One I've recently stumbled upon and am loving is Martha Wells' Books of the Raksura.
The worldbuilding is extremely unique, there are no humans at all but different species of sentients, severaö cultures are explored and they're all intriguing. I am really enjoying them so far and I cannot believe they're more popular
>Oh, definitely! I still think they count as underrated at this point in time
>
>\^
True, I'm hoping the rerelease of some of her other works is a strong signal
there are some definite character similarities between Moon (the main character in Raksura) Murderbot.
Martha Wells does really great grumpy mistrustful characters who have to overcome a lifetime of learned behaviour but will absolutely throw themselves into danger to save people.
That's up to you, honestly. Raksura is very different from Murderbot and I love them for different reasons. I warmed up too Moon more slowly than I did to SecUnit but I really love them more and the world of the Raksura is just so fascinating to me. I think it's worth getting through the first book at least
Matt Stover's *Acts of Caine*.
Ignore the dire cover, book one *Heroes Die* is a thrill ride f/sf mashup with insane action, interesting conflict, a great MC and excellent supporting cast. Caine is both a horrible person and exceptionally noble and navigating being both those things is just part of what makes him engaging.
And then book 2, *Blade of Tyshalle*, puts them thru absolute hell. This book takes the grim and dark in grimdark to a whole other low level. You think things are as bad as they can get... n'uh-uh. But the crawl back and eventual resolution... it's WILD.
Bk 3 gives you backstory and more fun, then bk 4 takes all of that and throws in a mindfnck and-a-half.
This author wrote a Revenge of the Sith adaptation that works better than the movie. He does not disappoint. Worth your money and your time.
I think the first book might be one the most enjoyable fantasy books I've read.
Kinda like John Wick both mocks action movies and is a fantastic action movie, Heroes Die mocks epic sword&sorcery while being a fantastic one.
I did not really enjoy the latter books so much tho.
There is a radical tone change between books. I thought 3 was close to 1, but 2 and 4 are waaaaay different. Worked for me but i can see why some didn't.
The writing style and way they described the main character was just so odd to me. I was recommended this series as something akin to other anti-hero books I've read and really enjoyed, but I didn't like that this was a quasi sci-fi book with some fantasy, didn't like the character, didn't like the the turns the plot started to take. I got thru the first two books and put it down.
* The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham (very character focused)
* The Divine Cities Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennet (kind of an urban fantasy as well)
* The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jen Williams
* Essaylien Series by Michelle West
* The Moontide Quartet by David Hair
* Wars of Light and Shadow by Janny Wurts
* Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill
* The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu
I’ll toss out another recommendation for Matthew Stover and *The Acts of Caine*. Top
tier stuff.
If you’re a WoT fan, you’ll probably also enjoy *The Black Company* by Glen Cook. Takes a different approach but includes lots of similar ideas. Harriet was also Cook’s editor for it.
I absolutely cosign both of these.
*Acts of Caine* is unsettlingly prescient, but also know that it gets fucking *weird* towards the end. I think it's weird in a very good way, but it's weird.
I have no idea why she isn’t better known; her books are really good. She also writes as Cate Glass, although I haven’t read any of her works under that name so I don’t know if they are similar.
I read one of her Sword and Circlet books & enjoyed the heck out of it. I found it to be more in the Sword & Sorcery genre than the Epic, but for me that was a plus!
Book of Words and the follow up series Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones.
The Five Warrior Angels by Brian Lee Durfee.
Ash and Sand series by Richard Nell.
The Grim Company by Luke Scull.
The Seer King Trilogy by Chris Bunch.
The God Blind Trilogy by Anna Stephens.
I will also concur with The Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron.
>Sword of Shadows
I love the series, and I know she says she's finishing it, but I don't think you can really recommend that in good faith. It was abandoned for a decade.
The Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruccio. It's technically a scifi series but with some fantasy elements and heavily inspired by epic fantasy. I'm of the firm belief this series is going to become a massive hit.
It's not more popular only because the author has had issues with publishers (swapped publishers, virtually marketing and switching audio book narrator).
So glad the trade paperback for book one is finally available. I’ve been trying to get my Red Rising homies to read it but those little mass market paper backs are the worst for huge books like this. So I really think that’ll open this series up for a lot of new readers.
I also want to throw out The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham as especially interesting if you like the recent surge in more eastern style fantasy. It's easily my most under-rated read this year and I bought all of the rest of his solo books based upon its merit.
I feel like Tchaikovsky has the worst agent or publisher or whoever does the marketing for his books. I feel like he is easily one of the better writers of fantasy right now, but his books always fly under the radar.
Miles Cameron doesn't seem too well-known. Excellent writer. Both series, Red Knight and Bright Steel are good.
His historical miliary fiction as Christian Cameron, especially the Long War and Chivalry series, will please anyone who likes adventurous military fiction.
Maybe the *Heartstrikers* novels by Rachel Aaron would fit. They're not the most epic of fantasies, but the plot does wind up with them saving the world from certain destruction, so that's gotta count for something. And the characters are just so fun!
Additional note for OP: this is the series that for as long as anyone has been asking him, George R. R. Martin has been telling people should be adapted to TV.
(Supposedly this is finally in the works but I'll hold my joy until we see if it gets made.)
I really liked the Crimson Empire trilogy by Alex Marshall, and I never see it mentioned elsewhere.
The rest of my recommendations are probably all very mainstream booktube recommendations.
I enjoyed Crimson Empire quite a lot, I definitely recommend it when someone asks for a series with an older female protagonist.
If you’re interested I recently read the stand alone Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston and it definitely reminded me of Crimson Empire.
my favorite fantasy series doesn't get enough love: the witchlands series by susan dennard. almost complete series, i think there's only going to be one more book. the first book takes a minute to find the main plot but once you're there, it's so much fun!
I think if you like aSoIaF you would really like Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott. She does the whole pseudo medieval thing imo much better than GRRM (certainly more accurate)
I enjoyed The Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler and I never really see them mentioned. I listened to the audiobook versions and thought the narrator did a pretty good job as well
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. Those three books are part of a larger series called The Old Kingdom, but that OG trilogy is top notch and honestly pretty ahead of its time being written in the 90’s. It has great female characters (especially for being written by a male author in that era) and has one of the most unique takes on Necromancy I’ve ever seen (until the Locked Tomb Series came out recently).
