The world of fiction is teeming with the undiscovered. Though some quality assurance is a plus, it can be worthwhile to read something that doesn’t make a Top 100 list. It can be gratifying to read a story your friends have never read (especially if you enjoy it).
Video Version available:
Warriors, by Erin Hunter
This fantasy series follows four clans of cats as they survive in the woods, battle one another, and speak with their deceased ancestors. The supernatural element comes into play in the shape of StarClan, the group of cats which make up the book’s version of the afterlife. They are comprised of all those who have perished, but take indiscriminately from all four clans.
The four clans are reminiscent of the Harry Potter houses; everyone sticks to their own territory, and friendships outside one’s clan are uncommon, if not outright discouraged. The clan followed throughout the books is ThunderClan, the first series (there are several “seasons,” if you will, of books) opening with Rusty, a so called Kittypet. This is the derogatory term for a house cat, those who give themselves up to the “Twolegs” and forego their freedom.
The other three clans are RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. You can guess which one correlates with Slytherin. The first series opens with a murder plot, a power grasping deputy, and no shortage of battles and affairs. Some of these battles, filled with shrieking and blood, can get ugly, though the series is for children.
The primary flaw in the books is the prose; it’s often not pretty or exciting, though it’s accessible and achieves it’s purpose. The dialogue isn’t especially eloquent, but the world building, the conflicts, and some of the crazier events are worth a read. The series isn’t afraid to veer into darker territory, either. If you’ve ever wanted to read about the cat equivalent to Hitler, you’ll find him in here. The books explore themes of inequality, too (being “half-clan”, or a former Kittypet, like the protagonist, doesn’t always make one popular with the more bigoted fluff balls in the crowd).
It’s worth mentioning that the whole of the franchise is endless, running as long as a popular television show. Kids are sure to enjoy all iterations of the series, but for those just trying the books out, the first series is more than sufficient. Moreover, if you do become attached to the books, you can read about Rusty’s children (and grandchildren) in the sequels. Dozens of spin off books also fill in the world and characters, and, if that wasn’t enough, the series even has manga books to complement it’s vast library of novels.
Silverwing, by Kenneth Oppel
This series by Kenneth Oppel won awards, yet has faded into obscurity. Overdue for an animated film series, these books follow a bat by the name of Shade. He’s the runt of his clan; though he can look after himself, catching bugs and surviving with relative ease, he is bullied by the other bats of his colony. They are larger than him, and Shade has few friends.
The colonies are also oppressed by the owls. Bats can fly freely by night, but they are forbidden to go out by day, lest the owls punish them. When Chinook, the largest of the young bats, dares Shade to break this rule so that he might do what no other bat has done—see the sun—the story kicks into high gear.
Other creatures also pose a threat, including rats, cannibalistic jungle bats, and, of course, the earth’s most deadly predator: humans.
There’s a magical undertone to the series. The aforementioned jungle bat has his own beliefs, and the characters learn to use their echo location in ways that mimic sorcery.
The trilogy goes in order through Silverwing, Sunwing, and Firewing, the last of which involves a supernatural realm, a kind of land of the dead. There’s also the prequel book, Darkwing, which follows creatures who would have been ancestors to the bats. They can’t fly yet, but they’re learning, and this particular entry deals with a notable question: a species balancing preservation of the natural world with their own need to survive. It’s a question that looms over humanity—it is humane to shoot the bear if he could kill you? Or is there a way to co-exist? It’s a relatable theme, though it’s bat-like animals which are asking the big questions.
The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Kathryn Lasky
Continuing with the theme of talking animals, the owls of Ga’Hoole follows a band of warrior owls who’s job it is to protect. They live apart from others, in a great tree; their secrecy has been so effective that many believe them to be no more than legends.
The story opens with Soren, a young owl who’s just learning to fly. He’s grown up on the tales, and it becomes his mission to find the reclusive heroes when villainous factions of owls appear, one group capturing orphaned owls in order to train them into an army. Though Soren eventually finds his heroes, they aren’t quite what he expected, and familial drama complicates matters when Soren’s brother joins the bad guys. Can Soren be a hero, even if it means fighting the last of his kin?
The length of the series could be a deterrent for entry level fans. There are more than twenty books, though each story becomes increasingly unusual. There are tales of the Owls of Ga’Hoole falling into disgrace, owls being kidnapped, and more than one instance where a character is forced to turn on their own kin in order to do what’s right. Owls who are blue in colour even show up; the series can be both zany and dark, and, for those concerned about the length, each book is relatively short.
