2023 Faves
I had a hard time picking faves this year—there were so many! But here is where I landed. Just know that there are so many in honorable mention. Make sure you check out faves from the first half of the year too!
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Once again, I waited too long to read this internet darling (to be fair, I was waiting for it from my book subscription box, which still hasn’t arrived, and I gave up and got it from the library). It was everything the internet said it would be and more. The characters were so compelling. The story was so well-timed, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Let’s just put Iron Flame in honorable mention - it was excellent as well, but I didn’t have room for two books by the same author on the list.
Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Like much of JLA’s recent work, this book had me in a chokehold in the first 30 pages. Lis was an easy narrator to fall in step with, both foolishly brave and fully aware of her poor decision-making. The tension between her and Thorne was remarkable, even from a rather brutal second introduction. I can already tell that this is going to be a big world with lots of depth, of which we just started to scratch the surface.
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske
I just loved this! Bringing all the characters we’ve known and loved through the series together, but Marske focuses us on a new pair, Lord Hawthorn and Alan. Their romance was perfect, and the way that their stories were interwoven was so much fun. They also brought the overall story to a conclusion, so you got a bit more of the prior characters in this one, which I thought would make the book feel a little bulkier but definitely did not!
The Throne of Broken Gods by Amber V. Nicole
Oooh, buddy, this book packed a punch. We knew it would, given the devastating ending to book one, but Amber Nicole took morally grey to a new level. Dianna is chaos incarnate as she seeks her revenge, pushing away everyone and destroying anyone in her path. This book is a big one, so it gives plenty of time to both the chaos and destruction and steps toward redemption.
Compass Points (Compass Points #1) by Jillian Witt
LOL I’m sorry all, but I had to include it. This is my book, which I published in November of this year, so obviously, I’m incredibly biased on the recommendation. :) I just loved writing it, editing, and reading it, a fantasy romance after my heart. I’m so glad to see that others are enjoying it as much as I do.
The Hidden Crown by K.E. Blair
Again, sorry not sorry, Katie and I both released our debut novels in 2023 and we’re so thrilled to have had a supportive community to start checking them out. If you like fairytale vibes, YA romance and a dash of wicked fae, you should check this one out.
