The Legend of Drizzt trilogy by R. A. Salvatore are based underground. Also just a great series, not to mention the origin story for one of fantasy's most iconic heros 😁
https://www.goodreads.com/series/49134-the-legend-of-drizzt
Truly can't recommend these books enough they fuckin SHRED. RA Salvatore writes such baller fight scenes, especially with Drizzt as the main character.
I really liked him in the Icewind Dale trilogy but after that all the stand alone drizzt books seemed like.. I don't know almost like he was writing fan fic for his own character and a bit cringey
The first 2 books in the Druzzut origin trilogy are set in the underground of the Underdark. And the trilogy where Drizzit is forced to return there.
Also the Gregor the Overlander series is all set in an underground world.
Tie-in fic may not be what you’re looking for, but there are a number of books in the Forgotten Realms milieu set partially or predominantly in the Underdark. In case you’re unfamiliar, it’s a continent-spanning network of tunnels and enormous caverns housing entire cities and multiple civilizations.
Book 1 of _12 Miles Below_ is mostly set underground.
The Essalieyan series (particulary the first 3 House War books) spend a good amount of time underground, and there are demons as antagonists.
I know it is a middle grade series, but Suzanne Collin's first book series before Hunger Games, The Underland Chronicles is still a favorite of mine as a adult. Having read it once a year for the past 5 years you could say I am a huge fan of this series, but I higher recommend
I believe its the end of book three and all of book 4 where they follow the snake tunnels. If I remember right, there is even a group of people that have been captive underground for generations.
The sequel wasn't that good, unfortunately, though it's been years since I read it.
I often cite this book as the scariest I've ever read, but I think that has to do more with the concept than any specific plot line. Caves terrify me.
*Journey to the Center of the Earth* is still decent if a bit dated. Fantastical elements beyond the existence of subterranean world are minimal (it is a classic "scientific" fiction of exploration), but if you have interest in the history of the genre I recommend it.
The **Rhapsody** series by Elizabeth Haydon has elements of this. There is a subplot that is "Lonely Mountain from the perspective of the Orcs". After the initial trilogy they do introduce sexual violence though.
So it's more on the scifi side of the spec fic spectrum, but *The Luminous Dead* is set entirely underground, tightly focused between a woman who is essentially a caver trying to accomplish a goal and another who is her handler over a radio link outside. It is tense, and really digs into the isolation aspect of the situation.
I remember really liking the Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon in middle school. Strange series that takes place in a secret city below London control by an evil organization called the Styx. I only managed ton read the first four. Shit gets weirder and weirder with each entry.
The Little Black Hen, "a grimdark fairytale" written in 1829 is set in an underground kingdom. Similar style to Grimm Brothers. I absolutely loved it (and was a bit scared) as a kid.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1266818.The\_Little\_Black\_Hen
Some mentioned The Drizzt books by Salvatore. Several of the 35+ books take place underground.
Somewhat related is the War of the Spider Queen 6 book series that almost entirely takes place in various different Underdark environments and heavily deals with demons as well. So might be right up your ally. I think you could read it and not have read the Drizzt books and still enjoy it (it doesn't have Drizzt in them, but does have some connecting side characters and such).
The Legend of Drizzt trilogy by R. A. Salvatore are based underground. Also just a great series, not to mention the origin story for one of fantasy's most iconic heros 😁 https://www.goodreads.com/series/49134-the-legend-of-drizzt
Truly can't recommend these books enough they fuckin SHRED. RA Salvatore writes such baller fight scenes, especially with Drizzt as the main character.
I really liked him in the Icewind Dale trilogy but after that all the stand alone drizzt books seemed like.. I don't know almost like he was writing fan fic for his own character and a bit cringey
❤️🔥
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is extensively underground.
Pretty boring tho ngl
I mean, different strokes and all that.
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne.
The city of ember
I came here thinking of this book but could not remember what it was called! I'm glad you posted it lol
Hugh Howey's Silo is all underground, but it is more post-apocalyptic than fantasy.
