Recommend me some epic magic without much fighting

[HareBrain]

I want to get lost in a series again. What I'm after, and can't seem to find, is a well-written adult fantasy where a big role is given to interesting and subtle magic, ideas about the nature of reality, big secrets and mysteries with "wow" moments, and adventurous travels to exciting places -- but which doesn't have a major focus on armies moving about and having intricately described battles.

I guess what I'm hoping for is something like Steven Erikson's Malazan books, but with the military stuff having a much smaller role. And possibly a bit more uplifting.

 

[HoopyFrood]

You know, there is a series that has pretty much all that you describe, but I dare not speak its name to you...

 

[HareBrain]

You know, there is a series that has pretty much all that you describe, but I dare not speak its name to you...

Erm, isn't the last book pretty much one huge battle?

ETA: but yes, Wheel of Time was probably a near-ish miss, from what I read of it.

 

[Harpo]

You know, there is a series that has pretty much all that you describe, but I dare not speak its name to you...

The Magic Faraway Tree?

 

[The Judge]

I enjoyed The Shadow of the Apt series -- at least those I read of it, as I'm missing a couple -- by Adrian Tchaikovsky. There are battles, but they're not the main focus of the books. I'm not sure about "nature of reality" but there is magic and there is travel to different places. Off the top off my head I can't recall any great mysteries.

Not a series, but Carol Berg has two duologies set in the same world, The Lighthouse and The Sanctuary with some overlapping characters. Only one battle on the page that I can think of, and that's dealt with very quickly and at a distance, but some fighting and reports and repercussions of battles. There's some travel and interesting magic, and mysteries and secrets are the basis of all four books. Again the "nature of reality" might not be there, but the issue of the existence or otherwise of the soul crops up in the one, and memory and a sense of self in the other, and all very uplifting.

 

[nixie]

Ducks before she can be hit by rotten tomatoes.
David Eddings, nice and fluffy.

I know I've read books like this but not recently. I do seem to tend towards grim these days.

Been awhile since I read them but Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana was a beautiful read also his Finovar Tapestry series but can't remember how much magic it contained.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Erm, isn't the last book pretty much one huge battle?

ETA: but yes, Wheel of Time was probably a near-ish miss, from what I read of it.

Sure, but you have thirteen books before that of sniffing and skirt-smoothing

Also to be fair, it’s epic battles, but it’s definitely not the usual stabby-stabby or swords and things, and it tends to focus on just a collection of people.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

You know, there is a series that has pretty much all that you describe, but I dare not speak its name to you...

Erm, isn't the last book pretty much one huge battle?

ETA: but yes, Wheel of Time was probably a near-ish miss, from what I read of it.

You know, that's not the series I thought she had in mind...

 

[SilentRoamer]

I enjoyed The Shadow of the Apt series -- at least those I read of it, as I'm missing a couple -- by Adrian Tchaikovsky. There are battles, but they're not the main focus of the books. I'm not sure about "nature of reality" but there is magic and there is travel to different places. Off the top off my head I can't recall any great mysteries.

Shadows of the Apt is pretty militant in places - especially as the series progresses, there is also the mystery of the Kinden but I have the last books to read 8-10 so this may end up explained.

 

[HareBrain]

You know, that's not the series I thought she had in mind...

I'd prefer a series that's complete.

Chris Woodings's The Braided Path -- if it were better -- has many of the things I'm after, but I appreciate that's a very obscure reference. I'll be sure to check out some of the recommendations so far. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Kylara]

The Green Rider series by Kristen Britain is pretty good with the magic, intrigue, not a huge amount of battles. I'm sure it has a proper name for the series but that's the name of the first one. The magic is really very interesting and a vital part of the story.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I'd prefer a series that's complete. .

Better get lost in that one, then.

 

[nixie]

Robert Holdstock , Mythago Wood, I've only read two but do remember being intrigued

 

[The Big Peat]

Wheel of Time, to be fair, is more political and soap opera than epic battle for most of its run. And does have some awesome metaphysical moments. But I suspect its still a near miss.

Something that might work is a web serial called The Glass Grimoire. Lot of weird modern day occultism.

Other potential hits would be The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone and The Divine Cities by Robert Jackson Bennett. Latter might be a bit magic light. Maybe Megan Lindholm's Ki and Vandien quartet, which is short on violence and long on weirdness.

 

[Brian G Turner]

What I'm after, and can't seem to find, is a well-written adult fantasy where a big role is given to interesting and subtle magic, ideas about the nature of reality, big secrets and mysteries with "wow" moments, and adventurous travels to exciting places

It may not be helpful, but my first thought from this was The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castenada...

 

[HareBrain]

I've read Castaneda. A fantasy with some of that flavour mixed with Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum would do the job.

 

[SilentRoamer]

Ok so here goes, I'll try to recommend novels that aren't previously mentioned. I don't know your particular tastes so I'll just rec what I have enjoyed.

Aspect Emperor Series by R. Scott Bakker - There is a reasonable amount of military stuff but it's all broad stroke, overall plans etc. For epic wow moments this series is top of the pile for me, it's not an easy read, it can be slow going and has some deep philosophy but I think it's well worth the investment. This ranks as one of my favorite Fantasy series. I reccomend this to anyone who hasn't read it but it does fit some of your criteria perfectly - the World setting is rich and complex and well thought out with a LOT of mysteries that the reader has to piece together, the reveals are slow and complex but worthwhile.

Raymond E Feist - Lots of great wow moments in the various series (Riftwar, Serpentwar etc.), although the quality does vary with the latter novels not being as well received. However the Empire series which was co-written with Janny Wurts is a fantastic trilogy. Mara the main character is a fantastic lead character, she's strong, decisive and courageous whilst also not being a "kickass" kind of character. Less magic moments in this series but the Midkemia focused series on Pug have some great moments.

Terry Brooks - Shannara series are great fun, early works were deriviative but Terry was always open about that. I think some of the later urban fantasy ties up really well with the world. Might not hold up to as much scrutiny now I am older but I loved the Word and the Void series, some epic magic as well.

Lois McMaster Bujold - The Curse of Chalion - Standalone (I think) fantasy that focuses on a broken man and his goal of earning real redemption. Fantastic ending.

Ill check my shelves when I get home but these all came to mind initially.

 

[Alexa]

Did you read Robin Hobb's trilogies (The Farseer, Liveship Traders, the Tawny Man, The Rain Wild Chronicles) and the latest, The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy ?

 

[HareBrain]

Did you read Robin Hobb's trilogies (The Farseer, Liveship Traders, the Tawny Man, The Rain Wild Chronicles) and the latest, The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy ?

I read the first few chapters of the first of the Rain Wild Chronicles, and dipped into the starts of a couple of others, but they didn't appeal for some reason. Maybe I should give her another look.

 

[SilentRoamer]

I read the first few chapters of the first of the Rain Wild Chronicles, and dipped into the starts of a couple of others, but they didn't appeal for some reason. Maybe I should give her another look.

I would give it a go. I have read the Farseer Trilogy but do plan on reading the rest.

I read Assasins Apprentice (Farseer #1) and for whatever reason it didn't click. After a few friends cajoled me I relented and read the next book, maybe due to expecting 1st Person PoV and a limited reader vision I really really enjoyed the next two books, I have a feeling I would enjoy AA if I re-read it.

These books are slow burn, they're all about emotion, duty, greed and ethics and how they play a part in life. Really worth a second go!

Although in the first series the magic tends to be limited in that it is a lot more subtle than usual. Not sure on later works.