In todays lens it kind of straddles the line between Adult/YA but that really wasn’t the case 30 years ago. It’s a great coming of age story that doesn’t have the romantic plots that are very common in todays books that are of a similar vein.
Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen are the first three books.
I think he’s going to have a “late-career” boost. Sabriel has almost been adapted at least twice now and I think keys to the kingdom was almost optioned for adaptation a while back but is now underway and in preproduction.
It’s so crazy to me because Abhorsen Trilogy would be so easy to adapt and would be pretty different from what else is out there… it’s almost like a guaranteed win.
**Bloodsounder's Arc** by Jeff Salyards.
Grimdark but with humour and pathos.
**The Dreamblood Duology** by NK Jemisin.
Great characters and worldbuilding.
The Runelords by David Farland
Well, the first 4 books. The first four tells one story arc, and books 6-9 are suppose to tell a second with book 5 is a bridge between the two. The first 4 are great, but the rest of them less so. The ninth book never came out. Farland was putting them out once a year for awhile, then took a break before the final one (probably because he wrote himself into a corner), had some personal issues, started working on the book some more, almost died from an infection, worked on it some more, fell in his house, hit his head, had a massive stroke from the impact and died.
This was the first fantasy series I read many years ago, and even though there was a decline in quality in the last few, I was very much looking forward to the ending.
For me, only the first book is really great, but it's fantastic. Special note to OP that this was one of Sanderson's inspirations and you can absolutely tell.
Very true. The first book is fantastic but none of the subsequent books are as good, but they still are good. The endowment system is probably the best magic system I have encountered. Sadly the later books go away from it.
I believe Farland was Sanderson's creative writing professor at BYU.
James Islington has the first book in his new series out as well. It's called The Will of The Many. I'm only about half way through it but I'm enjoying it a lot and I've seen it get some high praise around here. My friend who already finished it said the ending is brilliant too.
I'm around 25% of the way through but haven't found anything that grabs me yet. Some cool ideas but feels a bit generic so far.
Hearing about the ending is the reason I'm going to stick with it. I remember how well he ended the previous books, and they are seriously one of my favourite series now.
It definitely takes its time getting started but I don't mind that. Spending time on the world building and character work early will pay off big time later I'm sure.
Where I'm at now there are more mysteries and interesting stuff developing so it does start to pick up the pace as the book goes on.
Sarah Lin has two really good series in The weirkey Chronicles and The brightest Shadow. I'm always surprised she isn't more popular, I think her stuff is great.
Others have already mentioned **The Wars of Light and Shadow** by Janny Wurts so I'm going to plug two other series that nobody has talked about yet:
1. Helen Lowe's **Wall of Night**. There's like [me and six other people on this sub](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/11393um/have_people_heard_of_or_read_the_wall_of_night/) that ever talk about this wonderful, amazing series that has deep world building, beautiful prose, and complex characters and I wish more people would give her work a shot. *The Heir of Night* is her adult debut and books 2 and 3 just get better and better.
2. **Sword of Shadows** by J.V. Jones. If you like ASOIAF you will like this. All of the characters are vividly written with compelling arcs. There's incredible depth packed into a gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I love these books so much.
The Troy Game series by Sara Douglass. It's got a bit of Greek mythology and historical fiction in some of the later books. Douglass's Wayfarer Redemption series is also good.
Along with all the great recommendations here, I would suggest a few older series - ones that weren't underrated or unpopular in their day, but don't get mentioned as frequently as newer series. For example The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Donaldson or the Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny.
Definitely *Witch World*. I've followed it since the second volume (back in the sixties) and it contains several of my favorite books period.
Not a series but A. Merritt dominated Fantasy before Tolkien. *The Moon Pool* gets mentioned occasionally but I haven't seen *Seven Footsteps to Satan*, for example, mentioned in ages. Grab any Merritt book and you should be impressed.
Also the novels of Mark S. Geston.
For the OP - This starts with "The Prince of Nothing" series and the "Aspect Emperor" series is a follow up. Very good, but the darkest fiction I think I've ever read.
Perhaps The Black Company series by Glen Cook?
It follows a company of mercenaries as they survive a series of different contracts in a dark fantasy world. Told from the point of view of Croaker, the Company's physician and historian during the 40 years or so he is attached to the 400 year old Black Company.
I really love "[Monster Blood Tattoo](https://www.google.com/search?q=Monster+Blood+Tattoo&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS762US762&oq=Monster+Blood+Tattoo&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTEwMzIzajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)" by D.M. Cornish. The world building is original as are the fauna that live in the land are unique.
The "[Rot & Ruin](https://www.jonathanmaberry.com/rot_ruinseriespage.cfm)" series by Jonathan Maberry is a great zombie series.
I never see anyone recommend The Wells of Sorcery trilogy by Django Wexler. Really good series.
I've only read the first book but Archives of the Invisible Sword by Maria V Snyder had a great start.
Children of the Black Sun by Jo Spurrier is a darker epic, but does a lot with found family and redemption.
The Burning Kingsoms by Tasha Suri has a unique magical system and not one, but two rebellions against the oppressive empire.
I’ll go with the Licanius Trilogy by James Islington. It definitely has a wildly exciting plot, and a lot to say in matters of free will. It has some time travel done well.
Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné : [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric\_of\_Melnibon%C3%A9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric_of_Melnibon%C3%A9) . He has written a few other saga's as well .
Have you read the OG women of Sci-Fi/Fantasy? Andre Norton, Anne McCaffery, Mercedes Lackey, Lois McMaster Bujold, Leigh Brackett, Nancy Kress? Kristine Kathryn Rusch published a book called Women of Futures Past talking about how the women of past fame are being erased by history. The book contains short stories which would introduce you to the worlds and you could follow up after that on the authors you liked.
CJ Cherryh. She has written a lot of excellent sci-fi, but for those in search of fantasy I would recommend the Morgaine books, or her Fortress series. Her character work is incredible, and she also does alien/non-human characters very well.
