14 books about explorers discovering hidden kingdoms
There’s an irresistible allure to the idea of hidden kingdoms—lost realms shrouded in mystery, their existence whispered about in ancient legends and cryptic maps. The thrill of discovery, the promise of untold treasures, and the promise of unraveling secrets buried deep beneath layers of time and geography is something that captures the imagination like nothing else. These 14 books explore the journeys of brave explorers as they uncover forgotten worlds, hidden kingdoms, and the dark histories that await beneath the surface.
1. The Lost City of Z by David Grann
In The Lost City of Z, David Grann chronicles the real-life expedition of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who ventured into the Amazon jungle in search of a lost city—a city he believed to be rich in ancient knowledge and long forgotten treasures. Grann’s account of Fawcett’s obsession with the city and his ultimate disappearance is a haunting tale of a man who, driven by both scientific curiosity and legend, becomes consumed by his quest to uncover a hidden kingdom that might not even exist. It’s a gripping, tragic journey that perfectly embodies the spirit of exploration.
2. The Kingdoms of the World by G.R. Matthews
Set in an ancient and mystical world, The Kingdoms of the World follows an intrepid explorer named Sera as she uncovers a forgotten kingdom hidden deep within an uncharted land. Surrounded by magic, mysterious creatures, and powerful artifacts, Sera must navigate a treacherous path to unearth the kingdom’s secrets. This captivating tale is a journey into a world where kingdoms rise and fall, and every discovery feels like a piece of an ancient puzzle.
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Jules Verne’s classic novel is one of the definitive tales of exploration. When Professor Lidenbrock and his companions embark on a journey to the center of the Earth, they find themselves in a hidden world full of prehistoric creatures, subterranean seas, and ancient civilizations. The kingdom they uncover is one of the Earth’s forgotten realms, full of mystery and danger, and it’s an unforgettable testament to the thrill of discovery. Verne’s vivid descriptions of the hidden world make this adventure one of the most beloved in literary history.
4. The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
In The City of Brass, Nahri, a resourceful young woman from 18th-century Cairo, unwittingly opens a portal to the magical city of Daevabad, an ancient kingdom of djinn and powerful magic hidden away for centuries. As Nahri delves deeper into the city’s complex politics and secrets, she uncovers a world on the brink of destruction, and she must navigate its treacherous power struggles. Chakraborty’s lush world-building and exploration of hidden kingdoms make this a must-read for fans of fantastical adventures.
5. The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A pioneer of adventure tales, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle takes readers to a forgotten plateau in South America, where prehistoric creatures and lost civilizations still exist. In The Lost World, Professor Challenger leads an expedition to explore this untouched world, uncovering a hidden kingdom that has been lost to the modern world for centuries. With dinosaurs, danger, and ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed, Doyle’s adventure is an exhilarating journey into an uncharted land.
6. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
While The Shadow of the Wind isn’t about a literal kingdom, the Cemetery of Forgotten Books—a secret, hidden library—functions as a kingdom of its own. Here, lost stories and forgotten histories are preserved, and when young Daniel Sempere discovers its existence, he embarks on a journey to uncover its mysteries. The way Zafón intertwines family secrets, history, and an otherworldly library feels like the exploration of a lost kingdom, where each book is a doorway into another world.
7. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
In The Bone Shard Daughter, the empire of the Iskari is a place where magic and technology intertwine. The story focuses on Lin, the daughter of an emperor who has ruled for years through a brutal system of bone shard magic. When Lin uncovers the secrets of her father’s empire, she begins to explore the hidden, long-forgotten parts of the kingdom’s history. As she journeys to uncover its origins, Lin unearths a world of forgotten magic and power struggles that threaten to shatter the kingdom itself.
8. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
In The Way of Kings, Sanderson introduces readers to the world of Roshar, a land scarred by storms and ancient wars. The hidden kingdoms within this world are bound by forgotten oaths, ancient orders, and powerful forces that shape the fates of all who inhabit them. As the protagonist Kaladin discovers more about the history of his world, he unearths long-forgotten kingdoms that once thrived, where magic and mystery reign. Sanderson’s masterful world-building creates a realm where ancient kingdoms are hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
9. The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford
This nonfiction gem uncovers the lost and largely forgotten history of the Mongol Queens—extraordinary women who wielded unimaginable power over the vast Mongol Empire. While Weatherford’s book is not a fictional exploration of hidden kingdoms, it offers a deep dive into a historical kingdom that remained obscure for centuries. The Mongol Queens wielded great influence, but their contributions were overshadowed by the male-dominated narrative of history. Weatherford brings their hidden kingdom back to light, revealing their political savvy and cultural significance.
10. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Set in a world where dragons and magic are real, The Priory of the Orange Tree delves into the rediscovery of an ancient kingdom of dragons, hidden for centuries. As different factions vie for control of these powerful creatures and the secrets they guard, the explorers in this world uncover not only the physical remnants of a forgotten kingdom but also the magic that once powered it. Shannon’s sprawling narrative takes readers into the heart of a kingdom long thought lost, where dragons and humans must learn to coexist again.
11. The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale may be a play, but its exploration of a kingdom lost to time and rediscovered through love and magic is timeless. King Leontes, consumed by jealousy, causes his kingdom to fracture, and his daughter is abandoned in the wilderness. Years later, the lost kingdom of Sicilia is reborn as old wounds are healed and familial bonds reconnected. It’s a story of rediscovery, where the kingdom’s fate hinges on the exploration of human hearts and the healing of long-hidden truths.
12. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
In The Name of the Wind, Kvothe, a legendary figure, embarks on his own journey through a world full of hidden places, lost knowledge, and forgotten kingdoms. The protagonist’s search for truth leads him to uncover ancient secrets about a kingdom that once ruled through magic and music. Rothfuss’s story blends adventure with lyrical prose, creating a world where forgotten realms are unearthed through the power of storytelling.
13. The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake
The Gormenghast Trilogy is an epic exploration of the dark and decaying kingdom of Gormenghast, a place where centuries-old traditions govern everything. The kingdom itself is a maze of towers, crumbling walls, and dark rituals that have long outlasted their purpose. As characters within the kingdom challenge its stagnation and uncover its lost purpose, the ancient, forgotten world of Gormenghast becomes a living, breathing entity. Peake’s exploration of this decaying kingdom is a masterclass in how a hidden, forgotten world can come to life through the pursuit of personal transformation.
14. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
In The Mists of Avalon, the legendary kingdom of Camelot is a place of magic and myth. The story retells the Arthurian legends from the perspective of Morgaine, the sister of King Arthur, as she navigates the complex interplay of magic, power, and family. The once-glorious kingdom of Camelot is shrouded in mist, a place both remembered and forgotten, where ancient powers are at play and the future of the realm hangs in the balance. Bradley’s lush storytelling creates a world that feels both ancient and alive, as hidden kingdoms rise and fall through the ages.
Final Thoughts
The allure of hidden kingdoms is timeless—places that remain buried beneath the sands of history, waiting to be rediscovered. Whether it’s through magic, mystery, or the indomitable will of explorers, these 14 books take us on thrilling journeys into the heart of lost realms, where secrets are waiting to be uncovered and the world is forever changed by what is found. With each story, we are reminded that some of the most remarkable discoveries lie not in the known, but in the forgotten corners of our world and our imagination.
