Jodie’s Top Five
It was a chaotic year for me, but I was able to happily bury myself in immersive worlds and stories, meeting amazing characters and catching up with old friends. I managed to narrow my favorite books of 2022 down to a top twelve for my blog, and (after much hemming and hawing) have somehow piked a Festive Five from among that group. I’ve listed them below, as well as a line or two about each one.

1.
Dragons of Deceit by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
“Reading Dragons of Deceit was like catching up with friends I haven’t seen in a while. They’ve had new adventures, met new people. The world has kept going, but it happily welcomed me back.”

2.
The Shadow Glass by Josh Winning
“The Shadow Glass was a delightful smorgasbord of nostalgia and fun, while at the same times exploring themes of loss, love, grief, and self-discovery.”

3.
One Foot in the Fade by Luke Arnold
“A perfect blend between fantastical creativity and fascinating character development, One Foot in the Fade hooked me from page one.”

4.
Slaying the Dragon: A Secret History of Dungeons and Dragons by Ben Riggs
“A riveting look at the rise, fall, and reincarnation of TSR, the most honest one I’ve seen to date. I recommend this to anyone who remembers going into Walden Books and seeing a treasure trove of creativity, and to D&D fans of all ages.”

5.
Empire of Exiles by Erin M. Evans
“When an author combines extraordinary worldbuilding with a strong understanding of human nature, something magical happens. Empire of Exiles is spectacular, a feast for those who crave complex characters and sinister plots.”