I’ve really missed doing Friday Favorites, and since no one was currently hosting it, Cait @ Functionally Fictional decided to jump into the gap. Each week, she provides a prompt, and I get to talk about my favorite books that fit the topic. Feel free to join in – the more the merrier!

I tend to read series, most often in the fantasy genre. I’m going to put my own little spin on this week’s topic, and talk about my favorite series that I started reading in 2022. It’s obvious that 2022 was a great year for books, and I discovered some really great series. These include:

1. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray — I loved this African-inspired fantasy series with an awesome magic system, beautiful world-building, and great mental health representation.
2. The Unbroken by C.L. Clark — this North African-inspired military fantasy addresses colonization and incorporates amazing diversity, including LGBTQ characters and a disabled main character.
3. The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper — this historical fiction series about a brothel in Pompeii was so well-written it was like I was transported back in time while reading about the characters.
4. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig — while only the first book in The Shepherd King trilogy is out, it’s a gothic fantasy incorporating magic cards, a curse, enemies to lovers, a dangerous fog, and a story I couldn’t put down.
5. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace — this YA fantasy series was gorgeously written, with a touch of creepy, about a girl who is immune to death.
6. A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair — the first book in The Halfling Saga was a fantastic ride, featuring characters who are Indigenous and queer, and fighting against an oppressive ruling system.
7. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri — the first two books in The Burning Kingdoms Saga were incredible, and I’m so ready for book three in this series full of fierce sapphic women fighting to claim their place in the Indian-inspired fantasy world.
8. Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian — this brutal YA fantasy series was incredible, and me and my friend who buddy read them couldn’t help but binge read them.
9. The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso — the entire Rooks and Ruin series was fantastic and I couldn’t put it down, with the diverse cast, LGBTQ representation, enemies to lovers, fantastic story, and numerous plot twists.
10. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter — the first two books in The Burning series blew my mind with how good they were, featuring sparse yet deliberate writing, military fantasy with dragons, an African-inspired setting, a strict caste system, and such well-developed characters that you can’t help but empathize with them.

It was hard to narrow this list down, because there were just too many great ones to pick from. Which are some of your favorite series?