This year has went by quickly for me.  That is good in many ways but also very sad, as my kids are getting older by the minute.  But, thankfully, I have discovered several amazing books along the way.  So in an effort to look back on those reading experiences (and give my favorites a little hype), I decided to post this list of my top ten reads of the year — so far. So, sit back and get ready to discover some great books!

10.  The Eternal Kingdom by Ben Peek

Genre: Fantasy — Epic

Series: The Children Trilogy #3

Publisher: Pan Mcmillan (October 1, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter 

Length: 436 pages

Complex, diverse, and intense.  Ben Peek has concluded his amazing trilogy with a powerful finale, one which is emotionally gripping and hard to adequately describe.  It is so hard to put into words how realistic and multi-layered this saga is that I’ve yet to finish my review of it.  I’m still searching for the perfect words.

9. Eagle and Empire by Alan Smale

Genre: Alternate History

Series: Hesperian Trilogy #3

Publisher: Del Rey (May 16, 2016)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 656 pages

This stunning alternate history saga by Alan Smale comes to an explosive conclusion with Romans, Mongols, and Native Americans locked in a struggle for dominance over North America.  The other two books in the trilogy were merely the elaborate setup for this rousing tale.

8. Scourge by Gail Z. Martin

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Darkhurst

Publisher: Solaris (July 11, 2017)

Author Information:Website | Twitter

Length: 400 pages

Undertakers.  Guilds.  Merchant princes.  Monsters.  Blood magic.  And three brothers caught up in the whole mess.  Gail Z. Martin has produced yet another wonderful fantasy where your love of the characters themselves are what makes you keep turning the pages.

7.  The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: The Collapsing Empire #1

Publisher: Tor (March 21, 2016)

Author Information: Website | Twitter 

Length:  336 pages

John Scalzi returns to stellar form here.  This science fiction story filled with epic space action, cool ideas, political machinations, jaded characters, and the ever present Scalzi’s dry wit and sarcasm.  It might not turn every reader on, but I personally believe every reader should give it a try.

6. Lucifer’s Star by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Lucifer’s Star #1

Publisher: Mystique Press (April 27, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 300 pages

“Lucifer’s Star is damn fine space opera!”  I wrote that a couple months ago after reading C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus’ science fiction extravaganza, and I feel the exact same way now.  This is a novel every fan of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, or other sci-fi series should not miss out on.  Go buy it today!

5. Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Band #1

Publisher: Orbit (February 21, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 544 pages

This humorous, tongue-in-cheek look at over-the-hill mercenaries took me completely by surprise this year.  And it was a good surprise!  Kings of the Wyld the feel good hit of 2017.  Honestly, you will never have so much fun reading about a band getting back together as you do this group.

4. Evil Is A Matter of Perspective
edited by Adrian Collins

Genre: Fantasy — Grimdark

Series: Anthology

Publisher: Grimdark Magazine (June 16, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 522 pages

The ultimate anthology of grimdark!  That is how I think of this book, and I believe every lover of despicable, rotten, violent characters must, MUST read this anthology.  It really is that good from top to bottom.

3. Ghosts of Tomorrow by Michael R. Fletcher

Genre: Cyberpunk — Scifi

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Self Published (March 1, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 394 pages

Michael Fletcher is among my favorite writers. I loved the fantasy madness of his Beyond Redemption series, and I loved this cyberpunk adventure. It really seems that the guy can’t write a bad story.  At least, I haven’t found one yet.  So if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

2. Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan

Genre: Fantasy – Flintlock

Series: Gods of Blood and Powder #1

Publisher: Orbit (March 7, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length:  624 pages

Flintlock fantasy at its best!  Brian McClellan returns to his Powder Mage world, shifting across the globe to the New World, where a magical relic from the ancient past is nearly overshadowed by the clash between native populations and the colonists from the Old World.  It is a fun ride and the promise of amazing things to come in this new series.

1. Tyrant’s Throne by Sebastien de Castell

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Greatcoats #4

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (June 6, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 400 pages

As always, Sebastien de Castell’s latest Greatcoats book lies at the top of my list.  No doubt, this is because I am a lover of everything Greatcoats.  This series one of my favorites.  And while this was an explosive and rousing tale, I have to admit feeling a few tears in my eyes knowing I might have read the last tale about these amazing characters.