What are the top 10 underrated fantasy novels?

One underrated fantasy novel is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Middle Eastern and Jewish mythology in a unique way. The story follows the lives of a golem and a jinni in 19th - century New York City. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a beautiful, fairytale - like quality with a strong female lead and an interesting magic system. And 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is also underrated. It tells the story of Kvothe, a gifted young man with a mysterious past and great magical abilities.

Well, 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' is set in a very different England. It's full of strange magic and interesting characters. 'The Night Circus' has a beautiful and otherworldly setting that draws you in. 'The Black Prism' has a lot going on with its magic and politics. These are some of the underrated fantasy novels that are hidden gems in the genre.

The best underrated fantasy novels usually have a distinct narrative voice. For instance, 'The Thief' has a very matter - of - fact and yet engaging voice. They also often explore moral and ethical themes in a unique way. In 'The Black Company', the characters have to make difficult decisions in a world full of grey areas. And they may have a setting that's not your typical high - fantasy landscape. 'The Night Circus' has a very unusual circus - based setting that adds to its charm.

Yes, 'The Name of the Wind' is somewhat underrated. It's the story of Kvothe, a young man with a tragic past and great magical abilities. The way the story is told, with Kvothe narrating his own life, is really engaging. Another is 'The Lies of Locke Lamora'. It has a great setting in a sort of fantasy Venice and a group of thieves with their own code and adventures.

The 'Winternight Trilogy' by Katherine Arden. It's set in medieval Russia and weaves in Slavic folklore. The story follows Vasya, a girl who can see spirits. It's not as hyped as some big - name fantasy series but has a very immersive and unique setting.

I would say 'The Crystal World' by Yuri Nikitin is an underrated gem. It has a beautiful description of a world made of crystal and the adventures of the characters within it. The Slavic influence can be seen in the way the characters interact and the overall atmosphere of the novel. And 'The Green Wall' by Tatyana Tolstaya has some elements of a strange, almost sci - fi - like world within a Slavic context. It's not strictly a pure sci - fi fantasy but it has enough elements to be considered in this category and is often overlooked.

The Hall - Mills murder case is another underrated one. In 1922, the bodies of an Episcopal priest, Edward Wheeler Hall, and his choir singer mistress, Eleanor Mills, were found in a field in New Jersey. The case was full of scandal as it involved adultery and a church cover - up. There were many suspects, including the priest's wife. The trial that followed was a media circus, but over time, the case has faded from the public consciousness compared to more well - known true crime stories.

One of the top underrated true crime stories is the case of the Black Dahlia. It happened in 1947 in Los Angeles. Elizabeth Short was brutally murdered and her body was found cut in half and posed in a grotesque manner. It was a highly publicized case at the time, but over the years, it has become somewhat underrated compared to other more 'glamorous' true crime tales. There are still many mysteries surrounding it, like who the killer was. The police had numerous suspects but never made a conclusive arrest.

Some underrated horror novels could be 'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons. It creates a sense of unease with a spooky house. Another might be 'The Elementals' by Michael McDowell, which has a unique take on horror with its setting and characters. And 'Lost Souls' by Poppy Z. Brite is also often overlooked. It has a dark and edgy take on vampires and the gothic subculture.

The 50 underrated novels often have deep and complex characters. These characters are not the typical one - dimensional ones you find in more mainstream books. They can be morally ambiguous, with complex motives and desires. Their settings are also diverse. They can be set in remote places or in specific sub - cultures that are not well - known. Moreover, these novels tend to break the norms in terms of narrative structure. Instead of the traditional linear story - telling, they might jump around in time or use multiple narrators to tell the story, which can make them more challenging but also more rewarding for the patient reader.