Uncover 10 Low Fantasy Books with Divergent Themes
Book RaiderStrap yourself in, dear reader, it's time we take you on a wild ride into the enthralling realms of low fantasy. Kindly check your epic spellcasting abilities, grand mythical beasts, and godlike entities at the door. We’re keeping it a more grounded here. We're swapping out those legendary swords and fabled prophecies for some good old-fashioned, down-to-earth, let's-keep-the-magic-to-a-minimum storytelling.
By diving headfirst into the world of low fantasy, we're thrust into palpable realities that feel just a bedtime story away from our own. The magic? Subtle. The characters? Relatable. The themes? Now those, my friends, are as diverse as they come. From political intrigue to the nitty-gritty exploration of human nature, low fantasy is a beautiful melting pot of themes that continually diversifies. Get ready to uncover a fresh reading list that's not too far from home, yet still enough to whisk you away on a captivating literary adventure.
The Fifth Season
by N. K. Jemisin
Why The Fifth Season is on this list: The Fifth Season teleports you to a world strikingly different, yet unnervingly familiar to ours, making it an exquisite peek into the genre of low fantasy. Divergent themes are effortlessly woven into the narrative, making it an intriguing choice.
In The Fifth Season, Jemisin unravels a riveting tale set in a land known as 'The Stillness', a place plagued with catastrophic climate change. Here, 'orogenes', people with the ability to control energy, are despised yet needed. The story unfurls through the eyes of three women, interconnected in startling ways, navigating survival in a society fracturing at its seams.
What readers like: Readers relish Jemisin's vivid world-building, the way she deftly layers complex themes of oppression, identity, and environmental politics. They appreciate the nuanced characters, especially the strong women leads. Also, Jemisin wraps social commentary in a delectable shell of a gripping narrative, a combo readers seem to find it hard to resist.
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The Blade Itself
by Joe Abercrombie
Why The Blade Itself is on this list: The Blade Itself perfectly fits into the mould of low fantasy with its grounded, diverse themes. With a healthy dollop of realism, this book majestically distils the essence of real world concerns into a fantasy setting, making it a super fascinating read.
Welcome to a world devoid of prophecies, destined heroes, or evil dark lords. Instead, Joe Abercrombie's Blade Itself introduces us to a cast of morally gray characters who just happen to live in a world with magic and weird stuff happening on the side. The story revolves around Logan Ninefingers, an infamous barbarian with a complicated past, Jezal dan Luthar, a conceited nobleman, Ferro Maljinn, an ex-slave hell-bent on revenge, and others navigating the political intrigues, wars, and personal ambitions in a world that's far more interested in power plays than mythical quests.
What readers like: Readers have fallen head over heels for the book's multi-layered characters, grimdark undertones, and Abercrombie’s slayer writing style. They particularly appreciate the diversion from usual fantasy tropes, enjoying the way Abercrombie turns expectations on their heads to deliver a story that's as gritty and brutal as it is fun and entertaining. If you’re about relatable characters wrapped up in a grim, yet funny, low-fantasy world, then The Blade Itself is your ticket to a fabulous read.
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The Way of Shadows
by Brent Weeks
Why The Way of Shadows is on this list: The Way of Shadows is a dime amongst pennies, sprouting from the more grounded side of fantasy novels. It uses unique, diverse themes and its world isn't swollen with wizards thrusting glittering fireballs from their palms.
This is the savage story of Azoth, a guild rat who dreams big. Armed with his wit, he embarks on a grueling journey to become an assassin under the tutelage of Durzo Blint, the city's most feared killer. As he navigates a world of secrecy, betrayal, and political machinations, Azoth discovers who he really is and the cost of becoming a new person.
What readers like: Readers absolutely adore a well-crafted tale of survival, intrigue, and transformation. They adore the genuine characters, the skimpy magic use that heightens the realism, and the downright dirty politics making them want to take a shower. If that's something that tickles your ribs, then this bad boy is for you.
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A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin
Why A Game of Thrones is on this list: Think of a low fantasy setting where the most common fantasy elements, magic and mythical creatures, are rarer than a white raven. That's George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones for you. The divergent themes include power struggle, morality, survival, and familial bonds, all so beautifully wrapped together amid political scheming.
The book is set in the of Westeros, a place of intense summers and long, harsh winters. At the epicenter of all the action is the Iron Throne, the seat of power that everyone wants to warm. However, while people play their power games, an ancient enemy awakens in the far North, reminding us that 'Winter is Coming'. A Game of Thrones is not all about knights and castles, it's more about politics, power, and the grey area of morality.
What readers like: Readers rave about the intricate plotting, the well-crafted narrative, and characters who are so real, they jump off the pages. They appreciate the gift of George R. R. Martin, who knows exactly when to cheer your heart, and when to callously shatter it. It's a roller-coaster ride where you love, hate, laugh, and often cry with the characters. Also, the surprise factor is real. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, Martin pulls the rug from under you and leaves you gasping.
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The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch
Why The Lies of Locke Lamora is on this list: In a genre often crowded with dragons and magic, this book stands out as a refreshing low fantasy masterpiece. 'Divergent themes'? Wait till you meet our protagonist.
Set in a gritty and realistic setting of a city full of thieves and con artists, 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' introduces you to Locke, a master thief with a cheeky charm. Our hero maneuvers through a world of treachery, where every promise could be a lie and every con could reveal a truth. Fair warning though - don't try to predict the twists and turns, unless you fancy a mental pretzel.
