The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

Oh, the Luminaries series, my beloved. I have been feral, waiting for the release of The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard, the final (for now?) installment in her paranormal YA series. So much was happening at all times and we learned more about the world, along with some extra background building. This was so close to perfect, stumbling just a little toward the end.

Raven’s Cry by Christian A Brown

I think if you’re looking for something different in the modern/urban fantasy genre that is dark with blips of light, I definitely think Raven’s Cry by Christian A Brown would be a great book to pick up. Not only are there great characters, but solid worldbuilding with an intricately detailed plot that leaves you desperate to continue until you can place each puzzle piece together.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

The Magicians by Lev Grossman is a book that grows with you. Reading it as the age of the characters, you feel their strife. Reading it as an older person with more experience, you feel the heartbreak that you know is unavoidable because there is nothing to be done to avoid the sorrows that come with growing up. I wholeheartedly recommend this book but please understand, this isn’t a grown up or dark Harry Potter. It’s depression and yearning and growing pains that can’t be avoided with magic thrown in.

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire is not Middlegame. It follows a different story and gets to that ending through different means. I need you to understand that when you pick this up because I see so many others disappointed that it isn’t Middlegame. This is a story where you have the pieces and have to put the puzzle together before anyone else does. There’s loyalty and devotion, and what spoke most importantly of all to me, discovering the reality of free will and choice.