Author: Tamsyn Muir Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Audiobook + Feely book Length: 512 pages Genre: Fantasy/SciFi/Mystery Synopsis After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.

Author: Darcy Coates Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 352 Pages Genre: Horror/Thriller Synopsis A remote cabin in the snowy wilderness. Eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere to run Christa…

Author: Spencer Quinn Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 305 Pages Genre: Mystery Synopsis Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters.

2025 was another good year of books. I continued reading more in the world of fantasy, with more science fiction and mystery/thriller books sprinkled throughout. It was a good mix of continuing series that I've had ongoing, but also finding enough standalone books to keep things interesting. I also found myself to be a lot more critical of books if I didn't enjoy them as much.

Author: Frances White Rating: ⭐1.5 / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 464 pages Genre: Fantasy Thriller Synopsis For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.

Author: Stuart Turton Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 / 5 Medium: Audiobook Length: 16h 42m Genre: Mystery/Thriller Synopsis Evelyn Hardcastle will die at 11:00 pm every day, until Aiden Bishop can identify her ki…

Author: Asako Yuzuki Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 464 pages Genre: Fiction, Thriller Synopsis Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Center convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors.

Author: R. F. Kuang Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Audiobook Length: 21h 45m (544 pages) Genre: Historical Fantasy Synopsis Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel.

Author: Lisa Tuttle Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.5 / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 93 Pages Genre: Horror(ish) Fiction Synopsis A widowed writer begins to work on a biography of a novelist and artist—and soon uncovers bizarre parallels between her life and her subject’s—in this chilling and singularly strange novella by a contemporary master of horror and fantasy. My Thoughts (Spoiler-Free) I had to read this book twice to fully appreciate it.