Others: Positive Going into exile after barely escaping a war waged by his cousin and brother, Temur, the grandson and heir of the Great Khan, teams up against an enemy cult with former princess Samarkar, who after a series of bitter betrayals has pursued a life of magical study.
Genres: fantasy
Lists: …
Samantha Shannon
2018 · 848 pages · 22 reviews
Others: Mostly positiveA world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens. The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door. Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic. Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel. Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.
What made the match, strongest first
N. K. Jemisin
2012 · 440 pages · 9 reviews
Others: Mostly positiveFOLLOWING HER SERIES, HUGO, NEBULA, AND WORLD FANTASY-NOMINATED DEBUT SERIES, N. K. JEMISIN RETURNS WITH A CAPTIVATING NEW TALE. In the ancient city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Upon its rooftops and among the shadows of its cobbled streets wait the Gatherers--the keepers of this peace. Their duty is to harvest the magic of the sleeping mind and use it to heal, soothe...and kill those judged corrupt. But when a conspiracy blooms within Gujaareh's great temple, Ehiru--the most famous of the city's Gatherers--must question everything he knows. Someone, or something, is stalking its prey both in Gujaareh's alleys and the realm of dreams. Ehiru must now protect the woman he was sent to kill--or watch the city be devoured by war and forbidden magic. This description comes from the publisher. The Killing Moon is the first book in the Dreamblood Duology.
What made the match, strongest first
John Gwynne
2021 · 496 pages · 19 reviews
Others: Mostly positiveA century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo cross the land of Vigrið, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame and a thrall seeking vengeance among the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods.
What made the match, strongest first
Jenn Lyons
2019 · 512 pages · 1 review
Others: PositiveYou can have everything you want if you sacrifice everything you believe. Kihrin D'Mon is a wanted man. Since he destroyed the Stone of Shackles and set demons free across Quur, he has been on the run from the wrath of an entire empire. His attempt to escape brings him into the path of Janel Theranon, a mysterious Joratese woman who claims to know Kihrin. Janel's plea for help pits Kihrin against all manner of dangers: a secret rebellion, a dragon capable of destroying an entire city, and Kihrin's old enemy, the wizard Relos Var. Janel believes that Relos Var possesses one of the most powerful artifacts in the world―the Cornerstone called the Name of All Things. And if Janel is right, then there may be nothing in the world that can stop Relos Var from getting what he wants. And what he wants is Kihrin D'Mon. Jenn Lyons continues the Chorus of Dragons series with The Name of All Things, the epic sequel to The Ruin of Kings.
What made the match, strongest first
David Anthony Durham
2007 · 576 pages · 1 review
Others: PositiveThe bestselling historical novelist turns to epic fantasy with a powerful story of treachery, murder and revenge...Ruling from the island of Acacia, the emperor of the Known World has inherited an apparent peace and prosperity won by his ancestors generations ago. He's an intelligent man, a widower who dotes on his four children and it is this devotion that obliges him to hide a terrible secret from them: that their prosperity rests on the dark realities of trafficking in drugs and human lives. A man of integrity, he hopes that he might bring an end to this vile trade, but powerful forces stand in his way. And then an assassin strikes, a lone killer sent by the Mein, an ancient foe long ago exiled to the frozen north. Now the Mein have returned to take revenge on their old enemy and begin a series of brutal surprise assaults on Acacia. Mortally wounded, the emperor puts into play a plan that will allow his children to escape, to fulfil their destinies. And so begins a quest to avenge a father's death and restore an empire - this time on the basis of universal freedom...
What made the match, strongest first
Michael J. Sullivan
2011 · 1 review
Others: Positive"The birth of the Nyphron Empire has brought war to Melengar. To save her kingdom, Princess Arista runs a desperate gamble when she defies her brother and hires Royce and Hadrian to perform a dangerous mission behind enemy lines"--Provided by publisher.
What made the match, strongest first
Loved itThis is a story that is loosely inspired by Mongolian culture, but in a fantasy setting. I'm someone who's fascinated by the historical culture of the Mongols. I've read several nonfiction books on the topic and other fantasy books that are similar to this, but this, in my mind, is the gold standard for fictionalized versions of this world.
