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Dakota’s Year In Books

Dakota’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Dakota’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Dakota Banks’s Followers (233)

Dakota’s Bookshelves

to-read (26)
currently-reading (4)
read (35)
did-not-finish (0)

Dakota’s Friends (1,068)

Ryan

3,291 books | 460 friends

Gabriella

1,536 books | 136 friends

Maggie Stiefvater

459 books | 4,662 friends

Vincent Lowry

1,476 books | 1,505 friends

Jennifer Estep

197 books | 2,605 friends

Jen Talty

58 books | 2,733 friends

Jessica

4,629 books | 1,678 friends

Nicole

3,580 books | 2,920 friends

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Dakota Banks

Goodreads Author

Born

in St. Louis, MO, The United States

January 05

Website

http://www.dakota-banks.com/

Twitter

dakotabanks

Genre

Fantasy, Mystery & Thrillers, Science Fiction

Member Since

July 2009

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/dakotabanks

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I have to believe that growing up in a converted turn-of-the-century funeral home, complete with blood gutters and a drain in the basement floor, warped my mind.

I set aside all those macabre thoughts spawned by reading books in the basement at night with a flashlight and undertook a relatively normal life. College, science fiction, husband, computers, Star Trek, mortgage, fantasy, Star Wars, kids, mysteries, writing, thrillers, horror, and cats. I'm not sure in which order all those things happened, but I haven't killed off enough gray cells yet that I've forgotten any of them. That brings me up to now, or at least the last decade.

I wrote short stories in high school and college, submitted them, and got rejection letters. I still have some I have to believe that growing up in a converted turn-of-the-century funeral home, complete with blood gutters and a drain in the basement floor, warped my mind.

I set aside all those macabre thoughts spawned by reading books in the basement at night with a flashlight and undertook a relatively normal life. College, science fiction, husband, computers, Star Trek, mortgage, fantasy, Star Wars, kids, mysteries, writing, thrillers, horror, and cats. I'm not sure in which order all those things happened, but I haven't killed off enough gray cells yet that I've forgotten any of them. That brings me up to now, or at least the last decade.

I wrote short stories in high school and college, submitted them, and got rejection letters. I still have some of them. Writing was shelved while life ran amuck, and I came back to it in the 1990s. I published five books (the PJ Gray series), all hard-edged suspense thrillers dealing with virtual reality, written under my real name of Shirley Kennett. I enjoyed these books because they were my first taste of the writing life, not to mention that they brought in some money and put 500,000 published words under my belt.

I even wrote a middle-grade book about a native American boy and his horse, Honor's Journey, as D.B. Ayers. Fun times!

Something was missing, though, and it took me six books to find out what the missing piece was. Although my books were highly imaginative and extrapolated then-current trends in forensic science, computer simulation, and virtual reality, they didn't go far enough. I felt hemmed in by reality.

I needed to get back into the basement with a flashlight.

I took a deep breath and thought about what I really wanted to do with my writing career. I had an idea that had been playing around at the edge of my mind for a while, and I decided to see what I could make of it. Combining my love of archaeology with the freedom that comes from using mythological elements in a story, I came up with the basic concepts for the Mortal Path series. Developing that world and the characters who bring it to life has been tremendously rewarding for me, and I hope the books provide pleasurable reading for you.

I live on the western fringe of St. Louis, Missouri with my husband. Our two sons, one adopted from Peru and the other from Ethiopia, are well on their way to independent lives. My cats Squeaks and Snickers sometimes ghostwrite my books by walking on my keyboard. Good stuff, too, if you speak Cat.

I'm a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Horror Writers Association, and Mystery Writers of America. ...more

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Combine Editions
Dakota Banks’s books

Average rating: 3.66 · 2,876 ratings · 297 reviews · 6 distinct works • Similar authors

	Dark Time (Mortal Path, #1) 3.47 avg rating — 1,844 ratings — published 2009 — 16 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sacrifice (Mortal Path, #2) 3.88 avg rating — 588 ratings — published 2010 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Deliverance (Mortal Path, #3) 4.06 avg rating — 386 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Quest: Mortal Path Book Four 4.84 avg rating — 58 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	DARK TIME [Dark Time ] BY Banks, Dakota(Author)Mass Market Paperbound 28-Jul-2009 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Quest: Mortal Path Book Four 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Dakota Banks…

130 posts
Dakota Banks's Blog: The Mortal Blog

Dakota Banks Interview

Read a brand new interview of Dakota Banks. https://bit.ly/DB_Interview

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 06, 2026 10:38 • Tags: dakota-banks, interview, mortal-path-series, writing-tips

View all 130 posts »

Series by Dakota Banks

Mortal Path (4 books)
by

Dakota Banks (Goodreads Author)

