Hello again dear reader or listener, it’s been a minute! Wish I could say it was because I’ve been busy reading and crunching for my end of year list but I’d be kinda lying and you know I’d never do that to you. But I was busy preparing something else that begins with a c and rhymes with attention, and I think you’ll enjoy that even more when its time comes.
I’ve decided to do something a little different than my usual top five for this year’s top reads given that, while I may not have totaled an awful lot of books over the past year, the majority were pretty dang great. So, I figured I’d treat you to a longer list and the ensuing cover extravaganza! As always, if I’ve reviewed these here, I’ll link that to the book title so you can have some fun with my longer rambles, if you so wish.
With a solid mix of various subgenres, you will find highly anticipated sequels, standalones, or brand-new series openers that hold onto you from beginning till the end.
But it really all boils down to: Böök Hella Gud, Trust This Greek, Go Buy.
So then, I don’t normally set these in any particular order but this round I’ll highlight two books above all others:
The Unkillable Princess (The Kystrom Chronicles #2) by Taran Hunt – because A) It was arguably my most highly anticipated sequel in recent memory and I truly loved it so damn much, B) it deserves all the love, as does the author, AND C) it hasn’t come out yet so you can run to preorder it so that you can bask in all its gloriousness this coming February.
Sophomore slump? Taran Hunt doesn’t know her. The Unkillable Princess brashly kicks down the door in a swagtastic entrance, to announce to everyone that it is broader in scope, better in everything, and very ready to destroy all of your emotions. What do you get when you mix together spy thriller tropes, sci-fi shenanigans, and a found family that is killing you softly throughout? Guess you’ll need to find out yourself.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden – is a historical fiction book that moved me to tears (a very rare feat) and that I think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime regardless of genre preference. I don’t know what kind of otherworldly sorcery Arden imbues her words with to make them feel so visceral, poignant, truthful, beautiful and powerful. I’ve rarely felt with the depth that I have through her writing, even when it’s over extremely simple or seemingly mundane things. Her story was about loss and war and human nature, and trying to heal after going through an actual end of the world. It was deeply beautiful as it was harrowingly painful, in what I can only describe as the way you fully grasp your surroundings in the first quiet moments after a rush of adrenaline or intense fear. It was simplicity after chaos, that feeling of sound returning slowly in stages after something sudden and loud caused your ears to ring.
And now for the rest of the gems in no particular order:
The Gods Below (The Hollow Covenant #1) by Andrea Stewart – The Gods Below is a grand start to a series which promises even more twists, intrigues, feels, romance, political machinations, and magic! Nailing the psychology of different kinds of trauma, cultish manipulation, the weight of familial expectations, and the forced shouldering of responsibilities that you are ill-prepared for or didn’t deserve, Stewart presents readers with a story full of heart and drive and stubbornness.
Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne – As much darkly humorous as dread inducing and unsettling, this book will take you on a terrible ride you will both enjoy and loathe in almost equal measure because the horrors are not merely supernatural. Wrapping up in an extremely satisfying manner makes it all worth it though.
Crucible of Chaos (Court of Shadows: Prelude) by Sebastien De Castell – Other than being a Masterclass in creative and devastating insults, this standalone mystery thriller brings together elements reminiscent of The Name of the Rose, Don Quixote, and the darkest of the Sherlock Holmes tales. De Castell presents the reader with a dark mystery which very much embodies the aphorism ‘The road to Hell is paved with good intentions’. And where one very tired and battered man needs to solve the crimes holding the monastery of Isola Sombra hostage, before something worse comes to pass.
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas – is everything you could possibly wish for in a Mexican gothic, with rich folklore, beautiful and atmospheric prose, complex characters, and a forbidden romance rooted in cultural and historical authenticity, to die for. Cañas wrote a nuanced and emotionally intelligent story, deeply rooted in the bonds of love, honor, pride, and hope.
Asunder by Kerstin Hall – Hall weaves a tale of darkness and trauma and healing and tentative bonding despite it all, expertly and without pulling any punches. This fantasy horror story is gory, it is dark, and it will take you by surprise in more ways than one. On top of that, Hall gave her own spin to forced proximity and when I say it worked so well! Ferain’s banter in the face of adversity paired with Karys’ pragmatism and aggravations made for such a complementary dynamic.
Deep Black (Arcana Imperii #2) by Miles Cameron – Cameron has written a diverse and multicultural mix of characters that live rent free in my heart and we all deserve them in our lives. The banter, the camaraderie, the feels, not to mention the romance. I am unwell, dear reader. And so will you be, once you fall into this action-packed sequel, rife with space action, small moments (that nonetheless feel big) between protagonists you live for, and the ongoing unravelling of a galaxy wide conspiracy.
Black Tide Son (The Winter Sea #2) by H.M. Long – Amping up everything I loved in book one, tensions where higher, problems bigger, foes more inscrutable and insidious, but our characters were stronger as well, surer of their respective powers, but also still not overpowered and invincible. Not to mention, this book is an absolute masterclass in villain decay done right! I am still applauding it months later. Long raises the bar on what epic high seas fantasy and character work are supposed to be. And she does so spectacularly, by grabbing you by the proverbial lapels and flinging you into edge of your seat action, humor, and so much heart.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen – With a letter exchange premise inspired by the 1998 Hanks and Ryan movie, You’ve Got Mail, Undertaking is an enemies-to-lovers romcom that is both full of romance and aggravations (the good kind), but also endless heartfelt family or found family moments. It is a charming, at times whimsical, and endearing adult romantic comedy with lots of heart, nuanced relationships, cozy LGBTQ+ rep, foulmouthed characters, and a soft yet passionate romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously nor is it afraid to have flawed characters.
Play of Shadows (Court of Shadows #1) by Sebastien de Castell – is many things, just like its crew of colourful characters, but most of all, it is a fast-paced joy-ride from start to finish, filled to the brim with swashbuckling action, multilayered protagonists, bombastic and/or bawdy personalities, and self-aware melodrama, that is in no way held back by the dark events and ominous foes it presents. Was Play of Shadows occasionally unhinged and off the rails? Absolutely! Did it suffer for it in any way? Not one damn bit.
The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy #1) by James Logan – Logan’s writing is evocative and his worldbuilding strong. While he does lean into all the tropes, he makes sure to keep them fresh and interesting so that you don’t feel like it’s the nth high fantasy tale you’re reading, but rather that you get to cozy down with a comfort read even if it is the first time you’re enjoying this story. Embellished with lots of aggravated heroes, strong women, mysteries aplenty, stealth and thieves, bustling fantasy cities, and dangerous creatures, to boot.
Finally, two honorable mentions that are books I am currently reading and will hopefully finish by year’s end, yet I can already tell you they belong in this list.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart – after the emotional damage she caused me with Gods, I figured why not double down and keep reading this author? What could possibly go wrong?
Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale – another emotional damage legacy read from the author of The Toymakers, a book I still think about regularly even five years later. I see the pain on the horizon with this one, and it’ll likely ruin me all over again.
If you made it this far, thank you and treat yourself to a cookie, dear reader. I hope you found something that caught your eye to keep you company in the new year! And, as always, you can find me on Twitter or BlueSky if you’re looking for more specific incentives to read any of these, or you want to nerd over them.
Until next time,
Eleni A.E.
Leave a Reply