I've just finished reading a book called "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman. IMO a very good book that also has one sequel and one to come (the only of the many faults Faux Pas sees in fantasy that I could find).
The world is similar to our(the world is shaped the same and countries have the same names), but with some very big differences.
For instance every human has an animal friend, a daemon, that they're linked to. When they're children the daemon can change shape but as they grow up the daemon with settle with one form that matches the human's personality.
Also the church is as powerful as it ever was in our world. Every new scientific discovery is explained with a basis in christianity. So when a particle is found that is drawn to grownups like iron to a magnet, but not to children until puberty, the explanation formed is that it's the original sin.
The main character is an 11 year old girl who grew up at the Jordan College. And when friends of her start getting kidnapped she feels she has to do something. So, given a compass that can forsee the future she heads up to the north (also a part of why I like it so much, much happens close to home).
Now... I could write an essay about this... but I don't want to, and even if I did this is hardly the place. But I truly recommend the book if you want some different fantasy reading.