No Road Home by John Fram

No Road Home by John Fram had me absolutely feral while reading. This was an amazingly perfect example of American Gothic literature and had everything I want in a novel. Great characters, clues that you don’t realize until after the fact, tragedy so real it hurts, and amazing sense of pacing.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

I have danced around picking up Jade City by Fonda Lee since it was first released. I’ve heard the praise and it seemed interesting, but for whatever reason, I could not motivate myself to pick it up. I guess I was worried it would be some weird and boring fantasy with a stronger focus on martial arts over the intricacies I usually gravitate toward. Well, I can readily admit I was an idiot. This was absolutely amazing and mind-blowing. The politics involved rival A Song of Ice and Fire and the worldbuilding is astounding.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Pleasantly surprised by “Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli, I was drawn into a captivating fantasy romance. While light on world-building, the story’s strength lies in its compelling characters, notably Alex and Gideon, whose complex relationships with Rune adds delicious angst. The solid plot, with quick pacing and a slight twist, promises an intriguing series conclusion.