As we reach the end of another year, it’s time to look back at the books we’ve read in 2025.

Here at the Hive, we just love celebrating awesome fantasy fiction, so please sit back and enjoy the following awards – and be sure to check out each of the awesome winners!

We know that this time of year there are loads of these kinds of posts: “My Top 20” and “Our Favourite Books”, and it can be disheartening for authors to miss out on these lists. As we did last year, we invited all our contributors to nominate books for each category, and then we voted on our favourites.

We’ll be including all the nominations in a small attempt to highlight more book from this fantastic year of fantasy and science-fiction.

~ Debut of the Year ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Death on the Caldera by Emily Paxman

It’s Murder on the Orient Express – with witches!
A thrilling blend of fantasy and classic murder mystery, this rollicking adventure with a wide cast of suspects is ideal for those who love both Agatha Christie and V. E. Schwab, and are drawn to stories that take place in a vivid fantasy world.

The Linde siblings-Kellen, Davina, and Morel-are anxious to return to the kingdom of Halgyr before their father dies, leaving Kellen to assume the throne as king. They book tickets on a luxury express train, expecting a swift journey home-but disaster strikes when the train engine explodes, stranding the siblings atop a caldera bubbling with volcanic magic.

The crash triggers Davina’s latent witch powers, but her magic disrupts her ability to remember what she was doing when the explosion took place. While a witch would be the prime suspect for the explosion, the only ones who knew Davina might become one are her brothers-who never warned her, driving her away from them. And, to add insult to injury, somebody is bumping off the surviving train crew and passengers. But it can’t be Davina, can it?

While the surviving passengers try to determine who sabotaged the engine and catch the killer, the fractured siblings attempt to stay one step ahead, concealing not only Davina’s powers but their own secrets. Luckily, they aren’t the only shifty characters on the train…

A thrilling blend of classic murder mystery and fantasy for those who love Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile every bit as much as Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

I couldn’t put it down, the multiple mysteries kept me guessing at every turn of the page… I wasn’t expecting so much depth or heart, such moving storylines – Beth

~ Best Dressed ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Blood of the Kami by Baptiste Pinson Wu

For centuries, the Yaseki have fought the corrupted souls who seek to plunge Japan into darkness. But the fragile balance is now shifting toward the forces of evil.

Ren Fudō, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the blood of the kami, receives a mission from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This simple errand is a spirit-given chance to pay off his debt to the Yaseki.

But as he and his new companion, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, take to the road, Ren remembers that spirits never give for nothing. The mission turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.

The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.

It is an ode to the love of mythology and history, and it shows in every page of this book – Vinay

~ Short and Sweet ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Triggernometry Finals by Stark Holborn

“A little knowledge can be dangerous, but a lot of it can be deadly. We learned that the hard way.”

Professor “Mad” Malago Browne – thief, killer, and one of the most wanted outlaws in the Western States – is trying to forget her bloody past and fight back against the tyranny of the Capitol, one maths lesson at a time.

The only problem? Gold talks and mathmos everywhere are listening, selling their skills – and each other – to the enemy for the price of freedom. There’s only one person with the power to stop them: Browne’s old mentor, Carl “the Cannon” Gauss.

But when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Browne and a rag tag faculty of numerates and renegades to do the impossible: unite the mathmos and bring the fight to the Capitol’s door, one last time.

Little do they know the eleventh hour might arrive sooner than they think…

Triggernometry Finals is the third and final instalment in the Triggernometry series, mixing the grit of the western with a cast of mathematicians from across history to create a unique and explosive adventure.

Full of Stark’s trademark captivating imagery and lyrical prose this is another delight to digest – T.O Munro

~ Standout Standalone ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

King Sorrow by Joe Hill

Arthur Oakes is a reader, a dreamer, and a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters, exceptional library, and beautiful buildings. But his idyll—and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot—is shattered when a local drug dealer and her partner corner him into one of the worst crimes he can imagine: stealing rare books from the college library.

Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for comfort and help. Together they dream up a wild, fantastical scheme to free Arthur from the cruel trap in which he finds himself. Wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren suggests using the unnerving Crane journal (bound in the skin of its author) to summon a dragon to do their bidding. The others—brave, beautiful Alison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen—don’t hesitate to join Colin in an effort to smash reality and bring a creature of the impossible into our world.

But there’s nothing simple about dealing with dragons, and their pact to save Arthur becomes a terrifying bargain in which the six must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow every year—or become his next meal.

a triumph of modern fantasy in the hands of a superb storyteller. – Nils

~ Sensational Starters ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Europe stares into the abyss.

Plague and famine stalk the land, monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions. Only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone.

Sometimes, only the darkest paths lead towards the light. Paths on which the righteous will not dare to tread . . .

And so, buried beneath the sacred splendour of the Celestial Palace, is the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency. For its congregation of convicted monsters there are no sins that have not been committed, no lines that will not be crossed, and no mission that cannot be turned into a disastrous bloodbath.

Now the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief on the throne of Troy, and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse.

When you’re headed through hell, you need the devils on your side.

Abercrombie has proven once again that he is adaptable, he can still deliver fresh and relevant stories; that he is a true master of the genre. – Beth

~ Satisfying Sequel ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

In the second adventure in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, the eccentric detective Ana Dolabra matches wits with a seemingly omniscient adversary in this brilliant bio-punk fantasy-mystery.

An impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air – abducted from his quarters in a building whose entrances and exits are all sealed.

The brilliant and mercurial investigator, Ana Dolabra, and her assistant Dinios Kol have been called in to crack the case.

Before long, Ana discovers that they’re actually investigating a murder. Worse, the adversary seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.

Ana’s solved impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and the investigators seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, has Ana finally met an enemy she can’t defeat?

 Wicked, imaginative, chaotic, unputdownable, and a lot of fun – Vinay

~ Series Conclusion ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

The Iron Road by David Wragg

The epic new finale to the unmissable Tales of the Plains trilogy from the master of modern fantasy, David Wragg. Rebellion’s about the journey, not the destination.

Ree is at war. Determined to free the townships from the Guild’s larcenous rule, she can’t take her eyes off victory. Not now, with the scent of blood in the air. Not for her consort, not even for her kid.

Javani is ready for her own adventures. She’s no longer a child and determined to blaze her own trail, even if that means leaving Ree behind.

With rebellion stirring, the past Ree’s been running from and the future Javani’s striving for will collide. As tensions rise between mother and daughter, Guild and rebels – and with the fate of the Plains on the line – all that’s certain is an explosive finale on the Iron Road.

Fun banter, heartfelt character growth and action scenes to excite and delight – Nils

~ Marvellous Magic System ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong

A heart-warming, cozy fantasy standalone with an achingly sweet sapphic romance from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes.

Certainty Bulrush wants to be useful – to the Guild of Mages, to the brother who depends on her, and to anyone else she can help. Unfortunately, her tepid magic hasn’t proven much use to anyone.

So when Certainty is offered the chance to earn her magehood, she jumps on it. Never mind that the assignment is to transport minor artefacts to the dull, unmagical village of Shpelling, or that it involves working with Mage Aurelia, a brilliant, unfairly attractive overachiever who’s managed to alienate everyone around her.

In Shpelling, the two must deal with testy villagers, an unruly catdragon, and their growing attraction to each other, while avoiding any incidents that could further damage the Guild’s testy relationship with the kingdom’s citizens. But magic is fickle – sooner or later, it is bound to spell trouble . . .

Whimsical is exactly the right word for this kind of magic; if you love Diana Wynne Jones’ magical style, think of that, think of 100 league boots and you’ll be right at home here. – Beth

~ A Hug In A Book ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher

Whilst foraging for startleflower, perfumer Grace finds herself pursued by ruffians and rescued by a handsome paladin in shining armour. Only, to outwit her hunters they must pretend to be doing something very unrespectable in an alleyway.

