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10 fantasy books that haven’t been adapted as TV shows (but should be)

By Isobel Pankhurst

Rows and rows of books, from the floor to the ceiling, inside The Book Exchange, a used books and puzzles shop at 8719 South U.S. Highway 1, in Port St. Lucie. "It's like a dream come true," said Meghan Wood, the new owner. The shop specializes in selling and trading quality used paperback and select hardback books.Tcn Book Exchange
Rows and rows of books, from the floor to the ceiling, inside The Book Exchange, a used books and puzzles shop at 8719 South U.S. Highway 1, in Port St. Lucie. "It's like a dream come true," said Meghan Wood, the new owner. The shop specializes in selling and trading quality used paperback and select hardback books.Tcn Book Exchange /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Laurell K. Hamilton and Sarah J. Maas speak onstage at the Spotlight on Sarah J. Maas panel during New York Comic Con 2019 Day 3 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center October 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for ReedPOP )
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Laurell K. Hamilton and Sarah J. Maas speak onstage at the Spotlight on Sarah J. Maas panel during New York Comic Con 2019 Day 3 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center October 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for ReedPOP ) /

Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass follows Celaena Sardothien, a 17-year-old assassin in the Kingdom of Adarlan. After a year of suffering in the slave camp of the Endovier Salt Mines, she accepts the offer of Crown Prince Dorian Havilliard to take part in a competition against other assassins and thieves for a chance to serve as the King’s Champion and eventually gain her freedom. Over time, Celaena is drawn into a conspiracy and a series of battles, leading to discoveries about both the Kingdom and herself.

The length of the series, the huge cast of characters, and the twisting and emotional plots make Throne of Glass a worthy claimant of the title of ‘YA Game of Thrones.’ In 2016, Hulu announced that it would be adapting Throne of Glass into a TV series titled Queen of Shadows (named after the fourth book). It’s unknown what happened to this show, but as of 2020, the rights had reverted back to Maas.

More recently, in 2021, Hulu announced that they would be adapting Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, so at least something by the author should make it to the small screen soon.

The Tortallan Universe, by Tamora Pierce

Another series that had an adaptation announced with no follow-through is the Tortallan Universe books by Tamora Pierce. Deadline reported in 2019 that Lionsgate and Playground would be adapting these books, but we have heard nothing since, possibly because the pandemic interrupted development plans.

With more than 20 books and short stories set in the world of Tortall, which consists of many countries based on real-world civilizations, there are many places for a TV adaptation to go. The books start with The Song of the Lioness if reading in publication order and with Beka Cooper: The Hunt Records if reading from the earliest point in the chronology. Many of the individual series can easily be read without reading the previous ones.

Other books include The Immortals, The Protector of the Small and The Numair Chronicles.

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