Best Fantasy Books Under the Radar (2109 books)

This list is intended to bring attention to largely unknown works of fantasy that deserve to be spotlighted and introduced to new readers.

Note: Books with 10,000 or more Goodreads ratings will be removed.

Some Subgenres:
Best Epic Fantasy
Best Urban Fantasy

Fantasy by Time Period:
Pre-Tolkien Fantasy (Fantasy up through 1937)
Classic Fantasy (Fantasy written before 1980)

Fantasy by Decade:
1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s

Locus Recommended Fantasy:
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Fantasy By Ratings:
More than 100000, 50000 to 99999, 25000 to 49999, 10000 to 24999
1000 to 9999, 100 to 999, Less than 100

Other Fantasy Lists of Note:
Best Fantasy Books of the 21st Century
Best Fantasy of the 20th Century
Best Forgotten Fantasy of the 20th Century
Popular Highly Rated Fantasy

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All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Bridge of Birds (The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, #1) by Barry Hughart 4.27 avg rating — 10,673 ratings score: 4,822, and 49 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Scourge (The Scourge, #1) by Roberto Calas (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 1,098 ratings score: 3,994, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	War for the Oaks by Emma Bull (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 10,649 ratings score: 3,894, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Here Lies Death by Harlan Vaughn (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 107 ratings score: 3,822, and 39 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1) by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 9,282 ratings score: 3,266, and 34 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Isle of Winds (The Changeling, #1) by James Fahy 4.27 avg rating — 1,696 ratings score: 2,898, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Apprentice in the Master’s Shadow (Legends of the Order #2) by Ian Gregoire (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 108 ratings score: 2,798, and 28 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Exercise of Vital Powers (Legends of the Order #1) by Ian Gregoire (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 215 ratings score: 2,771, and 28 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Ladies of Mandrigyn (Sun Wolf and Starhawk #1) by Barbara Hambly (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 3,451 ratings score: 2,679, and 28 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Drowned Tomb (The Changeling, #2) by James Fahy 4.46 avg rating — 804 ratings score: 2,674, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Chains of Gaia (The Changeling, #3) by James Fahy 4.59 avg rating — 696 ratings score: 2,549, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Embers at Galdrilene (Dragon's Call #1) by A.D. Trosper (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 546 ratings score: 2,396, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5,240 ratings score: 2,391, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Through Wolf's Eyes (Firekeeper Saga, #1) by Jane Lindskold (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 7,185 ratings score: 2,384, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Cloud Roads (Books of the Raksura, #1) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 16,205 ratings score: 2,337, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Privilege of the Sword (Riverside, #2) by Ellen Kushner (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 5,448 ratings score: 2,233, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany 3.81 avg rating — 8,998 ratings score: 2,191, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Gilded Chain (The King's Blades, #1) by Dave Duncan 3.93 avg rating — 3,463 ratings score: 2,138, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Night's Master (Tales from the Flat Earth #1) by Tanith Lee 4.06 avg rating — 3,770 ratings score: 2,049, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Feast of Souls (The Magister Trilogy, #1) by C.S. Friedman 3.90 avg rating — 5,933 ratings score: 2,040, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	New Yesterdays by Jim L. Wright 4.58 avg rating — 128 ratings score: 1,944, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Geist (Book of the Order, #1) by Philippa Ballantine (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 4,016 ratings score: 1,891, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Crimson Vault (Traveler's Gate, #2) by Will Wight (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 13,768 ratings score: 1,880, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Sliding Beneath the Surface by Doug Dillon (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 242 ratings score: 1,785, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Shadows Return (Nightrunner, #4) by Lynn Flewelling (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 8,250 ratings score: 1,728, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Naamah's Blessing (Naamah Trilogy, #3) by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 10,557 ratings score: 1,720, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Changeover by Margaret Mahy 4.06 avg rating — 4,210 ratings score: 1,670, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Last Sunset by Bob Atkinson (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 218 ratings score: 1,646, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist 3.88 avg rating — 11,520 ratings score: 1,597, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Shadowfall (Godslayer Chronicles, #1) by James Clemens (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 2,597 ratings score: 1,596, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1) by P.C. Hodgell 4.10 avg rating — 2,480 ratings score: 1,496, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Stonegate Sword (Stonegate, #1) by Harry James Fox (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 138 ratings score: 1,488, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Mélusine (Doctrine of Labyrinths, #1) by Sarah Monette (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 4,537 ratings score: 1,438, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Grim Company (The Grim Company, #1) by Luke Scull (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 7,591 ratings score: 1,430, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Cavalier (Heroes of the Empire, #1) by Israh Azizi (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 373 ratings score: 1,400, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Minstrel (Tir Athair, #1) by Marissa Ames (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 62 ratings score: 1,386, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Wizard Hunters (The Fall of Ile-Rien, #1) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 3,575 ratings score: 1,377, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Magic Casement (A Man of His Word, #1) by Dave Duncan 4.03 avg rating — 3,312 ratings score: 1,340, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Half-Made World (The Half-Made World, #1) by Felix Gilman (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 4,054 ratings score: 1,339, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Born in Flames (Born in Flames Trilogy, #1) by Candace Knoebel (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 793 ratings score: 1,292, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	A Companion to Wolves (Iskryne World, #1) by Sarah Monette (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 2,877 ratings score: 1,248, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Warrior (Doppelganger, #1) by Marie Brennan (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 3,292 ratings score: 1,236, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Inda (Inda, #1) by Sherwood Smith (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 4,895 ratings score: 1,230, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees 3.85 avg rating — 9,645 ratings score: 1,224, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Book of Atrix Wolfe by Patricia A. McKillip really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4,134 ratings score: 1,206, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Pegasus (Pegasus, #1) by Robin McKinley 3.62 avg rating — 9,354 ratings score: 1,200, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The False Prophet (Stonegate, #2) by Harry James Fox (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 74 ratings score: 1,189, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	King's Dragon (Crown of Stars, #1) by Kate Elliott (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 9,657 ratings score: 1,188, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Swordspoint (Riverside, #1) by Ellen Kushner (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 11,000 ratings score: 1,176, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	King's Property (Queen of the Orcs, #1) by Morgan Howell 3.71 avg rating — 2,633 ratings score: 1,145, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Illusion by Paula Volsky really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,591 ratings score: 1,136, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 7,040 ratings score: 1,119, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Skinwalker's Apprentice by Claribel Ortega 3.97 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 1,100, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Price of Creation (The Historian Tales, #1) by Lance Conrad (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 469 ratings score: 1,100, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The Rogue Retrieval (Gateways to Alissia, #1) by Dan Koboldt (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 277 ratings score: 1,099, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Nightlife: Las Vegas (The Nightlife, #2) by Travis Luedke (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 521 ratings score: 1,064, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Aurian (Artefacts of Power, #1) by Maggie Furey 3.93 avg rating — 3,401 ratings score: 1,051, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Immortal Prince (Tide Lords, #1) by Jennifer Fallon (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 4,423 ratings score: 1,034, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The White Road (Nightrunner, #5) by Lynn Flewelling (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 6,804 ratings score: 1,030, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Tea with the Black Dragon (Black Dragon, #1) by R.A. MacAvoy 3.95 avg rating — 5,310 ratings score: 1,009, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, #1) by Melanie Rawn 4.08 avg rating — 9,224 ratings score: 999, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Riddle in Stone (The Riddle in Stone, #1) by Robert Evert (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 756 ratings score: 998, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Silverlock (Silverlock, #1) by John Myers Myers 3.92 avg rating — 1,616 ratings score: 961, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood, #1) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 3,598 ratings score: 956, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Bone Dance by Emma Bull (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 1,706 ratings score: 949, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Book of Jhereg (Vlad Taltos, #1-3) by Steven Brust (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 5,403 ratings score: 940, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Song for the Basilisk by Patricia A. McKillip 4.02 avg rating — 2,793 ratings score: 935, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	The Waterfall Traveler (The Waterfall Traveler, #1) by S.J. Lem (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 80 ratings score: 900, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Hunt for the Star (The Eldon Archives, #1) by Dane Richter (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 59 ratings score: 898, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia, #1) by Dionne Lister (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 381 ratings score: 883, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Fudoki (Love/War/Death, #2) by Kij Johnson 4.02 avg rating — 1,018 ratings score: 882, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Tears of War (Dragon's Call #2) by A.D. Trosper (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 324 ratings score: 882, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Dragon God (The Horn King, #2) by Brae Wyckoff (Goodreads Author) 4.54 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 871, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs 3.99 avg rating — 9,957 ratings score: 861, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Assassin King (Symphony of Ages, #6) by Elizabeth Haydon 4.10 avg rating — 5,123 ratings score: 859, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	Fantacia (Voxian, #1) by Ruth Watson-Morris (Goodreads Author) 4.76 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 857, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	Benighted by Kit Whitfield 3.48 avg rating — 1,145 ratings score: 846, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	Winter Rose (Winter Rose, #1) by Patricia A. McKillip 3.86 avg rating — 7,618 ratings score: 807, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Incursion (Catalyst Moon, #1) by Lauren L. Garcia (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 176 ratings score: 794, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	Cold Magic (Spiritwalker, #1) by Kate Elliott (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 9,363 ratings score: 793, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Crashing Down to Earth (Crashing Down to Earth, #1) by Terry Reid (Goodreads Author) 4.45 avg rating — 145 ratings score: 792, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Tribesman (Tribesman, #1) by Paul Freeman (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 158 ratings score: 790, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	The Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 4,537 ratings score: 788, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	Lovers and Beloveds by MeiLin Miranda (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 278 ratings score: 786, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Tab Bennett and the Inbetween (Princess of Twilight and Dawn, #1) by Jes Young (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 508 ratings score: 777, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Cave of the Kobolds by Robert Bevan (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 243 ratings score: 776, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	Silenced by RaeBeth McGee-Buda (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 264 ratings score: 773, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	The Thief (The Queen's Thief, #1) by Megan Whalen Turner (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 93,347 ratings score: 750, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber 3.80 avg rating — 2,801 ratings score: 749, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	A Madness of Angels (Matthew Swift, #1) by Kate Griffin 3.76 avg rating — 8,125 ratings score: 732, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	Nobody's Son by Sean Stewart (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 477 ratings score: 717, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	The Etched City by K.J. Bishop (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 2,867 ratings score: 708, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	Cara's Twelve by Chantel Seabrook (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 1,371 ratings score: 700, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Death of the Body (Crossing Death #1) by Rick Chiantaretto (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 232 ratings score: 698, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	In the Cities of Coin and Spice (The Orphan's Tales, #2) by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,983 ratings score: 697, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	The Silence of Medair (Medair, #1) by Andrea K. Höst (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 1,046 ratings score: 695, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Son of Ereubus (Guardians of Legend, #1) by J.S. Chancellor (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 282 ratings score: 694, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	First Frost (Frost, #1) by Liz DeJesus (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 622 ratings score: 694, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Betrayal in the Highlands (The Riddle in Stone, #2) by Robert Evert (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 343 ratings score: 694, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	The Sigil Blade (Archon Sigil Trilogy, #1) by Jeff Wilson (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 950 ratings score: 694, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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2,109 books · 1,545 voters · list created May 20th, 2010 by Kevis Hendrickson (votes) .