What readers like: Readers are smitten by Lynch's attention to detail - the vivid descriptions serve up the ambience on a silver platter. Locke is no one-dimensional cut-out. He's funny, he's clever, and at times, a complete mess. Sounds like all of us on a Monday morning, doesn't it? Readers love the layered narrative and the intense plot full of clever cons and heart-stopping twists. If you're in for a great heist story minus the usual fire-breathing distractions, this one's for you.
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Theft of Swords
by Michael J. Sullivan
Why Theft of Swords is on this list: In the realm of Low Fantasy, often centered around realistic settings with magical elements, 'Theft of Swords' offers a refreshing departure from conventional tales. It plays around with unconventional themes, giving the genre a delightful twist.
'Theft of Swords' is a daring adventure born from the mischief of two rogues in a world where swords and sorcery exist, but don't take center. Instead of noble quests, our duo, Royce and Hadrian, find joy in playing Robin Hood-esque figures. Things get a quirky turn, when a simple stealing job unlocks a wider conspiracy, putting the whole kingdom at risk. The game is now more than just stealing shiny things. They have to evade knights, survive betrayal, break out of prisons, and save the kingdom, all while keeping their wit intact.
What readers like: Readers appreciate the humor and camaraderie between the unconventional heroes Royce and Hadrian. It's a tale where the thief is the good guy and manages to keep you on your toes while also tickling your funny bone. The narrative encompasses intrigue and mystery, mixed with dry wit, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good heist story with a twist.
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Children of Time
by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Why Children of Time is on this list: If you're a fan of fantasy that's grounded in reality and enjoys themes like evolution, post-humanity, and non-human intelligence, this book is your cup of tea dunked in a nice mug of divergent themes.
In 'Children of Time', Tchaikovsky serves you a delicious soup of low fantasy and hard science fiction. The story revolves around the last remnants of humanity who, left homeless by their own destructive nature, discover an ancient, terraformed planet. But humans aren't the only evolved intelligent species in the universe, the planet is already home to a race of sentient spiders, the result of a scientist's accelerated evolution experiment that went awry. It's a brilliant mashup of deep time, evolution, and morality.
What readers like: Readers rave about the sheer scope and scale of the novel. It takes a classic space exploration premise, sprinkles in radically different perspectives (like spiders, yes, you've read it right), and quite literally weaves a web that's hard to escape from. The well-researched evolutionary biology theories add a touch of excitement for science buffs. And of course, Tchaikovsky's dexterity in character development - human and non-human alike - will keep you glued to the pages.
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The Slow Regard of Silent Things
by Patrick Rothfuss
Why The Slow Regard of Silent Things is on this list:
This story delves into the life of Auri, a character from The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Your expectations of dragons, knights and damsels in distress might take a hit, because this peculiar narrative portrays a protagonist's everyday life in an underground world. Sometimes, it's just about arranging soap or discovering the hidden harmonics of things – yep, it's that sort of unique flavour.
What readers like: Readers love the gentle and introspective nature of the story, allowing a departure from the often loud and chaotic, action-driven plotlines in standard fantasies. They relish in the poetic language and charming irregularity of Auri's life, turning routine into an artful dance. This book is for anyone who appreciates beauty in mundanity, and finds the fantastical in the ordinary.
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Assassin's Apprentice
by Robin Hobb
Why Assassin's Apprentice is on this list: Assassin's Apprentice is a low fantasy book that kicks convention where it hurts. With themes built around apprenticeship, duty, and royal intrigues, you won't find elves, goblins, or magical macguffins here, making it stand apart from the typical fantasy crowd.
This book plunges us headlong into the life Fitz, the illegitimate offspring of a prince, who is shunted off to a stable to be raised by dogs and horses. His life is far (and we mean 'from another galaxy' far) from ordinary after he gets chosen to become a royal assassin. How's that for a career change? Through Fitz's nerve-jangling journey, author Robin Hobb explores coming of age themes, loyalty, and the sheer struggle of being caught up in other people's messes.
What readers like: Readers who are tired of larger-than-life heroes and predictable arcs enjoy the realistic characters, meticulous world-building, and complex political machinations of Assassin's Apprentice. This book serves up a hefty dose of realism alongside its fantasy, twisted with a sharp sense of wit and humor (think more Jon Stewart than Seinfeld). And for those who prefer Dumbledore's advice over Gandalf's, there's a Mentor character who's as cryptic as he's adorable.
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Prince of Thorns
by Mark Lawrence
Why Prince of Thorns is on this list: Prince of Thorns is not your typical fairy tale, which lollop through lands filled with pixies, unicorns, and rainbows. It's a masterclass in low fantasy with divergent themes that stray from the beaten path, enticing you with the raw, gritty reality of a cleverly crafted world.
This riveting read revolves around Jorg Ancrath, a 13-year-old prince who left his royal life to become a gang leading fugitive. He is on a mission for revenge (and boy, does he hold a grudge) against his uncle whom he blames for the demise of his mother and brother. The story showcases his philosophical journey through a universe that decidedly isn't all pixie dust and enchanted castles, enticing you into deeply compelling political, psychological, and moral quandaries.
What readers like: Readers rave about the raw intensity of Jorg as a character. His complexity and the strange charm of his cunning, yet tragic nature, keeps you hooked. It’s got the action, betrayal, suspense, and unexpected turns that twist your insides rather delightfully. The spectacular world-building and divergent themes also have readers turning pages like they're trying to outrun a dragon.
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