Hi, fellow readers, and Happy 2025!
Another year has come and gone... with many wonderful memories... including books!
The first list you'll see is my favorite re-reads of 2024, which are a few. The next will be my top favorite NEW READS of 2024, with the last book as my TOP favorite.
(NOTE: most of the stories are available for free by joining the author's newsletter. )
2024 Favorite Re-Reads
Favorite New Reads of 2024
Frost Gate by Hanna Sandvig
This was such a fun read! I found myself adoring the cast of characters, especially Neve, the sassy, half-fae princess baker and epic axe-weilding Huntsman Kyllian! While considered a cozy fantasy, there's some sense of danger concerning the threat of the Evil Queen (especially if you know the original tale of Snow White.
BUT, knowing Ms. Sandvig's talent in her previous books, the amount of "coziness" (baking, chickens, apples, cozy cottage, UNICORNS!) combined with the sweet romance and a dash of humor certainly made this book less tense and more enjoyable!
Courier's Test by Lynn Renard
This delightful, gender-swap Princess & the Pea retelling made me smile and warmed my heart! I especially admired the elven prince Keliar for his heart for peace and diplomacy, and his sensitive heart! And the mysterious faery guardian he meets in his journey? Her puropse truly inspired me!
The Summons by C.M. Bansbach
I've been curious about the Dragon Keep Chronicles for some time... though a little intimidated about reading a story with a full cast of... well, fierce men. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!). So, upon joining C.M. Bansbach's author newsletter and receiving this prequel short stories... I was hooked!
Beware the Baron... especially if you harm his kin. Can't wait to see his story unfold in "Oath of the Outcast"!
You can find this story and more on the author's newsletter here!
Feather & Nettle by H.S.J. Williams
This was such a beautiful genderswap fairy-tale retelling of “The Wild Swans”, following Prince Topaz and his eleven sisters. What I truly love is the theme of FAMILY. Honestly, it's SO hard to find a fairytale retelling that's not a romance, so this is a
treat!
This story and many more free stories are available on the author's newsletter on her website!
On Hidden Wings by Adare Elyse
There are VERY few inspirational fantasy fiction that features centaurs. There are hardly ANY that feature them as a protagonist! So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this beautiful book!
This was such a facinating story about a young winged centaur name Beka as she begins her adventure of hidden identity, courage, and freindship! Adaire Elyse (a new author for me!) has created a world of shape-shifting centaurs, minitours, seraphs, and more! While this is labeled as "Middle-Gradde", this heartfelt fantasy can be enjoyed by young adults & adults alike!
Kill the Dawn by Emily Hayse
I had read this in a day... and oh, how it moved me! I was quite familiar with Shakespear's Hamlet, but Emily Hayse's classic retelling somehow gave the story with far more life!
From the characters that stole my heart (vailiant Hakkr, brave and mysterious thrall Axel, and loyal Sigrid), to the magnificient, Norweigian-Viking world of mountains, sprawling landscapes, dragons, horses, and wolves... this is a true epic of a chieftain's son fighting for his father's honor.... and the land and people he loves.
Frost Light by Danielle Bullen
This was a beautiful, soul-soothing gentle fantasy tale of a young woman and her sister and brother struggling to survive the harsh wintery land. But through encounters of a rough woodsman, centaurs, and a traveler... they'll discover hope, love, wonder, and light in unexpected ways. Even in the darkness.
I didn't even want this story to end!
Quest for Celestia by Steven James
This was an incredible read! I was very familiar with John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, mainly through movie adaptations and even reading the book itself. Then I discovered this book at a library… and found myself captivated.
As a new read from this author, this was so beautifully written with imagination and the clear inspiration from both God and Pilgrim's Progress. What I also loved is the "hidden elements" that doesn't feel forced but woven in the story that allows the reader to discover the clues themselves... and by an Eternal King and a Prince who loves them.
Promise (Book 3 of Daughter of Arden Trilogy) by Loren G. Warnemuende
Though I've read the last book of the trilogy, it's HIGHLY recommended that you start with book 1: Exile. This unique, high fantasy retelling of Maid Maleen, following Princess Maleen of Arden on an incredible journey from her saftey in stone tower, wandering through dangers, to a final epic showdown. Each book is woven with a beautiful, gentle pace while growing with unexpected twists and revelations as the princess navigates to her destiny.
These books are worth reading again and again! Especially to remind us of the One Who Holds us.
Rosefire by Carolyn Claire Givens
Somehow, I don't think there are enough words to describe this beautiful, soul-stirring story. A story of a kingdom in a crisis with the sudden loss of its prince, the king dying, and the nobles moving to seize power. And in the midst of this crisis, a young noblewoman name Kara and her brother Richard, allow into their homes a girl with a mysterious past and a divine destiny. That one act of kindness will send them on an incredible journey that will not only change lives but set a course that will bring a new age for their kingdom forever.
This story is unique and beautiful, brimming with a single message: only Love can truly save the world.
Now... I am looking forward to new books to read, stories to write, and journeys God will take me in this brand-new year!
Happy Reading and Happy New Year!
(Please, feel free to share your top favorite reads of 2024 in the comments below!)
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