Written by Peta Hardiman
Books these days are either surrounded by hype, or they’re just…not. The presence of book community on social media sites as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube have led to a lot more popularity around books and reading culture, and we all fall victim to buying stacks on stacks of fresh reads because they’ve been so prevalent on every one of our social media platforms. So, I took the time to compile a list of mostly fantasy (some sci-fi) books that whilst not “underrated” in the normal sense of the world, are perhaps a bit older, and may have been left largely untouched by the hype-trains we are all so familiar with.
Either way, if you’re looking for a new book, or even if you’re not, and you haven’t read these guys, give them a go!
1. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Yes, this is definitely a rather bias choice, because it’s my favourite book of all time. But Finnikin of the Rock is amazing, and I definitely don’t see enough people talking about it. Finnikin and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not seen their beloved homeland of Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was brutally murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But after a prophetic dream, Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim; the heir to Lumatere is alive, and she knows how to bring them home.
This book is about lost people, the bonds between family and friends, and what happens to populations when they’re left without a home. It’s moving, funny, and full of action and romance, and I think everyone should read it.
2. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
The first book in the Codex Alera series, we are introduced to the world of Alera, where for a thousand years, the people have been united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies: elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. Following young boy, Tavi, who lives in a village far away from danger and politics, but who has a few struggles of his own. At 15, Tavi cannot Furycraft, but one night, after he saves a slave in a storm, he is thrust into a destiny far greater than he could have ever imagined.
Furies of Calderon is full of magic, and absolutely enchanting characters. Written as an experiment in what would happen if you combined Pokemon with the Holy Roman Empire, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.
3. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
It’s hard to describe The Eye of the World without giving too much away, but the first book in Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series sees farm boy Rand, along with a few friends, whisked away from the village they’ve lived all their lives by Moiraine, the mysterious Aes Sedai. What follows is the beginning of an epic adventure full of magic and set in an absolute masterpiece of a world that will leave you on the edge of your seat and desperate for the next book. “What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.”
4. Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
Okay, I’m breaking my own rule here, because this book is definitely sci-fi, not fantasy. But given that these genres get lumped together in bookstores, I’m lumping them together here as well. One of the newer releases on this list, and an Anastasia-inspired story to boot, Heart of Iron is the tale of Ana. A young girl is found floating in space many years ago by the Captain of an outlawed spaceship, with no memory of her past, and an android by her side. Now seventeen, Ana is desperate to find a way to fix D09, her android best friend, who keeps glitching uncontrollably. As she embarks on this reckless quest with a spoiled Ironblood boy by her side, they battle to keep themselves alive, but what they uncover in a lost corner of the universe will change all their lives completely. And Ana is faced with a terrible decision: to save the boy she loves, or protect the kingdom that wanted her dead.
Now, I’m not going to say that the romance in this book isn’t more than a bit cheesy, but space pirates! Adventure! Lost Princesses! Who wouldn’t want to give this a go?
5. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Our second novel by Jim Butcher on this list, and urban fantasy this time! Meet Harry Dresden: a sarcastic PI and police consultant, and… wizard. Consulting on a grisly double murder for the Chicago P.D, Harry finds himself hunting for a mage who isn’t afraid to use black magic to get what he wants. And perhaps worse, he’s hunting for a mage who knows his name, and is hunting him right back.
Now tell me that you don’t want to read about a wisecracking wizard-for-hire with the most rotten luck imaginable?
6. Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
Alright, now I’ll be honest with you here, I haven’t actually read this one myself. But, it’s on my TBR and I’m planning on starting it after I finish off my current read, so I’m putting it on here! Plus, the reviews on Goodreads seem fairly controversial, so it counts.
For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he’s grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly – and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint, the city’s most (in)famous assassin. But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins’ world of dangerous politics and strange magics – and cultivate a flair for death.
7. Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind
Once again living up to the expectation that fantasy series are both incredibly amazing, and incredibly long, and not to be confused with its poor TV adaptation Legend of the Seeker, Wizard’s First Rule is the first book in the Sword of Truth series.
In the aftermath of his father’s brutal murder, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher’s forest sanctuary seeking help. Swept into a world he knows nothing about, and ripe with magic, danger, and politics- Richard and Kahlan find themselves battling to survive… and to not fall in love. “This is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend”.
8. The Gift by Alison Croggon
This one follows a fairly familiar fantasy trope, with main character Maerad living as a slave in an unforgiving mountain settlement. However, unbeknown to her, Maerad possess a gift that marks her a member of the School of Pellinor. It’s only after she is noticed and rescued by Cadvan, a Bard of Lirigon, that she starts of the quest to uncover the true secrets of her destiny. Maerad and Cadvan set out on a perilous quest against dark forces which threaten to overtake the world.
The Gift (also released as “The Naming”) is told almost as a historical retelling, with the author including lore and notes on ‘historical’ texts during her appendices at the end of the novel. This book follows an incredibly well-worn plot, and somehow, here I am recommending it to you; why? Because of the characters. Cadvan and Maerad are noble, and flawed, and a little messed up. They carry the plot beautifully as they attempt to open themselves up to each other enough to work to defeat the darkness that is threatening their world.
9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Such a true sci-fi classic that I don’t even know where to begin in describing it to you, but I’ll give it a go. Seconds before Earth is set to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect; out of work actor, researcher for ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and alien. What follows is the journey through space with a few other interstellar travellers, including a chronically depressed robot, the president of the galaxy, and a girl Arthur hit on at a bar one time.
Douglas Adams writes some of the most quotable and laugh out loud lines of all time (big claim, but I stand by it), and if you only read one book on this list, make it this one. It’s funny, and a little bit existential and all around amazing.
10. Legend by David Gemmell
This is quite possibly the oldest book on this list, first published in 1984 and follows the legend of Druss, the barbarian. His prowess in battle led him to become a living legend, and the stories of him have been told countless times over the land. But he is old, and spends his time in solitude in his mountain lair, awaiting the arrival of his old enemy, Death. But the Drenai fortress of Dros Delnoch is losing the battle against barbarians of the Nadir, and Druss reluctantly agrees to leave retirement to help. But can he live up to his own legend?
This book is hailed by many as a classic in the heroic fantasy genre, and to be honest, it reads a bit like a classic. However, it also embraces themes like honour, loyalty and redemption, and it starts with a very drunk and very reluctant hero getting into a bit of mischief, so what’s not to love?
And there you have it guys! Surely there’s something on here that you haven’t heard of or that interests you, so why not add to your overflowing TBR and give one of these books a go?
