NOTE: This post does NOT include my choices for the best urban fantasy (UF) of 2014. In order to maintain a manageable list, I decided to place my UF choices in a separate post. You may categorize some of the novels on this list as UF, depending on how you define UF, but I can only go by my own definitions, so we may have to agree to disagree on that topic. In any case, they are all top-notch novels. For my definitions of dystopian, historical, post-apocalyptic, steampunk, and urban fantasy fiction, click HERE to go to my DEFINITIONS page. Click HERE to go to the post that lists my choices for the best UF for 2014.
Click on the pink-link title/author line for any book to go directly to my full review of the novel and series, which always includes an overview of the world-building and a link to the author's web site.
HISTORICAL FANTASY
Juliet Marillier: Dreamer’s Pool—first novel in BLACKTHORN & GRIM SERIES
The series is set in
early medieval Ireland. Marillier's two main
characters are exceptionally well drawn, each one having a distinctive voice.
Refreshingly, they are not blushing, whiny naifs, but mature adults who
have weathered some serious storms. We soon know Blackthorn and Grim so well
that we empathize deeply with the tragic past events that still drive their
emotions and keep them from developing friendships with anyone but each
other. This is a strong beginning to a new series that will continue on with the
two tragic lead characters solving more magical mysteries while dealing with
ghosts from their pasts.
Carol Berg: Dust and Light—first novel in
THE SANCTUARY DUET
The series is set in
the medieval city of Palinur in the kingdom of Navronne, which is in the midst
of a bloody war of succession between a pair of princely brothers: This is a
terrific book with a well-constructed plot that masterfully combines a
fascinating mythology, intense drama, well-defined characters, and touches of
low, dark humor. In this book, Lucian (the series hero, a mage) comes into close contact with
non-magical people for the very first time, and his perception of them—and their perceptions of him—make for
some entertaining scenes. Although Lucian is heavily weighed down by bad luck
and adversity in this novel, Berg always allows a ray of light to break through
just when it seems that nothing will save him. She seamlessly weaves these moments
into the complex and gripping plot, keeping the reader engrossed
throughout.
Meljean Brook: The Kraken King—fourth novel in THE IRON SEAS SERIES
Meljean Brook: The Kraken King—fourth novel in THE IRON SEAS SERIES
This
is a terrific novel, one that kept me feverishly turning the pages well
into the wee hours of the night. The author has created two fascinating lead
characters with great depth. Zenobia has always been an interesting
character in this series—a clever, witty woman who has made herself a fortune
by turning her brother's adventures into novels that are read all over
the world. On the downside, she is crippled emotionally by fear and
distrust and longs for an adventurous life of her own, one in which she can walk
down a street unmolested by kidnappers seeking huge ransom payments. Along with being a supernaturally strong macho-man
with loads of simmering sensuality, Ariq (the hero) is completely committed to truth and
justice in all aspects of his life. This is a complex world
filled with inventive alternate historical events and fantastical biological
constructs. It mixes steampunk with historical fantasy in such a
masterful manner that the reader gets pulled into the mythology immediately and effortlessly. The characters are all true individuals,
demonstrating various faults and idiosyncrasies, giving in to bad temper,
making foolish choices, and trusting the wrong people. The great thing is that
we relate to them because of their human frailties, and we root for
them because of their good hearts. I highly recommend this steampunk/historical fantasy series, and I
suggest that you read it in the order listed at the beginning of this
post, which is the author's recommended reading order.
FUTURISTIC, DYSTOPIAN, AND POST-APOCALYPTIC FANTASY
M. D. Waters: Archetype, “Antitype,” and Prototype—first, second, and third (FINAL) books in the ARCHETYPE SERIES (all published in 2014)
This is a top-notch series with a fresh and inventive mythology, interesting characters who must overcome all sorts of emotional and physical hardships, and an overall series story arc that defies description. For me, this was a can't-put-it-down reading experience. I couldn't stop
turning the pages because I couldn't stop trying to figure out what
was really going on. Waters has succeeded in creating a fully developed female
character who begins as a spineless, pliable void with no possessions, no
family, and no memories. But then—right before our very
eyes—she grows, gradually and arduously, into a decisive, courageous
woman. Waters carefully constructs this dystopian world in a manner that
makes it as believable as it is horrific. I am always searching for a series that is new, different,
and well written, and this one meets all of those criteria. If you are looking
for an engrossing read, pick up Archetype,
"Antitype," and Prototype. NOTE: Be sure to read
Archetype first. Reading order matters in this series.
