Most of my good ideas are executed through one thing: I tweet an idea to Twitter, and get a response within minutes. My idea was based on a pin I saw on Pinterest, which was a post highlighting reading lists by famous people.
The Picky Bookworm is all about the indies, so my idea was to do something similar, but posts from indie authors, highlighting their favorite indie books. I got two great responses, and this is one of them. Keep reading for Raina Nightingale’s Ultimate Reading List.
Raina Nightingale has been writing fantasy since she could read well enough to write her stories with the words she knew (the same time that she started devouring any fiction she could touch). She enjoys rich characters and worlds where magic and the mundane are inseparable. She calls her fiction ‘Dawndark’.
Hello! I have the honor of being invited by the Picky Bookworm to share my Ultimate Indie Reading list with you. Diving right into it.
Between Starfalls by S. Kaeth
Actually, everything I’d read so far by Kaeth, and especially the Children of the Nexus books so far – realistic characters, an awesome story about hope and struggle in a world that is sometimes very challenging. Love, loyalty, commitment, belief, failure, redemption, vulnerability. I really loved these books.
The Last Prince by EG Radcliff
Another case where there’s a series involved…. – compelling characters that really found their way into my heart. I loved Ninian and Aed and Ronan so much. Their stories can be very dark and tragic, but there’s hope, love, redemption. The sweetest love story.
Goldsong by Beth Hudson
This one is another delight for its world-building, mythical and folkloric in flavor at times, but almost hard at other times, and astoundingly beautiful! I also loved the simple purity of Traedis’ heart and intentions, no matter the challenge or the memory or the fear.
The Stars Wait Not by Anne Wheeler
Another love story I really liked. I loved Ryllis and Kresten’s journey and personalities. And how they discover they love each other. Another one that could be thought-provoking. But also could be read for the romance set in a science-fantasy world.
The Fires of Treason by Michele Quirke
This one is historical fantasy about two siblings who are both flawed and hurt but very loyal to each other. Awesome sibling bond – and thoughts about war, royalty, what’s worth it and what isn’t.
Breaker by Amy Campbell
And the whole Tales of the Outlaw Mage series, to date… – Blaise is such a sweet main character who just wants to bake and have a quiet life and has not a violent bone in his body, and I loved the pegasi! Especially Blaise’s Emrys.
Empire’s Bard by Marian L. Thorpe
All the Empire novels I’ve read so far, to be honest – very deep insight into the characters. This one is particular is hopeful and calm, but very challenging. It provoked and aided exploration of some of my thoughts and feelings. Prepare to feel as if you got to live in the characters’ heads and experience their feelings, at the same time as you sometimes vehemently argue and disagree!
Dust of a Moth’s Wing by R. Ramey Guerrero
This is the debut intro to the Age of Fire series. Awesome, intricate world-building on so many levels, and I loved this relatable, kind Nokhum who’s an ex-prisoner, convicted for murder, but he risks himself using half-forbidden magic to save a little girl’s bunny. Also has an awesome best friendship in the spotlight!
(psst…Picky here. I actually have a candle inspired by this book. Find it here. Later!)
Cursed Song by Samantha Kroese
World-building reminiscent of a fairytale; bonds both of romantic lovers and of friends. There’s so much love, commitment, dedication, and mistakes, and even when the stakes are epic for the world, the personal stakes are the most epic!
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Multi-PoV complex historical fantasy world with so many characters that are so complicated, with hearts that can make you melt for them, but so much trauma and flaws – and prejudices, too. If you don’t want to experience empathy for anyone and everyone, don’t read this book!
Black Smoke by Mckayla Eaton
A space opera with characters I really enjoyed and a fascinating journey.
Deathborn (Sovereigns of Bright and Shadow trilogy) by CE Page
A novel with interesting world-building, characters that leap off the page (oh my goodness, Declan felt so real), and not nasty like I feared from the mention of necromancy and the title. Entertaining, pleasing, engaging read.
The Sword in the Street by C.M. Caplan
Very interesting, thoughtful read, but also so fast-paced. Challenging questions, and a story about one life (or two lives) and what it means to live them. Focus is on relationship and personal choices. This is a read I won’t forget any time soon.
Echo: Curse of the Blackwood Witches by Yasmine Maher
This is an urban fantasy, so not usually my thing, but it was an enjoyable read I couldn’t put down, and can I say, I absolutely loved what happened with the cursed black magic grimoire that Echo gets. I won’t spoil it here, but it was GOOD! (ARC read – coming in September)
Ok, so there you have it. Raina Nightingale’s Ultimate Indie Reading List. Do you see any you like? Let me know in the comments below!
You can find Raina on Twitter and on her Website, so go check her out and say hi! And while you’re here, please subscribe! You’ll get notified once a week of new posts, and I never spam. Promise!
If you’re curious how I get good interaction and engagement on Twitter, let me know in the comments, and I may write a post for you 🙂
Until Next Time, Friends!
Check out These Other Awesome Book Lists
Yeah, I see so man amazing books, and I may not be able to get to them all, but I’m sure gonna try, and I’ll scream about them for as long as I can either way 🙂
This is a great list! I’ve seen EG Radcliffe’s books floating around on my Twitter TL and hope to get to one of them some day.