This week's theme is hidden gems, books that you believe have unjustly flown under the radar. To be far, it wasn't easy to figure out which books I've read that are 'well-known' vs 'obscure'. I'm still too young of a book blogger to be really in touch with what's popular (story of my life, amiright??). So, I picked four of my favorite science fiction/fantasy novels that I haven't seen featured on other blogs. I hope you give at least one of them a try!
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley"
Why: This is a delightful, dark fantasy novel that I read a couple years ago and feel very quickly in love with both the story and the writing itself.
Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee
“What was a shadow, after all, but a shape in the moving world reduced to a projection of possibilities?”
Why: Part of the problem with coming up with weekly lists is that there are bound to be repeats. I have raved on previous lists how much I adore this dark, complex, and inventive collection of sci-fic short stories.
A Madness of Angels by Kate Grifftn
“Where there is life, there will be magic; the one generates the other.”
Why: The is an amazing urban fantasy a la American Gods novel finds magic in the neon lights and in the humming of electrical wires. One of my favorite books of all time.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
“Take no heed of her.... She reads a lot of books.”
Why: Jasper Fforde is in a class all of his own, and his books really deserve their own genre. He's witty and writes wildly speculative stories that are brilliant and quirky. Sometimes boarding on the absurd, his novels are always a blast to read.
What about you? I know I called these hidden gems but have you heard of any of them before? What are you favorite fantasy/sci-fic hidden gem novels that I need to discover?
This is a wonderful post, Anna! I've seen Uprooted pop up over the past couple of months, but I'd never heard of it before a couple of Booktubers picked it up. It sounds like something I would really enjoy - dark fantasy is my top buzz phrase. :) Great picks!
ReplyDelete~ Aimal @ Bookshelves & Paperbacks
Thanks! :) You should definitely give it a try! It wasn't without its faults, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
DeleteYou're my new best friend! Seriously! I LOVE!!!! A Madness of Angels. I'm always going on and on to my friends about it on my blog and in person. No one will pick it up, though! Well, they don't know what they're missing, amiright? This made my day!
ReplyDeleteHahah I'm so excited to meet another A Madness of Angels fan!! I had a friend recommend it to me in college, but other than that, I haven't met anyone who realizes how amazing it is.
DeleteConservation of Shadows looks great, love the cover and cool title too. Will have to look for it. I love anthologies
ReplyDeleteIsn't the cover just beautiful? I never read anthologies or short stories, but this one definitely was amazing.
DeleteI have Uprooted on my TBR, can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/top-ten-tuesday-122/
I hope you enjoy it! I think it's really well written.
DeleteUprooted is on my TBR and The Eyre Affair looks amazing. I'll have to check out the other 2!
ReplyDeleteThe Eyre Affair is really fun-- the alternative world Jasper builds is amazing and absurd and really enjoyable to read about.
DeleteThe Eyre Affair is awesome - I need to continue that series! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
You should! I love how inventive his plot lines are :)
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