Every year for the last two years, I've written a post highlighting books by new-to-me authors, where I talk about books I liked by non-debut authors I hadn't read before. My selections for 2021 came be found here and my 2022 selections can be found here. I've decided to write a similar post again, because every year, I discover new authors and every year, I find books that blew me away.
This list does not include any debut authors, because they get a list at the end of the year.
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
This was a very fun story, yet the humor didn't take away from the tension when it was needed. The plot was woven together very well, as the different threads connected to create an exciting and satisfying conclusion. I haven't read the earlier books in the series, but it's easy enough to pick up this book and understand what's going on. (I imagine what I "missed out" on most by starting in the middle is backstory on the friendships between characters). All in all, this book contains a great mystery and great characters.
The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
The plot of this novel blew me away. The author introduces a very unique story, in a compelling world. The story feels very original and I loved how the conflict between the two main characters, a set of twins, felt entwined in the large conflict happening in the world at large. The characters were compelling and the writing was beautiful. My one critique would be that the execution of certain moments felt rushed.
And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness
I was intrigued by the idea of a "reverse Moby Dick" where whales are hunting humans and not the other way around. I wasn't disappointed in the least. This is a very poignant work, with themes touching on identity, war and humanity, which I didn't expect going into the story. It was beautifully told as well, without trying to be too ambitious in terms of scale. The illustrations within the book are bold and captivating.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
The story was so much fun, and so entertaining. If I had to describe this book in one sentence it would be "Jurassic Park with kaiju monsters instead of dinosaurs". A great deal of this book is about exploring the world the kaiju inhabit and the species that live there, which makes for a fun story and allows the author to show off his creativity. The characters are easy to connect with and the tone of the novel is entertaining. I had some issue with the writing, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment. It's great for readers looking for just a fun adventure story.
The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy
This novel was a different book than I expected it to be, and that's a compliment in this case. It was very atmospheric and it balanced horror with witchcraft very well. It had a compelling story, told over three generations, that had me hooked in the prologue. The characters, while likable, did feel a bit too similar, but made for intriguing protagonists. Overall, it was a great read.
And that's my list. I've discovered a lot of new authors so far this year, but these books were my favorites. What are some of your favorite authors this year?
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