Celestial

here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025! 

honestly, it was very hard to narrow down because I had SO many incredible speculative reads.

📚 books mentioned:
- Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark
- The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko
- Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei
- The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
- The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez

👗💄:
- dress is from Free People, rented from Nuuly
- eyeliners are Vegan Longwear Liners (Lilac and Ocean) from Pacifica Beauty
- shimmer is Eyeshadow Single (Sparklepuff) from Half Magic
- lip combo is Lip Lingerie Liner Stain (Up To No Good) from NYX Cosmetics and Bisou Jelly (Aissa) from Violette FR
- (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thanks to Tor and Tordotcom for the gifted copies!

#bestfantasybooks #readingwrapup #bestbooksof2025 #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @tordotcompub @abramsbooks @abramskids @flatiron_books @torbooks @freepeople @nuuly @halfmagicbeauty @nyxcosmetics @violette_fr @pacificabeauty 

.

top books of 2025 • favorite yearly reads • annual reading wrap up • favorite SFF books • SFF book recs • favorite books of the year • best books of 2025 • best reads of the year • fantasy books • science fiction books • fantasy book recommendations • science fiction book recommendations • diverse books • Tordotcom • Amulet Books • Flatiron Books • Tor Books

here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025! 

Hi friend! I’m Steph – let’s devour some otherworldly stories together.

Steph

During this phase, we're reviewing manuscripts and deciding which book we want to publish. At the end of this phase, we offer an author a book deal.

Consideration

As the manuscript goes through several phases of editorial work, the cover and interior design takes place, while format decisions about paper stocks and printing treatments are made.

Editorial & Design

While the books are on press, the pre-order links go live and the marketing campaign ramps up with waves of review copy mailings to media and influencers.

Pre-order

The finished copies have released on the book's publication date. Go give it some love!

Published

bookshop

amazon

Reading is better in community, and I’m grateful to welcome you to mine! I’ve been a content creator most of my life & an avid reader my entire life. Celestial is our home base to celebrate imaginative stories from galaxy-wide voices. (Think: fantasy, horror, sci-fi, magical realism & beyond.) I love being playful with my recommendations, but I always read with intention – this is a discerning and deliberately diverse space. Join my chaotic community … and let’s have fun while uplifting all voices. 

steph ✨ 📚 ✡︎ (@starrysteph)

Hi! I'm Steph. You can mostly find me on booktok (@starrysteph). I love reading & sharing book reviews and recommendations.

book reviews & recs 📚 • animal lover 🐇 • actor & content creator 🎭
