BBNYA 2025: 6 Books That Stood Out to Me But Didn’t Make it to the Semi-Finals

Far Flung by Utunu

On the harsh, barren planet of Sands, in the small settlement of Oasis, live three young companions: the inseparable fennecs Bori and Tuther, and their best friend, the hyena Samna.

Bori is psionic-and on the distant planet of Verdant, psionics are fervently sought. When the two planets are in conjunction, a shuttle journeys between them, bringing needed resources to Sands and hoping to take gifted psionics back to lush Verdant in return.

The shuttle’s imminent arrival signifies opportunities for Oasis, but for the trio it instead evokes dread. For if Bori is chosen, he’d be taken from his dearest friends and the only home he’s ever known.

Bori would be broken without Tuther.

Tuther would be broken without Bori.

And Samna? All he can do is help make their remaining days together a little brighter.

Majordomo: A Novella by Tim Carter

A plucky underdog. A powerful necromancer. And the idiot heroes bent on killing them.

Kobolds are supposed to run away—it’s what they’re best at. But Jack? Born with a club foot, he’s had to adapt. Resilient and clever, he clawed his way to respectability as majordomo of a premiere subterranean estate. He even found a father figure in the famed necromancer who owns the place.

Life was perfect… until a superband of overpowered do-gooders arrived bent on burglary and murder. These mercilessly righteous warriors of light cannot be beaten, or at least that’s how it looks on paper.

Jack must choose between survival and the people he loves… unless he can somehow defy the stats and find an unconventional solution.

If you like Terry Pratchett, J. Zachary Pike, or Nicholas Eames, you’ll love Majordomo.

Walnut Ridge by Dan Scamell

Aliens in garish angelic form chose humankind as one of the races worthy of sharing an otherworldly paradise with them. Most people have already been “decanted.” Leo Salmon has not, but he watched as billions around him were transformed into blue gelatinous fluid in preparation for the long trip to Caldo. Leo and the remaining few un-decanted who have been unable to truly receive the “Angel’s Promise,” a requirement to initiate the transformation, are housed in Walnut Ridge, a pre-decantation facility, awaiting their fates.

The alien ships are leaving in a matter of days. If Leo and the other stragglers are unable to genuinely accept the alien offering in that time, while most of liquified humanity is transported to paradise, Leo and the rest of the abandoned will be left to build a new life on Earth. At least, that’s the plan right after they get some Taco Bell.

At face value, Walnut Ridge is an extraordinary account of our inability to transcend the mental trappings of our mortal frailty. However, beneath the stunning imagery and absurd humor of this distinctively unconventional story, you will find a unique allegory for the harrowing trials of mental illness, addiction, and recovery.

Talio’s Codex by J. Alexander Cohen

Is love worth destroying his reputation?

Ten years ago, the theft of his codex destroyed Talio Rossa’s career as a magistrate in the four cities. But when his ex-wife—finally willing to forgive finding him in bed with a man—presents him a long-shot legal case, he has the chance to get his career back on track. 

While fighting to rejoin the legal community, Talio uncovers a conspiracy so big it threatens the origins of the four cities themselves. Their prosperity is only thanks to their connection by magical floating waterways and the brilliance of their legal system, now regarded as near scripture.
 

To save his career, Talio must work with both the one who doomed his marriage and the hooded, heretical man who sets his heart aflame but is determined to plead guilty to a murder he didn’t commit. To stand a chance of winning the case, saving his career and the man of his dreams, Talio will have to uncover an explosive secret destined to blow the legal system apart.

Wild Skies: A Yeehaw Dragons Story by K. E. Andrews

I’ll trade ya a story for a drink.

It’s a story about a handsome son of a gun and his trusty dragon, Bean, on the hunt for the notorious train robber, Talon. In a land shaped by dragons, magic, and bullets, Dale Hartwell is just trying to make a living hunting down bandits and bounties while searching for his kidnapped parents. When the hunt for Talon takes him to the Melted Lands, Dale finds that he’s bitten off more than he can chew. He comes face to face with ancient dragons, old magic, and a new lead on his missing family. If he fails this job, not only will he lose his chance to find his parents, he might lose his life. In a showdown with a common enemy, unlikely allies will have to take to the skies, fighting tooth and talon for their lives and the future of the Melted Lands.

Tavern Tale: A Sapphic Side Quest by Kristina W. Kelly

What if the side quest is really the main quest?

Divine, a healer of the Goddess of Souls, has chased the thief who stole her talisman across half of Trelvania. The talisman is the key to accessing her magic well, and without it, she is powerless. While chasing her betrayer, former girlfriend, and servant of the Goddess of Condemnation, Divine meets Saph, a flirty tavern owner with an eyepatch and a proposition. Saph will help Divine locate her talisman if Divine helps her complete a mysterious quest in a chest.

Inspired by RPGs and set in scenic autumn, prepare for an adventure with gods and goddesses, deceitful exes, axe throwing, and fantastical creatures. Can Divine learn to trust again and find romance in the middle of finding her magic?