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:
Soul Cage
Soulbreaker Book 1
L. R. Schulz
2024 Finalist
487 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
Soul Cage by L. R. Schulz is an epic fantasy series set in a realm where magic is intrinsically tied to the absorption of other people's souls. The story follows three characters, namely Myddrin, Will, and Tvora. Myddrin became the most formidable mage after the last war when he somehow managed to kill a powerful mage. Now, burdened and tormented by the countless souls he possesses, he has descended into addiction and drunkenness just as war erupts once more. Will is a young boy with aspirations of becoming a mage knight; however, he begins to grasp the heavy costs and responsibilities of such a role, especially with a war on the horizon. Lastly, Tvora, a woman whose soul is fractured, must consume more souls to sustain herself and the images of her lost friends.
I don’t even know where to begin to describe how amazing Soul Cage by L. R. Schulz is. This book has so many overlapping plots for each of the characters we follow yet at no point do these ever become tangled or cause confusion to the reader. Quite the opposite. Through the POV of each character, we learn so much about the world they live in, the circumstances that these characters must face, and how the impending war will affect different individuals. It is genuinely impressive how much Schulz wove into this book in such a way that it amplifies the best qualities of the plot. The world-building, pacing, tone, and characters all came together beautifully to create a world in which the reader can become fully immersed. I enjoyed this book so much and I would love to read any further installments in this series.
Recommend this book:
The Phantom Enforcer
First Responder Book 2
J.W. Jarvis
2024 Honorable Mention
212 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
The Phantom Enforcer is a young adult fantasy novel by J.W. Jarvis. The story follows the adventures of Dani and Noah, two teenagers who discover a magical bookstore run by a mysterious witch. In each adventure, the two are transported into the lives of everyday heroes such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. In this installment, they experience what it is like to be a police officer and a dog on the K-9 unit. They witness a police chase, a drug bust, and a dangerous car theft. During the latter case, Dani and Noah encounter a familiar foe possessing phantom abilities like them. This realization makes them aware that the stakes are higher than before, and any wrong move could have catastrophic consequences, including the loss of innocent lives.
The Phantom Enforcer is a fast-paced, thrilling story that combines magic, time travel, and fantasy genres. It is the second book in the First Responder series by J.W. Jarvis, and it continues the action-packed adventures of Dani and Noah. I enjoyed getting to know these unique characters and their complex personalities. One thing that sets this book apart is that it educates readers on various jobs and the daily lives of frontline workers. It is not just about their jobs, but also their families and aspirations. The characters are all intriguing and add an element of mystery to the story. Tense moments will keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, I loved this book and cannot wait to read more from this author and the series.
Recommend this book:
Six Moons, Seven Gods
The Legends of Baelon
Robert A Walker
2024 Bronze Medal
305 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
Six Moons, Seven Gods is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres, and forms the opening novel to The Legends of Baelon series. It is best suited to the adult reading audience owing to some scenes of violence and sexual violence. Penned by author Robert A Walker, we are invited into the world of Baelon, which is steeped in intrigue and deception. The Takers Guild, a group of skilled thieves, seeks to overthrow the kingdoms of Baelon. When their plans are thwarted by a perceptive woman and her daughter, they turn to the League of Assassins for help. Meanwhile, Rolft Aerns, a retired royal guard with a personal vendetta, returns to the palace of King Axil. As the paths of these characters intersect in the shadowy corners of Fostead's south end, the story takes unexpected twists, and the body count rises. The Guild's influence reaches far and wide, and a single ambitious thief sets off a chain of events that will leave a lasting mark on Baelon.
Robert A Walker has crafted a world filled with political intrigue where deception and ambition play pivotal roles, offering a deeply complex but well-paced adventure that never lets up on excitement. One of the features that really impressed me was Walker’s many complex characters, all of whom are given a full treatment for unique dialogue styles, attitudes, and emotions so that they feel like real people we can be totally invested in. The narrative style is richly imaginative and detailed, offering vivid atmosphere and locations alongside swift plot twists that keep you engaged from beginning to end. This book sets up a lot of intriguing political and personal storylines for future exploration, promising a lavish and captivating epic for fantasy enthusiasts that will have plenty of thrilling places to take us in the future. Overall, Six Moons, Seven Gods is a compelling start to the series, and I, for one, cannot wait to see where this accomplished and exciting work goes next.