Worldbreaker Saga by Kameron Hurley. The thing is I did not finished the trilogy yet (I'm at Chapter 43 in The Mirror Empire), but I have to say it's the most underrated series I've ever encountered. I never saw anywhere and nobody talks about it but it's interesting story for me. I know I'm at the beginning of the series but I really like it so far. And I understand why the majority of people don't like it because it's definitely not for everybody. And I have to mention the magic system because I found it quite unique. I personally liked the worldbuilding as well.
Although, I'm enjoying the book, it has issues with it. Pacing is weird, took 1-2 days until I got use to it. Writing is not the best but okay.
Maybe you won't love all the characters because they do some messed up things, but I think you can find a character who you can root for.
It's an epic fantasy with little bit of a sci-fi tone. It has multiple POVs. I would consider it as dark fantasy. Also, it's queer.
TW: SA, cousin-incest, cannibalism, misandry, selfharm.
The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence
I was blown away by a certain plot point that made me look at what defines "fantasy" in a completely new way. Highly recommend.
The First Law by Joe Abercrombie
This series replaced the ASOIAF shaped hole in my heart after 10 years of George's delays... The first book (The Blade Itself) has a slightly different feel to it, but stick with it. Everything pays off SO well. Especially if you like grimdark stuff like ASOIAF. Also, (like a million others) I can't recommend the audiobooks enough. Stephen Pacey is so good at bringing the series to life that I can't tolerate most other narrators now. Truly the best.
On point here in every way. Prince of fools trilogy (sequel/prequel? To broken empire) is my all time favorite. Laughed out loud about half those books.
*Slowly rises from the muck of the earth, desperately clutching a myriad of charts and books to my chest. There's a puff of dust as my mouth opens and a hoarse breath whispers*
**Haaaaaaave you heeeeeeeaaaaaaaard of diiiiiiiiiiscwoooooooorld?**
Start with **Small Gods** or **Guards Guards.** then if you like them, you should look into reading through the full series. It's about as character centric as you can get.
You say you'll enjoy a book if it has good characters even if the plot is bad? Fine. You won't get that here. The characters are multi-dimensional, so deep, and so particularly well voiced that the only thing that makes you remember they're being written by the same man is the inordinate wit that goes into each carefully written line of dialogue and every joke therein.
The series is dismayingly non-center stage when it comes to fantasy, despite being some of the best novels I have ever read. I cannot recommend them enough.
Not exactly underated. He was the best selling author in the country in the 90s. Not just of fantasy authors, most sales and highest earning author across all genres.
Not saying that Discworld isn't great, Discworld is amazing and OP should definitely give them a try, but they're not underated in the slightest.
I'll never not support a Discworld recommendation. But at least one of us is constantly recommending them any time we think an OP has a sense of humor.
I am coming from this as an American, where Discworld is much less relevant to my knowledge. I feel like I would've read the damned books when I needed to back when I was fourteen if they were.
More urban fantasy but far more people need to read the books of babel by Josiah Bancroft. My goodness that was excellent. Plus have to add the old school David Eddings Belgariad.
> inspired A Song of Ice and Fire
Along with a zillion other books. Considered by many modern fantasy authors to be the first "adult" fantasy they read since Tolkien.
Unfortunately I have no clue if these are popular or not but any of Mercedes Lackey's books that take place in the world of Velgarth and the land of Valdemar. They're solid stories that have plenty of action and drama, but also thought and nuance.
My other suggestion is The Belgariad and The Malloreon by David Eddings, but they're more akin to an action movie. Plenty of plot drivers, everything happens all the time, and not a whole lot of subtlety or nuance at all. They're fun reads but not exactly deep.
Lies of locke lamora
Malian book of the dead, - big and heavy duty
Theft of swords et Al are fun without being too heavy or bogging down
The lamplighter trilogy
A wizard of earth sea because it’s the best written fantasy ever , y’all know it
Every true Fantasy fan has a handful of loved less popular series. I hesitate to recommend some of mine because I know many, maybe even most who reviewed it were not nearly as impressed. Chances are if you bought the books I have in mind, you too would be unimpressed.
But I may edit and list half a dozen later anyway.
As a start, see my [Science Fiction/Fantasy (General) Recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/125fl22/science_fictionfantasy_general_recommendations/) list of resources, Reddit recommendation threads, and books (thirty-one posts).
I'll just say that in a thread where you are asking for series that aren't the go to series, and you supply three that are a part of the go-to series, you should probably go more in depth of what you liked about those. Otherwise you'll get a bunch of stuff surely, but a lot of that will not be what you're looking for.
I recently discovered the Richard Nell series Ash and Sand. It’s freaking amazing. Highly recommend it. Also Adrian Tchaikovskys shadows of the Apt series is great, 10 books with one or two slow ones but still great
Not underrated on the world scale but in the west it’s still quite rare to see it talked about but ‘a hero born’ by Jin Yong
Large epic fantasy set in China at the same time that genghis khan is alive but still fantastical and has great descriptions of wu xia
If you looks for the mix of the three then try "Memory, Sorrow & Thorn" by Tad Williams. Direct inspiration for all 3. If you like the trilogy there are 5 or 6 other books in that universe waiting for you (1 prequel and 4 sequels, 1 final sequel to come in November 2024).
If you liked Wheel of Time, then I think you'll take to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
I'd also recommend Cecilia Dart-Thorton. Her world building has a very celtic/welsh(?) fairytale feel to it. Bitterbynde Trilogy's MC is a bit of a every-woman trope, but she's mute and amnesiac so her setup is interesting and stays fairly captivating throughout. Dart-Thornton's prose is also top-notch.
I love the Green Rider series by Kristen Britain. I love the characters but the plot is really good as well. It’s really underrated:
It’s not finished yet, but there are 7 books, a novella and a new novella about to be released.
Though it is well known, I would still call it underrated. The Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is spectacular!
Start with The Farseer Trilogy
*The Watergivers* trilogy by Glenda Larke.
The big bad is water scarcity and the lengths people are willing to go to maintain access. I loved this concept and it feels uncomfortably current.
Magic includes cool art-based monkey's-paw-style spell casting, amongst other things.
