The Best Of 2025

Ten years! Welcome to the tenth anniversary of The Quill to Live’s best books of the year list! 2025 has been a banger year for science fiction, fantasy, and horror. One of the strongest years of the decade, 2025 was filled with standout books in multiple genres. There were actually so many interesting releases, sequels, and debuts this year that even after several months of crunching, we are still catching up on some of the great releases of the year. Forgive us, as after 10 years, we are getting old and tired. There are reviews coming for all of the books currently without links; look forward to them later this month. The crew read over 150 releases in 2025 and whittled the list down to 20 picks this year. As always, in order to get this list out promptly before the end of the year, we have rolled December 2024 into this list, and December 2025 will roll into 2026’s list. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best stories of 2025. Thank you all for joining us once again in this annual QTL tradition.

 

20) The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino – This is a romantasy worth fighting for. A prickly woman knight is entrenched in a co-dependent relationship with her childhood best friend as they navigate a never-ending war and hide her true, royal identity. The dynamic between these two is addicting, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out. When it comes to Grey and Kier, their priority is always to each other, and they put their safety and secrets above all. Not only is their relationship sticky, but their magic is all tied up in each other as well. Grey is the well of magic that fuels Kier’s abilities, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if he loves her or the power that she gives him. This is a complicated relationship in a fantasy setting that serves as an intriguing backdrop that forces the duo into some interesting moments and action sequences. It was a coherent and believable love story in a year of force romances and chemistryless couples.

You can find our full review here

19) Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado – A powerful character story about noble children on quests for revenge set in an African-inspired fantasy. Other than the fabulous African setting, there aren’t a lot of fresh ideas propelling Birth of a Dynasty. Yet, although it relies on genre staples, this book delivers on those core tenets fabulously. Absolutely delightful character PoVs, mentors soaked in wisdom, great political intrigue, and a fast-paced, thrilling plot all combine to make an absolute page-turner that I flew through. The book trips up a little on the prose but makes up for it in almost every other category. For anyone looking for a new book that delivers on beloved modern fantasy elements with a fresh coat of setting paint, Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado will be right up your alley.

You can find our full review here (soon)

18) This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman – You might have seen Cole’s review of DCC earlier this year; he was not a fan. But some other members of the site also read the series and were more interested in seeing where Dinniman was going. Having now somehow read the entirety of the series during 2025, we were relatively pleased with the latest entry, This Inevitable Ruin. Dinniman’s ability to set up a Chekhov’s Gun that looks like a Rube Goldberg Machine is unmatched. His ability to take absolutely explosive chaos and channel it into a coherent plot has allowed him to forge one of the most popular and genre-defining series to come out recently. This Inevitable Ruin is no exception, delivering multiple foreshadowed plot threads to their spectacular conclusion and moving the story closer to what feels like the endgame. The book did feel a little more uneven than some of the earlier entries in the series, but the narrative still feels very strong, and I am ready to grab my popcorn bucket and see what happens next in this wild roller coaster of a story.

You can find our full review here (soon)

17) Lies Weeping by Glen Cook – The Black Company is an all-time favorite series of the QTL team, and I would argue it’s probably the single most foundational story in how we came to be a group reviewing books. So, it’s not an understatement to say that there was a disproportionate amount of scrutiny being lobbed toward a brand new Black Company book for the first time in twenty-five years. For this reason, placing Lies Weeping has proven to be a singular challenge this year because it is both an unimaginable achievement and also a book that I can’t imagine a typical reader enjoying. It is truly magical that after twenty-five years, Cook was able to rekindle the magic of unreliable narrators, unique POV shifts, and anti-war commentary that are the hallmarks of this entire series. At the same time, this is a book about bored soldiers in the downtime between conflicts, and it results in a book that is, in itself, kinda boring. Sure, it has brilliant commentary on what happens when a military-industrial complex isn’t given a clear direction, and on the strangely transformative effects of long-term occupations, and on the legacy that war leaves behind, but it’s also glacially slow. The result is a wonderfully unique book that had us go, “I don’t know, 17th, I guess?” Which is a lot less systematic than our rankings usually are.

You can find our full review here (soon)

16) Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson – The Year of Sanderson was over, but Sanderson himself wasn’t quite done. Following Wind and Truth at the tail-end of 2024, he released Isles of the Emberdark in early 2025. It was everything the sprawling, epic, sometimes messy (but still very enjoyable) conclusion to Stormlight’s first arc wasn’t. Isles of the Emberdark expanded on a novella previously found in Arcanum Unbounded and marked a return to focused, character-driven narratives and a coinciding breath of fresh air for Sanderson fans who needed that type of book most. The story was action-packed, tightly woven, and packed to the brim with Cosmere goodies. Not a Cosmere reader? Then you might want to backtrack a bit and start by perusing our suggested reading order. You won’t get to Emberdark for quite some time, but when you do, rest assured it will have been worth your while.