Recommend this book:
The Ghosts of Nothing
The Weird and the Wicked Book 1
Cecily Walters
2024 Silver Medal
381 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
Get drawn into Cecily Walters’ eerie world in The Ghosts of Nothing: The Weird and the Wicked Book 1. The town of Nothing is haunted and the townsfolk have always blamed the Morighan family. Nelly Morighan refuses to believe the rumors until she is surrounded by fairies. With this shocking discovery comes danger and the ones she loves need help. Nelly cannot save them by herself and seeks out the help of the fairies. With no other options, Nelly has to put all her trust in these strange creatures who seem to want more from her than she is willing to give. And when the past comes back to haunt them all, Nelly is not sure she can save everyone.
I love the fairies in The Ghosts of Nothing. They are not only haunting and beautiful, but earthy and clever with fascinating mechanisms. The fairies’ personalities are carefully fleshed out and I could see all the research and time that went into perfectly crafting each individual. The pacing slowed and built up the suspense and had me holding my breath and sitting right on the edge of my chair. Cecily Walters delivered wild adventures and thrilling plot twists after those moments of suspense. The character, Trouble, stole the show for me. Trouble is shrouded in mystery and there are tantalizing hints at an exciting backstory. I would love a sequel that reveals Trouble’s story. The Ghosts of Nothing keeps the feeling of eerie supernaturalness running smoothly throughout the book and I felt like I was in Nothing too.
Recommend this book:
The Phoenix Quest
Isle of the Phoenix Novels Book 1
Greg Baker
2024 Gold Medal
342 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
After playing another mean prank on his favorite target, Roy is punished and labeled a delinquent—someone whose fate is worse than that of a vagabond. Fortunately, Roy is allowed to embark on a quest to find the phoenix’s nest to redeem himself. However, the journey is not for the faint-hearted, and the last person who attempted it three years ago failed to return. Roy is joined by Prince Bain and an unlikely companion, who is none other than the girl he bullies and calls Skinny Minnie. He must find a way to get along with his new companions as they face multiple serious threats on their journey. Greg Baker's The Phoenix Quest is a riveting plot filled with danger, magic, and promises. Can these three protagonists survive thieving elves, fierce trolls, and a manipulative enchanter?
Greg Baker's characters are charming and sophisticated and I felt myself liking them effortlessly. Roy and Minnie go from being enemies to having to work together to survive. Their relationship conveys the importance of choosing kindness over bullying and name-calling. In general, The Phoenix Quest is a book with many wholesome messages that Christian parents would love to share with their children. Also, the fascinating magical elements are a thrill to follow, from complex creatures like the gift-bestowing phoenix to the intricate magical rules. Greg's writing is completely smooth and enjoyable, with no overwhelming details and overly fast scenes. All in all, Greg has written a story for young adults that's as compelling and thrilling as the plots of epic fantasies like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I couldn't get enough of its smart mix of energetic characters, suspense-filled danger, and mind-blowing magic!
Recommend this book:
Jewels of Kidron
Susan Miner
2023 Honorable Mention
308 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
Jewels of Kidron by Susan Miner is a poignant young adult fantasy dealing with abuse. It follows two young girls searching for a place to belong and feel safe and loved. Katie is in a group home for abused children. She is haunted by the same nightmare every night and has terrifying secrets to keep. She can't tell anyone who hurt her or that her best friend is in grave danger. She believes the truth will endanger both their lives even more. Angelina is a lonesome elf who wants what the human girls seem to have—to be safe, carefree, and happy. Her father told her she was worthless and stupid. Both girls, Katie and Angelina, have troubled pasts, which they struggle to overcome. They wish to find a place where everyone can be safe, free of abuse, and loved. Will they ever be safe?
This tale of magical realism blew me away. Despite its challenging and moving premise, Jewels of Kidron is an enchanting and deeply uplifting story. It's about abuse, trauma, dysfunctional families, friendship, courage, forgiveness, trust, and finding your voice. I adored sinking into the world Susan Miner has crafted—full of depth and danger. I loved and rooted for both Katie and Angelina throughout the entire book. I would have followed them to the ends of the earth. Woven with intriguing fantasy elements, this unforgettable story will move readers. It will encourage them never to let anyone break their spirit or silence their voice. Jewels of Kidron is an incredible and life-affirming debut novel not to be missed.
Recommend this book:
Islanders
The Pacific Chronicles
James Eldridge, Richard Eldridge
2023 Honorable Mention
163 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
It was Kaimana's idea to go out despite their father's stern warnings. Kilikina did not see herself having any alternative option to her brother's cheeky attempts at adventure. By the time Kaimana was cutting through Chang's backyard, Kilikina knew they were in too deep to go back. After a series of strange events, they are stuck in the bushes with rare abilities but no idea how to get back home. These two children do not realize they are about to become an integral part of a grand mission to save the islands from being overrun by an evil force in Islanders by James Eldridge and Richard Eldridge.
