In recent years, we've seen some amazing releases in literature from household names and rising stars. And if you're like me, then your TBR is constantly getting longer. If the title and cover look good, and if there's hype around its release, it gets added to the stockpile.
But sometimes really good books just don't make it to our feeds, despite having good reviews, written by well-known authors, and even winning awards. This list focuses on the titles that didn't get the attention they deserve. Here are seven underrated fantasy books that deserve more hype!
1. The Scour by Richard Swan
Starting strong, we have the novella “The Scour” by Richard Swan. It takes place in his established Empire of the Wolf series, where elite knights called "justices" can act as detectives, judges, and executioners all in one.
It's like if Judge Dredd met medieval fantasy. But it's published by Grimdark Magazine rather than by Orbit, a publishing house subsidiary of Hachette Book Group. It's easy for a book published by a niche magazine to go unnoticed, but it's still sold like a premium title.
“The Scour” is a prequel taking place 15 years before book 1, The Justice of Kings, about an investigation into a justice imprisoned for murder.
2. Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford (The Rakada Book 2)
Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford is a super fresh, blood-pumping title I'm surprised isn't talked about more or has any bids for an adaptation. The Rakada series follows a group called the Bone Raiders, who ride giant, fire-breathing lizards.
Without too many spoilers, the first book, The Bone Raiders, was about taming the beasts, and now it's delving into maintaining their health as they get sick. Without the lizards, how can they defend all they've conquered?
What I think sets this apart from other dragon-heavy fantasy books is its Asian influences and badass warrior women.
3. Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C.L. Clark
Speaking of badass warrior women, we have Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C.L. Clark. Starring the antagonist from the second season of Arcane, this is a prequel about Ambessa's rise to power in Noxus.
It's full of back-stabbing, figuratively and literally. Though it's been out for a few years, I hope this title can get more attention. We'll likely get more League of Legends shows, but I think tying in more background lore with novels is a great idea.
We're starting to see other IPs do the same, like Wizards of the Coast having a Baldur's Gate 3 prequel written by T. Kingfisher. The more novel tie-ins, the better, I say.
4. Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Adrian Tchaikovsky publishes one of the most popular sci-fi series out right now, The Children of Time. However, he's also written a short series of novellas. “Elder Race” is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, depending on how you view it.
It's meant to tackle the question of what the difference is between science and magic, and whether they're the same. In the greater context of the world-building, it may be leaning on, "there's science first, but we interpret it as magic."
It follows a princess, Lynesse, who wants to invoke the Elder Nyr, one they call a sorcerer, for help to save her people from a demon, at least that's what they believe it to be a demon. The sequel, Engines of Reason, releases September 1, 2026.
5. Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
Widely known for The Green Bone Saga, Fonda Lee also wrote a standalone novella called “Untethered Sky.” It follows a woman named Ester whose family was brutally killed by a manticore.
Full of revenge, she dedicates herself to hunting them. She joins with a fledgling roc, avian creatures who aid in manticore hunts. Their bond will need to be strong, because they could be on the most dangerous manticore hunt that history has seen.
I have a soft spot for stories about warriors getting revenge on monsters, whether alien or mythological, and this scratches that itch.
6. Queen Demon by Martha Wells (The Rising World Book 2)
Martha Wells is most known for writing The Murderbot Diaries, a popular novella and novel series. It's also received a television show adaptation by Apple TV.
It seems to overshadow her other fantasy series, though, which is The Rising World—first, starting with book one, The Witch King, and its most recent title, Queen Demon. It's as epic as it is about deceit and betrayal, where the relationships and families one chooses to build can become a weapon in more ways than one.
It's a stark contrast to the witty and wry humor of an introverted android. This is a world of witches, magic, and demonic people.
7. A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang
First in the Natural Engines series, A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang is a short yet stuffed title full of worldbuilding and articulate prose.
Commonly called Wind Walkers, the Feng people, who are like living trees, have the ability to control the wind. For years, the Feng royalty have arranged marriages with the human kings to prevent expansion on their land.
However, the next bride in line, Lufeng, has plans to assassinate the king and stop the marriages for good. But things won't be that easy. As she peels the bark on her people's origins, the roots of history and magic go deeper than she thought.
Are any of these books making it to your list, or have we missed one hidden gem that should have been covered? You should shout them out in the comments section below! Let's make sure no one's TBR is shortened to just one book.
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