Love A Few Good Elves? Readers share 100 books like A Few Good Elves...

By Diane Morrison, Sarah Buhrman (editor),

Here are 100 books that A Few Good Elves fans have personally recommended if you like A Few Good Elves. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Gideon the Ninth

JW Troemner Author Of The Dealmaker's Gambit

From my list on LGBTQ speculative fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve been drawn to LGBT+ characters and themes long before I knew that was a thing that a person could beā€”and longer still before I realized that it was something that might apply to me. Science fiction and fantasy helped me to explore identities and ways of existing within the world that were fundamentally different from my own and that instilled a love of the genre that Iā€™ll always treasure. 

JW's book list on LGBTQ speculative fiction

JW Troemner Why did JW love this book?

I like to think Iā€™m pretty good at guessing where a book is going to goā€”this is not the case with Gideon the Ninth. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was going on and where we were going, it took a turn. Every time I thought I had an idea of how I felt about a character, new lore dropped, and I fell in love (or in hate, or in a complicated love/hate thing that I have yet to figure out).

By the time I finished, I was torn between picking up the second book in the series to learn what happened next or rereading the first just to see how different it would be once I had a better understanding of the book.

By Tamsyn Muir,

Why should I read it?

25 authors picked Gideon the Ninth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

15+ pages of new, original content, including a glossary of terms, in-universe writings, and more!

A USA Today Best-Selling Novel!

"Unlike anything I've ever read. " --V.E. Schwab

"Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!" --Charles Stross

"Brilliantly original, messy and weird straight through." --NPR

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth, first in The Locked Tomb Trilogy, unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, asā€¦


Book cover of Leviathan Wakes

Matt Shindell Author Of For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet

From my list on human connection to space.

Why am I passionate about this?

One of the reasons I love my job as a Space History Curator at the Smithsonianā€™s National Air and Space Museum is that I am fascinated to learn how people think about space, the cosmos, and their human connection with the universe. I am always eager to get beyond questions of what we know and how we know it and ask: Why do we ask the questions we ask in the first place? The books Iā€™ve listed here all explore our relationship with space and how we engage personally or collectively with space exploration.

Matt's book list on human connection to space

Matt Shindell Why did Matt love this book?

This science fiction novel, written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck under the pen name James S. A. Corey, was the beginning of the Expanse series (now totaling 9 novels and additional stories). It is one of the best space science fiction novels of the 21st century and became the basis for one of my favorite TV/streaming series, The Expanse.

The books dive deep into the political, social, and cultural complexities of sending humans to live on the Moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt, and itā€™s a nuanced reflection of our current ideas and ambitions when it comes to spaceflight. I am particularly drawn to the depiction of humans who, after multiple generations off Earth, consider their primary identity to be Martian.

By James S. A. Corey,

Why should I read it?

24 authors picked Leviathan Wakes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Humanity has colonized the planets - interstellar travel is still beyond our reach, but the solar system has become a dense network of colonies. But there are tensions - the mineral-rich outer planets resent their dependence on Earth and Mars and the political and military clout they wield over the Belt and beyond. Now, when Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a secret that threatens to throw the entire system into war. Attacked by a stealth ship belonging to the Mars fleet, Holden must find a way to uncover the motives behind theā€¦


Book cover of The Terran Privateer: Book One in the Duchy of Terra

Morgan Biscup Author Of In Spite of the Inevitable

From my list on sci-fi books moral and perspective dilemmas.

Why am I passionate about this?

In writing character-driven space fantasy, heavily influenced by my training as an electromechanical engineer, Iā€™ve realized a love for stories with a heavy emphasis on moral dilemmas and shifts in thinking. How does a character change direction after realizing much of what they always believed was a lie? When well-trained instincts pull them backward instead of propelling them forward? I love these stories, mirroring my own messy self-discovery journey through life. The settings and stakes are more fantastical, but that makes them more appealing. A way to confront my own trials without becoming burdened by them. If the characters can do it, so can I.

Morgan's book list on sci-fi books moral and perspective dilemmas

Morgan Biscup Why did Morgan love this book?

I adore the way Glynn Stewart writes about good people in bad situations, and this book remains one of my favorite examples. Captain Annette Bond is an upstanding woman with the unenviable assignment of doing whatever it takes to free Earth from its unexpected conquerors.

Thereā€™s no doubt she's the underdog in this fight. I admired her resilience as she fought against unreasonable odds to discover a way to regain Earthā€™s freedom while maintaining her crewā€™s morale and morals through the ever-darker options available to her.

