Top 5 books about religion

This is a much darker take on religion and mythology.

The Poppy War draws heavily on Chinese history and myth, with gods that are powerful, dangerous, and not particularly interested in human morality. The way shamanism and divine power are used in this world is both fascinating and deeply unsettling (deliberately).

It’s a story about what happens when belief gives you access to power and what that power costs.

What surprised me most here is how religion is tied so closely to violence and consequence. There’s no sense of comfort or guidance from these gods. Instead, they feel volatile and unpredictable and it creates a world where faith isn’t reassuring, it’s terrifying… and that tension makes the story incredibly gripping!!

Greek mythology, but from a super personal lens.

Circe takes a well-known mythological figure and reimagines her story in a way that feels intimate and character-driven. The gods in this world are capricious and often cruel, and Circe exists on the edges of that divine hierarchy.

It’s less about organised religion and more about what it means to live in a world shaped by gods — and how someone carves out their own identity within it.

What makes this book stand out is how it shifts the focus away from the gods themselves and onto the impact they have on those around them. Circe’s story becomes one of agency and self-definition in a world where divine power is absolute. It’s a quieter exploration of belief, but no less powerful for it.

To note, I am still reading this book, but it’s one of my favourite examples of competing belief systems within the same world.

The Priory of the Orange Tree features multiple religions and mythologies that influence politics, magic and culture — and crucially, they don’t all agree with each other. What one group sees as truth, another sees as heresy. Much like the real world.

It’s a brilliant exploration of how religion shapes entire societies, and how those beliefs can both unite and divide.

What I particularly love is how these belief systems aren’t just background detail. They actively drive the plot and character decisions. The tension between different interpretations of history and faith adds layers to the story, and it feels incredibly realistic in the way it mirrors how belief operates in the real world.

This is a quieter, more philosophical take on belief.

Set in a world where robots have gained sentience and left human society, the story follows a tea monk who travels to understand what people need. Religion in this world isn’t rigid or oppressive — it’s more gentle, and tied to purpose and existence.

It’s the kind of book that doesn’t try to give answers, but instead invites you to sit with the questions.

What makes this one feel so different is the tone. There’s no sense of conflict or crisis driving the exploration of belief. Instead it’s about curiosity and reflection. It asks what it means to have purpose, to exist, and to be content… and somehow manages to make those questions feel comforting rather than overwhelming.