If you found yourself fascinated by Anasûrimbor Kellhus's calculating morality and the ambiguous choices of other characters in The Darkness That Comes Before, you'll love The Blade Itself. Abercrombie’s cast—especially Inquisitor Glokta and Logen Ninefingers—wrestle with personal flaws, compromise, and shifting loyalties, making for a gritty, morally gray adventure where no one is simple and every decision has weight.

If the subtle manipulations and far-reaching conspiracies between the Consult, the Mandate, and the Three Seas in The Darkness That Comes Before drew you in, A Shadow in Summer will captivate you with its web of political intrigue. Abraham’s story weaves city-state politics, merchant guilds, and magical poets into a tense tapestry of ambition and betrayal, where every move ripples through society.

If you appreciated the way Bakker’s novel meditates on fate, free will, and the nature of belief through the journeys of Kellhus and Drusas Achamian, you’ll relish The Curse of Chalion. Bujold’s protagonist, Cazaril, is forced to confront divine intervention, destiny, and the meaning of sacrifice in a world where gods and men are intertwined, leading to profound philosophical dilemmas.

If you were enthralled by the sprawling, continent-spanning conflicts and the centuries-old machinations in The Darkness That Comes Before, you’ll be swept away by Gardens of the Moon. Erikson’s debut launches you into a world of ancient powers, shifting alliances, and battles that alter the course of empires, all told on an epic scale that rewards close attention.

If you loved the immersive worldbuilding of Bakker’s Three Seas—with its distinct peoples, religions, and philosophies—The Lions of Al-Rassan will transport you to another meticulously crafted realm. Kay’s setting, inspired by medieval Spain, comes alive through its vibrant cultures, competing faiths, and the nuanced interplay of history and legend, offering a world as deep and believable as Bakker’s.