Stephen, a broken paladin, spends his time knitting socks and working as a bodyguard, living only for the chance to be useful. But that all changes when he saves Grace and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now, Stephen and Grace must navigate a web of treachery and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind.

I was hoping for a whimsical, easy read. I was gifted a story full of joy and hope, darkness and hurt, adorable characters, romance and frank discussions on love, laughter and tears – Beth

~ Most Evil Character ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Grave Empire by Richard Swan

From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed – and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days.

Blood once turned the wheels of empire. Now it is money.

A new age of exploration and innovation has dawned, and the Empire of the Wolf stands to take its place as the foremost power in the known world. Glory and riches await.

But dark days are coming. A mysterious plague has broken out in the pagan kingdoms to the north, while in the south, the Empire’s proxy war in the lands of the wolfmen is weeks away from total collapse.

Worse still is the message brought to the Empress by two heretic monks, who claim to have lost contact with the spirits of the afterlife. The monks believe this is the start of an ancient prophecy heralding the end of days—the Great Silence.

It falls to Renata Rainer, a low-ranking ambassador to an enigmatic and vicious race of mermen, to seek answers from those who still practice the arcane arts. But with the road south beset by war and the Empire on the brink of supernatural catastrophe, soon there may not be a world left to save…

Swan’s focus on the foreboding horror makes this a rather atmospheric read while the variety of the horror on show makes this an interesting read – Vinay

~ Hidden Gem ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Wriggly Little Hands by Alex Knight

Oli the goblin is the last creature anyone would send on a world-ending quest. But the Dark Lord’s under siege and without his doomsday weapon, those pesky forces of Good might just get it done this time. Seizing the long-awaited opportunity to serve their Big Boss, Oli and his cousins strike out on a super secret mission to retrieve the doomsday weap–on a road trip to see their family.

With the hopes of every creature sinister and foul riding on them, the goblins hurry directly to their destination. Mostly directly. Okay, so it’s more of a zigzag. Also the wicked item delivery network is in shambles on account of the war, and since they’re already headed that way, maybe the goblins could help out the Dark Lord’s spies and deliver a few evil packages?

Agents of Good await at every stop, but with empty heads and too-big hearts, Oli and his bumbling family deliver the packages (mostly), sabotage the forces of evil (accidentally), and save their Dark Lord (probably). All of this while facing down the dangers of road rage, unionization, and one genie wish gone terribly wrong.

The final battle’s brewing between good and evil, and the fate of the world rests in Oli’s wriggly little hands.

Gods help us all.

a fun-filled tale featuring a familiar fantasy world and goblins you’ll fall in love with. Strap on in and let Oli lead you on a rowdy adventure with some surprising and chaotic turns! – Nils

~ Best Fantasy Creature ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Europe stares into the abyss.

Plague and famine stalk the land, monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions. Only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone.

Sometimes, only the darkest paths lead towards the light. Paths on which the righteous will not dare to tread . . .

And so, buried beneath the sacred splendour of the Celestial Palace, is the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency. For its congregation of convicted monsters there are no sins that have not been committed, no lines that will not be crossed, and no mission that cannot be turned into a disastrous bloodbath.

Now the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief on the throne of Troy, and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse.

When you’re headed through hell, you need the devils on your side.

Vigga is the kind of character who has zero inhibitions and therefore just says what she thinks, which was always pretty damn funny!!  – Nils

~ Best Short Story Collection ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Monstrous Tales

This isle is full of noises…

From the finfolk of the beaches of Orkney to the plague monsters of the Welsh mountains, and the giant slugs of the Derbyshire peaks to the Beast of Bodmin Moor, Britain is home to many strange creatures of folklore. Some are ancient, as enduring as the forests and mountains they inhabit. Others live among us, in our cities, creating new legends as they scuttle through the shadows. And none of them are to be trusted.