By the end, even I wasnā€™t certain what path sheā€™d take with the knowledge sheā€™d uncovered, and I learned as much about myself as I did about her by the conclusion.

By Glynn Stewart,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Terran Privateer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Earth is conquered.
Sol is lost.
One ship is tasked to free them.
One Captain to save them all.

When an alien armada destroys the United Earth Space Force and takes control of the human homeworld, newly reinstated Captain Annette Bond must take her experimental hyperspace cruiser Tornado into exile as Terra's only interstellar privateer.

She has inferior technology, crude maps and no concept of her enemy, but the seedy underbelly of galactic society welcomes her so long as she has prizes to sell and money to spend.

But when your only allies are pirates and slavers, things are neverā€¦


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Book cover of The Ballad of Falling Rock

The Ballad of Falling Rock by Jordan Dotson,

Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect voice. If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: ā€œAre his love songs closer to heaven than dying?ā€ Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard itā€¦

Book cover of The Wings Upon Her Back

Morgan Biscup Author Of In Spite of the Inevitable

From my list on sci-fi books moral and perspective dilemmas.

Why am I passionate about this?

In writing character-driven space fantasy, heavily influenced by my training as an electromechanical engineer, Iā€™ve realized a love for stories with a heavy emphasis on moral dilemmas and shifts in thinking. How does a character change direction after realizing much of what they always believed was a lie? When well-trained instincts pull them backward instead of propelling them forward? I love these stories, mirroring my own messy self-discovery journey through life. The settings and stakes are more fantastical, but that makes them more appealing. A way to confront my own trials without becoming burdened by them. If the characters can do it, so can I.

Morgan's book list on sci-fi books moral and perspective dilemmas

Morgan Biscup Why did Morgan love this book?

I enjoy a good redemption arc, particularly ones that show more messy mistakes. In this book, Samantha Mills crafts a tight narrative detailing Zenya's fall and redemption as she navigates the complicated choices of her life. The story is told in parallels, each alternate chapter unfolding details of her present or past in complementary ways, revealing Zenyaā€™s character in a way that emphasizes how both have led to her current situation. 

It also pulls no punches. Zenyaā€™s relationships are colored by various forms of emotional abuse, ranging from the neglect of her father to the manipulative grooming of her mother figure, in ways that struck home personally. Itā€™s a difficult path, portrayed here with compassion and brutal honesty.

By Samantha Mills,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Wings Upon Her Back as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

[STARRED REVIEW] ā€œA triumphant debut novel.ā€ ā€•Booklist
[STARRED REVIEW] ā€œAn absolute must-read.ā€ ā€•Kirkus
[STARRED REVIEW] ā€œIntricate and intriguing." ā€•Publishers Weekly
[STARRED REVIEW] ā€œComplex and haunting.ā€ ā€•Library Journal

In this gripping debut novel from acclaimed Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning author Samantha Mills, a disgraced soldier fights to make sense of her world and the gods who abandoned it. The Wings Upon Her Back is an action-packed, devastating exploration of the brutal costs of zealous loyalty.

Zenya was a teenager when she ran away to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the peopleā€¦


Book cover of The Weight of Blood

Aiden L. Turner Author Of The Banner of the Broken Orc: The Call of the Darkness Saga Book One

From my list on featuring orcs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve loved the fantasy genre for as long as I can remember. From playing Warhammer with my father as a child to first reading The Lord of the Rings, The Magician, and countless other unforgettable novels, I was hooked. The Orc was always my favorite bad guy, with their incredible strength and bloodlust. I have spent many a long hour trying to put myself in the mindset of a being so dark, so brutal, and so lovable. Reading the books on this list, and many more, have helped me develop a foundation in the Orc race that almost makes them real.

Aiden's book list on featuring orcs

Aiden L. Turner Why did Aiden love this book?

This book really introduced me to the darker side of fantasy, and in fact, this is more grimdark. While most fantasy books have a good versus evil theme, a lot tend to water down the actions of the evil characters to make them more palatable or more accessible to a wider range of readers. This really describes the evil actions in detail so be warned it is not Harry Potter! I realized when reading this that you can bring horror aspects into fantasy, which makes sense as itā€™s a genre thatā€™s full of evil, monsters, and people armed with all kinds of brutal weaponry. 

