[How it Works](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/how-it-works/) [Bookshop](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/books/bindery/) [Publishing](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/publishing/) [Team](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/team/) [Contact](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/contact/) Log in or Sign up Goddess of the River Vaishnavi Patel Save to Your Books [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/10458/9780759557345) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0759557349?tag=thisstoryai04-20) 100% of affiliate revenue supports Boundless Press A Lilly's Library pick! A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller _Kaikeyi_. A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world. Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse. Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind. Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war. As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son. Show more Get the Bindery app * * * Posts about this title from Boundless Press [Boundless Press\\ \\ Jananie\\ \\ • Apr 15 2025](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/) [POV: the books are less than $10 so you have to buy them all 😭 a book haul](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/item/pw5wXagDAgaKQ1vcTTDg/) I should not be allowed near a bookstore. * * * 15 books 7 Posts about this book from across Bindery [Books Right Now\\ \\ Rashi Dembi\\ \\ • Jun 4](https://booksrightnow.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Read South Asian books!](https://booksrightnow.binderybooks.com/item/aSnrPiGDjjIgWEW4SKSa/) This is your reminder to read South Asian books all year long! If you’re looking for book recs, I’ve got you! Here are two pages of my favorite South Asian books as well as two pages of the South Asian books on my TBR. * * * 47 books 1 [Books Right Now\\ \\ Rashi Dembi\\ \\ • May 15](https://booksrightnow.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [I absolutely love reading Indian fantasy books, particularly when they’re written by Indian authors who portray our culture with the love and care it deserves.\\ \\ Here are five of my favorite Indian fantasy books of all time and their synopses!\\ \\ 1) Burn the Sea by Mona Tewari\\ \\ \\ \\ Abbakka Chowta never expected to be queen. The youngest of Ullal’s two rajkumaris, Abbakka has spent years in rigorous combat training to become her sister’s blade. But when the monstrous Porcugi attempt to lay claim to Ullal, Abbakka’s world―and fate―are upended.\\ \\ The Porcugi―giant half-men, half-snakes who attack from the sea―haven’t been seen in Ullal since their failed invasion more than fifty years ago. But now, they’re back with vengeance and a choice: pay their tithes or suffer total devastation. Soon, Abbakka’s definitions of strength, subterfuge, and statecraft are put to the test. Will marriage to a neighboring king give her the resources she needs to protect her people . . . or will she watch her homeland be crushed beneath the waves of would-be colonizers?\\ \\ A lush historical fantasy that reimagines the Portuguese attacks on South India in the 1500s and the fierce real-life queen’s story, Burn the Sea is an electrifying exaltation of female power and the value of freedom.\\ \\ 2) To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu\\ \\ \\ \\ In the colonized nation of Viryana, Poppy Sutherland lives between cultures. As the brown-skinned adopted daughter of the Viceroy, she is both rejected by white high society and alienated from the people of her native island. When she discovers her opportunistic fiancé’s plot to exile her, Poppy flees—straight into the clutches of the Jackal. \\ \\ Hasan Devar, the ruthless criminal known as the Jackal, has long been targeted for his family’s divine magic, a gift the colonizers have tried to stamp out. When his brother is arrested, he seizes Poppy as leverage. But Poppy has powerful secrets—and political ambitions—of her own. As allies, they could do more than just free Hasan’s brother and keep Poppy safe. They could topple the very power structures that hold them all back. \\ \\ The first book in the Reckoning Storm duology, _To Bargain with Mortals_ is a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance—and what we do with the histories we inherit. \\ \\ 3) The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma\\ \\ \\ \\ The Ravani kingdom was born of a prophecy, carved from unforgiving desert sands and ruled by the Ravence bloodline: those with the power to command the Eternal Fire.\\ \\ Elena Aadya is the heir to the throne—and the only Ravence who cannot wield her family’s legendary magic. As her coronation approaches, she will do whatever it takes to prove herself a worthy successor to her revered father. But she doesn’t anticipate the arrival of Yassen Knight, the notorious assassin who now claims fealty to the throne. Elena’s father might trust Yassen to be a member of her royal guard, but she is certain he is hiding something.