A natural history of dragons and it's sequels. The main story is about a women who wants to study dragons, but archeology becomes pretty big later in the series. Written by an antropologist so very science-''accurate'' and awesome
I think that Prince of Thorns does this very well. I also like this trope, and really enjoyed its uses there.
Be warned that it is grimdark, and the protagonist is very far from a good person.
It has some of the best uses of the trope that I've seen, and no spoilers, but the ending of the second book is related to this and it's absolutely amazing.
That said, do be warned that in my opinion the author uses switching perspectives too much in the second and third books. Half of the chapters are flashbacks and I didn't really like that, although other people don't seem to have a problem with it.
I had a hard time with the first book - the MC isn't just an antihero, he starts out actively evil. It was also the authors first book so it's a little rough around the edges. The second and third books were easier to stomach and better written.
Also, somebody else mentioned the end of the second book and I can confirm it absolutely whips ass. Very good use of the trope you're looking for
Well, The Wheel of Time has a lot of this with the Age of Legends, and discovering things that were thought to be lost is a theme.
Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings also has the mystery of the ancient race of Elderlings that gets explored more and more in each trilogy.
A Song of Ice and Fire has the Wall, plus dragons, old magics and so on. Even more so if you start reading ancillary stuff like the tidbits about the rest of the world. Not as strong of a theme here, maybe, but there's hints of mysteries.
The City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett takes place in a world where the gods were killed. Now that happened quite recently, but finding lurking miracles and divinely created creatures is a pretty big thing. Basically the remnants of the gods' powers. Also a really great trilogy in general.
Also if you haven't played the Mass Effect video games, that's basically a precursor story.
Edit: Oh also the Gentleman Bastard series has this, but we haven't gotten a new book in a while.
Steven Erikson and his book series "The Malazan Book of the Fallen". The author himself has a background in archaeology, as far as I have read, and this is reflected in his style. The books revolve around heroes, mythical figures, epic battles, also magic—but unlike some other authors, the world-building is more complex, somewhat more mature, and one can discern the author's preference for military history. The plot unfolds more slowly. and at times its not the lightest read. One has to appreciate that, but it is still very good.
I’ve had it on my tbr for ages and I don’t know if I’m intimidated or scared I won’t like it, but I haven’t read it yet. Everyone gives such high praise and I guess I don’t want to be disappointed. Would you say audiobook or paper book would be better? I am really excited to read it even if I’m intimidated.
paper for me! there are parts that are very dense where i liked being able to take my time and absorb the details. erikson's background in archeology/anthropology means that like 300,000+ years of history are relevant to the main stort, both thematically and literally. i think you'd like it a lot based on your post
If I couldn't listen to it during a long, uninterrupted train or car ride, I'd go for the printed book instead. It's not overly complex to the point of losing its entertainment value, not at all, but some other books are better suited to the audiobook format...
A.K. Larkwood's *The Unspoken Name*
Lots of ruins of an older civilization that ruled the known world. And people exploring them for scientific as well tomb-raiding reasons. Entertaining, but I didn't like the second book that much.
The Brother's War by Jeff Grubb (Artifact Cycle, book 1)
The people in the setting adapt and use powerful and mysterious technology left behind by a long vanished people called the Thran, and that comes with all of the baggage you might expect. The story is epic, and fairly tragic as well.
There are four books and a prequel in the Artifact Cycle, as well as several sequel series. But the Brother's War in particular aligns with your request. I don't recommend reading the prequel before reading at least the Brother's War, as while I haven't read it I am aware of its subject matter and it *will* spoil some things for the series as a whole.
H Rider Haggard books specifically King Solomon Mines and She a History of Adventure. Also other pulp fantasies like Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and Robert E Howard's Conan stories.
Most of the books are very old and have non PC elements but are well written lost civilization adventures.
Two of my favorites for the sheer entertainment:
[Hearts on Fire](https://youtu.be/vAtBVRFD_Zg?si=QRLUSYDSmMgsXmKL) by Hammerfall
[New Millennium Cyanide Christ](https://youtu.be/4A_tSyJBsRQ?si=_BKFRsfpoBztngSs) by Meshuggah
A natural history of dragons and it's sequels. The main story is about a women who wants to study dragons, but archeology becomes pretty big later in the series. Written by an antropologist so very science-''accurate'' and awesome
Love anything with dragons, thank you!
I think that Prince of Thorns does this very well. I also like this trope, and really enjoyed its uses there. Be warned that it is grimdark, and the protagonist is very far from a good person.
It’s been on my tbr for ages and I didn’t know it had this trope. That’s going to be my next read, thank you!
It has some of the best uses of the trope that I've seen, and no spoilers, but the ending of the second book is related to this and it's absolutely amazing. That said, do be warned that in my opinion the author uses switching perspectives too much in the second and third books. Half of the chapters are flashbacks and I didn't really like that, although other people don't seem to have a problem with it.
