I know, I know. A claim like this needs to be backed up by proof. NEVER FEAR, FRIENDS. This is an entirely subjective list, and yes, I will have proof that the claim of this post proves true. Firstly, I’m an avid reader and reviewer, and read many different genres. Secondly, my favorite genre is fantasy, so this list will have mostly fantasy titles. But there are a couple books that I would be remiss if I didn’t add to this list. So without further ado… drumroll please…
JANELLE’S SUBJECTIVE BEST BOOKS OF 2020 LIST!!!!! (Cheers in the background. Breathless anticipation buildup.)
10. The Child of Silence by Joseph O. Duran
This book was a huge surprise for me. I stumbled upon it, and the blurb drew me right in. I originally reviewed it on Booknest here if you want a more in-depth review. This story follows a differently-abled character who cannot speak and is in a wheelchair, completely at the mercy of her caregivers. It has unique worldbuilding, is told from the POV of the differently-abled person named Aiata who is called a “passive being” and everyone is scared of her because they don’t understand her, and has a quite good political undertone. I look forward to the follow-up story once it’s published.
9. Along the Razor’s Edge by Rob. J Hayes
This book features Eska, a mess of a girl whose thirst for revenge against those who wronged her leads her down dark paths. Read the full review here if you are so inclined. This book touches on deep and dark themes, namely: what is the cost of revenge? Eska’s story is a sad one, with a smattering of light in the darkness, and touches on friendship with great worldbuilding and intriguing magic. The whole series was fantastic.
8. When God Weeps by Joni Erickson Tada and Steve Estes
I cried through this whole book. Deep down inside, we all want to know that our suffering matters. No one is more qualified to write a book like this than a quadraplegic who spent most of her life in a wheelchair. Her faith, trust in God, and stalwart refusal to give up is inspiring. And she reminds us that we aren’t alone in our trials. The same God who spun the world into existence is also the same God who came to Earth bound inside the flesh of humanity and was willing to suffer and die so we don’t have to be alone in our suffering.
7. The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
I adored this contemporary novel. It follows the story of Cassie and Jett, who meet for the first time, and there’s an instant connection. But then, Cassie is suddenly in the position of rescuing three girls from foster care, and Jett is suddenly in custody of his twin niece and nephew, and baby nephew. They try to keep this information from each other, and what ensues is a hilarious, adorable, meaningful tale of the bonds of love, adoption, foster care, and what makes a family a family. I cried. A LOT.
6. Temple of Sand by Barbara Kloss
This follow-up to The Gods of Men was everything I wanted it to be (full review here). It continues the story of Imari and Jeric as they struggle to piece together their various kingdoms that are falling apart. Imari really steps into her own as she is reunited with her family, and is faced with hard decisions. The worldbuilding isn’t quite as perfect as Gods was, but the characters were my favorite part about this book. I loved it.
5. Dragon’s Reach By JA Andrews
I read this book as a judge for SPFBO2020 and absolutely loved it (full review here). It has one of the most powerful scenes I’ve ever read in a fantasy novel. Sable is rescuing her sister and whisking her away from the city, but her sister is staying at the equivalent of a convent. She has left her sister there in the care of an Abbess Perin (hello, nod to Wheel of Time! Happy sigh). Sable is internally struggling with her inability to protect those she loves, and is angry at the two gods for their unwillingness to help her.
“Every choice I’ve made has been wrong,” she whispered.
The abbess gave her a wrinkled smile. “That is the curse of life. Judging your past actions in the light of what you know now.” She tilted her head. “Give your past self grace, my child. She did the best she could.”
It’s a poignant scene of redemption, where Sable finds what she has been longing for – empathy. Kindness. Compassion. The rest of the book is well worth it. Trust me.
4. The Cure by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bill Thrall
This book changed my life. No joke. The tagline goes like this: What if God is not who we think he is, and neither are we? It delves into the thoughts we have about ourselves, and how we live our lives with a mask to hide who we really are, from others and from God, because we are afraid we won’t be acceptable. The truth is this: God isn’t some Being on the other side of a chasm that our wrong choices and sins have made, waiting for us to measure up and get our crap together to meet him on the other side. He’s a friend standing right beside us, who is staring at our pile of worthlessness and saying, “So what are we going to do about it?” Because the truth is, he’s already dealt with our sins once and for all. Like I said. Life changing.
3. Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
I listened to this as an audiobook and absolutely loved it. Dragons? Check. African-inspired fantasy? Check. Awesome magic? Check. Memorable characters? Double-check. Themes of darkness and redemption? Check. This book has it all.
2. The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence
It goes without saying that Mark Lawrence is one of the premier fantasy writers of our time. The Girl and the Stars takes his writing up a notch, in my estimation. It is just SO unique, SO well written, and SO… SO… Good. If you want to hear about my theory of Mark Lawrence, check out my full review. And do yourself a favor and go read this, along with his Book of the Ancestor trilogy, one of my favorite trilogies of all time.
1. The Burning White by Brent Weeks
This is my favorite fantasy book I’ve ever read. I’m not kidding. The whole Lightbringer series is phenomenal, and Brent Weeks is a master at weaving a fantastic tale with the overarching story of redemption. I have no words, really. It’s hard to review such a masterpiece. I tried to here. But honestly, if there’s any fantasy book you’re going to pick up this year, let it be this one. But first, start with The Black Prism, the first in the series. You won’t be disappointed.
So there you have it. I’d be remiss if I didn’t have a few honorable mentions. Of Myth and Monster was a great anthology (I’m a bit biased). Other great reads were Sword of the Archon by Derek Prior, Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson, The Obelisk Gate by NK Jemisin, and Chains of Blood by ML Spencer.
So many good books to read. So little time.
