Like, “The Forgotten Beasts of Eld” but some key caveats

I know many people have already asked for books similar to The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and the most common response is “other McKillip books” but big caveat here- I’m looking for a book without witches, magicians, or sorcery.

I picked up TFBE a few years ago but had to put it down because of the content I mentioned. However, that book has stuck with me and I think back on it often. So what is it about it?

I think what I’m looking for is a main character like the one in TFBE- kind of other from everyone (whether that’s self inflicted like in TFBE or otherwise), has a unique perspective, maybe a unique or special ability. Essentially an autistic woman coded character imo. I enjoyed her growth and sort of internal struggle- she’s othered herself and holds herself aloof, cut off from trivial human matters and, it would seem, trivial emotions. But we see, particularly with Tamlorn, that she does have emotions. She reminds me of Spock, T’Pol, or 7 of 9 from Star Trek. I would really enjoy a character like that.

The book also had just a very unique quality that I can’t put a name to. It’s a bit trippy and Alice in Wonderland-ish but not in an off putting way. I think her strange, unrelatable world being put in parallel with the normal world kept it from being off putting. But your just sort of dropped into her odd life with no explanations as if you are truly an observer and not someone being told a story. I liked that as well.

The only problem with it, for me, was the magic, sorcery, and the witch. I like fantasy and I’m fine with magic if it’s like, the character(s) just have an ability but not if it’s like, practiced magic, if that makes sense.

I know this is a tall order and I would be extremely grateful if anyone can come up with anything!

by chained_changeling