Hoohoo, friends of the blade.
2024 was the year of rereading old favourites like Penryn and the End of Days or An Ember in the Ashes. But I also found some new books I enjoyed a lot and will definitely reread in the future (Bergman Brothers, I’m looking at you especially). So this post is structured into two sections: new to me books and rereads. Continue reading to find out which books made me go *chef’s kiss* aka. those I rated 5 stars in 2024.
🏳️🌈 = LGBTQ+ main characters | ♥️ = romance | ⚔️ = fantasy | 🏛️ = historical
NEW TO ME BOOKS
Funny Story by Emily Henry
♥️
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it… right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
Scruffy and chaotic – with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads – Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex… right?
Emily Henry can do no wrong in my eyes. I want to live and stay in her stories, they always vibe with me. I laughed, I cried, I felt all the emotions with the characters. Miles and Daphne, you have my whole heart. Read my review of Funny Story here.
To Wield a Crown by Helen Scheuerer
Curse of the Cyren Queen #4
⚔️
A final quest. A people divided. Can one cyren turn the tides of fate?
The time has come to obtain the final birthstone of Saddoriel. Reeling from a near-deadly sacrifice, Roh must rally all her strength if she is to take her place upon the throne.
But with cyrenkind divided and enemies closing in, the road to Lochloria and beyond is more dangerous than ever. An ancient prophecy looms, loyalties are tested and Roh races against the clock that threatens to undo all she’s fought for.
As a centuries-long conflict comes to a head and forces of nature collide, Roh has to decide if there is more than one kind of magic in this world, and whether or not she has the power to harness it.
Some bonds will solidify, while others will be fractured forever – but all must take up their swords and face the final battle for a better Saddoriel.
Will Roh emerge from the perils victorious, or will the trials claim her at last?
This was such a perfect, fitting finale to the whole series which is one of my all time favourites, by the way. It’s dark and the stakes are high, there’s a dash of romance, a whole lot of friendship and found family. I loved how the story really comes together and finds an ending that made me cry yet I also felt relieved. This whole series is so atmospheric and beautifully written.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
⚔️🏛️
Oxford, 1836.
The city of dreaming spires.
It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world.
And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows.
Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift.
Until it became a prison…
But can a student stand against an empire?
This book. I get unbearable when talking about this because I loved this on so many levels. I liked how Kuang tackles colonialism and how it impacts people in different ways. Babel also deals with language a lot, both on linguistic and cultural levels and my god, what a masterpiece. This is probably my favourite book of the year, it was that good. Read my full review of Babel here.
The Someday Daughter by Ellen O’Clover
Years before Audrey St. Vrain was born, her mother, Camilla, shot to fame with Letters to My Someday Daughter, a self-help book encouraging women to treat themselves with the same love and care they’d treat their own daughters. While the world considers Audrey lucky to have Camilla for a mother, the truth is that Audrey knows a different side of being the someday daughter. Shipped off to boarding school when she was eleven, she feels more like a promotional tool than a member of Camilla’s family.
Audrey is determined to create her own identity aside from being Camilla’s daughter, and she’s looking forward to a prestigious summer premed program with her boyfriend before heading to college and finally breaking free from her mother’s world. But when Camilla asks Audrey to go on tour with her to promote the book’s anniversary, Audrey can’t help but think that this is the last, best chance to figure out how they fit into each other’s lives—not as the someday daughter and someday mother, but as themselves, just as they are.
What Audrey doesn’t know is that spending the summer with Camilla and her tour staff—including the disarmingly honest, distressingly cute video intern, Silas—will upset everything she’s so carefully planned for her life.
Ellen O’Clover perfectly knows how to write characters that feel both real and like something completely new. The Someday Daughter touched my very soul, making me cry and my heart hurt but also heal just an instant later. What really makes the story are the dynamics between the characters and how they shift and change and grow. Read my full review of The Someday Daughter here.
Fence: Redemption by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Fence #6
🏳️🌈♥️
Are Seiji and Jesse really through? The rumors around Halverton, the prestigious fencing training camp, have spread like wildfire, but it’s not long before a mystery fencer arrives–one who may finally pose a threat to the #1 spot. Will Seiji’s unquenchable quest for rivalry take Nicholas’ place? Where will his loyalty lie? And, when Seiji gets an up close and personal look into Nicholas’ past and determination against adversity while preparing for the difficult road ahead and the State Championships, he’ll have to confront a tempting thought… are they on… a date?