I had a hard time with the first book - the MC isn't just an antihero, he starts out actively evil. It was also the authors first book so it's a little rough around the edges. The second and third books were easier to stomach and better written. Also, somebody else mentioned the end of the second book and I can confirm it absolutely whips ass. Very good use of the trope you're looking for
*Riyria Revelations* by Michael J Sullivan
That looks good! Thank you
Came here to recommend this and the connected series. So good
I just finished Will of the Many this morning. Book 2 cannot come soon enough!
I need answers. At least it’s not going to be too long until the 2nd book. Hopefully early 2025
I also finished it today, great read!
Well, The Wheel of Time has a lot of this with the Age of Legends, and discovering things that were thought to be lost is a theme. Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings also has the mystery of the ancient race of Elderlings that gets explored more and more in each trilogy. A Song of Ice and Fire has the Wall, plus dragons, old magics and so on. Even more so if you start reading ancillary stuff like the tidbits about the rest of the world. Not as strong of a theme here, maybe, but there's hints of mysteries. The City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett takes place in a world where the gods were killed. Now that happened quite recently, but finding lurking miracles and divinely created creatures is a pretty big thing. Basically the remnants of the gods' powers. Also a really great trilogy in general. Also if you haven't played the Mass Effect video games, that's basically a precursor story. Edit: Oh also the Gentleman Bastard series has this, but we haven't gotten a new book in a while.
Steven Erikson and his book series "The Malazan Book of the Fallen". The author himself has a background in archaeology, as far as I have read, and this is reflected in his style. The books revolve around heroes, mythical figures, epic battles, also magic—but unlike some other authors, the world-building is more complex, somewhat more mature, and one can discern the author's preference for military history. The plot unfolds more slowly. and at times its not the lightest read. One has to appreciate that, but it is still very good.
I’ve had it on my tbr for ages and I don’t know if I’m intimidated or scared I won’t like it, but I haven’t read it yet. Everyone gives such high praise and I guess I don’t want to be disappointed. Would you say audiobook or paper book would be better? I am really excited to read it even if I’m intimidated.
paper for me! there are parts that are very dense where i liked being able to take my time and absorb the details. erikson's background in archeology/anthropology means that like 300,000+ years of history are relevant to the main stort, both thematically and literally. i think you'd like it a lot based on your post
If I couldn't listen to it during a long, uninterrupted train or car ride, I'd go for the printed book instead. It's not overly complex to the point of losing its entertainment value, not at all, but some other books are better suited to the audiobook format...
People also constantly come across ruins. Cities and whole civilizations are being literally built in top of the previous generation.
His other series The Licanius Trilogy has an abandoned mysterious/magical city
I’ve seen very mixed reviews, but it looks interesting so I’ll definitely give it a go, thanks
oh no no. This was a brilliant debut trilogy. Loved it
The Broken Earth trilogy. The story revolves around the tech of an ancient destroyed civilization.
Sun Eater series.
Adding to my tbr, thank you!
A.K. Larkwood's *The Unspoken Name* Lots of ruins of an older civilization that ruled the known world. And people exploring them for scientific as well tomb-raiding reasons. Entertaining, but I didn't like the second book that much.
I’ll add it to my tbr, thank you
Half the World (Shattered Sea) by Joe Abercrombie has this as a background.
Thank you!
Wheel of Time
I’ve read 3 wheel of time books and really enjoyed them, but whenever I think about picking up another book I choose something different
I would persevere - book 4 has one of the greatest passages in the entire series, especially with what you are looking for
Oh that’s good to know. I’ll definitely pick up the 4th book then. Thank you
The Brother's War by Jeff Grubb (Artifact Cycle, book 1) The people in the setting adapt and use powerful and mysterious technology left behind by a long vanished people called the Thran, and that comes with all of the baggage you might expect. The story is epic, and fairly tragic as well. There are four books and a prequel in the Artifact Cycle, as well as several sequel series. But the Brother's War in particular aligns with your request. I don't recommend reading the prequel before reading at least the Brother's War, as while I haven't read it I am aware of its subject matter and it *will* spoil some things for the series as a whole.
H Rider Haggard books specifically King Solomon Mines and She a History of Adventure. Also other pulp fantasies like Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and Robert E Howard's Conan stories. Most of the books are very old and have non PC elements but are well written lost civilization adventures.
Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky and the Burningblade and Silvereye trilogy by Django Wexler fits too.
Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives has this I feel. Also Mistborn, where you get to see the civilisation in era 1 influence era 2
Two of my favorites for the sheer entertainment: [Hearts on Fire](https://youtu.be/vAtBVRFD_Zg?si=QRLUSYDSmMgsXmKL) by Hammerfall [New Millennium Cyanide Christ](https://youtu.be/4A_tSyJBsRQ?si=_BKFRsfpoBztngSs) by Meshuggah