Book Recs that Feel like Arcane
I’ve been obsessed with Arcane and reading so much fanfiction, I want to read some published books that have the same vibes. I’m open to all kinds of recs (except other LoL books bc I want to read something outside that universe) but I’ll talk a little about my favorite parts to get more specific recs. I feel like I wrote a lot but the gist of it is I wanna read about places like Zaun.
1) My absolute favorite part was Jinx! I loved her relationships (Isha, Ekko, Vi, Silco, Mylo, etc.) and how she loves so deeply and gets so attached to the point it’s a bit unhealthy. I was so engaged by the exploration of her mental health, how she struggles with finding her identity, how she’s so strong and so vulnerable at the same time, the impulsivity that comes with her episodes. I also loved how unique and creative she was, she has such a strong and specific aesthetic that fits her personality so well and I was just obsessed with that!
2) My other favorite part of Arcane is the dynamics of oppression. I liked seeing how growing up with systemic issues affects the person you grow into (Jinx and Ekko as representations of the two sides of Zaun) as opposed to how growing up sheltered makes you ignorant to the struggles of others (Caitlyn especially in S2 or Heimerdinger not taking action to protect the undercity). Also how the oppressive laws of Zaun left them vulnerable to the chembarons (like the theory that Silco built his drug empire bc illegitimate businesses are the only ones that survive in Zaun since they are not policed by the council). I wished we had explored more of a Zaunite revolution, but I was intrigued with the undercity rallying behind Jinx and making her a symbol. I also loved the aesthetics and culture of the undercity. Finally, the religious aspect with Janna, even thought that also was not explored a lot, but how when people are desperate they seek something to put their faith into, and how if that figure fails they lose their faith over time.
3) I loved Viktor’s story, his struggle with his disability and self-image, his rise through the academy ranks, him hitting a ceiling being unable to rise past Heimerdinger’s assistant due to him being a Zaunite, his descent into madness (godhood? how do you describe this) in pursuit of perfection (Jayce’s monologue at the end lol). This wasn’t really explored in the show, but the idea that “good Zaunites” are the exception to the rule (like Cait thinking Vi was “better than them” or Jayce telling Viktor people from the undercity are dangerous).
TL;DR: Asking for book recs that have the same vibes/themes of Arcane, specifically Zaun’s oppression and people growing up in these conditions.