After 6 volumes and 2 novels I still don’t understand shit about fencing but I looooove the characters and the whole Kings Row gang. I love each character individually but I also highly enjoy how they are around other people. Even though Nicholas is technically the MC, I like how every other character gets a backstory as well and I’m simply here crying over all of them.
The Bergman Brothers by Chloe Liese
Only When It’s Us♥️
Always Only You♥️
Ever After Always♥️
With You Forever♥️
Everything for You🏳️🌈♥️
If Only You🏳️🌈♥️
Only and Forever♥️
Ryder
Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter’s been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don’t know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don’t need in my tidy life. She’s the next generation of women’s soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly.
She’s a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who’s turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I’ll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top…And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word.
Willa
Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I’ve had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.
I’ve battled men before, but with Ryder, it’s war. I’ll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it’s the last thing I do, then I’ll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet.
Not every book in the series was actually a 5 star read for me but as a whole, this series definitely deserves the 5 stars. I loved every single book and every single pairing so much and the Bergmans as a whole have my heart. I laugehd and cried with them, I celebrated with them, I hurt with them. The Bergmans feel like a real, absolutely wholesome family I’d love to be a part of. They’re simply amazing and I love them and how they are around each other and how they care. They have my whole heart in a tight grip.
Us Against the Likes by Marie Voinson
An (anxious) travel influencer, a sister (first and forever), a (hopefully) future award winner.
Against her mother’s wishes, Abby Martins drops out of university to follow her dream: share her travel stories with the world.
With over 90 000 followers and her sister’s help, a talented photographer and her forever best friend, Abby’s thriving on this new path. She’s managing her anxiety (for the most part) and she’s (almost) making a living out of her passion.
Winning a prestigious travel influencer award might just be the thing to push her off that ledge.
Desperate to prove herself, Abby steps out of her comfort zone. From Scotland to Italy, from unexpected influencer trips to thrilling collaborations, Abby stretches herself and her own mental health thin for the likes.
But what, and most importantly, who, will she risk to lose on her way?
I loved everything in this story: the travelling and how each location was written and which impact it had on Abby. I also really liked the characters and how they interacted with each other and how their relationships change over the course of the story. I also enjoyed how anxiety was portrayed and how seen I felt. A wonderful debut! Read my full review of Us Against the Likes here.
Pretty Savage: Süßer als Verrat by Tami Fischer
Manhattan Elite #2
♥️
Nach allem, was Sarah in New York erlebt hat, weiß sie nicht mehr, wem sie noch glauben kann. Selbst Monroe und ihre eigene Zwillingsschwester Payton misstraut sie. Zudem muss sich Sarah eingestehen, dass sie mehr als nur Freundschaft für ihren Nachbarn Holden zu empfinden beginnt. Um ihre Rachepläne nicht zu gefährden, beschließt sie, die skrupellosen Spielchen der High-Society-Clique weiter mitzuspielen. Was sie nicht weiß: Jemand hat sich an ihre Fersen geheftet und droht weit mehr, als nur ihre wahre Identität zu lüften.
Holy shit, dieses Buch!! Es war einfach so gut. Ich habe Band 1 schon durchgesuchtet, aber Band 2 war definitiv mein liebster der Reihe. Einfach die Charaktere und ihre Entwicklung und diese Twists! Ich konnte nicht aufhören zu lesen und bin nur so durch die Geschichte geflogen. Intrigen, Liebe, Freundschaft, Verrat. Pretty Savage hat einfach alles und es macht absolut süchtig.
Lore Olympus Vol. 7 by Rachel Smythe
Lore Olympus #7
♥️⚔️
The rifts between realms grow ever wider as the temporary shelter Persephone had found in the Underworld is destroyed. Apollo has captured Demeter, turning the fugitive goddess over to Zeus in an attempt to win the king’s favor. Persephone and her mother must now stand trial for concealing Persephone’s unsanctioned act of wrath—though the goddess of spring feels secure with Hades on her side.
But safety is not guaranteed in the world of the gods.
As the trial brings to light truths and betrayals that threaten to upset everything—even Hades and Persephone’s relationship—the other gods face perils of their own.
Eros uncovers Ampelus’s secret during a fight in the Mortal Realm. Thanatos and Daphne’s budding relationship is threatened by a vengeful Apollo. Minthe is trapped in her cursed form until Persephone gains full control over her powers. And Hera is haunted by the specter of Kronos, whose influence in Olympus seems to be growing.
