Best and Worst of 2024

 Best

                

First Place:            Every Time You Hear That Song

Jenna Voris

                                ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this dual-timeline historical fiction, Darren Purchase spots her ticket out of town in the scavenger hunt left in country star Decklee Cassel's will, but there's a lot more to Decklee Cassel's legacy than the tabloids ever knew. A historical love story with strong women at the core, Jenna Voris presents a story of ambition, desperation, and the regret of a one-way ticket out of town. Though the payoff of the contemporary leg of this dual-timeline story feels a little lackluster, this piece of historical fiction is worth escaping into a world where small town girls dare to dream.

Runner-Up:         Off With Their Heads                                  Zoe Hana Mikuta

                                ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this Alice-in-Wonderland horror, two witches escape the monstrous confines of Wonderland with buckets of blood on their hands... and the taste for so much more. With grisly gore and tipsy-turvy worldbuilding holding up this fantasy world, Zoe Hana Mikuta creates an unnerving blend of blood splatter, off-kilter narration, and spiraling dread that grips a reader by the throat. Though this book will be more than some readers can stomach, the lovers-to-enemies plot at the center of this twisted tale will happily drag readers down to its dark and bloody depths.

Runner-Up:         The Worst Perfect Moment                       

Shivaun Plozza

                                ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this glimpse at the afterlife, sixteen-year-old Tegan Masters finds herself resigned to an eternity at the most mediocre New Jersey motel she's ever visited, which happens to double as the site of her worst memory ever. A witty yet melancholic look at life beyond the veil, Shivaun Plozza builds a startingly bland afterlife that nonetheless tugs on the heartstrings. Though the stark miscommunication between the protagonist and those in charge of the Great Beyond can grow a little wearisome, the life and vibrancy of these no-longer-living characters hold a charm and wit all their own.

Worst

                                     

First Place:             Sky's End                

Marc J. Gregson

                                    ⭐⭐

In this mecha science fiction, sixteen-year-old Conrad is reaching for his rightful place as highest of the Highs, but everyone must battle for their place in this Meritocracy. With barebones worldbuilding and simplistic writing, Marc J. Gregson creates a one-dimensional sci-fi world without depth or character growth. Though this book has enough epic sky battles and sci-fi gadgets to make a sci-fi fan happy, the characters and the writing just don't make for a compelling world for a reader invest in.

Runner-Up:           Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix                            

Gabe Cole Novoa

                                    ⭐⭐

In this trans retelling of Pride & Prejudice, Oliver Bennet is ready to shed his skirts and start living the life he wants, though that's harder said than done in 1812. Though this historical fiction should be an interesting dive into queer life in the regency, Gabe Cole Novoa fails to create a compelling trans character... or embody the charm and wit of the source material being transformed. This peek into queer life in 1812 might add something to an otherwise cis-het genre, but ultimately, this book fails to deliver either the brand new trans character or the Pride & Prejudice retelling promised.

Runner-Up:             Promchanted

Morgan Matson

                                    ⭐⭐⭐

In this prom night fantasy, Stella Griffin takes one wrong turn at her pre-prom party at Disneyland and ends up stuck in the middle of a fairytale. Though the tongue-in-cheek narration feels light and fun, Morgan Matson creates an anachronistic world that feels more Disney propaganda than actual story. Some readers might like learning to relax and unplug alongside high-strung Stella, but many will find this book and its plot too one-dimensional for real engagement.