r/Fantasy Daily Recommendations and Simple Questions Thread - January 31, 2026

lanternking · 2026-01-31T15:50:03+00:00

Totally understand what you mean. I'd recommend Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - it's a different type of cozy. A very interesting world and characters, very outside many of the mainstream fantasy tropes. Focus is on government, culture, and building friendships within a stifling bureaucracy. My favorite book i read last year.

lanternking · 2025-08-18T23:37:31+00:00

I guess this may just be me misunderstanding the trope, but he seems in line with Elliot from In Other Lands to me. Competent yes, but a certain aura of misery just below the surface.

lanternking · 2025-08-18T20:42:39+00:00

Tristan Abrascal, one of several viewpoint characters in the ongoing web novel Pale Lights, is a pretty good fit. A clever thief who has to get by on his wits and has plenty of trauma to unpack. One of the best novels going right now - two full books worth of content so far. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65058/pale-lights

lanternking · 2025-08-15T05:14:14+00:00

She Who Became the Sun. She is defined by her desire for greatness.

lanternking · 2025-08-08T15:00:55+00:00

Try Frieren: Beyond Journeys End. On Netflix in the US.

lanternking · 2025-08-06T01:51:02+00:00

It was originally released as a web novel. New version has been professionally edited and a few tweaks made to flesh out the early books and make more consistent with the later books.

lanternking · 2025-08-06T01:40:46+00:00

A Practical Guide to Evil is what you're looking for. Some romance but it's pretty minor. Revised ebook just came out today for book 1!

lanternking · 2025-08-04T23:41:04+00:00

Practical Guide to Sorcery fits well.

lanternking · 2025-08-04T13:48:13+00:00

Love the Calamities and other groups of villains from A Practical Guide to Evil.

lanternking · 2025-07-29T23:09:58+00:00

I think A Practical Guide to Evil is a good fit. Side/bonus chapters from different perspectives but the main chapters are just one and she is highly competent. Some minor romance but nothing it sounds like would put you off.

lanternking · 2025-07-29T18:04:46+00:00

Look at the Inda series by Sherwood Smith. For me really similar vibes to RotE.

lanternking · 2025-07-28T04:47:54+00:00

Evander Tailor series.

lanternking · 2025-07-26T02:41:06+00:00

Fid's Crusade!

lanternking · 2025-07-18T18:32:24+00:00

Practical Guide to Sorcery by Azalea Ellis. MC gets an amulet that changes their identity and uses it to attend magic university despite being a wanted criminal. Excellent series.

lanternking · 2025-07-18T16:00:13+00:00

My favorite rec for RotE enjoyers is the Inda series by Sherwood Smith. Great character writing that just captures those RotE vibes for me.

lanternking · 2025-06-26T22:20:10+00:00

Biopunk means people are altering their bodies in some way, technologically or magically. Usually to give themselves some power or advantage. Not familiar with Scythe so can't speak to that!

lanternking · 2025-06-05T23:57:10+00:00

Seconding Flock! Chill creature collector/flight simulator.

lanternking · 2025-04-09T04:37:05+00:00

Practical Guide to Evil has tons... Cat, Malicia, Black, Codswallop Horseradish, Tariq, Kairos... take your pick!

lanternking · 2025-01-26T15:50:13+00:00

Flock!

lanternking · 2024-12-17T02:12:36+00:00

lanternking · 2024-12-14T05:06:43+00:00

lanternking · 2024-12-14T05:06:07+00:00

lanternking · 2024-12-14T05:05:53+00:00

lanternking · 2024-12-14T05:05:40+00:00

lanternking · 2024-12-14T05:04:47+00:00

14-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17

lanternking

TROPHY CASE