2024 was an amazing year for reading! I got back into reading last year. It started with Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse series and then continued with Sarah J. Maas’s novels. I expanded my horizons this year, exploring new books, series, and even genres. (If you’re just getting started with either of these universes, check out my linked reading guides!)
Most of my picks came from recommendations by friends, social media—like the best books on TikTok and Reddit. And some of them I simply choose by the cover during a Barnes & Noble browse. With nearly sixty books under my belt this year, I’m excited to share my top twelve favorites!
As always, please check trigger warnings before reading!
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass # 7
I feel like I’m contractually obligated to pick this book as one of my favorites. I read the Throne of Glass series after finishing A Court of Thorns and Roses. I’m not exaggerating when I say this series has changed my brain chemistry. There hasn’t been a single day since where I haven’t thought about Celaena Sardothien.
This series tells the story of Adarlan’s the most notorious assassin, imprisoned in the salt mines in a kingdom where magic is banned and an evil king rules. When she’s given an opportunity to earn her freedom, Celaena’s epic journey begins.
Throne of Glass is a a brilliant culmination of epic storytelling and exploring what it means to be a good person in a broken world. The cast is enormous, the story endlessly epic, and the final book weaves together threads that have been hinted at since the very beginning.
I will die on this hill forever: this is SJM’s best work. I’ve been chasing the rush of Kingdom of Ash since the moment I put it down. If you’re reading this post and wondering if you should start Throne of Glass, run, don’t walk.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Alex Stern #1
After inhaling the Grishaverse series and becoming a die-hard Leigh Bardugo fan, I was so excited to finally dive into Ninth House. This book follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, an underdog accepted to Yale University only because of her unique affinity for the paranormal. Once there, she’s drawn into the dark and mysterious world of Yale’s elite occult societies. As Alex works to unravel the web of lies that binds these secret organizations—lies tied to the futures of their infamous alumni, from politicians to Wall Street tycoons—she’s pulled deeper into a dangerous game.
Honestly, this book is weird, but in the best way. It’s incredibly well-researched and so elegantly constructed that the genre shift didn’t faze me at all. Sure, it has cell phones and pizza, but it also has dark rituals, an Ivy League setting, and GHOSTS! You can feel the love and finesse Leigh Bardugo poured into this story. It’s the perfect cozy, gothic, cold-weather murder mystery you didn’t know you needed.
Throne of Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Prince of Sin #1
I don’t know about you, but I like my spice paired with a spectacular plot, and Throne of the Fallen absolutely delivers. This story follows the Prince of Envy—yes, the same one from Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Wicked series—who finds himself caught in a deadly game that threatens the fate of his court. Enter Camilla Antonious, a sharp and determined woman being blackmailed by the notorious rake of Waverly Green. Forced to work together, Envy and Camilla navigate their own dangerous games to avoid scandal and unravel the threats around them.
This adult romantasy is beautifully written, packed with witty banter, and brimming with good old-fashioned spice. It’s the kind of book that’ll have you kicking your feet, giggling, blushing, and obsessing while you try to piece together the mystery of Envy and Camilla’s intricate dance.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Off Campus # 1
Switching gears to contemporary romance, one of my favorite reads this year was The Deal by Elle Kennedy, the first book in the Off-Campus series. This hockey romance follows Garrett Graham, a college hockey star in desperate need of a philosophy tutor to keep his grades up, and Hannah Wells, who reluctantly agrees—on one condition. She’ll tutor Garrett if he fake-dates her to catch the attention of her crush, Justin.
This book is just a straight-up good time. Hannah is a complex, relatable character working through serious trauma, and her flaws and resilience make you root for her all the way. Garrett, on the other hand, is your quintessential Golden Retriever hockey player—arrogant, charming, and full of bravado—but beneath it all, he’s sweet, supportive, and impossible not to love with his own trauma to unpack. He’s officially the benchmark for all hockey book boyfriends, and no one else will ever quite measure up.
If you’re in the mood for something light, fun, and completely giddy-inducing, this book will have your face hurting from grinning by the time you finish. Thank you, Elle Kennedy, for giving us Garrett Graham!
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince #3
The Cruel Prince gets plenty of praise, but now it’s my turn to sing its praises—specifically The Queen of Nothing. I’ve been a Holly Black fan since middle school, enchanted by the wonderfully weird Spiderwick Chronicles, and The Cruel Prince series delivers that same magic: weird, dark, and utterly captivating.
