My Favorite Fantasy Books of 2025: The Ones That Completely Stole My Heart

What a year 2025 has been for fantasy lovers! We've had everything from dragon-riding romantasy blockbusters that had the whole internet buzzing to thoughtful, twisty epics that kept me up way past bedtime. Colleen Hoover and Rebecca Yarros are still absolute queens of the bestseller lists (and deservedly so—their emotional punches hit harder than ever), but the genre feels wider and wilder than ever, with fresh voices popping up alongside the giants.

These are **my personal standout fantasy reads of the year**—the books that made me laugh out loud, gasp at twists, ugly-cry in public, or just sigh happily as I turned the last page. No official "best of" ranking here; just the ones that lived rent-free in my head.

1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Yarros does it again. The third Empyrean book ramps up the stakes, the spice, and those jaw-dropping revelations that make you want to throw the book across the room (in the best way). Dragons, forbidden romance, betrayal—it's everything we loved about Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, but bigger. If you're riding this series wave, this one will leave you desperate for more.

2. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Returning to the Hunger Games world after all these years felt like coming home... to a nightmare. Focusing on young Haymitch's games, Collins digs deeper into the Capitol's cruelty and the cost of survival. It's tense, heartbreaking, and scarily timely. The ending? Chef's kiss devastation.

3. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Kuang never plays it safe, and this descent-into-the-underworld tale is no exception. Mythology meets ruthless ambition meets razor-sharp commentary—it's dark, brilliant, and utterly addictive. I devoured it in two sittings and immediately wanted to discuss it with everyone.

4. Evelyn Speckleplum: The Monarch’s Inferno by Evelyn Speckleplum

This one snuck up on me and became an instant favorite. A cozy portal fantasy with real depth: mysterious signs (blood-red poppies, circling owls, fleeing monarch butterflies) whisper of danger from the Black-Veined Mistress. Evelyn, trying to live normally after her first Fey adventure, gets pulled back when her mentor Elm is taken.

The realm has grown harsher, the trials deadlier, and secrets lurk everywhere. It's whimsical wonder mixed with subtle mystery—hidden fey doors, coming-of-age magic, and that "I want to live here" immersion. Beautiful prose, emotional stakes, and a narrator's voice that's pure comfort. One of my biggest surprises of the year.

Paperback and audiobook available now—perfect for curling up with during these long nights.

Get it here on Amazon

5. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

The latest Emily Wilde adventure is everything I wanted: more prickly academia, more faerie folklore, more slow-burn tension with Wendell. Snowy settings, cryptic maps, and that signature dry humor—it's cozy with bite, and the perfect follow-up for fans.

6. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

Tesh's prose is luminous (pun intended). This standalone weaves magic, grief, and hope into something quietly profound. The world feels alive, the characters breathe, and the ending left me staring at the wall in the best way.

7. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Reid takes on 1980s NASA and absolutely nails it. Strong women, high-stakes missions, forbidden love, and all the drama—it's addictive, emotional, and impossible to put down. Vintage Reid magic in a fresh setting.

8. The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

Abercrombie brings his signature grim wit to a band of notorious anti-heroes on a bloody, hilarious quest. Dark, clever, and packed with twists—classic Abercrombie, but with extra chaos.

Wrapping Up the Year in Fantasy

2025 reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place: worlds that feel bigger than ours, characters who fight for what matters, and stories that make the impossible feel real. From dragon fire to quiet fey whispers, this year delivered.

What fantasy book blew you away in 2025? Share your favorites in the comments—I'm always adding to my never-ending TBR!

Happy reading, and here's to more magic in 2026. 🌿