Arcanehas been hailed as one of the best animated fantasy TV shows Netflix has put out in a long time, and though it only ran for two seasons, it will never be forgotten. While there are plenty ofArcanespinoff TV shows in development, many audiences are still mourning the end of some amazing character dynamics, romances, and politically intriguing plots thatArcanedid so well. Set in the steampunk world ofLeague of Legends,Arcanemakes a great case for the future of video game adaptations everywhere,as it uses the world to create a unique story.
Now thatArcaneis over, there are plenty of books, movies, and TV shows that can fill the hole left by the conclusion of the series.Fantasy authors shine through the world-building and magic systems of their books,which are two facets ofArcanethat so many viewers respond to. However, creating an intricate universe isn’t the only aspect of these novels that will endear them to fans of the series. With complex character relationships, the elevation of strong female characters, and steampunk aesthetics galore, there’s a book for fans of every element ofArcane.
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10Gideon The Ninth (2019)
Written by Tamsyn Muir
Tamsyn Muir’s dark yet humorous fantasy bookGideon The Ninthleans into colloquialisms and teen comedy to spice up its narrative, and though this can be a polarizing style, it works for the book.The titular character, Gideon, is a strong female character who pulls herself up from destitutionand discrimination, discovering a terrible secret about the way her world is governed. She embarks on a journey of action and betrayal with Harrowhark, a rival from childhood.
Vi & Cait’s relationship was a big part ofArcaneSeason 2, and for audience members who enjoy a well-developed LGBTQ+ romance that starts out with a bit of friction,Gideon The Ninthis perfect.
Vi & Cait’s relationship was a big part ofArcaneSeason 2, and for audience members who enjoy a well-developed LGBTQ+ romance that starts out with a bit of friction,Gideon The Ninthis perfect. Harrowhark and Gideon might clash, but this doesn’t mean that sparks don’t fly between themas they rise through the ranks of the Emperor’s trial and realize that they aren’t only compatible in battle.Witty, romantic, and tragic,Gideon The Ninthwill fulfill the need for another Vi and Cait.
Vi Had The Most Heartbreaking Ending, Showing Just How Brutal Arcane Really Was
Arcane’s climactic ending was filled with huge moments, but Vi’s emotional ending highlighted just how brutal Netflix’s hit show really was.
9Mistborn: The Alloy Of Law (2011)
Written by Brandon Sanderson
Action and steampunk defineMistbornEra 2, the second part of Brandon Sanderson’s series that begins withThe Alloy of Law.Mistbornchanged from Era 1 to Era 2in many significant ways, and the setting is one of the most significant alterations. Set 300 years after the first three books,The Alloy of Lawis an advanced and futuristic society that parallels Piltover and Zaunand the many factions that make up the different niches of the cities. This means that technology and modern weapons are included in the action sequences.
Fans of the fight scenes inArcanewill appreciateThe Alloy of Law, as the series incorporates both the magic system, which is tied to metal, and the use of new industrial innovations. This makes for inventive sequences that capture the audience’s attention and make it easy to picture the conflicts in the mind’s eye. ThoughThe Alloy of Lawisn’t quite as dramatic and intense as the first trilogy, it’s a fun expansion of theMistbornworld.
8Jade City (2017)
Written by Fonda Lee
The warring clans in the futuristic island society ofJade Cityare reminiscent of the organized crime elements ofArcane. All the Jade in the story, which imbues certain users with special powers, is controlled by the two major crime families of the island, Kekon, and their tale of woe and drama is one for the ages. ThoughJade Citysees clan Kaul and the Ayt clan at a tentative truce at the start of the novel,it isn’t long before this veneer of peace falls away, revealing their true intentions.
The dichotomy between the old guard and the brash newcomers is on display in stories like these.
The drug trade is a large part ofJade City, as a substance is introduced to their society that will increase the power of Jade users and their ability to handle wielding this force.The island itself is a futuristic and metropolitan setting full of nooks and cranniesfor the characters to disappear into. Loyalty is also crucial inJade Cityand a quality that will make or break the lives of the characters inArcane. The dichotomy between the old guard and the brash newcomers is on display in stories like these.
7Gearbreakers (2021)
Written by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Featuring a steampunk aesthetic and an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers arc,Gearbreakershas a lot in common withArcane. Eris and Sona are the unlikely couple inGearbreakers, as it seems at the beginning that they’re on opposing sides of a war that will shape the face of the world. The book draws comparisons to the movie seriesPacific Rim, asGearbreakersinvolves mecha-like machines that are used for the suppression of the people of the Badlands. Though this is a larger scale thanArcane,the stakes feel just as high in both the book and series.
The author, Zoe Hana Mikuta, has been making her mark within the sci-fi and fantasy genres sinceGearbreakerswas published, and this novel has only become more relevant since its publication. ThoughGearbreakersleans more toward the young adult style, this doesn’t make it any less impactfulthanArcane. Eris and Sona are great comps for the romances in the TV show, and the world ofGearbreakerswill be just immersive for all audiences.
6Throne Of Glass (2012)
Written by Sarah J. Maas
The intricate world-building ofThrone of Glasssets this series apartfrom some of Sarah J. Maas' other work, even thoughA Court of Thorns and Rosesis her most famous work to date. However, Maas first rose to prominence thanks toThrone of Glass, which still has the spice that Maas is known for but uses the romances as a secondary element to her overarching fantasy plot. This is more in line withArcane, which began to incorporate romance after the stage was set.