Tags: epic-fantasy, fantasy, high-fantasy, indie-fantasy-books, overlooked, ratings, under-rated, underrated

359 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (1545)

Kevis 1711 books
799 friends

Jenna 234 books
682 friends

K.C. 190 books
395 friends

Emma 224 books
58 friends

Carolee 2 books
0 friends

J.S. 75 books
53 friends

Breanne 24 books
121 friends

creatively_robyn 594 books
17 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 51 (51 new)

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message 1: by Koori no hi (new)

May 27, 2012 07:44AM

The White Mists of Power by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

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message 2: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Jul 12, 2012 12:28PM

What's up with all the Wheel of Time books on this list? They're NYT bestsellers, not under the radar of anyone who's paying attention.

For that matter, all of the top 5 books on this list have substantial numbers of ratings and were familiar to me as a reader of fantasy, even the ones I haven't read.

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message 3: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Sep 30, 2012 09:08AM

Deleted for having more than 10,000 ratings:

Elantris
Warbreaker
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Daughter of the Forest
Kushiel’s Dart
Mistborn
The Way of Kings
The Amulet of Samarkand
Switched
Kushiel’s Chosen
Kushiel’s Avatar
Crossroads of Twilight
Towers of Midnight
The Path of Daggers
A Crown of Swords
The Fires of Heaven
Knife of Dreams
Winter’s Heart
The Giver
Lord of Chaos
The Shadow Rising
The Dragon Reborn
The Great Hunt
The Gathering Storm

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message 4: by Grack21 (new)

Oct 01, 2012 09:45PM

No way is that Eddings book under the radar. Those things were NYT best sellers and where EVERYWHERE in the 90s.

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message 5: by Grack21 (new)

Oct 01, 2012 09:45PM

I would argue against 100k Kingdoms being under the radar too, that book got massive press, was nominated for a bijillion awards, and started some, uh, interesting forum topics.

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message 6: by Grack21 (new)

Oct 01, 2012 09:52PM

Cmon people, Jacqueline Carey? Under the radar? DO you know what that phrase even means?

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message 7: by Tamara (new)

Dec 24, 2012 02:29AM

Hrumph, realized all the books I voted on were by women.

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message 8: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (last edited Feb 17, 2013 05:37PM) (new)

Feb 17, 2013 05:36PM

Sadly, now the list appears to be being taken over by sockpuppets. Really, if a book has only 32 ratings ever, how am I supposed to believe that 61 genuine readers just happened to come onto this list to vote for it? Or only 10 ratings, but 50 people came to vote? That is not how these things work.

