So, a creepy sci-fi fantasy with necromancers and swords and mystery? I thought this would be right up my alley. Even after my husband gave a lackluster review of being slow, I figured, with all the hype, I would give it a shot. But while, I know a lot of people loved this book, I don’t think it was for me.
What I liked:
Gideon’s character and voice off the page.
The premise of nine houses of necromancy coming together to solve some kind of riddle in a creepy house of death
Swords and general creepiness. Vibes here were solid.
The audiobooks narration
The complex relationship between Gideon and Harrowhark
What I didn’t like.
Pacing. Oof. I’ve got to agree with my husband, this one was slow and l.o.n.g. (Please keep in mind though, as a rule, I like breakneck books.) Gideon spends a lot of the first half not really knowing what’s going on, and well, the tension just wasn’t there for me. Even by the end, I didn’t feel like the elements melded together enough for me to be really satisfied.
Obviously lots of people loved it though, so if you’re into dark, edgy sci-fi fantasy, give this one a shot. 3.75/5 for me, and I’ll pass on the sequel, though I would see the movie.
⭐⭐⭐¾
Not for me, but it could be for you! (And my little iron man says he’s not a fan of the cover, so there’s that too.)
So far in 2023, I read (and by read, I mean, mostly listened to, as I’m primarily an audiobook listener) 66 books! Instead of categories or a top 10, for this year’s favorite lists, I scrolled through my Goodreads reviews and tried to pick out the reads that were a cut above the rest of me.
For the record, I usually love fast-paced books with likable characters and satisfying endings. Throw a slowburn romance in there, and you’ve got me completely hooked. That said, sometimes the books I like the most are those I had no idea I was looking for. This year, I read three fantasies, three romances, and one wildcard that rose above the rest.
Without further ado (and in no particular order):
Favorite Middle Grade read
Okay, this one was a *complete* surprise. I’m not a huge middle grade reader, but I’m a sucker for a magical school. The writing in this one was so completely fabulous, and while the comparison to Harry Potter is unavoidable, I loved the family dynamics, the rich magic system, and the bigger themes here. Honestly, when I started reading this, I was like, why aren’t more people talking about this book?! Highly recommend, and I will TOTALLY be reading the sequel. Full Review here!
Favorite Young Adult Read
Defy the Night (book one of this series) was one of my favorite reads of 2022, and this sequel did not disappoint! More fast-paced action and fun romance. Though I didn’t necessarily enjoy the third POV added here, I really liked the plot development and will totally be reading book 3. Full Review here!
Favorite Fantasy
Normally, I find that incredibly hyped books rarely live up to expectations, but this one totally did. The writing, the characters, the unique setting… it was almost like You’ve Got Mail, in a WWII setting, with magic. I loved just about everything about it. (Except that cliff-hanger ending!) I’ve recommended it to pretty much everyone I know and currently have the sequel on hold at the library. Full review here.
Also worth the hype
Another book that totally lived up to the hype. After loving Beach Read, this one cemented me as a Emily Henry fan. Perfectly balanced between thoughtful and fun, with characters that just sizzle with chemistry. Even though this was one of my earlier reads in this year, it has totally stuck with me. And now I’m on hold for Henry’s next book, Happy Place as well! Full review here.
Favorite Romantic Comedy
Felicity Chen might be one of my favorite rom-com heroines. Her voice is so punchy and fun, the romance was perfectly executed, and the premise of a reality show in the world of titanium and gold matching technology was *chef’s kiss.* I would LOVE to have more books in this world, and a movie, pleassseee!! Full review here.
Favorite Historical Fiction
This was one I didn’t know I was looking for. A darker, more literary historical fiction outside of my normal reading wheelhouse, I fully enjoyed this masterpiece. It was actually only after reading this that I realized I’ve really loved most of Lehane’s work. This was no exception. Despite the grittiness of the tale and the instensely flawed characters, something about that ending was so satisfying. Highly recommend, and fully expect a movie. Full review here.
