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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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The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon

Described by author Samantha Shannon as a “feminist retelling of Saint George and the Dragon,” The Priory of the Orange Tree is a truly amazing standalone fantasy book.

The Nameless One, an evil fire-breathing wyrm who was defeated nearly a thousand years ago by Sir Galian Berethnet with the sword Ascalon, has awoken and threatens to destroy everything in its wake. In the West, Ead Duryan acts as Lady-In-Waiting to Queen Sabran Berethnet but is secretly a mage of the Priory, which has its own beliefs regarding The Nameless One and Sir Galian. Sabran’s friend and ally Lord Arteloth Beck has been banished from court and set on a futile quest by those who wish to weaken the throne.

Meanwhile, in the East, Miduchi Tané has spent her life training to become a dragon rider. When she comes upon an outsider and trespasser from the West, she throws her future into jeopardy by hiding him with Niclays Roos, an alchemist searching for the secret to immortality.

The Priory of the Orange Tree would make a perfect addition to any network’s roster of book-to-TV adaptions, and with Shannon currently working on a prequel, there are possibilities for follow-ups.

The Winternight Trilogy, by Katherine Arden

Based on Russian folklore, this trilogy follows Vasilisa “Vasya” Petrovna, who has a magical gift that allows her to see the magical creatures that secretly inhabit the world around her. This gift puts her in conflict with the Orthodox Church and sets her on her path that could change the fate of Russia and the wider world.

The Winternight Trilogy was published to rave reviews and was a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2020.

In a tweet, Arden herself has expressed interest in the series being adapted for TV, saying that she’d rather it be animated than live-action.

Deathless, by Catherynne M. Valente

Also based on Russian folklore, Deathless is a retelling of the fairy tale The Death of Koschei the Deathless. It follows the life of Marya Morevna as she goes from being a young girl amazed at the magic of the world to the bride of Koschei the Deathless and finally a military commander in the Russian army.

In 2021, a Twitter account was set up called Adapt the book Deathless that would tweet at streaming services and production companies asking them to adapt the series. Clearly, there’s an appetite to see it on screen.

Like Winternight, Deathless could also be great as an animated series. Although personally I’d love to see it as a live-action miniseries.

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