I’ve been doing the bingo for several years now but I failed to complete it the last time because my mood just didn’t want to line up with the prompts. I finally did it though! I made the effort to pick up books that were already on my (digital) shelf, and preferably written by an author from a marginalized group. So women, people of colour, disabled people, and/or LGTBQ+ folks.
Overall, I read so many books last year (74-ish? Don’t remember when/what time I finished the 75th one), I had a great time. The decade bound prompts are the ones I usually have problems with since I like to read from my TBR but I rarely have books from pre-90s. Even the 90s will be hard. I only started reading English (it’s not my native language) in high school, after 2000.
It’s too hard to pick a favourite from this list. I can’t pick just one. Some books find you at the right moment when you need them, and while they might not be perfect, they’re perfect in that moment. Read my reviews if you want to know which ones I recommend and for who.
Here is the filled in bingo card, below that are all of the prompts with my picks and a mini review of each book/short story.
The prompts and picks
1. Knights and Paladins
Ladies Knight by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner
My friend loves both of these authors, especially when they’re co-writing but I wasn’t prepared for how fun this was. It’s funny, breaks the fourth wall, while also covering serious themes and issues with the characters. It’s a really fun book that I’d recommend to anyone who’s looking for the classic knight vs dragon tropes but with a queer twist.
2. Hidden Gem
Awry with Dandelions by J.S. Fields
A novella I picked up at Worldcon in Glasgow. I read the blurb when I picked it up but didn’t remember anything when I started reading. I enjoyed it but it had its flaws. Some parts I would have loved to see better described like some of the action in the later half. Other things are repeated in a couple of pages but with different words. I get that it’s to enhance the effects of their bond but it lost its power eventually, not hitting the mark it should’ve hit.
3. Published in the 80s
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
I’ve had this on my shelf for so long but never read it. I don’t remember where I bought it or why I picked up the first book when everyone says it’s not the best place to start. I don’t know, this is my first Pratchett. It won’t be my last since I have the second one as well. I do know I’m going to unhaul this one since I barely rated it 3 stars. I can use that shelf space for books that bring me more joy.
4. High Fashion
The Elysium Heist by Y.M. Resnick
Robbing a casino in space? Heck yes! Making your bitter ex take the fall for the crime? I’m here for it. One of the crew members is a dealer in the casino, a woman molded to seduce the visitors into spending more on cards or booze. Or other services. The more commission she makes, the better clothes and jewels she has. And this one is the top seller at the casino.
The book follows the classic heist structure (which I studied to prepare to write my own heist) and it was fun to see everything play out while still going deeper into the character dynamics and their backstories. The world itself was interesting too. If you’re looking for Jewish rep in space, this is one you’ll want to pick up too.
5. Down With The System
Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie
The premise for this one reminded me a lot of Soul Eater, the anime. I hated the ending of the anime while I loved the rest. I hoped that this one would do better. And it did! I really loved this one and I’m very much looking forward to the sequel. The characters all had their own voice and secrets. I’m sure there’s even more that we haven’t seen yet. The trials don’t feel that original but that’s okay. What matters more is what the characters do and experience. It got somewhat predictable at the end, but I was so immersed I didn’t mind.
6. Impossible Places
Dallergut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee
A feel-good novel I picked up at the bookstore. The cover is so colourful, it caught my eye immediately. I picked it up because it’s a translation from Korean and I want to do better at reading more Korean and Japanese translated books. Dreams are also something that interests me. This is the most cozy low-stake book I’ve ever read. It’s a slice of life story of a clerk working in the dream departmentstore, and as such, you read the day to day work she does. You get glimpses of the dreamers (in their waking hours and their dreams) and how the dream writers work. It’s fun and a good distraction if you want to forget about the state of the world.