\\ \\ 4) Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel\\ \\ \\ \\ A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.\\ \\ Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.\\ \\ Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.\\ \\ Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.\\ \\ As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.\\ \\ 5) The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao\\ \\ \\ \\ Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.\\ \\ When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he threatens everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who is—little by little—stealing her heart, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home, and the sage who is showing her what true love can mean.\\ \\ Romantic, spellbinding, and empowering, _The Legend of Meneka_ breathes new life into Hindu mythology to weave a lustrous tale of a woman discovering the cosmic power within herself. This first book in the Divine Dancers duology is a completely unputdownable adventure for lovers of romantasy and myth retellings.](https://booksrightnow.binderybooks.com/item/7x7r46ffqBBdkLFMRRHA/) [5 Indian Fantasy Books by Indian Authors!](https://booksrightnow.binderybooks.com/item/7x7r46ffqBBdkLFMRRHA/) * * * 5 books 9 [Bookish AfroLatina's Library\\ \\ Gabby\\ \\ • Apr 16](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [March was a rewarding month for reading! I finished six books by and about Black and South Asian folks. Here's what I read and my thoughts:\\ \\ **_Looking For Love In All The Haunted Places_ by Claire Kann**\\ \\ • Black Asexual• Paranormal Romance •\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Looking for Love in All The Haunted Places_ is about a woman named Lucky Hart who has an affinity for the supernatural but most people don’t believe her.** That is, until she hears about a production company struggling to keep actors in a show that takes place in a notoriously creepy, sentient Victorian named Hennessee House.\\ \\ This is Lucky’s chance to conduct the type of investigations she’s been dreaming of! It just so happens that this opportunity leads to an instant connection w/ Maverick Phillips, the show-maker whose voice soothes Lucky every time she listens to his podcast. **Despite this easy connection between them & exciting experiences w/ Hennessee House, Lucky realizes that she might have to fully open up in order to win over both.**\\ \\ **I’m in love with this book! It’s mysterious, cozy, whimsical, complicated, & deep.** Lucky is hilarious & self-assured. Her approach to exploring this creepy house is what makes this story so cozy. I also love Maverick because he’s attentive, emotionally honest, & values open communication. This story is addictive!\\ \\ **_Stuck In The Country With You_ by Zuri Day**\\ \\ • Black Contemporary Romance •\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Stuck In The Country With You_ is a cute & sexy love story about second chances & growth.**\\ \\ When her great uncle passes away, Genesis returns to her hometown & finds out she inherited his farm. His sons are pissed, but their father made it clear he wanted Genesis to have it. While dealing w/ this complicated family drama, Genesis realizesthat her former fling lives next door. It’s not exactly a happy reunion when she sees Jaxson again, speaking w/ her uncles but she can’t deny the attraction that still simmers within her.\\ \\ **I kind of liked the messiness of Genesis & Jax’s story & their chemistry was good.** I appreciate the way Jax carried himself, too. I also felt like the storyline was realistic. It made sense that her great uncle would bequeath her the farm since she was the one to spend the most time w/ him. I just wish there was more clarity on what the solicitor meant by the notion that he had to guard against the sons. The pace was a little awkward toward the end & the very last word seemed out of place, too. Aside from that, it was an entertaining read!\\ \\ **_Goddess Of The River_ by Vaisnavi Patel**\\ \\ • Hindu Epic Re-imagining •\\ \\ \\ \\ **Vaishnavi Patel’s _Goddess of the River_ is a fascinating re-telling of some of the Mahabarata from the perspective of the goddess Ganga.** For context, the Mahabarata the longest poem ever written & is one of the two foundational epics of Hinduism known as the Itihasas. Patel published a retelling of the other epic, the Ramayana before this one.\\ \\ In this version of the story, Ganga & her beloved godlings are curse by a powerful sage, forcing her to give birth to each of them as humans after marrying the Kuru king Shantanu. To free each of the godlings from their earthly bodies, Ganga must do the unthinkable, but Shantanu stops her before she can finish her final task.