Favorite Romance
Another fantastic contemporary romance that totally sold me as a Jimenez Fan. (I’ve now read all the books she’s published so far and can’t wait to read her next release.) Her banter is always delightful, and her characters so loveable even as this one explores a deeper blend of themes. Reading a Jimenez book feels like easing into a hot bath, and I can’t wait to read more of her work! Full review here.
It was a such a great reading year! I’m still catching my blog up on my Goodreads reviews. But if I missed some of your favorites from this year, definitely drop them in the comments and I’ll check them out on Goodreads! Please remember to support your favorite authors with ratings and reviews to spread the word about their amazing books, and as always, thanks for reading! 😊
May your 2024 be filled with new and amazing books!
This is going to be a short review, because I friggin’ loved this book. Drawn in from the first page, I loved the magic of this fantasy world with a WWII feel. Loved the You Got Mail interaction between the two main characters. Loved the two leads themselves – complex and deep (though they felt a little older than they were.) Loved the writing. Loved the premise. Loved the narration. Honestly, the only thing I didn’t love was that cliffhanger ending. It felt weird to me for some reason. But will 1000% be reading book 2, and have already recommended this one to basically everyone I know.
So, someone told me this book was weirdly addicting and they were NOT wrong. It was totally invading my brain space at all times, so do yourself a favor and make sure you clear your schedule so you can read it (as close to) straight through as humanly possible.
A high fantasy with a great, modern voice and solid military vibe. Cool magic. Interesting world. Likable characters. Touch-her-and-die. High stakes. Danger everywhere. Enemies-to-lovers (with plenty of lusty tension and some spice if you’re into that). Fast-paced.
And the DRAGONS. This is how dragons should be. Scary, dangerous, brutal, intelligent, loyal. Just YASSS.
Yeah I’ll be honest, I’m always leery to get into super hyped books, and this one didn’t really grab me from the start. But even though it’s long, this book just fllooooowwwws, and as soon as the dragons really entered the picture a quarter of the way through I was IN IT.
At times, I did get a little tired of the lusty sexual-tension dance between the MCs, but that ending was totally just *chef’s kiss.*
Does it live up to the hype? I honestly don’t know if that’s possible, but this was a solid 5 stars for me. I’ll definitely be reading the sequel and going to the movies. (Please, Hollywood, do them justice.)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yes awesome, scary dragons! I’m ready for the movie!
So I loved Simon Snow 1 & 2, and while I still enjoyed this one, it was probably my least favorite of the series. Of course, I love Simon and Baz and Penelope, but the story seemed to be a little wandering. And Agatha’s POV really didn’t come together for me this time. It felt disconnected from the others, and kind of incomplete. I’m not sure if there will be a book 4, but on the whole, I feel like Agatha has always been kind of an afterthought, and even more so in this book. Would still totally recommend this to fans of book 1 & 2, and would definitely read a book 4 if there ever is one!
A well-written YA fantasy with a unique premise that imagines a world of lucid dreams where danger and adventure await. The audiobook narration was awesome and on the whole, this adventure definitely gave me strong Peter Pan vibes, with the mysterious Steggie Belle as the fearless leader of a band of children exploring a new, fantastical world. It’s told from first-person past POV with the main character looking back on his adventures as an adult, which I felt distanced us from the action, but that’s just a personal preference. I did have a little trouble with the pacing and found myself wishing for deeper relationships between the main characters. Though they were all likable, I felt like I wanted to know more about them. The world was well-developed though, and I definitely think this book would appeal to those looking for a YA fantasy with a classic feel revolving around a whimsical world of dreams. Thanks so much to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review! More information below!
⭐⭐⭐ ½
The author: Elias Pell
Steggie Belle & the Dream Warriors Audiobook is available for pre-order now!
Published by candlelight—surrounded by chanting Druids—at midnight on Summer Solstice back in 2020, this is Elias Pell’s debut novel. A semi-autobiographical Fantasy which delves behind the world we know, or like to tell ourselves we know.
Now, on the Autumnal Equinox—September 23rd, 2023—the unabridged Audiobook read by Jay Forrester arrives, pulsing through a pair of earphones near you! Listen to Zoofall’s incredible confession as the candlewax melts away and the shadows encroach ever closer upon the fragile, dwindling flame.
