This is the post where I note the top Indie/Self-Published, and the top Traditionally-Published (Small Press/Big Five Trad & Imprints) books for Sci-Fi & Fantasy that I read in 2024!
It’s always hard to choose “top books of the year” from so many fantastic books that I read in 2024. However, every reader has individual tastes, and when one makes a top book list, one needs to remember that someone else’s top list will be completely different. Thus, these lists can be useful in helping guide readers towards a variety of books that perhaps they might not have otherwise discovered.
Additionally, I want to state here that I believe books are books, whether self-published or traditionally published. The manner in which a book is published has no bearing whatsoever on how well it is written. I only separate my top traditionally published book from my top self-published book in order to let more than one book share the spotlight!
I love reading fantasy and science fiction books. There are some fantastic books out there in those categories. I had the privilege of reading some of these books, and posting reviews of what I thought of them on Goodreads. If you haven’t read these books, and if you don’t know about these authors, you’re definitely missing out! Let’s celebrate some awesome books! There are so many incredible books that are not listed in this post!
Below I will note the books, with cover attached, and a quick blurb about why I think the books are so good!
May you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season, and all the best for a prosperous 2025!
P.L.’s TOP 10 TRADITIONALLY-PUBLISHED SFF BOOKS FOR 2024
1.SONG OF THE MYSTERIES by Janny Wurts
I would ask that any readers who love any SFF series, if you feel you’ve read all or most of what are commonly considered on the list of GOAT series, please consider reading “Wars of Light and Shadow”. You might just have to rearrange your list. This final book, cements it as my all-time favourite SFF series. Janny Wurts is my favourite writer, and one of the best SFF authors alive.
2.BRIGHT STEEL by Miles Cameron
In this trilogy, SFF master Cameron seamlessly blends coming-of-age, epic high fantasy, combined with very compelling themes, fabulous worldbuilding, outstanding character work, and the sort of earth-shattering fight scenes we have come to expect from this aficionado of ancient combat writing. Book three of the trilogy “Bright Steel” provides a brilliant ending to the series.
3.HOUSE OF CHAINS by Steven Erikson
One of the most sweeping, most imaginative, most comprehensive series I’ve ever read, Steven Erikson dazzles, frustrates, confuses, and ultimately soars in the fourth installment of “Malazan Book of the Fallen”. In this book, I discovered one of my new all-time favourite characters ever in fantasy literature: the controversial Warleader himself, the indomitable force that is Karsa Orlong.
4.SPEAKING BONES by Ken Liu
Liu’s sprawling series deals with the trivialities of the administrative details of ruling, economic problems of funding wars, in as interesting ad compelling fashion as he handles political scheming, tactics, and larger scale battles. So authentic, so immersive. The poignant last installment of this series, “Speaking Bones”, has one of my favourite, tear-jerking endings in a SFF book.
5.ALL THE SEAS OF THE WORLD by Guy Gavriel Kay
Other than perhaps Janny Wurts, mere mortals don’t pen books the way Kay does. The richness, the depth, the complexity displayed in Kay’s writing will simply transport you. It’s always a darn good story that Kay weaves, no matter the book he writes, but it’s the gravitas with the words and the sublime prose that will keep you, addictively, coming back for more, and more, and more.
6.SLEEPING WORLDS HAVE NO MEMORY by Yaroslav Barsukov
In this masterpiece by the Nebula-nominated author Barsukov, a minister has fallen into disrepute with his own people. He soon embarks on a journey of self-discovery and danger as he faces national paranoia, intrigue, and an existential threat that would change the world. A bizarre, and utterly captivating read, featuring a malevolent Tower reminiscent of the fabled Tower of Babel.
7.THE WORDS OF KINGS AND PROPHETS by Shauna Lawless
Two powerful women, sworn enemies, navigate a patriarchal, medieval world, playing important parts in a pivotal point in history, where cultures and faiths will clash, wars erupt, and gods and mythical creatures of yore aren’t ready to relinquish their hold on Ireland yet. Book 2 of 3 by Shauna Lawless (and the series) is highly recommended, especially for Cornwell “Saxon Stories” fans.
8.TALES OF ABETH by Mark Lawrence
It’s always hard to pick a favourite Mark Lawrence series because they’re always astoundingly good, but the “Book of the Ancestor” is one of my favourites by this powerhouse author of SFF. In a collection of marvellous short stories, Lawrence returns us to harsh environs of Abeth, and the blade/magic-wielding nuns including delightfully complicated protagonist, novice Nona Grey.
9.THE FIRST BINDING by R.R. Virdi
Steeped in South Asian culture and legend, R.R. Virdi’s love-letter to SFF, written in the tradition of such watershed books as “The Name of the Wind” features the rise of flawed and compelling hero Avi to master-spellbinder, bard, and legend, from humble beginnings of toil and tragedy. But is Avi really who people think he is? Mesmerizing, epic in scope, and beautifully written.
