Wera & Joy's 2025 TBR Pile Picks

Wera Niyom
5 days ago
27 min read

Hello, fellow eggs!

TBR (To Be Read) piles can often be daunting and never-ending, but part of what makes them exciting is not knowing what book you'll dig into next. Whether you're a mood reader or a schedule reader, Joy and I hope sharing our 2025 TBR Pile with you will help you select some potential books to read in the new year.

Some reviews may contain spoilers, which have been tagged #SpoiledEgg next to the book title. At the end of this article, we'll also share some of our highly anticipated reads of 2026. We hope you enjoy hearing our honest thoughts!

WERA'S 2025 PICKS

1. SIX CRIMSON CRANES by Elizabeth Lim (Book 1, Six Crimson Cranes Duology) #SpoiledEgg The story has an interesting hook, and the author has a compelling voice that makes it easy to immerse the reader. Right off the bat, we see a tension between Shiori and her stepmother, the Nameless Queen, and how Shiori wants to escape her arranged marriage. When I first started, I was in love with the way Elizabeth Lim stays true to her culture. All the concepts of her world are mesmerizing, and the places, plants, and beings in the world have a magical feel to them. It truly feels like an escape from the real world when delving through the pages. I never questioned my ability to visualize the poetic images she crafted. I could see every scene—action-packed, romantic, suspenseful—like it was unfolding right in front of me, and it left me hungry for more.

If I had to choose a favorite character, it’d probably be Takkan because yearning in male leads pulls at my heartstrings! I think we need to normalize cinnamon roll MCs. Not all guys have to be tough. I also really liked Shiori's paper bird companion.

2. THE DRAGON’S PROMISE by Elizabeth Lim (Book 2, Six Crimson Cranes Duology)

I love how the story immediately picks up where we left off in the previous book. Since I didn’t take too much time between the two books in the duology, it was easy to remember what happened and what loose ends needed to be tied up. My heart empathized with Seryu and felt he succumbed to second male lead syndrome because he had this tenderness about him I didn’t know he could express. I like that we saw a different side of him when he and Shiori went to the land of the dragons. I also appreciated how every small conflict built upon the larger stakes. Loose ends were tied up, but there’s also this hopeful tone that there could be more spin-offs in the future. (it’s my hope!) The number of Chinese mythology references and folktale stories was very heartening and provided nostalgia.

3. HER RADIANT CURSE by Elizabeth Lim (Prequel, Six Crimson Cranes Duology)

#SpoiledEgg

After finishing the duology, it was very refreshing to read about the background of Shiori’s stepmother and learn how she came into her position of power as we see in Six Crimson Cranes.

There is a lot of yearning for family acceptance and independence that will resonate with many readers. Incorporating Chinese folklore makes for an intriguing concept, and I absolutely love the sisterly dynamic between Vanna and Channi. Even after all the abuse and exclusion she experienced from her father, stepmother, and even the village, who were appalled by her cursed face, she committed to doing everything she could for her sister. I appreciate that this isn’t a love story, but a story of self-love. But it broke my heart when Channi only wanted her sister to live, only to end up with her face. A face that once brought her comfort, now brings sorrow and regret.

4. A FORGERY OF FATE by Elizabeth Lim

Elizabeth Lim has outdone herself again! A Forgery of Fate is so devastatingly romantic and gives off a level of yearning that is on par with The Sorcerer and the White Snake. Many might ask if I’m tired of reading about dragons in her story, but the answer will always be no. She has managed to create an original, interesting fairytale twist inspired by Chinese mythology with every story. Truyen Saigas is an admirable main character with many strengths. The romance is paced comfortably, and the feelings between the characters are palpable. After finishing the last page, I sat for ten minutes and sighed, even cried, for the characters because they were subjected to so much torment. There is a happy ending, but the journey is rough, much like reality.

5. THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH THE SEA by Axie Oh

Mina’s sacrifice to save her people reminded me of Hunger Games. In reading further, the Sea God and how every year a bride is sacrificed to appease him, it reminded me of one of my favorite manhwa, Bride of the Water God by Mi-Kyung Yun. The story does a great job of showcasing Korean representation in fantasy. The cover and the premise are enticing, and they were the main reasons I chose to read. I wish that there was more development of the gods and setting descriptions. At times, I struggled with visualizing scenes and had to re-read lines. In the Spirit Realm, there appear to be many gods and goddesses (which I’m assuming is influenced by Korean mythology based on the creatures introduced and how some of Mina’s grandmother’s tales align with what I’ve heard from my Korean teacher). But I’d like to know what they look like! The story reads like it should be a duology instead of a standalone, so it left me eager for slower pacing.

6. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS by Zoe Hana Mikuta

Unfortunately, this story is a DNF at 45%. I tried really hard to enjoy it, but couldn’t get immersed in the world or plot. A few things that drew me to the book were the Korean cultural elements and how Hangul was incorporated into worldbuilding, the vivid cover, and the Wonderland concept. I couldn’t visualize what makes this a Wonderland retelling aside from the names that seem to pay homage to the original characters.

7. BLOOD LIKE MAGIC by Liselle Sambury (Book 1, Blood Like Magic Duology)

My RevPit editor recommended this duology for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the play on power (pure vs impure) and how it should be seen as blood and intent. I also really enjoyed the witch elements of the story because they went well with themes of family. The scientific concepts created in this first book blew my mind away because everything was explained in great detail as if it exists in our time today! Voya is a likable character, and I really enjoyed seeing how relationships with family, friends, and her love interest evolved throughout the story. The character's voice was very strong, and part of what made me enthralled with her story were the small details of Trinidadian culture despite it being set in Canada. I also appreciated how it tackled common issues Black communities face as well as misconceptions. Throughout reading, I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to dive into the sequel!

8. BLOOD LIKE FATE by Liselle Sambury (Book 2, Blood Like Magic Duology)

#SpoiledEgg

In the sequel, we see Voya step into the role of Matriarch for her family following the death of her Granny. My emotions were still very raw because I saw a lot of my grandmother in Voya’s Granny. Another thing I found amusing was how Keis chatted with Justin since both were trapped in the house, following the events of Book One. That’s a “friendship” I didn’t expect. But Justin’s appearance suggested his role as the story’s villain wouldn’t be over. Although the story is not heavily romantic, I liked the bit of yearning we got between Voya and Luc. Feelings don’t go away immediately, even if someone betrays the other’s trust, and I felt that Sambury handled it realistically. Eli’s emergence suggested a potential love triangle, but I still rooted for Voya and Luc because we saw their relationship develop organically in Book One. Again, the concept of power in how it is blood and intent is an overarching theme in this book, and I appreciate how Voya’s mission is to help the overall witch community understand this and erase the idea of pure and impure.

The magic system was absolutely breathtaking, especially when Aqua steps into the role of Matriarch for the Davis family. As someone who’s interested in gemstones, I liked how her magic was equated to sapphire. The ending was filled with enough twists and turns. I appreciated how Sambury didn’t forget that Voya was given two gifts after finishing her Calling and how they’re used to set things right. I definitely recommend this duology if you’re looking for more witch stories told from a diverse perspective and with a light romance subplot.

9. DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS by Sue Lynn Tan (Book 1, Celestial Kingdom Duology)

#SpoiledEgg

This was a re-read (for those of you who saw my 2022 recommendations) since I hadn’t read Heart of the Sun Warrior yet, but the story was just as magical as the first readthrough. I really love how Tan employs this mystical beauty in her worldbuilding. The story integrates many breathtaking elements of Chinese culture in her description through a character’s appearance, manner of speaking, myths and legends, flower arrangements and tea! The story reads like a C-drama I needed yesterday. Not only that, Xingyin has many layers to her characterization.

I like that it’s not instant love with Crown Prince Liwei and that they don’t end up together. I think it helps set up for the sequel but also shows she puts a lot of weight into who she wants to be with, who she wants to be since she’s the daughter of a goddess and a mortal hero. Most of her struggles can be attributed to our everyday problems—identity, love, duty and honor, freedom. For those of you interested in discovering more stories with Chinese mythology and forbidden lovers (royalty x “commoner”), I highly recommend this book!

10. HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR by Sue Lynn Tan (Book 2 in Celestial Kingdom Duology)

#SpoiledEgg

Once again, Tan has created something absolutely magical. I love how she weaves in detailed descriptions of characters we’ve seen in the first book as a reminder, but none of it feels like repetition. I had my predictions that this might explore the myth of Wugang the Woodcutter, but I didn’t think it would take on this paranormal aspect of resurrection and concept of life versus death. Such topics are common staples in Asian-inspired fantasy as reincarnation plays a large role in religious beliefs. I like that it’s not romanticized and there are still struggles the characters face (as we see with Houyi’s conflict with the Celestial Emperor). Immortality isn’t an instant fix to one’s problems, and it’s fun seeing how deity characters are empathetic to death compared to what we may see in the media.

The love triangle was something I was not expecting to return, and I really like the hopeful tone of the ending. I was sad she didn’t end up with Liwei, but it’s possible the pressure of what he wanted Xingyin to be could have been too much, whereas Wenzhi accepted her as is from the very beginning. For that reason alone, I can’t fault the story. I would recommend this series to anyone interested in Chinese mythology retellings with YA/adult crossover potential!

11. IMMORTAL by Sue Lynn Tan

Can I just take a moment to sigh? The romance, the spice, the tension! Everything about this book was amazing and at a whole new level of romance. My heartstrings were pulled, Zhangwei’s hardheadedness had me smiling so hard my cheeks hurt (and laughing). I love Liyen’s strong personality and willingness to sacrifice everything to protect her kingdom and the people she loves. There are some connections to the Celestial Kingdom Duology, but not in a way that would require knowledge of those two books. This book definitely gave off Love Between Fairy and Devil vibes in a great way, and it left me hungry for more! I wish this weren’t a standalone, but it had such a conclusive, satisfying ending. The fighting scenes were seamless, like I was watching it all unfold in front of me, and the pacing was comfortable. As usual, Tan’s descriptions are magical. When Liyen rides the qilin, it makes me envious because I wish I could fly through the clouds through these extraordinary realms. Zhangwei and Liyen are definitely a couple you can root for. This book is going onto my “re-read a thousand times” list.

12. NEVER EVER AFTER by Sue Lynn Tan

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.

I am always excited to see what new adventure Sue Lynn Tan has crafted. Her lush prose, detailed worldbuilding, and emotional characterization are things to behold! I enjoyed the subtle similarities present in Tan’s previous books as they provided a sense of nostalgia that brought a smile to my face. Given that this is the beginning of a new series, I really enjoyed that this first book ended on an ambiguous note in terms of the romance development. It could really go either way, though I prefer our female lead ending up with anyone other than the cruel prince. I didn’t think he was redeemable, though I’m curious to see how Tan tackles his characterization in the sequel.

It is perfect for people looking for a book heavy with political intrigue. Though there are romance elements, they are not the focus of the story compared to Tan’s last release. The tension is consistently maintained and designed to keep you on the edge of your seat! I only wish there were stronger Cinderella elements aside from an evil step-relative and a ball that only lasts for a few chapters. Despite that, it checked many other boxes for me.

13. TRIALS OF THE SUN QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli (Book 1, Artefacts of Ouranos Series)

After getting a recommendation to read this series, I was really interested in the magic system and the opening lines. Lor is a well-developed, complex character that I connected with immediately. I also thoroughly enjoyed the creative trials Nisha Tuli developed for Lor to experience. They were filled with tension, suspense, and anxiety. I rooted for Lor the entire book. For that reason, I wasn’t really connected with the potential love interest (the Sun King) because as I saw all the struggles Lor went through; I grew protective of her and suspected anyone who grew closer to her. I also found the perspective Nisha Tuli chose to tell the story. There are two, one of which is in first person and the second in third person. I was intrigued and curious to know the reasoning behind it.

14. RULE OF THE AURORA KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Book 2, Artefacts of Ouranos Series)

The first sequel focuses more on the other male lead of the series. The sexual tension between Lor and Nadir is palpable, though when they had many close moments of intimacy and Lor pulled back, it had me reeling for more. I appreciate the respectful delicacy given to the trauma Lor experienced in Nostraza. It made sense to give the reader room to breathe and process that trauma before forcing the character into a sexual encounter with Nadir. I also appreciated that Nadir was patient and willing to wait as long as Lor needed, as opposed to Atlas, who seemed to force his desires on Lor in the previous book.

