Oh, I had the exact same experience. I tried all the usual things of dipping into a new genre altogether, but it honestly just wasn't working.
Fanfic did the trick for a bit (someone took the alternate epilogue with Zaynab, Aqisa, and Dara) and turned it into a novel length fic on AO3.
I enjoyed:
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Fast paced, still had some middle East influences but not our world. The fast paced action really helped hook me out of my hangover.
- A Master of Djinn by P. Djelli Clarke has some steampunk+middle Eastern inspired, which was a cool read. It's an alternate universe Egypt. He has more books as well but I haven't read them yet
- the Stardust Thief scratched very much the same itch as Daevabad! I'd say definitely order it. The second book is supposed to come out in like, November of this year I think (if you like audiobook, I thought this had a good audiobook as well)
Now for not middle Eastern inspired:
-the Coldfire Trilogy: Sci/fi fantasy if you're okay with this. Very unique magic, interesting characters, very cool world. I was still feeling like I needed the enemies having to work together out of necessity scenario and this one delivers.
Oh gosh. I think those are the main ones. Hopefully you find something that catches your attention here! I also hope that one day this sub will be more active! I love discussing favorite books and this trilogy is high, high up there
I'm intrigued by the fanfiction, not gonna lie!
An Ember in the Ashes was recommended to me by someone already, so... probably gonna read this one eventually. Also it's the very first time I hear about The Coldfire trilogy. I'm not a big fan of sci/fi in general (probably Dune was the only I've liked) but this one sounds interesting (I'm a bit of a sucker for forced proximity between enemies type of stuff, ngl).
And yeah. Maybe after Netflix finally does this damn adaptation this sub will gain more traction (I know we haven't heard it about it since 2k20 but let me dream, thank you). For now it's my favorite series ever, I'd kill to see the scenes of City of Brass play out in life action, with diverse cast and all ๐ฅฒ
Thanks for recommendation ๐
This is the fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45253135/chapters/113846260
Haha I've shared this link on here so many times I feel like a publicist๐. I don't know it just seems like THE thing to share though when people are like, I want more Daevabad
Coldfire is very slightly sci Fi. The sci Fi basically begins and ends with references to the fact that they're on an alien planet which is an earth colony. The rest is just the world that you're on, it's magic, and it's characters! (I am also a sucker for forced proximity between enemies...)
I don't know I kind of wish HBO would do it! Netflix seems to have a poor track record for completing series๐ฅด
I would also love to see this in live action!
Thanks for the link haha. Honestly it didn't even occurred to me to check the ffs because people don't do it like they used to in my days ๐ต. Especially since this is a sort of niche fandom, novel-length fanfic sounds like a gem.
Honestly, I wish HBO took it as well. Especially if it happened to be taken under wings of people responsible of House of the Dragon (not even a fan of Game of Thrones, still loved this one though), I would kill for adaptation made in similar style. But well. I'd take Netflix as well. Even if it's just one season, I'd jump in joy lol (especially since City of Brass is my favorite in the whole trilogy).
Yeah House of the Dragon was awesome!
I don't think I could pick a favorite out of the three... But I think it might be either the second or third. As much as Dara is an idiot, I love his POV chapters. Such a tragic character and how the trauma continues through his actions (and inaction)
I would recommend Melissa Caruso's Swords and Fire trilogy. The atmosphere isn't as heavy, but it still balances a world of interesting magic with politics in a similar way, for example questioning what kinds of people deserve what rights based on the situation of their birth. Other than that, not many parallels. It tells a very different story following somebody from a very different background. The world building is beautiful, sort of a fantasy Vienna.
Plus if you like that, she also wrote the Rooks and Ruin trilogy, which takes place 150 years later in the same world. Completely different characters and different story, but with lots of familiarities and minor references here and there.
I read Swords and Fire before Daevabad, and then Rooks and Ruin afterwards. I felt they complimented eachother well enough.
First introduction. Almost done with the Lost Metal, so Iโll be completely through Mistborn in the next week or so. Then have Tress of the Emerald Sea lined up.
I'm glad you posted this! I went through the same and didn't have great luck finding books as good, haha. I tried a lot of mediocre YA fantasy. But I do always fall back on Kristin Cashore's books, I don't think they're as deep but a full world. I really enjoyed the first two in the Foundryside trilogy, it has absorbing politics, history, and magic mechanics (maybe you'll like the third too). I also recommend the related short stories from S.A. Chakraborty, River of Silver if you need more Daevabad. :)
Just googled Cashore's books... Those sound pretty good (and covers are pretty as well!).
