Top Ten Speculative Fiction Books Set in Another Country

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog!

This week’s list was much easier to compile than I expected. As I went through my “read” list on Goodreads, I realized there are so many books set in countries other than the United States that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. This list is by no means complete, but these are some of my very favorite stories representing other countries (in no particular order). If you feel so inclined, you can click on the book titles to read my reviews.

IndiaThe Devourers by Indra Das

I loved this gritty, grisly story about werewolves, and Das’ writing is superb. The author incorporates Indian folklore to create a story that I could not tear my eyes away from.

NigeriaLagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

This was my first Okorafor book and I loved it! Because Nnedi is a Nigerian author, the story drips with atmospheric details.

CanadaAfterparty by Daryl Gregory

Afterparty is probably my favorite Daryl Gregory book, and I hadn’t remembered that it partially takes place in Canada until I started looking through my books. I mean, technically part of it takes place in the United States, so maybe there was a better example to use? But I love the HELL out of this book so here you go.

MexicoCertain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Wow, this book was crazy good, crazy scary and simply one of my favorite books of 2016. Moreno-Garcia nails the crowded, dirty and dangerous world of Mexico City and makes it even better by populating it with vampires.

BrazilThe Genius Plague by David Walton

This is one of my “mushroom” books (I’m creating a list, for real!) and it was also one of my favorite books last year. Walton uses the Brazilian rain forest as a setting to create a terrifying tale of a fast-spreading fungal disease that could wipe out the planet!

NigeriaRosewater by Tade Thompson

OK, so I cheated a little because I have two books set in Nigeria. But what does that tell you? That it’s a great setting for unsettling speculative fiction! Tade Thompson puts his own spin on the alien invasion story with excellent results.

AntarcticaOur Lady of the Ice by Cassandra Rose Clarke

I am fully aware that Antarctica is a continent, but hey, it’s my list so I’m using it! I adored this story where humans and androids interact and the landscape is bleak and cold.

IsraelCentral Station by Lavie Tidhar

Central Station is a series of interconnected stories that center around a community in a futuristic Tel Aviv, and I loved the unusual format and profound emotional connections between the characters.

RussiaThe Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson

This time-hopping story takes place partly in Russia, which is why I picked it. Quite the page-turner, this was such a surprising read, and I loved the idea of clockwork creatures who live for centuries.

ItalyCongress of Secrets by Stephanie Burgis

Burgis sets her historical tale in 1814 Vienna, and against the backdrop of political change, she creates a story full of scheming characters and exciting plot twists. If you are a fan of historical fiction with a touch of magic, you should definitely check her out.

Do you enjoy stories set in other countries? Let me know some good ones that I can add to my TBR!

Posted March 27, 2018 by Tammy in Top Ten Tuesday / 32 Comments

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32 responses to “Top Ten Speculative Fiction Books Set in Another Country

    • Tammy

      Genius Plague was a ton of fun! If you’re in the mood for exciting and fast-paced, go for it:-)

  1. Wow, I’ve not seen Afterparty before but after reading your review, I am tempted to pick it up because I want to learn about tiny buffalo. Certain Dark Things made my list as well but I learned that I read A LOT of books which are set in England. In fact, I had trouble coming up with any that didn’t. However, I had an Okorofor book too – Akata Witch. I need to pick up Lagoon as I already have a copy. Wonderful list!
    Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…TTT – My Favorite Books That Take Place In Another CountryMy Profile

    • Tammy

      Certain Dark Things was fantastic! And same with Lagoon, very unusual but I’m so glad I read it.

  2. Clockwork Dynasty was so much fun. 🙂 There are so many I want to read on your list – I didn’t realize that Our Lady of the Ice was set in Antarctica. I should definitely try that one.

    Thanks for coming over to my blog earlier, Tammy!

  3. I am so enjoying reading about all these places that people — it gives me such a great incentive to expand my reading. Like Israel for instance — great list, Tammy!

    • Tammy

      Thanks Verushka, I was amazed at how many SFF books actually take place all over the world. I don’t usually think about it so this prompt was an eye-opener!

  4. I remember your review of Rosewater.. It’s back from when I had just started blogging, and yours was one of the first blogs I ever read 🙂

    Some of these look so amazing! Central Station was great in terms of the setting, but it lacked something for me. Maybe cause I expected a book, and it was more of a story collection. But the setting was really, really cool and the world building absolutely rocked.
    Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks recently posted…State of the ARC #8My Profile

    • Tammy

      Aw thanks Evelina! I agree with you on Central Station, I wasn’t expecting it to be short stories instead of a novel, but it worked for me anyway.

  5. I love the sound of Our Lady of the Ice and I want to get hold of Certain Dark Things – though this is a wonderful list, Tammy:))

  6. Cam

    I enjoyed reading The Clockwork Dynasty! It was very different from what I usually read. Is there a book two for it? I’ve been looking for more diverse fiction reads, so this list has been very helpful!

    I don’t know if you’ve read Katherine Arden’s The Bear & The Nightingale but it’s one of my favourites. Based on Russian myths, it’s a slow but beautiful read.

    • Tammy

      I’m not sure if this is a sequel, I checked Goodreads and I didn’t see anything listed. But I would totally read another book set in this world! I have not read The Bear and the Nightingale yet, but I must be the last person on earth, lol. I have a copy though! One of these days:-)

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