\\ \\ We follow Ganga and her only living child Devavrata, later known as Bhishma, through a series of events flowing from his choice to live as a human in a world of men constantly seeking power.\\ \\ Goddess of the River was just as transporting as Patel’s 1st book Kaikeyi. Although the cast of characters was a little hard to keep track of at times, I never grew tired of the story & still thought about it after it ended.\\ \\ **_The Marriage Narrative_ by Claire Kann**\\ \\ • Queer & Neurodivergent • Black Contemporary Romance •\\ \\ \\ \\ The Marriage Narrative is a contemporary marriage-of-convenience romance w/ a twist. We’ve got Zinnia, a successful business owner who decides that she doesn’t have to wait for love if she treats her love life like a business, too. Her Plan: to get to know people through “trategic meetings” & choose someone to get to know & marry within 30 days. Zinnia’s besties think this idea isn’t going to work but then, Zinnia meets Jordan, the owner of a coffee shop chain & the shy one of his family’s reality tv franchise. \\ \\ Since his only way to spend time w/ his family is to be on the show, Jordan agrees until production tells him to marry his ex for the plot. When Jordan meets Zinnia, he’s convinced that her marriage contract would be mutually beneficial. This isn’t Zinnia’s ideal way to start a marriage, but something about Jordan urges her to agree. _Cue a much messier experience than either of them anticipated!_\\ \\ **There’s something about the way that Clare Kann writes Romance that brings me feelings of joy, comfort, and validation.** This is the second book I’ve read by her and I’m realizing that I love most of the characters because they feel real. They feel like people I might know and I also recognize some of my own tendencies and thoughts in Zinnia. \\ \\ Zinnia is outgoing, adventurous, clever, silly, but she’s also thoughtful and patient. She has her own insecurities but, when confronted by hardships, she doesn’t give up so easily. I love all of these parts of her! Her connection with Jordan felt earnest, steady, sweet, and surprisingly steamy!! I’m kind of obsessed. None of the characters are perfect, but I love the Jordan does his best to learn from his mistakes as quickly as possible without losing sight of Zinnia’s perspective. That’s hard to do irl so he’s got my stamp of approval!\\ \\ I bought a copy of this book as soon as I finished listening to it. I think you’ll understand if you pick it up, too!\\ \\ **_Son Of The Morning_ by Akwaeke Emezi**\\ \\ •Queer Black • Paranormal Romance•\\ \\ \\ \\ **In _Son of the Morning_, we meet Galilee Kincaid, the black sheep of a matrilineal clan outside of the city of Salvation.** For as long as she can remember, Gali felt something missing, until she meets Lucifer Helel.\\ \\ Lucifer is the head of security for her friend’s wealthy Nigerian family & is guarding a relic Galilee & her besties hope to see. As soon as they speak, Gali senses that he’s not human, but that doesn’t staunch her growing desire for him. Lucifer knows that Gali is also not human, a fact she’s likely unaware of. When he tells his other guards aka the princes, they decide they should destroy Galilee Kincaid. Leviathan is especially hell-bent on eliminating this threat to Luci.\\ \\ **Despite knowing the danger their connection puts them in, Gali & Luci can’t let go which risks shattering their world’s existence.**\\ \\ **As you may have guessed from that description, this book is wild!** I love that Galilee is a powerful Black woman w/ ride or die friends who follows her intuition. Like many of the protagonists in Emezi’s novels, Gali’s ability to let herself be vulnerable is part of what makes her powerful. She’s allowed to feel everything & so is Lucifer. Emezi also gives us a fascinating retelling of Lucifer’s fall from grace. He’s no longer this 2-D rendering of an evil biblical figure, but someone who is curious & increasingly self-aware. It’s no surprise that their passion is scorching hot! Just be prepared for the story to pick up QUICKLY after the intro.\\ \\ **_Devil Of The Deep_ by Falencia Jean-Francois**\\ \\ • Afro-Caribbean & Queer Historical Fantasy •\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Devil of the Deep_ is a Black, queer tale you don’t want to miss!**\\ \\ Lu, a Lieutenant Fleet Officer is on a misson to find a powerful talisman which happens to be in the hands of a teen, runaway mermaid. On this voyage, he discovers that woman he thought dead for 5 years is alive & captaining a pirate ship. Lu is shocked that the love of his life is the notorius “Devil of the Deep” & she’s in possession of the very mermaid he’s been tracking: Pearl Highwater.\\ \\ With her uncle’s help, Pearl has escaped the underwater cult followers of the sea god, unknowingly holding the key to finding her people’s lost island--A key that could unlock a world of hell for all.