This book perfectly captures what a strong female character should be. Jude is cunning, ruthless, and a master at turning her weaknesses into strengths in the craftiest ways imaginable. She’s the human in Faerie we should all aspire to be.
And then Cardan. Handsome, charming a bit unhinged prince who hates how much he wants Jude. This book is the benchmark for enemies to lovers. The yearning. The pining. The forced proximity. THE TENSION.
Just. Read. It.
Mix that together with Holly Black’s talented worldbuilding, expert craftmanship of political intrigue, and a refreshing depiction of fairies (finally something other than hot people with pointy ears) the Queen of Nothing is a masterpiece I will read over and over again.
Lola & the Millionaires: Part One
Sweet Omegaverse #2
As promised, my tastes are… eclectic. I read Lola and the Millionaires while traveling overseas during a tough time, and it turned out to be just what I needed. This is a sweet Omegaverse book—a different take that’s much less aggressive than others in the genre.
Lola, a beta in this universe, is recovering from a traumatic incident with abusive alphas. Determined to start fresh, she lands her dream job and begins rebuilding her life. Along the way, she meets a group of captivating men—alphas and an omega—who are everything she’s ever dreamed of. Together, they help her work through her trauma, insecurities, and grief, supporting her as she discovers the promise of who she could become.
Sometimes, you just need a book where a pretty girl is adored and cared for by five guys whose sole purpose is to make her happy. And honestly? This one hits that note perfectly. If you’re intro reverse harems (or why-choose) or looking into getting into the genre this one’s for you!
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
As a fellow STEM enthusiast, I’m not sure what kept me away from Ali Hazelwood’s books for so long. But when I impulsively picked up Bride, I finished it in one sitting. I didn’t eat, drink, or pay attention to my family—nope, I just read.
This book is classic Ali Hazelwood with her signature STEMist romance flair, but with an irresistible twist: werewolf-vampire dynamics, plus a sprinkle of Omegaverse. It also has one of my favorite tropes, “he falls first and so much harder,” executed perfectly.
The story follows Misery Lark, a vampire forced into an arranged marriage with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack. Lowe agrees to the marriage to maintain peace, while Misery… well, she has her own reasons. What follows is a delicious mix of forbidden love, arranged marriage, found family, and plenty of tension.
If you’re looking for a light, addictive romance with all the best tropes—vampires, werewolves, Omegaverse, and more—you need to pick up Bride. Trust me, it’s everything you want and more.
Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Flesh and Fire #4
I don’t care what anyone says—yes, it’s controversial, but I will sing the praises of JLA’s chaotic From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series until my voice gives out. This sprawling 12-book saga reached its first big crescendo with Born of Blood and Ash, the final book in the Flesh and Fire prequel series.
This installment wraps up Sera and Nyktos’s epic story, set thousands of years before the events of From Blood and Ash. And let me tell you, we now know everything—every answer, every reveal, and all the set-up we need for the June release of The Primal of Blood and Bone, the sixth and final* From Blood and Ash book. (*There is a novella coming out but it’s from Millie’s POV.)
Is it long? Yes. Could the same complaints made about earlier books in the series apply here? Probably. Yes, some of the plot feels retconned, and yes, Sera continues to monologue—a lot. But the sheer amount of answers, reveals, and gratification from years of fan theories being confirmed (or horribly denied) makes this an absolute must-read for fans.
If you’re new to Jennifer L Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash universe, start with my guide here. But if you’ve been holding off on this one, it’s time to dive in and savor the chaos.
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
Once Upon a Broken Heart #2
Once Upon a Broken Heart, the follow-up series to Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, is a dark fairy tale that begs to be devoured.
The story follows Evangeline, who’s left heartbroken when the man she loves is set to marry someone else. Desperate to stop the wedding, she makes a deal with Jacks, the charming yet morally questionable Prince of Hearts. But when Evangeline travels North as an ambassador for her kingdom—and to heal her heart—she discovers her bargain with Jacks is far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
While The Ballad of Never After was my favorite, all three are phenomenal. Stephanie Garber’s magical prose pulls you into a world where sunsets feel tangible and every page glimmers with enchantment. Jacks is the epitome of a truly morally grey villain—not secretly good pretending to be ruthless, but someone who genuinely doesn’t give a damn.
