I’m a little bit late, but this year has been utterly crazy with work so far. Today I finally found the time to draft this up!

So last year I read a bit less than in years past, as the cute little rescue dog we adopted has taken up quite a bit of my time.

In october I also started a new job, which took up even more time and especially brainpower. I am no longer a booksller, but work an office job in tech distribution now.

With 166 books read I am still more than happy with the amount I managed to devour!


I looked at this long list of books, and was trying to decide which my favourites are. I managed to get it down to about 30, which did not lend itself well for a collage, so I cut some poor books down again, and managed to get it a nice even 24 books for 2024! I shall tell you more about each of them in a little bit. I tried sorting them a bit by theme, but was just semi successful with it.

covers of all the 24 books mentioned in the post in one collage

For the Grimdark fans, despite the “cute” start, you’ll get plenty – those are at the end of the post.

Apparently I also didn’t actually post full reviews to all of them on the blog, I shall aim to do better this year… But for those I did, I added teh link to the full review for you.

Anyway here we go, mini reviews for my favourite books of last year!


Historical / Strong female leads:

Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

A sapphic, regency style story with strong feminist themes and a narrative voice that had me hooked early on. Loved the magic, the setting and the loyalties in this one!

There was a great balance between fighting for emancipation, for women’s rights and freedom, and the sheer complication to try and work against the established rules of society. It was neither too fluffy or cosy, nor too depressing and dark.

Cover of Stormsong by CL Polk

Stormsong by C.L. Polk

I liked the first book, but the second was a definite step up for me. The world and characters just felt even more rounded to me. A historical setting, a murder mystery, political scheming, trying to do the best for the country and its people, but still not being a perfect hero, strong female characters, LGBTQIA inclusive cast – this book has it all.

Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang

Full review

The main themes are not just a gripping new world with lots of magic and a university, but also misogyny, colonialism, racism, exploitation, faith, guilt, injustice, and more. With well rounded characters, this hooked me easily.

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (cover)

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

Not only do we get an older, female pirate captain as a main character, it’s also set outside the typical western scenery, with a majority of the world being Muslim.

I liked how this was in no way made an extra point, it’s just the natural world of the story. I always enjoy having a fresh point of view, and this definitely is one perspective I am not used to!

There’s much adventure going on, but my main draw was the tone and voice of the whole story.


Cosy / Cosy-Dark / Good Vibes:

Cover of A Matter of Execution by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater

A Matter of Execution by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater

If you want some swashbuckling fantasy, that’s full of charm, adventure, a diverse cast, fun and plenty of banter, this is plain gold.

There’s a very strong found family in here. A teenage girl who loves books and stealing things, a disabled crew mate, so it’s just normal that everyone has learned sign language, a big man who would rather use his giant hands to heal than harm, a former lady of high standing, and others, who just trust each other unconditionally.

I loved how the tropes were often intentionally turned upside down, which made it both familiar and unique.

This gem of a novella is somewhere between cosy and adventurous, and was just pure joy to read from the first to the last page!

Cover of Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

Paladin’s Hope by T. Kingfisher

Paladin’s Hope by T. Kingfisher is another amazing book in the series.

This time we get an m/m couple, which made for a nice change.

I loved seeing more of the world, and especially getting a better glimpse into other species and societies!

There’s the typical banter and humour I so love in these books, so I’m utterly happy and satisfied. Even more so when I discovered there’s a book 4 by now!

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (cover)

A Prayer for the Crown Shy by Becky Chambers

I really love the relationship between Mosscap and Brex, and how they are growing together.

The LGBTQIA+ inclusivity is also always nice to read, when it just doesn’t matter who loves whom, or how many, as long as everyone is happy with it. It’s simply not a topic at all, which I adore.

This story is quiet and slow, and yet speaks right to the heart.

There are so many gorgeous little quotes and moments, and I am so here for it! I definitely need more of this.

Cover of  Hessians and Hellhounds by Tilly Wallace

Hessians and Hellhounds by Tilly Wallace

Full review

The last book in the series is a good finale, and I will miss this cosy world with plenty of found family as well as actual family.

Cover of The Wishing Stone by Adam Holcombe

The Wishing Stone by Adam Holcombe

Full review

Cosy-dark at its finest. A necromancer “grandma” and a young girl she had taken under her wing make for a good duo, along with adventure and banter.


