I'm currently reading Star Eater by Kerstin Hall and am really enjoying the world and character dynamic but it's unfortunately a stand-alone so I'm looking for something similar.
Either sci-fi of fantasy is fine.
Must have: female MC who is average power wise, normalized same-sex relationships or dangerous opposite sex relationships, MC becomes very relevant to political intrigue of the plot but not having real power in it, there's a lot of mysticism, side effects, mindfuckery to the magic/technology system, MC acting against the law/rules/etc. for the sake of survival, some sort of wide spread magic/technology system, horror elements.
Optional: lesbian romance, hallucinations or mental/physical illness, MC having special powers but not being OP (so either not being able to control it or getting a huge set back from it), subtle or normalized gore, rebellion against the governing body, unclear who are the "good guys".
Another thing that feels vaguely similar is Gideon the Ninth but all POV characters are definitely OP. If Harrowhark wasn't OP it would be the another great example of this.
If you haven't read either, imagine if Katniss could do magic, hallucinated, ate her mom and everyone was gay. I want basically that. 😀
by Saberleaf