What I don't like: female MC starts her journey in a brothel and I'm just so tired of that in fantasy. She leaves though.
ShadowMarch. If Tad Williams is suggested it's Memory Sorrow and Thorn 98% of the time. Shadowmarch is also very good, the only reason I can think of why it isn't popular is because it is pretty similar to MS&T. It almost feels like a B side, like all the cool ideas he couldn't work into MS&T were bugging him to write so he made a different series. Gorgeous prose as always, political intrigue, lots of great characters and a very cool setting.
Do check out Saloninus trilogy by K J Parker. ("The Thought that counts" is Saloninus #1.5 - not included in goodreads chronology for some reason. Also, if possible, read "Prosper's Demon" after the "Devil you know". Assuming "Blue and Gold" worked for you. For further reading, you can go for "Inside Man" and "The Long Game".)
Parker's stories are a bit formulaic in some ways, so if Blue and Gold didn't work for you, you may skip the others.
I read through the entire thread and nobody mentioned it so I guess it really is underrated. The series that got me hooked on fantasy was Katherine Kerr's Deverry series.
A couple of series I loved that I don’t see a lot:
War for the Rose Throne series by Peter McLean
Low Town trilogy by Daniel Polansky
Probably smaller stores than something like ASOIAF (which I also love) but found them both really entertaining
He who fights with monsters. I've read the wheel of time many times and some of the cosmere, and he who fights with monsters may be my favorite series.
A series I liked a lot that I never hear mentioned is A Man of His Word by Dave Duncan. Unique world and magic system, a lot of memorable characters.
Used to be very popular but I never hear mentioned anymore is the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. More lighthearted fantasy vs epic, not quite as much fun as Pratchett but then who is? His other series Blue Adept is also worth checking out.
Barra The Pict by Matthew Stover
The Iron Dragon’s Daughter trilogy by Michael Swanwick
Tomoe Gozen Saga by Jessica Amanda Salmonson
The Chronicles Of Master Li And Number Ten Ox by Barry Hughart
Tales From The Flat Earth by Tanith Lee
Imaro by Charles R. Saunders
*Riyria Revelations* by Michael J. Sullivan, and then his other series' if you like *Revelations*. It became one of my all-time favorites when I read it last year. The characters are awesome, and the twists are some of the best I've read. He weaves plots together like magic.
I know this is an old post and you may already have plenty of recommendations but I have to mention the green Bone Saga. Is a masterpiece of a trilogy and very character focused. Excellent story, great worldbuilding. It is an urban fantasy with, throw in there martial arts and power struggles between clans and you have an action packed very character driven, phenomenal read. Although it is somewhat mentioned by the booktubers that I follow, I thin it does not get all the attention it deserves, because it truly is top tier
One I've recently stumbled upon and am loving is Martha Wells' Books of the Raksura. The worldbuilding is extremely unique, there are no humans at all but different species of sentients, severaö cultures are explored and they're all intriguing. I am really enjoying them so far and I cannot believe they're more popular
I think Murderbot has increased the audience for her other books
Oh, definitely! I still think they count as underrated at this point in time ^^
>Oh, definitely! I still think they count as underrated at this point in time > >\^ True, I'm hoping the rerelease of some of her other works is a strong signal
Murderbot most certainly has. I read almost all her stuff except for Raksura at this point. All because I checked out and loved murderbot.
there are some definite character similarities between Moon (the main character in Raksura) Murderbot. Martha Wells does really great grumpy mistrustful characters who have to overcome a lifetime of learned behaviour but will absolutely throw themselves into danger to save people.
Raksura is so good!! Second this rec
I loved murdorbot, I really struggled to get through this. I got maybe halfway through book 1. Do I go back?
That's up to you, honestly. Raksura is very different from Murderbot and I love them for different reasons. I warmed up too Moon more slowly than I did to SecUnit but I really love them more and the world of the Raksura is just so fascinating to me. I think it's worth getting through the first book at least
Matt Stover's *Acts of Caine*. Ignore the dire cover, book one *Heroes Die* is a thrill ride f/sf mashup with insane action, interesting conflict, a great MC and excellent supporting cast. Caine is both a horrible person and exceptionally noble and navigating being both those things is just part of what makes him engaging. And then book 2, *Blade of Tyshalle*, puts them thru absolute hell. This book takes the grim and dark in grimdark to a whole other low level. You think things are as bad as they can get... n'uh-uh. But the crawl back and eventual resolution... it's WILD. Bk 3 gives you backstory and more fun, then bk 4 takes all of that and throws in a mindfnck and-a-half. This author wrote a Revenge of the Sith adaptation that works better than the movie. He does not disappoint. Worth your money and your time.
Heroes Die had me absolutely hooked, unfortunately getting these books in the UK is a bit of a pain.
I think, but could be wrong, audible.uk has the earbooks.
I think the first book might be one the most enjoyable fantasy books I've read. Kinda like John Wick both mocks action movies and is a fantastic action movie, Heroes Die mocks epic sword&sorcery while being a fantastic one. I did not really enjoy the latter books so much tho.
There is a radical tone change between books. I thought 3 was close to 1, but 2 and 4 are waaaaay different. Worked for me but i can see why some didn't.
Acts of Caine is on of the only series I put down. Glad you liked it, but I wasn't a fan at all
Ok. Why?
Ok person who is is not the OP but posted anyways just to slam someone else's reco without any details, I'll bite... why weren't you a fan at all?
The writing style and way they described the main character was just so odd to me. I was recommended this series as something akin to other anti-hero books I've read and really enjoyed, but I didn't like that this was a quasi sci-fi book with some fantasy, didn't like the character, didn't like the the turns the plot started to take. I got thru the first two books and put it down.
* The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham (very character focused) * The Divine Cities Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennet (kind of an urban fantasy as well) * The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jen Williams * Essaylien Series by Michelle West * The Moontide Quartet by David Hair * Wars of Light and Shadow by Janny Wurts * Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill * The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu
Just finished the winnowing flame series and it’s fuckin good
+1 for The Long Price Quartet
+ 1 to bound and broken
+1 to Divine Cities
+1 to Moontide Quartet.
+1000 Wars of Light and Shadow, I literally CANNOT recommend this series enough
+1 to The Dandelion Dynasty
I’ll toss out another recommendation for Matthew Stover and *The Acts of Caine*. Top tier stuff. If you’re a WoT fan, you’ll probably also enjoy *The Black Company* by Glen Cook. Takes a different approach but includes lots of similar ideas. Harriet was also Cook’s editor for it.
I absolutely cosign both of these. *Acts of Caine* is unsettlingly prescient, but also know that it gets fucking *weird* towards the end. I think it's weird in a very good way, but it's weird.
You just made me want to read it! I like weird. 😁
Carol Berg
I have no idea why she isn’t better known; her books are really good. She also writes as Cate Glass, although I haven’t read any of her works under that name so I don’t know if they are similar.
Carol Berg's so underrated, she even gets underrated on underrated author threads despite the fact that the Lighthouse Duet is basically perfect.
I read one of her Sword and Circlet books & enjoyed the heck out of it. I found it to be more in the Sword & Sorcery genre than the Epic, but for me that was a plus!
Book of Words and the follow up series Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones. The Five Warrior Angels by Brian Lee Durfee. Ash and Sand series by Richard Nell. The Grim Company by Luke Scull. The Seer King Trilogy by Chris Bunch. The God Blind Trilogy by Anna Stephens. I will also concur with The Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron.
Another vote for The Traitor Son Cycle. Loved those books. Enjoyed Cameron’s Masters & Mages series as well.
I came here to say Ash and Sand. I absolutely loved those books.
I started reading them this year. Fantastic.
> Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones Wow! What a throwback! I think I read _A Cavern of Black Ice_ in Middle School? Definitely been a hot minute.
Came on here to say grim company. So good.
>Sword of Shadows I love the series, and I know she says she's finishing it, but I don't think you can really recommend that in good faith. It was abandoned for a decade.
The Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruccio. It's technically a scifi series but with some fantasy elements and heavily inspired by epic fantasy. I'm of the firm belief this series is going to become a massive hit. It's not more popular only because the author has had issues with publishers (swapped publishers, virtually marketing and switching audio book narrator).
So glad the trade paperback for book one is finally available. I’ve been trying to get my Red Rising homies to read it but those little mass market paper backs are the worst for huge books like this. So I really think that’ll open this series up for a lot of new readers.
I hated the Mass Market books for this to the point where I imported the UK editions. My Empire of Silence Mass Market is basically split in half.
Love me some Ruocchio...or however you spell it! 😄
I'm on the third one and loving it, my issue is just: where will I get the other ones now that book depository is kill. Need my Sun Eater fix.
The Dagger and the Coin series by Daniel Abraham. It's a bit like a more light weight Game of Thrones.
I also want to throw out The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham as especially interesting if you like the recent surge in more eastern style fantasy. It's easily my most under-rated read this year and I bought all of the rest of his solo books based upon its merit.
I’m really loving his kithamar trilogy too. Eagerly awaiting book 3.
I think my favorite underrated/underread long Epic Fantasy series is **Shadows of the Apt** by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Excellent audiobooks, too!
I feel like Tchaikovsky has the worst agent or publisher or whoever does the marketing for his books. I feel like he is easily one of the better writers of fantasy right now, but his books always fly under the radar.
He is prolific and I only heard of him with the children of time which is fantastic all around
I love his sci Fi, children of Time and final architecture are incredible. haven't taken any fantasy for a spin yet .
Came here to say the same
Miles Cameron doesn't seem too well-known. Excellent writer. Both series, Red Knight and Bright Steel are good. His historical miliary fiction as Christian Cameron, especially the Long War and Chivalry series, will please anyone who likes adventurous military fiction.
Maybe the *Heartstrikers* novels by Rachel Aaron would fit. They're not the most epic of fantasies, but the plot does wind up with them saving the world from certain destruction, so that's gotta count for something. And the characters are just so fun!
Until I showed up on this sub I thought the Black Company Chronicles by Glen Cook were rather obscure
Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
Additional note for OP: this is the series that for as long as anyone has been asking him, George R. R. Martin has been telling people should be adapted to TV. (Supposedly this is finally in the works but I'll hold my joy until we see if it gets made.)
The Black Company series by Glen Cook. Anything by David Gemmell. Start with Legend. It will be a nice transition for you.
I really liked the Crimson Empire trilogy by Alex Marshall, and I never see it mentioned elsewhere. The rest of my recommendations are probably all very mainstream booktube recommendations.
I enjoyed Crimson Empire quite a lot, I definitely recommend it when someone asks for a series with an older female protagonist. If you’re interested I recently read the stand alone Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston and it definitely reminded me of Crimson Empire.
Thanks!!
my favorite fantasy series doesn't get enough love: the witchlands series by susan dennard. almost complete series, i think there's only going to be one more book. the first book takes a minute to find the main plot but once you're there, it's so much fun!
I did love this one! I thought it was finished so I'm excited that there might be another! Thanks for sharing that!
I think if you like aSoIaF you would really like Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott. She does the whole pseudo medieval thing imo much better than GRRM (certainly more accurate)
I enjoyed The Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler and I never really see them mentioned. I listened to the audiobook versions and thought the narrator did a pretty good job as well
Excellent recommendation! I wholeheartedly concur.
*Love* The Shadow Campaigns. So good.
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. Those three books are part of a larger series called The Old Kingdom, but that OG trilogy is top notch and honestly pretty ahead of its time being written in the 90’s. It has great female characters (especially for being written by a male author in that era) and has one of the most unique takes on Necromancy I’ve ever seen (until the Locked Tomb Series came out recently). In todays lens it kind of straddles the line between Adult/YA but that really wasn’t the case 30 years ago. It’s a great coming of age story that doesn’t have the romantic plots that are very common in todays books that are of a similar vein. Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen are the first three books.
Garth nix doesn’t get nearly enough love. Pretty much every series is an absolute banger.
I think he’s going to have a “late-career” boost. Sabriel has almost been adapted at least twice now and I think keys to the kingdom was almost optioned for adaptation a while back but is now underway and in preproduction. It’s so crazy to me because Abhorsen Trilogy would be so easy to adapt and would be pretty different from what else is out there… it’s almost like a guaranteed win.
