Cyn’s Workshop’s Best Books of 2025

This year was stacked with unforgettable reads, and narrowing down my best books of the year was not an easy task — but these titles truly stood out. From haunting fantasy worlds and emotionally devastating character arcs to sharp social commentary and epic stakes, these books stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

In this roundup, I’m sharing the books that made me gasp, cry, spiral, and immediately text my bookish friends. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, sci-fi, dark academia, dystopian fiction, or genre-bending stories, this list highlights the reads that delivered on atmosphere, storytelling, and emotional impact.

Here’s to another great year!

1. Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

I loved this book so much. This book has been on my shelf for ages so I’m so happy that I finally got to read it. I loved this rendition of Persephone and Hades. I love how imperfect Persephone is, her rebellious streak, and how it compliments Hades here and his love of the arts. It had great characterization, great pacing, and was utterly perfect.

2. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

Yes this book was so good! I mean, it was chilling, it was spooky, it was the best book I could have read during October. Kingfisher has such a brilliant way of storytelling that sucks you in and chills you to the bone. I will never look at a willow tree the same way ever again.

3. Golden Son by Pierce Brown

THAT ENDING! I could not put this book down. I enjoyed Red Rising a lot. By this book blew me away. The constant plot twists and subterfuge, ugh, it killed me. But not as much as that ending!

4. Morning Star by Pierce Brown

Needless to say I had to pick this book up immediately after finishing Golden Son. Sevro is amazing, that ending kept me on my toes, I mean I was glued to the pages for the entirety of the book, but that last quarter, the rest of the world didn’t exist to me. I love the character development, I loved the dynamics, I loved how the plot progressed. It was amazing.

5. Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Dragonlance Chronicles is the best thing ever. I’m so happy I made time to re-read this trilogy that first inspired my love of dragons and high fantasy. This series is amazing, it has such great complex characters and an amazing story. I love this series.

6. Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

I love this book. I love the way this picks up after Godkiller, it was amazing to see the characters rectify with their darkness, with their anger and heartbreak and contend with forces out of their control. But they grow through it all, and the tension, it’s relentless.

7. Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner

Immediately had to pick this book up after finding Sunbringer. One, that ending made me so sad. I loved the way the story built to it, I loved the way Kaner built her own mythology and created these gods and their shrines and power. Its just a brilliant trilogy that needs to be read.

8. Hera by Jennifer Saint

My new favorite book by Jennifer Saint. I absolutely love the way she tells Hera’s story. She gives her power, she gives her back her agency and also makes her sympathetic. While she doesn’t always have the greatest motive, you can understand her. Such a powerful novel.

9. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Not just this novel but the entire series this far (I’ve read 7 books in the series so far), is amazing. They are short and sweet but so emotionally impactful. The characters have such fun personalities, they’re just amazing and connect to the reader. It’s honestly such an amazing series.

10. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading this novel. It was definitely traumatic but damn it was so incredibly well written. The opening was a little slow but once we get to the academy, the characterization is amazing. Also team Kitay until the end…which broke my heart.

11. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING! I loved this novel and the toxic vampire romance that was going in here. The vampire lore was so well done. I was hooked by the characters, I was hooked by the tension. And the plot twist at the ending, that was just perfection.

12. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

I need Studio Ghibli to turn this book into a movie already because reading this book was like watching a Studio Ghibli movie. It was beautiful, it was effortless, it was pure magic. Everyone needs to read this book.

13. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins does it again. This was masterful and absolutely broke my heart. It explains so much about Haymitch, about the turn of events after Catching Fire, and just ripped my heart out and shoved it back in. I can’t wait to see it come to life. Tissue box at the ready.