Hi guys, I hope you are all well. It’s the end of the year, which means it’s time to talk about my favourite books from the past 12 months. Although I still managed to read over 70 books, I wasn’t in the biggest reading mood for some periods throughout the year. I kind of wanted to read but also not at the same time – it was a little weird. Anyway I did manage to read quite a few amazing books and of course I wanted to share them all with you guys. So here are my favourite books from 2019.
A Winter’s Promise / Christelle Dabos / ★★★★ / full review
Release date: January 29th 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Europa editions
A great introduction to this series set in a wonderfully imaginative world. Originally written in French and published in 2013, this is the first book in the Mirror Visitor quartet. This edition is translated by Hildegarde Serle and is published by Europa Editions.
Never Die / Rob J. Hayes / ★★★★ / full review
Release date: January 29th 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Rob J. Hayes (Self-published)
This is a great standalone fantasy with Japanese influences. A young boy called Ein is given the task of killing the Emperor of Ten Kings, but he cannot do it alone, so he sets out to find some legendary heroes to help him in his quest. He must bind these heroes to him, but to do so the heroes must first die.
Blood of Heirs / Alicia Wanstall-Burke / ★★★★ / full review
Release date: October 28th 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Coraidic Sagas
Publisher: Alicia Wanstall-Burke (self-published)
This is a great self published debut fantasy book that follows two main character perspective; Lidan and Ran. I didn’t know much about this one going in but I ended up loving it. The sequel, Legacy of Ghosts, is also fantastic.
The Secret Commonwealth / Philip Pullman / ★★★★ / full review
Release date: October 3rd 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Book of Dust book 2
Publisher: Penguin and David Fickling Books
The fantastic second book in the Book of Dust trilogy. It was so good to be back with Lyra and Pan, and it loved seeing more of the world. I cannot wait for the third book.
A Time of Blood / John Gwynne / ★★★★★ / full review
Release date: 18th April 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Of Blood and Bone book 3
Publisher: Orbit
A fantastic second instalment to the Of Blood and Bone trilogy. Like the first book, this instalment follows multiple perspectives, although there are a few differences in which characters we’re following. I cannot wait for the third and final instalment.
Blood of Empire / Brian McClellan
Release date: 5th December 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy – book 3
Publisher: Orbit
This was an amazing concluding instalment to this trilogy. I love this world and characters so much and it was great to be back with them. If you haven’t checked out these books yet, I highly recommend you do.
The Sword of Kaigen / M. L Wang / ★★★★★ / full review
Release date: February 19th 2019
Genre: Military/high fantasy
Series: Standalone
Publisher: M. L. Wang (self published)
An incredible Japanese-inspired, military/high fantasy book set in the same world as the author’s Theonite series – it is a companion prequel. This is my favourite book of the year and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Honourable mentions: The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim, The Poison Song by Jen Williams, Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier, The Black Hawks by David Wragg and The Disappearance of Winter’s Daughter by Michal J Sullivan.
thelittlebookowl 
Sounds like you had a busy year and read a lot of books ! Have you been watching His Dark Materials at all ???? 😊💛
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Yeah I have. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the second series. Have you been watching it? 🙂
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Struggled to get into Gwynne’s first series but now I see he is well underway with a new series, I’m tempted to re-visit 🤔
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Well I would definitely recommend giving it another go. I hope you enjoy it better this time if you do.
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I really want to read the sword of kaigen! I keep seeing it on favourite lists!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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It’s so good. I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up.
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