Okay, I admit that I’m a little behind this year. Usually these kinds of lists show up in late December or early January. Fortunately for me, a good book doesn’t cease to be good simply because I’m running late. Nor there’s really a bad time of year for a book recommendation, is there? If you aren’t looking for a book for over the holidays, then you might be seeking one for spring break. Or summer vacation. Or for back to school. In which case, I might not be late. I might be early or even right on time.
So whether late or early or on time, I now offer you some of my favorite reads that I read in 2022, listed in no particular order:
Title: Recorder and Aberration
Series: Children of the Consortium #1 and #2
Author: Cathy McCrumb
Genre: Adult Science Fiction
Synopsis: A neurally-enhanced woman is sent to observe and record the investigation of an isolated science station gone dark.
What I Loved: The broad and complex character cast, the mix of hard and soft science fiction, and the multilayered plot.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/mccrumb-consortium.html
Title: Wolf Soldier
Series:
Author: James Hannibal
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Synopsis: In this Prince Warriors meets Ranger’s Apprentice, a shepherd boy seeks to save his father from goblin poison and becomes an initiate in the dying Lightraider Order.
What I Loved: The interwoven spiritual allegory, cool world building, and fast-paced plotting.
More Information:
https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/hannibal-lightraider.html
Title: The Debutante’s Code
Series: Thorndike & Swann #1
Author: Erica Vetsch
Genre: Adult Historical Mystery
Synopsis: A debutante searches for clues concerning her missing parents while a Bow Street Runner suspects her of art theft.
What I Loved: Codes and secret passageways, ballrooms and beautiful dresses, great humor and an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing, the reappearance of favorite characters from past books.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/vetsch-thorndike-swann.html
Title: When Your Dragon Is Too Big for a
Series: Standalone
Author: C. E. White
Genre: Picture Book, Magical Realism
Synopsis: A boy needs to wash his dragon who hates bathes.
What I Loved: The whimsy and the message about the sometimes unexpected ways God answers prayer.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/white-dragon-bath.html
Title: Between Stairs and Stardust
Series: Standalone
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Adult Historical Romance (Novella)
Synopsis: In this Cinderella retelling, a disgraced illustrator hides at the Biltmore and falls for a millionaire whom she mistakes for a gardener.
What I Loved: The whimsy, the humor, the fun take on the old fairytale, all the feels perfect for a sappy romantic.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/basham-stairs-stardust.html
Title: A Dragon By Any Other Name
Series: Standalone
Author: S.D. Grimm
Genre: YA Magical Realism/Dystopia
Synopsis: In this
gender & creature swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a dragon
hunter becomes life bonded to a dragon.
What I Loved: The completely unique reimagining of my favorite fairy tale, the incredible character arc of the heroine, and the fast-paced plotting.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/grimm-dragon-name.html
Title: The Lost Property Office
Series: Section 13 #1
Author: James Hannibal
Genre: Midgrade Supernatural Suspense
Synopsis: A
thirteen-year-old American searches modern-day
What I Loved: Intellectually intriguing plot (perfect for the geeky mind), the hero’s synethesia-like abilities, cool gadgets, the Sherlock Holmes head nods, and the hint of espionage.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/hannibal-section-13.html
Title: When the Day Comes
Series: Timeless #1
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Genre: Adult Time Travel (with a Dual Time feel)
Synopsis: A time-traveller must decides whether she’ll remain in 1774 or 1914 before her twenty-first birthday
What I Loved: The surprise ending, the beautiful picture of God’s sovereignty, the beautifully drawn historical periods, the creative premise.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/meyer-timeless.html
Title: To Treasure an Heiress
Series: The Secrets of the Isles #2
Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Synopsis: A lord with a passion for archeology and a treasure-seeking island lass search to find a buried treasure before harm comes to those they love
What I Loved: Sheridan (the hero). The laugh-aloud humor.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/white-secrets-of-isles.html
Series: Of Monsters and Men #2
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Synopsis: A rumored-vampire baron returns home to care for his dying mother, sparking gossip among the townsfolk and love with a progressive-thinking librarian.
What I Loved: The characters. Their journey. Their struggles. The echoes of Beauty and the Beast.
More Information:
https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/griep-monster-men.html
Title: The Bandit of Ashley Downs
Series: Trailblazers
Author: Dave and Neta Jackson
Genre: Midgrade Historical Fiction
Synopsis: A boy is sent to live at the same orphanage from which he stole money.
What I Loved: The wrestling of the protagonist; the faith of George Müller.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/jackson-trailblazers-3.html
Title: Hidden Current
Series: The Dancing Realms #1
Author: Sharon Hinck
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Synopsis: A dancer escapes a cult to seek the Maker of her world.
What I Loved: The beauty—the beauty of the prose, the beauty of the spiritual truth woven in, the beauty of the character’s growth, the beauty of God’s character. The way the story leads you to a place of worship.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/hinck-dancing-realms.html
Series: A Legacy of Ink #1
Author: John W. Otte
Genre: Adult Science Fantasy
Synopsis: An Esther in a Star-Wars world, a king makes queen a woman from a subjugated race suspected of possessing magical writing powers.
What I Loved: The slightly unpredictable characters, engaging plot, complex world-building, laugh-aloud moments.
More Information: https://www.chawnaschroeder.com/otte-legacy-of-ink.html
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