2023 Books in Review and
2024 Books To Look Out For Words by Carmen Macri
As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s reflect on the highlights we’ve experienced — be it blockbuster movies, emerging musical talents or, my personal favorite, the ever-expanding catalog of “New York Times” best-selling books. Achieving a coveted spot on the “New York Times” Best Sellers list requires an author to sell 5,000 or more copies of a book within a single week. Despite the common sight of every novel adorned with a golden “#1” sticker, the mystery behind so many claiming the top spot remains. Nonetheless, what is certain is that 2023 proved to be an exciting year for bookworms. Whether your cup of tea is mystery, romance, fantasy, or sci-fi, odds are, 2023 had a book for you. And if you have been living under a rock, don’t worry — here are your SparkNotes on what was hot this past year. You might be wondering, “Carmen, what are your credentials to give a 2023
After a betrayal leaves Sera and her love Nyktos (otherwise known as Shad-
year review in books?” Well, I am so glad you asked. From September to De-
ow Daddy, Daddy Nyktos and the love of my life) captive to the false King of
cember 2023, I read 38 books. I am pretty qualified in this field if no other.
the Gods, the only way to prevent a Shadowlands invasion and a War of Primals is to convince Kolis that Sera truly loves him, a challenging task given his
Let’s get right into it, shall we?
For Fantasy Lovers: “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
erratic nature. The revelations about fate and the true creation of the realms complicate matters. Surviving Kolis is just the beginning. As Sera’s ascension deadline looms, Nyktos is determined to save her, even risking realm destruction in the process (if he wanted to, he would). Their destinies, however, may be beyond their control …
Across the board on “New York Times,” Good Reads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, the highest-rated, highest-anticipated and highest-sold novel of 2023
Looking for a badass female lead who falls in love with a primal god of death?
was – drumroll please – “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros. Am I surprised?
You’re welcome.
No. This epic romantasy (romance fantasy) novel was the first in the Empyrean series — the second being “Iron Flame” which came out later in the year
“Powerless” by Lauren Roberts
(voted #2 on “NYT” and #7 on Good Reads).
This particular book is an unexpected discovery, a bonus edition that, while too recent to feature on prestigious book lists, is truly exceptional. This book
At Basgiath War College in the fictional country of Navarre, 20-year-old Violet
being as amazing as it is came as a surprise to me since I found author Lauren
Sorrengail, trained to be a scribe, is unexpectedly thrust into the dangerous
Roberts on TikTok with only a modest following. This young author wrote this
Dragon Rider Quadrant by her mother, the college’s commanding general. In
series when she was only 18 and self-published after dropping out of college
the cutthroat “Fourth Wing’’ section, Violet faces challenging tests, including
at 20 to pursue her dream, and thank GOD that she did because her debut
bonding with a dragon and training for the ongoing war. Her small stature
novel, “Powerless,” has me in a chokehold.
and her mother’s role make her a shining target, particularly for ruthless fellow first-year Jack Barlowe and the vengeful third-year squad leader, Xaden
“She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting. He is the very thing
Riorson (the ultimate book boyfriend), who has a personal vendetta against
she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.” – I’m literally on the floor.
her mother. In the kingdom of Ilya, only the extraordinary thrive — the empowered Elites Interested in stories about enemies-turned-lovers with a morally gray male
gifted with special powers by the Plague. Ordinary people like Paedyn Gray
lead? Look no further.
are banished and executed when lacking an ability becomes a crime. Paedyn, surviving in the slums, poses as a psychic to stay alive. When she saves a
“A Fire in the Flesh” (Flesh and Fire #3) by Jennifer Armentrout
prince and unwittingly enters the Purging Trials, a competition showcasing
This next one has quite a soft spot in my heart and comes as no surprise that
Elites’ powers, Paedyn faces challenges. If the Trials or her feelings for the
it was voted #9 on Good Reads. The third book in the “Flesh and Fire” series
prince don’t pose a threat, her Ordinary status might.
is a prequel to the “Blood and Ash” series (my guilty pleasure book) and let me just say: Oh. My. God. For all my smut readers, this is the series for you.
Clearly, I have a type … enemies to lovers … to enemies.
Like every other Jennifer Armentrout series, this book falls to the wayside of sex, sex, sex with a dash of dark mystery.
Disclaimer: I am an avid fantasy reader, leaving some to think it’s the only genre I read. But for the sake of this article, here are the other top books of 2023 that I might or might not have read.
12 Folio Weekly
