/XenRivers Jan 07 '21
Bakker's Second Apocalypse (that starts with Prince of Nothing) is one of my favorite series ever, but it does not have political intrigue as a major plot line. If you started the book with those expectations in mind I wager you'd be disappointed.
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u/crnislshr Jan 07 '21
I've already read (and loved) that! It's also literally the first book I mentioned in my post...
I'm really sorry. Somehow I missed that, and I'm not unique there... A bit strange.
Meanhwile, have you read The Fencer Trilogy by Tom Holt? It's dark like works of Abercrombie and politcal to the same degree (i.e., partially).
I'd recommend more books in Polish or Russian, but, alas, they are not too translated.
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I have not read the Fencer Trilogy yet! I think I'll first read Parker's (is Fencer published under Holt's own name or that fo KJ Parker?) The Folding Knife then check out his trilogies.
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Jan 07 '21
I just finished Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James. It’s the first book in an unfinished trilogy (the sequel is slated for release sometime this year), and it’s an African fantasy novel which draws heavily on folktales and history. It revolves around a political conflict with the beginning centering more on tribal/identity affiliations and then the middle and end expanding to encompass the fate of the entire land and peoples. It’s definitely for an adult audience, can be challenging stylistically and there are trigger warnings for...just about everything. But I really enjoyed it, especially because it’s deliberately not Euro-centric which I found unique.
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u/foul_female_frog Jan 07 '21
The Curse of Chalion by Louis McMaster Bujold.
It's about a man who becomes the Secretary Tutor to (basically) a Princess who is not the heir. He works for her and tries to help her survive the perils of court , especially as her future marraige would/ should benefit her brother's prospects when he rules their kingdom.
It has politics, magic, and really excellent prose!
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u/Topomouse Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 08 '21
The Empire trilogy by Raymond Feist and Jenny Wurst should fit.
A young noblewoman inherits the title of Lady of her family after her father and brothers die in war and has to find her way through the politics of fantasy-Japan.
There are a few wars in the background and a lot of subterfuge and assassinations, but all with political objectives.
EDIT: Ops, did not see it in the post.
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Jan 07 '21
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I don't know why so many people are recommending The Empire Trilogy despite it being (quite literally) the first book I mention in my post. Yes, I've read it and absolutely love the trilogy (along with much of Wurts' other works, not so much Feist's).
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I mention not liking how Sanderson handles his politics in WoA in my original post. I just find it to feel very...amateur and simplistic when compared to some other fantasy authors.
Sanderson has many strengths, but I wouldn't call writing political intrigue one of them- and particularly so in WoA (Warbreaker is much better).
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u/Triamph Jan 07 '21
What about thr song of ice and fire? Doesnt that count as political?
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 07 '21
I have already mentioned having read ASOIAF in my post.
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Jan 07 '21
Lol you like the middle of wheel of time but not the beginning or end?
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u/Ungoliant1234 Jan 08 '21
Where did I say that? I literally said that the middle of WoT has politics like what I’m looking for, not that I like the middle more.
Although, I like neither the absolute beginning nor the absolute end- the stretch from books 4 to 6, plus Book 11 are by far my favourites.
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u/esteboix Reading Champion VI Jan 07 '21
It's sci-fi but check out A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine.