150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
The Fall of Lilith
Fantasy Angels Series Volume 1
Vashti Quiroz-Vega
2018 Honorable Mention
502 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
The Fall of Lilith (Fantasy Angels Series), a high fantasy by Vashti Quiroz-Vega, starts with Book I: Heaven, where Lilith and her fellow angels reside in the bright realm of Floraison. Their life is peaceful but not entirely carefree, as God has set many rules for them. Lilith is not fond of the rules. She likes to manipulate others, and the gift of sight that she received from God fuels her desire for divine power. She’s the catalyst for the rebellion against Him. In Book II: Earth, Lilith and her defeated angels are banished to Earth and their angelic forms are changed. Personally, I prefer book two’s development and intensity. I was more intrigued about what the fallen angels would do next and how they would cope with their new surroundings.
The overall effect of The Fall of Lilith is that it spins an engaging and fresh perspective on the biblical tale of creation, making it a story you can get swept into. Despite its theme, I don’t find it preachy. Instead, as a fan of the fantasy genre, it appeals to me, particularly with the incorporated concept of vampirism and the undoing of Adam and Eve. Characterization is impeccable and character development is distinct, complex, and makes readers invest in them emotionally. You might find yourself lamenting that it’s over too soon, but the great thing is that more can be expected from the Fantasy Angels Series. On the whole, this is a commendable and imaginative work from Vashti Quiroz-Vega.
Recommend this book:
Darkened Demigod
Weapon of War
Dr Shawn H Phillips
2018 Honorable Mention
326 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Imprisoned, observed, goaded. This was the life the demigod had endured for over a decade. The people who held him sent a new observer; the others had met their end, more often by his hand, or more precisely, his thumb. This one he named Bookworm, and to him the demigod finally begins to divulge his secrets. He whispers of how a demigod is created, of sacrifice and of worship. This demigod had failed his people, failed to uphold the values they had expected of him, and he brought about the end. It had started so innocently, a desire to better the country, create a sustainable life, but allies became enemies, robbing him of his family, his motivations. But this had been his beginning, the time his power awoke. They need to understand him, to understand their kind. This demigod was the cause of the apocalypse, and now it seems he is the sole hope of the survivors.
There is a hint of American Gods within the pages of Dr Shawn Phillips’ Darkened Demigod: Weapon of War, specifically how worship creates power, although the mechanics take on a slightly different twist, making their own miracle interventions via a petition for prayer. The characters are well developed and their little mysteries and histories are slowly revealed as the characters gain depth and grow throughout the complex plot. Despite a steady paced start, you'll soon see a rise of momentum to create a super powered, dystopian science fiction tale. There are some fascinating ideas, and many of the scientific aspects are well explained, especially for those who know their stuff; clearly a lot of time, thought, and research was spent perfecting this aspect. This book has a bit of everything, from comedy to involved science and philosophy, not forgetting the occasional twist or surprise to keep the reader on their toes. If you enjoy a science fiction space drama, then this will certainly appeal, and as a bonus it also gives the reader a little something to think about themselves.
Recommend this book:
Song
The Manhunters Volume 1
Jesse Teller
2018 Bronze Medal
321 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Rayph Ivoryfist has been away from Lorinth for too long. A dark wizard has all but destroyed the magical, high security prison of Mending Keep, releasing the prisoners only to recruit them into his army. Their first objective is to assassinate the King of Lorinth, a man who’s declared Rayph an enemy of the kingdom. Rayph is already two weeks behind his enemy and has no chance of facing this foe alone. He gathers old friends to his side and sets out to recapture the prisoners of Mending Keep. Konnon is a reluctant bounty hunter and blade for hire. His need for money to purchase medicine for his daughter has driven him to desperation. When the king places a bounty on Rayph’s head, Konnon sees his chance to cure his daughter.
Jesse Teller has created a convincing world and populated it with characters that are endearing and relatable. Rayph is a hero you can’t help rooting for, while Konnon’s battle for money to help his child is heartbreaking. There were times when the rich backstory around the characters made Song: The Manhunters Volume 1 feel more like the second book in a series. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it happens often enough to be worth mentioning. I adored the almost flamboyant amount of magic use in Song, but found the rules governing the magical system a little unclear. That’s not to say that there are no limiting factors, or that the magic use is overpowering, just that the technicalities are unexplained. The final few chapters of Song reveal cunning plot twists. Song: The Manhunters Volume 1 is a witty and clever dark fantasy.
Recommend this book:
Dream Waters
Book One of The Dream Waters Series (Volume 1)
Erin A. Jensen
2018 Bronze Medal
440 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Wow! I loved Dream Waters: Book One of The Dream Waters Series by Erin A. Jensen. Patients Charlie, Bob, Nellie, and Frank's everyday life changes when a new patient, Emma, arrives. Charlie sees people "differently", while Bob just wants to see the TV. Nellie wants to rock her invisible child, and Frank yells that demons are coming. Emma seems normal, however. Even the psychiatrist believes Emma is different from the other patients. Emma's husband, David, is a key to Charlie's issues and this isn't shared until the end of the book. I kept trying to figure out the mystery behind each patient's presence in Charlie's dream world, and how the dream world and the real world connected. Charlie blends characters in both worlds to help them in the real world.
Dream Waters by Erin A. Jensen is set in a mental institution and provides a hook that keeps the reader coming back for more. I honestly could not put the book down. I felt like I actually knew the characters on a personal level because their lives were so well shared throughout the book. Erin A. Jensen is brilliant in mixing a dream world of one character to include connections to their real world of most of the other characters. I fully expect to see Dream Waters listed on a best seller list. It is that good. It's also the first in a series and I expect to read the others. I highly recommend Dream Waters to anyone who is fascinated by magic in a contemporary setting. Grab it now!
Recommend this book:
Errant Gods
Erik Henry Vick
2018 Silver Medal
557 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Wow! I don’t know where to start. I had hoped that Errant Gods: Blood of the Isir Book One by Erik Henry Vick was a good read. I doubted that it was as good as Stephen King’s The Dark Tower because that series is one of the best I have ever read. Period. I’m not going to say Errant Gods is better than The Dark Tower. Loyalty is a very strong facet of my personality, and I am a longtime Stephen King fan. What I will say is this. If you liked The Dark Tower, if you like the writing of Stephen King, then read Errant Gods. It is good, no, it is great! It is powerful, and it is writing of the highest level. I never thought I would be able to read a writer that wrote in that style of moving in and out of dimensions and describes pure evil as well as Stephen King does. I was wrong. Erik Henry Vick is the real thing, and I look forward to reading him for just as long a time as I have been reading Stephen King.
Two pages into Errant Gods I was blown away by the sheer power of the writing. The beauty and style used to describe a conversation between two obviously evil people, driven only by their primal desires, is beautiful in its straightforward simplicity. I usually review a book by stating which literary element I feel is its strongest point, but I am at a loss now. What do you say when all the elements are above and beyond anything you have read in a very long time? The writing is excellent. The characters are brilliant. I can go on and on about every part of this book, but the best thing I can do is to tell you to read it. You won’t regret it.
Recommend this book:
Whatever for Hire
A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)
RJ Blain
2018 Gold Medal
426 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Bad things happen when the devil is bored; fortunately, Kanika seems to have captured his attention. His unwanted help in rescuing a cat from a tree had been the catalyst, leaving her with a debt and giving him a personal invitation to come and manipulate her. He had great plans for her. But she was no fool; she knew better than to play with the devil... She had known better. Yet now he was one of her clients, and he had made an offer too tempting to refuse. All she had to do was sign something, without reading it, and accept the first job he sent her way as repayment for a debt. What she didn't expect was for things to be so complicated. A kidnapping gone wrong sees her victim turn the tide, but had he not, then they would never have uncovered the undead plague that afflicted the world, a problem that if not reined in could spell the end of days.
The narrative in Whatever for Hire is so brilliant that you will struggle to tear yourself away for even a minute. The story has a great humour to it, and the first person narrative holds true to Kanika's character perfectly. I enjoyed every minute of this book, from the flippancy of Kanika when dealing with the devil, seeing how far she could push her luck, to her awesome, if somewhat unreliable, shifting abilities. There is a lot to this plot, and it certainly went beyond what I expected. R.J. Blain has written an amazing paranormal romance/urban fantasy where you can't help but hope for the characters to get together. This is helped by the fact that they are so believable. There are questions about Malcolm that will plague you until the moment of truth, and the added bonus of the mystery surrounding Kanika herself, but all that pales when placed beside a plot which just keeps getting better. Brilliantly written, full of action, mystery, suspense, romance, revenge, and more than a little interference from Heaven and Hell.
Recommend this book:
The Ill-kept Oath
CC Aune
2017 Finalist
416 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
The Ill-Kept Oath by C.C. Aune is the story of two young women in 1819 England; Lady Josephine Weston and Prudence Fairfeather. Josephine fears she'll always be known as an immature child, and be forever confined to her country home, but her summer begins to look up with the arrival of soldiers with the unusual request to camp out in the yard. When she discovers a trunk of her mother's that contains a female soldier uniform and pistols, she discovers more than heirlooms, but a mystery. Does it have anything to do with the supposed beasts the soldiers are hunting? Meanwhile, Prudence is spending her summer in London with Aunt Amelia, dreaming that one day she'll marry for love. She finds herself with two baffling mysteries: a dashing heroic gentleman, and objects of her mother's called Talismans. Through letter correspondences, they work to unravel the secrets of their pasts.
