Last year was challenging for all of us. But some great books helped me get through the tough bits.
The first is The Way of Kings Part 1, by Brandon Sanderson. This is a great, lengthy fantasy series with characters both lovable and despicable. I recommend this series to anyone who loves YA fantasy with magic, a complex world and nuanced characters.
The next novel I fell in love with over 2020 is the first of the Bartimaeus series, The Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud. I was instantly ensnared by its humorous characters and excitable plot.
I also dove into the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini this year. I had been meaning to read the first novel, Eragon, for a long time, and as soon as I started, I was hooked. I was drawn into the fantastical world of Alagaësia and its varied characters.
His Dark Materials is one of my favorite series of all time. At the start of 2020, I finished the final novel, The Amber Spyglass and read the prequel, The Book of Dust La Belle Sauvage. I read them both in a rush of excitement. This fantasy series is unique because every human’s soul manifests itself in the form of an animal called a daemon. I adore the young protagonist and her sweet daemon, Pan. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a fantasy coming of age story with lovable characters.
Children of the Furnace by New Zealand author, Brin Murray is an exciting book I read this year. It had a different feel than most books I read, but I really enjoyed it and found Wil to be a lovable protagonist. I finished the last twenty pages with my heart in my throat.
And the final book I loved in 2020 is The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I finished this dark fantasy adventure in less than a week and have instantly turned to the next. A thrilling read with intrigue, mystery and romance.
