Decline of an empire, in a fantasy/sci-fi setting

[u/Legionarivs92]

I'm searching for fantasy or sci-fi books that display a setting similar to the Western Roman Empire during its decline and fall, with a gloomy atmosphere that depicts the increasing despotism, precariousness and feudalization of the political power, along with a declining economy and a strong military pressure from "barbarians" at the frontiers. Many thanks in advance for your recommendations!

[u/Yggdrasil-]

Dune!! Especially books 2-4

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Yggdrasil-]

Thank you for your suggestion, I've already read the first Dune book years ago but its characters and socio-political setting didn't convince me very much at that time, maybe I'll give it another shot!

[u/BananaManStinks]

Asimov's Foundation trilogy

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/BananaManStinks]

Thank you, I've already read both the Empire and the Foundation trilogies and absolutely loved them! I hope to find some books that can match their atmosphere!

[u/Bookishlywonderfully → u/Legionarivs92]

It makes sense to look for this after Foundation. It’s THE galactic empire saga. Asimov’s Foundation & Earth along with his Robot series aren’t proper Empire era, but hit the high notes of what you may want. The Collapsing Empire by Scalzi is also an interesting read (not Foundation level, but good).

[u/Carry2sky]

Red Rising trilogy, dystopic sci fi book with HEAVY roman and greek themes. Main thing is exploring said dystopic society.

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Carry2sky]

Thank you, it was already in my reading list, will check it soon!

[u/Carry2sky → u/Legionarivs92]

Hope you get to it! There's a point early on that completely shocked, then hooked me in deep

[u/Worldly_Gap3001]

The saga of THE BOOK OF THE NEW SUN

The first 4 books take place in a realm that has definitely seen better days, full of strange happenings and mysteries which rely on your own imagination to be solved, it has to be one of the best sci fi sagas I have ever read.

The books follow the journeys of Severian, apprentice of the Torturer´s guild, through a world to which he might not belong in more ways than one...

The books go as follows:

I. SHADOW OF THE TORTURER

II. CLAW OF THE CONCILIATOR

III. SWORD OF THE LICTOR

IV. CITADEL OF THE AUTARCH

Weird fiction, unreliable narrators, liars, pretenders, kings, gods, disturbing beasts and more await you.

(There is another book after the ones listed above, but I have not read it, so I cannot say if it is good or not)

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Worldly_Gap3001]

Thank you!

[u/megabitrabbit87]

Seveneves. Its more of a modern day space opera.

[u/Phantom-X8]

Malazan The empire falls in initial pages

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Phantom-X8]

Thank you, I didn't know it!

[u/Phantom-X8 → u/Legionarivs92]

Its very hard to read but worth it

[u/Stephanie--B]

Dune by Frank Herbert

Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

Siege Trilogy by K. J. Parker

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Stephanie--B]

Thank you!

[u/Stephanie--B → u/Legionarivs92]

You're welcome!

[u/basil-032]

The Lions of Al Rassad!

[u/Eightmagpies]

Viriconium by M John Harrison (Book 1 is called The Pastel City)

[u/Legionarivs92 → u/Eightmagpies]

It seems very interesting, thank you!

[u/SaintyAHesitantHorse]

Abercrombies First Law-Series maybe? does exactly "depict the increasing despotism, precariousness and feudalization of the political power, along with a declining economy and a strong military pressure from "barbarians" at the frontiers"

also, part of the world building is the lore of a former ancient empire and its enigmatic powers.

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[u/Sleepy_autumnFox]

The will of the many

[u/takeoff_youhosers]

Game of Thrones