Non-Combat Focused Fantasy (52 books)

Nothing wrong with swords and sorcery, but this is a collection of fantasy books in which the main characters/focus isn't about legendary swordsmen or destructive magic used in combat. Think Frodo in the Lord of the Rings. Conflict (even all-out war) is a major theme, but it's not the focus of the page-to-page character-driven narrative.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1) by Travis Baldree (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 334,100 ratings score: 654, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) by Terry Pratchett 4.24 avg rating — 273,302 ratings score: 551, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Goblin Emperor (The Chronicles of Osreth, #1) by Katherine Addison (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 55,030 ratings score: 494, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.01 avg rating — 362,996 ratings score: 472, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) by Terry Pratchett 4.41 avg rating — 136,254 ratings score: 465, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke 3.87 avg rating — 256,106 ratings score: 456, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Traitor Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade, #1) by Seth Dickinson (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 25,424 ratings score: 393, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 4.21 avg rating — 483,558 ratings score: 373, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Neverwhere (London Below, #1) by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 562,769 ratings score: 353, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Rivers of London (Rivers of London, #1) by Ben Aaronovitch (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 149,585 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Daughter of the Empire (The Empire Trilogy, #1) by Raymond E. Feist 4.29 avg rating — 41,830 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Senlin Ascends (The Books of Babel, #1) by Josiah Bancroft 4.11 avg rating — 34,213 ratings score: 265, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1) by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 10,606 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 13,090 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, #1) by Natasha Pulley 3.73 avg rating — 38,604 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Lord of Stariel (Stariel, #1) by A.J. Lancaster (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 10,148 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 43,047 ratings score: 188, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Mask of Mirrors (Rook & Rose, #1) by M.A. Carrick (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 14,081 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Illusion by Paula Volsky really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,592 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 343,732 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 122,888 ratings score: 164, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee 3.65 avg rating — 3,340 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Advocatus (Culpa Magum, #1) by A.R. Turner (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Tea and Sympathetic Magic (Teacup Magic, #1) by Tansy Rayner Roberts (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 684 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Healers' Road (The Balance Academy, #1) by S.E. Robertson (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 402 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher 4.20 avg rating — 6,344 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Od Magic by Patricia A. McKillip 3.99 avg rating — 4,606 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Tapping the Dream Tree (Newford, #9) by Charles de Lint (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 2,523 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	The Hands of the Emperor (Lays of the Hearth-Fire, #1) by Victoria Goddard (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 3,998 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	The Book of Atrix Wolfe by Patricia A. McKillip 3.99 avg rating — 4,150 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	The Lark and the Wren (Bardic Voices, #1) by Mercedes Lackey (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 9,881 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson 3.85 avg rating — 4,965 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher 4.05 avg rating — 68,694 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Lifelode by Jo Walton (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 672 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees 3.85 avg rating — 9,760 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre 3.88 avg rating — 11,308 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Man of Gold (Tekumel, #1) by M.A.R. Barker 3.77 avg rating — 278 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Sailing to Sarantium (The Sarantine Mosaic, #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 17,006 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Wandering Inn (The Wandering Inn, #1) by Pirateaba 4.22 avg rating — 14,486 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Dragon's Path (The Dagger and the Coin, #1) by Daniel Abraham 3.82 avg rating — 23,139 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	A Turn of Light (Night's Edge, #1) by Julie E. Czerneda (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 1,065 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Zero Blessing (The Zero Enigma, #1) by Christopher G. Nuttall (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 1,831 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Yarrow by Charles de Lint (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 2,652 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Long Price Quartet: The Complete Quartet by Daniel Abraham 4.38 avg rating — 199 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe 3.84 avg rating — 35,791 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Perdido Street Station (New Crobuzon, #1) by China Miéville (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 75,616 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold (Magic Kingdom of Landover, #1) by Terry Brooks (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 39,477 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Ill-Made Mute (The Bitterbynde, #1) by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 4,919 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 9,629 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Spellsinger (Spellsinger, #1) by Alan Dean Foster 3.86 avg rating — 7,588 ratings score: 63, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Colours in the Steel (Fencer Trilogy, #1) by K.J. Parker 3.85 avg rating — 2,067 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Orconomics (The Dark Profit Saga, #1) by J. Zachary Pike (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 10,164 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars