I’ve seen the same fantasy books (such as Sarah J. Maas’s books, Shadow and Bone, and the Shatter Me series) recommended wherever I go, and while some of them are good, I’ve read better books that get almost no recognition. So, because of this, here are three underrated fantasy books that I think any avid fantasy reader would like (slight spoilers, but nothing that gives away much of the plot):

1. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Fireborne takes place in the dystopian city of Callipolis, which underwent a revolution. Dragons were raised in the city and before the revolution, only the nobleborn (sons and daughters of important politicians) were allowed to become dragon riders. One of the most noble families in the city was then brutally murdered by peasants. To appease the lower-class citizens, some were allowed to become dragon riders.

This book follows Annie and Lee, two peasant children from the same orphanage, who are both chosen to be dragon riders. They train hard and become some of the best when suddenly trouble ensues. I’m not going to spoil the book, but I loved the characters (except for one, but you can’t love everything) and the plot development.

The world-building was much better than many other fantasy books I’ve read, and the way the government was set up actually made sense. The book moved at a fast pace, but not too fast. I was invested in almost every scene and was definitely yelling at some characters at different points.

Fireborne is part of a trilogy called The Aurelian Cycle, so if you read and like this book, be sure to read the second and third as well. If you like fantasy and dragons and a well-designed world, you will definitely like this book.

2. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn is one of the most unique fantasy books I’ve read in a while. It focuses on the descendants of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, who each possess different aspects of magic. Legendborn is a secret society centered around the descendants of King Arthur’s court, dedicated to fighting the demons hidden from the rest of the world.

The main character is Bree Matthews, a teenager who accidentally stumbles upon a Merlin named Sel from the Legendborn world. He tries magicking her to make her forget, but it doesn’t work, and Bree is then introduced to the world of the Legendborn.

It takes a while to get what’s going on, especially if you don’t know any of the Arthurian legends, but all the magic and plot twists more than make up for it. I loved Bree’s and Sel’s character development and the plot hooked me from the start. The second book was equally good, and I need the third one immediately. Unfortunately, it’s not coming out until 2025.

However, if you can’t stand unfinished series, perhaps it’s best to wait until the trilogy is finished ***Spoiler Alert*** (BECAUSE YOU CAN’T END A BOOK WITH SOMEONE BEING TAKEN BY A DEMON AND THEN EXPECT PEOPLE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR AND A HALF FOR THE NEXT ONE). ***End Spoiler Alert***

3. My Diary From the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn Anderson

If you like middle-grade fantasy, this book is for you. While I read YA fantasy books, I love a good middle-grade fantasy.

This book follows Gracie Lockwood in a United States similar to ours, but it’s fantastical. It’s a world where sasquatches helped the North win the Civil War, and fairies run coffee shops.

A cloud begins following Gracie’s brother. In this world, it means that death is coming for him. Her family plans to run away from the cloud. Their destination is the “Extraordinary World”, or Earth today as we know it.

Gracie documents their journey through multiple diaries, hence the title. If you want a heartfelt family journey with elements of magic, read this book. However, as a warning ahead of time, I did cry.