15. FATE OF THE SUN KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Book 3, Artefacts of Ouranos Series)

The second sequel sees Lor needing to return to Aphelion to learn how to uncover her magic and reunite with her brother and sister. The push and pull between Lor and Nadir is addicting and is what propelled me to continue this series. My only major critique is that I didn’t like how we bounced between various timelines and different perspectives. It felt like the reader couldn’t be trusted to reach the conclusion the author wanted us to reach. And part of what I liked about the previous two books is that there was enough suspense and mystery surrounding the side characters and antagonist motives. Having so many perspectives muddled the plot and slowed down the tension for me and took away the suspense. Nisha Tuli has crafted a sexually charged story, but I wish she had more trust in the reader.

16. TALE OF THE HEART QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli (Book 4, Artefacts of Ouranos Series)

I really dislike not finishing a series because usually an author has shown some sort of growth alongside their characters, and I’m committed to the journey and the story they wished to show us, the reader. Unfortunately, this series finale didn’t hit quite the way I would have hoped. The issue I had with book 3 continued into book 4. There were too many perspectives, timelines, and even scene shifts that could have been worked into the narrative more smoothly. I disliked that Rion, Nadir’s father, who had been depicted as a jerk for much of this series and impeding our OTP, was given somewhat of a redemption arc all for the sake of a lost love. I think loss makes us do unthinkable things, though throughout this series, I never saw a chance for redemption. Rion was crafted to be the perfect villain, and I think he should have stayed that way. I believe characters should be given second chances, but there have to be moments where irredeemable characters are on the cusp of redemption, where they’re doubting their choices. I didn’t see that with Rion. I just saw a grown fae who allowed all the monstrosities of Nostraza to traumatize young children.

Writing is a craft we as authors must constantly work out because there’s always room for growth. I believe Tuli wrote this story with as much passion as she possibly could, and if I had to recommend published books for authors to learn from, it would certainly be this series, merely for how well she writes action and spicy sequences.

17. CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi (Book 1, Legacy of Orisha Trilogy)

I listened to the audiobook at my local library.

Normally, I don’t listen to audiobooks because it’s hard for me to get invested in a story without a physical copy in my hands, but the narration was absolutely superb. I’m in love with Adeyemi’s magic system. It’s so unique while maintaining the classic themes of racism and classism I enjoy. I’m not familiar with West African mythology or Yoruba culture, but I loved how every element of this book was an exploration of the characters’ identities. The narration by Bahni Turpin is absolutely powerful, and there were several moments when lines resonated with me so strongly, I had to pause what I was doing. There is also a lot of raw emotion that makes it hard to put the book down, and I also appreciated the level of tension in the romantic scenes and urgency during conflict.

18. DRAGONFRUIT by Makiia Lucier

I loved the Pacific Islander representation in this story. There’s a tremendous sense of wonder, adventure, and love for the sea that really sets it apart from most stories with sea/island life as the primary setting for a story. The bits of romance we got between Sam and Hanalei were really heartwarming and adorable, but I wish there was more. I did struggle to see this as a romantic fantasy as I would have liked to see more development on the romance. It’s got the teenage angst and jealousy that you’d typically see in a young adult novel. I also wish we'd got more interiority and dug deeper into the characters’ feelings. I think it’s hard to do that in a third person perspective, but the story was still very entertaining and I’d be more than happy to read a sequel because I need that HEA kiss and a stronger confession of love once these two complete the journey they’ve set out for.

TRIGGER WARNING: the story contains the death of an animal companion and family death. While it did not bother me to read these scenes, they certainly shocked me enough to seek revenge against the killers, much like the characters.

19. THE DARK BECOMES HER by Judy I. Lin

The Dark Becomes Her was a great introduction to horror fantasy for me. I loved the use of Taiwanese folklore, the rich cultural elements, and the suspense of the various ghosts. The spirits and demons were scary enough for me not to want to read it at night! Ruby is a compelling character with a strong sense of family. The sense of disconnect from her Taiwanese heritage in a western setting was very relatable as a Thai diaspora author. It is often difficult to maintain fluency or even gain fluency in a language that your family grew up around but you didn’t. Living in a place like the US or Canada, there’s a pressure to conform, one of which includes language, to belong. I loved that subtext in this story and how foreign language was used in dialogue. The romance subplot had nice layers to it, and I appreciated how it developed out of this conflict.

20. I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy

A sad yet powerful journey through Jennette McCurdy’s life as a child actor. Each page had me holding my breath, wishing for her suffering to end. Unfortunately, trauma has a way of staying with us even after we’ve gone through the steps to heal. After reading this book, my stance on our responsibility to protect child actors has only grown stronger. Kids are meant to be cherished, not manipulated or mistreated. I commend Jennette for having the courage to put all of her pain into words and share it with the world because it takes a brave soul to do it.

21. THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears

This memoir was recommended by one of my good friends, Catherine Harry, and was a heartbreaking read. It’s interesting when I’ve seen one side of the story in magazines and TV news, but we never really heard directly from Britney. I appreciate that she’s been given a platform to discuss her struggles and take accountability for past mistakes. Her story allowed us to see her as a mother who would do anything to protect her children instead of a big pop star. Many people often forget celebrities are people too, so I think instead of idolizing, we need to humanize them more and realize they struggle as much as we do, just in different ways.

22. LIGHTLARK by Alex Aster (Book 1, Lightlark Series)

While searching for other romantasy novels to read as I ventured into romantasy territory for a new project this year, I came across Lightlark in my local library’s catalog. What drew me in wasn’t actually the main character, Isla Crown, but the lush worldbuilding. I loved how the magic worked for each faction and that it wasn’t simply elemental magic. The curse that all the people are trapped under was also equally intriguing. For the majority of the book, I thought it served as the appropriate limitation for each character’s magic. The romance was also unexpected. We’re introduced to Grim initially, and there’s strong attraction between him and Isla, so I believed he would be the only male lead. Then comes Oro, the King of Lightlark and Sunlings. Since the story is told from Isla’s perspective, we don’t really get to see what shifts for Oro. I wasn’t sold on their romance in this part, but I imagine the pieces of the puzzle will fill in more once I delve into the sequel and/or the standalone novellas, Grim and Oro.

23. NIGHTBANE by Alex Aster (Book 2, Lightlark Series)

Discontinuing this sequel wasn’t an option. I was hooked by the first book’s premise and needed to know what would come of Grim, Oro, and Isla because of Grim’s dark warning that Isla would return to him. It was nice to see Oro and Isla’s relationship develop more and to see what made them fall for each other. This was also the toughest story, emotion-wise, to get through because we also see Isla struggle with erased memories and how/when they surface affects her relationship with Oro and causes this split heart between two male leads. The amnesia subplot was handled well, and it added tension to the story because there’s this deadline that Isla needs to remember in order to save Lightlark. While there were plenty of twists and turns, it killed me to see another protagonist torn between two love interests with the same level of love, but not necessarily the same type. I really feel for both love interests in different ways and think they’ve been misunderstood by the reader for different reasons.

24. SKYSHADE by Alex Aster (Book 3, Lightlark Series)

This was the hardest book to read, mostly because I couldn’t get on board with Isla’s choices with respect to her romantic interests. It felt like she flip-flopped between the two male leads too much that it gave me whiplash and even made me angry at her. I appreciated the reconnect with Grim, but the amount of emotional turmoil she put him through, even after he made amends, really hurts my soul. Then, there’s Oro, who is still reeling from her sudden departure and admission that she loves them both. Isla was very cynical for most of this book, though I appreciate her dedication to sacrificing herself rather than Grim or Oro. Some of the magic was difficult for me to visualize, but I always try to stay committed to finishing a series because authors are always improving their craft, and it’s interesting to see that evolution. I was thoroughly surprised to discover there’s a sequel following this one, so I look forward to seeing how Aster wraps up the series and also reading the perspectives of Grim and Oro in their standalone novellas.

25. GRIM AND ORO by Alex Aster (Standalone Novellas, Lightlark Series)

I almost dropped this series after Skyshade, but I discovered the novellas provided more context for each male lead’s motives, and I decided to give them a try. I enjoyed reading Grim’s backstory and how he rose to power, how his father’s teachings are in the back of his mind constantly. He made a very interesting layered character.

