Favorite Reads of 2023

None of the links are affiliates. In no particular order, my favorite reads were:

Ashtown Burials by ND Wilson

The characters lack plot armor. There is danger. There are lessons conveyed to the younger characters in a non preachy fashion. Adults aren't made out to be well meaning idiots at best or willful incompetents at worst. All of the characters have to utilize their smarts. There was a glut of opportunity to turn things into epic-scale superhero type battles, but that didn't happen. Overall a satisfying listen (audio books are handy when there's no time to sit down and read) and I look forward to having enough space to add the series to my library.

There is a fourth book in progress (available as essentially rough/somewhat post-rough drafts from what I can tell), and can be purchased directly from Cannon Press. From what I know, it was cut due to contract issues.

The Worlds Behind by WR Gingell

I read the first three books in this spin-off series. Due to Athelas' familiarity with the Fae realm, the reader is grounded more in the world of magic and it's easier to follow along than in the first book or two of the preceding series. It was a fun read, especially since it was from Athelas' POV. Despite being inside of his head (close third person POV), the significant amount of obfuscation of his motives made for a fun mystery. The new characters introduced are just as strong as those in The City Between series. I'm looking forward to finishing the series sometime this year.