I am here with another 2020 post and this time, I wanna look back at some of my favorite debuts of the year. I completely fell in love with some of them, while other authors impressed me with their writing enough that I am already looking forward to their sophomore novels. So, let me get started about some of these….!!!!
Raybearer is undoubtedly my favorite debut of the year. The worldbuilding is mighty impressive, the ensemble of characters are so lovable, the relationships make us very emotional, and the stakes are extremely high. On top of that, we also get subtle commentary on colonialism, cultural assimilation and the grief it causes, making this an exemplary first book. And if you truly wanna experience the magic of this story, listen to the audiobook because it’s masterful.
The Bone Shard Daughter is another top favorite of mine and right from that cover, it’s very memorable. The world comprising of moving islands is very unique, this is another ensemble cast who I loved following along, a magic system that is gruesome but it’s similarities to a coding language made me very fascinated with it, and an absolutely adorable animal companion who is unforgettable. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a short novella, so I don’t wanna spoil much but it has stunning and beautiful writing, a fascinating narration style, and a story full of impressive but forgotten women who decide to take destiny into their own hands.
Surrender Your Sons is a painful and hard to read book, but it’s also an unputdownable thriller full of strong and resilient youngsters who fight very long odds to emerge victorious, but not unscathed.
I read Women’s Fiction very rarely, but Well-Behaved Indian Women which is about three generations of women in a family felt very interesting on first thought and I couldn’t resist. And this story of the trials and tribulations of these women in their lives and marriages was so relatable, that I probably spent half my time weeping through it. A very sensitive and thought provoking debut.
I may have had some issues with A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, but it’s West African inspired worldbuilding and astrology based magic system were very unique and impressive. This book also explores sibling bonds with a lot of emotional depth and it’s hard not to root for them. I’m definitely looking forward to how this proceeds after a very unexpected ending.
Cinderella is Dead is another debut that didn’t entirely live up to my expectations but it had such a cool and interesting concept and I was very much impressed with the writing itself. The premise of the author’s sophomore novel feels equally interesting, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us.
Did you enjoy any of these debuts? What were some of your other favorites? Feel free to share all your thoughts in the comments below..
Wonderful list, Sahi! I’ve heard lots of great things about The Bone Shard Daughter. My favourite debuts I read in 2020 were Where The Crawdads Sing, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and These Violent Delights 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Stephen!!!! I can’t wait to read These Violent Delights too 😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have yet to read most of these but I am very excited for them! Especially Raybearer which was everywhere when it released!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get to read them all soon 😍😍
LikeLike
Bone shard daughter is lying on my shelf waiting to be read! I’m hoping to read it next month☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been waiting Prachi !!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soon soon we’ll discuss my friend heheh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay !!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read most of these and I have to agree! Nghi Vo is probably my favourite, which reminds me I still need to read When the Tiger Cam Down the Mountain. Wonderful list, Sahi! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dini !!! And you’re gonna love Mountain even more 😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Raybearer was amazing! I agree that the audiobook is a great way to experience the book. I want to get to The Shard Daughter this year, I’ve heard so many good things about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh I can’t wait to see what you think of The Bone Shard Daughter… I love it so much 😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard so many good things about Empress of Salt and Fortune! I’ll definitely need to check it out ASAP
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so beautiful!!! I hope you love it too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this list! Raybearer and A Song of Wraiths and Ruin were two of my favourites as well. I cannot wait for the sequels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too…!!!! I’m so sure the sequels will be amazing too…
LikeLike
I loooooved the first three on your list, and Empress of Salt and Fortune might be my absolute favorite book of 2020. It just felt so rich for such a short book! And it definitely accomplished that desirable debut author thing of making me super super excited for Nghi Vo’s further writing career.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome … Did you read the second novella after Empress??? That’s equally beautiful and mesmerizing …
LikeLike
I love your choices😍 I also loved Raybearer and ASOWAR and Bone Shard Daughter so much🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay Krisha 😍😍😍
LikeLike
I´ve only read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin from this list, which I really enjoyed! But I own Raybearer and The Bone Shard Daughter, and I´m so excited to read those!
(www.evelynreads.com)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you love them both too Evelyn !!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person