Top 9 All-Time Favorite Stand-Alone
So in 2021, for National Reading Month (March), I posted a series of all my favorite books from series to poetry. But, two of them have changed so much in the past two years that it seemed time for a redo. Some books will be the same, some will be different. I hope you enjoy them regardless. (No particular order)
1. Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell
Okay, it is in order with this book. Oak King Holly King is officially my favorite book of all-time. Some would argue it isn’t a stand-alone as it has a sequel collection of novellas, Tales from Blackthorn Briar, but I think it still does. Y’all are probably sick of me raving about this book so if you want more of my thoughts, you can check out my ‘Best Books of 2022’ for my full review. My favorite character is probably Shrike, but I love him and Wren equally.
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: After winning the queen’s melee, Shrike is crowned the Oak King, a title that is part of a ritual to control the seasons, and spells his eventual doom at the hands of the Holly King. Determined to escape his fate, his search takes him to the mortal world of Victorian London where he meets Wren Lofthouse, a clerk who is the key to his victory
2. In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
Bored of all traditional fantasy books and stereotypes? This book smashes them all. I love how this book covers years of the characters lives in one novel. So we get to really see them grow and their relationships develop. Definitely a must-read for all lovers of fantasy who want a little more of a modern take. My favorite character is probably our snarky main character, Elliot. When you first meet him, you think he’s going to be annoying, but then you get to see him grow and mature.
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Over the Border lies a fantasy land with elves, trolls, harpies and mermaids and a school to train the next generation.
3. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
A childhood favorite, but good for all ages. I also highly recommend the audiobook which is narrated by Brendon Fraser. Light-hearted, fun and adventurous with charming characters who will stick with you. So apparently this book did get a sequeal in 2017 that I did not know about for the longest time and still have not read, but I am excited to revisit this world. My favorite character is Sorrel, the grumpy, mushroom-loving brownie.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary: The valley where the dragons live is going to be flooded by humans so Firedrake sets out on a quest to find the Rim of Heaven, the legendary home of the dragons.
4. Red, White and Royal Blue by
Casey McQuiston
I heard great things about this book before I read it, but it still blew me away. The characters seemed so real and the relationship between the main characters is one of the best I have seen written in everyone’s (or just my) favorite trope, enemies-to-lovers. I think that was helped by the fact this book was more New Adult than Young Adult. My favorite character is probably our clueless disaster bi, Alex, though I love him and Henry equally.
Genre: LGBT+ Contemporary
Summary: After a disaster at the Royal Wedding, First Son of the USA and the Prince of Wales have to fake a friendship that turns into so much more
5. Hold Fast by Sebastian Nothwell
This book was so close to edging out Oak King Holly King as my favorite Sebastian Nothwell book. I loved the characters and the plot and am praying for a sequel book or novella. My favorite character is definitely Evelyn, the golden retriever sailor-turned baronet who is just obsessed with his agent.
Genre: Romance
Summary: Morgan Turner, agent to the Winthrop estate, is tasked with finding the lost heir, Evelyn, who ran away thirteen years ago to sea, and making a gentleman of him. Evelyn sees a captain’s soul within his handsome agent and his heart is caught upon the hook of command, if only Morgan would return his affections.
6. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The first book in a trilogy that just got too dark and depressing near the end for it to be really enjoyable though it was cool to explore the Inkworld. This is another childhood favorite and I think the book that made me want to be a writer. The theme and setting of it is just so cool and it speaks to book lovers of all ages. My favorite character is either Meggie or Dustfinger.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary: Meggie discovers her father has the ability to read characters and items out of books with the result the villain of the book, Inkheart, is after them.
7. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
I am utterly ashamed this book wasn’t on this list originally. This is a good that any type of reader will love. Witty, hilarious and unique. (And the Amazon TV show is pretty darn accurate as well) My favorite character is, of course, Crowley, our disaster demon.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary: An angel and a devil trying to stop the apocalypse after they misplaced the antichrist.
8. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
The book that unlocked my love for all things dark fae. Another book I could not put down. It had everything; a badass female character, sibling love, epic fights and gay romance. The ending came all too soon and I really wish this book was a little longer or had a squeal. My favorite character is probably Severin.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary: In the town of Fairfold, humans and fae live side by side. In the woods there is a glass coffin in which lies a sleeping prince who has been there as long as Hazel and her brother, Ben, remember. Then one day he wakes up.
9. In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
I was captured by the world and its characters and am incredibly sad this is a stand-alone. It is an easy read with a well-paced plot and never a dull moment. A must-read fantasy. I probably love our MC, Tal, the best, but all his siblings are hilarious and I love their interactions.
Genre: High Fantasy
Summary: A young prince with a dark secret must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour and help him prevent a war.
Hope you enjoyed another series of reading recommendations.