10.THE CUCKOO by Leo Carew
The final instalment of the underrated “Under the Northern Sky” trilogy, this blood-soaked tale is full of sharp political dealings, schemes and back-stabbing, a clash of cultures, and some of the most detailed and gut-churning battle scenes I’ve read in SFF, and I’ve read lots. Carew’s writing also elevated as the series progressed and this last book, for me, was the best-written of the three.
HONOURABLE MENTION
THE SUMMER TREE by Guy Gavriel Kay
Kay’s book one of the trilogy that was his first foray into SFF, called the “Fionavar Tapestry”, written in the 80’s, is more Erikson than C.S. Lewis with the mature, darker themes. Nonetheless, it does involve a group of young people portal-transported into a magical world, where good and evil wage a timeless battle. The opening book is stirring, elegantly-written (of course); a true classic.
P.L.’s TOP 10 SELF-PUBLISHED SFF BOOKS FOR 2024
1.THE PACT by J.E. Hannaford
An incredible conclusion to this duology about threats to biodiversity, fading magic, and greedy humans hunting fabled creatures for their own gain. J.E. Hannaford brings gravitas and authenticity to her depiction of marine life and human life above and below the high seas, along with her sumptuous writing. “The Pact” is part-thriller, part fantasy, part sci-fi, and definitely must-read SFF.
2.PLURALITIES by Avi Silver
Sometimes you read the rare book that is not only exceptional, but also life-changing. For me, the SFF book “Pluralities”, by outstanding author Avi Silver, is one of those works. It has helped change my way of thinking about gender identity/transgender concerns, and all things related to who and what we are as a human race. Important, thought-provoking, captivating, extremely well-written.
3.LAND by Bjørn Larssen
The Norse Gods can be fickle and cruel, but humans can be crueler. Larssen’s beautifully emotive prose, perfect pacing, and jarring scenes continue to make his books in the “Ten Worlds” series impossible to put down. Not for the faint of heart, there’s both light and grim humour aplenty in the book. Overall, a poignant and violently compelling read that is destined to haunt you.
4.RIVER FACES NORTH by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak
Poignant, portentous, and powerful dystopian SFF, Smith-Nochasak’s uses the Canadian Maritimes is the backdrop in her darkly compelling novel. Humankind’s fate hanging in the balance, when a malevolent cult’s machinations for domination include abducting and sexually assaulting children. But the cult is no match for a grandmother trying to protect her family. Fantastic read.
5.THE HALLOWS by H.L. Tinsley
Floating nuns, humans who as they transform into monsters have anatomical parts shifted all over their bodies, the Lord of Spiders (insert shiver here), and so many more weird, macabre, and fascinating elements compose the new dark, gritty, brilliant urban fantasy by the Princess of Grimdark, H.L. Tinsley, entitled “The Hallows”. Be ready to be amazed.
6.DARK DRINKER by Zamil Akhtar
Star Indie dark SFF author Zamil Akhtar continues his “Gunmetal Gods” series with a fourth installment that pits a character from previous books coming back to life, against new main character Vasco dei Cruz. You can expect more creepy cosmic horror, more fabulous characterization, more great prose, more lush Eastern-inspired worldbuilding, and another great book by Akhtar.
7.BROKEN BROTHERHOOD by Tim Hardie
One of the best Norse-inspired Indie SFF series out there, Tim Hardie’s “Brotherhood of the Eagle” saga concludes in triumphant fashion with the final volume, “Broken Brotherhood”. The battles are epic and bloody, the character deaths numerous and heartbreaking. Finishing a marvellous series without a let-down is always a concern – no let-down here whatsoever. Amazing stuff.
8.THE HOUNDS OF HARUJIN: VOLUME ONE by Jason Shannon
My surprise top book on this list, the real-world legacy of infamous Mongolian conquerors such as Attila, Genghis Khan, and Tamerlane is bequeathed to the fictional Harujin, who, as per the synopsis “on the crest of an energy crisis and economic collapse, raised his scimitar like a standard, and charged his horses outwards from Mongolia to usher in the new world epoch.” Outstanding.
9.THE DEVISING by Jacob Sannox
The concept of the “Dark Oak” trilogy is imaginative and refreshing; set in a period directly after the nominal “big baddie” Dark Lord that haunts so many fantasy books – in this case named Awgren – has been vanquished by an alliance of humans. In the final book of this incredible series, Sannox definitely sticks the landing, as Dark Oak readies to overwhelm both his Immortal and human foes.
10.THE BLOOD STONES by Tori Tecken
Brilliant, character-driven, dark military epic fantasy, Tori Tecken’s foray into this sub-genre is spectacular, filled with magic, lore, action, political intrigue, suspense, and the adroit depiction of persons coping with trauma and mental health concerns for which Tecken has become heralded since her debut novel, “Taken”. Tecken is one of the most exciting authors to watch right now.
HONOURABLE MENTION
ACHING GOD by Mike Shel
An iconic opening book in an iconic Indie SFF series by an icon in the Indie SFF sphere, this incredible novel features an older, seasoned, and wonderfully drawn protagonist. Main character Auric Manteo, retired and knowing better than to embark on one last adventure, facing very bad things from his past, nonetheless, when those dear to him are threatened, goes back into the fray.