This is a zombie apocalypse novel that never uses the “z” word. If you think you've read every type of zombie novel possible, think again, because this novel is as thrilling and inventive as any I've read. Although the story does contain its share of violent and gory encounters, its primary focus is on the relationships among a small group of survivors. Carey tells a gripping and powerful story, showing us this world mostly through her young heroine's eyes as she deals with an overload of new information and experiences. This isn't a straightforward horror novel, although it has some horror-filled moments. It's a coming-of-age story in a horrific post-apocalyptic world. The old world is long gone, and it's time for Pandora to open a new box. I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a fresh approach to undead fiction. Melanie, the heroine, is a terrific character, as are her companions. 
Instead of taking us
through the early days of this post-apocalyptic world, Mandel drops us into
that world twenty years after a flu pandemic ravaged the globe and then provides flashbacks to the
pre-flu world—the good old days. The novel sweeps back and forth in
time, portraying the main characters in various stages of their lives and connecting them in ways that are incredibly intricate and
mostly unpredictable to the reader. These connections flow naturally as the
story line weaves its way between past and present and moves toward a hopeful,
but still unresolved, future. I highly recommend this novel for its inventive
take on post-apocalyptic fantasy, its multi-layered characters, the smooth
ebb and flow between past and present, and Mandel's eloquent use of language.
This is a book that looks past the gore and the violence to the everyday lives
of people who have coped with death and survived the worst. Although their
futures are uncertain, they maintain their respect for the past and dare to hope for peace and calm in the coming years.
Richelle Mead: The Immortal Crown—second novel
in AGE OF X SERIES
The series takes place 100 years into the future. Both the action plot
and the romance plot are fast-paced, suspenseful, and dramatic. Particularly
fascinating is the reaction of the fiercely independent RUNA women warriors to
the treatment of the Arcadian women, especially when they find themselves
being forced into submissive roles that include food preparation and floor
scrubbing. I found myself much more absorbed in this book than I was in the first—mostly
because in the first book I was slowed down by the process of learning the
mythology. Luckily for readers, this book has the glossary that the first one
lacked, so you can quickly flip to the back and refresh your memory when
Mead uses unfamiliar world-building terminology. Although I realize that Mae
and Justin have a long, difficult romantic road ahead, I plan to be with them
every frustrating and fascinating step of the way.
Greg van Eekhout: California Bones—first novel in
CALIFORNIA BONES TRILOGY
The novel is set
in an alternate Los Angeles, the capital of the Kingdom of Southern California,
which seceded from the U.S.A. eighty years ago. This is a terrific novel,
the first in what looks to be a top-notch series. Daniel (the hero) is a
fascinating character: a highly intelligent wizard who accumulates more and
more power as the story moves along. His childhood tragedy has pushed him into
a strange life in which he has managed to tamp down his anger and push back
his emotions while learning and applying the skills that allow him to
survive. Daniel's friends have their own distinctive personalities that come
out in their bickering dialogue and seamless teamwork. Eekhout adds noir humor
to the story with brushstrokes of ironic fancy, and he uses cultural references
in fresh and inventive ways. I highly recommend this engaging novel for its
creative mythology, complicated hero, fast-paced plotting, and masterful use of
irony and black humor.Devon Monk: House Immortal—first novel in HOUSE IMMORTAL TRILOGY
Two hundred years in the future, the world is ruled by eleven
powerful Houses that have controlled all of the world's resources and authority
for the past 100 years. Two hundred years ago, a scientist triggered a
disastrous comet-related experiment that killed hundreds of people, leaving
only twelve known survivors of the blast who are called the
galvanized. The galvanized are extremely strong and immortal men and women who eventually
had to give up their freedom in order to prevent the Houses from warring over who
would possess them. This series has a fresh and inventive mythology and
interesting lead characters. Tilly, the heroine, lives on an isolated,
off-the-grid farm and doesn’t realize that she has some of the same powers that
the galvanized have. When some of the Houses learn of her existence and come
after her, a hero emerges to rescue her—if she can allow herself to trust him.
Tilly bravely faces deceit, danger, and double-crosses as she tries to keep
herself safe in the big city. Even the villains in this series are layered, complex characters. This is going to be a great series.
