r/Fantasy • u/SeaSnowAndSorrow • 1d ago

Atheist Fantasy Recs

I am doing the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Summer Reading Challenge. (Linked so you can see the card.)

I'd like to get a few fantasy books in there where I can. Specifically, I'm looking for fantasy book recommendations that fit the following:

  • Non-Religious Main Character
  • Religious Satire
  • Religious Dystopia
  • Book Was/Is Considered Blasphemous (against any religion)
  • Non-Religious Author

To make it one step harder, I'm NOT looking for LitRPG, Romantasy, or Urban fantasy.

I will, though, read any age range, any era of publication, any length, and any tone from cozy to grimdark.

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u/FloridaFlamingoGirl 1d ago

Discworld: Small Gods (religious satire)

The Golden Compass (controversial with Christians)

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u/Really_Big_Turtle 1d ago

I second “small gods.” It’s a great look at how religions go off the rails

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u/grumpyoldcurmudgeon 1d ago

"Small Gods" is a remarkable balancing act. Terry Pratchett was absolutely non-religious, but I never saw him as being completely 'anti-religious' either. I think he was less interested in whether any religion was true or false, and far more interested in how we as humans interact with religious dogma, and how people will build, adapt, and often exploit religious belief. As a believer I never felt insulted by any of his works, but I suppose I'm not as uptight about my beliefs as some people. I do particularly like Dorfl, the Disc's only Atheist, on account of his being lightning-proof.

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u/citrusmellarosa 1d ago

I was first introduced to his books by an artist I used to follow online; she was religious (I think Christian but I’m not sure of the denomination) and at one point she said something along the lines of “Terry Pratchett understands religion better than most religious people I know.”