r/Fantasy Bingo 2025 Card | Ronit J

r/Fantasy Bingo 2025 Card!

I first did Fantasy Bingo in 2023, and it was quite a stellar experience. I ended up reading a whole lot more than usual. Plus, I got to check off a bunch of my TBR titles. This is my third time with Fantasy bingo, and I think this one took me the longest. Could be the reading slump I faced last year. Regardless, I did complete all the squares, and I ended up reading some interesting titles along the way.

In case you’re wondering, this is what my card looks like:

Now for the mini reviews:

Knights and Paladins: Black Cloaks (Titan Hoppers #4) by Rob J. Hayes – ★★★★

I absolutely loved the main plot with Iro becoming part of the Black Cloaks, and how it revealed a ton of lore. From epic and daunting action scenes to the emotional development of Iro’s character, I really enjoyed reading this one. I will, however, admit to finding the B-plot with Emil (a paladin) pretty lacklustre. The imbalance was noticeable, but the end wrapped up the story nicely, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Hidden Gem: The Crafting of Chess by Kit Falbo – ★★★1/2

I originally read this for the Readalong square, but then switched it over here. The character work was quite impressive, with Chess (the character’s in-game username) going on quite an interesting journey. The lack of chess (the game), however, did disappoint me. As was the ending, which was more of a cliffhanger than an actual ending. That being said, it was an enjoyable read. There is a sequel, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.

Published in the 80s: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 1: Phantom Blood by Hirohiko Araki – ★★★1/2

Last year, I started reading JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and I am on the verge of finishing Part 3: Stardust Crusaders. For this square, I’m only including all of Part 1, but some of Part 2: Battle Tendency also counts. While Part 1 is apparently the weakest, I couldn’t help but admire the absurdity of this world and story. Vampires, zombies, Jack the Ripper… I wasn’t ready for what this manga threw my way. The protagonist, however, felt very lacking. He did grow on me in the second half. Overall, the bizarre plot, the absurd world and combat are what kept me going on these adventures.

High Fashion: A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe – ★★★★★

One of my favourite reads of 2025, I had been intending to read this ever since it was released. I saw the author recommending it for this square, and I decided to dive straight in. A cozy fantasy novella that deals with grief and coping, featuring a grandma who’s a novice necromancer? What’s not to like? I couldn’t help but think of Pratchett while reading this novel; that’s how beautiful and warm this read was.

Down With the System: The Pilot (The Last Horizon #4) by Will Wight – ★★★1/2

Omega is my second favourite character in this series, so I was hyped for a book that focused on him. I did manage my expectations, having found the last two entries were a tad underwhelming compared to the first book. That being said, this one had some amazing moments, as well as some dull ones. Humanising Omega, however, was a move that really appealed to me. His backstory, his journey in this book, everything worked out well. I can’t say more without spoiling the ending, but the way it sets up the next instalment left me intrigued.

Impossible Places: The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl #3) by Matt Dinniman – ★★★★★

I really did not like Carl’s Doomsday Scenario. It made me question whether or not I wanted to continue with this series. Then I read The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook, and I was blown. From the twisted maze of the Iron Tangle to the character development and crazy scenarios that they have to deal with to survive, everything worked in the same bizarrely charming manner that the first book did. Another one of my favourite reads of 2025. I’m currently reading The Gate of the Feral Gods, but I’ll talk about it when I finish it.

A Book in Parts: Second Foundation (Foundation #3) by Isaac Asimov – ★★★★

The concluding volume to the original Foundation Trilogy, this one is actually two novellas clubbed together. I found the ‘Search by the Mule‘ part quite dull and underwhelming. Given how much the previous book built him up, his defeat felt very lacklustre. The second part, ‘Search by the Foundation‘, however, was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t like how the protagonist was a 14-year-old girl, which was a little weird because she pretty much acted like an adult. Apart from that, the ending hit all the right notes for me, concluding the original trilogy on a high note. I won’t spoil it for you, but I found the catharsis to be worth the journey.

Gods and Pantheons: The Whisper That Replaced God & The Whisper That Replaced God Part II: Silent Almighty by Timothy Wolff – ★★★★

I read some pretty good reviews for this duology, almost all of them praising the MC. And to be fair, that was my favourite part of the book, Lord Mute. He’s such an unlikeable, narcissistic ego-maniac that it adds a brilliantly twisted colour to the first-person narration. The dream sequences and the scenes with the Silent God, Lepock, not to mention the powers of silence that Lord Mute uses, all contributed to telling this strange and dark tale. I read both of these in single sittings, and they were really captivating reads.

