Honorable Mentions
2015 was one of the hardest years I've ever had picking a favorite book because I read so many good ones that were actually eligible. Only one of my honorable mentions was ineligible due to publication date. This is also the first year that I've included an entire series of books. Anyway, instead of posting my lengthy Goodreads reviews for all, I'm just going to write a quick sentence or two for each one and link to my reviews if you're interested. I could not possibly put these in any sort of order as far as favorites go. I had a hard enough time picking one out of this amazing group.
The Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan
This fantastic novel is more adventure than science fiction, but debut author Aslan manages to juggle all the aspects he has going on impressively well. It's got cultural aspects, minority characters, deals a bit with disabilities, and even adds in some philosophy. I read this book compulsively, utterly unable to put it down, in less than 24 hours. There is a sequel, The Girl at the Center of the World, that I haven't gotten to read yet. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
I haven't read a fantasy novel for adults that I have liked this much in a very long time. Teens could read too, but there is some stuff that may be inappropriate for some readers. I was probably really pleased to be reading a fantasy book that isn't long-winded and dragging, doesn't have a mega ton of characters, and without, generally speaking, a male lead character. It's a series and will also probably end up being a movie. |
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This one was technically ineligible due to it's publication date, but it could easily have won if I had read it in a year it was eligible. I really thought this was going to be just a fun stand-alone scifi book, suitable for basically any reader, with an interesting premise and an action/adventure based plot. It is those things, but it's also so much more. It's also going to be a movie directed by Steven Spielberg. Yes, we should all be very excited. The Story of Owen and Prairie Fire by E.K. Johnston
Normally, I only include one book at a time on these lists. This was not possible with this series of two. They were both utterly fantastic and such a unique take on dragons and dragon tales. The two main characters and their relationship is absolutely incredible. I can’t say enough about how much you should read both of this books, right now, immediately. Love. So much love. I cried so much reading both of these books. |
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson's The Rithmatist was my winner for 2014, and this was a very early frontrunner for 2015. Rithmatist was my favorite almost entirely because I was so enthralled with the world that Sanderson built and the creativity within it; that same sentiment is absolutely true here, too. Sanderson also manages to sneak in a lot of social commentary about morality and what it means to be human, and I was happy to see that in this kind of story.
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson's The Rithmatist was my winner for 2014, and this was a very early frontrunner for 2015. Rithmatist was my favorite almost entirely because I was so enthralled with the world that Sanderson built and the creativity within it; that same sentiment is absolutely true here, too. Sanderson also manages to sneak in a lot of social commentary about morality and what it means to be human, and I was happy to see that in this kind of story.