I saw this Firsts of 2025 Book Tag on The Literary Huntress’s blog and decided to join. This book tag was originally created by Tanya @ girlxoxo, but it looks like their website is inaccessible now. Anyway, let’s jump into my Firsts of 2025 Book Tag answers! The questions are at the end of my answers for easy participation; just copy and paste them into your own blog!
First book read this year
The first book I finished this year was SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT by Amelie Wen Zhao. It was fine. It didn’t wow me and so I don’t plan to finish the series.
First book reviewed
The first book I reviewed on my blog in 2025 was Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan.
First book by a debut author
The first book by a debut author I read in 2025 was THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES. It was definitely cozy with found family. I enjoyed it, but I’m also not sure cozy fantasies are 100% my cup of tea. I still recommend it, though!
First book by a new-to-me author
My answer for this should also be SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT. But to avoid repetition, the second book I finished in 2025 also completes this question: TO CATCH A WITCH by E.L. Montague. I read this as a judge for the SFINCS competition.
First book that slayed me
Hm, I’m not slayed pretty easily, so I had to skip a lot of books to get to this answer! I think I have to give the same answer as Tasya and say THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas. Excellent audiobook.
First book that I wished I could get back the time I spent reading it
Sorry to this SFINCS competitor, but probably Gothel and the Maiden Prince by W.R. Gingell. Me and the writing style didn’t get along too well in this one.
Firsts of 2025 Book Tag Questions
First book read this year
First book reviewed
First book by a debut author
First book by a new-to-me author
First book that slayed me
First book that I wished I could get back the time I spent reading it
And that’s it for my Firsts of 2025 Book Tag! I love a short and sweet book tag. If you do too, then feel free to snag the questions and complete it.
I’m hoping to do this tag soon too after seeing it over on Tasya’s page as well. I meant to do it earlier this year when I first saw it around then forgot all about it 🙈
I’m sorry to hear some of these books weren’t new favourites but they all sound interesting. I get how cosy fantasy may not be for everyone. I love an action packed plot in general but from what I’ve tried so far I’ve been pleasantly surprised by cosy vibes. THUG is one I majorly need to try sometime. I’m sorry the SFINCS novella wasn’t for you too. I look forward to checking out your review for Immortal once I’ve finally read the book (it’ll definitely be sometime this year as I got a special edition 😅)
I’m sure there’s a cozy fantasy out there that’ll be “for me,” but I haven’t quite found it yet! However, that’s not to say the ones I’ve read are bad. They’re just not what I prefer as, like you, I like more action in my fantasy reads.
I’m sad to hear girlxoxo is no longer around. I think it still was up and running when I did this tag a couple of months ago.
I am not doing well with new/debut authors this year. I realized I am mostly reading authors I love instead of branching out😬
Unfortunately it looks like the website for girlxoxo is still down (at least for me). I didn’t know them previously, but maybe they let their domain go? No idea!
I love short tags!!! Amelie Wen Zhao didn’t grab me either when I read my first book by her a few weeks ago. Cosy fantasy is a bit hit and miss for me. I think it’s down to whether or not the characters interest me. I enjoyed Teller of Small fortunes but I wouldn’t rush out to buy the next one by the author.
Short tags are the best. As for Amelie Wen Zhao, I’m not motivated to try another of her series since I thought SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT wasn’t a good fit for me. And same for me with Leong’s next book…that’d be a library check out for me.
I’ve always loved the covers of her books but I don’t think I’ll be bothering with any others.
This is a really fun tag! If I ever find the time, I might have to do this one!
Fun tag! I have struggled with cozy fantasies of late. I’m trying though. haha. I did read Teller of Small Fortunes and did like it more than I have many others!
I’m not writing off cozy fantasies just yet…I’m sure there’s one out there that I’ll love.
I’m trying too! haha, I’m reading Enchanted Greenhouse by Durst. I didn’t love Spellshop.. this one is a little better. It feels a little too long though.
Ditto what Amanda said 😅
I love reading your answers! I don’t think cozy fantasies are for me either, I usually prefer my fantasies to be full of action or heartbreak 🥲
Yes, give me action or heartbreak in my fantasy books haha.