If Caraval wasn’t your thing and you’re hesitant about Once Upon a Broken Heart, don’t worry—I wasn’t into Caraval either. But I devoured this series! It’s whimsical, dark, and utterly captivating. Who says all god-tier fantasy book boyfriends have to have dark hair? Jacks, with his bright, shining golden hair, is going to destroy you once he’s done with you.
Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn Trilogy #3
This year, I finally dove into the Cosmere—Brandon Sanderson’s expansive magical universe—and finished the Mistborn trilogy. I regret to inform you that I haven’t been able to think about much else since.
The Mistborn series features one of the most intricate and curious magic systems I’ve ever read: Allomancy, where people ingest or are impaled by metals to gain extraordinary powers.
The story begins with Vin, a street urchin with trust issues for good reason, whose life changes when she meets Kelsier, a charismatic Mistborn with a grand heist plan that just so happens to include overthrowing the government.
This series is a masterful blend of political intrigue, meticulously laid breadcrumbs, and fantastical creatures only Brandon Sanderson could dream up. While it’s low on spice, you won’t even notice—you’ll be too wrapped up in the magic system, the found family dynamics, and the thought-provoking themes of trust and love.
The third book, Hero of Ages, was my favorite. While most series lose steam over time, this finale ties everything together with such a powerful conclusion that when I turned the last page, I stared at the wall in fetal position, utterly wrecked (in the best way). The emotional damage this book delivers is Shakespearean in its scope—a modern epic tragedy that will leave you reeling.
PSA: I have no complaints about Mistborn, but I listened to the series on audiobook. While the narration and voice acting were phenomenal, the accents gave away who the Hero of Ages is in the first sentence of the last book. So, if you prefer surprises, maybe stick to the written version!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
After months of reading epic fantasy, I craved something light, sweet, and palate-cleansing—so I picked up Book Lovers. What I got wasn’t just chick lit (despite how it’s often categorized); I found a profound reading experience that kept me thinking the entire time.
Romantic comedies are often easy to consume and not particularly thought-provoking, but Book Lovers hit differently. Maybe it’s because I saw so much of myself in Nora, a career-driven “shark” who excels at her job, is unapologetically ruthless, and would likely be celebrated if she were a man. Nora takes pride in her work, regardless of the criticism, because being good at what she does matters to her. She also deeply cares about her sister, Libby, for whom she became a parent at just eighteen.
The story takes Nora and Libby to a small town inspired by a book Nora helped publish (she’s a literary agent). There, she runs into Charlie, a sardonic New York book editor with whom she’s only ever had bad interactions. From their very first encounter in the small town, the chemistry sparks, the banter flies, and you’ll grin so hard your face will hurt.
But the romance wasn’t what sold me—it was the characters. Nora and Charlie work. Their relationship reminded me so much of my own: two similar people who give their all for the people they love, often without their efforts being seen. They build camaraderie and friendship first, layered with incredible chemistry. Mixed with the small town romance atmosphere this was an incredible time from start to finish.
This is a heartwarming, witty, and beautifully written romance. I couldn’t put it down until I reached the final page.
The Will of the Many by James Islington
Hierarchy #1
This one’s unusual for me because, as I write this, I’m only 60% into The Will of the Many. But honestly? Who cares—it’s already earned its spot on my favorites list.
In short, this is Harry Potter for grown-ups, but with a sharp, unflinching look at the truths of power and oppression.
The story follows Vis, a young man with a past he must keep hidden, whose path crosses with someone moderately powerful. He’s sent to infiltrate an elite academy for the best and brightest, tasked with uncovering a dangerous conspiracy.
The magic system is fascinating and deeply tied to the social structure. The government operates as a literal pyramid, with lower tiers giving up their “essence”—yes, their actual life essence—which the higher-ups wield to perform incredible feats. It’s an unsettling and brilliant commentary on how the powerful keep collecting, and how hard work alone often isn’t enough to get ahead, much like real life.
Add in compelling characters, the complex mystery Vis must solve, and the dynamics between the academy’s elite, all set against a backdrop that’s part ancient Rome, part gothic dark academia. I can’t stop thinking about this book, and honestly, I just want to get back to reading it.
What about you?
These were just some of my favorite reads this year, but I’d love to hear about yours! What books made you laugh, cry, or stare at the wall in existential awe in 2024? Drop your recommendations in the comments—my TBR has to be continuously expanded. Happy reading! 📚✨
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