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Tag: book recommendations

MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2024

Published by Frances Denny on December 30, 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, I’ve put together a list of my favourite reads this year. 

I haven’t read as many books as in previous years, hence the short list below, because, among other less exciting reasons, I’ve been finishing a YA gothic romantasy, which is due to my agent in March. 

As some of you know, last year I signed with a literary agent and this year I went on submission with an upper-YA gothic romantasy. In the meantime, I have written another book (the one that’s due in March) and am in the final stages of editing it. I’m keeping my fingers-crossed for both these manuscripts to be picked up by a publisher in the new year. XD

Enough about me, here’s the list of my favourite reads:

THE PROJECT by Courtney Summers

GENRE: Young Adult, Thriller, Literature

Just a warning, this is not going to be an easy book to forget. The way Summers takes us into the mind of someone being seduced by a cult is truly clever. Lo is a fantastic character. She’s angry, quick-tempered, emotional, impulsive. She reads like an actual teenager, which isn’t guaranteed in YA these days. 

All the characters are well-developed and interesting. I particularly love the relationship between the two sisters, Lo and Bea, although their story is heartbreaking. 

Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery and a good cry. 

A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE by Stephanie Garber

GENRE: Young Adult, Romantasy

Yes, I finally got around to reading the last book in The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. And it was…

Wait a sec while I finish swooning…

SO CUTE! It’s a sweet ending to a sweet trilogy. Although I guessed the twist early on, I didn’t care because gah, Jacks and Evangaline got their happy – 

I’ll shut up now.

A WINTER’S PROMISE by Christelle Dabos

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy

I really enjoyed this book. It’s set in a steam punk future where the leading families of the celestial islands (also called Arks) have family spirits that protect the islands. The protagonist, Ophelia, a member of one of these leading families, finds herself in an arranged marriage to a foreign man from a powerful clan and must travel to a dangerous Ark called the Pole. I loved Ophelia. She’s a breath of fresh air in the YA fantasy genre. She’s quiet, stubborn, curious, misunderstood and underestimated. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

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MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2023

Published by Frances Denny on January 1, 2024

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.  

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