I’ve recently gotten into reading. I realised how much I love fiction, and a couple of tropes. So I’m here asking maybe some of you know any books that have them.

I love it when the story focuses more on world building rather than character. The theory crafting I can do in my head, or just before I sleep, is priceless.

Here I’ll contradict myself by saying a character development related point, but the more important one. I’d like to read more works that show some mysterious big-bad first as a rivalry, later as a friend. They soften up with the MC and we they become friends or allies or whatever. We get to see a BBEG of sorts’s friendly and weak side. I get that it’s a bit childish, but I lost my mind of how cool of a character they made the first time I read it. Now, it was in a manga, so I’d love to read an example that made this best or first.

Thank you in advance, even if you just name some genres or authors.

  • Maestro@fedia.io
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    5 months ago

    The “Death Gate Cycle” by Weiss and Hickman has all that. Great worldbuilding, bad guys that become friends, etc.

      • JowlesMcGee@fedia.io
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        5 months ago

        Not the same guy, but I started reading it a few weeks ago and just finished the fourth book last night. It does a pretty good job at both world building and character development in my opinion (though it really shines across books). In my opinion, the first book does a good job of introducing new elements of the setting at a good pace, and uses it’s characters who know little of the world to impart how special/rare some of the things are.

  • Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works
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    5 months ago

    The Expanse by James SA Corey does a fantastic job of world building as well as character building. I highly highly recommend them. That and/or Dune.

  • CaptainBlagbird@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    The Discworld series has nice world building, however the individual books focus on different characters for telling a story and getting to know that world.

  • hotsox@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    5 months ago

    I recommend Locked Tomb series. It has both of youre asking for. Also, such badass protagnist and overall great writing.

    • UnRelatedBurner@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      5 months ago

      I looked it up the the first this I saw was “Doctor Sex”. Peak fiction. Anyways, do I read the “half” books (The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex, As Yet Unsent, The Unwanted Guest)?

      • hotsox@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        5 months ago

        I’m sorry maybe you found the wrong series. I’m talking about series with the books-Gideon The Ninth, Harrow The Ninth and Nona The Ninth. Its written by Tamsyn Muir

        • hotsox@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          5 months ago

          Holy shit. I just looked up what you’re talking about. I didnt even read those. Those are some random side stories. Start with Gideon The Ninth. Excuse me while I read Doctor Sex now :D

          • UnRelatedBurner@sh.itjust.worksOP
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            5 months ago

            Alright, will do. I have already started Mortal Engines, but this is def 2nd, the covers and titles are way too cool and edgy for me not too read it while im still a teen. Ods are that you’ll finish this sooner than I’ll finish a quartet so if you remember I’d love to hear an updated “what to start with” or if these extra stories are any good.

            Thanks for recommending them tho.

          • hotsox@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            5 months ago

            PPS, Dr Sex sounds much more scandalous than it is. Its actually Dr Sextus and I dont think he’s ever called Dr Sex in the mainstream books iirc. But Muir is the Mother of Memes so I won’t say it’s beneath her to call him that.