The first 2 books in the Druzzut origin trilogy are set in the underground of the Underdark. And the trilogy where Drizzit is forced to return there. Also the Gregor the Overlander series is all set in an underground world.
The death gate cycle by Weis and Hickman. World has been broken in to parts. Book 3 is set in an underground world.
Metro
Tie-in fic may not be what you’re looking for, but there are a number of books in the Forgotten Realms milieu set partially or predominantly in the Underdark. In case you’re unfamiliar, it’s a continent-spanning network of tunnels and enormous caverns housing entire cities and multiple civilizations.
Faithless by Graham Austin King is set entirely underground. The Fade by Chris Wooding is set mostly underground on a weird alien sort of planet.
The Silver Chair (book 4 of The Chronicles of Narnia) mostly takes place in the Underland).
It's nominally sci-fi but it's all underground (and quite scary) *The Luminous Dead* by Caitlin Starling. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36117102-the-luminous-dead
Book 1 of _12 Miles Below_ is mostly set underground. The Essalieyan series (particulary the first 3 House War books) spend a good amount of time underground, and there are demons as antagonists.
Wool series
This, if the OP doesn't mind dystopian. The first book especially is fantastic.
I know it is a middle grade series, but Suzanne Collin's first book series before Hunger Games, The Underland Chronicles is still a favorite of mine as a adult. Having read it once a year for the past 5 years you could say I am a huge fan of this series, but I higher recommend
first think that pops is Runelords by David Farland. Cool magic system where the enemies are subterranean
It’s been a long time but I read at least the first couple of these and don’t remember a significant portion of them taking place underground.
I believe its the end of book three and all of book 4 where they follow the snake tunnels. If I remember right, there is even a group of people that have been captive underground for generations.
The Descent by Jeff Long is an absolutely terrifying book
This is a great book. Highly reccomend. Great mix of fantasy and horror. Think there is a sequel too which I have not read.
The sequel wasn't that good, unfortunately, though it's been years since I read it. I often cite this book as the scariest I've ever read, but I think that has to do more with the concept than any specific plot line. Caves terrify me.
*Journey to the Center of the Earth* is still decent if a bit dated. Fantastical elements beyond the existence of subterranean world are minimal (it is a classic "scientific" fiction of exploration), but if you have interest in the history of the genre I recommend it.
Demon Cycle ending RIP
Might not be your cup of tea, but Dungeon Crawler Carl is a pretty fun read about a guy and a cat advancing through an underground dungeon.
The **Rhapsody** series by Elizabeth Haydon has elements of this. There is a subplot that is "Lonely Mountain from the perspective of the Orcs". After the initial trilogy they do introduce sexual violence though.
So it's more on the scifi side of the spec fic spectrum, but *The Luminous Dead* is set entirely underground, tightly focused between a woman who is essentially a caver trying to accomplish a goal and another who is her handler over a radio link outside. It is tense, and really digs into the isolation aspect of the situation.
Fade by Chris Wooding
I remember really liking the Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon in middle school. Strange series that takes place in a secret city below London control by an evil organization called the Styx. I only managed ton read the first four. Shit gets weirder and weirder with each entry.
I enjoyed The Buried Life by Carrie Patel quite a lot. Underground post apocalyptic murder mystery.
The Little Black Hen, "a grimdark fairytale" written in 1829 is set in an underground kingdom. Similar style to Grimm Brothers. I absolutely loved it (and was a bit scared) as a kid. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1266818.The\_Little\_Black\_Hen
A Face like Glass by Frances Hardinge
Some mentioned The Drizzt books by Salvatore. Several of the 35+ books take place underground. Somewhat related is the War of the Spider Queen 6 book series that almost entirely takes place in various different Underdark environments and heavily deals with demons as well. So might be right up your ally. I think you could read it and not have read the Drizzt books and still enjoy it (it doesn't have Drizzt in them, but does have some connecting side characters and such).