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10 Forgotten Fantasy Books That Are Perfect From the First Page to the Last
Fantasy is a pretty popular genre right now across all forms of media, and how could it not be? After all, it’s a form of escapism, allowing readers to witness stories where the impossible is made possible, and where new, immersive worlds are presented in all of their glory. Since the genre is popular, we have an influx of new fantasy stories, especially in books, which can effectively be made much cheaper than any other form of media.
While a lot of well-written fantasy stories get their much-deserved time in the spotlight, some slip through the cracks and never get the chance to show the world what they’re made of. Other times, they might have once been popular, but have faded away into the background to the point that nobody remembers them anymore. These are the most perfect forgotten fantasy books that will keep you hooked from start to finish, proving they remain worthy of your attention.
‘The Ember Blade’ (2018)
The Ember Blade is about Aren, an unassuming young man who spends most of his days doing absolutely nothing remarkable. When his father is executed, Aren is thrown into the dark pits of a mine, where he is sentenced to work until he dies. Once he escapes the prison, he discovers that the world as he knew it is just an illusion. Revolution is brewing, and the key to its victory is the mythical Ember Blade.
The book was written as a return to form for the fantasy genre, so it’s pretty trope-heavy and might be considered cliché by some. However, this approach is actually refreshing because it feels like a much more classic and aged story than it actually is. It’s not just a great epic fantasy, but it’s also a fantastic coming-of-age story that many adolescents will identify with.
‘Another Fine Myth’ (1978)
Another Fine Myth is the first in a collection of 12 novels, which is seen as a cult series by today’s standards. At the time, fantasy literature was becoming huge, and new stories were pretty much a dime a dozen. As such, this book functions as a satire piece, as do the rest of the novels in the series. This unique approach can easily be observed from the titles, which are all some sort of pun based around the word “myth.”
The story of this first book is pretty simple: a magician’s apprentice is out for revenge after his master gets assassinated, teaming up with an unlikely ally on his quest for vengeance. A lot of the book is humorous and comedic, with absurd punchlines and tongue-in-cheek banter found in the dialogue, but that’s why it’s so brilliant. Another Fine Myth was popular when it was released, but has since been swallowed up by the sands of time, to the point where it is rarely talked about anymore.
‘Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror’ (2023)
Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is a dark fantasy book that only came out a few years ago, but which has received excellent reviews — at least from those who have actually read it, anyway. The story is set in Jerusalem during the Crusades, following a Teutonic Knight thrust into a world of angels and demons straight from the folklore of the Abrahamic religions.
There are actually some surprisingly deep themes and social commentaries in this book, depicting how brutal the Crusades actually were, making the widespread trauma and anguish manifest in the form of horrifying demons. Though it’s set in our world rather than a high fantasy world, Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is still an amazing read, especially if you’re a fan of stories like Between Two Fires or A Game of Thrones.
‘Orfeia’ (2020)
Orfeia might only be a novella, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the same emotional punch that full-length novels have. The story is tragic and touching, and is something a lot of parents will be able to reflect on. Specifically, it’s about a mother who has lost her daughter, and is willing to do anything to get her back, which means travelling through entirely different worlds, many of them dream-like. It isn’t a simple quest, however, as to save her daughter, the mother must sacrifice something precious to her.
For most parents, it would seem an easy decision, but the book definitely pushes things a bit farther to the point where it really does force the reader to grapple with moral dilemmas. Short and sweet, Orfeia is one of the most heartbreaking fantasy stories of the last few years, which is why it’s a shame more people haven’t heard of it.
‘The Iron Dragon’s Daughter’ (1993)
The Iron Dragon’s Daughter was actually written in response to the rise of fantasy literature at the time. Apparently, author Michael Swanwick was fed up with how many books were coming out that all felt the same, so he made his own story that was the exact opposite of the ongoing trends. In this series, the dragons are not god-like beings, but miserable cynics who enslave humans, contrary to the popular tropes about them.
There’s a lot of other things like that in the book, too. Story-wise, it’s about a human slave contacted by a dragon, who promises revenge and freedom if she listens to his instructions and escapes the factory where she works. Since this book went against established and common fantasy tropes, it’s very unique, indeed, and remains pretty distinct from other works of fantasy to this day. Sadly, not many people know about it.