7. A Book in Parts
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
I devoured this one and I hated that I didn’t have the sequel on hand when I finished it. The world is interesting and finding out more about the mythology was nice. I’ll only read a book with a war theme when it’s a more war adjacent story, like this one or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (both epistolary novels, coincidently), and I’m glad the war theme didn’t stop me. I’m really curious about the sequel since it ended with a cliffhanger.
8. Gods and Pantheons
The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim
I was obsessed with the first one as K-drama fan and this one didn’t disappoint either. I love a good murder mystery, but especially when it’s in a closed off space, like a mansion or cruise ship. Seokga has changed since he lost Hani, and discovers even more sides of himself as he gets to know Kisa. Other characters return as well, which was really nice to see. I got these as arcs but I’m going to find them in pretty editions to put on my shelves.
9. Last in a series
Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan
I finally, finally, finished this series! I started years ago but this prompt really pushed me to finish this. I don’t know why I wanted so long. Probably because all the other books were new shinies. I’m glad to have read it and finished the story. The girls deserved their ending. They fought hard for it. After everything they went through in the first and second book (and even third), that ending was triple deserved. It’s been awhile since I finished a series with such satisfaction.
10. Book Club or Readalong
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
My friend loves this book and I can see why. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2025 for sure, but I can’t explain why. It’s the ‘great book’ curse where it’s hard to voice your feelings, it’s just too good. One of my criteria for an excellent book is that it has to make me feel and while a lot of books do, this one made me feel Beatriz’s dread, the pressing vibes in the house, the fear in the workers and townsfolk. It nailed the gothic vibe, the culture, the voice. Definitely recommend this one.
11. Parent Protagonist
Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell
I fell in love with Someone You Can Built a Nest In last year, so there was no hesitation in picking this one up. Wiswell is such an excellent storyteller and has great perspectives. Hera is a great character, her fierceness and het fury. Heracles is just trying to live his life in the best way possible and overcomes any challenge thrown at him. He fights, with his heart. If retellings are your thing, definitely pick this up because I’m convinced you haven’t read anything like this.
12. Epistolary
A Letter To The Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
I adored this one. The characters are interesting, all with their own quirks, although none of them are seen as bad. Most of the characters are highly empathetic which I really appreciate. The academic approach is also I really liked. An anthropologic approach to the sea and the life that lives there. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
13. Published in 2025
All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu
The premise sounded amazing and the first couple of chapters held me captive. Liu has an interesting approach to AI and explains it well. He highlights the moral and ethical challenges of using AI. Halfway through I got really confused (as I’m sure others did as well) because what I thought was the main storyline just… ended? The rest of the book seemed like a completely new story, sequel material. Instead we just got one book telling the whole story.
14. Author of Color
The Villa, Once Beloved by Victor Manibo
This was one of the hardest books to read on this list, for personal reasons. Some books I read to hold it as a mirror to my own life, and books set in SEA always make me grab a mirror. Maybe it’s because I’m curious about my own Indonesian heritage but also because I hear stories from family all the time. I see the parallels between what they tell me and what’s in these books (see also my review of Black Water Sister). Stories about ghosts haunting grand villas and family owning plantations are part of the lore from my family. Also the family dynamics are very familiar to me. And I also recognized Sophie’s feelings as she visits her ancestral country for the first time, the disconnect she feels, and how overwhelming it can be to submerged in a family that’s been there generations. For these reasons, this book will always have a special place in my heart.
15. Small Press or Self-Published
Vampires of Shanghai by Katherine Mercer
I like my vampires bloody. And there’s no lack of blood in Shanghai as it’s now run by vampires. All human citizens are required to donate blood every month to the vampire overlords. An interesting, more dystopian take on vampire society. And when the vampire princess rebels, she finds out exactly who her sire truly is. It’s bloody, gory, and toxic. Definitely a must-read on any vampire list.
16. Biopunk
The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander
This one confused me a lot, but I understood more once I read a third of it. It’s not an easy book, not in style/structure, nor in content. I wasn’t familiar with the story/event it’s based on, that might have made it more difficult for me too. Still, I don’t regret reading it. Would I recommend it? Only if the subject interests you.