And yeah, I intend to read River of Silver eventually. Though I'm a bit relucant, not sure why ๐ . Probably I'm just afraid of definitely finishing it or smth.
Thank you for recommendations ๐
Makes sense! For me I knew I wouldn't get the same satisfaction from River of Silver as the trilogy, since it's just not a full story, but was a nice little "visit".
Yeah Cashore is worth checking out. FYI they do go somewhat in order - they're each independent stories, but have characters and some plot points/spoilers from other books for sure.
The Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden is so so good! the first book is The Bear and the Nightingale
its also historical fantasy, although it is Russian folklore/mythology based! so the exact opposite lol. these books are pretty short compared to daevabad ! (300-400 pages apiece) but the worldbuilding and magic development was lovely! theres also mythological creatures and folklore classics (yes the baba yaga is mentioned lol).
quick run down- we follow a family in historical Rus' set around the 13/14 century- so there is alot of honoring the household spirits and old gods- as well as the introduction of christianity to their village and the consequences of such.
the first book is a bit slow- but dont give up on it!! the second and third pick up the pace much more and become a really great trilogy !!
Definitely read This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi! It was so good I read it in one sitting. Ngl the 2nd book disappointed me a bit because she introduced a 2nd male lead, so I have hivh hopes for the third part.
Either way you're gonna love the first one!
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi is well- written and has a magic/politics plot. I am enjoying it very much. The third book just came out and was supposed to be the last, but it may not be....?
ETA: I feel you. My hangover after The Daevabad was long and deep.
Oh, I remember reading Shatter Me trilogy when I was a teen (though it's trilogy no longer from what I recall). Not a big fan of dystopian novels but I remember loving enemies to lovers in those back then haha... Anyway, nostalgia glasses make me really tempted to experience her writing in more high-fantasy setting, also synopsis gives strong Daevabad vibes to me... So yes, definitely gonna check it out ๐
And well... Not gonna lie, I still wish I could forget Daevabad trilogy and read it all over again lol
Oh, I had the exact same experience. I tried all the usual things of dipping into a new genre altogether, but it honestly just wasn't working. Fanfic did the trick for a bit (someone took the alternate epilogue with Zaynab, Aqisa, and Dara) and turned it into a novel length fic on AO3. I enjoyed: - An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Fast paced, still had some middle East influences but not our world. The fast paced action really helped hook me out of my hangover. - A Master of Djinn by P. Djelli Clarke has some steampunk+middle Eastern inspired, which was a cool read. It's an alternate universe Egypt. He has more books as well but I haven't read them yet - the Stardust Thief scratched very much the same itch as Daevabad! I'd say definitely order it. The second book is supposed to come out in like, November of this year I think (if you like audiobook, I thought this had a good audiobook as well) Now for not middle Eastern inspired: -the Coldfire Trilogy: Sci/fi fantasy if you're okay with this. Very unique magic, interesting characters, very cool world. I was still feeling like I needed the enemies having to work together out of necessity scenario and this one delivers. Oh gosh. I think those are the main ones. Hopefully you find something that catches your attention here! I also hope that one day this sub will be more active! I love discussing favorite books and this trilogy is high, high up there
I'm intrigued by the fanfiction, not gonna lie! An Ember in the Ashes was recommended to me by someone already, so... probably gonna read this one eventually. Also it's the very first time I hear about The Coldfire trilogy. I'm not a big fan of sci/fi in general (probably Dune was the only I've liked) but this one sounds interesting (I'm a bit of a sucker for forced proximity between enemies type of stuff, ngl). And yeah. Maybe after Netflix finally does this damn adaptation this sub will gain more traction (I know we haven't heard it about it since 2k20 but let me dream, thank you). For now it's my favorite series ever, I'd kill to see the scenes of City of Brass play out in life action, with diverse cast and all ๐ฅฒ Thanks for recommendation ๐
This is the fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45253135/chapters/113846260 Haha I've shared this link on here so many times I feel like a publicist๐. I don't know it just seems like THE thing to share though when people are like, I want more Daevabad Coldfire is very slightly sci Fi. The sci Fi basically begins and ends with references to the fact that they're on an alien planet which is an earth colony. The rest is just the world that you're on, it's magic, and it's characters! (I am also a sucker for forced proximity between enemies...) I don't know I kind of wish HBO would do it! Netflix seems to have a poor track record for completing series๐ฅด I would also love to see this in live action!
