I read many good books this year, so it’s hard to choose just one favorite, but I will go with Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier! In this lush and sweeping fantasy, Lucier transports us to a world inspired by Pacific Islander mythology where a lonely girl, Hanalei, lives in exile and makes a living by chasing seadragons to illustrate for university textbooks. In Hanalei’s childhood, she and the princess of the island Tamarind were poisoned, and in an act of desperation, Hanelei’s father stole the cure meant only for the princess: a rare seadragon egg, or dragonfruit, that holds the power to undo someone’s greatest sorrow. He used the dragonfruit to save Hanalei instead, and this treachery could not go unpunished: both father and daughter were banished from Tamarind. Now, years later, Hanalei finds herself mysteriously drawn to the creatures that saved her life—and ruined it. One fateful day, Hanalei spots a pregnant seadragon and seizes this chance to return home and right her father’s wrongs by vowing to retrieve the dragonfruit and cure the princess. Her return home is a joyous occasion for not only her, but her childhood best friend, Prince Samahtitamahenele, who is looking for someone to marry, as Tamarind is a matriarchal society and he has no sisters. Together, they set off on a journey to chase dragons, though they must keep in mind the age-old warning: every wish of the dragonfruit comes with a price.
Dragonfruit is a brilliant example of why I love fantasy so much—the world is gorgeously imagined, the story is bursting with adventure (so many dragons!), and the childhood friends-to-lovers romantic subplot complements the action-packed plot perfectly. If you are looking for magic and excitement, this is exactly the book for you!
Aruna Sreenivasan, Pine Reads Review Co-Assistant Director, Lead Website Manager, and Podcast Co-Host
Despite its tense plot full of dire situations, Foul Heart Huntsman is suffused with tender relationships, humor that never fails, and loveable characters that I can’t help but root for. Providing a satisfying conclusion to the Foul Lady Fortune series and the Shanghai Universe as a whole, Foul Heart Huntsman is not one to miss!
As winter closes in around Shanghai and the threat of a Japanese invasion looms closer, Rosalind Lang is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Having been outed as a national spy and having had her spy partner, Orion—who, to her great horror, she is in love with—kidnapped and given amnesia, she is doing less than great. However, she refuses to give up on Orion, and plans a grand press tour through Shanghai to rescue her “husband” while ostensibly spreading propaganda in favor of the national government. Nothing in her life is ever easy, though, and soon old ghosts, chemical weapons, and even greater threats complicate her agenda. If she fails, she will lose both her loved ones and her country.
Melia Gemrose, Pine Reads Review Co-Assistant Director and Lead Editor
In 2024, the book I couldn’t get off of my mind was Two Sides to Every Murder. I was extremely excited to read it, and once I did, it didn’t disappoint. The summer camp setting and thrilling plot kept my eyes glued to the page, and I loved all the family drama and unexpected twists within the story. My only 5/5 of 2024!
Callie Andrews, Pine Reads Review Writer, Social Media, and Web
My favorite book I reviewed for Pine Reads Review this year was Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen. This novel really appealed to me with its retelling of the classic Mulan story, which I have always loved, as well as dropping the reader into a high fantasy steampunk world.
Jenica Delaney, Pine Reads Review Writer
My favorite book of 2024 was For She is Wrath by Emily Varga. This romantic fantasy is a standalone that perfectly wraps up the main character’s tale. I loved the mythological aspects and the importance of Pakistani culture throughout the story. The magical system was interesting and was told in a way I hadn’t seen before. The character of Dania is driven by rage and grief which makes her a perfect narrator for this The Count of Monte Cristo retelling.
Hannah Goerndt, Pine Reads Review Writer
After a year filled with a variety of books, there was one that stood out more than the others. One of my only two five star reads of the year, Lovely War by Julie Berry is a book I’ve been meaning to read since its release in 2019. After a year of reading new releases, I finally decided to bite the bullet and read Lovely War, and I wasn’t disappointed. Full of romance and heartbreak, the book is told from the perspective of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, during World War II. For lovers of Greek mythology, tension, and stunning writing, this book is sure to check all the boxes.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer
2024 was my year of romcoms, but none held a candle to Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter. I’ve read and loved all of Painter’s romcoms, including Better than the Movies, but this one was on another level. It had so much emotional depth and showcased the personal growth of Wes and Liz. They had changed so much, yet they were still drawn to each other. I was skeptical about it being a second-chance romance between the ultimate YA romcom couple, but Painter proved to craft a beautiful story centered around a break-up that didn’t feel like an unnecessary grab for extra drama. I read it six months ago, yet I still think about Wes and Liz’s story often. Nothing Like the Movies might be Lynn Painter’s best book yet, and it was definitely my favorite read of 2024.
Sam Yanis, Pine Reads Review Lead Writer
I read many memorable and impactful books in 2024 that I will forever value, but I believe my favorite read of the year was All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi. The third installment in Mafi’s vivid This Woven Kingdom series, All This Twisted Glory is a powerful continuation of the world and story Mafi carefully constructed in the preceding two novels. Readers follow protagonist Alizeh as she accepts her future as the heir to the lost Jinn throne and navigates her complex feelings for the Tulanian King, Cyrus, who was previously her captor. Cyrus has now presented her with an offer: if she agrees to marry him, as demanded by the devil himself, Cyrus will allow her to kill him and rule Tulan. To further complicate matters, the reveal that Alizeh is Jinn royalty has created intense political and social turmoil across nations. As this chaos unfolds, relationships (both animus and trusting) are formed, characters grow and change, and kingdoms are threatened. Mafi’s sharp, complex, and emotional characters are developed beautifully throughout this narrative, as are the settings in which their dramas unfold. I found myself constantly rooting for these characters, elated at their successes and heartbroken when they failed, a sure sign of a well-written and emotionally rich novel. The combination of this mysterious and beautiful fantasy world with cutting and introspective political commentary made this a read that defined my year!
Sam Parker, Pine Reads Review Social Media Manager
Happy New Year to you from the staff at Pine Reads Review! We hope you read some great books in 2024 and continue to read many more in 2025!