\\ \\ **Jean-Francois took me on an adventure I didn’t even know I was craving!** If y’all have been searching for Caribbean/Haitian Fantasy, you need to pick up this book. It’s lush, action-packed, & has a transmasculine protagonist. Each mc gets space to grow, which I really appreciate. It’s also fantastic to read a book that depicts how diverse pirate crews were. **Dive into this book ASAP!**](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/WfTopkk7lzyYnjBd1Dlm/) [My March Reading Wrap-Up](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/WfTopkk7lzyYnjBd1Dlm/) * * * 6 books 2 [Ladybug Books\\ \\ Samantha\\ \\ • Nov 2 2025](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [The Books I Read in October!](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/lWUwJHocgGrmZgDMhnCb/) A month with lots of four stars and lots of… octopuses?? #monthlywrapup #readingwrapup #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #booksireadthismonth * * * 7 books [Ladybug Books\\ \\ Samantha\\ \\ • Oct 26 2025](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hello friends, and welcome back to my weekly newsletter! This week, I finished two more books on my priority TBR and started a highly anticipated release. I also have some recommendations for fantasy books perfect for the spooky season\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Reading Updates:** ****Audiobook \| Finished:** _Goddess of the River_** \\ \\ **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐\\ \\ **Thoughts:** _Goddess of the River_ is a beautiful and emotional story. This is my first book by Vaishnavi Patel, and I was absolutely swept away by her writing. Ganga's journey of godhood was incredibly interesting. I loved seeing her growth as she learned to accept and care for the humans that depended on her waters. I really struggled with Bhisma's chapters at times. There were a lot of interesting ideas about responsibility, goodness, and justice. But it was really difficult to follow all of the different characters and plot lines, especially with the timeline jumping around. I will definitely need to check out _Kaikeyi_ soon. \\ \\ ****Hardcover \| Finished:** _Moonbound_** \\ \\ **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐\\ \\ **Thoughts:** _Moonbound_ is a charmingly strange story that pulls together elements of far future SciFi with some classic fantasy vibes to create a truly unique and intriguing story. I LOVE a story that plays with perspective and unique narrators. This story is told from the perspective of a sentient AI that is woken when a young boy stumbles across the remnants of a civilization that has been dead for 11,000 years. I was immediately intrigued by the narrator and its role as a chronicler and witness to the young boys great destiny. Humanity has fallen and come back as something both completely new and oddly familiar. The world is this really interesting blend of quirky classical fantasy elements—wizards, talking animals, dragons on the moon—and extremely advanced technologies. I will say that it lost me a bit in the middle as the story became a bit too focused on exploring the quirky nature of the world. With a story like this, I want the story to lean into the strange narrator, the secrets, the technologies, and do something interesting with the concept. Though it kind of gets there at the end, the middle is less concerned with the parts of the story that I found most compelling which caused my interest to wane a bit. \\ \\ ****Currently reading \| Paperback (ARC):** _To Bargain with Mortals_** \\ \\ **Progress:** 35%\\ \\ **Thoughts:** I am finally reading _To Bargain with Mortals_!!! I already know that I am going to eat this up. The writing is engaging, the world building is strong, and I am so invested in the characters' lives. One thing I'm really appreciating is how realistically complex the two main characters have been so far. Poppy in particular manages to walk the very fine line of being realistically naive for her situation without being insufferable to read about. She feels real and I can't help but root for her growth as a character. I am also really looking forward to seeing more of the magic. \\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Future Reading Plans:** \\ \\ Once I finish _To Bargain with Mortals_ I need to start another highly anticipated release: _The Sacred Space Between_. This story is about an exiled saint and the devout iconographer sent to paint him. I just know the gothic atmosphere and romance are going to be perfect.\\ \\ \\ \\ I only recently found myself really excited to read _The Everlasting_. After being so disappointed by _The Second Death of Locke_, I think I have transferred all of my hopes onto _The Everlasting_ instead. I will definitely be at the bookstore this week to pick up a copy!