3.66 avg rating — 2,876 ratings

Dakota is Currently Reading

Dakota Banks is currently reading

Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

by Blake Snyder

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in June 2015

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Dec 27, 2025 03:41PM

Dakota Banks is currently reading

The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers

by Christopher Vogler

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in November 2023

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Dakota Banks said: " As an author switching from writing thrillers to writing mythology based fantasies, I found this book helpful. "

Dec 23, 2025 09:25AM · see review

Dakota Banks is currently reading

Fatal

by John Lescroart (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in July 2016

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Dakota Banks said: " New York Times bestseller John Lescroart's foray into standalone novels is a stunning success! Exciting and emotional. Unforeseen consequences of a one night stand ripple through a marriage. Contemplating a casual hookup? Think twice (or ten times)! ...more "

Jul 23, 2016 02:00PM · see review

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Dakota’s Recent Updates

Dakota Banks wrote a new blog post Dakota Banks Interview
Mar 07, 2026 12:39AM · like
Feb 07, 2026 02:49PM
Dakota Banks liked an answer from Vincent Lowry: Vincent, I'm new to Goodreads. Would you be able to tell me the proper way to ask for reviews for an upcoming e-book? I don't want to go against any rules, but I'm willing to give reviews also. Thanks, Randall Davis Randall, Feel free to ask this question on my Author/Reader group; it has 19,800 members. Vincent Lowry
Jan 03, 2026 04:38PM
Dakota Banks is now following Synder Mary and Jordan
Dec 26, 2025 08:48AM
Dakota Banks made a comment on Michael’s review of Deliverance (Mortal Path, #3) " The fourth book, now called Quest, was published in the winter of 2025. "
Dec 20, 2025 03:33PM · see review
Dakota Banks is accepting questions on their profile page.
Dec 10, 2025 03:44PM · Be the first to ask Dakota Banks a question

More of Dakota's books…

Quotes by Dakota Banks (?)

“Fuck Master Liu! He's some ascetic who counts snowflakes on a mountain in China and dips his balls in ice water for the hell of it. You're not Liu. You live in the real world”
― Dakota Banks

tags: deliverance, mortal-path-3

6 likes

“Their first clash sent shockwaves through the sand as the strike of his blade nearly sliced through her shoulder. She twisted away, countered with a kick that forced him back. She knew he was powerful—ancient and formidable—but she was trained and confident, her agility an advantage since she wore no armor...

The fight escalated—a brutal exchange of blows, dodges, and calculated strikes. He fought like someone who had seen centuries of war. But she fought like someone who refused to die.”
― Dakota Banks, Quest: Mortal Path Book Four

tags: battles-in-life, fantasy-fiction

0 likes

Polls

Who is your favorite assassin character? (Fantasy)

Celaena Sardothien

Sarah J. Maas

710 votes, 40.6%

Katsa

Kristin Cashore

150 votes, 8.6%

Fitz

Robin Hobb

99 votes, 5.7%

Jaqen H'ghar

George R.R. Martin

98 votes, 5.6%

Ismae

Robin LaFevers

86 votes, 4.9%

Valek

Maria V. Snyder

69 votes, 3.9%

Sybella

Robin LaFevers

66 votes, 3.8%

Durzo Blint

Brent Weeks

46 votes, 2.6%

Azoth/Kylar Stern

Brent Weeks

40 votes, 2.3%

Artemis Entreri

R.A. Salvatore

40 votes, 2.3%

Sicarius

Lindsay Buroker

30 votes, 1.7%

Gin Blanco

Jennifer Estep

29 votes, 1.7%

Surreal

Anne Bishop

26 votes, 1.5%

Vitala Salonius

Amy Raby

26 votes, 1.5%

Luke

Maggie Stiefvater

25 votes, 1.4%

Waylander

David Gemmell

21 votes, 1.2%

Naji

Cassandra Rose Clarke

20 votes, 1.1%

Caim

Jon Sprunk

19 votes, 1.1%

Lily

M.J. Scott

18 votes, 1.0%

Azurha

Crista McHugh

18 votes, 1.0%

Vlad Taltos

Steven Brust

17 votes, 1.0%

Darian

Amanda Bonilla

16 votes, 0.9%

Chade Fallstar

Robin Hobb

16 votes, 0.9%

Lore

Larissa Ione

13 votes, 0.7%

Maliha Crayne

Dakota Banks

12 votes, 0.7%

Nightfall

Mickey Zucker Reichert

11 votes, 0.6%

Sabina Kane

Jaye Wells

9 votes, 0.5%

Roudette (The Lady of the Red Hood)

