Need recommendations for books with lots of world building and lore?

I don’t have many example to go off of, but I’m reading the Licanius trilogy right now and it’s very nice! I like the fantasy setting but the Gifted and essence don’t really feel like the type of magic I’m interested in learning more about if that makes sense. Essence feels more just like life energy rather than magic in a way.

I also love the grim dark story so long as it isn’t just “edgy for the sake of being edgy”. Particularly a book with a protagonist that grows in power as the story goes on but has to face many hardships to ultimately reach his goal.