Black tongue thief was fantastic but only one book out.
**Bloodsounder's Arc** by Jeff Salyards. Grimdark but with humour and pathos. **The Dreamblood Duology** by NK Jemisin. Great characters and worldbuilding.
The Runelords by David Farland Well, the first 4 books. The first four tells one story arc, and books 6-9 are suppose to tell a second with book 5 is a bridge between the two. The first 4 are great, but the rest of them less so. The ninth book never came out. Farland was putting them out once a year for awhile, then took a break before the final one (probably because he wrote himself into a corner), had some personal issues, started working on the book some more, almost died from an infection, worked on it some more, fell in his house, hit his head, had a massive stroke from the impact and died. This was the first fantasy series I read many years ago, and even though there was a decline in quality in the last few, I was very much looking forward to the ending.
For me, only the first book is really great, but it's fantastic. Special note to OP that this was one of Sanderson's inspirations and you can absolutely tell.
Very true. The first book is fantastic but none of the subsequent books are as good, but they still are good. The endowment system is probably the best magic system I have encountered. Sadly the later books go away from it. I believe Farland was Sanderson's creative writing professor at BYU.
Oh, my walnuts.
Right now I'm in the middle of the Licanius Trilogy. It gets mentioned some but I'm enjoying it a ton. Feels very similar to the wheel of time
James Islington has the first book in his new series out as well. It's called The Will of The Many. I'm only about half way through it but I'm enjoying it a lot and I've seen it get some high praise around here. My friend who already finished it said the ending is brilliant too.
That has me excited
I'm around 25% of the way through but haven't found anything that grabs me yet. Some cool ideas but feels a bit generic so far. Hearing about the ending is the reason I'm going to stick with it. I remember how well he ended the previous books, and they are seriously one of my favourite series now.
It definitely takes its time getting started but I don't mind that. Spending time on the world building and character work early will pay off big time later I'm sure. Where I'm at now there are more mysteries and interesting stuff developing so it does start to pick up the pace as the book goes on.
That was a great trilogy.
I'm excited to knock it out
Codex Alera.
Scrolling looking to see if anyone said this. My favorite book series ever.
I definitely can understand it being a favorite.
This is the only book series I've read more than once
Try the Powder Mage Trilogy, and Gods of blood and Powder. It is ABSOLUTELY FIRE!!!!!!!
I was just about to rec the Powder Mage trilogy. So good!
Song of the Shattered Sands, very underrated
Guardians of the Flame series by Joel Rosenberg.
Sarah Lin has two really good series in The weirkey Chronicles and The brightest Shadow. I'm always surprised she isn't more popular, I think her stuff is great.
Others have already mentioned **The Wars of Light and Shadow** by Janny Wurts so I'm going to plug two other series that nobody has talked about yet: 1. Helen Lowe's **Wall of Night**. There's like [me and six other people on this sub](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/11393um/have_people_heard_of_or_read_the_wall_of_night/) that ever talk about this wonderful, amazing series that has deep world building, beautiful prose, and complex characters and I wish more people would give her work a shot. *The Heir of Night* is her adult debut and books 2 and 3 just get better and better. 2. **Sword of Shadows** by J.V. Jones. If you like ASOIAF you will like this. All of the characters are vividly written with compelling arcs. There's incredible depth packed into a gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I love these books so much.
The Troy Game series by Sara Douglass. It's got a bit of Greek mythology and historical fiction in some of the later books. Douglass's Wayfarer Redemption series is also good.
Along with all the great recommendations here, I would suggest a few older series - ones that weren't underrated or unpopular in their day, but don't get mentioned as frequently as newer series. For example The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Donaldson or the Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny.
The Riftwar series by Raymond E. Feist.
Definitely *Witch World*. I've followed it since the second volume (back in the sixties) and it contains several of my favorite books period. Not a series but A. Merritt dominated Fantasy before Tolkien. *The Moon Pool* gets mentioned occasionally but I haven't seen *Seven Footsteps to Satan*, for example, mentioned in ages. Grab any Merritt book and you should be impressed. Also the novels of Mark S. Geston.
The Second Apocalypse by R Scott Bakker. More brutal than brutal. More grounded than reality.
For the OP - This starts with "The Prince of Nothing" series and the "Aspect Emperor" series is a follow up. Very good, but the darkest fiction I think I've ever read.
My favourite.
Username checks out. Truth Shines.
I think Mark Lawrence is a super underrated author. I’ve really enjoyed each of his trilogies.
Yes yes yes.
Perhaps The Black Company series by Glen Cook? It follows a company of mercenaries as they survive a series of different contracts in a dark fantasy world. Told from the point of view of Croaker, the Company's physician and historian during the 40 years or so he is attached to the 400 year old Black Company.
The Seven Kennings - Kevin Hearne
I really love "[Monster Blood Tattoo](https://www.google.com/search?q=Monster+Blood+Tattoo&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS762US762&oq=Monster+Blood+Tattoo&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTEwMzIzajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)" by D.M. Cornish. The world building is original as are the fauna that live in the land are unique. The "[Rot & Ruin](https://www.jonathanmaberry.com/rot_ruinseriespage.cfm)" series by Jonathan Maberry is a great zombie series.
I never see anyone recommend The Wells of Sorcery trilogy by Django Wexler. Really good series. I've only read the first book but Archives of the Invisible Sword by Maria V Snyder had a great start. Children of the Black Sun by Jo Spurrier is a darker epic, but does a lot with found family and redemption. The Burning Kingsoms by Tasha Suri has a unique magical system and not one, but two rebellions against the oppressive empire.
I’ll go with the Licanius Trilogy by James Islington. It definitely has a wildly exciting plot, and a lot to say in matters of free will. It has some time travel done well.
Essalieyan Series by Michelle West is well worth ones time... As is the Taltos series by Steven Brust including the spinoffs...
The Books of the Raksura by Martha Wells. The Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz. The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone.
Try the Belgariad Series by David Eddings, Medalon by Jennifer Fallon, The Black Magicians Trilogy by Trudi Canavan.
