My Most Anticipated 2025 Reads

​I know, I know. We’re almost halfway through 2025 and I’m doing this now? But you know what, life happens, so here I am. Anyway, here are my most anticipated 2025 reads, which ones I’ve read, and how they’ve measured up. They’re in no particular order, just so you know. I’ve also included content warnings.

Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C. L. Clark
(Fantasy) (READ)
(Please note: this book deals with sensitive topics/content including harsh language, gore, and implied sexual content. Some readers may also want to be aware of LGBTQIA+ characters.)

It is absolutely no secret that I love the TV show Arcane: League of Legends. So I freaked out a little when they announced a spin-off novel. While this one is best enjoyed by Arcane and League of Legends super-fans, I found it very true to the TV show, especially the characters and the brutal moral dilemmas they faced. (Five stars.)

The Codebreaker’s Daughter by Amy Lynn Green
(Christian adult historical)

Amy Lynn Green never misses. I’m fascinated with codebreaker stories, and it looks like the mother/daughter conflict and relationship will play a huge role in this one, which I’m definitely here for. My copy actually just came in, and I can’t wait to get started!

Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella
(YA fantasy)

Sara Ella’s books just get better and better the more she writes, and I can’t wait for her unique twists on the Cinderella fairy tale in this novel. It looks like it will tie in with the original Perrault fairy tale and I’m super excited.

The Ivory City by Emily Bain Murphy
(Adult historical mystery)
(Please note: The content in this author’s books varies, so I can’t speak yet to this title’s content.)

I’ve read most of Emily Bain Murphy’s books, and I’ll be honest, some have been hits for me and others not so much. But I’m still excited to see what she does with an adult historical mystery, especially one with such an intriguing setting.

A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson
(Historical fantasy)

This one might turn out really good or really not, I’m just not sure yet. But it’s Bletchley Park and dragons—an absolutely killer concept. Because I haven’t read any of this author’s stories before and found this through the Goodreads blurb, I can’t speak to any content it may or may not have, so use discretion.

A Lethal Engagement by A. J. Skelley
(Historical mystery)

Man, this year has been all about the clever fantasy and the historical mysteries. But on the historical mystery side of things, this one really sticks out. It seems to have a bevy of interesting elements that you don’t always see in historicals and I’m interested to see how it all plays out, especially since this is my first A. J. Skelley book.

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
(YA historical mystery)

The Lost Girl of Astor Street is getting a sequel after all these years? Yes, please! I remember Piper Sail as a wonderfully sensible main character and detective, and I’m looking forward to revisiting her and Astor Street.

Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo
(Christian YA fantasy)

I have been following Mariposa Aristeo ever since she put out a series of Disney themed bookstagram reels (seriously, those reels won the internet for a good long while for me). It’s been so neat to follow her writing journey since then, so I was ecstatic when she announced she had a book deal. On top of that, the story for this one sounds so unique and fantastic, and I have a feeling she’ll take it in some unexpected directions.
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Star Wars: Sanctuary by Lamar Giles
(Sci-Fi)

Guys, we’re getting a Bad Batch novel! Bad Batch is one of my favorite Star Wars projects and I’m hopeful for where we see the characters end up in this book. (Don’t do them dirty. Please.)

A Study of Shattered Spells by Josiah DeGraaf
(Christian adult fantasy)

This one is probably my most anticipated book this year. I love all the dark academia vibes, and, as someone who works at an elementary school, I love the idea of a magic school from the teacher’s perspective. I also love that it looks like an excellently written Christian book that handles harder topics well. Plus, it’s a Christian fantasy for an adult audience, which is not very plentiful right now. It’s had a very successful Kickstarter run so far, and I can’t wait to receive the book this fall.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
(YA dystopian) (READ)
(Please note: this book deals with sensitive topics/content including gore, some language, and overall intensity. Some readers may want to be aware of LGBTQIA+ characters.)

This one blew me away, guys, and not just because it’s Hunger Games. Some call this the most brutal Hunger Games installment yet, and I do have to agree with that. And yet it tells such a crucial piece of the story that it changed how I saw all the other Games. It also carries with it some very deep and important themes. Oh yeah, and it also destroyed me. (Five stars.) (Let me know in the comments if you’d want a blog post about my Hunger Games reread!)

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft
(YA fantasy) (READ)
(Please note: some readers may want to be aware of LGBTQIA+ characters.)

Yes, I was a hardcore Disney Fairies kid. So yes, I didn’t even really read the blurb, I just clicked the want to read Goodreads button. I read it last month, and while it’s definitely not the best book I’ll ever read, it did make my inner fairy-loving seven-year-old very happy. And that’s worth something, I think. (Three stars.)

What books have you been looking forward to this year? Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Let me know in the comments below! (And also let me know if you want that Hunger Games blog post!)