I've recently been rereading The Goblin Emperor and its sequels, and I frankly want to read "exactly like the Goblin Emperor but a different book" ten more times. I would love recommendations for more fantasy novels that have:
- Unique worldbuilding, with a focus on society and social roles, manners, propriety, customs, etc
- Character driven plot focusing on social and political maneuvering
- Complex hierarchical relations and obligations between different social ranks (and perhaps a main character who bends them a bit to have an unlikely friendship with underlings)
- Strong themes of loyalty, devotion, duty, service (I really liked Maia's sworn bodyguards and devoted secretary)
- Romance is optional, but I'd rather it not be the A plot
I'm most interested in original settings, but recommendations for fantasy set in real world historical settings with complex hierarchies and regimented social rules, like Regency England or Imperial China are welcome as long as they really lean into it. (Rather than just being fantasy with a regency setting.) No Xianxia though please, it doesn't scratch the same itch I'm looking for. If you've got a sci-fi rec that fits the bill too, lay it on me.
Similar(ish) books I enjoyed and would enjoy more of the same:
- M.C.A Hogarth's Mindtouch, Thief of Songs, and Earthrise (and their associated sequels.)
- Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
- Ancillary Justice series
- Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
- Naomi Novik's Temeraire series
Books I bounced off of: The Empress of Salt and Fortune, The Inheritance Trilogy, The Hands of the Emperor, The Traitor Baru Cormorant, A Taste of Gold and Iron.
by BlueSpruce17