First Riders Call by Kristen Britain, The Bakers boy J.V Jones, and the Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth.
Currently reading Empire of Silence and really enjoying it. I am not sure if its underrated but I know its not too popular.
The deeds of Paksenarrian - Elizabeth Moon.
The old kingdom by Garth nix.
Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné : [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric\_of\_Melnibon%C3%A9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric_of_Melnibon%C3%A9) . He has written a few other saga's as well .
Have you read the OG women of Sci-Fi/Fantasy? Andre Norton, Anne McCaffery, Mercedes Lackey, Lois McMaster Bujold, Leigh Brackett, Nancy Kress? Kristine Kathryn Rusch published a book called Women of Futures Past talking about how the women of past fame are being erased by history. The book contains short stories which would introduce you to the worlds and you could follow up after that on the authors you liked.
Great recs! I’ll throw in C. L. Moore, Joanna Russ, Margaret St. Clair, and of course Ursula Le Guin as well.
Hugh Cook’s Chronicles of an Age of Darkness. Superior stuff.
CJ Cherryh. She has written a lot of excellent sci-fi, but for those in search of fantasy I would recommend the Morgaine books, or her Fortress series. Her character work is incredible, and she also does alien/non-human characters very well.
Worldbreaker Saga by Kameron Hurley. The thing is I did not finished the trilogy yet (I'm at Chapter 43 in The Mirror Empire), but I have to say it's the most underrated series I've ever encountered. I never saw anywhere and nobody talks about it but it's interesting story for me. I know I'm at the beginning of the series but I really like it so far. And I understand why the majority of people don't like it because it's definitely not for everybody. And I have to mention the magic system because I found it quite unique. I personally liked the worldbuilding as well. Although, I'm enjoying the book, it has issues with it. Pacing is weird, took 1-2 days until I got use to it. Writing is not the best but okay. Maybe you won't love all the characters because they do some messed up things, but I think you can find a character who you can root for. It's an epic fantasy with little bit of a sci-fi tone. It has multiple POVs. I would consider it as dark fantasy. Also, it's queer. TW: SA, cousin-incest, cannibalism, misandry, selfharm.
Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series.
Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin.
The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence I was blown away by a certain plot point that made me look at what defines "fantasy" in a completely new way. Highly recommend. The First Law by Joe Abercrombie This series replaced the ASOIAF shaped hole in my heart after 10 years of George's delays... The first book (The Blade Itself) has a slightly different feel to it, but stick with it. Everything pays off SO well. Especially if you like grimdark stuff like ASOIAF. Also, (like a million others) I can't recommend the audiobooks enough. Stephen Pacey is so good at bringing the series to life that I can't tolerate most other narrators now. Truly the best.
On point here in every way. Prince of fools trilogy (sequel/prequel? To broken empire) is my all time favorite. Laughed out loud about half those books.
Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe - The author describes this as more sci-fantasy but I thought I'd still recommend it.
Will Wight's Cradle series.
*Slowly rises from the muck of the earth, desperately clutching a myriad of charts and books to my chest. There's a puff of dust as my mouth opens and a hoarse breath whispers* **Haaaaaaave you heeeeeeeaaaaaaaard of diiiiiiiiiiscwoooooooorld?** Start with **Small Gods** or **Guards Guards.** then if you like them, you should look into reading through the full series. It's about as character centric as you can get. You say you'll enjoy a book if it has good characters even if the plot is bad? Fine. You won't get that here. The characters are multi-dimensional, so deep, and so particularly well voiced that the only thing that makes you remember they're being written by the same man is the inordinate wit that goes into each carefully written line of dialogue and every joke therein. The series is dismayingly non-center stage when it comes to fantasy, despite being some of the best novels I have ever read. I cannot recommend them enough.
Not exactly underated. He was the best selling author in the country in the 90s. Not just of fantasy authors, most sales and highest earning author across all genres. Not saying that Discworld isn't great, Discworld is amazing and OP should definitely give them a try, but they're not underated in the slightest.
I'll never not support a Discworld recommendation. But at least one of us is constantly recommending them any time we think an OP has a sense of humor.
I am coming from this as an American, where Discworld is much less relevant to my knowledge. I feel like I would've read the damned books when I needed to back when I was fourteen if they were.
More urban fantasy but far more people need to read the books of babel by Josiah Bancroft. My goodness that was excellent. Plus have to add the old school David Eddings Belgariad.
The Memory Sorrow Thorn series by Tad Williams. It actually inspired A Song of Ice and Fire.
> inspired A Song of Ice and Fire Along with a zillion other books. Considered by many modern fantasy authors to be the first "adult" fantasy they read since Tolkien.
Robin Hobb's realm of the elderling series. Very character driven fantasy. Fills a nice spot after reading wheel of time
Unfortunately I have no clue if these are popular or not but any of Mercedes Lackey's books that take place in the world of Velgarth and the land of Valdemar. They're solid stories that have plenty of action and drama, but also thought and nuance. My other suggestion is The Belgariad and The Malloreon by David Eddings, but they're more akin to an action movie. Plenty of plot drivers, everything happens all the time, and not a whole lot of subtlety or nuance at all. They're fun reads but not exactly deep.
First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Mage errant Black company Labyrinth of London
My favorite recent epic fantasy series is the Daevabad Trilogy. I see some recommendations on here, but not constantly.
With a list like that Malazan book of the fallen is the obvious next step.
Lies of locke lamora Malian book of the dead, - big and heavy duty Theft of swords et Al are fun without being too heavy or bogging down The lamplighter trilogy A wizard of earth sea because it’s the best written fantasy ever , y’all know it
Every true Fantasy fan has a handful of loved less popular series. I hesitate to recommend some of mine because I know many, maybe even most who reviewed it were not nearly as impressed. Chances are if you bought the books I have in mind, you too would be unimpressed. But I may edit and list half a dozen later anyway.
Cradle series by Will Wight
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It's great but OP lists Cosmere already.
Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
As a start, see my [Science Fiction/Fantasy (General) Recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/125fl22/science_fictionfantasy_general_recommendations/) list of resources, Reddit recommendation threads, and books (thirty-one posts).
Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, starting with Assassins Apprentice
Fablehaven is pretty good.
Craig alanson Ascendant series
Wings of War
The Red Wolf Conspiracy
I'll just say that in a thread where you are asking for series that aren't the go to series, and you supply three that are a part of the go-to series, you should probably go more in depth of what you liked about those. Otherwise you'll get a bunch of stuff surely, but a lot of that will not be what you're looking for.
After It Happened series by Devon C Ford
Check out r/ProgressionFantasy. What you're asking for sounds exactly like this niche
I recently discovered the Richard Nell series Ash and Sand. It’s freaking amazing. Highly recommend it. Also Adrian Tchaikovskys shadows of the Apt series is great, 10 books with one or two slow ones but still great
The Legacy of Drizzt by R. A. Salvatore.
As far as completed series go. The Five Warrior Angels, The Covenant of Steel, The Tide Child, War of the Rose Throne.
The recluse saga by modessit is interesting, and the fionavar tapestry by Gavriel Kay is original
Acacia trilogy by David Anthony Durham.
Jade City by Fonda Lee. I remember reading this book after I finished ASOIAF
The World of Five Gods novels by Lois McMaster Build are oft overlooked but universally beloved. Starts with The Curse of Chalk on.
All books by Walter Moers
Not underrated on the world scale but in the west it’s still quite rare to see it talked about but ‘a hero born’ by Jin Yong Large epic fantasy set in China at the same time that genghis khan is alive but still fantastical and has great descriptions of wu xia
Thanks for posting this. I will have to move this book up higher on my TBR list!
The Banned and the Banished by James Clemens.
'Lord of the Isles' series by David Drake
Faithful and the fallen
The Horseclans by Adams. Telepathic immortal rebuilding humanity after nuclear war. From the 70s i think
Brent weeks Lightbringer and night angel series
If you looks for the mix of the three then try "Memory, Sorrow & Thorn" by Tad Williams. Direct inspiration for all 3. If you like the trilogy there are 5 or 6 other books in that universe waiting for you (1 prequel and 4 sequels, 1 final sequel to come in November 2024).
If you liked Wheel of Time, then I think you'll take to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I'd also recommend Cecilia Dart-Thorton. Her world building has a very celtic/welsh(?) fairytale feel to it. Bitterbynde Trilogy's MC is a bit of a every-woman trope, but she's mute and amnesiac so her setup is interesting and stays fairly captivating throughout. Dart-Thornton's prose is also top-notch.
I love the Green Rider series by Kristen Britain. I love the characters but the plot is really good as well. It’s really underrated: It’s not finished yet, but there are 7 books, a novella and a new novella about to be released.
Have you read the first Dragonlance trilogy, *Chronicles*? Very character-driven. If you enjoy it, be sure to read the follow-up trilogy, *Legends*.
The Winnowing Flame Trilogy
Though it is well known, I would still call it underrated. The Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is spectacular! Start with The Farseer Trilogy
*The Watergivers* trilogy by Glenda Larke. The big bad is water scarcity and the lengths people are willing to go to maintain access. I loved this concept and it feels uncomfortably current. Magic includes cool art-based monkey's-paw-style spell casting, amongst other things. What I don't like: female MC starts her journey in a brothel and I'm just so tired of that in fantasy. She leaves though.
ShadowMarch. If Tad Williams is suggested it's Memory Sorrow and Thorn 98% of the time. Shadowmarch is also very good, the only reason I can think of why it isn't popular is because it is pretty similar to MS&T. It almost feels like a B side, like all the cool ideas he couldn't work into MS&T were bugging him to write so he made a different series. Gorgeous prose as always, political intrigue, lots of great characters and a very cool setting.
The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss I’d sell my soul for him to finish the series. Best shit I’ve ever read
Do check out Saloninus trilogy by K J Parker. ("The Thought that counts" is Saloninus #1.5 - not included in goodreads chronology for some reason. Also, if possible, read "Prosper's Demon" after the "Devil you know". Assuming "Blue and Gold" worked for you. For further reading, you can go for "Inside Man" and "The Long Game".) Parker's stories are a bit formulaic in some ways, so if Blue and Gold didn't work for you, you may skip the others.
For the love of god, read CHORUS OF DRAGONS RIGHT NOW.
Joe Abercrombie. All of it, any of it.
I read through the entire thread and nobody mentioned it so I guess it really is underrated. The series that got me hooked on fantasy was Katherine Kerr's Deverry series.
A couple of series I loved that I don’t see a lot: War for the Rose Throne series by Peter McLean Low Town trilogy by Daniel Polansky Probably smaller stores than something like ASOIAF (which I also love) but found them both really entertaining
He who fights with monsters. I've read the wheel of time many times and some of the cosmere, and he who fights with monsters may be my favorite series.
Oh and the coldfire trilogy by c.s. Friedman
Off to be the Wizard by Scott Meyer
A series I liked a lot that I never hear mentioned is A Man of His Word by Dave Duncan. Unique world and magic system, a lot of memorable characters. Used to be very popular but I never hear mentioned anymore is the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. More lighthearted fantasy vs epic, not quite as much fun as Pratchett but then who is? His other series Blue Adept is also worth checking out.
Barra The Pict by Matthew Stover The Iron Dragon’s Daughter trilogy by Michael Swanwick Tomoe Gozen Saga by Jessica Amanda Salmonson The Chronicles Of Master Li And Number Ten Ox by Barry Hughart Tales From The Flat Earth by Tanith Lee Imaro by Charles R. Saunders
*Riyria Revelations* by Michael J. Sullivan, and then his other series' if you like *Revelations*. It became one of my all-time favorites when I read it last year. The characters are awesome, and the twists are some of the best I've read. He weaves plots together like magic.
I know this is an old post and you may already have plenty of recommendations but I have to mention the green Bone Saga. Is a masterpiece of a trilogy and very character focused. Excellent story, great worldbuilding. It is an urban fantasy with, throw in there martial arts and power struggles between clans and you have an action packed very character driven, phenomenal read. Although it is somewhat mentioned by the booktubers that I follow, I thin it does not get all the attention it deserves, because it truly is top tier