Epic Fantasy Series with Non-Western Settings

When most people think of epic fantasy, their minds often jump to the familiar: medieval castles, knights in shining armor, and folklore reminiscent of Western Europe. Tolkien's Middle-earth or Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire define the genre for many readers. While these tales are undeniable classics—and some of our personal favorites—the world of epic fantasy is far more diverse than it might first appear. Beyond the magical forests and feudal kingdoms lies a treasure trove of stories inspired by cultures, histories, and landscapes from across the globe.

If tales of elves and medieval monarchs don’t quite resonate with you, fear not! There are incredible epic fantasies rooted in non-Western settings, offering fresh perspectives, vibrant worlds, and unique mythologies. In this post, we’re highlighting some of our favorites, but if none of these quite strike your fancy, we’re here to help. Let us know what you're looking for, and we’ll provide personalized book recommendations to match your tastes.

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The Greenbone Saga

Fonda Lee

FAMILY IS DUTY. MAGIC IS POWER. HONOR IS EVERYTHING.

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for--and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone--even foreigners--wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones--and of Kekon itself.

A modern classic and word-of-mouth sensation, Jade City is the World Fantasy Award-winning story of magic and kungfu, where four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asian-inspired fantasy metropolis.

Greenbone Saga Series Order

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Dandelion Dynasty

Ken Liu

Two men rebel together against tyranny--and then become rivals--in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. Hailed as one of the best books of 2015 by NPR.

Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods. Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions--two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice. -- Publisher Marketing

Dandelion Dynasty Series Order

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Between Earth and Sky

Rebecca Roanhorse

A god will return

When the earth and sky converge

Under the black sun

Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created a "brilliant world that shows the full panoply of human grace and depravity" (Ken Liu, award-winning author of The Grace of Kings).

This epic adventure explores the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in this "absolutely tremendous" (S.A. Chakraborty, nationally bestselling author of The City of Brass) and most original series debut of the decade. -- Publisher Marketing

Between Earth and Sky Series Order

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The Burning Kingdoms

Tasha Suri

A ruthless princess and a powerful priestess come together to rewrite the fate of an empire in this "fiercely and unapologetically feminist tale of endurance and revolution set against a gorgeous, unique magical world" (S. A. Chakraborty, author of the The City of Brass).

"Suri's writing always brings me to another world; one full of wonders and terrors, where every detail feels intricately and carefully imagined." --R. F. Kuang, author of Babel

The Burning Kingdoms Series Order

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The Burning

by Evan Winter

Game of Thrones meets Gladiator in this blockbuster debut epic fantasy about a world caught in an eternal war, and the young man who will become his people's only hope for survival.

The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine. -- Publisher Marketing

Friend of Snowlock Says: "The best fantasy I've read in the last decade - phenomenal."

The Burning Series Order

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The Dark Star Trilogy

Marlon James

Drawing from African history and mythology and his own rich imagination, Marlon James has written a [series] unlike anything that's come before it: a saga of breathtaking adventure that's also an ambitious, involving read. Defying categorization and full of unforgettable characters, [Dark Star] is both surprising and profound as it explores the fundamentals of truth, the limits of power, and our need to understand them both. -- Publisher marketing

Snowlock Says: Dark Star's writing is dense in the best way. Full of scenes and characters that stay with you. Five years after reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Dolingo's tree top city feels as vivid in my mind as when I first read encountered it. Be forewarned: some of the most violent and sexually violent scenes we've ever read are in these two books.

Dark Star Series Order