By David Dalglish,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Weight of Blood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fantasy author David Dalglish begins his series of the half-orc brothers, whose struggles will soon bathe the land of Dezrel in demon fire...Five hundred years ago, brother gods devastated their world with civil war. When they were imprisoned, their conflict ended without a victor. Centuries passed while their followers secretly continued the war, a war that will soon have an end. The gods have found their paragons.

When half-bloods Harruq and Qurrah Tun pledged their lives to the death prophet Velixar, they sought only escape from their squalid beginnings. Instead, they become his greatest disciples, charged with leading his armyā€¦


Book cover of The Deed Of Paksenarrion

D. Dalton Author Of Crown of the Realm

From my list on new fantasy worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

Storytelling is my passion. I have loved writing in the science fiction and fantasy genres since I learned to read as a kid. Iā€™ve won multiple awards, have an optioned screenplay, and am actively working on several paid script projects. I love to swap stories with other writers and dive into new worlds.

D.'s book list on new fantasy worlds

D. Dalton Why did D. love this book?

I stole time out of math class to read this epic fantasy. It was huge and I finished it in 2 days. This is a true heroā€™s journey story from farmer to powerful earn, with all heavy-hitting emotional beats earned. It also presents a true crisis of faith to the main character and earning oneā€™s courage back.

By Elizabeth Moon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Deed Of Paksenarrion as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Paksenarrion wasn't planning to submit to an unwelcome marriage and a lifetime of poverty, so she left her village with a plan and her grandfather's sword. And a few weeks later, she was installed as Duke Phelan's newest recruit in a company of soldiers for hire, her arms training about to begin. But when Paks sees combat, she's stabbed with an ensorcelled knife and barely survives. Then the near-misses start mounting up, raising questions about this young fighter. Is she attracting evil because she is a danger to them all? Or is there another reason malignant forces seek her life?ā€¦


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Book cover of Forsaking Home

Forsaking Home by I. Graham Smith,

Forsaking Home is a story about the life of a man who wants a better future for his children. He and his wife decide to join Earth's first off-world colony. This story is about risk takers and courageous settlers and what they would do for more freedom. 

Book cover of The Lord of the Rings

Marcel Ray Duriez Author Of Walking the Halls

From my list on delve into the darker side of human nature and reality.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a rising literary star, crafting captivating narratives that blend classic and contemporary themes. My work, like Tolkien, Lovecraft, and King, delves into the darker side of humanity and explores complex characters in intricate worlds. My unique perspective and deep understanding of storytelling make my book recommendations invaluable. I have a passion for the craft, offering insightful analysis and curating diverse reading lists. By introducing readers to classic works, I foster a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling.

Marcel's book list on delve into the darker side of human nature and reality

Marcel Ray Duriez Why did Marcel love this book?

I yearn to lose myself in the intricate tapestry of Tolkien's world, where every word is a brushstroke on the canvas of imagination. I am captivated by the allure of ancient languages and the power of storytelling to transport the reader to realms beyond reality.

The epic struggle between good and evil, the weight of destiny, and the enduring bonds of friendship resonate deeply within me. I am eager to embark on this perilous journey, to witness the rise and fall of heroes, and to confront the ultimate test of courage and will. 

By J.R.R. Tolkien,

Why should I read it?

55 authors picked The Lord of the Rings as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

From Sauron's fastness in the Dark Tower ofā€¦


Book cover of The Orc King

Aiden L. Turner Author Of The Banner of the Broken Orc: The Call of the Darkness Saga Book One

From my list on featuring orcs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve loved the fantasy genre for as long as I can remember. From playing Warhammer with my father as a child to first reading The Lord of the Rings, The Magician, and countless other unforgettable novels, I was hooked. The Orc was always my favorite bad guy, with their incredible strength and bloodlust. I have spent many a long hour trying to put myself in the mindset of a being so dark, so brutal, and so lovable. Reading the books on this list, and many more, have helped me develop a foundation in the Orc race that almost makes them real.

Aiden's book list on featuring orcs

Aiden L. Turner Why did Aiden love this book?

For me, this book really brought a deep lore and background to the Orc race. With intrigue and plot aplenty, this story follows an Orc attempting to bring about a strong Orc kingdom with cities and trade, allies, and stability. Not every Orc is ready or wants this change and there is certainly a challenge to bringing about the kingdom. This gives a great depth to the Orc race and is one of my favorites from a great author.

