I think 'The Book of the New Sun' by Gene Wolfe is quite underrated. It's a complex and richly detailed work that can be a bit challenging but is extremely rewarding. It's set in a far - future, post - apocalyptic world. 'The Thief' by Megan Whalen Turner is also an underrated fantasy. It has a great story about a young thief and his adventures, with some interesting twists and turns in the plot.
One underrated gem is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Jewish and Arab folklore in a story set in 19th - century New York. The relationship between the golem and the jinni is beautifully developed. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a great blend of magic, a dark forest, and a strong female lead. It's not as well - known as some of the big names but is really worth reading.
One great option is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a classic that has created a vast and immersive world full of magic, different races like hobbits, elves, and dwarves. Another good one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters and a political intrigue - filled plot. 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also very popular. It follows the story of a young wizard, Harry, and his friends as they grow up and battle against the dark forces at Hogwarts and beyond.
The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. It has a unique magic system and interesting characters. Not as well - known as some big names but still really good. Another is 'The Raven Cycle' by Maggie Stiefvater. It combines mystery and fantasy elements in a story about a group of teens.
One underrated adult fantasy book is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It tells the story of a golem and a jinni in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It has a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a great female protagonist and a really interesting magic system that is tied to the forest. It doesn't get as much attention as some of the more well - known fantasy books but is really good.
The 'October Daye' series by Seanan McGuire is quite underrated. It follows a changeling in a world full of fae. Another is 'The Iron Druid Chronicles' by Kevin Hearne. It has a really unique take on druids in the modern world. And 'Shadow's Edge' by Brent Weeks, which combines elements of magic and a sort of noir - like urban setting.
'The Coldest Girl in Coldtown' by Holly Black. It has a unique take on vampire society, with Coldtowns being places where vampires and humans co - exist in a strange way. It's not as well - known as some of the big names in vampire fiction but is really good.
A really underrated science fiction and fantasy book is 'Lilith's Brood' by Octavia Butler. It's a trilogy that explores human evolution and alien - human relations in a very unique way. Another one is 'Perdido Street Station' by China Miéville. It's a dark and complex fantasy set in a steampunk - like world filled with all kinds of strange creatures and magic. And 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is also somewhat underrated. It delves deep into themes of gender and politics in a science fiction context.
One underrated book is 'The Giver'. It presents a dystopian world where a boy named Jonas discovers the truth about his society. Another is 'The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making'. It has a really imaginative and unique take on fairyland. And 'Howl's Moving Castle' is also somewhat underrated among teen fantasy books. It has a great story about a girl who gets cursed and her encounter with the wizard Howl.
I think 'The Anubis Gates' by Tim Powers is quite underrated. It combines historical settings with elements of magic and time travel in a really engaging way. 'The Worm Ouroboros' by E.R. Eddison is another. It has a very different style of fantasy writing with a detailed and elaborate world. And 'The Black Company' by Glen Cook is underrated. It has a gritty and realistic take on the fantasy genre with a focus on a mercenary company.
Yes, fantasy is a form of speculative fiction. It involves creating fictional worlds and elements that don't exist in our reality.
Speculative fiction books often have elements like alternate realities, future worlds, or imaginative concepts. They challenge our current understanding and take us to places beyond the ordinary.