Best Non - Western Fantasy Novels: A Comprehensive Guide

One great non - English fantasy novel is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's an Italian novel set in a medieval monastery. The mystery and the detailed historical setting make it a classic. Another is 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov from Russia. It combines elements of fantasy, satire, and the supernatural in a very unique way. There's also 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King, although he's American, the series has a very European - style fantasy feel to it in many ways.

Another great one is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in Iran during a time of great political and social change. The black - and - white illustrations add to the overall mood and authenticity of the narrative.

One of the best Batman non - graphic novels is 'The Dark Knight Returns' novelization. It delves deep into the story of an older Batman coming out of retirement. Another great one is 'Batman: Year One' in novel form. It gives a detailed look at Batman's early days in Gotham. Also, 'Batman: The Killing Joke' novel adaptation is worth checking out as it explores the complex relationship between Batman and the Joker.

One of the best non - translated visual novels could be 'Clannad'. It has a beautiful story that focuses on themes like friendship, family, and love. The art style is very appealing and the character development is well - done. Even without translation, the emotions and the general plot can be somewhat grasped through the visuals and the expressions of the characters.

Well, 'Riders of the Purple Sage' by Zane Grey is definitely on the list. It's a classic western novel with themes of love, revenge, and the harshness of the western landscape. 'True Grit' by Charles Portis is also popular. It has a strong female protagonist seeking justice in the wild west, and it was made into a great movie as well.

A great Latin American fantasy novel is 'The Invisible Mountain' by Carolina De Robertis. It tells a multi - generational story with elements of magic realism, a genre that often blurs the line between fantasy and reality. It's set in Uruguay and has elements like family secrets that seem to have a touch of the supernatural. Also, 'The Lost City of Z' by David Grann (which is inspired by real - life Latin American exploration but has a lot of fantastical elements) is a great read. It's about the search for a fabled lost city in the Amazon, filled with mystery and wonder.

Well, 'Spider - Man: Reign' is a great non - canon graphic novel. It gives a different view of an older Peter Parker. The art in this graphic novel is also quite good, adding to the overall atmosphere of a more gritty and mature take on the Spider - Man story. The story delves into themes of loss and how Peter deals with a changed New York City that he no longer fully understands.

One of the best fantasy books in 2018 fiction was 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with a strong female lead. The world - building is intricate and the characters are well - developed.

I think 'The City of Brass' is great for beginners. The world - building based on Middle Eastern mythology is really interesting and not overly complicated. The characters are also well - developed, which helps in getting into the story easily. 'The Tiger's Daughter' is also a good choice. The relationship between the two main characters is central to the story, and the Asian - inspired setting is beautiful and easy to picture. 'Black Leopard, Red Wolf' can be a bit more challenging, but its unique African - inspired world is fascinating for those who want to dive into something different right away.

Another notable one is 'March: Book Three' which is part of the important 'March' trilogy. It continues to tell the story of Congressman John Lewis's experiences in the civil rights movement. It's a powerful and educational graphic novel that uses the medium effectively to convey a significant part of American history.