Journey Beyond The West: Non-European Fantasy Discussion, Recs, and Ideas

[Maven]

I have seen this literally nowhere and am thus sorely disappointed. Let's try and fix this severe oversight in our entertainment, shall we?

This be the thread for those who get bored with general same-old same-old of our current mainstream somewhat Europe-oriented fantasy genre and want to talk about other locales, whether it be interesting folk monsters like that metal-golem vampire from Africa, or the general philosophies on existence and potential plot points in the belief system of the Hindu.

Me, I just wanna see an Indian shaman go toe-to-toe with that metal vampire using xianxia style kung fu and nature spirits.

 

[Aleph]

I will never not recommend Bridge of Birds. It's a fantasy novel take on several old Chinese stories, and while it's lower magic than you might be interested in, it still has magic, ghosts, monsters, and Gods, as well as some phenomenally fun characters. Especially the effective protagonist, Li "I have a slight flaw in my character" Kao.

My partner's also really into a series called the Broken Earth Trilogy, set in a fantasy world that's clearly post-apocalyptic Africa. I've been meaning to give it a try, so if I do I'll let you know.

 

[Maven]

Oh, yes! I have heard good things of Bridge of Birds. Haven't had the chance to acquire a personal taste, though.

Speaking of, a writer in the Touhou fandom going by Achariyth1 has claimed heavy inspiration from that book in his fics. I can say that said fics (the ones I've read at least) are both of good quality and heavy research in Eastern mysticism and culture, if nothing else. I particularly like the Adventures of Master Kaku and Blessed Bell, which seems to be a direct homage. One of his variants of the character Kaku Seiga even uses the "slight flaw in my character line."

I haven't heard of Broken Earth, but a post-apocalyptic Africa is pretty painfully intriguing by itself. I'll have to check that out.

 

[Master of Squirrel-fu]

Moved to correct sub-forum, idea discussion about fiction goes in the creative writing section.