Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

Though this entire series is focused on magic and the doings of magical beings, I’ve really been enjoying how much focus is on the police work and the history of the different communities in and around London. I’ve learned a lot about the city through this book and the author is so detailed about different sections of the city that I feel like I’m there! I’m also a fan of true crime, so I love learning about the workings of the Met.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Look, ever since I finished this book last year, I have not been able to shut up about it. I’m sure y’all are tired of hearing me talk about this by now 😂 If that’s not leaving a mark, I don’t know what is! I adore this book so much that I’ve already re-read, which is very rare for me. I’m planning on re-reading it again this year before I pick up the sequel! This is a stunning, young adult fantasy that has incredible world-building, fantastic characters, and will just settle in your heart in the best of ways.

Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall

I read this book for a blog tour hosted by The Write Reads last year. I had been hearing nothing but fantastic things about it from a lot of bloggers. It’s a fantasy that involved bonding with magical creatures, as well! The premise had me hooked and, then, I actually picked it up. I’ve never read a book over 300 pages faster! I tore through this story in one day and had a bit of a book hangover once I finally emerged from its pages. This was incredible and, even better, it’s just the first book in a series!

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

This was a tough question! I’m gonna go with Tristan Strong and Gum Baby. They’re relationship starts when Gum Baby steals Tristan’s most prized possession, so a friendship between the two of them definitely started out pretty unlikely! By the end of the story, though, they’ve grown rather close, even if Gum Baby would never admit it. Plus, I just love both Tristan and Gum Baby so much 💕 I really need to read the next book in this series.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

This middle grade definitely took me by surprise last year! I mean, it sounded like it would be a great story involving a supernatural society and magic and featuring an awesome Black girl. What surprised me was just how much I loved this beautiful book! This absolutely blew me out of the water and made me wish I could get my hands on the sequel as soon as I closed it. It’s got the perfect mixture of action and heart that completely captures the imagination. I can’t wait to continue Amari’s story!

Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney

The last book I could think of that legit made me laugh out loud was this one! I read it for another The Write Reads blog tour and it was a riot from beginning to end. There were so many parts that made me chuckle as I read. The story itself was great, as well, though I could have done with a little more growth from our main character. Still, I had a great time with this one and it definitely made me grin.

The Merciful Crow series by Margaret Owen

This series only has two books and, every day, that makes me sad 😩 I loved The Merciless Crow and The Faithless Hawk was pretty much a perfect sequel. I don’t want to leave Fie and Tavin and Jasimir! I want to live in the world of the Crows for forever! This world is rich and vibrant and I just want to be lost in it for a little while longer. Though we aren’t getting any more books set in this world, however, I am super excited for Margaret Owen’s next book, Little Thieves. If the writing is anything like this series, I know I’ll be hooked.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

I’m kind of cheating here as the side character in this does go on to be a main character in the sequel… but it’s my list and I’m allowing it! I’m, of course, talking about Grey. I remember reading A Curse so Dark and Lonely and wishing we could focus on Grey! I found him a lot more fascinating and endearing than Rhen. I mean… Rhen had his moments, but Grey was infinitely more interesting! Thankfully, book two is half from Grey’s perspective. That’s probably why I liked it more, tbh!

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This is one of my all-time favorite books, but… that cover. I’m not a huge fan of the original cover, either, with it’s giant block letters and harsh colors. I’m going to be honest and say I probably wouldn’t have picked this up on my own. I’m a notorious sucker for a beautiful cover and this wouldn’t have to appealed to me at all. However, I kept hearing wonderful things about it from people who’s reading tastes are pretty similar to my own, so I decided to give it a shot. I’m so glad I did because the story contained inside this ugly duckling is top notch!

The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle

Alright, this one is totally a personal opinion because most of the people I know that read this book loved it. I went into this fully expecting to love it, as well! It’s a sci-fi with superpowers and DNA manipulation… it sounded so intriguing! And it would have been if not for the Mary Sue that is our main character. I rolled my eyes so much while reading it that I’m surprised I actually managed to get through it. It was just cliché on top of cliché and don’t even get me started on the love triangle. Still, I will say it has great pacing and the story was interesting, for the most part. Just… not as great as I was hoping it would be.