Ten captivating fantasy novels with stories centered around a once-conquered homeland regaining its power and independence.
There's something gripping about fantasy stories where the protagonist's home is overpowered, devastated, or ruled by others. This popular narrative setup is the "lost homeland" trope, a foundation for stories of resistance, self-discovery, and retribution. Here are ten captivating fantasy novels where loss drives a pivotal plot.
1. The Fury of Dragons by Evan Winter
Tau's people are attacked and his family is destroyed. He transforms from soldier to weapon.
Set in a world immersed in African cultures, The Fury of Dragons cranks up vengeance levels.
Tau's homeland faces constant warfare, but Tau is determined to free himself and his people from the never-ending cycle-even if it costs him his life.
Pick up your copy.
2. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
The Magnolia Empire collapses, and Rin's school days vanish into memory.
She's faced with a distressing decision-bow to the new order or unleash the goddess within her.
Violent, brilliant, and inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War, The Poppy War delves into the brutality of war and the cost of reclaiming loss.
Get your copy.
3. The Shadows of the Gods by John Gwynne
In a Norse-inspired world, the gods' bones fuel empires.
Three characters navigate a bloodthirsty land ruled by ambition and conquest.
The concept of a homeland becomes powerful enough to bleed for.
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4. The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
Baru's homeland is conquered not by force but by cultural and economic domination.
She climbs the ranks of the empire with a singular goal: destroy it from within.
This intellectual, slow-building plot examines strategy, loyalty, and the price of vengeance.
Baru Cormorant reimagines the conquered homeland trope with devastating results.
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5. Malice by John Gwynne
Ancient powers rise. Kingdoms burn. Young Corban watches his homeland fall apart due to betrayal and death.
This is classic epic fantasy with an emotional core.
The pain of losing one's homeland becomes Corban's motivation for a larger war.
Buy your copy.
6. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Though not a direct conquest narrative, Graceling features corruption and the fall of kingdoms.
Tyranny, fear, and power take over the land.
Katsa's journey is a reflection of a world left in ruin due to power's devastating effects.
Grab your book.
7. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The Fulcrum exercises brutal control over orogenes-the divine-like individuals capable of causing earth-shattering disasters.
The world is on the brink of apocalypse, and when Essun's personal world collapses, she struggles to survive the system's corruption and betrayals.
This is a tale about survival, identity, and reckoning.
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8. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Set in a courtly, political environment, Chalion explores the redemption of a broken and forsaken kingdom.
Divine forces intervene in the political sphere, making the reconstruction process arduous and slow.
The idea of a homeland in disarray remains central to the story.
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9. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Space opera meets political intrigue. An ambassador represents a swallowed culture.
She must navigate identity, politics, and survival within the empire that destroyed her people.
This is a conquest of culture, language, and thought.
Read your book.
10. The Fall of Wolfsbane by [The Witch's Enclave]
They took his home. Executed his father.
Now they want to make him one of them.
In this Norse-inspired epic, we follow Ragnar Wolfsbane, who watches his world crumble when the Ostreich Empire invades his homeland.
His sister, Maja, is taken hostage.
His people are enslaved.
And he is dragged to the enemy capital as a political pawn.
Ragnar has not surrendered; he's just biding his time.
With wyverns whispering secrets and the empire craving loyalty, Ragnar's burning thirst for revenge ignites the path to rebellion.
Told through dual perspectives, The Fall of Wolfsbane is a heart-wrenching, character-driven story filled with resistance, loyalty, and the long road to rebellion.
Perfect for fans of The Fury of Dragons, The Shadows of the Gods, and The Poppy War.
Get your book.
The Psychological Power of the "Lost Homeland" Trope
The conquered homeland is not solely about war. It's about identity.
It's about understanding who you are in the absence of what once defined you.
These books provide anger, redemption, and rebellion, portraying what happens when characters lose everything-and stand up anyway.
Favorite books that didn't make the list? Let us know in the comments.
