Best Fiction Books January 2025

Turtles All the Way Down

Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes grapples with anxiety and obsessive thoughts while navigating the murky waters of friendship, love, and self-discovery. When a local billionaire disappears, Aza and her best friend Daisy embark on a quest to solve the mystery, leading Aza to reconnect with her childhood crush. Green’s poignant exploration of mental illness is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, offering a raw glimpse into the mind of a teenager struggling to find her place in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Two teens named Will Grayson collide in an unexpected encounter that changes both their lives. One, depressed and struggling with his sexuality, finds solace in online chats. The other, more outgoing, grapples with friendship and loyalty. Their paths intertwine through Tiny Cooper, a larger-than-life gay football player staging a musical. With humor and heart, this collaborative novel explores identity, love, and the messy beauty of human connections.

13 Reasons Why

Clay Jensen’s world shatters when he receives a box of cassette tapes from Hannah Baker, his crush who recently committed suicide. Each tape reveals a reason why she chose to end her life, and Clay is one of them. As he listens, he’s drawn into Hannah’s pain and struggles, uncovering dark secrets and confronting his own role in her story. This haunting, emotionally charged novel explores the ripple effects of our actions and the weight of unspoken words.

The Trials of Apollo: The Tower of Nero

Lester Papadopoulos, once the mighty Apollo, faces his final challenge in this thrilling conclusion to Rick Riordan’s “Trials of Apollo” series. As I raced through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and sadness, knowing this was the end. Riordan’s signature wit and heart shine through as Lester battles not just external foes, but his own doubts and fears. The stakes have never been higher, and I found myself holding my breath during the climactic showdown. A fitting end to an unforgettable journey.

The Trials of Apollo: The Tyrant’s Tomb

Apollo’s fall from grace continues in this gripping fourth installment of Riordan’s mythological masterpiece. Still trapped in his mortal teenage form, Lester Papadopoulos faces his most harrowing challenge yet: confronting an ancient Roman emperor risen from the dead. With his usual blend of humor and heart-pounding action, Riordan weaves a tale that had me laughing one moment and gasping the next. As a longtime fan, I found myself completely immersed in Apollo’s journey of self-discovery and redemption. It’s a rollercoaster ride you won’t want to miss!

The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze

Lester Papadopoulos, once the mighty Apollo, continues his mortal journey in this thrilling third installment. Trapped in the blazing Labyrinth, he faces his most harrowing quest yet. With loyal friends Meg and Grover by his side, Lester must confront a ruthless Roman emperor and his own fading divinity. Riordan’s signature wit shines through the danger, keeping readers on edge. I found myself laughing one moment and holding my breath the next. A rollercoaster of mythology and heart-pounding adventure awaits in this can’t-put-down page-turner.

The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy

Lester Papadopoulos, once the mighty Apollo, continues his mortal journey in this thrilling sequel. Stripped of his godly powers and trapped in the body of a gawky teenager, Apollo faces new perils as he seeks to restore five ancient oracles. With his demigod friends by his side, he battles fearsome enemies and unravels cryptic prophecies. Riordan’s signature wit and heart-pounding action shine through, blending Greek mythology with modern-day challenges. A must-read for fans of Percy Jackson and mythology buffs alike.

The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favor. But Apollo has many enemies – gods, monsters, and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go… an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Ship of the Dead

Magnus Chase’s final quest is here, and it’s a doozy. Our favorite einherji must stop Loki from sailing Naglfar, the Ship of the Dead, and starting Ragnarok. No pressure, right? With his usual wit and a ragtag crew of demigods, einherjar, and… is that a talking sword? Magnus faces his toughest challenge yet. Riordan’s blend of Norse mythology and modern humor shines, making this a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable series. Prepare for laughs, tears, and maybe a flyting contest or two.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor

Thor’s hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon–the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn’t just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can’t retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer’s return is the gods’ worst enemy, Loki–and the price he wants is very high.