A D Green’s Fantasy Newsletter & Book Roundup for 2023

Hello good people,

Another year and we’re all still here on planet Earth. I hope the festive season was good to you and January gave you a kind start to the year.

Thanks for sticking with me, I know my newsletters are outstripping my book reviews at the moment but there has been a lot going on in Nu, particularly in the Nine Kingdoms, most notably the release of Book 3 Darkness Resides which I am proud as punch to say has been my most successful book launch to date, even though I still only have half a clue as to what I’m doing when it comes to marketing and publicising. I think a large part of that success is down to you and the many people who follow and support me and help to get the word out.

As you will know (if you read my last two newsletters) I ran a followers competition on my website to coincide with the new book launch and Charlie, the winner elected to get a free paperback of Book One Rivers Run Red and was happy to send me a photo of himself and his prize for me to post.

Well done Charlie

Now on to….   

My 2023 Book roundup.

I have read many Indie books this year and there were some crackers. Some honourable mentions that didn’t quite make it onto the shortlist:

Fantasy List

Isekai Magus : A LitRPG Progression Saga by Han Yang

The Last Ranger by JDL Rosell

Blade and Bone by DK Holmberg

Science Fiction List

Lost Souls By Noah Chinn

Other Categories

On The Run by Kerry J Donovan  

If you like the sound of any of the above please check them out. You will have received the reviews throughout last years but in case you missed any you can click on the titles to check them out again.

So onto the pointy end of things, there were three candidates this year for my book of the year and in my eyes, they are all winners, However, as Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod will tell you, there can be only one. But first… down to the contenders:

The First Rule: The Blind Age – Book One by Steven William Hannah

 (5/5) (Adult, YA) One of the most enjoyable and thrilling dark fantasy stories I have ever read. EDIT – *The Most! Dare I jinx it? Yeah I dare – an early contender for 2023 book of the year!

Yep, I called it early since this book followed hot on the heels of 2022’s Book of the Year, The Song of the First Blade by T.C. Edge. I was on a book roll. Not as delicious as a sausage roll but far more fulfilling.

 Assassin: Darkblade Book 1 by Andy Peloquin

(4.5/5) (Adult) Epic dark fantasy with an emphasis on the dark.

A second entry in the Dark Fantasy genre, this one however was more like the bastard child of John McLean from Diehard and Durzo Blint from Brent Weeks’ excellent Night Angel Trilogy.

A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1) by Roger Burnage

(5/5) (YA, Adult) A great read. Historical naval fiction done well.

I loved this book, it took me back to Alexander Kent’s Bolitho Series. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended to those of you who love Ships of the Line and Naval Historical Fiction or even pirates! Just not the Jack Sparrow variety.

So….drum roll….

The winner of my book of the year 2023 is….

Steven William Hannah’s The First Rule. If you like your fantasy deliciously dark and told with artistic flair then you will do no better than this offering.

Well done to all the authors whose books I have read and reviewed.

That’s it – stay tuned for an upcoming book review of Mountain Of Souls which is a great read (so far).

Have fun, stay safe and may 2024 be kind

A D Green

9^th January 2024