17. Elves and/or Dwarves
Elfhame by Anthea Sharp
I must’ve had this one on my digital shelf forever. I’ve read books by Anthea Sharp before and found them entertaining. This one continues that streak. I wouldn’t say it’s grounding breaking (not every book has to be) but it’s a fairly tropey book with a human girl who finds her way into an Elven kingdom, prophecied to marry the prince.
18. LGBTQA Protagonist
Ascension by S.T. Gibson
I can’t resist a demon summoning so I’m back with Rhys, David, and Moira. What I didn’t expect to find in this book was a negative character arc. I did some research on negative character arcs for my own projects so this was a nice surprise and I immediately had a good example of the dynamics. It’s nice to see the characters grow more into their best selves. They’ve come so far since the beginning of the first book. I’m very excited to finish the series.
19. Five SFF Short Stories
The Flowers Have Teeth by K.E. Andrews
A very cute goblin focused short story. For all of those who have hoards and/or collections.
A Better Fate by D.N. Bryn
This was such a surprise! I didn’t remember anything about the plot or premise but I read Bryn before so I knew I’d enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy it, I loved it. The best short story on this list. It’s a self contained folklore story featuring a sapphic romance between a dryad and an undead soldier. The less you know about it, the better.
Yours, Wickedly by Stephanie Burgis
More epistolary stories! I love everything Burgis writes and this is no exception. Highly recommend if you want whimsical romantic fantasy.
Emergence by A.M. Weald
One of the few science-fiction stories on this list, but another one with very interesting ideas about our future, although not as near. A cozy queer normative post-apoc story.
Origins by S.M. Boyce
A little ghost story to end my five short stories. I didn’t blow me away, nor did it intrigue me to read more as this is the setup for another series.
20. Stranger in a Strange Land
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
I love Ali Hazelwood. I’ve read nearly all her books except for the exclusive ones, and loved most of them. Bride is the first non-contemporary so people have mixed opinions about it because it might not translate for all of her fans but I really enjoyed it. It’s not my favourite one, but I will reread it at some point. The vampire/werewolf conflict might be common in the paranormal romance/romantasy space but it’s nice to see the over the top alphas and insta-love. It doesn’t just focus on hierarchy but also on the emotional connection between the main couple, and the overall politics of the vampire and werewolf society.
21. Recycle a bingo square
No Ifs, Ands, or Buts
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
I might have picked this up with another square in mind but I can’t remember. I really liked this one though. More queer books with sapphic relationships. And the western aspect was a nice change. Definitely recommend this one.
22. Cozy SFF
Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow
I devoured this. Essa Hansen recommended it to me when it was a ‘Read now’ option on Netgalley and I just couldn’t stop. Sassy cats, rivals to lovers, heists, mythical creatures. It has everything I love in books.
23. Generic Title
Faerie Blood by Emma L. Adams
Another indie from a decade ago (just like Elfhame). I can definitely see why this was so popular back then. It feels fresh, but still familiar. It might be easier to predict, but that’s okay. It reminds me a bit of the October Day books so if you want more of that, check this one out.
24. Not a Book
Wolf King (Netflix series)
I could’ve used so many other things here. K-pop Demon Hunters. One of the many games I finished in the past year, but I started watching Wolf King for this square. I already had it on my watch list as animated fantasy is something I gravitate towards. The animation style might not be for everyone because it’s choppy. This is intended though. I’ve grown to appreciate it, and the story itself was engaging enough because of the characters.
25. Pirates
The Revenge of Captain Vessia by Leslie Allen
Probably one of my favourites on this list, this vampire pirate story has everything you want in a vampire story. Blood lust, rage, murder sprees, a hint of romance. The latter bit of the story reminded me of crawling through the Tristram monestary in Diablo II, my favourite franchise. Highly recommended.
