Here are my favourite books of 2023.
I read a lot more speculative fiction this year, as opposed to more historical fiction last year, but I've got categories for both.
Speculative:
3. Bessie Bell and the Goblin King by Charlotte E. English was a compelling dark fantasy. She sets the story in a cold misty forest in the Lincolnshire Wolds, where a legendary horse called Tatterfoal roams at night. I was intrigued by the mysteries and enjoyed the descriptions of the Goblin realm and how characters could travel between worlds. Her brownie companion Derri is adorable, the goblin Idriggal is amusing and Grunewald's personality is perfectly stormy. Plus the illustrations are gorgeous.
2. The Telling by Ursula LeGuin is a quiet yet deeply compelling story. Sutty arrives in the world of the Aka as an observer, but the more she learns, the more she is changed. The mystery of the telling draws the reader inward to ancient traditions suppressed by a modern sociey.
As Sutty gets to know the people around her, she gains compassion for their hardships. While she intends to help them, her presence becomes an increasing threat to their survival as she is pursued by a mysterious man called the Monitor, the watcher of the watcher. Brief but vivid descriptions of the landscape make the setting come to life. A moving story written in nimble, lucid prose, it feels more like literary fiction than scifi.
1. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss has got to be at the top of my list. The writing is lyrical, the characters memorable, the plot filled with twists and surprises. I love that it doesn't follow the usual formula of the fantasy adventure quest. Instead, you are pulled into Kvothe's world as a student struggling to scrape together the money to be readmitted to university and get through it. Kvothe's history, personality and complex emotions feel more real than most fantasy books because Rothfuss spends more time on character development. As Kvothe sets of to explore his world, we get to understand a lot more about the lands and cultures within it, and all are fascinating. What seems like a short errand takes over the story for a while, just as in life, and leads to Kvothe learning some key skills.
Among a rich cast of characters, Auri is charming and whimsical, Devi is fierce and cunning, Felurian is captivating, and then there's Denna. Denna weaves in and out of the tale like a golden ribbon, catching Kvothe's attention and leading him to all kinds of mistakes and misadventures, and it feels real.
Honourable Mentions:
I also enjoyed A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess. The first pages pulled me into the world of Harriet, who hides her powers when a sorcerer visits the school where she teaches. There's great tension from the beginning.
The concept of an alternate England plagued by Lovecraftian monsters is brilliant and I enjoyed the rhyme about the seven monsters, as well as the setting in Yorkshire and London. While Harriet struggles to control the fire that comes from her hands, Rook undergoes a chilling transformation. I would have enjoyed it more if there was more history and less action, but it was still a great book and fun dark fantasy adventure.
After so much hype, I had to read Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, and was glad that I did. It was the perfect book to curl up with on a cold autumn night while drinking a pumpkin spice latte.
While Baldree opens with an adventure scene, Viv walks away from her mercenary days to start over again. As she works to open a café, she attracts a variety of curious and quirky characters who find ways to support her. Viv's past carries weight and the emotions are subtle. While the story is quieter than most fantasy, the mysterious Scalvert's Stone keeps the plot intriguing, There's action at the climax and the ending feels satisfying.
In The Winter King by CL Wilson, the forces of summer and winter clash, creating tension that leads to a sizzling romance. Khamsin is fiery and passionate and struggles to control her weather magic. Wynter Atrialan is hard on the outside but soft within, hiding his grief for the death of his brother. One of the highlights is the magic system, the way Khamsin can summon storms and the dread, forbidden power of the Ice Heart that is slowly consuming Wynter.
I also read Babel by RF Kuang. I heard a lot of praise for this book but it didn't make the list for me. While I enjoyed the magical system, I disliked the message that it's acceptable to use violence to solve problems, even if you're trying to right past wrongs.
Historical Fiction:
In the Welsh Dragon, KM Butler captures the side of Henry Tudor that you don't usually see--his long years of exile. Precise details and excellent characterisation bring the time period to life as young Henry embarks on exile in Brittany. I enjoyed the way the author flips perspectives between Henry and his mother Margaret Beaufort, a shrewd negotiator. Though the main focus is on Henry, there are a number of strong women in this book, including Jehane, independent through her tailoring business, Queen Ann of Beaujeu and Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.
As Henry navigates challenges and grows through struggle, he emerges as a well rounded and likeable character. He makes mistakes but grows in the process and emerges intelligent, tactful and ready to face his adversary. Butler achieves a good balance of romance, intrigue and adventure, without any element overshadowing the others.
2. The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield is a delicious blend of history and magic. Sisters Antoine and Charlotte learn spells to enchant objects and the magic system is intriguing with endless possibilities. It also feels believable that the sisters could covet a fan or a pair of white gloves because they impart special magical effects. While I wish the settings and costumes could be more vivid, the plot pulled me in as it moved between Charlotte, ruling Naples and Antoine ruling France, both encountering well-known figures of their era.
It's exciting to read while gaining insights into life in the late seventeen hundreds.
1. Number one is the The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell. Her gorgeous proses makes the tiniest details of everyday life feel real as she transports me to an Italian fortezza in 1561.
It was a book that I savoured. I put it on hold and read other books in between to draw out the enjoyment of reading it for longer. It had little action, but the plot drew me in as I inhabited Lucrezia's world with her, got to know her, care about her and worry for her. As I hovered over her shoulder and watched her mix pigments. I recommend skipping the historical note at the front. The story will be much more enjoyable if you leave it till the end.
Here's a quote:
"...no one would ever find out. Except for little Lucrezia, tucked into a bed with both her sisters in a room under the eaves of the palazzo roof. Lucrezia of the solemn gaze and pale, wispy hair--incongruously so, for all her siblings had the sleek, fox-dark colouring of their Spanish mamma. Lucrezia, who was slight and small for her age, and was every night shunted to the edge of the mattress by Maria, the eldest, who had sharp elbows and a predilection for lying in the centre of the bed with all her limbs stretched out. Lucrezia, who always had trouble sleeping.
She, alone, heard the tigress's cry s the cart entered the palazzo gates: a low, hollow call, like wind funnelled through a pipe. It severed the night with its mournful pitch--once, twice--before dying away in a hoarse rumble.
Lucrezia sat up in bed, as abruptly as if she had been stuck with a needle."
Literary Fiction:
1. The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O'Farrell
2. The Embroidered Book - Kate Heartfield
3. Welsh Dragon by KM Butler
Speculative:
1. Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss
2. The Telling by Ursula LeGuin
3. Bessie Bell and the Goblin King - Charlotte E. English
Honourable Mentions:
A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Winter King by CL Wilson
Overall, the book I enjoyed reading most this year was The Marriage Portrait.
What books did you enjoy? Reply in the comments!
In 2024, my intention is to read and review more new releases and indie authors :)
Happy reading!