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?

Have you read any? Or would you add any others? Tell us your thoughts below in the comments!

The post 10 Underrated Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Book 1: The Way of Shadows
Goodreads

From New York Times Bestselling author Brent Weeks…
For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city’s most accomplished artist.

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. 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.

“Relationships are ropes. Love is a noose.”

Tough advice, but then, when you’re training to become a wetboy, a silent sword in the night, tough advice would be the least of your problems.

The Way of Shadows is the first book in the Night Angel Trilogy and it follows a street kid, Azoth, as he tries to survive the harsh streets of Cenaria, and one of the bashers in his guild who brings a whole new meaning to the world evil. It’s no wonder that Azoth wants to apprentice with the best wetboy in the business, Durzo Blint. But tracking him down is one thing, convincing him to apprentice Azoth is another thing entirely. Azoth is faced with changing everything about himself in order to become that which he desperately wants to become. Unafraid.

This story will grip you from the moment you read the first chapter. Reader beware however, Brent Weeks describes life in Cenaria pretty graphically and doesn’t hold back when it comes to the gory details of life in a guild. That in itself drew me in and made me want to see how Azoth dealt with all the challenges that he faced. Growing up with Azoth, rechristened Kylar, was a masterstroke as we see him get more and more confident the more Kylar is trained. We get to witness his first kill and how that changes him.

The main plot to the story focuses on a nation that is unstable, thanks in no small part to Durzo Blint. Sometimes, as someone who doesn’t understand how the monarch world works, the politics that are explained made me a little lost. That being said, being able to keep reading and see the outcome got me back on track again and I was able to understand the effect of what was happening.

The twists and turns in this book keep you reading, way after you know you should probably put it down.

Book 2: Shadow’s Edge
Goodreads

Kylar Stern has rejected the assassin’s life. The Godking’s successful coup has left Kylar’s master, Durzo, and his best friend, Logan, dead. He is starting over: new city, new friends, and new profession. But when he learns that Logan might actually be alive and in hiding, Kylar is faced with an agonizing choice: will he give up the way of shadows forever and live in peace with his new family, or will he risk everything by taking on the ultimate hit?

“You’ve got choices to make, but here’s another hard truth: you can’t be whatever you want to be. The list of things you’ll never be is a long one–even if you do live forever.”

Shadow’s Edge, book two of the Night Angel trilogy, begins when Kylar can only watch his country be invaded by the Godking. A man many fear. For Kylar however, a normal life is within reach. Turning his back on his trade, Kylar embarks on his journey to become a mild-mannered herbalist.

However, the Sakage have other ideas, and offer a contract that lesser wetboys couldn’t fulfil. But it’s the lure that one of his best friends, Logan, is still alive that really gets his attention. With events taking place, forcing Kylar into action, this read is even more eventful than the first. How do you kill a god?

In this book, Kylar struggles with who is and who he wants to be now, whilst trying to save Logan. In doing so, he may just save his country, but that would just be a consolation prize. I loved how Kylar struggled with who is and grappled with the question, can a man change?

Elene also learns a few things, broadening her understanding of some of the things that Kylar believes in. Logan goes through his own crucible, but how this has changed him isn’t entirely clear by the end, which to this reader, is fine. It leaves things to be explained another time and that definitely makes me want to get to the last book.

Book 3: Beyond The Shadows
Goodreads

A new queen has usurped the throne and is leading Cenaria into disaster. The country has become a broken realm with a threadbare army, little food and no hope. So Kylar Stern plans to reinstate his closest friend Logan as King, but can he really get away with murder?

In the north, the Godking’s death has thrown Khalidor into civil war. To gain the upper hand, one faction attempts to raise the goddess Khali herself. But they are playing with volatile powers, and trigger conflict on a vast scale. Seven armies will converge to save – or destroy – an entire continent.

Kylar has finally learnt the bitter cost of immortality, and is faced with a task only he can complete. To save his friends, and perhaps his enemies, he must assassinate a goddess. Failure will doom the south. Success will cost him everything he’s ever loved.

“I am Sa’kage, a lord of shadows. I claim the shadows that the Shadow may not. I am the strong arm of deliverance. I am Shadowstrider. I am the Scales of Justice. I am He-Who-Guards-Unseen. I am Shadowslayer. I am Nameless. The coranti shall not go unpunished. My way is hard, but i serve unbroken. In ignobility, nobility. In shame, honour. In darkness, light. I will do justice and love mercy. Until the king returns, I shall not lay my burden down.”

Beyond The Shadows is the third and final instalment in the Night Angel trilogy and sees the aftermath of the Godking’s Coupe explored throughout this book, directly putting Logan in possibly the same, if not more danger, than he faced in the hole.

A prophecy that is slowly explained throughout the trilogy seems to be on track to be fulfilled, but will it work out in the best interest of the country? While all that is going on, a Vurdmesiter is looking to revive a battlefield not seen for seven hundred years, and in doing so could change the course of history. With so much going on, Kylar is then faced with in an impossible choice. To make sure none of this happens, he has to kill the women he has always loved.