‘The Golden Door’ (2011)
The Golden Door is set in the city of Weld, which is completely walled off from the outside world. Every year, flying creatures called Skimmers attack the local populace, but the attacks have been ramping up recently. As such, the warden of Weld organizes expeditions beyond the walls to find the source and eliminate it. None return. Losing both of his brothers in the expeditions, a youth named Rye seeks to exit Weld and find his siblings. The only problem is, the only ways out of Weld are via three doors: one of gold, one of silver, and one of wood.
Australian author Jennifer Rowe, also known by her pen name Emily Rodda, is pretty popular in her home country, but has limited success internationally. This book is rarely talked about in North America, even though it’s an absolutely thrilling ride. Yes, it’s a YA novel, but the world is so deeply mystifying that it’s hard not to get wrapped up in its intricacies. It’s a simple story, but one that works really well, all things considered.
‘Incarceron’ (2007)
For a time, Incarceron was actually a super popular book. The story is about Finn, a boy who lives in the sprawling mega-prison known as Incarceron. Finn belongs to a rare group of individuals who were born in the prison, meaning he has never seen the outside world. It should be noted that Incarceron isn’t just a huge prison — it genuinely feels like a totally different world that has dissolved into anarchy. The prison itself is alive.
On the other side of the story is Claudia, the daughter of Incarceron’s warden, who begins to telepathically communicate with Finn via a crystalline key she finds. As previously stated, this novel was pretty big for its time, and even had a movie deal secured, with Taylor Lautner selected to play Finn. However, the project never came to be, and the book faded away into obscurity. Very few people talk about it anymore, which is a shame, because this YA novel was truly singular and definitely deserved that movie adaptation.
‘The Anvil of the World’ (2003)
The Anvil of the World is the first novel in a trilogy, although the others feel like different stories set in the same universe rather than true sequels. This first book is about a smuggler named Smith, who is charged with protecting a noble named Lord Ermenwyr and seeing him safely to a port city. Instead of the traditional chapter format, the book features three distinct parts, all featuring the same characters, albeit different plotlines. However, they all contribute to the overarching narrative of the book.
This book isn’t just a perfectly-written adventure; it’s also genuinely hilarious. The banter between Smith and Ermenwyr and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in make the book so much funnier. It’s not even a comedy at heart; the jokes are just part of the charm. Whether it’s a voyage across the sea, a magical duel between mages, familial feuds, or bandit attacks on a caravan, this book fosters the imagination and tells a brilliant, refreshing story that’s hard to put down.
‘Lord of Snow and Shadows’ (2003)
Lord of Snow and Shadows is the first installment of the Tears of Artamon series, which actually recently saw its fourth installment just a couple of years ago. The story is about Gavril Andar, who discovers that he is actually heir to the throne of Azhkendir. His father, the king, is a magical demi-human, infused with the blood of the legendary dragon warrior Drakhaoul. However, it isn’t enough to save the king from being assassinated.
Now, Gavril must ascend to the throne, become the new reincarnation of Drakhaoul, which comes with a terrible, terrible price. This bit of epic fantasy has a little bit of everything. It’s also got romance and political intrigue, which helps keep things interesting until the end. The rest of the books in the series are pretty good too, but sometimes, you just can’t beat the original, you know?
‘The King of Elfland’s Daughter’ (1924)
A lot of people actually don’t know this, but The King of Elfland’s Daughter is the book that most inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to write his revolutionary The Lord of the Rings novels. Tolkien himself listed it among his greatest inspirations, yet few people know that it exists, especially given the fact that it’s over a century old at this point. As such, it’s definitely a good novel to read for Tolkien fans, especially if they want to see where the legendary author got some of his ideas.
The story is about a human king who is informed by the populace that they wish for a magical ruler, so he forgoes tradition and abides by their request. He sends his son to marry the princess of Elfland, which she happily agrees to. However, she finds it hard to adjust to human society, especially since time in Elfland flows more slowly than it does in the human kingdom. The homesick princess returns to Elfland, prompting her broken-hearted husband to return there in search of her. It’s a charming, whimsical tale of love and politics that feels like a classic fairytale.
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