What I’ve been reading in 2022
If you’ve subscribed to my mailing list then you might have been following along with some of the fantastic stories I’ve read this year (plus there’s a few extras from before the mailing list started, and some ongoing series). SPOILER FREE
Novels
In Every Generation by Kendare Blake - A worthy continuation of Buffy (the greatest TV show of all time), which is a big complement, it continues the continuity from the show, ignoring everything else. With some returning characters and a new cast, it does a great job of giving Frankie, the new vampire slayer room to be the focus of her own story, and of capturing the essence of Buffy without feeling like it’s the exact same thing. It finished with lots of great questions that I’m really looking forward to discovering answers to in book 2: One Girl In All The World, due for release in Jan 23.
Goldilocks by Laura Lam - It’s hard to pin the genre, but it includes space travel, thriller elements and lots of reflection on society. A really enjoyable read.
The Rising Storm (Star Wars: The High Republic novel) by Cavan Scott - The first half was brilliant. I loved the character interactions, particularly the story of the troubled Elzar Mann. The second half was full of action, but it lasted a bit long for me. Overall, it was another great entry in the series, and I would be excited to read another High Republic novel by Cavan Scott.
Out of the Shadows (Star Wars: The High Republic novel) by Justina Ireland. It was another solid read with quite a few characters I hadn’t come across before. A good balance of political intrigue and adventure, and I appreciate how each piece of High Republic media has at least one significant event.
Nightfall Gardens (Volume 1) by Allen Houston - a fantastic indie novel, it creates a world that feels like a fairy tale with danger lurking everywhere. Featuring two great characters, Lily and Silas, who are following their individual paths to prevent the looming darkness.
Comics
The Nice House On The Lake by James Tynion iv’s - An enthralling read on the new (to the UK) DC Unlimited app, I read the first 6 issues thinking that was it until I reached the cliff-hanger ending. It’s builds tension with a large cast of really engaging characters that you quickly empathise for and grab your attention. I’ve been impatiently waiting for a few more issues to be released before I continue reading.
The Woods by James Tynion iv - An epic fantasy, high school drama, coming of age, science fiction thriller. I burned through all 9 volumes (most are free on Kindle Unlimited). It’s exactly the kind of story I love - an engaging mix of distinct characters that you grow to adore, high concept themes of love, life and what it means to be human, mixed with seriously fun fantasy elements (medieval fantasy and sci-fi aplenty).
Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion iv - 2022’s final installment of me reading everything James Tynion IV has ever written. It’s brutal in parts, but like everything Tynion writes, is full of heart, fascinating characters, an imaginative world and a gripping plot. I can’t recommend it highly enough. A television adaptation is planned too.
X-Men Age of Apocalypse by Marvel (multiple writers and artists) - I stopped reading Marvel comics for years just as the saga reached UK issues, but 25 years later I’ve finally gone back and finished it. It was an interesting diversion, especially to see how the event had ramifications afterwards, but I was happy to get back to the standard continuity.
Eternity Girl by Magdalene Vissagio and Sonny Liew - weird and wonderful (part of Gerard Way’s DC Young Animal imprint), the 6-issue run is included in the DC Infinite subscription. There’s so much going on beyond the surface story that’s driven by a very deep and layered central character, along with a huge universal scope.
Star Wars - High Republic by Marvel (multiple writers and artists) - I finished the run of Star Wars, Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra comics set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, started the run between ESB to Return of the Jedi. Some great issues, and read the High Republic up to issue 15. Overall, some really good issues, but quite mixed quality and I wish for some more engaging stories. I wish the Star Wars title series would return to the adventure of the first issues.
Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples - I re-read issues #1-54 (after multiple previous re-reads). It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read.
Night of the Ghoul by Scott Snyder - It’s difficult to tell a unique horror story, but this really sets itself apart from others today, as well as providing some genuine terror.
Batman: Knightfall by DC (multiple writers and artists) - The story of Azrael becoming Batman offers a world where Batman grows more violent and is willing to cross the line that Bruce Wayne wouldn’t cross. It still holds up today, and I would love to see the return of Jean Paul Valley as Batman in an animated movie, working alongside Bruce as Batman.
If you enjoyed this, click the link for my article on the books that inspire me
Mark is the author of We Come In Peace and Doomsday
Follow Mark on Instagram
Get in touch Info@markturnbull.net
Sign up to Mark’s newsletter for a free e-copy of the novella Doomsday below