\\ \\ \\ \\ The most recent addition to my physical TBR is _Kill the Beast_ by Serra Swift. A friend told me personally that she thought I would love it and that is all that I needed to know. A fairy-tale story of revenge, redemption, and friendship. \\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Fantasy Books Perfect for the Spooky Season** \\ \\ With Halloween quickly approaching I thought I would share some books with magic systems or atmospheres that are perfect for the spooky season. \\ \\ \\ \\ **_Asunder_**: You should know by now that I am going to take any opportunity to recommend _Asunder._ This dark, gritty fantasy has a world that I think is best described as "horror Studio Ghibli." With elements that could almost have been cozy, this broken world is creepy, unsettling, and sometimes magical. In this book we follow a girl who has made a bond with an eldritch god that left her with the ability to see the dead. While on a job she stumbles across a dying mysterious stranger. In order to save him she binds his soul to her shadow, accidentally creating a bond that threatens to destroy them both. The two of them go on a quest to break the bond and pick up a ragtag group of reluctatnt allies along the way. \\ \\ \\ \\ **_House of Salt and Sorrows_**: This YA gothic horror retelling of the twelve dancing princesses also contains some of the most unsettling scenes I have ever read. That is not to say that it is particulary scary, but the sense of atmosphere is so rich and consuming that I got swept away in the nightmare. I loved the cold, stormy seaside setting and I was so invested in the mysterious curse haunting the young girls. _House of Salt and Sorrows_ makes for the perfect gloomy fall read.\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Silver Under Nightfall_**: Would it be a spooky season recommendation list if I didn't include my favorite vampire book? _Silver Under Nightfall_ follows disgraced vampire hunter Remy who lives in the shadow of his mother's disgraceful death despite his talent as a hunter. When two mysterious vampires come to the kingdom, Remy is recruited to help them uncover the mystery between the dangerous monsters threatening the kingdom. The gothic vampire setting makes this the perfect spooky season read. There is also an incredible vampire x vampire hunter romance to add even more tension to the story. Might I also suggest treating this as a standalone and pretending that _Court of Wanderers_ doesn't exist lol. \\ \\ * * *\\ \\ Have you been saving any particular books for the spooky season? See you next week with more reading updates and book recommendations.\\ \\ Happy reading!\\ \\ Samantha (ladybug.books)\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/06Dms0lsig9BfcE9Rm3P/) [Ladybug.books Newsletter (10/19/25 - 10/25/25)](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/06Dms0lsig9BfcE9Rm3P/) * * * 9 books [Ladybug Books\\ \\ Samantha\\ \\ • Oct 19 2025](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hello friends, and welcome back to my weekly Bindery newsletter! This week has been about rediscovering my 2025 priority TBR and trying to decide what books I want to put at the top of my list for the rest of the year. I also finished my first 2026 release this week.\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ ****Reading Updates:**** ****Paperback (ARC) \| Finished**: _Agnes Aubert's Mysterical Cat Shelter_** \\ \\ **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐\\ \\ **Release Date:** February 17, 2026\\ \\ **Thoughts:** This was such a lovely, cozy read! I would have liked a bit more from the plot but the characters and the cats were enough to keep me entertained. I really love how the cats are their own distinct characters in the story. The romance was a lot less prevalent than I expected but I still found their relationship cute. I also really enjoyed learning about the system of magic and magical artifacts. More thoughts to come closer to release date!\\ \\ ****Hardcover \| Currently Reading:** _Moonbound_** \\ \\ **Progress:** 41%\\ \\ **Thoughts:** Pros of being a moodreader: not feeling bound to a TBR. Cons of being a reader: actually have to figure out what you're in the mood for. _Moonbound_ caught my interest after I saw it in a few yearly wrapups at the end of 2024. So much so that I put it in my list of 25 books to read in 2025. I randomly picked it up this week because I had no idea what I wanted to read. I love a story with a unusual narrator, so this story immediately captured my attention. The unique blend of far future SciFi and fairytale-esque elements is so intriguing. I am so interested to see how the story continues.