This has been a fantastic year of reading for me. I have no doubts that I have found not only favorites on the year but all time favorites as well. The vast majority of my reading is in the fantasy genre but as you will see reflected in this list, other genres make their way into my favorite reads from time to time. So now without further ado, here are my favorite reads of 2024:
Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
This was a fantastic conclusion to the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Filled with satisfying character arcs and emotional moments, this book is sure to knock your socks off. This book contains some of the best twists and surprises I’ve read, which is why it was one of my favorite reads of this year.
Of War and Ruin by Ryan Cahill
Of War and Ruin is book three in Ryan Cahill’s series The Bound and The Broken. This was an absolutely epic and action packed adventure full of emotional moments and dragons. Set in a world where a dark lord and powerful empire have ruled for hundreds of years, we follow a group of rebels set on personal revenge and overcoming their oppressors.
Fool’s Fate by Robin Hobb
If Robin Hobb does anything better than almost anyone, it’s writing amazing characters. If you have followed Fitz’s story up to this point you will agree that he can be irritating and make frustrating decisions. Yet in spite of the frustrations you still feel deeply connected to him, and never as much as in this story. Even though there are more books in the Realm of The Elderlings after this, it still somehow feels like a satisfying conclusion.
Wrath by John Gwynne
Wrath was the concluding installment of The Faithful and The Fallen series by John Gwynne. It’s interesting how this series gets better with each book until you come to this masterpiece that is Wrath. This series contains some of the best character journeys and arcs that I’ve come across. It also contains one of the best twists of the chosen one trope that I’ve read. If you are looking for a book that will both inspire and wreck you, I highly recommend Wrath.
Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon
I mainly read fantasy, but every so often a non SFF book takes me by storm. A Boy’s Life was that book for me this year. I’ve already stated how I’m a fool for great character work but another way to my reader’s heart is a good coming of age story. Throw in a big mystery set in the 1950s following a boy, his family and friends over the course of a wild year and you have Boy’s Life. This story is told from the perspective of a young boy who sees things through his young understanding so some things that seem magical at the time may have a real world explanation. This was a nostalgic, emotional and fun read.
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