You can find our full review here

15) The Art of Legend by Wesley Chu – The prophecy set in motion three books ago comes to fruition in the final book of the War Arts Saga as we follow powerful war artists on all sides of the conflict to see how their legacy is made on the world. My favorite thing about this book is that Chu challenged my expectations of the chosen one’s typical arc. I fell too easily into the well-worn groove of anticipating a young hero to develop and emerge triumphant. Chu’s main character, Jian, is untested and far from perfect, and we get to see him fail a lot with devastating consequences. Our lackluster chosen one is surrounded by an incredible cast of leading ladies—an aging war artist, a selfish assassin, and a loyal warrior, whom I would die for. It is unbelievable how Chu continues to take the on-screen energy of watching a great martial arts film and somehow translates it into a novel. This book is an absolute blast with its immersive fight scenes and expertly placed humor.

You can find our full review here

14) The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw – Khaw’s novel about apocalyptically powered children being gobbled by the professors sworn to teach them how to navigate the human world is a gruesome pleasure. It is bursting with flavorful prose that seasons the main course: Hellebore’s characters. It’s fun, dark, and filled with delicious insights and screeds about institutional learning and the people who profit from it. It even saves room for dessert as it licks its chops over the destruction of the individual in favor of establishing the reputation of the university and the people who control it. Also, who doesn’t enjoy a magical school story? Hellebore is a book that both criticizes and examines the dark academia subgenre, while also showcasing what can be accomplished when a story digs a little deeper. In regular Khaw fashion, it’s also gory and gooey in the way that they do best – violent, detailed, and incredibly on theme.

You can find our full review here

13) Slow Gods by Claire North – Ethereal weirdness that reflects on the human condition is always a big crowd pleaser as a central theme for the QTL team. It is very hard to tell stories about immortal godlike beings without having the book devolve into pandering self-insert slop, and Slow Gods is one of those exceptions. A weird and enchanting dream that is also a clear criticism of capitalistic America. Slow Gods uses classic genre conventions well. A story that is great at showcasing horrifying cosmic horrors and makes them relatable without ever crossing over into knowable. It is a story that uses powerful juxtaposition to set the unfathomable beauty of the universe against the awful banality of today’s everyday evil, driving home the gut-punch message that cruelty is beyond stupid. Slow Gods is a book with a light touch but a heavy impact, and it seamlessly uses a far-flung future to illustrate today’s issues. And it does it all with great pacing, a strong voice, and character arcs that pay off.

You can find our full review here

12) Mechanize My Hands to War by Erin K Wagner – Wagner’s debut novel is a slow-burn meditation on the nature of artificial intelligence. In a future Appalachia where climate change clashes with technology in its various forms, one man recruits child soldiers to wage war with the system that has wronged the region. And when a military android repurposed as a cop kills one of those children, the detectives hunting the rebellious leader are thrown into a crisis. Mechanize is not going to dazzle you with the spectacular, choosing to approach its subject with a deliberate but matter-of-fact style that tries to unravel all the knots that lead to where the story takes place. It is decidedly human in its treatment of all its characters, whether they are human or machine. It is a quiet reflection on the things that progress leaves in its wake as it inevitably marches into the future. Pick this one up if you want something more contemplative to chew on when it comes to dystopias.

You can find our full review here

11) Red City by Marie Lu – This book is painful, hard, enlightening, and full of love. From the sacrifices of a single mother to a doomed friendship torn apart by a violent turf war, Marie Lu made this story hurt in all the best ways. Reading Red City was like performing alchemy, giving up a little of myself to be changed in return. It’s filled with anguish and hard choices, and not even glamorous Los Angeles can soothe the scars that Lu leaves upon your heart. The alchemical magic system in Red City is a powerful transmutation that leaves nothing unscathed. Lu weaves creation and destruction throughout it all—through people, relationships, feelings, choices, and so much more. Lu’s transition to adult novels heralds in a new era of can’t-miss stories if their quality continues to match Red City.

