best underrated novels

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.

'Boxers & Saints' by Gene Luen Yang. It tells two parallel stories about the Boxer Rebellion in China from different perspectives. The art is distinct and helps to bring the historical events to life in a vivid way.

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.

One underrated horror novel is 'The Croning' by Laird Barron. It has a very Lovecraftian feel to it. The mystery and the sense of an ancient evil lurking is really well - done. 'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones is also a great pick. It tells a story about Native American folklore and revenge in a modern - day setting. It's very atmospheric and disturbing. 'The Troop' by Nick Cutter is also quite good. It's about a group of Boy Scouts on an island who encounter a terrifying parasite.

Maybe 'The Chrysalids' by John Wyndham. It's not as well - known as some others but it's a great dystopian novel. It deals with themes of genetic mutations and the intolerance of society towards those who are different. In the story, a post - apocalyptic society has very strict rules about what is considered 'normal' genetically.

One great underrated anime with an epic story is 'Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic'. It has a richly detailed world filled with different kingdoms, magic, and djinn. The story follows Aladdin, a young and powerful magician, as he travels and meets various characters, each with their own motives and backstories. It has elements of adventure, political intrigue, and a lot of character development that make its story truly epic.

The 'Maisie Dobbs' series by Jacqueline Winspear is great. Maisie is a detective in post - World War I England. The books are not as well - known as some big - name mystery series but they are full of great period detail, complex characters, and interesting mysteries.

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.

Maybe it's because some people think they're too predictable or formulaic. But that's not always true!