ALTERNATE REALM FANTASY
A. M. Dellamonica: Child of a Hidden Sea—first novel in HIDDEN SEA TALES
The series is set in Stormwrack, an alternate realm that is parallel to Earth. Dellamonica handles the world-building well because she makes her main character a smart and curious young woman and then almost immediately pops her into this strange new world—a world so different that Sophie spends a lot of time just asking questions. The author also does a great job with Sophie's first-person narration, always a plus, because writing in the first-person voice can sometimes be awkward. Sophie’s brother, Bram, has a dry sense of humor that livens up every scene in which he appears, always using his genius-level abilities to work out problems in a geeky kind of way and never losing his cool. Dellamonica has plenty of room for story development in this rich world.
Jane Lindskold: Artemis Awakening—first novel in ARTEMIS AWAKENING SERIES
I'm labeling this series as science fantasy because it combines the advanced technology of science fiction with the supernatural elements of fantasy. As Rod Serling described it, "Science fiction makes the implausible possible, while science fantasy makes the impossible plausible." Artemis is a pleasure planet created out of bare rock by a
technologically advanced human empire that provided its richest citizens with a
veritable Eden to play in. All tech was concealed and the animals (and the
humans brought to live there) were bioengineered to help the guests enjoy their
stay. After a global war in the distant human world, Artemis was cut off from its creators and became a fable told to children until young
archaeologist Griffin Dane finds intriguing hints that send him on a quest to find
the lost world. Stranded on Artemis after crashing his spaceship, he encounters the Huntress Adara and her
psych-linked companion, the puma Sand Shadow. Their journey will lead
Dane to discover the planet's secrets and perhaps provide a key to give unimagined
power back to mankind. This is a terrific opening novel in which the author has done a brilliant job of weaving her complex and creative mythology into a well-constructed, fast-paced plot. She also does a great job with her character development. Even the supporting characters are well-defined and multi-dimensional. I'm not usually a big fan of either science fiction or pure fantasy, but this book really kept my interest from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it.
SUPERHERO FANTASY
Carrie Vaughn: Dreams of the Golden Age—second novel in THE GOLDEN AGE SERIES
Once again, Carrie
Vaughn proves that she is a great storyteller. What a great idea to look in on
the next generation of superheroes—checking out what the future will hold for
Commerce City while also visiting with old friends from the previous
generation. The humor comes right alongside the drama, particularly as the
teens come up with their superhero disguises and nicknames and then keep
forgetting to use them when they are in public places. Particularly
entertaining is a new-guy superhero from out of town whose talent is to make
huge leaps through the air. As he and Anna become friends, she teases him
constantly with guesses at comedic nicknames he might get stuck with. This
character's true identity is signaled early on, but we don't learn whether he
is a good guy or a bad guy until the requisite final showdown.
ROMANTIC FANTASY
If you are a reader of paranormal romances, you know that the two lead characters are always soul mates—driven together for eternity by fated forces beyond their control. But what if two human mothers decided to take fate into their own hands and engineer their children’s soul-mated futures even before they were born? And what would be the consequences if that plan went awry? That’s the premise of this inventive and darkly humorous story that wrestles with the conflicts of fatalism and free will; faith and reason; dreams and reality. The dreamy cosmologist George Dermont mines the stars to prove the existence of God while Irene Sparks, an unsentimental scientist, creates black holes in her laboratory. The
novel is set in an alternate Toledo, Ohio,
in the present, with flashbacks to the 1980s. In this world, Toledo is an
important scientific center, the location of the world-famous Toledo Institute
of Astronomy, a beacon of scientific learning for astronomers all over the world. Toledo is also a major center of astrology. So…astronomy and astrology: black holes and crystal balls,
scientists and psychics, super colliders and tea leaves, stars of the firmament
and signs of the zodiac—all coexisting in absurd asymmetry. Netzer writes with a wonderful impressionism that gives depth and eloquence to her story. Although this book is a romantic fantasy, it is definitely not constructed according to the usual formula. Tragic events, zany antics, snarky dialogue, and singular characters all add absurdity and surrealism to what is essentially a fantastical love story. There are no stereotypes among these characters. Each is a deeply developed individual with kinks and quirks, and they combine to form the frame on which the plot is hung.
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