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Top Ten Tuesday

Ten Hidden Gems In Fantasy Series

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As always, Top Ten Tuesday meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is: Pick a genre and share with us some books that have gone under the radar in that genre!
And I’ll go with fantasy as it is my favorite genre.I do not own the pictures in this post, please see the end of the post for the credits.

1.The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny

“I like libraries. It makes me feel comfortable and secure to have walls of words, beautiful and wise, all around me. I always feel better when I can see that there is something to hold back the shadows.”
― Roger Zelazny, Nine Princes in Amber


Goodreads blurb: Amber, the one real world, wherein all others, including our own Earth, are but Shadows. Amber burns in Corwin’s blood. Exiled on Shadow Earth for centuries, the prince is about to return to Amber to make a mad and desperate rush upon the throne. From Arden to the blood-slippery Stairway into the Sea, the air is electrified with the powers of Eric, Random, Bleys, Caine, and all the princes of Amber whom Corwin must overcome.


2. The Soldier Son trilogy by Robin Hobb

“Anticipating pain was like enduring it twice. Why not anticipate pleasure instead?”
― Robin Hobb, Renegade’s Magic

Goodreads blurb: Nevare Burvelle anticipates a golden future. He will follow his father into the army; to the frontier and thence to an advantageous marriage.Over twenty years the army has pushed the frontiers of Gernia as far as the Barrier Mountains, home to the enigmatic Speck people, who retain the last vestiges of magic in a progressive world. Exotic and misunderstood, they are believed to spread a sexual plague which has ravaged the frontier, decimating entire regiments.

3. The Witcher  by Andrzej Sapkowski

“People,” Geralt turned his head, “like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves. When they get blind-drunk, cheat, steal, beat their wives, starve an old woman, when they kill a trapped fox with an axe or riddle the last existing unicorn with arrows, they like to think that the Bane entering cottages at daybreak is more monstrous than they are. They feel better then. They find it easier to live.”
― Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish

Goodreads blurb: Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.  And a cold-blooded killer. His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.  But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth. 

4. The Gatekeepers by Anthony Horowitz

“There are two worlds. The world you understand and the world you don’t. These worlds exist side by side, sometimes only centimeters apart, and the great majority of people spend their entire lives in one without being aware of the other. It’s like living in one side of a mirror: you think there is nothing on the other side until one day a switch is thrown and suddenly the mirror is transparent. You see the other side.”
― Anthony Horowitz, Raven’s Gate’

Goodreads blurb:  He always knew he was different. First there were the dreams. Then the deaths began.  When Matt Freeman gets into trouble with the police, he’s sent to be fostered in Yorkshire. It’s not long before he senses there’s something wrong with his guardian: with the whole village.  Then Matt learns about the Old Ones and begins to understand just how he is different. But no one will believe him; no one can help. There is no proof. There is no logic. There is just the Gate.

5. The Shamer Chronicles by Lene Kaaberbøl

“Because even though you don’t want anyone to own you, it doesn’t mean that there is nowhere you belong.”
― Lene Kaaberbøl, The Shamer’s War

Goodreads blurb: Dina has unwillingly inherited her mother’s gift: the ability to elicit shamed confessions simply by looking into someone’s eyes. To Dina, however, these powers are not a gift but a curse. Surrounded by fear and hostility, she longs for simple friendship. But when her mother is called to Dunark Castle to uncover the truth about a bloody triple murder, Dina must come to terms with her power–or let her mother fall prey to the vicious and revolting dragons of Dunark.

6. Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones

“Christopher discovered that you dealt with obnoxious masters and most older boys the way you dealt with governesses: you quite politely told them the truth in the way they wanted to hear it, so that they thought they had won and left you in peace.”
― Diana Wynne Jones, The Lives of Christopher Chant

Goodreads blurb: Cat doesn’t mind living in the shadow of his sister, Gwendolen, the most promising young witch ever seen on Coven Street. But trouble starts brewing the moment the two orphans are summoned to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Frustrated that the witches of the castle refuse to acknowledge her talents, Gwendolen conjures up a scheme that could throw whole worlds out of whack.

