List of Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books That Take Place All Around The World | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Explore a diverse range of fantasy books inspired by various cultures from Russian and French to Middle Eastern and African.

Key Insights

• 😡 Fantasy books inspired by different cultures provide a refreshing break from the cliché middle-aged European setting.
• ❓ Authors like Leigh Bardugo, Rick Riordan, and Naomi Novik excel in incorporating various cultural influences into their stories.
• 😫 Fantasy books set in ancient Rome and Greece provide an immersive experience of the mythologies surrounding these civilizations.
• 🤑 The Middle East offers a rich backdrop for fantasy stories, including retellings of classics like "A Thousand and One Nights."
• 📙 Asian-inspired fantasy books range from dragonmasters in China to samurai adventures in Japan.
• 😨 Africa is an often-underrated source of inspiration for fantasy, with stories like "Who Fears Death" exploring supernatural abilities in a post-apocalyptic setting.
• ⌛ The Americas, including the Caribbean and Hawaii, offer unique cultural contexts for fantasy stories set during the time of the Wild West or incorporating time travel.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: What books are inspired by Russian culture?

"Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo features Grisha with elemental powers, and "The Crown's Game" by Evelyn Skye follows magicians competing for the position of the King's official magician.

Q: Are there any fantasy books inspired by Dutch culture?

"Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo is a heist story set in a city inspired by Amsterdam, and "Baker's Magic" by Diana Zahler is a middle-grade fantasy with landscape and setting inspired by Dutch culture.

Q: Which fantasy books take place in ancient Rome?

"An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir is about a slave girl and a soldier's quest against the oppressive government, the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan explores Greek gods, and Simon Scarrow's Gladiator series delves into the world of gladiators.

Q: What fantasy books are influenced by Middle Eastern culture?

"The Wrath and the Dawn" by Renee Ahdieh is a romantic retelling of "A Thousand and One Nights," "A Thousand Nights" by E.K. Johnston is a mature and feminist retelling of the same, and "Rebel of the Sands" by Alwyn Hamilton is about a sharpshooter's adventures in the desert.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Leonie presents a master list of almost 40 fantasy and science fiction books inspired by different cultures around the world.

• The books mentioned span across Europe (Russian, Dutch, French, Roman/Greek, Celtic), the Middle East, Asia (China, Japan, India), Africa, and the Americas (USA, Caribbean, Hawaii).

• The list includes retellings, adventures, and stories with elements of magic, mythologies, and unique settings.