Jim C. Hines

7 votes, 0.4%

Cawti

Steven Brust

6 votes, 0.3%

Talyn

Philippa Ballantine

6 votes, 0.3%

Marco Greymist

Steven Brust

0 votes, 0.0%

1749 total votes

25 comments

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Book Buying Addic...: February 2010 Purchases	87	212	Mar 15, 2010 04:33AM
Urban Fantasy: Challenge # 1: April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010	401	673	Jul 01, 2010 11:33AM
SOS: Serious Over...: JULY 2010: Adult Next-in-Series Releases	8	84	Jul 07, 2010 01:28AM
Cover to Cover Ch...: Darcy's 2010 Book List	50	280	Dec 28, 2010 08:07PM
Cover to Cover Ch...: Kathy C's Booklist	10	61	Dec 30, 2010 11:51AM
Paranormal Romanc...: 2011 May Reading Challenge	387	539	Jun 03, 2011 09:43PM
Paranormal Romanc...: 2011 December Challenge	280	424	Jan 19, 2012 08:19PM

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Dakota’s Quotes

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

tags: control, defeat, humanity, life

2226 likes

“Love is not a feeling in your chest; it is bending down to wash another's feet.”
― Andrew Peterson

179 likes

“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
― Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway: A Literary Reference

tags: war

2248 likes

“So far, about morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”
― Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon

tags: morality, morals, right, right-and-wrong, wrong

845 likes

“What I mean by an educated taste is someone who has the same tastes that I have.”
― Edward Albee

1366 likes

More of Dakota’s quotes…

Dakota’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-22) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 22: by Carly

Jul 09, 2012 03:28AM

Hey Dakota, thanks for the friendship :)

reply | flag

message 21: by Dakota

Apr 21, 2012 04:55PM

Graeme wrote: "Hi Dakota, Thanks for your kind friendship."

It's my pleasure, Graeme.

reply | flag

message 20: by Graeme

Apr 21, 2012 04:34PM

Hi Dakota, Thanks for your kind friendship.

reply | flag

message 19: by Dakota

Apr 11, 2012 11:45AM

Welcome, Lady Danielle, new friend. Thanks for accepting.

reply | flag

message 18: by Danielle The Book Huntress

Apr 10, 2012 08:45PM

Hi Dakota. Thanks for the friendvite!

reply | flag

message 17: by Dakota

Apr 10, 2012 06:30PM

Hang in there, Melissa--giveaways are still coming up!

reply | flag

message 16: by Dakota

Mar 28, 2012 02:09PM

Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ wrote: "Thank you so much for the friend invite and thanks for stopping by our blog!"

Thanks for the opportunity to visit your blog. I love your nicknames, Eyelet Ecstasy, etc.

reply | flag

message 15: by Dakota

Mar 28, 2012 02:07PM

Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* wrote: "Hi Dakota!! Thanks so much for the friend invite! Look forward to chatting some more. Hope you had a fun time at our blog :)"
I did, and I'm glad to connect with you on GR. :-)

reply | flag

message 14: by Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog)

Mar 27, 2012 08:35PM

Thank you so much for the friend invite and thanks for stopping by our blog!

reply | flag

message 13: by Annie

Mar 27, 2012 07:24PM

Hi Dakota!! Thanks so much for the friend invite! Look forward to chatting some more. Hope you had a fun time at our blog :)

reply | flag

message 12: by Dakota

Mar 27, 2012 05:05PM

Angela the Fair ~Lusty Lace~ wrote: "Thanks for the friend-vite. Your interview at UTC is awesome!!!"

Thanks, Angela. Great interview questions give me so much to work with, and make it fun and easy!

reply | flag

message 11: by Angela Carr (last edited Mar 27, 2012 05:03PM)

Mar 27, 2012 04:59PM

Thanks for the friend-vite. Your interview at link: UTC is awesome!!!

reply | flag

message 10: by Dakota

Mar 06, 2012 06:26PM

Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) wrote: "Thank you so much for the friend request. I gladly accept. So awesome becoming friends with an author *blushes* Hope to talk more later and hope you had a wonderful weekend :)"

Hi, Diana! It's a pleasure to be GR friends with you. I'd like to chat too. Anytime ...

reply | flag

message 9: by Dakota

Mar 06, 2012 06:24PM

Carolyn wrote: "Dakota Banks! Hello! So happy to be GR friends! Thanks for the invite, and all my best on Deliverance this year!!"

Hi Carolyn, happy to be your GR friend, and thanks for the good wishes on Deliverance!

reply | flag

message 8: by Dakota

Mar 06, 2012 06:22PM

HellKat ^_~ Courtney wrote: "Thanks for the friend request!"

Hi Courtney! Glad to be your friend.

reply | flag

message 7: by Dakota

Mar 06, 2012 06:19PM

Carole wrote: "Hi Dakota! thanks for adding me."

Hi, Carole. I'm glad to be your friend on Goodreads!

reply | flag

message 6: by Dakota

Mar 06, 2012 06:18PM

A. R. wrote: "Thanks for the add!"

My pleasure!

reply | flag

message 5: by Diana (Offbeat Vagabond)

Mar 06, 2012 06:15PM

Thank you so much for the friend request. I gladly accept. So awesome becoming friends with an author *blushes* Hope to talk more later and hope you had a wonderful weekend :)

reply | flag

message 4: by Carolyn

Mar 06, 2012 06:02PM