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message 9: by Grack21 (new)

Feb 17, 2013 08:41PM

Shhhhh you'll spoil their fun!

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message 10: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Feb 17, 2013 09:38PM

I'm encouraging them to be better, don't you see? They need 100s of sockpuppets!

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message 11: by James (new)

Mar 10, 2013 04:15AM

So... Hounded, the Iron Druid Chronicles seems to be on here. Lots of ratings and it has certainly popped up in my recommendations many times, both here and Amazon. Are we saying it is under the radar because so many people see the cover art and immediately put it down? Wrongly?

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message 12: by Ambra (last edited May 06, 2013 08:50AM) (new)

May 06, 2013 08:40AM

"The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman, "The Name of the Wind" by Rothfuss, "His Majesty's dragon" by Naomi Novik and "Sabriel" by Garth Nix are well over 10,000 ratings...why did people put those books here? I mean, NEIL GAIMAN "Under the radar"? Seriously?? If he was more over the radar he'd break the atmosphere!

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message 13: by Liz (new)

Sep 04, 2013 12:16PM

Did some cleaning of the first two pages of the list. Anything over 10,000 went.

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message 14: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 04, 2013 02:09PM

Some of those top ones look...suspect to me. But I'm a bitter spiteful person.

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message 15: by Search (new)

Sep 04, 2013 10:36PM

Grack21 wrote: "Some of those top ones look...suspect to me. But I'm a bitter spiteful person."
Well those top ones do look suspect....and I am not a bitter spiteful person, so Grack you're not alone in your suspectfulness.

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message 16: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 04, 2013 10:51PM

Yeah. 30 ratings but 54 votes? I don't think so.

Heck, some of those have 0 ratings.

Robert Stanek really started something.

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message 17: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 05, 2013 02:08PM

I see 10k Kingdoms is over 10,000.

Plus, the list is filled with fake votes by self published "authors". At this point you could rename this top 10 authors who are frauds.

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message 18: by Mitchell (new)

Sep 25, 2013 05:26PM

Removed Starship Troopers and Jurassic Park for having too many ratings (and not being fantasy).

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message 19: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Dec 07, 2013 06:40PM

Sigh. I suggested the 10,000 rating limit to the list creator because at the time all the top books were very well known in genre circles. Now it's just become a playground for socks.

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message 20: by Grack21 (new)

Dec 07, 2013 06:55PM

Not even good socks!

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message 21: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Dec 07, 2013 07:09PM

Maybe I should start a list for fantasy books with between 100 and say 2000 ratings. That would cut out most of the nonsense.

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message 22: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Dec 08, 2013 04:45PM

A random sampling makes them look like pretty good socks to me. They almost all have profile pics, as well as credible numbers of books and friends (well, many of them have way too many friends--like thousands--but clearly somebody put in a lot of effort). I'd expected them to be like Amazon socks, which half the time have only ever reviewed one book.

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message 23: by Grack21 (new)

Dec 08, 2013 05:23PM

Oh, well I was referring to the fact that there were books with 3 ratings but 100+ votes, but I see a lot of those are gone now.

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message 24: by James (new)

Apr 22, 2014 01:32PM

List is looking a lot healthier than a year ago when I last checked. Not sure it's the quickest way to generate recommendations but there are certainly new titles I haven't seen. Pats on the back all round (provisionally at least until I've tried a few of the top ten).

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message 25: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Apr 22, 2014 03:03PM

Except for Forgotten Beasts of Eld (which I can verify is excellent), the top 10 still smell like socks to me. That's a lot of votes for very few readers.

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message 26: by Grack21 (new)

Apr 22, 2014 09:38PM

Yeah, I mean, I know its under the radar, but those books look like cheap e book fakes.

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message 27: by Mir (new)

May 29, 2014 12:23PM

Grack21 wrote: "Yeah, I mean, I know its under the radar, but those books look like cheap e book fakes."

Many self-pubbed authors ignore the goodreads ToS about not adding your own book to lists.

Jacqueline Carey needs to be removed again, btw. Also Elizabeth Haydon. And Maria Snyder, wtf, that book has over 60K ratings.

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message 28: by Mir (new)

Jul 09, 2014 09:42AM

Also, based on the synopsis Silenced does not appear to be fantasy.

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message 29: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 09, 2014 02:56PM

Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship wrote: "Maybe I should start a list for fantasy books with between 100 and say 2000 ratings. That would cut out most of the nonsense."