“What if our understanding of dreams is just a poor reflection of another place…
a real place?”
During a storm, a man who calls himself Zoofall has barricaded himself inside an attic. He has only seven candles worth of time to reveal his extraordinary secrets. How, when he was a child, he discovered the existence of a wild other world, where Reality and Mythology meet, beyond the limits of Lucid Dreaming.
As a boy, after a freak accident results in him making a peculiar acquaintance, a lengthy initiation follows, and Zoofall finally finds himself welcomed into a group of other young dreamers—who call themselves the Freedivers. They teach him hidden truths and the long-forgotten, true history of humankind. Of how the dream and waking worlds, although now separated, were once united as one, until the “cross-overs” began. They show him that the stuff of ancient myths and fairy tales, of folklore and urban legends have never been imaginary at all. These beings had simply migrated for their own safety, away from the waking world, and that these “crossings” are by no means one-way.
Within this magical and terrifyingly real realm, Zoofall must figure out if his own unusual powers make him a possible saviour or a dangerous burden. As dark forces rise up, threatening to engulf their group, he must uncover the greatest mystery of all. Who their incredible leader—Steggie Belle—really is, how she became so powerful, and if by any chance she can be saved?
About the Author:
Elias Pell is a London-born, previously published poet and self-confessed dreamer. Disguised as an adult (children have somehow always been able to see through this facade) Elias left England in 2016, putting all his savings towards the dream of writing full-time. Since then, he has sat, scribbling away on a rooftop in Barcelona, spurred on by the raucous cries of seagulls circling overhead.
Steggie Belle & the Dream Warriors is Elias’s debut Fantasy novel: a story inspired by his own lifelong Lucid Dreaming experiences. In 2020, it was awarded as a Finalist in the Fantasy category of NIEA’s global annual competition (the only self-published novel to reach that shortlist).
Elias has also published a collection of short stories for adults, entitled Scapegoats & Crowbars, and is currently working on the sequel to Steggie Belle, alongside other new writing projects. He is currently seeking representation, and can be contacted directly at elias.pell75@gmail.com.
Picked this audiobook up from the library on the whim and it was such a pleasant surprise! The book follows 13yo Thomas as he apprentices with a Spook to learn how to deal with the frequent paranormal disturbances in their medieval-like world. Fast-paced, dark, and tense with interesting characters, I really liked this quick read, and thought it totally nailed an upper-grade (or lower YA) dark fantasy. Totally recommend and would definitely pick up the second book.
The Heart of the Sea is a gender-swapped Little Mermaid, but it has a lot to add to the original tale. In this version, the two main characters are separated childhood sweethearts, with the narrative bouncing between the past and present day. There’s a lot more world-building and magic to tie together the world of humans and merfolk, and I especially love the addition of the Condemned and the larger element of danger. Though the characters didn’t super pop for me, I thought this was a very original take on the Little Mermaid, and would definitely recommend to any Fairytale Retelling fans out there!
This book was a unique, interesting read. I really enjoyed the premise of humanity after essentially the rise and fall of technology, and the high-fantasy vibe it brought with it. The world building was great, and I enjoyed exploring it with the characters on their journey. The audiobook was well narrated and the visuals were easy to fall into. But the characters fell a little flat for me. I felt like the MC lacked agency, and in general, the POV characters spent a lot of their time in their own heads, missing the growth and relationship that would’ve really brought them to life for me. But if you enjoy plot-driven epic sci-fi and fantasy, I’d definitely recommend you give this a try! Thanks so much to the publisher for the free audible code!
So first of all, I just love EP Stavs writing. It’s fast-paced, fun, and it sucks me right into the story every time. This one is probably one of my favorite reads from her. I love the Grimm-based world she created here, and the voicey characters practically popped from the page. Honestly, it reminded me of a mature Ella Enchanted, and I was SO here for it. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fairytale retelling equal parts dark and quirky fun with a pop of spice.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love when a book turns out to be a fresh, unexpected surprise!
