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Every reader who has journeyed through ‘The Lord of the Rings’ knows the ache that follows when the adventure ends. The pull of distant lands, loyal friendships, and epic quests leaves behind a longing for more. The books that follow in Tolkien’s footsteps carry the same spirit of courage, destiny, and the timeless struggle between light and shadow. Each of these tales reimagines that idea in its own way, creating worlds that feel fresh, vast, and alive. Below are ten fantasy epics recommended for those who crave that same sense of wonder and adventure long after leaving Middle-earth behind. Also Read: 10 Fantasy Books That Were Less About Magic and More About the Human Condition 1. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold A weary soldier returns home hoping for peace, only to find himself caught in a tangle of politics and divine purpose. Cazaril, once betrayed and enslaved, becomes tutor to a royal princess whose fate is entwined with curses and gods. Lois McMaster Bujold builds a world where faith has power and miracles demand a price. As Cazaril faces treachery and spiritual trials, he discovers that redemption is never granted without sacrifice. The story unfolds as a deeply human exploration of love, duty, and destiny, turning the struggle between faith and fate into something intensely personal and profoundly moving. 2. The Bone Ships by R. J. Barker The sea smells of salt and war, its surface haunted by the bones of dragons long gone. In a world where ships are carved from their remains, a disgraced crew must rise to face a new beast emerging from the depths. R. J. Barker crafts a thrilling maritime fantasy filled with danger, loyalty, and redemption. Every wave carries echoes of loss and defiance as sailors battle storms, monsters, and their own regrets. Amid roaring winds and bloodied decks, courage becomes their compass, and legends are written on the sea, carved as deeply into memory as into bone. 3. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay A single act of generosity can shape the destiny of an empire. Shen Tai, grieving his father’s death, receives thousands of prized horses as a reward for his quiet service on a distant frontier. Guy Gavriel Kay turns this gift into a spark that ignites political chaos and danger. Set in a world inspired by Tang Dynasty China, the novel follows Shen Tai through betrayal, beauty, and shifting loyalties. The story captures the fragility of peace, the weight of honour, and the haunting power of memory. Every page moves like a poem, graceful and filled with melancholy wonder. 4. The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu The sky fills with silk banners as empires crumble and heroes rise. Kuni Garu, a clever trickster, and Mata Zyndu, a proud warrior, join forces to overthrow tyranny, only to clash over the meaning of justice and power. Ken Liu creates an intricate epic blending myth, history, and invention, where gods observe from above but mortals shape their own destinies. The world is vibrant with rebellion, loyalty, and betrayal. As friendship turns to rivalry, Liu reveals how ambition changes even the purest hearts, crafting a sweeping tale of empire, morality, and the fragile balance between power and peace. 5. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The crown was never meant for him. Maia, a shy and half-goblin prince raised in exile, is thrust onto the imperial throne after his royal family dies in an airship accident. Katherine Addison weaves a moving tale of kindness and quiet courage in a world ruled by courtly cruelty and endless schemes. Surrounded by suspicion and manipulation, Maia must learn to rule with empathy rather than fear. His story becomes a rare portrait of leadership rooted in compassion, showing how gentleness can rebuild trust and how even an outcast can redefine the meaning of strength and power. 6. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett The city once worshipped gods who are now dead, yet their miracles still linger in its stones. When diplomat Shara Thivani arrives to investigate a murder, she unearths a secret capable of reshaping the world. Robert Jackson Bennett fuses mystery and fantasy into a story of faith, rebellion, and forgotten divinity. The city’s crumbling stairways lead to buried truths, and every discovery brings new danger. As Shara races to unravel divine conspiracies, she learns that belief can resurrect both hope and ruin. City of Stairs stands as a haunting meditation on power, memory, and the ghosts of creation. 7. The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin The sky belongs to the gods, and mortals live in their shadows. When Yeine Darr is named heir to a ruthless empire, she becomes entangled in the deadly games of divine beings. N. K. Jemisin builds a breathtaking world of magic, myth, and rebellion, where love and vengeance blur into one. Across the trilogy, gods fall, kingdoms shatter, and humanity redefines its place among the stars. Each book deepens the story’s complexity, exploring freedom, identity, and creation itself. Jemisin’s poetic storytelling transforms celestial warfare into an intimate struggle for justice, belonging, and the courage to challenge fate. 8. The Copper Cat Trilogy by Jen Williams The taverns are loud, the swords are sharp, and adventure waits behind every corner. A thief named Wydrin, a weary knight, and a haunted mage join forces for a treasure hunt that spirals into a war threatening the world. Jen Williams delivers a rollicking tale filled with monsters, dragons, and wicked humour. Beneath the chaos lies a story about friendship, redemption, and bravery in the face of impossible odds. As battles rage and loyalties fracture, the trio discovers that true heroism is not about glory or gold but about standing together when all hope seems lost. 9. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay The sun blazes over deserts divided by faith and empire. Amid tension and war, soldier Rodrigo Belmonte and physician Jehane navigate love, loyalty, and loss as kingdoms teeter on the brink of destruction. Guy Gavriel Kay draws inspiration from medieval Spain, crafting a world alive with poetry and pain. Through intimate relationships and sweeping conflict, he explores how honour can both save and destroy. The story unfolds with tragic beauty, showing that even in times of division, compassion endures. The Lions of Al-Rassan is a haunting reflection on faith, duty, and the price of devotion. 10. The Books of Babel Series by Josiah Bancroft The tower stretches endlessly into the clouds, a labyrinth of wonders and dangers. When Thomas Senlin loses his wife in its chaotic markets, he begins a relentless climb through its shifting worlds to find her. Josiah Bancroft turns this quest into an intricate odyssey through bizarre societies stacked within the tower’s walls. Each level reveals new mysteries, blending adventure, philosophy, and absurdity. As Senlin transforms from a mild teacher into a determined hero, the tower itself becomes a reflection of humanity’s ambition, folly, and hope. The journey upward is as transformative as it is unforgettable. Also Read: 10 Epic Fantasy Book Series You’ll Wish Never Ended The beauty of fantasy lies in its endless rebirth. Each story may end, but its echoes linger in the heart, urging us to seek the next realm, the next quest, the next spark of magic. These modern epics carry forward the legacy of adventure, weaving tales of love, power, and destiny that speak to every reader’s yearning for something beyond the ordinary. They remind us that courage can be quiet and hope can shine even in darkness. The journey does not stop when the book closes; it simply takes a new shape, waiting to be discovered once more.
