Best Fantasy Books Under the Radar

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

631	When the Dead Rise by Nicholas P. Williams (Goodreads Author) 4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Paper Forests (The Paper Forest, #1) by Tegan Anderson (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 53 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	On the Threshold by M. Laszlo (Goodreads Author) 2.97 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Roots and Branches: The Battle for Here (Messenger and Thieves #3) by J. Suthern Hicks (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Fate: Dance of Destinies by J.T Kris (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall, #1) by Julie Kagawa (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 3,762 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Spark of the Divine (The Kalaraak Chronicles, #1) by Louise Holland (Goodreads Author) 4.54 avg rating — 63 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Little Shop of Grand Curiosities (Tales from the Faraway North, #1) by Iris Lake (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 763 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Insight (Beholders, #1) by Terron James (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 133 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Dreams of Crimson Plague by Susan Samadi (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 20 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Scattered Bones by Nicole Scarano 4.09 avg rating — 5,531 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Tim & Keiji und der magische Adventskalender by Arden Skye it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Cursed Cocktails (Tales of Aedrea, #1) by S.L. Rowland (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 5,156 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Manzakar (The Slave-Soldier, #1) by R. Laham (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Lann Dàn: Blades of Destiny (Dàn Cycle, #1) by James Raquepau (Goodreads Author) 4.81 avg rating — 100 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Eight Reindeer of the Apocalypse (J. W. Wells & Co. #8) by Tom Holt 3.83 avg rating — 424 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Wysard (Waterspell, #2) by Deborah J. Lightfoot (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 76 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	New Vessel by Tessedan DeValere (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	Estheen by Cam Wesray it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Sixth Dimension Defined by Vickers, Neil (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
631	The Sword That Remembers (Chronicles of Oblivion Book 1) by T. Pap 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 100, and 1 person 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
1022	Verita (Verita, #1) by Tracy Rozzlynn (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 573 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Bones of the Earth by Scott Bury (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 127 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Search for the Lost Kingdom (Eldohr Adventures, #1) by T.L. Wood (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Legend of Nightfall (Nightfall, #1) by Mickey Zucker Reichert 4.05 avg rating — 2,481 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Talion: Revenant by Michael A. Stackpole (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 2,905 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Arcane Solutions (Discord Jones, #1) by Gayla Drummond (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 1,664 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Slippers of Pearl (Tales of a Cobbler Mage, #1) by Danyelle Leafty (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 32 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Song of the Fairy Queen by Valerie Douglas (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 482 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Prospero's Children by Jan Siegel 3.82 avg rating — 1,556 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Stone of Darkness (Dragonslayer, #3) by Resa Nelson (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 122 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Dragondain (Moon Realm, #2) by Richard Due (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 68 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Astreya, Book II: The Men of the Sea by Seymour Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Haytham The Secret in the Rubble (Moonshine, #2) by Denise Daisy (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 176 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Bid the Gods Arise (The Wells of the Worlds, #1) by Robert Mullin (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 79 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Zombie Attack!!! by Robert Bevan (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 247 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Snarled Threads (Thalia's Musings, #2) by Amethyst Marie (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 32 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Seedbearers by Peter Valentine Timlett 3.43 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Troll Story (The Magic Triangle Trilogy #2) by P.K. Silverson (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 10 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Calling (Redemption #1) by T. Galer liked it 3.00 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	White Fire War by Dean McMillin 3.51 avg rating — 37 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Jack Shadow (Shadow Dance, #1) by Graeme Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Torment, The Shadow, The Heart (The Hero of Talbadas #1) by T.M. Shannon (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Immortal Reborn: Alexandria's Choice (Children of Angels, #2) by Natalie D. Wilson (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 105 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Grand Design (Tyrants and Kings, #2) by John Marco (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 980 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Star Child (The Star Child, #1) by Stephanie Keyes (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 176 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Line of Illeniel (Mageborn, #2) by Michael G. Manning (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 10,128 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	A Dragon Born (Book of One, #3) by Jordan Baker (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 725 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Zephyr Heights by David Fumarola (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Demon Calumnius (The Repentant Demon, #1) by Samantha Johns (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The White Wolf (Half Breed, #1) by Brittany Comeaux (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Alpha Rising (Duke, #1) by scavola (Goodreads Author) 3.23 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Giants' Dance by Robert Carter (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 179 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	White Technologies by Eric s. (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Brooke: Brooke's Love Journey (Brooke and Nick Series) by Deborah Brooks Langford (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Dark Thorn by Shawn Speakman (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 703 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Amethyst (Guardian, #1) by Heather Bowhay (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 2,678 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Prospero Lost (Prospero's Daughter, #1) by L. Jagi Lamplighter (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 672 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Lord Valentine's Castle (Lord Valentine, #1) by Robert Silverberg 3.89 avg rating — 9,924 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Rush of Betrayal: Deception (Book One) by Shawn Wickersheim (Goodreads Author) 4.62 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Star (Starland Vamp, #1) by Theresa Oliver (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Angel Falls by Michael Paul Gonzalez (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Seabird by Sherry Thompson (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Hunters by Heidi Angell (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Ann Marie's Asylum (Master and Apprentice, #1) by Christopher Rankin (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 135 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	A Fallen Hero Rises by M. Joseph Murphy (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Echinodea (The Atlantis Revolution, #2) by Tom Tancin (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Road to Rebirth (The Children of Telm, #2) by Dean F. Wilson (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 80 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Moonlight by Ann Hunter (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 151 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It by Adam Selzer (Goodreads Author) 3.31 avg rating — 1,893 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Hades' Disciples (The Legacy of the Gods, #2) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 92 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Angel of Death: A Love Story (Children of the Fallen, #1) by Anna Erishkigal (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 97 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Verkreath Horror (Deathsworn Arc, #2) by Martyn Stanley (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 125 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Golden Cage (A Dance of Dragons, #0.5) by Kaitlyn Davis (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 547 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Pu'ukani's Song by Hannah Steenbock (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Beast at the Gate by R.A. Baker (Goodreads Author) 4.67 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Unicorn on Speed Dial by Jeanette Cottrell 4.06 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Servant of Fire (Land of the First, #1) by Simon J. Cambridge (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Armies of Malice (Malice, #2) by Joseph Hendon (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Ascension (Tangled Axon, #1) by Jacqueline Koyanagi (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 1,698 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Song and the Pendant by Magnus Von Black (Goodreads Author) 4.67 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Voice of the Lost (Medair, #2) by Andrea K. Höst (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 689 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Children of the Eclipse by Amara E. Starling (Goodreads Author) 4.93 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Rhidauna (The Shadow of the Revenaunt #1) by Paul E. Horsman (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 27 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Manor of Sweet Souls Gladys Celebrates by Echo Shea (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Book of Words (Book of Words, #1-3) by J.V. Jones 4.16 avg rating — 308 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar (Goodreads Author) 3.51 avg rating — 5,547 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Out of the Ashes (Mysteries of the Red Coyote Inn, #2) by Lorraine Carey (Goodreads Author) 4.76 avg rating — 51 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Skywhale by Deborah Richards (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Hidden Fire (The Watchers, #2) by Deirdra Eden (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Medair (Medair, #1-2) by Andrea K. Höst (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 439 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Ungifted Elf by A.J. Martinez (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 47 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Silvering by Sonya Deanna Terry (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	As You Wish by A. Violet End (Goodreads Author) 3.39 avg rating — 79 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	bound together (Dawn of a New Astral Age, #1) by Corinn Heathers (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 289 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Fires of the Faithful (Eliana's Song, #1) by Naomi Kritzer (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 525 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Baker's Boy (Book of Words, #1) by J.V. Jones 3.79 avg rating — 8,086 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Ariah by B.R. Sanders (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 405 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	The Greenest Valley by Ross Rosenfeld (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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
1022	Lord Fish by Ted Cross (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 99, and 1 person 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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2,101 books · 1,530 voters · list created May 20th, 2010 by Kevis Hendrickson (votes) .

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

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People Who Voted On This List (1530)

Kevis 1711 books
799 friends

Jenna 234 books
683 friends

K.C. 190 books
395 friends

Emma 222 books
58 friends

Carolee 2 books
0 friends

J.S. 75 books
53 friends

Breanne 24 books
121 friends

creatively_robyn 566 books
18 friends

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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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