The debt of failure is settled in madness. As war shatters Alira Verbrandt, she seeks lost truths, uneasy allies, and a fate-defying path before time runs out.

The Beast and a girl are an unlikely pair in this thrilling intro to the magical world of the Empire. Will they be able to break the magic in time for them to be saved?

This is a solid debut novel from an author that shows a lot of promise... a book that will stick in their mind, full of love, betrayal, and even blood.

Stevens explores the human condition all while disguising it as a Cyberpunk heist. An unexpected fun ride filled with snark, twists, and memorable characters.

Quicksilver is rebellion, epic fighting scenes, touch-her-and-die vibes – it’s trope-filled but all the best mix to bring an adult romantasy worth reading.

If you’re looking for a chill sci-fi with an RPG feel, enjoyable characters, a fun twist, plenty of action and an unraveling plot, try this book on for size.

Pain is a brother, grief a sister, and death the child of war. As Colton, Violet, and Ace fight their own battles, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

L.L. MacRae has created a deep, captivating, classic-modern fantasy world with The Iron Crown, and I’m eager to ride alongside these dragon spirits once more.

Come for the horny plants stay for the sensual atmospheric prose. Swallowed was a beautifully written, thoroughly enjoyable scifi romance horror.

This is going to be one of my favorite YA books of the year! I absolutely tore through this and cannot wait to see where this dystopian world goes in the next installment.

A soul taken, a war brewing. Suri battles darkness as enemies rise, secrets unravel, and fate hangs by a thread in the epic conclusion to the Amefyre trilogy.

The Mercy of Gods comes across as a foundational novel that plants the seeds for bigger things to come in future books, but ultimately has left me wanting more.

The stars are silent, but a deadly secret stirs. A scientist’s discovery sets off a chain of events that could doom or forever change humanity’s fate.

A clean adventure fantasy filled with magic and a soft romance for a young audience looking for Tolkien-type lore and a Snow White and the Huntsman-esque retelling.

Stranded on the cursed island of Sawarrgh, immortal explorer Anawar must escape its twisted horrors by killing the goddess who trapped it in a time loop.

ShadowBane by Cal Logan delivers a brutal, unforgettable grimdark saga of ambition, bloodlust, and compromise set in a feudal landscape inspired by Asian culture.

An absolutely action packed story from the very first page. Great for adult readers who love a bit of a twist on the classic science fiction rebellion novel.

Please note that many of these books are being cut not because they’re bad and some very narrowly missed the bar for a quarter- or semifinalist placement.

If you have been hungover after reading Red Rising or desperate for something that feels like Divergent with a more adult feel: This book is absolutely for you.

Please note that, even though these books did not work for us, it doesn’t mean that they won’t work for you, and our views do not mean that they are bad reads.