I did not, however, enjoy Oro’s story. Oro’s felt more like an obsession, and while I understand there are some Oro x Isla shippers out there, I’m sadly not one of them. I’m not convinced that he loves her the way Grim does. Oro seems like he wants Isla to be this other person, but Grim accepts every part of Isla, even if she’s made grave mistakes, because he understands that he’s not perfect either.

26. CROWNTIDE by Alex Aster (Book 4, Lightlark Series)

#SpoiledEgg

Being this far into the series, I felt committed to finishing. Though I was incredibly disappointed to discover that there is a potential fifth book in the works to be released within the next year. It's difficult to maintain reader interest across a series. Sadly, Crowntide has fallen victim to that. I believe it’s been drawn out too long, and previous plot twists have been recycled to further this “why choose” narrative apparent in the series. I’m not a fan of the amnesia trope, but the chemistry between Isla and Grim was powerful enough for me to overlook it in Nightbane. In this book, we see Grim become subjected to a memory-tampering spell conducted by his believed-to-be-dead ancestor. It frustrated me enough to switch to another book, and I came very close to DNF-ing several times, but my pure stubbornness won this round.

Without seeing the series through rose-colored glasses, I realized the series’ other flaws. There aren’t any consequences for the magic in the world without the curses. Each character waves their hands, casting world-shattering level magical power. When do they become tired? What are its limitations? Even the romantic view of the female lead through the two male leads’ eyes becomes less romantic and more of a sexualized male gaze. Isla must make Grim fall in love with her in order to save them both and return to Lightlark, but what about Isla makes her attractive to them both? This book focuses more on her appearance and magical strength rather than her choices or personality. I love the idea of two people fated to fall in love with each other in every reality, but it has to go deeper than physical attraction. You can be physically attracted to someone, but not be compatible emotionally. But it didn’t feel like that was the case in this book. Also, for the love of eggs, I wish it were made clear who Isla will choose, given that we are in book four. Warning, there is a massive cliffhanger at the end that threatens all worlds.

27. QUICKSILVER by Callie Hart (Book 1 in Fae & Alchemy Series)

The start was slow for me, and I had difficulty connecting with Saeris early on because she felt too similar to strong-willed, oppressed female leads I’ve seen in books as of late. But as the book progressed, it drew me in. I enjoyed the quicksilver magic system and the elements of alchemy. The latter reminds me of the Daoist elements in Chinese fantasy, though spun through a different lens. Kingfisher has a mysterious aura about him when first introduced, but he does successfully come across as a mega-badass. The banter between the characters made me laugh, though not as hard as when I finally discovered the meaning behind this “seven gods” meme I've been seeing on Instagram.

Kingfisher is a hard character to like in the beginning. He is very full of himself, and that confidence comes off as obnoxious arrogance, but he definitely fulfills that hardened ML trope we see in these darker romantasies. His personal transformation was handled with care, and I thought Hart handled the push and pull element of their relationship. The spicy scenes were also tastefully done. Couple that with fated mates and it’s a winner for me. I could see myself rereading this and continuing this series, though I look forward to a spin-off with Carrion the most. As a character who pushes boundaries, he ended up being my favorite character.

28. FRIENDS, LOVERS, AND THE BIG TERRIBLE THING by Matthew Perry

It’s always difficult to read about another person’s struggles and not draw parallels to our own lives. Matthew Perry’s story is no different. I’ve been putting off reading this one because of how much I enjoyed his different TV and film portrayals and how sudden his death came. It was a thousand times harder hearing the raw pain in his narration of the audiobook, but I felt that I could understand a perspective that’s commonly portrayed in the media. Like mental health illnesses, addiction isn’t something someone can overcome with sheer willpower. The person has to want to heal, but they also need a solid support system that can fill them with the love and strength they need to overcome those demons. Sadly, it’s not always enough then. It’s heartbreaking to hear how the people who make us laugh the hardest are often the ones suffering the most.

29. BAD ASIANS by Lillian Li

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.

