Masterpieces Archives - Novel Notions

Please read this first. There will be three rules I set in this list for me to give appreciation to more authors rather than having only a few authors hoarding this list. These rules allow me to highlight more authors, and at the same time, I’ll also be able to include both new and older books (many of them still need attention) that I read this year.

Rereads aren’t included.
One book per series.
The books listed here are not all exclusively published this year; the list consists of the top books I read for the first time this year. Non-2023 published books on this list will have their first date of publication included.

Do note that although there’s a rank to this list, I HIGHLY recommend every book/series listed below because I loved all of them immensely, and they received a rating of 4.5 or 5 out of 5 stars from me. Honorable mentions are for two best novellas and two short stories I read this year. Without further ado, here are the top 15 (or 19) books I’ve read this year! (All full reviews of the books listed can be found on Novel Notions and my Goodreads page.) …

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Book Review: Demon in White (The Sun Eater, #3) by Christopher Ruocchio

December 13, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on Demon in White.

Cover art illustrated by Kieran Yanner

Demon in White by Christopher Ruocchio

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Sun Eater (Book #3 of 7)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera, Science Fantasy

Word Count: 295,000 words

Pages: 784 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 28th July 2020 by DAW Books (US) & Gollancz (UK)

An absolute masterpiece. Demon in White is a genuinely epic space opera fantasy at its paramount shape.

“Silence… The great empire of silence: higher than all stars, deeper than the kingdom of death! It alone is great; all else is small.”

…

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Book Review: Light Bringer (Red Rising Saga, #6) by Pierce Brown

September 1, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on Light Bringer

Cover art illustrated by Jonathan Barlett

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Red Rising Saga (Book #6 of 7)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera

Pages: 682 pages (Hardcover edition)

Publish date: 25th of July 2023 by Del Rey (US) & Hodder (UK)

Light Bringer is a bloodydamn near perfect space-opera masterpiece.

“For a friend with an understanding heart is worth no less than a brother. —Homer”

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Book review: Blood Over Bright Haven

July 17, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 1 comment

Cover art illustrated by M.L. Wang

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Gaslamp Fantasy, Steampunk

Pages: Not available

Word Count: 120 000 words

Published: 25th July 2023, Self-published

Unbelievable… She did it again. Blood Over Bright Haven is proof that no one writes standalone fantasy books as good as M.L. Wang. Full stop.

“Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort. God over all.”

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Book Review: The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington

March 27, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

ARC provided by the publisher—Saga Press—in exchange for an honest review.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Hierarchy (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy

Pages: 640 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 240,000 words

Published: 23rd May 2023 by Saga Press

This is not an exaggeration. The Will of the Many by James Islington is the best fantasy book with a magical school trope I’ve ever read since The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

“The power to protect is the highest of responsibilities… When a man is given it, his duty is not only to the people he thinks are worthy.”

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Petrik’s Top 19 Books of the Year! (2022)

December 28, 2022 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Click here if you want to see the list of all the books I’ve read so far this year: Petrik’s Year in Books (2022)

Between 1st January 2021 and 28th December 2022, I’ve read 65 novels + 162 manga/manhwa volumes (69k pages).

Please read this first. There will be three rules I set in this list in order for me to give appreciation to more authors rather than having only a few authors hoarding this list. These rules allow me to highlight more authors, and at the same time, I’ll also be able to include both new and older books (many of them still need attention) that I read within this year.

Rereads aren’t included.
One book per series.
The books listed here are not all exclusively published this year; the list consists of the top books I read for the first time within this year. Non-2022 published books on this list will have their first date of publication included.

Do note that although there’s a rank to this list, I HIGHLY recommend every book/series listed below because I loved all of them immensely, and they received a rating of 4.5 (rounded up on Goodreads) or 5 out of 5 stars from me. Honorable mentions are for books I rated 4.5 stars but I didn’t round up the ratings. And I will also mention my favorite novellas first this year. Without further ado, here are the top 15 (or 19) books I’ve read this year! (All full reviews of the books listed can be found on Novel Notions and my Goodreads page.) …

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Book Review: Speaking Bones (The Dandelion Dynasty, #4) by Ken Liu

August 31, 2022 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover art illustrated by: Tony Mauro

Speaking Bones by Ken Liu

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dandelion Dynasty (Book #4 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Silkpunk

Pages: 1047 pages (Hardcover Edition)

Published: 21st June 2022 by Saga Press (US) & Head of Zeus (UK)

I am labeling Ken Liu as a genius. Speaking Bones has launched The Dandelion Dynasty to become the best series of 2022.

“What did that goddess-like lady say? If you do not like the stories you’ve been told, fill your heart with new stories. If you do not like the script you’ve been given, design for yourself new roles.”

…

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Petrik’s Top 10 Books of the Year So Far (1st January-27th June 2022)

June 27, 2022 Petrik Leo Comments 3 comments

Click here if you want to see the list of all the books I’ve read so far this year: Petrik’s Year in Books (2022)

Between 1st January 2021 and 27th June 2022, I’ve read 39 novels + 55 manga/manhwa volumes (31k pages).

Rereads aren’t included.
One book per author.
The books listed here are not all exclusively published this year; the list consists of the top books I read for the first time within this year. Non-2022 published books on this list will have their first date of publication included.

Do note that although there’s a rank to this list, I HIGHLY recommend every book/series listed below because I loved all of them immensely, and they received a rating of 4.5 or 5 out of 5 stars from me. Without further ado, here are the top 10 books I’ve read this year so far! (All full reviews of the books listed can be found on Novel Notions and my Goodreads page.) …

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