Indie Fantasy Series I Want to Read

When looking at TBRs online, I often see the same names pop up: Brandon Sanderson, Steven Erikson, John Gwynne, Robin Hobb… etc, and while these are all fantastic authors and you should definitely check out their work, there are loads of indie fantasy series out there to read too.

I have been doing some searching and have found (or been contacted by) lots of fantasy authors whose books I would really love to try. If you feel like I have left anything off this list, let me know in the comments, or contact me via social media (Twitter or Instagram). I’d love any recommendations!

And if you are an indie author, please reach out through this contact form and tell me about your book/s!

On to the list…

Songs of Chaos by Michael R. Miller

Book 1, Ascendant, calls itself a “dragon rider epic combining the best of Eragon and Pern with the hard magic of Brandon Sanderson” which intrigued me immediately! I loved Eragon and have read everything (except 1 book) in Brandon Sanderson’s cosmere, so this sounds perfect for me.

There is a sequel out called Unbound, but I don’t know if there will be any more? Whatever happens, I’ll be reading these soon.

Synopsis from the first book:

Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.

Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.

But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.

Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon’s magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.

Rivenworld by ML Spencer

I have seen the first book in this series, Dragon Mage on booktube and all over for a long time. Again, Dragons! You can never have enough dragons in your fantasy!

This is one of the books I saw online that showed me there could be loads of other fantasy series that intrigued me, ones that were not traditionally published. This one will be at the top of the list when I have it on my shelves.

Synopsis from the first book:

Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known. But Aram is more.

Much, much more.

The Five Warrior Angels by Brian Lee Durfee

Again, I have seen this a lot of reviews and hauls of these books, especially the first book in the series, The Forgetting Moon. Brian Lee Durfee also has a YouTube channel that I love watching because he has some of the best fantasy recommendations!

Battles, epic world, and exciting storylines – I’m excited for these books!

Synopsis from the first book:

A massive army on the brink of conquest looms large in a world where prophecies are lies, magic is believed in but never seen, and hope is where you least expect to find it.

Welcome to the Five Isles, where war has come in the name of the invading army of Sør Sevier, a merciless host driven by the prophetic fervor of the Angel Prince, Aeros, toward the last unconquered kingdom of Gul Kana. Yet Gault, one of the elite Knights Archaic of Sør Sevier, is growing disillusioned by the crusade he is at the vanguard of just as it embarks on his Lord Aeros’ greatest triumph.

While the eldest son of the fallen king of Gul Kana now reigns in ever increasing paranoid isolationism, his two sisters seek their own paths. Jondralyn, the older sister, renowned for her beauty, only desires to prove her worth as a warrior, while Tala, the younger sister, has uncovered a secret that may not only destroy her family but the entire kingdom. Then there’s Hawkwood, the assassin sent to kill Jondralyn who has instead fallen in love with her and trains her in his deadly art. All are led further into dangerous conspiracies within the court.

And hidden at the edge of Gul Kana is Nail, the orphan taken by the enigmatic Shawcroft to the remote whaling village of Gallows Haven, a young man who may hold the link to the salvation of the entire Five Isles.

You may think you know this story, but everyone is not who they seem, nor do they fit the roles you expect. Durfee has created an epic fantasy full of hope in a world based on lies.

The Grinning Assassin by K.E. Andrews

The Assassin of Grins and Secrets (book 1 in the series) was offered to me by the author (free, honest review, yada yada yada…) recently, and I said yes immediately after reading the premise.

I love assassins in fantasy. Some tropes are amazing, especially when done well, so I’m looking forward to this!

Synopsis from the first book:

Once the infamous assassin who killed with a smile, Serein now waits for death in the fighting pits of the Harpy’s Chest. When the crown prince of Sarddon, Rameses al-Amirmoez, seeks her out with an offer of freedom if she serves as his guard, she must decide whether to work for those who ravaged her homeland or die.

Rameses wants to believe that the war his father started was justified, but he has heard rumors and seen a cruelty in his father that causes him to question everything he’s been told. To find answers, he needs Serein.

Uriah Stormheir, Captain of the Oyon’s city guard, finds himself caught between his duty to the crown and his friendship with Rameses. His distrust for Rameses’ new guard runs deep. As Uriah wrestles with guilt from his past, he must work alongside the dangerous assassin whose true motives are hidden underneath her scars and dark grins.

In a land of hot sands and dying magic, Serein plays the game of secrets with Uriah and Rameses, knowing one wrong step could end her life. As the shadows of her past catch up with her, she has to choose between pursuing vengeance and protecting a secret only she knows.

Hybrid Helix by JCM Berne

Superheroes aren’t seen in novels enough. At least, I haven’t seen much of them. I love superheroes in graphic novels, films and TV, so why not books too?

This series, beginning with Wistful Ascending, is exactly the thing I have been looking for.

Synopsis from the first book:

A superhero space opera for grownups.

For fans of Invincible and Marvel Cinematic Universe films who like a little hard science fiction in their superheroes.

If Thor and Harry Dresden combined in a transporter accident.

***

The il’Drach have conquered half a galaxy behind the civilization-ending Powers of their mixed-species children.

Half-human Rohan, exhausted by a decade fighting for their Empire, has paid a secret and terrible price for his freedom.

Now retired, he strives to live a quiet life towing starships for the space station Wistful. His most pressing problems are finding the perfect cup of coffee and talking to a gorgeous shuttle tech without tripping over his own tongue.

A nearby, long-dormant wormhole is opened by a shipful of scared, angry refugees, and the many eyes of the Empire focus uncomfortably on Wistful.

As scientists, spies, and assassins converge, reverting to the monster the Empire created is the surest way to protect his friends. And the surest way to lose them.