To celebrate the end of 2023, here’s a list of books that I enjoyed reading this year.
A SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH by Darcie Little Badger
GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology
AMAZING! Beautiful writing, well researched. An adorable friendship between Nina, a Lipan girl, and Oli, a cottonmouth (snake) boy from the land of spirits and monsters. So much to love about this book. Also, if you’re someone who likes their shapeshifters behaving like the creatures they shapeshift into, this is the book for you. Darcie has clearly put a lot of research and care into giving the cottonmouth boy convincing snake-ish quirks and thoughts.
THE CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN by Jenny Elder Moke
GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology
What an engaging and entertaining story! Funny. Fresh characters. Read it in two days. Also, I did not see that twist coming. If you love Celtic gods, the 1920s, and high-stakes action with a sense of humour, this is the book for you.
OF BEAST AND BEAUTY by Chandra Hahn
GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling
Loved it. Usually, Beauty and the Beast retellings irritate me when the beast isn’t, well, a beast. While the book’s opening could give you the impression that we’ve got another story with a handsome beast – yawn – you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that’s not the case at all. We have a beastly beast who causes havoc. However, the identity of this beast, is what the characters must solve. And what a twist that is!
There’s so much more to this book too. Such as a fascinating protagonist in Rosalie. Her relationship with King Xander is so moving.
I would definitely recommend to romantasy lovers.
WE WERE LIARS by E.L Lockhart
GENRE: Young Adult, Contemporary
I read this book as part of my exploration of the history of young adult literature. I must say, I was sceptical when I read that Cadence, the main character, has amnesia – a very common trope, particularly in the 2010s, and usually poorly researched. However, I was pleasantly surprised that Cadence’s amnesia had nuance. Overall, I found this book heartbreaking, leaving me feeling empty for weeks.
A DEADLY EDUCATION by Naomi Novik
GENRE: Young Adult, Horror, Fantasy, Romance
A voicey, cynical main character? Tick. A school that wants to kill you? Tick.