7. Demon Road by Derek Landy

“I… I think I broke his jaw. And bit his finger off.”
“You bit his finger?”
“I bit his finger off.”
― Derek Landy, Demon Road

Goodreads blurb: Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers: they’re all here. And the demons? Well, that’s where Amber comes in…Sixteen years old, smart and spirited, she’s just a normal American teenager until the lies are torn away and the demons reveal themselves.

8. Tales of Alvin Maker by Orson Scott Card

“I understand that you believe that it works,’ said Thrower patiently. ‘But everything in the world is either science or miracles. Miracles came from God in the ancient times, but those times are over. Today if we wish to change the world, it isn’t magic but science that will give us our tools.”
― Orson Scott Card, Seventh Son

Goodreads blurb: In an alternate version of frontier America, young Alvin is the seventh son of a seventh son, and such a birth is powerful magic. Yet even in the loving safety of his home, dark forces reach out to destroy him.

9. Redwall by Brian Jacques

“Even the strongest and bravest must sometimes weep. It shows they have a great heart, one that can feel compassion for others.”
― Brian Jacques, Redwall

Goodreads blurb: Book 1: A quest to recover a legendary lost weapon by bumbling young apprentice monk, mouse Matthias. Redwall Abbey, tranquil home to a community of peace-loving mice, is threatened by Cluny the Scourge savage bilge rat warlord and his battle-hardened horde. But the Redwall mice and their loyal woodland friends combine their courage and strength.

10. Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede

“No proper princess would come out looking for dragons,” Woraug objected.
“Well I’m not a proper princess then!” Cimorene snapped. “I make cherries jubillee and I volunteer for dragons, and I conjugate Latin verbs– or at least I would if anyone would let me. So there!”
― Patricia C. Wrede, Dealing with Dragons50a8f4e73d82f486d844de505b2a3f84-dragon-illustration-here-be-dragons

Goodreads blurb: Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart – and bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon – and finds the family and excitement she’s been looking for.

Images: Featured image of this post by Stefan Keller, The Court of Amber by Donato Giancola, Forest Mage covers by John Howe,  Witcher by CD Projekt , Red Prophet: The Tales of Alvin Maker comics by Marvel. Pencillers: Miguel Montenegro, Renato Arlem. Dealing with Dragons cover by Peter de Sève, Redwall: The Long Patrol by Troy Howell, Shamer’s Daughter movie, Demon Road covers.

 

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74 thoughts on “Ten Hidden Gems In Fantasy Series”

  1. I love that Amber pic, do you know who the artist is? I’d love to check em out. I read those books (the first five anyway, don’t remember if there more) a few years ago. Okay never mind, I read the post properly and see the credits. :) Donato Giancola, can’t say I’m surprised, it does look like his stuff. I love a lot of his art.

    The Enchanted Forest books I’ve heard a lot about, and they sound fun. I’ve read most of Robin Hobbs’ stuff but not that trilogy.

    1. :D His art is just gorgeous and very fitting for the book I think.
      I really like the Soldier Son trilogy. At first you might not like the main character but he sort of grows on you in the sequel.

  4. I love that Amber pic, do you know who the artist is? I’d love to check em out. I read those books (the first five anyway, don’t remember if there more) a few years ago. Okay never mind, I read the post properly and see the credits. :) Donato Giancola, can’t say I’m surprised, it does look like his stuff. I love a lot of his art.

    The Enchanted Forest books I’ve heard a lot about, and they sound fun. I’ve read most of Robin Hobbs’ stuff but not that trilogy.

    1. :D His art is just gorgeous and very fitting for the book I think.
      I really like the Soldier Son trilogy. At first you might not like the main character but he sort of grows on you in the sequel.

  6. This looks like a great list. I’ve heard of the Redwall series (I’ve been collecting them when I find copies at my thrift store), but the rest of these are completely new to me.

    1. I love how big the Redwall series is! And the books are pretty good too so you get both quality and quantity. I’m sure you’d like some of these. Or if xenofiction is your thing, then you might like Richard Adams’, S.F Said’s and Aeron Clement’s books :)

  9. This looks like a great list. I’ve heard of the Redwall series (I’ve been collecting them when I find copies at my thrift store), but the rest of these are completely new to me.

