Underrated Books That I Love

Hey readers! Today we are talking about hidden gems, books that I absolutely love and adore, but that nobody knows about. It's a sad situation. So, to fix it, I’m talking about them here! Please read them, I need somebody to fangirl with over these books.

The Book Jumper by Mechthild Glaser

I talked about this book in my favorite standalones post and I probably mentioned how underrated it was, because I have never seen or heard anyone talk about this book. It’s severely underrated. The characters were all so interesting, the plot was one of the best I’ve ever read, and the concept was SO cool!

We follow a girl named Amy, a reader like us, who returns to her mother’s childhood home for vacation, only to find out that she has the power to jump into books. Let me repeat that– this girl can experience stories as they’re happening and even meet with the characters and talk to them and everything. It’s awesome. Read this book, it’s terribly underrated and I need people to cry with it. The ending is tragic, but amazing.

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

This is the first book in a duology, and it’s not the best book on this list, but I think it’s much better than some of the “popular” books in its genre (YA fantasy). It has two of my most favorite tropes, and it's a fun read.

We follow the princess of a fallen kingdom, who everyone believes is dead, as she tries to save her kingdom from the conquers and an evil magic force that is destroying everything in its path. She begins by infiltrating the enemy’s court, but things get complicated when a rogue named “Black Knife” starts causing trouble.

Brightwood by Tania Unsworth

This is one of those books that you will read in one day. It’s short, but it’s binge worthy. There is mystery, action, tragedy, all in this 300 page book that is somehow paced beautifully. And nobody talks about it, which I find devastating.

Daisy is our main character, a young girl living on an estate with her paranoid mother. One day, her mother goes missing, and a strange man shows up at the estate. With the help of a rat, a ghost, and a hedge horse, (with a talking painting chiming in now and then) Daisy tries to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance and what this new stranger is up to.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

A hidden gem for sure! Not a book for the faint of heart, however. Your heart will be ripped out and crushed over and over again. It’s sad, tragic, and emotional. But so good!

It’s science fiction with the classic trope of Earth being destroyed so humans have to colonize a different planet. Our main character, a little girl named Petra, is going to be in stasis on the ship for four hundred years until they reach the new planet, but things go a little haywire along the way. ( I can’t say much without spoiling it, lol). The premise doesn’t sound all that interesting, but I really enjoyed it.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

This is such a cute book! It’s middle grade and it’s not the best book I’ve ever read, but it deserves more recognition than it has. When I first read this, in the age range it was meant for, I absolutely loved it! I read it again recently, and I’m happy to say that I still thoroughly enjoyed it!

Our main character is a young dragon desiring to leave her family’s mountain, even though she is strictly forbidden. She sneaks out anyway, and ends up eating enchanted chocolate that turns her into a human. She is absolutely mortified, of course, but now her family doesn’t recognize her so she can’t return home! So, she decides to find a way to eat that delicious chocolate she had sampled before (some that’s not enchanted, obviously.)

That’s all of the books I have for you today! I’m sure I’ll read more underrated books sometime soon, so expect a part two or three. What are some underrated books that you like?

Until Next Time!

~Lyn Winters