We are only half way through 2025 and I am very proud to say I have already completed my reading goal for the year. After last year’s abysmal crawl towards the finish line, I have been soaring this year. I anticipated I would be really busy, but surprisingly when I actually just decided to read on my downtime even if I didn’t feel like it. I got through books quickly.
If you want to see my reviews for the books I read the first few months check them out HERE
I have been reading mostly fantasy these past few months, here’s the best, worst, and most disappointing.
Best: Found by Margaret Haddix
“You are one of the missing.” “Beware! They’re coming back to get you.”
Jonah has always known he was adopted and never thought anything of it until he receives some very peculiar messages in the mail for him. He tried to pass them off as a prank until his friend Chip, who’s also adopted, says he also received the same messages.
A story of mystery, history, and time travel, “Found” the first book in the series is my favorite book of the past few months.
I’ve talked about Haddix books before and man oh man how I wish I hadn’t been too scared to read these books when I was in elementary school. I was not a kid who could read anything stressful without it ruining my sleep and the original covers made the story seem dark and stressful… but I would have totally eaten this series up.
Luckily, adult-me can do it FOR little-me.
This is a great start to a book series, definitely a page turner, and I will be finishing the rest of the books this year. 4/5
Worst: Caraval by Stephanie Garber
“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”
A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.
This book had so much potential but it was not good. The premise was so interesting, the world could have been so exciting, there could have actually been challenges, and twists and turns. But no. The main character was kind of annoying, everything was just handed to her, and overall nothing happened. 1.5/5
Most Disappointing: Entwined by Heather Dixon Wallwork
“One last dance, my lady, before I am never to see you again?”
Just when Azalea believes everything she’s been waiting for is in her grasp, a tragedy takes it all away. Balls, dancing, it is all gone and her and her sisters are trapped. Only to find out one night they aren’t the only ones trapped within the walls of their palace. The Keeper has been there for centuries and he understands. So he extends an invitation to the girls. They may come and dance at his balls every night, but there is a cost and Azalea and her sisters might find that out too late.
I LOVED Barbie’s 12 Dancing Princess’ when I was little… and still love it now, so naturally I was excited to see a 12 Dancing Princess storyline.
Which is why it was extra disappointing when this book left me wanting.
500 pages of wasted potential. It needed more magic and intrigue and there was just far too much simplicity for a novel of such length. Such a shame because the first part of the book seemed like we were going somewhere. Many of the characters didn’t have memorable characterization nor were there high enough stakes felt throughout, maybe only the last 100 pages. Which could have been alright if not for how many pages that left with not much to grab onto.
Solid Foundation, poor execution. 2/5
I hit 20/20 of all *completely new* books to me in the second week of June! That means every book after this will be a bonus.
How many do you think I will read by the end of the year?
What have you been reading so far in 2025? What are your own reading goals for 2025?Let me know!
Follow Me on Goodreads to keep up with everything I’m reading!
Currently Reading:
The Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Hell, Heaven by Fr. Martin von Cochem
And waiting on the next The Missing Series book to come in at the library.
Full Line Up for 2025 so Far:
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Murder in an Irish Pub (#4 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder in an Irish Cottage (#5 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder at an Irish Christmas (#6 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder in an Irish Bookshop (#7 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder on an Irish Farm (#8 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder at an Irish Bakery (#9 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Murder at an Irish Chipper (#10 in Irish Village Mystery) by Carlene O’Connor
Found (The Missing #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Entwined by Heather Dixon Wallwork
Sent (The Missing #2) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Sabotaged (The Missing #3) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez
Torn (The Missing #4) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas