4 Underrated Fantasy Books Every Fan Needs to Read (Hidden Gems You’ll Love)

If it wasn’t for fantasy novels, then I don’t know if my love for reading would have blossomed to what is is today. That was because I came across some amazing fantasy books early on. And I will be sharing four of them that I loved that I believe all fantasy lovers need to read!

There are hundreds if not thousands of great fantasy books out there waiting to be read. But finding them is not always easy. While the best place to start is a list of must read fantasy novels, the chances that most avid readers haveing read them is pretty high. That is why we have decided to choose four fanastic fantasy novels that are great but might not be the first fantasy books that come to mind.

The ones I chose for this list are ones that have stood out to me over the past couple of years. These novels are the ones I want to read over and over and want to recommend them to anyone who will listen. When a fantasy series stays with you years after you read it, you know it is somehting special. You can see the full list below!

4 Underrated Fantasy Books Every Fan Needs to Read

• The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
• Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

The Way of Kings

When I want a novel with amazing worldbuilding, magic systems that are complex it easy to follow, and a great story, then I turn to Brandon Sanderson.

The Way of Kings is an epic adventure series unlike any other. It has tons of action, many major themes that you don’t often find in fantasy books, and a fantastic cast of characters. This novel has cemented Sanderson with the likes of J.RR. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin as one of the best fantasy storytellers.

And this is just one of many amazing series that Sanderson has written over the years. Whenever Sanderson releases a new book, even a collection of short stories, I am always going to read it no questions asked.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

When I first decided to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, I hnestly didn’t expect much from it. The title doesn’t excite you but boy was I wrong!

Right from the first page, the novel hooks you in with its great storytelling. The cast of characters, notably, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell are polar opposites but both draw you in. And once the plot starts to kick in, then the real magic starts to take place.

This novel feels like a fairy tale and is a must read for anyone who loves fantasy novels. Clarke has written two of my favorite fantasy novels and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the near future!

Circe

Growing up, I loved Greek mythology and it is a big reason why I love fantasy as much as I do. It is also why I read a ton of Neil Gaiman books. But I didn’t know I needed Circe and Madeline Miller has made this her niche and I am glad that she did.

Circe is the retelling of the story of Achilles and I have to admit, I didn’t know much about it before I read the book. Even if you don’t know anything about it, Miller will have you covered all while keeping you hooked.

If you love fantasy novels and Greek mythology, then you need to read Circe and any book written by Madeline Miller!

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

I ended up reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin after reading her award winning series The Fifth Season. After that, I knew I would read anything written by Jemisin but even then, this book shattered all my expectations.

I have read a ton of books centered around gods but nothing beats this incredible series by Jemisin. The worldbuilding, magic system, and characters make this a series in its own category. If you haven’t read a book by Jemisin, then this is perfect novel to begin with.

She is reshaping the genre with each book and I love how she is pushing the genre in a new direction. Her creativity is why I am still a fantasy fan years later.

Conclusion

My love for fantasy novels has only gotten stronger over the years as I have discovered amazing novels constantly. Many people know the classicfantasy novels such as The Lord of the Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire. But once you discover lesser known novels, then that is what the magic happens.

Some of my favorite fantasy novels are ones I came across by happenstance. I am always searching for the next best fantasy book to read and it takes me to many places.

These are four incredible fantasy books that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy book. They have made me fall in love with the genre over and over again.

How many of these books have you read or plan to read? What other fantasy books would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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