My favourite instalment in the series so far, this brings more politics, intrigues and secrets. There’s also more of Persephone’s past and glimpses at what she hopes for her future. I like how slow the romance is and how each character is portrayed and gets their own part of the story so it comes together to a very interesting, deep and enjoyable story that doesn’t shy away from darker topics.
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
All for the Game #4
🏳️🌈
My name is Jean Moreau. My place is at Evermore. I belong to the Moriyamas.
It is a truth Jean has built his life around, a reminder this is the best he can hope for and all he deserves. But when he is stolen from Edgar Allan University and sold to a more dangerous master, Jean is forced to contend with a life outside of the Nest for the first time in five years. The Foxes call his transfer to California a fresh start; Jean knows it is little more than a golden cage.
Captain Jeremy Knox is facing his final year with the USC Trojans and fifth straight year falling short of the championships trophy he desperately craves. Taking in the nation’s best defenseman is a no-brainer, even if that man is a Raven. But Jean is no monster, just a man with no hope or desire for a future, and when Evermore’s collapse starts dragging Jean’s hideous secrets to light, Jeremy is forced to contend with the cost of victory.
The way I am obsessed with this whole series and every single character is unreal. Yes, I read this book for the first time in 2024 and of course I also reread it twice already because I love it so much. The Sunshine Court doesn’t have much of a plot but it doesn’t need one to work perfectly. It concentrates on Jean trying to heal from everything that’s been done to him. It focuses on trust and friendship and growth and at this point I just want to wrap Jean Moreau in a blanket and keep him safe forever.
REREADS
World After + End of Days by Susan Ee
Penryn and the End of Days #2 + #3
⚔️
When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels’ secret plans, where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t rejoin the angels, can’t take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?
More than a decade after its publication, this book is still such a banger. I love this series so much, it has this 2010s dystopia vibe with amazing characters, a lot of action and beautifully mixed in quieter scenes. I love how fast paced the books are, how the author plays with mythology and religion and what a badass Penryn is. The feeling of rereading this? Perfect.
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson #1
⚔️
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse. Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him.
When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea.
Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends – one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena – Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
This slapped when I was 12, this still slaps at 28. Creative and incredibly funny, this book brings me so much joy. I just love the characters and how Rick Riordan brings Greek gods to life. Everyone in this series has their own quirks and goals and a backstory that’s somehow important and despite the book being quite short, there is so much adventure and love. An all time favourite.
The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon
#1: The Bone Season
#2: The Mime Order
#3: The Song Rising
#3.5: The Dawn Chorus
#4: The Mask Falling
🏳️🌈⚔️
The year is 2059. For two centuries, the Republic of Scion has led an oppressive campaign against unnaturalness in Europe.
In London, Paige Mahoney holds a high rank in the criminal underworld. The right hand of the ruthless White Binder, Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare and formidable kind of clairvoyant. Under Scion law, she commits treason simply by breathing.
When Paige is arrested for murder, she meets the mysterious founders of Scion, who have designs on her uncommon abilities. If she is to survive and escape, Paige must use every skill at her disposal – and put her trust in someone who ought to be her enemy.
Not sure how many times I’ve read The Bone Season but it is already my favourite series and Samantha Shannon managed to make them even better by revising them completely and adding more depth and details. This series is living rent free in my head and I’m dancing around already because The Dark Mirror releases soon!
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
An Ember in the Ashes #2
⚔️
Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.
But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.
Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.
My favourite in this series. I really managed to reread most of my old favourites in 2024, huh. I am still and will forever be a Helene stan. She’s so strong and has such a great character development. I absolutely love how she’s written and her journey and this is the book she becomes more important to the story. The whole Ember Quartett is so good and always breaks me emotionally. 10/10.
All for the Game by Nora Sakavic
The Foxhole Court
The Raven King
The King’s Men
(The Sunshine Court)
🏳️🌈
Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He’s short, he’s fast, he’s got a ton of potential—and he’s the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.
Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn’t need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.
But Neil’s not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil’s new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can’t walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he’s finally found someone and something worth fighting for.
I reread the entire series twice this year, I am unhealthily obsessed with it. The characters feel like family at this point and the whole series brings me so much joy and comfort despite its dark themes and traumatic events. Nora Sakavic is my personal goddess, I don’t make the rules, I’ll worship at the AFTG shrine happily. This series has a tighter grip on my whole being than anything else has ever had.
And these were the books I rated 5 stars in 2024. What are some of your 5 star books of the year? Any predictions for 2025 books that will be 5 stars for you? Do you rate books in stars?
Until next time,
