2025’s Hottest Book Series: Must-Read Literary Sagas for Avid Readers

If you’re looking to lose yourself in a world of adventure, magic, and unforgettable characters, you’re in luck, 2025 is shaping up to be a powerhouse year for book series lovers. Whether you’re a fantasy fanatic, a fan of reimagined classics, or someone who just wants to binge-read an entire saga in one weekend, there’s a literary universe calling your name.

Let’s dive into the most popular and talked-about book series making waves this year, why readers can’t put them down, and how you can get the most out of your next series binge.

Why Book Series Are Bigger Than Ever in 2025

Series reading isn’t just a pastime, it’s a cultural movement. With BookTok, YouTube reviewers, and AI-powered recommendations making discovery easier than ever, readers are diving deep into long-form storytelling like never before. There’s something uniquely satisfying about growing alongside characters over multiple books, uncovering hidden lore, and finally reaching that last page, only to wish there was more.

This year, several series have risen to the top through a mix of new releases, viral momentum, and timeless appeal. Let’s explore the literary juggernauts you need on your radar.

1. The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros – Dragons, Duty, and Heart-Racing Romance

No series has ignited 2025 quite like Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean saga, which kicked off with Fourth Wing and soared even higher with Iron Flame. Set in the brutal world of Basgiath War College, where cadets train to bond with deadly dragons and survive cutthroat politics, this series blends high-stakes action, slow-burn romance, and emotional depth.

What sets The Empyrean apart?

• A heroine with real stakes: Violet Sorrengail isn’t the strongest or fastest, but her intelligence and resilience make her compelling.
• Dragon bonds as metaphors for trust and trauma: The way riders and dragons connect mirrors human relationships in powerful, unexpected ways.
• Romantic tension that burns slow and bright: The central relationship unfolds with authenticity, not just insta-love.

With Onyx Storm, the third installment, hitting shelves early in 2025 and breaking pre-order records, fans are fully immersed. This series has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring fan art, themed reading journals, and even dragon-riding workout playlists.

Perfect for fans of: Eragon, Game of Thrones, and romantasy lovers drawn to ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash.

2. Percy Jackson & the Olympians – A Legendary Comeback

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series might have started in the 2000s, but it’s experiencing a full-blown renaissance in 2025. Thanks to the Disney+ series reboot and a wave of nostalgic adult readers rediscovering their favorite demigod, interest in Camp Half-Blood has never been hotter.

But it’s not just the original five books lighting up reading lists. New releases like The Chalice of the Gods (2023) and Wrath of the Triple Goddess (2024) have extended the saga into 2025, keeping fans engaged with fresh adventures featuring older, wiser versions of Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and their friends.

Why readers are rereading (and reading more):

• Accessibility and humor: Riordan’s witty voice and modern myth retellings make ancient stories feel fresh and relatable.
• Diverse representation: The series includes characters across the neurodiversity spectrum and LGBTQ+ identities in meaningful, integrated ways.
• Gateway to a larger universe: From The Heroes of Olympus to The Trials of Apollo, there’s a wealth of content for new and returning fans.

Parents are sharing the series with the next generation, book clubs are hosting Greek mythology nights, and educators are using the books to teach mythology and creative writing.

Ideal for: Readers who love adventure, humor, and heart, whether you’re 12 or 42.

3. The Hunger Games Series – Revisited and Reimagined

Over a decade after its explosive debut, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy continues to resonate, especially in 2025, with the release of Sunrise on the Reaping, a highly anticipated prequel set to explore the early years of President Snow.

While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020) delved into Snow’s rise to power, this new installment promises even deeper political intrigue and moral complexity. Fans are revisiting Katniss Everdeen’s original revolution with fresh eyes, analyzing themes of authoritarianism, media manipulation, and resistance.

The entire series remains a staple in classrooms and book clubs alike, with readers praising its:

• Tight, propulsive storytelling
• Unflinching look at trauma and survival
• Strong, flawed female protagonist

As global conversations around justice and power continue, The Hunger Games feels more relevant than ever.

Best for: Dystopian fans, political fiction lovers, and those who appreciate layered worldbuilding.

4. Timeless Series Worth Bingeing in 2025

While new hits dominate headlines, some classic series remain evergreen favorites. Consider adding these to your 2025 reading challenge:

• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: Still enchanting new generations. The upcoming HBO series in 2026 is fueling renewed interest.
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: A masterclass in worldbuilding, perfect for fans of immersive, high-fantasy epics.
• A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: With The Winds of Winter still anticipated, fans are rereading to catch every clue.

These series prove that great storytelling never fades, it just finds new readers.

How to Maximize Your Series Reading in 2025

To truly enjoy these sagas, go beyond passive reading. Try these tips:

• Use a reading journal to track characters, plot twists, and personal reactions.
• Join a book club or online community (like r/Fantasy or BookTok) to share theories and insights.
• Read in order, and check timelines. For interconnected series, chronological order can enhance your experience.
• Set series goals: Challenge yourself to finish one epic saga per season.

And don’t forget: the more you reflect on what you read, the deeper your connection to the story becomes.

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