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' by Susanna Clarke is an underrated fantasy novel. It's set in an alternate version of England and is full of magic and mystery. 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern is often overlooked but it has a dreamy and enchanting atmosphere with a unique love story at its core. Also, 'The Black Prism' by Brent Weeks has a great magic system and a complex political plot that doesn't get as much attention as it should.
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 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.
Try 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It's about a young man named Kvothe who is a wizard and a musician. The story is beautifully written, with a great blend of magic, adventure, and mystery.
Well, 'Less' by Andrew Sean Greer could be considered underrated in the context of gay novels. It follows the journey of a gay writer as he travels around the world. 'Call Me by Your Name' by André Aciman is quite popular now but was perhaps underrated at first. It tells a tender and bittersweet love story between two men. Also, 'A Boy's Own Story' by Edmund White is an important yet underrated work that delves into the experiences of a young gay boy growing up.
I think 'The House of the Spirits' by Isabel Allende is an underrated gem. It's a family saga filled with love, politics, and magic realism. It follows the Trueba family over generations in Chile. Allende's writing is so vivid that you can almost feel the South American landscape and the passion of the characters.
One underrated light novel is 'The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria'. It has a really unique and mind - bending plot that involves time loops and complex character relationships. Another one could be 'Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers'. It has an interesting premise of six heroes coming together but with a twist of a possible imposter among them.
One underrated horror novel is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It weaves a complex and terrifying tale around a fishing trip gone horribly wrong. Another is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. Its unique formatting and mind - bending story about a haunted house make it a great but often overlooked horror read. Also, 'The Lesser Dead' by Christopher Buehlman, which offers a fresh take on vampires in a gritty urban setting.
One underrated classic novel is 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton. It offers a sharp critique of New York society in the early 20th century. Another is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, which explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of hedonism. Also, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte is sometimes underrated. It has a complex and passionate love story set against the wild Yorkshire moors.
Well, 'Ella Minnow Pea' by Mark Dunn has an interesting love story within its unique concept. It's set in a fictional island where letters are banned one by one, and the relationship between the characters develops in this strange setting. 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is also underrated in the romance genre. It's a story told through letters that reveals a love story among the characters as they share their lives during and after the war. And 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern has a subtle and beautiful romance woven into its magical circus setting.