Odyssey Book BloG

I read a lot of books in 2025 (92). Some were good, some bad, some just okay. A few just voluntary junk food. But here’s a list of some serious sci-fi, fantasy stand-outs. A few of these were new and a few old, but all great picks to check out in 2026 if you haven’t already!

1. Lightbringer, Pierce Brown

This year, the Red Rising series was my newly discovered favorite Sci-Fi series EVER. I could have filled this list with the entire series (because every book was really that good) but that felt like a waste. If you haven’t gotten around to this one yet, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s high stakes, dramatic, philosophical, and absolutely shocking and those traits were on display loudly in the most recent installment, Lightbringer. The final book, Red God, is slated for 2026 and I’m not quite ready for it to be over.

2. The Priory of the Orange Tree, Samantha Shannon

Shannon really knows how to write high fantasy and quickly became a fav of mine with this one. It’s a BIG book, and I was unsure at first but its size is due to the immense and wonderfully done world building and character development. The book is about three inches thick and I enjoyed every single page, wanting more when I finished. Can’t wait to get to the prequel, A Day of Fallen Night in the New Year.

3. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, VE Schwab

THIS is honestly what all Vampire romantasy should be. This book was just beautiful- that’s the only way to describe it. Rich in prose, VE Schwab really knows how to make you feel your way through a book. The plot was not particularly action-packed or exciting, but I couldn’t look away from these pages and this story drew emotions out of me that I didn’t quite have the language for before reading.

4. Babel, R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang is brilliant and Babel was a great combination of fantasy and real life political and social commentary that may have you closing the book only to find yourself looking sideways at many of your peers.

5. The Fifth Season, N.K. Jemisin

This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read, Jemisin’s mind and creativity absolutely floor’d me throughout the whole trilogy. The writing is unlike anything I’ve read in fantasy before and I fell in love with many of these characters that are deeply and relate-ably imperfect. It was also refreshing to read fantasy that centers black characters and is a great choice if you’re looking for some diversity in a genre that sometimes seems to lack it. Just 10/10 and I’ll definitely be picking up more Jemisin in 2026.

6. Jade City, Fonda Lee

I JUST finished Jade City in December, so I haven’t completed the full trilogy yet to have a complete opinion but book 1 was 5 stars! There’s a shocking death, mob-violence, and magic all in the first book. And it takes place in a really cool Asian metropolitan setting. If the next two books continue with the momentum and vibes of book 1, then this series is another gem.

7. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, VE Schwab

Much like Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, this book is some of Schwab’s best writing on display. It’s also rich in prose and driven heavily by the main character’s pain and desires.

8. The Sword of Kaigen, M.L. Wang

This book is devastating and broke my heart- I happen to love books that impact me that way.

9. Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins

I didn’t just put this book on here because my teenage self would be so psyched to be here with me! Everything that was great about the Hunger Games trilogy exists here, and it manages to make the series more tragic. It’s much better than the President Snow prequel (A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as well so, if you didn’t like that one, don’t be put off. And if you still haven’t read the Hunger Games as a sci-fi fan in 2026- pull yourself together and pick up the books!

10. Hail Mary, Andy Wier

Hail Mary was a really fun one-shot. If you feel like taking a break from the intense world-building and philosophy that sci-fi can sometimes bring, this one is the perfect breather without being juvenile. It’s very science-y but manages to be equally as charming. And it’s going to be a cool movie with Ryan Gosling in 2026 so it will be a fun payoff to read it first 😌