In this deliciously chilling collection, award-winning and bestselling authors bring you tales inspired by the monsters that share our land. The perfect read for anyone who’s ever spotted something slimy and unexplained in their peripheral vision, or seen eyes reflecting back in the forest where no eyes should be.

Includes new and original stories
Janice Hallett
Abir Mukherjee
Rosie Andrews
Stuart Turton
Dan Jones
Jenn Ashworth
Sunyi Dean
Jane Johnson
Rebecca Netley

 I feel this collection is a good one to dip in and out of, to read on cold nights. It will surely satisfy those looking for a short spooky read. – Nils

~ Best in Translation ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Blood for the Undying Throne by Sung-il Kim, translated by Anton Hur

From award-winning Korean author Sung-il Kim & translated by the world-renowned Anton Hur comes the sequel to Blood of the Old Kings, an epic fantasy adventure where the corpses of sorcerers power an empire and ordinary people rise up to tear it down.

Last seen under Loran’s command, Emere is now a member of the Commons Council. While giving a speech in the Capital, he survives an assassination attempt―and now must team up with the Ministry of Intelligence to discover who is behind it.

Arienne is on a mission to find out what really happened to Mersia. The land―destroyed a hundred years ago by a mysterious weapon known only as the Star of Mersia―is devoid of life, populated only by ghosts. But when she arrives at the ruined city of Danras, Arienne finds more than she expects.

One hundred and seventy years ago, Yuma is the Chief Herder of Danras, looking after the city’s aurochs every summer. After being punished for disobeying the Demon King, she meets Lysandros, who is on a mission to establish diplomatic relations between the Empire and the states of Mersia. But is there a cost of doing business with the Empire?

Kim’s story is one that is full of regret and sorrow and really showcases the importance of understanding our own history. – Nils

~ Best Reissue ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tor 11th September 2025)

Allies will become enemies.
Enemies will become allies.
And the Dark Lord is waiting.

The church of Armes of the Light has long fought the forces of Darkness. And its great prophecy dictates that Dark Lord Darvezian will fall to a band of misfits armed with their wits and the Light’s blessing, and led by a priestess. But to reach the Dark Lord via the ‘spider’s path’, as the prophecy states, they’ll need a spider. They’ll discover that not even the power of sorcery can disguise the grotesque creature’s true and appalling nature, nor its unwillingness to be part of their quest.

As priestess, mage, knight, ranger, and rogue squabble their way through a journey fraught with peril, they question whether the creature called Nth is a monster, a tool or a friend. And ahead lies a mighty confrontation. If they can survive it, it will change all their worlds forever.

Spiderlight is an exhilarating fantasy quest from Adrian Tchaikovsky, the author of Children of Time, Guns of the Dawn and the Shadows of the Apt series.

his compelling characters are wonderfully challenged and changed by the inventive plot and notions of religion and faith are delightfully upended – T O Munro

~ Book of the Year ~

Nominations:

and the winner is…

Slow Gods by Claire North

From the million-copy-bestselling Claire North – one of the most original and dazzling voices in speculative fiction – comes an intergalactic tale of conspiracy, war and the fall of empires.

My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself.

In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind.

Here is one truth: out there in deep-space, in the pilot’s chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me.

This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I’ve lived since I died for the first time.

Are you listening?

Discover this thrilling and breathtakingly imaginative space opera from the multi-award-winning Claire North, perfect for fans of Ann Leckie, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Iain M. Banks and Arkady Martine.

In Slow Gods, North gives us a wide-ranging enthralling, resonant and cathartic fable of our own world’s predicament but anchors it with individual characters, both participants and witnesses to events, that we can connect with. – T O Munro

That concludes our 2025 Year-End Awards – a huge congratulations to all our nominees and of course our winners!