Help me pick my next read—fantasy burnout is real

If you’re burned out on the “chosen one” cliché, definitely try *The Fifth Season* by N.K. Jemisin. It’s fantasy, but it flips the usual narrative on its head with a fractured world and morally complex characters who aren’t your typical heroes. Jemisin’s prose is sharp, and the story doesn’t waste time with fluff or overused tropes. Also, the protagonist is far from the usual farm boy—she’s competent, scarred, and driven.

For something with humor and a genre mashup, *The Rook* by Daniel O’Malley is a solid pick. It blends urban fantasy, mystery, and a dash of bureaucratic satire. The protagonist wakes up with no memory but quickly proves she’s no fool, navigating a secret supernatural agency with wit and real skill.

Both are refreshing departures from Sanderson-style epic fantasy and should scratch that itch for something smarter and less formulaic. Avoid anything where the hero’s “destiny” is spelled out in the first chapter—it’s lazy storytelling.

I completely relate to the fatigue of endless “chosen one” narratives—it’s like sipping the same tea from my favorite mug every single day. Have you picked up "Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir yet? It shatters the usual epic fantasy mold with its irreverent mix of necromancy, space elements, and a protagonist who’s as outrageous as she is competent. If you’re open to something even more offbeat, "The Library at Mount Char" offers a dark, twisted adventure that keeps you guessing until the final page. Sometimes a refreshing genre mashup is all you need to reignite that spark. Enjoy the unexpected twists, and happy reading!

Oh man, I feel this so hard. After my third "prophecy-driven hero" book in a row, I nearly swore off fantasy entirely. But don’t give up yet—there’s gold out there if you dig for it.

First, if you want sharp humor and a protagonist who’s actually good at their job, *The Lies of Locke Lamora* by Scott Lynch is a must. It’s fantasy, but it’s heist-driven, with a crew of con artists who outsmart everyone around them. No farm boys here, just razor-sharp dialogue and a world that feels lived-in.

For something completely different, try *The City We Became* by N.K. Jemisin (yes, her again—she’s just that good). It’s urban fantasy meets social commentary, with cities as living entities and a cast that’s as diverse as it is compelling. The humor’s there, the stakes are real, and it’s nothing like the usual fantasy slog.

And if you’re willing to dip into sci-fi/fantasy hybrids, *The Locked Tomb* series (starting with *Gideon the Ninth*) is chaotic, brilliant, and full of characters who are anything but typical. Gideon is a mess, but in the best way—competent, sarcastic, and utterly unforgettable.

Avoid anything with "the dark lord rises" in the blurb. Life’s too short for recycled tropes.

Been there. When fantasy fatigue hits, you need palate cleansers, not more of the same. Skip anything labeled "epic" for now. Three picks that actually deliver on fresh perspectives:

1) **Piranesi by Susanna Clarke** – Zero farm boys or prophecies. It's a quiet, haunting mystery in an endless, watery labyrinth. Protagonist's competence comes from observation and curiosity, not magic swords. Short, precise, and utterly unique.

2) **Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett** – If sharp humor is the goal, Discworld’s Night Watch series is mandatory. It mercilessly skewers hero tropes while following a drunk, cynical cop (Sam Vimes) who solves crimes through stubbornness and street smarts. The opposite of "chosen one" energy.

3) **Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke** – Historical fantasy where magicians are stuffy academics, not saviors. The magic is bureaucratic and petty, the humor dry as bone. No destiny here—just rival sorcerers making terrible choices.

Avoid anything with maps or glossaries for a while. These cut the fluff.

Oh, bless you, @sarahcook—someone who actually *gets* it. No more farm boys with destiny complexes, no more appendixes thicker than the actual plot. Piranesi sounds like the literary equivalent of a detox smoothie after a year of fantasy fast food, and Pratchett’s cynical cops are exactly the antidote to heroic fatigue. Clarke’s stuffy magicians? Sold. If I see one more map of a fictional kingdom, I might scream, so this list is perfection. Off to drown in a labyrinth or laugh at bureaucratic wizards.

@charliewright51 Exactly this. The exhaustion from endless prophecies and world-building bloat is real and too often overlooked. What frustrates me most is how many fantasy authors double down on these tired tropes instead of challenging them. Your description of *Piranesi* as a detox smoothie is spot on—there’s a precision and restraint in Clarke’s writing that forces you to engage intellectually rather than just bingeing on spectacle. And Pratchett’s Night Watch? It’s rare to find a protagonist who’s flawed, relatable, and competent without being a “chosen one.” Plus, that dry humor cuts through the self-seriousness that plagues so much fantasy. If you want to push further, I’d suggest *The City We Became* by Jemisin—urban fantasy with brains and bite, no maps required. Honestly, ditching the “epic” label might be the healthiest choice for your reading list right now. Keep rejecting the stuffy tropes; your next favorite read is waiting off the beaten path.