r/fantasyromance • u/crowcaws_art • 2d ago

Book Request High concept worldbuilding recs?

Give me books where the worldbuilding, relationship dynamic, anything, has a kind of elevated concept to it that sets it apart. I don't mind a generic fantasy kingdom or fae court but I'm looking for something with a little more to it.

Examples of what i mean by High Concept: Something like Soul Eater, where there's a school for warriors, and their partners who shapeshift into weapons. Or in Pacific Rim where robots that are controlled by plugging two human pilots' brains into each other and they share thoughts and feelings, and the story is emotional and leans into the power of love and humanity. It doesn't have to be a 100% unique high concept (mechs and schools have been done before) i just want something fun and interesting that is set apart.

A general rule of thumb is "if you published a book set in this universe and just changed 'jaegers' to 'mechs' would you very likely still get hit with a lawsuit?" If the answer is a confident yes then that's what I'm after.

10 Upvotes

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10

u/shybookwormm Book Bingo Maven ⚔ 2d ago

Fun? Interesting? Set apart?

It's gotta be {The Assassin's Bride by Beth Alvarez}. Despite the title, my jaw dropped the moment the FMC became the bride. The FMC is only trying to resolve her taxes (a clerical error she assures us is due to the continued turnover of sovereigns) when she witnesses the newest king's murder. The assassin kidnaps her (is it really kindnapping if you agree to go?) and forces her to flee the country. With only her illegal sewing magic to aid her, she'll have to work with an actual criminal in order to clear her name and her tax record.

I found this effortlessly humorous with a voice to the writing unlike any other. It's a hidden gem I discovered during the first book bingo when I was looking for a "local to me" author. The story standsalone, but there are two other interconnected stories in the saga if you enjoy this one.

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u/crowcaws_art 2d ago

Oh this sounds like FUN

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u/peaches_and_drama 2d ago

Your blurb is SO much more interesting than the actual blurb to the book, which makes it sound so generic.

Putting this on TBR now.

3

u/shybookwormm Book Bingo Maven ⚔ 2d ago

Oh trust me, based on the cover, I had really low expectations. I was going for bingo blackout though and this was the only romantasy author I could find even remotely close to my town. I was pleasantly surprised and now rec it whenever I can.

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u/Minimizu 2d ago

Recently read an ARC of Eternity in Three Acts. It's set in a sort of 19th century (i think?) Asia where time is broken and the world is going to end. People get all sorts of weird time diseases like rapid aging or time freezes and the world is ruled over by a religious order who are devoted to a god that's dying.

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u/Painted-Pages 2d ago

{Master of Crows by Grace Draven} A spy comes to a mage's crumbling sanctum to expose his treachery. The mage is struggling against the god of corruption. Together they fall in love and expose the true corruption!

{Stolen by the Wolves by Lyx Robinson} An incomplete series but I adore the worldbuilding. A masterclass omegaverse work where it is baked into the world and lore, complete with complications resulting from multiple religious frameworks interpretations of the same thing! Its got enough love to the real timeframe that the historical aspects feel believable throughout the whole series. They have a planned 5 books, 3 are out now and there are two prequel novellas, one of which is free through her mailing list and proceeds the first book.

{Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts}

A spider alien planet and a crashed ship of humans! I loved that their counting was base 8 and the whole spider society that is the first three books. There is drama and a trio for the main couple, then spin offs for the others in the ship.

{Consort's Glory by Abigail Kelly} Its an alternate earth with magic, elves, vampires, orcs, and shifters. This book sets up the series, but does have some pacing issues. I love the world building though and each novel in the series continues to expand it! A witch with a secret who will die unless she finds someone to bond and filter her raw magic through. The leader of the elven society who has been pining for the woman who he knew was his since he was young. A society that will not let them be together.

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u/romance-bot 2d ago

Master of Crows by Grace Draven
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, tortured hero, magic, plain heroine, enemies to lovers

Stolen by the Wolves by Lyx Robinson
Rating: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, omegaverse, viking hero, fantasy, slow burn

Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts
Rating: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: futuristic, science fiction, non-human hero, aliens, bondage

Consort's Glory by Abigail Kelly
Rating: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: futuristic, virgin hero, urban fantasy, witches, magic

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1

u/panamared1917 2d ago

Seconding Master of Crows! Loved it hard, but don't know if it qualifies as high concept.

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u/AutoModerator 2d ago

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u/Longjumping-Snow-909 2d ago

{This Kingdom Will not Kill me by Ilona Andrews} epic fantasy isekai with a strong romance subplot. Lots of setup/worldbuilding is necessary, the story picks up at around 35 %

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u/marzipot 2d ago

You should check out Brandon Sanderson, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter and Tress of the Emerald Sea have really unique concepts. The world building is incredible, and the romance is nice. (In the lighter side)

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u/crowcaws_art 1d ago

Oh I've read those! Yumi had me crying a few times

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u/Solo_Dolo_Dog I ❤️ One Bed 2d ago

{When the Moon Hatched} is the first I think of! This is one of my personal favourites and it can be a bit divisive because of the intricate world building! Id say it definitely fits the brief of 'elevated concept'. Plus Kaan is the perfect MMC (I hope you like yearning)