By R. A. Salvatore,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Orc King as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The war against the orcs is far from over in this opening installment of a bold new trilogy in the Legend of Drizzt series

The end of winter is near, and it seems the uneasy peace between the dwarves of Mithral Hall and the orcs of the newly established Kingdom of Many-Arrows will not last long. The orc tribes united under Obould are splintering, with some seeking to establish an alliance with a clan of half ogres-half orcs. Drizzt, too, feels himself torn apart, unsure which of the Companions needs him most: As Catti-brie recovers from a serious injury, Wulfgarā€¦


Book cover of Orcs: The Omnibus

Aiden L. Turner Author Of The Banner of the Broken Orc: The Call of the Darkness Saga Book One

From my list on featuring orcs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve loved the fantasy genre for as long as I can remember. From playing Warhammer with my father as a child to first reading The Lord of the Rings, The Magician, and countless other unforgettable novels, I was hooked. The Orc was always my favorite bad guy, with their incredible strength and bloodlust. I have spent many a long hour trying to put myself in the mindset of a being so dark, so brutal, and so lovable. Reading the books on this list, and many more, have helped me develop a foundation in the Orc race that almost makes them real.

Aiden's book list on featuring orcs

Aiden L. Turner Why did Aiden love this book?

 This was the first book I ever read that had me rooting for the Orc. With their lack of discipline, drug, and alcohol use, and loyalty to their comrades itā€™s easy to imagine them standing at the bar having a pint. Along with the action, there are some deeper issues delved into, including religious fanaticism and racism. For me personally, this really spoke of how exciting it can be to throw character roles in reverse. 

By Stan Nicholls,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Orcs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The international bestselling trilogy now repackaged and complete with new material

Combining the acclaimed trilogy of books, BODYGUARD OF LIGHTNING, LEGION OF THUNDER and WARRIORS OF THE TEMPEST, plus a new short story previously only available in a small press anthology, this is the entire story of Stryke and his band of Orcs.

Fantasy's bad guys finally get their own say in this fast-moving, action-packed, tongue-in-cheek tale of Orc valour and human treachery.


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Book cover of Forsaking Home

Forsaking Home by I. Graham Smith,

Forsaking Home is a story about the life of a man who wants a better future for his children. He and his wife decide to join Earth's first off-world colony. This story is about what risk takers and courageous settlers and what they would do for more freedom.

Edin isā€¦

Book cover of The Librarian and the Orc: A Monster Fantasy Romance (Orc Sworn)

E.J. Frost Author Of Snowburn

From my list on scifi and fantasy romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve been fascinated by ā€œother worldsā€ since I found my fatherā€™s battered copy of Dune when I was eleven. Iā€™ve been seeking that experience of transportation, of transcendence, that I got from reading Dune, ever since. Iā€™ve found it in diverse places, from the very alien worlds of Jo Claytonā€™s Diadem from the Stars series to the somehow-familiar woods of Richard and Wendy Piniā€™s ElfQuest comics. Iā€™ve tried to give that experience back to my readers, in creating worlds wondrous and strange but entirely relatable. The books on this list sparked that same sense of transcendence and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

E.J.'s book list on scifi and fantasy romance

E.J. Frost Why did E.J. love this book?

Fennā€™s Orc Sworn series transports the reader to a world both familiar and utterly strange, where gray-skinned, monstrous orcs show courage, kindness, and compassion to the human women they desperately need to continue their race while being hunted by human men. Itā€™s a world of darkness, oppression, and fear, but also wonder, beauty, and hope. Fennā€™s world building is utterly immersiveā€”you will hear, feel, smell (and only rarely see, because itā€™s dark under Orc Mountain!)ā€”what it is to be Orc Sworn.

By Finley Fenn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Librarian and the Orc as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Heā€™s a fierce, ferocious, death-dealing beast. And heā€™s reading a book in her library...

In a world of recently warring orcs and men, Rosa Rolfe leads a quiet, scholarly life as an impoverished librarian ā€” until the day she finds an orc. In her library. Reading a book.

Heā€™s rude, aggressive, and deeply terrifying, with his huge muscled form, sharp black claws, and cold, dismissive commands. But he doesnā€™t seem truly dangerousā€¦ at least, until night falls. And he makes Rosa a shocking, scandalous offerā€¦

Her books, for her surrender.
Her ecstasy.
Her enlightenmentā€¦

Rosaā€™s no fool, and she knowsā€¦


Book cover of Gideon the Ninth
Book cover of Leviathan Wakes
Book cover of The Terran Privateer: Book One in the Duchy of Terra

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5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in orcs, worldbuilding, and elves?

Orcs 20 books
Worldbuilding 163 books
Elves 70 books