Crossing Over: Unique Fantasies with Unlikable Protagonists

Hey all. This month's Crossing Over is a little later than usual because I had a lot of other posts I was working on. I think. Or I was busy. I don't know. On top of that fact, like last month, I don't have a theme this month to focus me. But I've restored my idea stockpile for these and I have one that I'm really excited to share this one.

If you're not familiar with Crossing Over it's a feature that stemmed from my desire to recommend an adult book with crossover appeal based on a YA or sometimes Middle Grade book that are similar. I hate that we pigeonhole books into a specific age range and so I try to combat that. Plus it's basically an if you liked, then try but for crossover books. It runs once a month here and I pick the books based on the theme of what I'm reading. But like I said, no theme this month so here is a completely arbitrary choice.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Read My Review / Add to Goodreads

I love this series so much. It's one that I think is really polarizing within the fantasy community because of the way it treats magic and the characters but those are things that I love about it. For me, this is one of the most unique fantasies because of the way it plays with the classic tropes. This is a book with a magical system where magic doesn't solve problems it creates them, it's a magic that comes from darkness. There is also this really interesting world within a world that is not at all what you expect when you learn about it. Not to mention this is a book with a main character that is not easy to like. He's a selfish and whiny little jerk who never seems to be satisfied even when he gets exactly what he wants in life. But he also has some really great development throughout the book and surprisingly I empathized with him. This book is not for everyone but if you like unlikable characters and if you're looking for a unique fantasy absolutely check this out.

Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar
Read My Review / Add to Goodreads

I loved this book a lot when I read it last month. I think honestly one of the reasons I liked it so much is that it reminded me a lot of The Magicians when I was reading it.  For me, this is one of the most unique fantasies because of the way it plays with the classic tropes. This is a book with a magical system that is unlike many magical systems and I loved that. I don't want to give it away but it's similar to The Magicians in a very particular way that I enjoyed.  There is also this really interesting magical realism type world that is not at all what you expect when you learn about it.Not to mention this is a book with a main character that is not easy to like. He's a selfish little jerk who never seems to be satisfied even when he gets exactly what he wants. But he also has some really great development throughout the book and surprisingly I empathized with him. This book is not for everyone but if you like unlikable characters and if you're looking for a unique fantasy absolutely check this out.

These are both good examples of books I think of really weird and unique fantasies. They have these really great atmospheric tones and a unique settings with some of the most interesting magical systems I have come across. It plays with the tropes in a interesting way and I like that about it. The Magicians has been described as adult Harry Potter and so the obvious choice for a similar book would be Carry On, but not to me. There are similarities but if you really want a book that has a similar tone and themes I think this is the book for you.

Have you read The Magicians and/or Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies? What did you think? What unique fantasies with crossover appeal do you like? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!