Pacific island culture and impressive storytelling come together in the first book of the Pacific Chronicles Series. As is expected with novels like this, there is a lot of background history where the principal characters are concerned and their place in the overall storyline. One of the first things that stood out for me in this entertaining story is the way James and Richard Eldridge use the local names for practically every item. From plants to animals, and even local delicacies, you are introduced to the rich local lore behind each of them in a manner that lets you know notes need to be taken for future reference. The interaction between the characters is interesting and immersive in a way that adventure genre aficionados will appreciate. Islanders combines folklore with adventure in an exciting way that holds a reader spellbound all through the book. An impressive piece of work by all standards.
Recommend this book:
Academy Arcanist
Shami Stovall
2023 Bronze Medal
446 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
Academy Arcanist by Shami Stovall follows Gray Lexly, a boy whose nightmares seem to become a reality. Whenever Gray falls asleep he is attacked by monsters, only every injury sustained in his dreams is still there when he wakes. One night he is saved by Professor Helmith, an arcanist and professor at the Astra Academy who is investigating these dream attacks. She invites him to attend the academy but when she herself goes missing, it is up to Gray to find out what’s really going on.
Academy Arcanist by Shami Stovall is a good book set in a magical world with some of the most well-known and beloved mythical creatures from unicorns to dragons. I really enjoyed the concept of the arcanists and their Eldrin, and the fact that the arcanist can use the abilities of their bonded creature made this story unique in how it introduced magic. I've always been a fan of beast-taming concepts and I thoroughly enjoyed how Stovall incorporated this aspect. I also enjoyed the concept of the puppets and having them attack characters through their dreams. This poses a significant threat while also being difficult to combat thus leading to a good challenge for the protagonist to overcome. Stovall did a wonderful job with the world-building for this story and I'd love to see more of this type of work.
Recommend this book:
The Hollow Boys
The Dream Rider Saga, Book 1
Douglas Smith
2023 Bronze Medal
383 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
The Hollow Boys is the opening installment in Douglas Smith’s Dream Rider Saga series, an urban fantasy aimed at young adult readers. The book follows Will Dreycott, a teenager with the power to walk through the dreams of others. Cursed with a crippling fear that prevents him from leaving his home, the comics he writes about his adventures earn him enough to build a comfortable home in the center of a city he is too scared to walk around. When two other gifted orphans stumble upon a case of children disappearing, Will joined them in searching for those who have been taken.
Adventure drips off every single page of this book, with high-stakes action, novel characters, and world-building coming together to create a rollercoaster that feels like a blockbuster comic book experience. Douglas Smith has created a highly original spin on the classic urban fantasy and superhero tropes with which most readers will be familiar, stamping his identity on the genre while opening what I’m confident will be an equally exciting series. The absorbing prose draws the reader deep into this world. The wonderfully realized characterizations of Will and Case in particular give a layer of narrative nuance to The Hollow Boys as their flaws and strengths are explored. Each has their often unpredictable influence on the direction the story takes. As the opening novel of a series, this story makes all the right moves to encourage readers to emotionally invest in the journey being undertaken, then promptly blows their socks off as that journey unfolds.
Recommend this book:
The Source of Death
Jay Michael Night
2023 Silver Medal
278 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - General
The Source of Death is a young adult urban fantasy by Jay Michael Night. Mikey Black still remembers the day his parents sacrificed themselves to save him from the monstrous creatures of the Otherside. A human-vampire hybrid, Mikey spent years in different foster homes, unwittingly bringing the stench of death wherever he went until he was adopted by an elderly postman, Arthur Cafferty. After a chance encounter with two acolytes named Sabrina and Thomas, Mikey finds himself in the sect headquarters of Portum, where gifted youngsters like him learn to harness their powers to fight against the monsters of the Otherside. With his unique abilities, Mikey distinguishes himself amongst his peers and prepares to join the tribunal with his friends. However, unbeknownst to him, other powers at play want him at all costs.
Akin to the Lorien Legacies series by James Frey and Jobie Hughes, The Source of Death is a supernatural tale that follows a teenager trying to come to terms with his abilities amidst a power struggle between two influential factions of the world. Jay Michael Night crafts a fast-paced rollercoaster of a ride filled with mystery, suspense, romance, and plenty of action. Mikey is a teenager who has lived an orphan's life but his extraordinary abilities put him in a dangerous place where he must prove himself amongst his newfound friends to become who he always meant to be. All in all, this is an exciting urban fantasy series in the making.