9 Underrated Reads We Love

One of the reasons I started blogging was to discover new reads that I might not have heard of otherwise, but then I realised that everyone seems to shout about the same books over and over again. While that has definitely lead me to some amazing reads, I also loved hearing about hidden gems that you don’t see everyday. Here’s some of our underrated reads that you may not have heard of, but that we can definitely recommend!

1. The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

I’ve read a lot of books that deal with mental health, but not one as dark and intriguing as this one. It deals with co-dependency, pyromania and the descent into a fantasy world, with bisexual representation as well. If you’re picking this one up, I definitely recommend the physical copy which tells the story in an artistic way with the way the pages are set out. Read my full review here.

2. When the Moon was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

This book is such a beautifully lyrical book of magical realism that is such a joy to read, if not for the amazing characters and the whimsical setting. It covers two main characters, Miel (who grows flowers from her hands) and Sam (who is currently undergoing gender dysphoria) who are both coping with changes in their identity. This one features a wonderfully diverse blend of Pakistani and Latino mythology, along with transgender representation.

3. The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

For something a bit different, this is an illustrated graphic novel that all ages can enjoy! It’s such a cute, wholesome read about dragons that grow tea ingredients. I love the colourful illustrations, the loving acceptance within the diverse cast of characters, and how the tea dragons store treasured memories for their owners. There are 3 of these graphic novels out now and they’re definitely treasured in my library.

4. Frankie by Shivaun Plozza

Frankie is one of my favourite Aus YA books of all time. It’s a heartwarming story with an intriguing mystery. Frankie covers some tough themes but it’s such a worthwhile read because of how wonderful the characterisation is.

5. The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

This is probably one of my favourite YA books on mental health that I’ve read. It provides such a harrowing look into what it’s like to have clinically diagnosed OCD. It’s a really short book but packs a huge punch with its accurate representation of the impacts of OCD on individuals and those around them.

6. I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I love Heather Demetrios’ books but I rarely hear anything about them. My favourite is I’ll Meet You There, which tackles issues around PTSD and has a supportive romance that I can absolutely get behind.

7. Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier

It doesn’t feel like an underrated book list if I don’t squeeze Heart’s Blood onto it! This is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE Beauty and the Beast retelling and a book I reread at least once almost every year. It’s a wonderful historical fantasy set in medieval Ireland with a nice bit of mystery, intriguing characters, and slow burn romance.

8. The Falconer by Elizabeth May

I reread this one recently so I could finally finish the series and I forgot just how much I loved this one!! Another historical fantasy, this one YA and set in 1840s Edinburgh. It’s filled with faerie lore, steampunk, and non stop action! With a nice side of sassy characters who made me laugh a lot.

9. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Another historical novel. Can you tell I like them? This one is a YA Western and a story of vengeance like The Falconer. It’s a brutal novel that destroyed my emotions more than I expected, but was a wild ride I loved. I’m due for a reread actually.

International Giveaway – Win a free book!

We’re giving away one of the books in this post to celebrate our 9th blogoversary! Open internationally.

• No fake entries – we check! Verified entries only. Giveaway ends 31 July 2021 and winner will be chosen randomly and emailed directly.
• Book depository must ship to your country and winner must be over 18 (or have parental permission to enter). We don’t take responsibility for lost or stolen parcels. Please also keep in mind that shipping delays may impact on how soon you receive your prize. If you are concerned about the status of your parcel, please check Book Depository’s shipping estimates before getting in touch with us.

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Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

Owner at Happy Indulgence Books

Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Tiktok@happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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