Last in a Series: Jade Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee – ★★★★★

The epic conclusion to an epic trilogy, I think I’ve rated all the books in the Green Bone Saga a full 5/5. From the stellar character work to the brilliant world-building and careful weaving in of plot, character, and lore, made for quite a fantastic experience. Jade Legacy—despite a few pacing issues—delivered satisfying and epic finales to every single character, including Bero. Jade Legacy continued to explore themes of identity, clan, family, and culture, but in this one, everything got cranked up quite a few notches. It beautifully encapsulated the realistic complexities of what life is like in the real world, with the added element of Jade abilities. For that, and many more reasons, this entire trilogy was in my best reads of 2025 list.

Book Club or Readalong Book: The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll & Mister Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson – ★★★1/2

I don’t know if it’s the dated prose or the fact that I’ve seen various versions of this story, but reading this one just didn’t cut it for me. The philosophical explorations of the duality of man, of carnal urges and their civilized counterparts, and—in other interpretations—even the potential allegory of Hyde really being Jekyll’s homosexual/trans identity, all made for a beautifully enlightening experience. However, the characters and plot were quite tedious to read.

Parent Protagonist: Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel – ★★★1/2

Apart from the ‘interview’ sections of the graphic novel, I was hooked by the premise and plot till the end. The graphic novel beautifully presents a story with undertones of religious indoctrination and how it affects children. However, the ending left me a tad confused. Overall, a pretty solid read. Made me curious about the novel it is adapted from.

Epistolary: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes – ★★★★★

Started 2026 on a high note! What a soul-crushing experience this was. A thought-provoking tragedy that’s equally full of heart and heartbreak, this classic masterpiece poses important questions of human empathy and intelligence. I had tears in my eyes as I read the last of Charlie’s reports. I don’t know what more to say, except that this book was a lot more than I had expected, and my expectations were high to begin with.

Published in the 2025: The Devils (The Devils #1) by Joe Abercrombie – ★★★1/4

Formulaic but fun, The Devils was more action-packed, humorous and cinematic than I anticipated. This one feels like Abercrombie’s version of the Suicide Squad. However, I will say that this was my second least favourite Abercrombie novel (my least favourite is Red Country, if anyone cares). Despite my mixed feelings, I am leaning towards positive because the things I loved about this book were more enjoyable than the things I didn’t like were tedious. Plus, I believe the groundwork laid by this one should result in a more enjoyable sequel.

Author of Color: A Song of Legends Lost by M. H. Ayinde – ★★★3/4

The pitch of a pre-colonial epic fantasy inspired by African cultures absolutely piqued my interest. And you know what? The prologue, with its science-fantasy elements and unique world, surprised me more than it should have. Featuring a unique world, clashing clans, ancestral spirits, politics, and so much more! The world and cultures are imaginative enough to make me revisit this series in future instalments. But some of the characters and some parts of the plot definitely needed improvement.

Small Press or Self Published: An Inkling of Flame – a Song of the Damned novella by Z. B. Steele – ★★★3/4

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this series. So, I finally decided to give it a shot. I really liked the character work in this one. Steele’s writing will immerse you in the lives of the MC and his friends as they come of age against the backdrop of a looming religious war. Their slow, deliberate change in personalities was great. However, the world didn’t intrigue me as much as I had expected. The end was pretty cool, but I’m on the fence about whether or not I want to dive into the novels yet.

Biopunk: The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells – ★★★★1/2

This one read like Frankenstein-Lite. It brilliantly explored profound themes of human interference with nature, the effects of trauma & more through a horror lens. As much as The Island of Doctor Moreau reflects on philosophical dilemmas, it also unintentionally gives insight into colonial minds and their race to conquer the whole world. If not for the atmospheric horror or the deeply troubling, and touching, narrative, then for the pondering and insights that this book presents, I believe this is an absolute must-read.

Elves and/or Dwarves: Soul Music (Discworld #16) by Terry Pratchett – ★★★★

The title made it seem like the book was going to be about jazz. Wrong. It’s Music With Rocks In! We have Death, and we have one of my favourite music genres. However, the plot and characters didn’t appeal to me as much as I had expected them to. It was fun, and it did break my reading slump. Yet, it ended up being just okay. Now, even ‘just okay’ from Pratchett is still quite impressive. Which is why I’ve rated it a 4/5.

LGBTQIA Protagonist: We Burned So Bright by T. J. Klune – ★★★★

Okay, I hadn’t read anything about this book, except the author’s name. And I’m glad I took that bet. Because We Burned So Bright ended up being one of the most emotionally moving experiences of 2025. A sensitive exploration of humanity at its best & worst in the face of inevitable doom. I cried reading this bittersweet road trip at the end of the world. I’m amazed at how TJ Klune has balanced out cozy moments between partners with the most horrific scenes of emotional devastation, set against the backdrop of a world-ending threat. Absolutely beautiful.

