Fantasy with Strong Mythological Elements

[Keslynn]

I'm looking for recommendations for books with lots of mythology and/or deities involving themselves in the action.

A few I've enjoyed in that vein:
The Fionavar Tapestry books by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Hythrun Chronicles books by Jennifer Fallon
The Curse of Chalion & Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Deverry books by Katharine Kerr
The Kushiel books by Jacqueline Carey

Anyone else love this kind of book?

[xg4bx]

My go-to fantasy author David Dalglish and the Dawn of Swords-

On the young world of Dezrel, brother gods Karak and Ashhur, fleeing their own failed world, recreate mankind in an attempt to make amends. The fledgling race of humanity is guided by the First Families, men and women who will not age so long as their hearts remain devoted to their deities.
But quickly the realms are thrown into chaos by the construction of the Temple of the Flesh, built by exiled children of Karak in the unclaimed land of Haven that lies between the two kingdoms. Those of the Temple refuse to bend knee to either god, no matter the risk. Thus comes Karak’s ultimatum to the people of Haven: destroy the Temple, or he will destroy it himself. But his fellow brother god, Ashhur, will not sit idly by while thousands of innocents die...

Can Jacob Eveningstar, the First Man to be given life and Ashhur’s most trusted servant, prevent the coming bloodshed which threatens the survival of the fledgling human race?

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

My go-to fantasy author David Dalglish and the Dawn of Swords-

This looks like exactly the kind of book I was looking for.

[pwalker8]

A number of Zelazny's books (Lord of Light, Creatures of Light and Darkness among others) have heavy mythical themes.

[GeoffR]

The main ones that come to my mind are Gene Wolfe's Soldier series: Soldier of the Mist and Soldier of Arete (Greek mythology) and Soldier of Sidon (Egyptian/African mythology). I liked the first two especially, although I probably would have got more out of them if my knowledge of the history was better. (But I am getting used to the feeling that there was more going on than I could pick up on when reading Gene Wolfe).

Another two I loved were C. J. Cherryh's Rusulka (Russian folklore) and Faery Moon (Celtic folklore). These are not so much about gods or historical/mythological events, but more fantasy with a strong basis in folklore.

[suedenim]

Tom Lloyds Stormcaller series

[Geralt]

Neil Gaiman - American Gods.

'nuff said.

There is also The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. I absolutely hated it. But hey, maybe it's your thing.

[mewmartigan]

Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker deals with gods (and their secrets) among regular folk. I really enjoyed it, especially the magic system he developed for the book.

[BenG]

You may want to try Thomas Burnett Swann.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Burnett_Swann

His best known novel, The Day of the Minotaur, is available for the kindle.

[Penforhire]

One old school series that might fit the bill is Fritz Leiber's "Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser." The gods in that series take a somewhat active hand in messing with them.

I do agree with the Zelazny recommendation. "Lord of Light" was awesome for me, a book I read at least three times so far.

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

The main ones that come to my mind are Gene Wolfe's Soldier series: Soldier of the Mist and Soldier of Arete (Greek mythology) and Soldier of Sidon (Egyptian/African mythology). I liked the first two especially, although I probably would have got more out of them if my knowledge of the history was better. (But I am getting used to the feeling that there was more going on than I could pick up on when reading Gene Wolfe).

Another two I loved were C. J. Cherryh's Rusulka (Russian folklore) and Faery Moon (Celtic folklore). These are not so much about gods or historical/mythological events, but more fantasy with a strong basis in folklore.

I LOVE ancient Greek and Egyptian history and mythology. I must check these out!

Also, folklore recs are definitely welcome as well.

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by Geralt

Neil Gaiman - American Gods.

'nuff said.

There is also The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. I absolutely hated it. But hey, maybe it's your thing.

American Gods is one of the few books that I've actually read more than once. I own it in several formats. :-)

I think I own the first in the Jemisin trilogy so I'll have to bump it up my TBR mountain.

[Keslynn]

To all the folks I haven't specifically replied to, thank you for the plentiful recommendations! I am checking them out. My Kindle settlement money is burning a hole in my pocket.

[Dazrin]

If you don't mind YA (more children's books actually) the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan would certainly fit this theme.

My memory is a little fuzzy, but isn't there at least one god who gets involved in The Gardens of the Moon / Malazan Books of the Fallen series? Not an earth based diety, but was a god that got involved at least a little. It has been a while, so I might be mistaken on that and it wasn't the focus of the book at all.

[khazaddum]

I am only through Malazan's First Book: Gardens of The Moon and there are gods involved everywhere. At least five take direct actions in the story. Plus it is a treat of a book. Check it out! If you want gods and mythology, you won't be disappointed.