It had a relatively slow start, but what kept me reading was how easily I could relate to each character’s journey in becoming someone they respected, rather than what their parents wanted. I appreciated how this story explored different Asian stereotypes and really deconstructed them to humanize Asian individuals. Like others, we struggle with overcoming obstacles. They may take shape in different ways, but life is far from perfect even if it may seem like that from the outside looking in. As an Asian woman, I think it serves as a powerful message to anyone who may go through similar situations as the characters Grace, Vivian, Errol, Justin, and Diana. People make mistakes, and we should be allowed to, while also reflecting on why they’re mistakes and how we can grow from them.

In terms of storytelling, I liked how each chapter seemed to focus on each character and only brought them together when there was another conflict that involved all of them. It’s a very intricate web that would be hard to follow if the author did not lay the groundwork for each character, what’s expected of them, and their true goals. With that being said, I think the author did a great job of treating each character with sensitivity and ensuring they could stand on their own without one being overshadowed when brought together as a group. I liked the story more as I got further into and even chuckled to myself as I’ve gone through many of these struggles myself.

30. QUEEN OF FACES by Petra Lord (Book 1, Queen of Faces)

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.

I liked the examination of gender and the intersectionality with classism. The wealthy and magically powerful individuals of Caimor have the privilege of buying chassis, designer bodies forged to suit the person living in them. Whereas people like Annabelle Gage, who are struggling to survive, must find unconventional methods to escape their impoverished town, hoping to begin anew. I loved how the romance was fluid between characters and gender didn’t play a large role in whether a character fell for another. Though, I wish there was more exploration of non-binary individuals and how they’re perceived in society as I felt we just barely grazed the surface. Mostly out of curiosity to see how it draws parallels to our society.

About 51-54% through the book, I floundered a bit with the heist elements because I thought we could have more interiority with Anna and Nell’s perspectives instead of being more of a recount of what happened through their memories rather than being in the moment. The conflicts tied nicely together, but the ending was a bit jumbled. Part of what contributed to this was the two new POVs given towards the end of the book. Most of the story is told from Anna and Nell’s perspectives, which begs the question of why we didn’t get those other perspectives sooner? Why not tell those two new POVs through the existing main characters’ perspectives?

The prestigious entrance exam of Paragon is also a great commentary on the importance of knowledge and its accessibility. Those in poor conditions, like Anna, who apply and don’t pass, can’t escape the cycle of poverty. One message that struck me the most is the emphasis on sharing our knowledge instead of only sticking to what is already known. Focusing on the empty pages rather than the filled ones because there’s always something we can teach and learn from others.

There is a great set-up for a potential sequel, and I would definitely see myself continuing the story to see how it continues to unfold for Anna. My greatest hope is that we get a closer view of Anna learning how to wield her magic, perhaps through stronger groundings of the academic settings. The magic system is so unique and interesting that I’d love to learn more about what the teachers are trying to pass on to the students and how that may relate to Anna and Nell’s journeys instead of it simply being a story taking place in a school setting.

31. I'LL FIND YOU WHERE THE TIMELINE ENDS by Kylie Lee Baker

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.

This was my first introduction to Kylie Lee Baker’s work and after reading this ARC, I am a fan! I love how she integrates the feeling of not truly belonging when being a minority in another country. It truly felt like a love letter to mixed race individuals. It also satisfies the time travel mood I was in after scouring various time loop comics. The sci-fi elements that come with Mina’s time traveling were interwoven with fascinating Japanese mythos that made it easy to follow along. Dragons. What’s not to like about dragons?

The romance between Mina and Yejun is achingly bittersweet. There is fun banter between the two that is addicting to read and I love how her desire to find her sister and conflict with the descendants pares well with that romance. It is a thrilling, cute, and lovable read deserving of my “re-read a thousand times” list. I can’t wait to delve into her next story!

