This was an interesting year in terms of reading for me. I read more than last year but I also had more disappointments than before- five 1 star reads in fact. Reflecting on it, I am just so happy at all the books that did indeed work for me. In fact, I even have an answer for my favorite book of all time now- a question that I usually skirt around and never come to conclusions on. I hope it changes in the next few years because I definitely want to read books I love more and the same author might even put out books that surpass this one.
Since I have said it is my favorite of all time now, I cannot escape but say that there is a definitive no. 1 ranking but ranks 2-10 are not in specific order.
Jade War & Jade Legacy – Fonda Lee
Without further ado, my number one book of the year is Jade War by Fonda Lee (full review here – https://fanfiaddict.com/jade-war-the-green-bone-saga-2-by-fonda-lee/.) Reading Jade war was literally transformative for me. I became addicted and finished Jade War and Jade Legacy in a week. The characters, the story, and the writing – everything is outstanding. I have no idea how the author created such an out of the world story and I will never have enough words to fully praise this series.
Jade Legacy review – https://fanfiaddict.com/jade-legacy-the-green-bone-saga-3-by-fonda-lee/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4iYP1ni
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/series/216281-the-green-bone-saga
The Sword of Kaigen – M.L. Wang
This was another excellent reading experience for me. I truly have not read such a deeply written mom character in fantasy. Misaki stands unparalleled there. The love, anger, and pain she carries and the complexity and flaws with which the characters surrounding her are all written is exceptional. I’m so glad I have the Wraithmarked Kickstarter edition of this book. It also features my most favorite duel scene in fantasy. The character transformation in that duel is electric.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-sword-of-kaigen-by-m-l-wang-3/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4gzK4zx
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41886271-the-sword-of-kaigen
A Master of Djinn – P. Djèlí Clark
This was an absolute treat and my first five star read of 2024. It checked off so many of my favorite things – epic fantasy, murder mystery, buddy cop, female MC. It is also a very witty book with very rich world building elements. Detective story in steampunk version of Cairo with Djinns, portals and Final Fantasy-esque Icons participating in fights is just hard to beat.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-master-of-djinn-dead-djinn-universe-1-by-p-djeli-clark/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3ZVNkOQ
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52504334-a-master-of-djinn
The Blacktongue Thief – Christopher Buehlman
This book was like watching a summer blockbuster movie. It had everything and was just out and out fun throughout. Goblins, gods, assassins, cats, whale sperm, krakens – everything is present in this story. Plus an added bonus is that the author narrates the audiobook. Also, we need to bring back songs in epic fantasies please.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/the-blacktongue-thief-blacktongue-1-by-christopher-buehlman/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3VYXGvY
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55077697-the-blacktongue-thief
Starter Villain/ When the moon hits your eye – John Scalzi
A double feature again. I read two books by John Scalzi this year and both of them are brilliant and a ton of fun. Starter villain without a doubt is the most hilarious book I’ve read in years. Dolphins have read Das Kapital and accuse cats of being class traitors in their pursuit of a labor strike to form a union, that’s all I have to say about this book.
When the moon hits your eyes is an ARC read and releases in March of next year. It is also a very fun read but it also has emotional moments. The premise is that the moon has turned to cheese suddenly. I am yet to review it but Mary Robinette Kowal’s review on goodreads is perfect ( https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6854738135 )
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/starter-villain-by-john-scalzi/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4iYFyMx
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61885029-starter-villain
Spear – Nicola Griffith
I read this when I was heading into a reading slump and it reinvigorated me right back up. A queer retelling of Arthurian canon mixed with Irish myth. The prose is so beautiful and I basically read it in a single sitting.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/spear-by-nicola-griffith/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3PeUgBH
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693308-spear?ref=nav_sb_ss_4_5
Traitor’s Blade – Sebastien de Castell
I read this 5 months ago and I still cannot come to a conclusion on who my favorite character is from this book. Everything was excellent in this book – dialogue, characters, plot, action. It is filled with fight sequences but never becomes tedious. Also, another case for bringing back songs in epic fantasies please.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/traitors-blade-greatcoats-1-by-sebastien-de-castell/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4fGhDi4
Goodreads– https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20887238-traitor-s-blade?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15
Ascension – Nicholas Binge
This was genuinely mind bending and I cannot categorize it into one genre; it is science fiction, techno thriller, horror, weird fiction and also a love story – all in one. It has stayed with me long after I read it and the author rivals Fredrik Backman(who I consider to be a pinnacle) in writing human emotions.
Review – https://fanfiaddict.com/ascension-by-nicholas-binge/
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4gCdD3v
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61813107-ascension?ref=nav_sb_noss_l_9
A man without a country – Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
This book is a collection of his essays on many different topics and I adored each one. I went in to sample a couple of pages in the beginning and basically finished the book in one sitting. My only complaint in fact is that there are only 12 essays. He is a wizard without words and I love his social commentary.
Review – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6907424330
Amazon – https://amzn.to/49VcOAt
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4979.A_Man_Without_a_Country
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