2023’s Unforgettable Reads: Dive into My Top 10 Favorite Books

In a world choked by smoke magic and monstrous foes, war veteran Gimlore fiercely guards her town and family as a self-proclaimed crime boss. Rednow, the fallen mercenary, faces his final mission. And Orberesis, a petty thief with a dark secret, clings to a divine charade.

As alliances shift and enemies rise, peace becomes a fleeting dream. This year, “The Smokesmiths #1: Seeds of War” captivated me with its gritty epic fantasy, where survival hinges on smoke sorcery and unyielding determination. Dive in and discover why it became one of my favorite reads of 2023!

This wouldn’t be one of my favorite lists if it didn’t include a Brandon Sanderson book.

Tress of the Emerald Sea was the first of Sanderson’s secret projects released in 2023. It is a heavily Cosmere-connected standalone that can be described as a gender-swapped Princess Bride retelling.

This book melded humor with adventure and just the right amount of sweet fantasy romance.

If you are a Sanderson fan, this is one that you are already guaranteed to love.

2023 gave me the Wilby power couple: Iz and Warren, private investigators specializing in the supernatural. Hexes, cursed trinkets? No problem! They’ve seen it all, from soothing restless wraiths to exorcising chimney-dwelling demons. Piece of cake, right?

Wrong. When the king requests to be “baked into a cake,” the Wilbies are plunged into a royal mystery that could crumble the entire kingdom. Suddenly, they’re dodging anti-monarchist rebels, dimension-hopping alchemists, and a scholarly dragon with a serious case of the munchies (pastries?!).

Armed with unwavering determination, magical chalk that lights up the shadows, and a suitcase full of peculiar (and sparkly!) artifacts, these lovebirds are ready to crack this case wide open. “The Hexologists” wasn’t just a 2023 read for me – it was a hilarious, mind-bending adventure that kept me turning pages like a possessed pie dough.

In “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi” by Shannon Chakraborty, readers embark on a thrilling fantasy journey. As one of my favorite books of the year, I was drawn to Amina’s character, a badass mom who has retired from piracy but is pulled back into adventure.

Although Amina has retired from piracy and seeks a quiet life, she’s drawn back into adventure. However, when she’s offered a job to rescue a kidnapped girl, she can’t resist. Although it seems like an obvious choice, the deeper she delves, the more mysteries unravel.

Amina’s quest for glory and fortune may come at a steep price, endangering her future and soul. This unique blend of motherhood and adventure makes this book one of my favorites.

In “The Malevolent Seven” by Sebastien de Castell, imagine a world of ruthless mages, not the cliché wizards.

Close your eyes; see the frail wizard in silk robes. Now, meet real war mages – violent, amoral, and ruthless.

As one of my favorite reads in 2023, this book introduces Cade Ombra, a mercenary wonderist. However, friendship and a world-ending threat change his path.

Cade joins a suicidal mission against the seven deadliest mages, accompanied by a homicidal thunder mage. The twist? We’re recruiting some very bad people to help us.

This thrilling tale of moral complexity and unlikely alliances makes “The Malevolent Seven” a standout in my 2023 reading list.

In “The Bone Shard War” by Andrea Stewart, the Emperor Lin Sukai faces a precarious future.

Despite her first victory, the Phoenix Empire’s fate is uncertain, and allies are scarce.

But history holds a glimmer of hope in the form of seven legendary swords.

If Lin can locate them before her enemies, the empire may stand. If not, doom awaits.

As one of my favorite 2023 reads, it’s a gripping tale of power, destiny, and the race against time.

In “Song of Silver, Flame Like Night” by Amélie Wen Zhao, Lan carries the key to her nation’s past.

As a songgirl in a conquered city, she searches for answers about a mysterious mark.

Zen, a practitioner of lost magic, recognizes her hidden power.

They both have secrets, and fate has connected them.

In this epic fantasy inspired by ancient China, they hold the power to liberate or destroy their land.

This book, one of my favorites of 2023, weaves a captivating tale of magic, destiny, and rebellion.

In “Clockwork Prince”, the second book in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, secrets and lies shroud true love in Victorian London.

Tessa seeks safety with the Shadowhunters, but the Magister threatens her powers.

With Will and Jem’s help, they uncover the Magister’s revenge-driven war.

Their journey takes them through misty landscapes and reveals betrayals.

Tessa’s feelings for Jem grow, yet Will holds secrets that might change everything.

This book, a favorite of mine in 2023, explores love, secrets, and the corrupting power of lies.

In “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Evie Sage takes a job with an infamous villain.

With a crush on her hot but temperamental boss, she navigates the world of mayhem.

As severed heads dangle from the ceiling and strange occurrences happen, Evie senses trouble.

Rotten schemes threaten the villain’s empire, and Evie must uncover the saboteur.

This book, one of my favorites in 2023, blends humor, romance, and intrigue in a unique way.

In “Bonesmith” by Nicki Pau Preto, Wren, a bonesmith, dreams of becoming a valkyr in a world plagued by the violent dead.

When she fails her trial, she’s banished to the dangerous Border Wall.

To prove herself, Wren embarks on a mission to rescue a kidnapped prince beyond the Wall.

She reluctantly teams up with Julian, an ironsmith, and their journey is filled with conflicts and undead encounters.

But as they dig deeper, they uncover a dark alliance threatening the living and the dead.

This gripping tale of adventure and redemption was one of my favorite books of 2023.