JOY'S 2025 PICKS

1. LEI AND THE FIRE GODDESS by Malia Maunakea

I loved the descriptions of the flora in Hawaii and how much of the culture showed through in the story. You can really feel the love of the culture and the respect the author has for honoring her culture through this story, which I find beautiful in itself. There is always a need for kids to learn about other cultures, and this is a great example of exposing them to an underrepresented culture in literature and representing kids from that culture. The adventures were a good read, but I felt Leilani was constantly under stress and there wasn’t time to really breathe or let her be a kid. She always had to solve a problem or act maturely. The only time that she didn’t fall into either of those categories was when she had to cry, which was a great moment, but I wish there were some light moments to make it less heavy for the reader to sit through. There were no comedic relief characters that could’ve alleviated the constant tension, and I noticed all the characters that surrounded Leilani were all mentor figures or people who scolded her. There wasn’t enough room or empathy for Leilani’s inner struggles of not truly belonging to her native culture, and there was a jump in the story where she suddenly accepts her culture and takes on her name, asking to be called Lei instead of Anna. I wish there was a bigger scene that made it clear that she felt accepted by her culture and, in turn, her embracing her culture to make that reclamation of her name more impactful. Being a third culture kid myself, I could relate hard to Leilani to the moments of scolding, and I wish she had someone on her side who would let her feel welcomed rather than forced into a plot point.

I also noticed a lot of the Hawaiian language used in the novel sometimes didn't come with translations which I have no issue with because I usually don't know what my family is talking about in their native tongue (aside from the times they're talking about me) so I could easily figure things out via context clues or just let the moment be since it didn't impede my understanding of the story. If this is an issue for someone else, it's best to keep this in mind while reading the story. The word "crap" was also used in this story (only once) and while I don't mind language use like this, depending on the family or kid and what language boundaries they have in their household, this might be a sticking point. If you or a kid you know loves learning new mythology and wants to learn more in a fun fictional setting, this book is for you.

2. SINGLE PLAYER by Tara Tai

It sort of hurt how realistic it was for Andi to be the focus of a video game company’s answer to deflect outrage on lacking diversity but also the target of backlash for those that are angry with more diverse topics being included in what is a traditionally white cishet male-oriented medium. They were thrust into the spotlight when they just wanted to make video games, and it was presented in a way that the reader can empathize with them.

Cat, on the other hand, was bubbly and balanced Andi’s pessimistic demeanor. I especially found it interesting how her unsuccessful relationship twisted in a direction I didn’t expect. I was expecting one romance trope, but it turned into a different one, and it was a welcome change as miscommunication is a big frustration for me, but it was quickly shot down as the characters had fast realizations.

Overall, this was a sapphic read that had me squealing. I have a hard time finding adult sapphic romance reads that I thoroughly enjoy, so I’m glad I can point to this book as being one of my go-to recommendations.

3. RULES FOR RULE BREAKING by Talia Tucker

This is a cute childhood enemies-to-lovers romance between long-time family friends, Winter Park and Bobby Bae. The cover of this book is this very sweet cotton candy look, and the contents match it perfectly. There is some exploration of what it means to be Korean in an American context from the two characters as one is a very hardworking person who skipped a grade but makes it look easy while the other has issues with speaking and understanding Korean but is equally just as proficient in academic studies. These two eventually take a risk by breaking outside of their strict rule-following natures and eventually get to know each other better in the process. If you’re looking for a cute, sweet, and light Korean American teen romance, I highly recommend “Rules for Rule Breaking” as it doesn’t disappoint.

4. SONGS FOR GHOSTS by Clara Kumagai

This is the best retelling I’ve ever read. Usually, retellings entail a story retold near exactly like the original in terms of plot beats and some character development and roles but in “Songs for Ghosts” the original story is a background for the ghost while the main story is the main character desperately trying to help the ghost avoid misfortune but also almost out of curiosity to find out what happened to the ghost’s son. The original story was very sexist and racist and this retelling turns it on its head and critiques society’s treatment of Japanese Americans and the historical events of WWII while adding a strong motive of the ghost wanting to find out what happened to the son that was ripped away from her.

5. HAMMAJANG LUCK by Makana Yamamoto

“Hammajang Luck” is an angsty queer Hawaiian scifi heist story that was so much fun to read and had twists and turns with action that didn’t leave me bored. The initial introduction to the brains of the operation made me just as wary as the main character, and the unfolding of the heist made me keep reading as I wanted to know how he would make it out in the end. The queer representation of the main character being called auntie with no negative feelings by both parties but still fully going through society as a trans man really was a nice touch too since there’s definitely more blurriness with how trans folks interact with the world than a strict binary that I appreciate. It’s overall a fun thrill with a Hawaiian background and queer characters and a unique space-themed heist.