The last book in the Night Angel Trilogy is so action packed and fast paced that it was impossible for this reader to put down. There was a lot going on, and you could just tell that a resolution was coming. A lot of questions were answered and tied up beautifully, so that if you went back and re-read the series, armed with the knowledge of how it all ended, you could literally pin point very important events. Something you can’t do until you’ve read the series.

All in all, if you’re after a fantasy story that ticks all the boxes: Magic, Sex, Love, Assassination and Prophecies, I couldn’t recommend this series enough!

Have you read The Night Angel trilogy? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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When you think about great female characters in fantasy stories, you really have a broad spectrum of “greatness” to choose from. It can be personal traits or personal achievements, to great villainy or great heroines, with the list going on and on.

The goal of the post is to find pearls, women who you will have strong feelings for—love or hate—and are part of a great story or series that is worth reading.

Read on to discover our picks!

Lizanne from The Draconis Memoria by Anthony Ryan

The series is not yet complete, but do yourself a favour and start reading it because it is an inventive fantasy/steampunk/adventure story filled with dragons (and yes, dragons always make fantasy stories better). Lizanne is an incredibly talented spy and the first chapter that is dedicated to her will really make it or break it for you. Tough, sexy, rootless, clever, and loyal, Lizanne is also a gifted person, as she possesses the ability to consume dragon blood and gain abilities associated with the type of blood she drinks. It also helps develop her character and maintain the reader’s attention. Her storyline (in both books) are incredibly inspiring and always show her best qualities, as a person and as a spy at all times.

Pyrre from the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series by Brian Staveley

Pyrre is an assassin. No, scratch that. She is a priestess of Ananshael, the god of death worshipped in the Annurian Empire, but only the priests and priestess of Anashael worship him. In short, all the priests and priestesses are uncanny assassins with a very unique approach to missions: They are not scared of dying because that would be the ultimate sacrifice they can make for their god. On the plus side for them, they are absolutely guilt-free after each killing.

Besides being incredibly gifted at killing, Pyrre is also entertaining. She is very explicit in her sexuality, she lives her life as it was the last day available to her and she is very committed to make offerings to her god: yes, her first response to any situation would be to go for the kill.

Skullsworn, the latest standalone prequel in the series, is entirely dedicated to Pyrre, narrating the events of how Pyrre became a priestess of Ananshael and how she became the entertaining character she is.

Karris Guile from the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks

The Lightbringer series is a great story about magic wielders whose ability is based on the type of colour of light they can summon and use; and the more colours you can wield, the most powerful you are. It is a story of rebellion and deceit, of betrayal and love, of power and strength. Karris experiences all the aspects of the story; she is a woman who lost everything and patched herself together to start a second life, from being a minor noble to becoming part of the most talented fighters and bodyguards to the Prism. Throughout the story, she will have to face truths she was not aware of along with love, deaths, challenges; adventures and events that she lives with grace—and some level of rage and outbursts—that make Karris an absolute star.

Winter from the Shadow Campaigns series by Django Wexler

Imagine having escaped a school for orphaned girls because of the brutal reality you live in. You then must embrace a new life as a soldier that would allow you to leave the cruel events you witnessed before escaping. Also, soldiers can only be men, so you need to hide who you really are, fearing the brutality of the response of your comrades and being rejected by the army. If you can immerse yourself in that, or if you find yourself drawn to the story, this is Winter. Better yet, this is the Winter you will encounter in the first few pages of the series which will cause you to fall in love her with. She is a clever, talented soldier, with a strong interest in going unnoticed. She also will become so much more over the course of the first book and throughout the series—let’s say, demons have something to do with it. Also, did I mention she is tormented by her first lost love? An amazing woman in a story inspired by the French Revolution.

Ka-poel from the Powder Mage trilogy by Brian McClellan

Talking about stories inspired by the French Revolution, the Powder Mage trilogy starts with a coup-d’etat and the story has an incredible pace in terms of action and events throughout the trilogy. The series also features vivid characters, both realistic and relatable, especially Ka-poel. She’s a savage—as described in the series—a bone-witch, and yes, you should be scared of her abilities, despite being self-taught. With her red hair, beautiful features and an incredibly sarcastic nature, she is also mute so she does not speak a single word in the entire trilogy. This turns her into one of the most iconic characters, a strong woman, a fighter, a woman in love, yet she shows her feelings in her own way. In a world where the powerful magic wielders are the magic wielders and the powder mages (mages who need gun powder to enhance abilities, strength, and correcting shots), she is utterly unique. She’s a woman from another continent and with abilities that she does not even know she has, a self-taught witch that will hold her power against the most powerful opponent, whilst also being incredibly funny throughout the series. She is honestly is the whole package!

Do you agree with our choices? Do you have other incredible women you want to see in this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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