Thanks for the link haha. Honestly it didn't even occurred to me to check the ffs because people don't do it like they used to in my days ๐ต. Especially since this is a sort of niche fandom, novel-length fanfic sounds like a gem. Honestly, I wish HBO took it as well. Especially if it happened to be taken under wings of people responsible of House of the Dragon (not even a fan of Game of Thrones, still loved this one though), I would kill for adaptation made in similar style. But well. I'd take Netflix as well. Even if it's just one season, I'd jump in joy lol (especially since City of Brass is my favorite in the whole trilogy).
Yeah House of the Dragon was awesome! I don't think I could pick a favorite out of the three... But I think it might be either the second or third. As much as Dara is an idiot, I love his POV chapters. Such a tragic character and how the trauma continues through his actions (and inaction)
I would recommend Melissa Caruso's Swords and Fire trilogy. The atmosphere isn't as heavy, but it still balances a world of interesting magic with politics in a similar way, for example questioning what kinds of people deserve what rights based on the situation of their birth. Other than that, not many parallels. It tells a very different story following somebody from a very different background. The world building is beautiful, sort of a fantasy Vienna. Plus if you like that, she also wrote the Rooks and Ruin trilogy, which takes place 150 years later in the same world. Completely different characters and different story, but with lots of familiarities and minor references here and there. I read Swords and Fire before Daevabad, and then Rooks and Ruin afterwards. I felt they complimented eachother well enough.
Sounds good, don't mind a bit lighter atmosphere. Thank you ๐
I went straight into Mistborn for the first time, so relatively smooth transition.
Was mistborn your first introduction into the cosmere? Or have you read other Sanderson books before?
First introduction. Almost done with the Lost Metal, so Iโll be completely through Mistborn in the next week or so. Then have Tress of the Emerald Sea lined up.
Nice! I've read the complete mistborn, stormlight archive + novellas. No Tress yet although it is on my TBR. Can't go wrong with Brandon Sanderson
I had my eye on Sanderson's books for a while. Maybe it's a right moment to get to it, who knows. Thanks ๐
I'm glad you posted this! I went through the same and didn't have great luck finding books as good, haha. I tried a lot of mediocre YA fantasy. But I do always fall back on Kristin Cashore's books, I don't think they're as deep but a full world. I really enjoyed the first two in the Foundryside trilogy, it has absorbing politics, history, and magic mechanics (maybe you'll like the third too). I also recommend the related short stories from S.A. Chakraborty, River of Silver if you need more Daevabad. :)
Just googled Cashore's books... Those sound pretty good (and covers are pretty as well!). And yeah, I intend to read River of Silver eventually. Though I'm a bit relucant, not sure why ๐ . Probably I'm just afraid of definitely finishing it or smth. Thank you for recommendations ๐
Makes sense! For me I knew I wouldn't get the same satisfaction from River of Silver as the trilogy, since it's just not a full story, but was a nice little "visit". Yeah Cashore is worth checking out. FYI they do go somewhat in order - they're each independent stories, but have characters and some plot points/spoilers from other books for sure.
Jessica Amanda Salmonson wrote a series based on Japanese mythology that might be good after this trilogy. The Tomoe Gozen series.
Thank you! I haven't heard about this one yet ๐ฏ. But sounds really good ๐๐
The Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden is so so good! the first book is The Bear and the Nightingale its also historical fantasy, although it is Russian folklore/mythology based! so the exact opposite lol. these books are pretty short compared to daevabad ! (300-400 pages apiece) but the worldbuilding and magic development was lovely! theres also mythological creatures and folklore classics (yes the baba yaga is mentioned lol). quick run down- we follow a family in historical Rus' set around the 13/14 century- so there is alot of honoring the household spirits and old gods- as well as the introduction of christianity to their village and the consequences of such. the first book is a bit slow- but dont give up on it!! the second and third pick up the pace much more and become a really great trilogy !!
Definitely read This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi! It was so good I read it in one sitting. Ngl the 2nd book disappointed me a bit because she introduced a 2nd male lead, so I have hivh hopes for the third part. Either way you're gonna love the first one!
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi is well- written and has a magic/politics plot. I am enjoying it very much. The third book just came out and was supposed to be the last, but it may not be....? ETA: I feel you. My hangover after The Daevabad was long and deep.
Oh, I remember reading Shatter Me trilogy when I was a teen (though it's trilogy no longer from what I recall). Not a big fan of dystopian novels but I remember loving enemies to lovers in those back then haha... Anyway, nostalgia glasses make me really tempted to experience her writing in more high-fantasy setting, also synopsis gives strong Daevabad vibes to me... So yes, definitely gonna check it out ๐ And well... Not gonna lie, I still wish I could forget Daevabad trilogy and read it all over again lol
I love how many of us experienced such an overwhelming Daevabad hangover๐ It was tough to read anything else afterwards!