Like the characters inArcane, Celaena soon loses the ability to only think of herself, as there are greater stakes and larger forces at work.
Thetimeline of books likeACOTARandThrone of Glasswithin the Maas universe sees her different books span months or years but always keep the reader invested. Celaena Sardothien is the protagonist ofThrone of Glass, andit’s her goal to win a competition of assassins to set herself free.However, like the characters inArcane, Celaena soon loses the ability to only think of herself, as there are greater stakes and larger forces at work.
5Metal From Heaven (2024)
Written by August Clarke
This recent addition to the fantasy genre includes aspects of an industrial revolution and sapphic relationships to keep anyArcanefan interested.Marney is the betrayed and angry young woman who saw firsthand the evil of the manufacturer, Chauncey,and how he was willing to murder his workers rather than treat them fairly. When word gets out that Chauncey’s daughter is looking to get married, Marney sees her chance and won’t look back on her path of vengeance.
LikeArcane, much of the vitality of the story inMetal From Heavencomes from technologyand innovations, and the characters have evolved and tailored themselves and their skills to align with this world. Additionally, it’s greed and the desire for power that drive the antagonists inMetal From Heaven, leaving the heroes in the dust to discover who they truly are in the wake of devastation. One day, Marney will have her justice, but it might not look how she thought it would.
4The Poppy War (2018)
Written by R.F. Kuang
R. F. Kuang’s debut novel,The Poppy War, features strong female characterswho are pushed to their limits and find that they’ll do anything they can to challenge their oppressors. The protagonist, Rin, is stubborn to a fault and refuses to compromise on her morals and desires, which comes back to bite her more than once. She comes to learn that the world is not a just place, and there are few people she can truly put her faith in.
The first half of the novel unfolds similarly to a classic coming-of-age fantasy novel, with Rin training and rising through the ranks of an elite school.
Kuang’s standalone fiction book,Babel, is arecent fantasy book that will be a classic one day, butThe Poppy Waris a great place to start for readers getting into her work for the first time. The first half of the novel unfolds similarly to a classic coming-of-age fantasy novel, with Rin training and rising through the ranks of an elite school. However,the story takes a dark turn, like the lives of Vi and Jinx inArcane,setting Rin on a path that’s unavoidable and that she can never escape.
3Red Rising (2014)
Written by Pierce Brown
Revolution, castes, and violent action sequences defineRed Rising, the first book in theRed Rising Saga. Pierce Brown’s seminal series about fighting against oppressive and exploitative forces has quickly become a favorite within the fantasy genre, and it’s easy to see why.Revenge is a recurring theme inRed Rising,as the protagonist, Darrow, is motivated to leave his home and risk his life because everything has already been taken from him.
10 Best Fantasy Books About Revenge
While fantasy stories are defined by their magic and mystical worlds, often they’re rooted in thrilling tales of revenge, romance, and betrayal.
Injustice and intense social stratification are a large part ofArcane, and many characters are driven to violence and unbelievable acts because of how much was taken from them.Stories likeArcaneandRed Risingare so impactful to audiences because they grapple with real social issuesand heighten them to the point of fantasy and magic. However, brute strength and fierce determination are the true driving forces behind Darrow’s actions and those of the characters inArcane.
2Before We Disappear (2021)
Written by Shaun David Hutchinson
Fans of the relationship between Jayce and Viktor will instantly connect toBefore We Disappear,the LGBTQ+ novel by Shaun David Hutchinson. Following the story of Jack and Laszlo,Before We Disappearintertwines real magic into its historical fantasy setting. The book takes place during the period of the early 20th century when magic was a huge part of every exhibition, and stealing other magicians' tricks was part of the game. However, when Jack discovers Laszlo’s tricks, they aren’t something he can run off with.
ThoughBefore We Disappeardoesn’t have the sweeping drama or tragedy ofArcane, it’s a refreshing change of pace to see two great characters find their happy ending.
Not quite enemies, the young men inBefore We Disappearare rivals to lovers,and it’s clear that the choice between their love and their mundane existences is no choice at all. ThoughBefore We Disappeardoesn’t have the sweeping drama or tragedy ofArcane, it’s a refreshing change of pace to see two great characters find their happy ending. For those who wanted to see a little more of the slice-of-life side of the characters inArcane,Before We Disappeargets the job done.
1The Bone Season (2013)
Written by Samantha Shannon
Set in a world of corrupt governments with dark secrets and unpredictable plot twists,The Bone Seasonmight not be Samantha Shannon’s most famous work, but it is one of her best-plotted. Shannon’s biggest work,The Priory of the Orange Tree, would also be a decent comp forArcane, butThe Bone Seasonis a better fit in terms of world and political implications. The protagonist ofThe Bone Season, Paige, already lives in a totalitarian society that hunts her, but she soon discovers the real secret is much worse.
Issues of class disparities and revolution play a large part inThe Bone Season,as they do inArcane, and Paige is a worthy successor to the likes of Vi and Jinx in terms of complex main characters. One of the major sources of tension inThe Bone Seasonis Paige aligning herself with an enemy to make it out of her prison, and the development of their relationship is simultaneously confusing and intriguing to Paige. Though the world ofThe Bone Seasonis complex, it’s worth delving into after being immersed inArcane.
Arcane
Cast
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