    1. I love how big the Redwall series is! And the books are pretty good too so you get both quality and quantity. I’m sure you’d like some of these. Or if xenofiction is your thing, then you might like Richard Adams’, S.F Said’s and Aeron Clement’s books :)

  13. Great list! I love fantasy but admittedly I haven’t read any of the books on your list save for some books from the Redwall series. I have been meaning to get around to The Chronicles of Amber for years, lol. One of these days…

    Thanks for dropping by my TTT earlier :)

    1. You’re in for epic levels of fantasy then! :) I warmly recommend all of these books!
      I know right, I’m good with fantasy but not so good with all the other genres I love o.O

  17. Great list! I love fantasy but admittedly I haven’t read any of the books on your list save for some books from the Redwall series. I have been meaning to get around to The Chronicles of Amber for years, lol. One of these days…

    Thanks for dropping by my TTT earlier :)

    1. You’re in for epic levels of fantasy then! :) I warmly recommend all of these books!
      I know right, I’m good with fantasy but not so good with all the other genres I love o.O

  19. Aah, this is lovely. Always glad to see more obscure (but still good) works highlighted. And I’m actually only familiar with three of these, so I’ll have to check the others out! :D

    1. Bloodily hilarious. I guess I do too :) I guess I thought Skulduggery Pleasant books were over (except apparently they’re not and tenth book was published a while ago) and I was like I need more of this :D

    1. You’re awesome and super amazing person for mentioning The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman! :D I loved the trilogy and now I wish I had included it in my list…well maybe next time!

      In Finland, I think only two first parts of the trilogy were ever published so I didn’t even know that there was a third part until a year ago TT_TT

  22. Redwall! I thoroughly enjoyed that book, but I never read the rest of the series. (I should do that…) This is a cool list of hidden fantasy books! Thanks for the recommendations.

  23. Aah, this is lovely. Always glad to see more obscure (but still good) works highlighted. And I’m actually only familiar with three of these, so I’ll have to check the others out! :D

    1. Bloodily hilarious. I guess I do too :) I guess I thought Skulduggery Pleasant books were over (except apparently they’re not and tenth book was published a while ago) and I was like I need more of this :D

    1. You’re awesome and super amazing person for mentioning The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman! :D I loved the trilogy and now I wish I had included it in my list…well maybe next time!

      In Finland, I think only two first parts of the trilogy were ever published so I didn’t even know that there was a third part until a year ago TT_TT

  26. Redwall! I thoroughly enjoyed that book, but I never read the rest of the series. (I should do that…) This is a cool list of hidden fantasy books! Thanks for the recommendations.

  31. I like your list! I love ‘The Enchanted Forest Chronicles’ and am reading The Witcher series at the moment, next in line is book 3.

    I’ve never been interested in the Soldier Son trilogy but read & loved everything else by Robin Hobb. Maybe one day I will try it!

    I’ve heard about the Alvin Maker series & Redwall.
    Books I should have read ages ago. But there’s still time to catch up.

  32. I like your list! I love ‘The Enchanted Forest Chronicles’ and am reading The Witcher series at the moment, next in line is book 3.

    I’ve never been interested in the Soldier Son trilogy but read & loved everything else by Robin Hobb. Maybe one day I will try it!

    I’ve heard about the Alvin Maker series & Redwall.
    Books I should have read ages ago. But there’s still time to catch up.

  33. I’m so glad that Redwall made this list. It’s a bit of a surprise to me whenever I meet people unfamiliar with the series. Admittedly, though, reading them usually puts me in the mood for weird nut-based treats. It sometimes felt like 1/3 of the books were dedicated to describing feasts. :P

  34. I’m so glad that Redwall made this list. It’s a bit of a surprise to me whenever I meet people unfamiliar with the series. Admittedly, though, reading them usually puts me in the mood for weird nut-based treats. It sometimes felt like 1/3 of the books were dedicated to describing feasts. :P

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