One of the best is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It has complex political intrigue among the different kingdoms, with various noble houses vying for power. Another great one is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. There are political aspects in the alliances and power struggles between different races. Also, 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is excellent. It features a world full of political skullduggery in the city of Camorr.
For beginners, 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones is a nice pick. There are political implications in the war-torn world the characters live in. 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman also has some political undertones in the interactions between the living and the dead worlds. 'The Bartimaeus Trilogy' by Jonathan Stroud has political struggles between magicians and the common people which is presented in an engaging and accessible way for beginners.
Political fantasy novels typically feature a diverse range of characters with different motives related to power. Some may seek to uphold the status quo, while others want to overthrow it. There are often diplomatic negotiations and power - plays that occur. The settings are often elaborate, with different regions having their own political cultures. This can lead to clashes between cultures as well as political systems. These novels also tend to explore themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power in the context of a fantasy world.
One of the best is 'All the King's Men' by Robert Penn Warren. It delves deep into the corrupt world of politics. Another great one is 'The Manchurian Candidate' which is filled with political intrigue and mystery. And 'Primary Colors' is also highly regarded for its satirical take on political campaigns.
I also recommend 'A Promised Land' by Barack Obama. While it's more of a memoir, it has strong political undertones as it chronicles his journey to the presidency. It gives readers an inside look at the political landscape of the United States during his rise to power and the challenges he faced in office.
A very good political fiction novel is 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. Set in a future theocratic regime, it explores themes of women's subjugation, power dynamics, and the erosion of civil rights. It's a chilling look at what could happen when a society goes too far in its ideological pursuits.
Another great one is 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller. Set during World War II, it satirizes the military bureaucracy. The 'catch - 22' situation where soldiers are trapped in a paradoxical set of rules that are impossible to escape from, making a statement about the absurdity of war and the systems that govern it.
A great political novel is 'All the King's Men' by Robert Penn Warren. It delves into the world of politics, showing the rise and fall of a politician and the moral compromises along the way. 'The Plot Against America' by Philip Roth is another excellent choice. It imagines an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh becomes President and anti - Semitism rises in the United States. And 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift has strong political undertones as it satirizes different aspects of society and politics through Gulliver's adventures.
One of the best political novels is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian society where the government has extreme control over people's lives. Another great one is 'Animal Farm', also by Orwell. It uses animals on a farm to allegorically represent political power and corruption. 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood is also considered a top political novel as it explores themes of misogyny and totalitarian rule in a future society.
One of the great political romance novels is 'The Bronze Horseman' by Paullina Simons. It combines the backdrop of World War II with a passionate love story. The political unrest and the challenges of the time add depth to the relationship between the characters.