Good nonconventional setting fantasy books? - The one thing where diversity is good

[wtfNeedSignUp]

Some time ago I read a Warhammer Fantasy book set in an Egyptian style setting and I had a lot of fun with the culture, religion and politics of such an era.
So I'd be happy for recommendations for other fantasy books that have such a setting, not necessarily Egypt, just one that isn't done to death like Europe/China/Japan.

 

[DoNotReadTheFinePrint]

Malazan Book of the Fallen and the Stormlight Archive come to mind. I can wholeheartedly recommend the former, whereas the later feels a bit boring to me but the series isn't finished yet. There's also The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin, which felt a little weird at first but grew on me.

 

[Fromtheblackdepths]

Prince of Nothing. Dying Earth. Chronicles of Amber.

 

[McMitch4kf]

Some time ago I read a Warhammer Fantasy book set in an Egyptian style setting and I had a lot of fun with the culture, religion and politics of such an era.
So I'd be happy for recommendations for other fantasy books that have such a setting, not necessarily Egypt, just one that isn't done to death like Europe/China/Japan.

Dune is, for all intents and purposes, a fantasy that takes place in 1960’s Middle East.

The Dresden Files becomes the high fantasy adventure serial it was always meant to be, that just so happens to take place in a modern urban setting, after five or so books. The urban fantasy aspect in the beginning drag it down, but that is par for the course.

The Codex Alera, also by Jim Butcher, while still heavily influenced by Rome, is a fairly fun setting that develops a rather unique conflict towards the end.

 

[oldTireWater]

The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie.

 

[Iron Jaguar]

A Throne of Bones.

Roman-style Legions, dwarfs, orcs, elves, demons, magicians, werewolves, giant eagles, politics, Popes.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Throne-Bones-Arts-Dark-Light-ebook/dp/B00I6H0J7S

 

[Not Really Here]

just one that isn't done to death like Europe/China/Japan

This leaves Africa, India and south America.

 

[break these cuffs]

The Book of New Sun series from Gene Wolfe takes place on a post apocalyptic Earth millions of years in the future and has a very distinct setting.

 

[Big Ruski]

I'd recommend Stormlight archives. The 4th book came out not to long ago, Really great stuff, I like Sanderson, he plans ahead and is very methodical with the stories he writes. We hold him in high regard in our elitist bright eye society unlike those filthy dark eyes.

The Book of New Sun series from Gene Wolfe takes place on a post apocalyptic Earth millions of years in the future and has a very distinct setting.

Oh shit, I remember that one, that was the insane executioner with the photographic memory. I need to finish the other books.

 

[knobslobbin]

Coldfire Trilogy by CS Friedman is really good, same for her Magister trilogy and both take place in well fleshed out unique worlds.

Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin is set in a unique universe. Especially if you like worlds where their gods are real.

The Waking Engine takes place in a unique world in the afterlife.

If you like multiverse tales, Transition by Iain M Banks is filled with all kinds of different worlds.

 

[Stasi]

Try Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin. The story has a small setting but a very Egyptian feel to it.

Don't need to read the other Earthsea books as it standard on its own but I'd recommend them if you haven't (at least up to Tehanu, I've not read the more recent books).

 

[whitepumpkin]

Isn't this a question best left for reddit? They circlejerk over anything that's Non-European fantasy and would probably have all the recommendations you want. Unless you're looking for something more specific that only the Kiwi Farmers can provide. Like no retard-current year politics or something.

There's even a thread about it - Two second google search.

Anyways, just wanted to back up The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Only three books, good characterizations and compelling story, and has some pretty memorable fucked up shit in it.

City of Brass and it's sequels are set in fantasy Middle East and have an interesting setting. There's some gay shit in it, but it's written by a liberal american woman so expect it at this point. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay is also in an interesting setting, but I didn't finish the book before I had to return it, so can't say if it stays where it does or not.

 

[HumanHive]

Webcomic, not a book, but give Unsounded a try if an original setting is what you’re after. It has weird magic and ethno-religious shenanigans.

https://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch01/ch01_01.html

 

[a mask of my own face]

Stormlight #1 (Way of Kings) blew my mind. It approaches bonafide literature, except for Sanderson's government-assistance-worthy inability to convey life-like human beings and the way they talk to each other. Typical dungeonmaster stuff - his magic system and world ecology and culture-hero cosmology and even character backstories are all wrought with depth and precision - you can tell the guy reads a lot of Sumerian mythology, etc. - but the human element is painfully lacking, and this shows itself more and more with each next book. I actually had to tap out at book #3 in this series. His endlessly expansive world rapidly diluted the books of the characters and conflicts I cared about, and he recycles their arcs and development to pace out his mind-numbing descriptions and pseudo-revelations. Sanderson is obviously a great mind, but not a great novelist. Book 1 is unforgettable, but as the series trudges on, it's apparent there is no real focal point.

Prince of Nothing FUCKED my mind. I'm not sure it matches OP's request for non-Euro fantasy - Bakker basically remixes familiar European and Middle Eastern cultural and imperial tropes to convey the civilizations of his world - but it definitely gets inventive with the brain-tweaking magic systems, the freakishly beautiful sexpest monsters, and Gigerian origin of evil and magic in his world. I second the recommendation.

I'll also add Peter Newman's The Vagrant to the list. Pretty much a 40k Chaos marine flesh-and-undeath dystopia wrapped around a Western road trip story. Chunky, gritty poetry girds every page. I haven't touched the rest of the series, but book 1 is a really fun read.

 

[Tragi-Chan]

China Miéville’s Bas-Lag books have this strange setting that’s a bit modern, a bit Victorian and a bit futuristic, plus it throws in really weird shit.

 

[WhatIsThePunchline]

I've stopped reading it because I've felt that it jumped the shark, but for number of arcs the webcomic Kill Six Billion Demons was pretty damned nice.

 

[DungeonMaster]

Unicorn Jelly, full stop.

 

[Autumnal Equinox]

It’s ostensibly a fantasy series at it’s core but The Dark Tower books combine high fantasy, western, sci fi and horror. Aside from King’s trademark of lackluster endings showing up it’s a damn good series

 

[Big Ruski]

The Drizzit Dourden prequal trilogy is also great and arguably the best out of the series. The setting is in the underground of the Forgotten Realms which is called the Underdark. Its a place filled with Dark Elves, Mind flayers, and nigger dwarves. The first book focus on the reclusive but violent matriarchal Dark Elf society with the titular character born into a noble family. Females are seen as superior then males due to their connection with their spider queen god. A lot of infighting happens between houses from wars to espionage. If your interested in it, give it a try.

Wouldn't mind being her slave, eh?

 

[LurkNoMore]

The Drizzit Dourden prequal trilogy is also great and arguably the best out of the series. The setting is in the underground of the Forgotten Realms which is called the Underdark. Its a place filled with Dark Elves, Mind flayers, and nigger dwarves. The first book focus on the reclusive but violent matriarchal Dark Elf society with the titular character born into a noble family. Females are seen as superior then males due to their connection with their spider queen god. A lot of infighting happens between houses from wars to espionage. If your interested in it, give it a try.

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Wouldn't mind being her slave, eh?
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Fuck no, them bitches be stupid and crazy. How hard is it to figure spider queen only be using you?