Three books were condensed into the film adaptation (which unfortunately changed the plot and trimmed portions in such a way that any sequels would no longer match up). However, the movie did raise some awareness of the series at the time, and, for all it’s discrepancies, could give first time viewers a taste of the series’ tone and characters.
The Morganville Vampires, by Rachel Caine
This series is unlike the last entries on this list. While the first three series would be thrilling for kids, this entry falls firmly under the young adult category. In a small, rather hot and dry, town, vampires live in semi-secret. The rest of the world doesn’t know about them, but vampires are common knowledge to any residents who have lived in Morganville for an extended time.
Many of the humans are bitter towards this arrangement, which sets them as second class citizens beside the vampires; they are expected to donate a certain quota of blood at the hospital, the mayor herself is a vampire, and vampires are often not culpable when accidents happen. More often than not, the law favours the vampire over the human.
Despite the oppression, there are sympathetic vampires, as well as humans who make them look kind. Following the perspective of an unusually smart teenage girl, the series does have a Twilight vibe. There’s a large (and haunted) house, cute boys, and a girl who’s caught between the small town’s paranormal happenings. Morganville, with it’s old houses, secret portals, and hidden technology, is a character in itself. Characters are also more fleshed out, the best example being Eve, who’s particular in her clothing style and unafraid of speaking her mind.
However, this series might be too similar to Twilight, in that it contains tropes that will delight (or annoy) readers, depending on what they thought of Meyer’s saga. Those who didn’t like Twilight might still be won over by Morganville’s increased action and conflict. The heroes fight with one another; the injustice of the vampire regime grates at the reader (in a good way); some of the supernatural forces are unique, one especially creepy creature threatening even the vampires later on; and the vampires are unpredictable, being friends one moment and villains the next.
Yet it still takes several books for Claire to gain agency. Like Bella, she is rescued by her attractive romantic interest. Every time she’s cornered by a hissing vampire, it’s Michael and Shane who swoop in to rescue their girlfriends. Shane can also be a jerk (though the book does offer an explanation for why he’s the way he is) and Claire being so helpless can be frustrating. Given that it’s often her bad decisions that land her in danger to begin with, the reader might question her common sense too. All that said, the girls do eventually learn to fight; once they start slinging stakes around, they become easier to root for. Claire even has a shot at being the one to swoop in and rescue Shane.
If you enjoyed the Twilight vibe, love vampires, and can be patient as Claire makes the transition from Bella Swan to Buffy, this is a fun series. It’s not a masterpiece (it’s prose reads like many young adult fictions) but it passes the time, and a number of the supporting characters and villains are memorable, particularly when you’re not sure which category they fall under. It has a similar addictive quality, and with fifteen books you can binge the series the way you might binge a television show.
The Wizard of Oz, Frank L. Baum
This last entry on this list is cheating; after all, The Wizard of Oz is one of the most famous stories of all time. Every child owns the book, and it spawned a masterpiece in film. Everyone is familiar with the Wicked Witch and the ruby slippers (or silver, if you favour the book version).
What’s less known is that the classic novel is but one of many. Everyone knows the one book, but few can claim to have read the series, which features a slew of new characters and ever more bizarre happenings. It’s a wonder that Hollywood hasn’t attempted to create a television series from the books; they’re fairly numerous, and yet virtually unknown. How strange would it be if, a hundred years from now, everyone loved the Philosopher’s Stone but had no idea it was apart of a seven book series?
The Oz books have more than seven entries, and The Wizard of Oz just remains the most popular of them, so beloved that it overshadows it’s sequels.
If you’re an avid book collector, and curious to see what else the whimsical, often dangerous, land of Oz offers, Baum supplied readers with the means to fill a whole shelf (or two).
Though all different, and not written expressly for adults, these books can still be exciting for readers of all ages. Whether it be religious cats or vicious vampires, there’s something for everyone; even making allowances for flaws in prose or characters, each series offers something fun. There’s time enough to read those classics which dominate the recommended reads; there’s as much satisfaction to be had in reading something obscure, something that’s still “good,” if not brilliant, and all the more personal to you for having not been claimed by a fanatic fandom.
What unheard of series do you read? Do you have childhood memories with any of the entries on this list? Let me know; I could use more reading material.