Looking for books or authors that have similar books to Sandersons cosmere books and Mcellans shadow of lighning and powder mage trilogies.
Mostly looking for good world building, unique magic system.
(I did not like Lee’s jade books)
For grimdark I recommend The First Law trilogy. It’s a little like Lord of the Rings mixed with Game of Thrones. You won’t find too many fantasy creatures or instances of grand magical displays, but the few you do will be pretty memorable. The characters are all terrible people and I love it that way.
An honorable mention is The Warded Man which has a world overrun with demons that hunt in the night. The only protection humans have is some settlement walls painted with special wards that help keep them away.
For an interesting magic system check out The Lightbringer series. It’s based off color, with each one having a unique property and psychological effect on the user (e.g. red light creates flammable materials and makes the user get a little enraged). It features technology made from the materials made out of this light and even has a church that governs these magic users.
The First Law is amazing.
Since you didn’t mention it, you might enjoy “Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan. Great world building and a unique magic system. Sadly, Jordan passed away before he could finish it, but it was finished by Sanderson. His ending is why I first started reading cosmere.
I’ll second Wheel of Time. That story is epic. And so long it’ll take a year to finish.
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Cradle is a ton of fun. Not well written or a satisfying ending but it’s a great ride.
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The Broken Earth series by N K Jemisin is pretty good, well built world I think.
A well built world, big reveals, and wonderful emotional payoffs. Easy rec for a Sanderson fan.
I’ve enjoyed The Will Of The Many (J. Islington) between reading/waiting for Stormlight books, it’s a bit on the YA side but the world and “magic” system is interesting and the second book should release (I think) in early 2025