C.C. Aune captured the tone of the time period perfectly from the prose to the dialogue. It helped bring me into the time of the story, which allowed for a better understanding of Josephine and Prudence. It's not a crazy idea now to marry for love, but wanting to do that in 1819 showed how headstrong Prudence is, which made me like her from the start. Josephine is also an independent woman who doesn't let her cousin Edward push her around, and even goes about trying to reclaim the house from him, and learning to fence. There's several fantasy elements to it, but it's subdued, and instead the story is driven by the characters. The Ill-Kept Oath is charming, delightful, with some romance, humor, and adventure. I didn't want it to end!
Recommend this book:
The Last Bucelarii
Book 2: Lament of the Fallen
Andy Peloquin
2017 Finalist
338 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
The Hunter seeks only to live as normal a life as possible, but with demons haunting him everywhere he goes such a life is beyond him. With Soulhunger and the demon to lead him, there is little that he can do but kill again and again, bringing himself to a chaos and a hatred that has led him to nearly take his own life. But when he meets Sir Danna and Visibos, he’s certain he can hide the part of himself that wants to kill, at least, until they discover who he is. Now he’s on a hunt to find that which is his and to protect himself and maybe the rest of humanity from the demons that seek to destroy them all, but is it even possible? Between Bardin and the others, he’ll have to find a way to overcome the power that has controlled him for as long as he can remember - but will he succeed in The Last Bucelarii: Lament of the Fallen (Book 2) by Andy Peloquin?
This book is filled with a whole lot of action and adventure. You feel like you know where things are going and what’s going to happen and then it turns things around. Even though The Hunter isn’t a ‘good guy,’ you still feel like you’re rooting for him to succeed the whole way and you’re hoping that he’ll overcome what’s holding him back and find the woman that he’s seeking from his dreams. It’s an intriguing book and there are plenty of interesting characters, from Aspos and Bardin to Sir Danna and Visibos and, of course, The Hunter himself. Lament of the Fallen is definitely a book for anyone who likes plenty of action and violence in what they read.
Recommend this book:
99 Days
Keith Ward
2017 Honorable Mention
341 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
In Keith Ward's 99 Days, proxying is a barbaric act practiced in Slypht where one person is sacrificed so another gets to live longer. The best proxies are considered to be kids below one year as they still have a longer and better life left. Those who wish to live longer pay huge sums for such babies, or obtain them in any other way possible. When Kertram rushes back home to find his entire village slain and all the kids below one year - including his month-old triplets - abducted, he knows the cruel fate that awaits them. In agreement with his wife's dying wish, and with just one ally by his side, Kertram sets off on the impossible task to rescue his kids from the soldiers and from guaranteed death. With deep sorrow in his heart and immense determination, he is ready to do the impossible, but first he will have to travel across villages, forests, mountains and towns, and survive the endless dangers that lurk around every corner. Kertram has exactly 61 days to get his babies back or it will be too late.
Keith Ward's 99 Days is a most captivating fantasy tale and an incredible portrayal of a parent's determination to do whatever it takes to save his children. In Slypht, Keith Ward created an amazing and memorable world, and a perfect setting for this incredible fantasy tale. His writing effortlessly captures moments and emotions to make the story an exciting and flawless read. The characters, the way of life, and the setting all blend together perfectly to bring this thrilling tale to life. Fans of fiction fantasy will definitely enjoy this gripping race against time across Slypht; Kertram's pain will touch your soul and his determination will inspire you. Thank you, Keith Ward, for one of the most outstanding fantasy novels I have ever read.
Recommend this book:
A Wizard's Forge
The Woern Saga Book 1
A.M. Justice
2017 Honorable Mention
324 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
A Wizard's Forge by A.M. Justice is the first book in The Woern Saga, a fantasy that has elements of a thriller and sci-fi beautifully knit into its fabric, a compelling tale of war, kidnapping, revenge and redemption. Many years ago, a crew of explorers got stranded on a faraway planet and formed a civilization of their own. Over the years, there have been wars, marauders, slavers and warriors. The young Logkeeper, Victoria, falls prey to kidnappers who sell her into slavery. As a slave, she experienced all forms of torture, including sexual abuses and other forms of psychological trauma. She was named Kara by her ruthless Master, Lornk Korng. When she successfully escaped, she did so with a vow to avenge herself. Would she get her chance for revenge?
A Wizard's Forge is a masterpiece and readers will love the way A.M. Justice explores her characters. Victoria is very compelling. Her experience of slavery completely transforms her and she develops a powerful zeal for revenge. But there is something else that happens to her — she loses the courage to love because she is continually haunted by the gruesome experience of being held prisoner and violated. Her decision to save the prince when he gets captured is an act of bravery that marks a turning point in her journey towards self-giving and inner freedom.
This is a wonderful tale with a mesmerizing setting and a fantastic plot. The author has a powerful imagination that brings to life actors that readers can easily relate to. There is a lot of action throughout the story and it reels with great intensity. The complex, intricate plot will have the reader turning the pages. This is one of those books that keeps readers awake into the late hours of the night. It is spellbinding.