\\ \\ ****Audiobook \| Currently Reading:** _Goddess of the River_** \\ \\ **Progress:** 63%\\ \\ **Thoughts:** I was so excited for the release of _Goddes of the River_ and even more excited when it was an Illumicrate montly pick. So I have no idea why it has sat on my TBR for so long. Another victim of my 25 books to read in 2025 list, I was finally motivated to pick up the audiobook on Libby. The story is beautiful and Ganga's perspective is incredibly compelling. I am struggling more with the son's chapters. I find the destructive nature of his commitment to duty and "justice" intriguing, but I am really struggling to follow all of the different storylines and characters in his chapters. I have been studying the family tree at the front of the physical copy, but I might just have to accept that I am going to miss things.\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Future Reading Plans:** \\ \\ I am determined to spend the rest of the year focusing on my priority and physical TBRs. There are still a few upcoming releases I have my eye on, but it should be easier to focus on the books I already own.\\ \\ Instead of highlighting specific books I'm thinking of reading soon, I wanted to share my current progress on my "25 books to read in 2025" priority TBR. I'm not delusional enough to think that I can finish this list before the end of the year. So help me choose which books to prioritize! Or even which books you think I'm less likely to enjoy.\\ \\ \\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **2025 New Releases To Add to the Top of Your TBR** \\ \\ I have read a lot of new releases this year. Some have been big wins and others have been major flops. It can be hard to keep track of all of the books that come out in a year so I wanted to highlight three of my standout favorites (so far).\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Saltcrop_ by Yume Kitasei:** I have been a huge Yume Kitasei fan since her debut _The Deep Sky._ I was highly anticipating the release of _Saltcrop_ and it did not disappoint. _Saltcrop_ is so many things. A heartfelt story of three sisters, a gripping adventure across dangerous waters, and an eerie dystopian with rich world-building. As a family centered climate adventure, this latest release is distinct from Kitasei's other books. I loved the sense of atmosphere that she created and the way the story moved between tender moments and tense action scenes.\\ \\ \\ \\ **_The Raven Scholar_ by Antonia Hodgson:** _The Raven Scholar_ is one of the strongest new fantasy releases I have read in a really long time. Filled with fascinating characters, engaging writing, a deadly competition, and a complicated mystery, this book is a shining example of everything that I love about the fantasy genre. I am obsessed with this book and it has not left my mind since I read it. I love everything: the uniquely magnificent narrator, the humor, the tension, the mystery, the comptetion, the characters, everything. This charmingly clever story has something that will appeal to almost any kind of fantasy reader. I cannot recommend it enough.\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Voidwalker_ by SA Maclean:** I have been betrayed by fantasy romance new releases with interesting premises many times this year. (I need someone to monitor my Libby holds and stop me from "just trying" another mediocre romantasy). So I have to include a fantasy romance that turned out to be a very pleasant surprise in my recommendations! Feisty, flirty, and fun, _Voidwalker_ was an unexpected surprise! I was not a fan of the author’s debut, _The Phoenix Keeper_. However, I was cautiously optimistic for her sophomore novel as the premise sounded much more up my alley. _Voidwalker_ immediately captured my attention. The humor and banter in this book are spot on. Maclean had me laughing from the dedication. The phenomenal flirting and tension had me itching to pick the book back up.\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ I would love to hear about your current reads! See you next week with more reading updates and book recommendations.\\ \\ Happy reading!\\ \\ Samantha (ladybug.books)\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/RBsvXCsAi6M9Ko92Uobl/) [Ladybug.books Newsletter (10/12/25 - 10/18/25)](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/RBsvXCsAi6M9Ko92Uobl/) * * * 6 books 1 [Boundless Press\\ \\ Jananie\\ \\ • Apr 15 2025](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/) [POV: the books are less than $10 so you have to buy them all 😭 a book haul](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/item/pw5wXagDAgaKQ1vcTTDg/) I should not be allowed near a bookstore. * * * 15 books 7 [Skies Press\\ \\ Emma\\ \\ • Nov 29 2024](https://skiesreads.binderybooks.com/) Join for free \\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://skiesreads.binderybooks.com/item/SAKLYkCtNXCDB88l8HFf/) [Newsletter #10: November 29, 2024](https://skiesreads.binderybooks.com/item/SAKLYkCtNXCDB88l8HFf/) In case you’ve managed to miss my many complaints about it for the last \_eleven days\_, I’ve contracted some kind of viral plague and it’s slowly eating away at every last one of my brain cells. I’m... * * * 4 books 4 [1](https://skiesreads.binderybooks.com/item/SAKLYkCtNXCDB88l8HFf/#comments)