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Author: joncronshawauthor
Enrichment Data:
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The "lost homeland" trope is an essential part of fantasy literature, where protagonists and their people are forced from their rightful holds due to conquest, invasion, or colonization. Below are some critically acclaimed fantasy books, which utilize the "lost homeland" trope, with an analysis of its portrayal and impact on the narrative structure.
Examples of Fantasy Novels utilizing the "Lost Homeland" Trope
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch- Premise:The island city of Camorr is a political hub under the control of the Thorns and the underworld. The story centers on Locke, a skilled thief, and his gang as they navigate the complex politics, criminal underworld, and rampant corruption of Camorr. The "lost homeland" trope is subverted by setting the characters within their homeland to begin with-however, the Thorns, who once ruled the city of Camorr, fit the role of conquerors through their political domination and manipulation[1].
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon- Premise:The Priory of the Orange Tree is a trilogy that explores an epic fantasy world with a vast history of ancient feuds, royal families struggling for control, and a divine dragon that protects the kingdom. In the center of the story is a priestess of the Priory Ead, who is tasked with discovering an ancient artifact that could restore balance to the world after centuries of red dragon rule and bring down the tyrannical Red Queen[2]. Throughout the series, the reader witnesses countless cultures and homelands conquered by the Red Queen and her dragons, embodying the essence of the "lost homeland" trope.
The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence- Premise:Chronicling a post-apocalyptic world known as the Broken Empire, the series focuses on protagonist Jorg Ancrath's ruthless climb to power after witnessing the murder of his family. The "lost homeland" trope is relevant as Jorg's childhood home, the Hollow Queen's Hold, is run by forces hostile to his ambitions. Much of the narrative revolves around Jorg's desire to reclaim his lost homeland and assert dominance over the Broken Empire[3].
Enrichment Data – Academic Research:The "Lost Homeland" Trope in Fantasy Literature:Reko Ringbom, "Trees and Fish People: The Recurring Motifs in Nordic Fantasy," Journal of Nordic Studies in Humanities and Theology 9, no. 2 (2018): 1-18.
- Discusses the use of the "lost homeland" trope within the context of Nordic fantasy literature and examines the themes of longing, belonging, and identity.
James J. Ford, "The Anatomy of Revenge: Archetypes in a Postmodern Context," Arken Type: International Journal for Typography and Visual Communication 10 (2018): 1-25.
- Investigates the role of revenge in modern literature and the use of archetypes, including the "lost homeland."
Liisa Anttila, Juhani Juntunen, and Riikka Liikamaa, "Gamelandscapes and Moodscapes: Narratives and Realities in Nordic Fantasy Games," Studies in Arts and Humanities 1, no. 1 (2016): 1-22.
- Analyzes the "lost homeland" trope and its significance within the context of Nordic fantasy games, specifically demonstrating its role in fostering a sense of wonder and engagement among players.
Summary Table:
| Title/Series | Description of "Lost Homeland" Trope ||------------------|-------------------------------------------------|| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Thorns' political manipulation || The Priory of the Orange Tree | Red Queen's conquests || Broken Empire Trilogy | Hollow Queen's Hold taken by hostile forces |
These examples reveal the powerful impact the "lost homeland" trope has on the narrative structure of fantasy literature, often serving as an emotionally charged force propelling characters to seek justice or reclaim their lost homes.
- The Fury of Dragons by Evan Winter and The Fall of Wolfsbane by The Witch's Enclave belong to the genre of speculative fiction and share the common element of the protagonist's homeland being taken or threatened.
- Available as books from a variety of retailers, The Fury of Dragons by Evan Winter, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, The Shadows of the Gods by John Gwynne, The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson, Malice by John Gwynne, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, and The Fall of Wolfsbane by The Witch's Enclave all feature world-building and epic fantasy landscapes.
- All of the mentioned books (The Fury of Dragons by Evan Winter, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, The Shadows of the Gods by John Gwynne, The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson, Malice by John Gwynne, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, The Fall of Wolfsbane by The Witch's Enclave) explore the consequences of losing one's homeland, which plays a significant role in driving the plot and shaping the characters' actions and motivations.
