2025 best books recommendations fantasy sci-fi grimdark
By Devin Ford · Est. Reading Time: 3 min
December 28, 2025
Books on This List
Red City
by Marie Lu
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Los Angeles reimagined with underground alchemy syndicates creates a fresh, compelling urban fantasy setting
- ★ Characters: Sam and Ari's complex motivations and authentic relationship development drive the emotional core
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Three act structure builds from setup to explosive finale, though first act moves deliberately and may feel slow to some readers
- ★ Magic/Tech: Soul consuming alchemy with five disciplines creates unique costs and creative magical applications
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A stellar adult fantasy debut with innovative magic, authentic characters, and compelling crime family dynamics creating a unique and engaging read
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
3/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳
2/5
Darkness Factor:
💀2.5/5
Umbra
by Amber Toro
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Twelve distinct tribes and sentient AI bio-ships create a unique post-Earth civilization
- ★ Characters: Believable characters with distinct voices and realistic emotional growth through trauma
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Slow start that builds to engaging action once the foundation is established
- ★ Magic/Tech: Advanced quantum physics and AI technology feels integrated without becoming overly complex
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: SciMantasy pioneer blending space opera with romance for an accessible entry point
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
1/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳
1/5
Darkness Factor:
💀
2/5
The Bone Raiders
by Jackson Ford
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Mongolian inspired nomadic culture with fire breathing araatan mounts creating a unique Mad Max meets fantasy setting
- ★ Characters: Complex morally driven characters with authentic found family bonds and genuine emotional growth
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Fast paced action sequences perfectly balanced with strategic character moments and political intrigue
- ★ Magic/Tech: No traditional magic system, but fire-breathing giant lizard mounts more than compensate for magical elements
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A genre challenging epic fantasy that delivers fire breathing lizard action with emotional depth and cultural authenticity
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
1/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳
1/5
Darkness Factor:
💀
2/5
Empire of the Vampire
by Jay Kristoff
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Daysdeath creates a haunting post-apocalyptic world where vampires rule and humanity fights for survival
- ★ Characters: Gabriel and Astrid's complex relationship drives incredible character growth through trauma and forbidden love
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Framed narrative structure masterfully weaves three timelines with perfect tension and reveals
- ★ Magic/Tech: Faith based magic and vampire bloodline powers create a unique and compelling supernatural system
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A masterful grimdark fantasy with an undercurrent of romance that deserves shelf space with genre greats
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
3/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳
2/5
Darkness Factor:
💀
4/5
The Strength of the Few
by James Islington
5.00
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Three fully realized worlds with distinct cultures, politics, and unique takes on the Will system
- ★ Characters: Three diverging versions of Vis showcase how circumstances shape character growth in fascinating ways
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Masterful plot weaving across three realities keeps tension high with seamless POV transitions
- ★ Magic/Tech: The Will magic system finally gets the spotlight it deserves with spectacular displays and deeper mechanics
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: The best book two ever written, three complete stories in one with jaw dropping twists, intense action, deep character work, and masterful plot weaving
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
1/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳1.5/5
Darkness Factor:
💀3.5/5
Shadows Upon Time
by Christopher Ruocchio
5.00
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Expansive lore revelations and political maneuvering that answers long awaited questions about the Chantry, Watchers, and Quiet
- ★ Characters: Hadrian's transformation from naive idealist to Sun Eater reaches its painful, inevitable conclusion alongside standout supporting cast
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Intricate plot weaving with jaw-dropping twists, though occasional exposition and stylistic choices can slow momentum
- ★ Magic/Tech: Deeper exploration of Hadrian's powers and the Demiurge without turning him into a Gary Stu
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: Christoper Ruoccio's magnum opus, a genre defining conclusion that delivers on every promise, weaving plot lines across the series into a cohesive whole, leaving enough room for the possbility of more Sun Eater in the future. Never betraying what was foretold by the narrator Hadrian, while creating just enough room for debate and discussion for years to come
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Between the Sheets (Spice):
🌶️
1/5
Public Reading Comfort:
😳
1/5
Darkness Factor:
💀3.5/5
A Year of Exceptional Reads
2025 has been an extraordinary year for speculative fiction. From Amber Toro’s groundbreaking SciMantasy blend to Christopher Ruocchio’s epic conclusion to his magnum opus, these six books represent the very best of what fantasy, sci-fi, and grimdark have to offer.
This year’s standout reads showcase the genre’s incredible range: innovative magic systems that redefine the possibilities of worldbuilding, complex characters that challenge readers’ assumptions, and plots that refuse to settle for predictability. Whether you’re seeking swashbuckling space opera, grimdark romance, epic fantasy with political intrigue, or genre-defining conclusions, these six books deliver in spades.
What Makes These Books Stand Out
Each book on this list earned its place through exceptional storytelling:
- Umbra introduces SciMantasy as a viable genre hybrid, proving that space opera and romance can coexist beautifully
- Red City marks Marie Lu’s triumphant entry into adult fantasy with innovative magic and authentic character dynamics
- The Bone Raiders challenges epic fantasy conventions while delivering fire-breathing action with cultural authenticity
- Empire of the Vampire stands as a grimdark masterpiece that balances darkness with emotional depth
- The Strength of the Few redefines what a sequel can accomplish with three complete narratives woven into one
- Shadows Upon Time provides a genre-defining conclusion that honors seven books of worldbuilding and character development
Whether you’re looking for your next favorite read or seeking recommendations across multiple subgenres, this list offers something unforgettable.