You can find our full review here

10) The Incandescent by Emily Tesh – Tesh has been putting out killer books since 2019 and has firmly established herself as an author to watch. The Incandescent is the second standalone story in two years that Tesh has released, and it knocked me off my socks. Tesh is a phenomenal writer, and this is clearly evident in the polish and directness of her literary agenda in The Incandescent. She has found the mathematical horizon where she can tell the smallest amount of story and worldbuilding to make her story feel real, then stuff the rest of the book with thematic execution and payoff. The Incandescent is completely engrossing and has deeply relatable and richly defined characters–but they are there to ferry you to her ending, and her ending hits home with the force of a cannon. The payoff from the themes of trauma, emotional baggage, and the cyclical nature of our past led to a perfect ending. Like a beautiful domino display that falls to reveal a stunning tapestry, it left me impressed, satisfied, and wanting more. It is a powerful, contentious way to end a book, giving her writing a very clear authorial voice and leaving me impressed.

You can find our full review here

9) Days of Shattered Faith by Adrian Tchaikovsky – Our 9th and 8th place are a tie this year, as I couldn’t pick which killer Tchaikovsky book was better. The first thing I want to talk about is the next entry in the Tyrant Philosopher series. Tchaikovsky has done it again as brothers vie for the throne of Usmai and the Pallaseen try to get their grubby little hands on everything they can. At the forefront of this expedition is the office of Outreach, the Pallaseen’s vanguard forces, who use imperfection to get their perfect little feet in the door of another vibrant culture before they can consume and homogenize. Through this escapade into the swamps and jungles of Usmai, Tchaikovsky investigates the dialectics of such a project as the Pallaseen are changed in their gobbling up of everything magical in pursuit of a singular perfection. If you’re already a fan of the series, this is another strong entry. And if you haven’t started it yet, well, here’s your sign to dive into his chaotic and weird fantasy world.

You can find our full review here

8) Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky – It is always so nice to have a standalone science fiction or fantasy book that absolutely slaps just as hard as the big epic series. Shroud is another banger from site favorite Tchaikovsky, and as always, it is a masterwork in taking an idea and exploring it to the ends of the Earth (or beyond in this case). I always underestimate Tchaikovsky’s ability to create aliens and environments that are beyond my imagination, yet time after time, he pulls it off. His ability to expand and iterate on even his own previous ideas makes his work always feel like it’s improving, growing, and evolving to something worth watching. While many authors in the genre are dumbing their work down to make it easy for readers to turn off their brains, Shroud is a monument to all the great works still coming out that will make you think, teach you new things, and help you look both inward and outward. A delightful story for any kind of reader, you will not regret your lamentably short time with this excellent book.

You can find our full review here

7) The Works of Vermin by Hiron Ennes – So you’re saying you’ve wanted a rock opera that explores the nature of identity and the inevitability of change in the backdrop of major social upheaval and revolution? Then look no further than Ennes’s sophomore effort as they throw you onto the stage, thrusting you into the schemes and machinations of low and high society, where pests abound. Never have bugs and vermin meshed so beautifully with perfumes and operas in this sweeping tale of tragedy and will to power. This is a tale dripping with atmosphere and committed to an aesthetic that makes its competition look gaudy and disorganized. Ennes knows that the stage is as much a force as the individuals that act upon it, and loving creates a world where social forces can’t help but knock each other about in grand displays of competition. This is a story that dives deep into the underbelly as it scrabbles for the highest towers of power.

You can find our full review here (soon)

6) The Strength of the Few by James Islington – The Will of the Many was a massively popular genre pleaser, but it lacked the special sauce that The Licandius Trilogy was oozing with. I suspected that The Strength of the Few would be where Islington ripped the mask off and revealed that he had trapped casual fantasy readers into a trench deep conversation about the nature of metaphysics on the human psyche, and I was 100% correct. Strength is a wonderfully original look at a fascinating character story in Vis. It was one of the two most unique stories I have read this year, the other being the #1 book on the list. Despite picking up from one of the greatest cliffhangers of the decade, the book generated more questions than almost every other book I read this year combined. A true enigma of a story that simply begs to be explored over and over again, it was one of the few novels I read this year that I wanted to reread immediately on completion. Given my experience with Islington’s last series, my love for this book will only grow with time. But for now, I do think it’s very minor pacing issues that kept it from cracking the very top of the list in this incredible year. In almost any other annual list, this could easily top the chart.

You can find our full review here

5) The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson – A fantasy debut heavyweight that is still somehow sneaking under some people’s radar, The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson is a powerhouse first book. An exciting world, hilarious dialogue, surprising twists, and masterful exposition combine to create a mystery-fantasy that will keep you guessing. I loved the protagonist, Neema, and her relationships with the various houses of the world. It has been a long time since I wanted to take a personality test for a book to see where I would sit inside its worldbuilding. Hodgeson taps into fantasy genre staples with a book based on a tournament arc, a rogue gallery filled with rakes, and numerous characters with mysterious motivations. Plus, who doesn’t love a wise-cracking animal companion who is actually funny? While there were a few pieces of the book that felt a little uneven, the final result is still one of the most memorable starts to a series we have had in years. Every chapter left me hungry for more. Every piece of the puzzle we find expands the canvas’s boundaries.

You can find our full review here

4) Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay – Sorry to be incredibly boring this year, but our top four books of 2025 are looking to be career bangers from site-beloved authors. Guy Gavriel Kay might be the most beloved author of the collective staff of this site, and it should be unsurprising to see anything he puts out in the top picks of a given year. Written on the Dark is a small novel about small-time poets with big voices. Kay’s timely history lesson about guerrilla tavern poets has felt poignant this year, and I have held several takeaways from this eloquent and florid tale close to my heart as a talisman against despair. Characters you can lose your soul in, choices that alter the course of history, and proximity to power that drags you in its wake without the ability to meaningfully affect it–all the Kay signatures are here and remind us why he is considered one of the best authors in the business today. I left this book more interested in poetry and more thoughtful as I moved through my day, a sure sign of the story’s monumental power.

You can find our full review here

3) A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett – Honestly, if you are a fan of the site, I almost certainly don’t need to sell you a Bennett novel. You know we love them, and you likely love them. What a surprise to see a Bennett book at the top of our list. Yet it is still worthwhile to discuss how this specific Bennett book is fabulous and to laud it as it deserves to be treasured. While most authors often struggle with the second books of trilogies, somehow Bennett’s bridge stories are frequently his best. The man is a literary architect. A Drop of Corruption is a noticeable step up from The Tainted Cup, a book that was absolutely no slouch. It builds successfully on the intricate foundation established in book one and uses it as a launch point to reach new heights. The prose is haunting, as always, and the mystery feels like a modern classic. No one knows how to inject a kernel of delicious horror into his epic fantasy like RJB, and it continues, year after year, to make his stories feel fresh and to keep them top of mind as I lay my head down to dream at night. Corruption is an awe-inspiring book, and I knew it would place highly in an extremely competitive year, even when I read it back in February.

You can find our full review here

2) The Devils by Joe Abercrombie – Any year that Joe Abercrombie puts out a new book, it is safe to assume that it will dominate most best of fantasy lists. After ten plus books of just stabbing me in the heart repeatedly with the same tricks, you would think I would wise up or grow numb to his shenanigans–but somehow every time feels like the first. The Devils has every signature of Abercrombie’s best work: unforgettable characters, devilish action, clever reveals, and deep cuts on the human condition. But it also reads much more fun and irreverent than much of his other work, and it felt like just what I needed this year. Abercrombie’s writing has constantly reminded me of an author sharpening a knife to unimaginable thinness. He takes popular tropes and character archetypes that genre fans know and love and forges them into something deadly through terror and trauma. The fact that Abercrombie can inject so much humor into the story while doing these terrible things to his characters is one of the things that sets the book a cut above the rest. How does this author keep designing the most morally dubious characters I have ever met and making me fall in love with them? It is a mystery that I can’t wait to keep exploring.

You can find our full review here

1) Dead Hand Rule by Max Gladstone – Best book of the year, easily one of the best books of the last five, and now one of my favorite books of all time. In 2024, I called Wicked Problems my dream Craft novel. Somehow, the sequel has ascended to something beyond my imagination. Dead Hand Rule is a hard book to encapsulate for someone not fully immersed in the Craft Sequence. The ninth book in the series, there is a little more buy-in than usual required to understand what makes this the best book of the year. Sure, it has elements anyone can grasp: topical themes, incredible execution, dialogue that burns into your memory, brilliant character arcs, and boundless imagination. But it is also a wonderful tribute to a fantastic series that has been going on as long as this site has. Gladstone has assembled quite a large cast of protagonists over the course of the story, and they are balanced masterfully. Each lead shines in their own unique way, and their wonder burns brighter than a star. If you are lucky and pick up a great book, you might be rewarded with one or two incredible moments that stick with you for the rest of the year. Dead Hand Rule is a book that feels like it is entirely made up of those sorts of incredible moments. It is hard to pick out, or even process, all the jaw-dropping scenes because the narrative speedbags the reader into oblivion with delicious thematic execution and a decade’s worth of plot payoff at all times. To top it all off, this isn’t even the last book in the series despite how many character arcs it progresses. The Craft Wars continues to get better, and better, and better. How will the next book possibly surpass this masterpiece?

You can find our full review here

-A note from the QTL team. Happy 2025, and we wish you the best of all holidays, from our families to yours! We typically do not ask our readers for assistance in promoting our work, but as we spend an enormous amount of time working on our end-of-year wrap-up: shares and posts of this list are greatly appreciated. We hope you had a wonderful 2025, and we look forward to showing you our new list next year!