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Hi!
So, in order to help with my current writing project, I wondered if you could recommend soft fantasy novels where most (or all) of the magic/non-ordinary power is in/from the gods acting in the story world, and where the gods are possibly characters in the story. Or observers of the story. But no mages or wizards.

Thanks!

Percy Jackson Series, Magnus Chase, Series, and Kane Chronicles are all by Rick Riordan and are each about demigods living in the modern world where Greek, Norse, or Egyptian gods still exists in each respective series. Like Harry Potter these series are technically marketed to kids but people of all ages enjoy them.

Allie_L wrote: ↑10 Apr 2018, 18:22 Percy Jackson Series, Magnus Chase, Series, and Kane Chronicles are all by Rick Riordan and are each about demigods living in the modern world where Greek, Norse, or Egyptian gods still exists in each respective series. Like Harry Potter these series are technically marketed to kids but people of all ages enjoy them.

Yes, definitely check those out if you haven't yet! I'd also recommend "American Gods" and "Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman.

Thank you both so much! I guess basically this has only been done with existing Earth mythologies.

Irene C wrote: ↑20 Apr 2018, 18:34 Thank you both so much! I guess basically this has only been done with existing Earth mythologies.

You're very welcome! I hope that you'll enjoy them and that they will be helpful to you!

I'm sure that it hasn't only been done with existing mythologies; there are many stories out there with invented mythologies and gods and goddesses of the author's creation.
The ones I've read with invented mythologies have been high fantasy, not soft fantasy, so I didn't mention them to you. But again, I'm sure that soft fantasy novels with invented gods and goddesses central to the plot are out there! I will let you know if I ever come across any!

Also, I know you asked for novel recommendations, but if you're open to reading short stories as well I very, very highly recommend that you read One Odd Shoe by Pat Murphy and A Tale for the Short Days by Richard Bowes, both of which are from the anthology The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales. They are so good!
Wagers of Gold Mountain by Steve Berman and Crow Roads by Charles de Lint are also from that anthology, and both of them feature invented gods in a soft fantasy setting! I personally didn't like those two stories as much as One Odd Shoe and A Tale for the Short Days, but they are still worth reading. Perhaps you'll enjoy them more than I did!

I hope you're having a great time with your writing project!

Wagers of Gold Mountain by Steve Berman and Crow Roads by Charles de Lint are also from that anthology, and both of them feature invented gods in a soft fantasy setting!

Thank you so much for all of these recommendations. I am myself more drawn to low fantasy, but it is definitely good to know that fictional mythology/religion is more common in high fantasy. I'll also definitely check out the short stories, keeping in mind that that's a place to look.

I'm not sure if you've ever read any of Neil Gaiman's books? Also not sure what the writing project is - but I would recommend his book Norse Mythology. I actually listened to the audiobook - with him narrating. It is really just a collection of stories including the likes of Thor and Loki and Odin - so not a fantasy novel at all. He is a natural storyteller and I would really recommend it!

Irene C wrote: ↑10 Apr 2018, 14:48 Hi!
So, in order to help with my current writing project, I wondered if you could recommend soft fantasy novels where most (or all) of the magic/non-ordinary power is in/from the gods acting in the story world, and where the gods are possibly characters in the story. Or observers of the story. But no mages or wizards.

Thanks!

A very good fit for this is Devon Monk's Ordinary Magic series.
There are three books (starting with Death and Relaxation), and the whole premise is Gods take vacations too. Where? Ordinary Oregon.

It's UF, just incase that is a no go.

So many great recommendations already. I'd just add Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen (two-part series) by Tamora Pierce. They're some of my favorite books, YA, and probably lean more towards heavier fantasy (the entire setting is fictional). But it integrates gods and demi-gods in an interesting way and, if I remember correctly (it's been a while), the gods are somewhat based on real mythologies and somewhat made up. Hope that helps!

Thank you, Gravy and Courtney!