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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,627 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Seeker's Mask

Brett Mumford Why did I love this book?

This is the third book in the series that starts with the novel God Stalk. The incredible world that P.C. Hodgell created immediately enthralled me with sympathetic, and relatable characters. The world felt rich and alive even though you were only getting a small snippet of it. 

The Seeker's Mask opened up so much more of the world and the people that lived in it, along with the lore and myth that she was spreading throughout the story. I loved the character Jamethiel from the beginning, and this novel brought to resolution so many loose threads, and in an immensely satisfying way.

By P. C. Hodgell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Seeker's Mask as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Meisha Merlin is proud to announce the continuing adventures of Jame in P. C. Hodgell's Seeker's Mask. This edition will contain a new introduction by Charles de Lint, the novel Seeker's Mask, and the maps that P. C. has created for the book. Jame has found and been reunited with her ten year older twin brother Tori. Now all she has to do is find a place for herself among the Kencyrs that are following her brother. This is not quite as easy as it sounds. For, if you remember, Jame has not grown up in the normal Kencyr lifestyle.…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of We Few

Brett Mumford Why did I love this book?

This is also the third book in this series, and follows the efforts of the 'despised' prince as he comes back from the dead to rescue his mother from enemies of the throne. How could I not love this story?

The first two novels set up his survival from an attempted assassination, in a plot to take the throne of the empire. The character has an amazing growth arc where not only do others begin to see he is not just a fop in fancy clothes, but truly deserving to be in the line of ascension for the throne.

This novel is about what he has to do to not only return home, but to confront the enemies that have taken root there, and what he is willing to risk to secure victory.

By David Weber, John Ringo,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Few as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Prince Roger MacClintock was an heir to the galaxy's Throne of Man - and a self-obsessed spoiled young brat...until he and the Royal Marines sent to protect him were stranded on Marduk with only their feet to get them half way around the entire planet. So far, they've traversed a continent, crossed a sea full of ship-eating monsters, taken over an enemy spaceport, and hijacked a starship. But they're not home-free yet, because home is no longer free. In Roger's absence, a palace coup by enemies of the MacClintock family has seized control of the Empire. His mother the Empress…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Lord of Castle Black

Brett Mumford Why did I love this book?

This is all about the character Morrolan, who was introduced in the Jhereg series. This tells the tale of Morrolan's growth to become the Dragaeran that eventually befriends the human Vladimir Taltos.

I loved the character from the Jhereg series, but it left so many questions about him and why he did what he did, and this novel fills in the backstory to this enjoyable character.

By Steven Brust,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Lord of Castle Black as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This volume continues the Khaavren epic begun in "The Paths of the Dead". It includes swordplay, intrigues, quests, battles, romance and the missing heir of the imperial throne.


Plus, check out my book…

The 7th Pre-Light

By Brett Mumford,

Book cover of The 7th Pre-Light

What is my book about?

A young Sel researcher is given the challenge to lead the analysis on a newly discovered race: Humans. They are getting closer to developing FTL technology and need to be understood before they take their first steps into the stars.

A senior Sel security technician has been assigned the task to stop a serial killer. What does his case have to do with a 500-year-old secret?