6 Excellent Books I Read in 2025

Alright, so I've been pretty bad at blogging about the books I've read in 2025, but I wanted to at least highlight these excellent reads before I jump into my 2026 reading. 

  

The Silo Saga by High Howey 

 Wool was probably the first self-published book I read way back in the day and it was definitely the first e-book I read so it holds a special place in my heart. In 2025 I watched the Silo TV series and it made me want to re-read the books. 

Just like the first time I read them, I found myself compelled to read on; this is a true page-turner! And just like the first time I read them, I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I can't wait to see how some of these things are going to be adapted for TV in future seasons.  

 

 

 

 

 

Blood Mage by K. S. Villoso (Daegian Puppet-Master Book 2)

There's a certain point in the book when I realized that they had crossed over the threshold of this adventure and weren't going to catch a break until the end of the book! This is Villoso's style of throwing her characters into the heart of the action and pulling the reader along for the ride! 

And, of course, the aspect of Villoso's storytelling that keeps me coming back for more: those deep, thoughtful, raw musings about empire and identity and injustice that make these books stand out. I highlighted a lot of them in this book, but one that is short and poignant:

"There were rules, and they didn't apply equally." 

I went into this book thinking it was the last one in the Dageian Puppetmaster series, that this particular adventure was just a duology, but I was pleasantly surprised at the end to find out there's another one planned! I can't wait!

 

 

 

 

The Acolyte (Firebrand Book 3) by D. E. Olesen 
   

This third installment in the series is just as good as the other two. I may have even enjoyed it more because I'm now familiar with the characters and with the setting. Martel is also definitely growing in terms of his maturity and ability to handle the situations he's put in, which is very nice. 

There are some really great and interesting uses of different types of magic. I also really loved the potion-making aspects of the book. Overall, an excellent installment and I'll definitely be going back for the next one.  

 

 

 

 


Pemberley: Mr Darcy's Dragon by Maria Grace 

I loved the way the author combines the dragons with Austen's Pride & Prejudice story - the world-building was excellent and it was all woven in seamlessly. Great stuff. The only word of warning I have is that you won't get the entire Pride & Prejudice storyline completed in this book as it's the first in what seems to be quite a long series. Of course, I had to move right on to book 2 when I was done...  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longbourn: Dragon Entail by Maria Grace 

I read this book in pretty much one day. It's a great follow up to the first one and the dragon world-building is developed a lot more while the interpretation of Austen's original story becomes a bit looser as the story comes into its own. I'm quite interested to see what happens in the next one as, again, things were hinted at that make quite a compelling case for moving right along to the next one and binge-reading. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wishing Stone (Chronicles of GamGam Book 2) by Adam Holcombe
 

I had trouble sticking with the last couple of books I tried reading so I decided to go to something I knew I would enjoy and pick up the sequel to A Necromancer Called Gam Gam! The Wishing Stone did not disappoint. It has that same unique charm I loved about the first book and every page is filled with adventure for Mina and Gam Gam. I loved some of the new characters, the whole development of Mina's abilities, and particularly enjoyed Nugget's little adventure. That being said, I don't want to accidentally spoil anything so I'll end this review by encouraging everyone to check it out! 

 

 

 

Well, that's it. Those are the books I read in 2025! (other than reading my own WIPs several times to edit them!) All of these were awesome books that I would highly recommend! Just make sure you start with the first in each series as many of these are second or middle books. 

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