Progression Fantasy:

Cover of Thunder Kraken by Dyrk Ashton

Thunder Kraken by Dyrk Ashton

Full review

Perfectly easy entertainment which is satisfying all my LitRPG needs for me. Not too many stats, but plenty of friendships, teamwork, found family and of course action and adventure as well as tests and trials!


Epic:

Gates of Sorrow by JE Hannaford

Full Review

Epic fantasy with wonderfully incentive world, which manages to balance darkness and hope perfectly, so it’s neither overly dark but neither is it too light or fluffy.

The darker parts are countered by strong friendships, nice banter, and a good dose of adventure! 


Dark / Grimdark

Cover of Blood Brothers Beyond by Rob J. Hayes

Blood Brothers Beyond by Rob J. Hayes

Full review

An Asian inspired novella with plenty of banter and action as well as dealing with grief and loss.

Cover of Drown Deep by Phil Williams

Drown Deep by Phil Williams

Full review

The second book about the Bloo scouts. A world full of war and deadly creatures.

The mix of (dark) humour and gore galore was just immensely entertaining, while the more thought provoking bits gave the book a lot of depth as well.

The Empire's Ruin (cover)

The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley

Especially Gwenna’s POV and character arc were so utterly brilliantly done. I loved her from book one, but she reached new depths and quickly became one of my favourite characters. Especially when she gets a new “companion”, whose interactions just made it all the more real.

Cover of Last Winter Sun by GR Matthews

Last Winter Sun by GR Matthews

Full Review (by T.O. Munro)

Last Winter Sun by G.R. Matthews is a mix of dystopian novel, magic, orks and other beasts. The blurb says “A-Team meets World of Warcraft” and as someone who enjoyed both a whole lot, this was a great mix for me.

Cover of The Dark Feather by Anna Stephens

The Dark Feather by Anna Stephens

Full review

This delivers an epic conclusion to one of the best dark fantasy series I’ve read.

This book has ripped out my heart and stomped on it a couple of times, but it also made me feel hope. There is a perfectly struck balance between the horrendous events and those (big and small) moments of gratification and joy.

Cover of Herald by Rob J. Hayes

Herald by Rob J. Hayes

Full review

A deep history, and mythology, likeable young characters, characters as old as dirt, friendships and betrayals, adventures, banter, humour, mysteries, twists and turns! This book got it all.

Cover of The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R. Fletcher

The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R. Fletcher

Full review

A grimdark book with absolutely no humans involved anywhere? Yes please! A world inhabited by insect style cultures were super fascinating.

Cover of The Hallows by HL Tinsley

The Hallows by HL Tinsley

Full review

A weird and fantastic 1920 urban fantasy.

I mean, floating nuns who somehow turned into fighters as well. How could I not?

Cover of Between Dragons and Their Wrath by Devin Madison

Between Dragons and Their Wrath by Devin Madison

Full review

Queer epic fantasy that held me hostage from page one.

All three main characters felt so real, they walked off the page and into the real world. None of them are heroes or villains, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, their virtues and vices.

cover of The Fall of Koli by MR Carey

The Fall of Koli by MR Carey

Well trodden ideas, but the author makes them totally his own.

I simply adore how he manages to insert so many thought provoking and meaningful concepts that make you re-evaluate your own thoughts. Yet he does it in a subtle way. Never heavy handed, or in a way that feels like a lecture. Questions about society and humanity are posed as a smooth and natural part of the story.

Cover of Shadow over Haven by David Green

Shadow over Haven by David Green

Full review

Urban Fantasy with a main character who I immediately clicked with, especially for his sass and sarcasm! He’s prone to just run into every situation head first, and hopefully a plan will come along at some point. I enjoy his voice so very much, and while I want to shake him every so often, I can always understand why he does things.

Cover of The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston

The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston

We have a female, older main character, who is used to being an exceptional fighter, but then has to struggle with injury.

There’s plenty of banter and fun along the guts and gore, which makes it a very entertaining and satisfying read, from start to finish!

Gods of the Wyrdwood (cover)

Gods of the Wyrdwood by RJ Barker

A slow burn epic fantasy, which enthralled me with its mysteries right from the start. The main character is an outcast, living a solitary life on the edge of society. I adored the fantastical creatures, the intimidating forest, the unexpected use people found for nature and the sheer imagination there.

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By Julia Kitvaria Sarene

Kitvaria Sarene has been a bookseller in Germany from 2003-2024. Her love of books only grew over the years, just as her love for fantasy and sci-fi did! Especially interested in indie publishing and discovering new talents she joined reading for SPFBO 3 in 2017.

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