January Reading-Wrap UP

10 Books I Read in January – Reviews & Thoughts

New year, new reading goals! 📚✨ January was a strong start to my 2025 reading challenge, and I covered everything from high-stakes fantasy to chilling thrillers and even a personal growth book. Here’s a breakdown of what I read this month and my thoughts on each!

Fantasy Favorites

🔥 Iron Flame & Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing captivated me and was an easy 5-star read. If you start there, I guarantee you’ll NEED to continue the series! Mr. Xaden Riorson himself is my favorite Shadow Daddy. 😏 Iron Flame took the action, romance, and betrayals to another level, while Onyx Storm kept the adrenaline pumping. That said, both fell a little flat for me overall. The dragons, political intrigue, and emotional turmoil were all there—I just hope Rebecca picks it up in the next book to redeem the series!

👑 Crown of Midnight & Heir of Fire – Sarah J. Maas

I’m deep into my Throne of Glass journey, and WOW—the character growth in these books is incredible. Celaena’s transformation is gripping, and the world-building keeps expanding in the best way. I chose to read the series in numerical order instead of publication order, starting with The Assassin’s Blade, and I’m so glad I did! It gave so much context to events in books 1 and 2. Highly recommend that approach!

🌫️ One Dark Window – Rachel Gillig

ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED! This was my favorite read of the month. A gothic fantasy with a dark, eerie magic system that felt fresh and unique. The slow-burn romance and atmospheric writing made it perfect for a cozy night in. The way Rachel Gillig built an immersive world, introduced a completely original magic system, and still delivered deep character development was chef’s kiss 👌. You can’t help but love all the characters!

Thrilling Page-Turners

🏥 Ward D – Freida McFadden

A fast-paced, locked-room thriller set in a psychiatric hospital. Classic McFadden—twists, turns, and a jaw-dropping ending! While it wasn’t my favorite of her books, it was still an enjoyable and quick read.

🎭 The Last Party – A.R. Torre

A slow-burn thriller told from the POV of a female psychopath. The buildup was solid, and I loved piecing together the clues as the story unraveled.

🕵️‍♀️ The Atonement – Kiersten Modglin

Modglin never disappoints with her mind-bending domestic thrillers. This one had me second-guessing EVERYTHING. If you love psychological thrillers, add it to your list! That said, The Arrangement (book one) was the best of the trilogy. Honestly, you could read that and move on—but of course, I had to see how it all ended.

🌊 The Lake of Lost Girls – Katherine Greene

My least favorite read of the month. It had a creepy, atmospheric vibe, and I initially loved the true-crime podcast premise (since I’m a podcast junkie). But the ending fell flat for me. The super uncomfortable father-daughter relationship had me questioning everything… and by the last page, all I could think was, “JUST WHY!?” 😩

Personal Growth Pick

🚀 6 Habits of Growth – Brendon BurchardI love mixing in a good mindset book, and this one had great takeaways on productivity, motivation, and long-term success. A solid read if you’re looking to level up your habits this year! I have a seperate blog post going in depth of each habit in depth.

6 Habits of Growth

Final Thoughts

January was packed with incredible reads, and I’m excited to keep the momentum going! With a goal of 42 books for the year, this was a strong start toward reaching it.

What was your favorite book in January? Let’s swap recommendations in the comments! 📚✨

To purchase any of the books & Check out of my Bookish Purchases check out my storefront:

PURCHASE BOOKS HERE

xoxo, Priscilla