Welcome to another one of my lists – this month’s topic is Self Published Fantasy, because I do love to shine a light on Indie Gems, and it being Self Published Fantasy Month made this the perfect timing!

This first part will focus on humorous or lighter fantasy, followed by Urban Fantasy and then YA!

Second part will be Epic or Dark, and the third a bit of my TBR, so make sure to check back for even more Indie Awesomeness.

So here you go – TBR inspiration aplenty:

Humorous/Light Fantasy

Zachary Pike

Orconomics was a really fun and entertaining, humorous fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It does have quite some economics knowledge hidden throughout the story, which gives it a bit more depth than expected. I quite enjoyed the fun romp!

Brett Herman

Chaos Trims my Beard managed to be hilarious at times, but still being an actual fantasy story that had suspense and action a plenty on top. I didn’t think this crazy mix of things would work, but I actually enjoyed the whole book from start to finish!

Brandon Draga

Summerlark Elf is another lighter story. More a traditional fantasy that has an almost D&D feeling to it. It was a nice break of all the grim, bloody and overly complex tomes I’ve read lately! If you’re looking for a quick, fun and definitely not depressing series – this might be perfect.

R.B. Watkinson

The Cracked Amulet is a quick and easy read, and another nice break from all the grimdark! It was more of a slower adventure and I especially liked to explore the world. While it could have had a bit more depth at times, I definitely enjoyed the lighter tone and the mysteries in this one!

Andrew Rowe

Sufficiently Advanced Magic is LitRPG, but I think it’s one that can appeal to a lot of people who don’t usually like that subgenre. The “stats” are mostly just mana in this one, no long lists of level ups or such. It was a good blend of adventure, magic, exploration, humour, friendships and a school setting, which I always enjoy. I more or less devoured the book in one go!

John Linwood Grant

I have read a Sherlock Holmes mystery by this author, and also three fantasy short stories that are free on Wattpad. And I really enjoyed them! I’d start with “Intrusion” out of these three.

These are on the darker side, but were quick and easy reads, that had me smirking more than once, so I’ll put them here with the humourous ones.

Urban Fantasy

Dyrk Ashton

Paternus is a wild mix of all sorts of myths and religions. It has so many different things mixed up, it should be a confusing mess, but thanks to some strange magic, the author actually made it work. It also definitely was a nice change in pace and a very unique sort of story!

James Jakins

Jack Bloodfist – Fixer was an interesting UF, mainly due to it being about Orcs and Goblins! My favourite was Jack who is the man to solve all problems, and the go between between his people and the human police. He is a fun character, who kept me interested all the way through, even with the tory being a bit too quick at times, or has too much different ideas crammed into a short book.

Richard Parry

Night’s Favor isn’t perfect. At times it felt a bit amateurish in writing, and some stylistic choices in the prose annoyed me. But, for some reason it still worked well enough for me to get to the end as I simply wanted to know what would happen to the characters! So even if not everything in this one makes sense, it was still a fun and fast read!

Marina Finlayson

Stolen Magic is a quick and easy read that I mostly enjoyed due to the main character. Aside from the occasional ogling of a brooding male, she was a capable and witty thief to follow around. I was more than happy to accompany her in her adventures!

YA

Sarah K.L. Wilson

Dragon School was a quick and engaging read with a main character who struggles with a bad leg and yet still doesn’t give up. Also, who doesn’t love learning to ride a dragon?

Christopher Bunn

The Hawk and his boy is a good YA fantasy that feels like the old traditional series. It it is a lot quicker paced and more modern in the style so it is a great entry into the genre!

Christopher G. Nuttall

In Zero Blessing we get to visit magic school, but with a twist! In this series the main character is the only one without magic, and therefore the underdog instead of the usual “chosen one” with extra powers!

Bill Hiatt

Living with your Past Selves is a quick and fun Urban Fantasy series! At the heart of the story is the mystery of the main character and his past lives. It would be really helpful if he could remember those though…

V.R. Cardoso

The Dragon Hunter and the Mage is a quick to read story that has all good YA needs: friendships, growing up, action, adventures and best of all – dragons! I liked the main characters and enjoyed exploring the world with them.