Self-published author appreciation week- Elizabeth Allen’s Top 5 Indie Fantasy Books
This week is self-published author appreciation week (bit of a mouthful) so to that end we here at team EPIC have decided to each list our top 5 Indie fantasy and sci-fi books.
Some of these you might recognize and others they’ll probably be the first time you’ve ever heard of them. However, this is the main point of EPIC, to bring attention to the wealth of talent and great books that otherwise get overlooked. So without further ado here is Elizabeth’s in no particular order of my top 5 Indie books.
The Ring Breaker by Jean Gill
The Ring Breaker is Jean Gill’s beautiful introduction to Viking Orkney. Immersive and nuanced, this inspired saga masters both its characters and its setting, creating one of the finest examples of historical fiction in the self-published space.
This was one of the first books to convince me that authors could write compelling stories outside of traditional publishing, and I’m forever grateful that it did.
2. The Way of Unity by Sarah K. Balstrup
Sarah K. Balstrup has a background in religious studies, and puts her wealth of knowledge and experience to use in The Way of Unity. Boasting impressive prose and rich world-building, her story is a thorough exploration of religion through both character and plot.
This book is a prime example of a work that is both worthwhile, and something that I can’t imagine a literary agent ever taking the risk on. That is, in my humble opinion, their loss.
Read our review HERE
3. Queens of the Wyrd by Timiranda Whitecastle
Queens of the Wyrd is unashamed to be fun, fierce and feminine. While the modern writing style and themes of the book won’t appeal to everyone, it is perhaps the best in class for what it aims to be. At times it is funny, while at others it is pointed and clever, capturing my attention and respect equally.
Few books make me shout out or sequel with excitement while I read, yet Queens of the Wyrd did. I can only hope that more readers will pick it up and experience the same feelings as me.
4. The Wayfarer by Zachary Kekac
The emotional depth of The Wayfarer gave me chills while reading it. Striking for both its uniqueness and its sharp focus, I cannot imagine any book dethroning this author’s masterful take on familiar themes of grief and change.
The Wayfarer is what happens when you break all of the conventions that writers are told to adhere to, and the end result is a book that I consider monumentally worthwhile.
Read our review HERE
5. Deathless Beast by Andrew D. Meredith
At the time I first read Deathless Beast, I knew I had found a lasting favourite. Andrew Meredith’s first entry into the epic Kallattian Saga is a tour de force of fantasy storytelling, blending classic concepts with expansive world building and well-considered themes to create an epic tale that just has to be experienced.
More than any other book, Deathless Beast has made me a strong advocate for the works of indie authors. I talk constantly about this book with pride, knowing that my experiences in life have led me to authors who have such immense talent to share with readers, if only given the chance.
Read our review HERE
