In a bit of a rut with my reading right now and looking for something new, generally stick to science fiction & fantasy BUT already read most of the big names, so keen to find something more off the beaten track.
If there’s an author you love but nobody’s ever heard of, that’s what I’m after!
A few further criteria – generally prefer something with at least a slant towards optimism, no grimdark please. Fast paced action is fine but not if it replaces strong characterisation and humanity. If your first comment about it is how cool the magic system is, probably not for me. I like stories that capture a sense of awe and wonder. Romance of any flavour OK, but not really looking for smut.
Looking forward to any suggestions.
by JimmyUK81
4 Comments
If you’re open to middle grade fantasy, I highly recommend [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6a6d5ca1-b2f5-47be-828c-018144d3bbc7) by Jessica Townsend! I feel a bit inaccurate to call it obscure, because it’s been translated into over 30 languages, but somehow almost no one I mention it to has even heard of it before
And if you’re open to very long books, [The Hands of the Emperor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/af2bba9c-8f41-4a3e-b87a-8532a44ccb67) by Victoria Goddard is really excellent. It’s a beautifully written slice of life book about the personal secretary to the emperor of the world, with a heavy focus on platonic relationships.
Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang perhaps? It is focused on social issues and oppression through the lens of a city’s first female high mage who bonds with someone of a class of people that is treated very poorly, she has to not only evaluate her own biases but also deal with some heavy truths they discover
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo as well is pretty different from the norm, its a series of novellas about a cleric who’s job is to record stories both true and folk tale, each book looks at different tales
Edit: Also maybe Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, its a fantasy novella with a minor romance plotline about an immortal man who is intertwined with the forest and its magic
Updraft, by Fran Wilde
Archetype, by M. D. Waters
A Half-Built Garden, by Ruthanna Emrys
The Last Watch, by J.S. Dewes
Drunk On All Your Strange New Words, by Eddie Robson
Have a look at The Traitor’s Victory by E M Lethbridge – I recently read a pre-release copy and I was very impressed. It has a dual protagonist storyline that switches between near-future Earth and another planet, and keeps you guessing about if/when/how the storylines will come together. The characters are diverse and interesting, and it definitely doesn’t fall into the typical tropes of this genre.