As title. I read a LOT of fantasy/sci-fi. I'm finishing the third Red Rising book right now, and I'll be devouring the final Sun Eater book when it drops next week. But I'm looking for a break. Something to serve as a bit of a reset after years of complex magic systems and physics-defying space operas.
I'm open to any fiction genre that isn't SF/Fantasy, but would prefer no romance. I'm not into Cormac McCarthy's style. Ideally this would be a standalone, but a short series is also potentially okay. I'm looking for no magic and a real-world setting (doesn't have to be present day, but I'm not looking for a dystopian read).
Here's what I've read in 2025 and my quick opinion, for reference.
- Sanderson's Mistborn Era 2 (liked it)
- Abercrombie's First Law trilogy (didn't like it much, very cynical series)
- The Empyrean series (I don't like romance/"spicy" books)
- Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (fun creature feature)
- Vicious by V.E. Schwab (it was alright, but I didn't continue the series)
- The Girl With All The Gifts (interesting take on dystopia, it was alright)
- The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab (same as Vicious, it was okay, but I didn't continue the series)
- Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio (love it)
- Red Rising trilogy (it's okay, but maybe a bit derivative of Ender's Game and the Hunger Games and a little YA/NA for my preferences)
I appreciate any suggestions!
by Weekly_Fennel_4326