I'd make this list 100-1000 and create a new list which takes the items on this list from 1000 to 10000. There is an existing list that implies<50000 - I'd make that list 10k to 50k.

And why not go ahead and create a list for <100 ratings as well.

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message 30: by Mitchell (last edited Jul 24, 2014 08:53AM) (new)

Jul 24, 2014 08:20AM

Finnikin of the Rock, King of Thorns, Rhapsody: Child of Blood, Kushiel's Mercy and Kushiel's Justice all graduated.

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message 31: by Mitchell (last edited Jul 24, 2014 12:38PM) (new)

Jul 24, 2014 12:34PM

Black Sun Rising and Theft of Swords graduated

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message 32: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 25, 2014 04:23PM

There are some goodreads lists out there to cover fantasy books with more than 10,000 ratings. I'd appreciate everyone on this list voting on those lists as well - especially the newest one:
All fantasy with between 10,000 and 24,999 ratings

All fantasy with at least 100,000 ratings
All fantasy with between 50,000 and 99,999 ratings
All fantasy with between 25,000 and 49,999 ratings

thanks

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message 33: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 26, 2014 11:11PM

Blood Song and Shadow of a Dark Queen graduated

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message 34: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 26, 2014 11:21PM

Child of the Prophecy, Personal Demon, Frostbitten, Haunted, No Humans Involved, Broken, Industrial Magic and Stolen all graduated

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message 35: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Jul 27, 2014 10:04AM

Graduated - what a great word for it!

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message 36: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 27, 2014 10:19AM

graduated is the term we ended up to describe moving from a list like All Books with 80,000 to 99,999 ratings to All Books with 100,000 to 199,999 ratings.

Unfortunately I'm about out of votes on All Fantasy with 10,000 to 24,999 ratings at which point I can no longer graduate a book.

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message 37: by Mitchell (new)

Jul 28, 2014 07:34AM

Waking the Witch, Living with the Dead and The Dragonbone Chair all graduated.

Go vote for them again at All Fantasy with 10,000 to 24,999

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message 38: by Mitchell (last edited Aug 22, 2014 09:14PM) (new)

Aug 22, 2014 09:10PM

Among Others and Mistress of the Empire graduated

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message 39: by Mitchell (last edited Aug 23, 2014 09:04PM) (new)

Aug 23, 2014 09:02PM

Men of the Otherworld and Legend graduated

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message 40: by Mitchell (new)

Aug 26, 2014 09:28PM

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message 41: by Mitchell (new)

Oct 20, 2014 07:45PM

It's that time again when I try to talk myself into changing this list to set a minimum number of ratings - starting at 100. And then maybe in a month or two raising it to 1000. There are lots of fantasy books that have fallen under the radar and need new readers and are not new. Setting those minimums would make those books easier to find. And now there are lists for those other books as well.

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message 42: by Jeana (new)

Sep 15, 2015 08:06AM

Dragon Prince has more than 10,000 ratings. Can someone "graduate" it?

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message 43: by Jeana (new)

Sep 15, 2015 08:09AM

Blood of Elves has also reached more than 10,000 ratings

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message 44: by Mitchell (new)

Sep 15, 2015 04:17PM

Dragon Prince and Blood of Elves graduated

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message 45: by Brandt (new)

Mar 04, 2017 09:51AM

There is something paradoxical about this list...

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message 46: by Loreley (new)

Apr 19, 2017 05:33AM

deleted a few books with over 10k ratings

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message 47: by Sean (new)

Aug 30, 2019 10:14AM

Heroes Die (#2), Sheepfarmer's Daughter (#16) & Sufficiently Advanced Magic (#88) can be bumped for being over 10k.

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message 48: by Mitchell (last edited Aug 30, 2019 04:22PM) (new)

Aug 30, 2019 04:19PM

Sean wrote: "Heroes Die (#2), Sheepfarmer's Daughter (#16) & Sufficiently Advanced Magic (#88) can be bumped for being over 10k."

I'll delete those. But I strongly recommend just giving up on this list and supporting the following lists instead:

Best Fantasy with between 1000 and 9999 ratings
All Fantasy with between 100 and 999 ratings
Best Fantasy on Goodreads with less than 100 ratings

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message 49: by Ketutar (new)

Jun 04, 2021 04:24PM

"Note: Books with 10,000 or more Goodreads ratings will be removed."

Time to do some cleaning :-)

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message 50: by Loreley (new)

Jun 05, 2021 01:06AM

Ketutar wrote: ""Note: Books with 10,000 or more Goodreads ratings will be removed."

Time to do some cleaning :-)"

true :D I'm glad Riddle-Master passed the mark, it deserves the recognition. I'll clean up the list

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