Five SFF Short Stories:

I normally just pick up an anthology for this bingo square. However, the first short story I read ended up being part of a long discourse in SFF literature, which led me to two more shorts included in it. From there, I ended up reading 2 more award nominees for the 2025 Hugo Awards, and well, over the span of two days, I was done with 5 amazing short stories. The shorts in my reading order:

All of these short stories were thought-provoking, with the Omelas stories really staying with me for weeks even after I finished reading them. Plus, I remember finding discussions on most of them on this subreddit, so that was a bonus read for me.

Stranger in a Strange Land: Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson – ★★★★

Sanderson’s Secret Project #5 was quite a unique experience set during a pivotal moment of technological advancement. Emberdark gave us a deeper look into the Space Age of the Cosmere, and a captivating one at that. I genuinely think that when Sanderson doesn’t have the onus of a larger story looming over him, he’s able to create more immersive experiences. While the Sander-lanche wasn’t as epic for me, the ending was everything I wanted, expected, and—thankfully—not expected. The characters (especially Chrysalis) really kept me hooked to the story. Plus, all the teases for what’s in store for the future have me hyped for Ghostbloods.

Recycle a Bingo Square (Multi POV): Abaddon’s Gate (The Expanse #5) by James S. A. Corey – ★★1/2

Started out strong with the prologue & Holden’s chapter, but none of the other POVs worked for me. Not politically. Not philosophically. Not narratively. This whole book felt like it could’ve been a novella. There were some cool ideas with the Ring Station and the reveal for why the protomolecule is using Miller’s ghost, but the same could’ve been said with much fewer words. Or with a more interesting plot and narrative.

Cozy SFF: My Soul Mate by Wah Kee – ★★★1/2

A semi-autobiographical account with a paranormal twist, Wah Kee’s manhua, My Soul Mate, promised a slice-of-life story that appealed to me as a writer. A sweet, delightful tale of fulfilling lifelong dreams, Wah Kee’s wonderfully detailed illustrations brought a unique character to the manhua overall. Don’t go in expecting a life-changing story. Don’t go in expecting unique, profound characters. Go in, however, for the cozy, comforting vibes. If you’re an artist yourself, you’ll probably enjoy this one more than non-artist readers out there. Think of My Soul Mate as the manhua equivalent of a relaxing coffee break.

Generic Title: Blood Reunion (Hybrid Helix #3) by J.C.M. Berne – ★★★★1/2

My favourite of the Hybrid Helix series so far, the entire plot with the vampire and how it connected to the overarching story and world-building was mind-blowing. Tight plot, awesome action, epic finale, and absolutely brilliant character moments… JCM Berne really takes things to a whole new level with Blood Reunion. Hybrid Helix is one of my favourite ongoing superhero stories, and the consistency of each entry so far has me stoked to keep reading.

Not a Book: Not a Book Bingo Card

I watch a ton of movies, shows, and anime every year. So, I had this crazy idea for this square, where I’d watch movies/shows/anime, and play games that correspond with the 2025 Fantasy Bingo Card. It took a long time to finish, but it was quite a satisfying experience. That’s exactly what I did. I posted about this about a month ago, if you’d like to read mini-reviews for all 25 titles.

Pirates: One Piece (all chapters released during the timeline)

I’ve been following One Piece since I caught up to the manga in 2016. I genuinely believe that this is one of the best stories currently being told. For me, One Piece is on the same high level as Malazan. Most of this timeline’s chapters involved Rocks & Harald’s flashbacks, which I enjoyed tremendously. In the timeline of this Bingo challenge, I think I’ll have read about 40 chapters. We’re in the endgame now (I think), and the Elbaph arc is proceeding beautifully. I especially loved the reveal of Loki’s devil fruit, and can’t wait to see how this arc ends, and where it leads our characters next.

That’s it. What do you think of my r/Fantasy Bingo 2025 Card? This is my third time completing Fantasy Bingo, and I really enjoyed reading new titles, as well as some classics that were on my TBR for a long time. However, I’m not going to participate in the 2026 challenge. I have a bunch of things lined up, and won’t have time to read as much. Maybe I’ll join in for the 2027 challenge depending on my schedule.

What did you read for the 2025 Fantasy Bingo Challenge? If you have any recommendations based on the titles I’ve included here, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Thank you to anyone who read the whole thing. Wishing you all happy reading!

I also posted this on Reddit, if you want to check it out.

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Until next time!

ronitjauthor

March 18, 2026

Book Review, Lists, Reviews

Book Reviews, Fantasy bingo, Reviews, Ronit J

Ronit J