Readers are calling it: this will be your YA fantasy obsession in 2025

Though 2024 hasn’t quite come a close yet, readers are already predicting what the next big reads of 2025 will be, and Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark is high on the list.

If you love books like Divine Rivals, Serpent & Dove or Fourth Wing, then early reviewers predict that you’re about to be OBSESSED with Clark’s debut novel.

To get a sense of what you can expect, keep scrolling to read early reviews.

Cruel is the Light reviews

'Looking for your next Fantasy book obsession? Look no further, Sophie Clark has you covered with Cruel is the Light ⚔️✨

You are quite literally thrown into exciting, non-stop action from the first page with this one. Intense fight sequences with stunning prose will keep you turning the pages well into the night. As a slow reader, it's not very often I finish a book this quickly, but I couldn't put it down. I refused!

The characters hooked me into the story just as much as the incredible world building did . . . Every character had a great development arc that I loved learning about and I can safely say I'll be thinking about these characters on a daily basis for the foreseeable. Especially Sparrow.'
- Lauren (FictionTea) on Goodreads

‘I read the e-ARC of this book and let me tell y'all, this is going to be THAT book of 2025!

If you love
✨ forced proximity
✨ one bed trope
✨ magic
✨ Rome
✨ enemies to loversThis is the book for you!
The plot and romance were balanced well. A MUST READ’
- @readwithshee on Instagram

'Debut author Sophie Clark has delivered on our newest Romantasy obsession to devour in 2025 with the first instalment in the Cruel is the Light duology. I was immediately enraptured from the very first page as we are thrust into a centuries-old bloodthirsty war between humanity and the demons who wish to smother it . . . To say I'm obsessed with Cruel is the Light is an understatement. I didn't want to put this book down and I was absolutely gutted when I reached the end, and I'm going to need to join an emotional support group in the wait for book two.'
- Erin (erinsreadingroom) on Goodreads

'I am about halfway through at the moment and have loved the action so far, along with the world building.'
- @kindleandkettle on Instagram

'Jules, Selene and Sparrow have made it onto my favourite characters of all time list! The foot soldier, the loyal exorcist and . . . I’ll let Sparrow introduce himself to you😉The book is written from a multiple POV perspective and it fits the story so well! Keeps you on your toes especially in the 2nd half of the book. You’re literally thrown into action from page one and it gets better and better as you go!'
- Parallel Journeys on Goodreads

'The amount of 5 star ratings for this book on Goodreads is INSANE!! And it hasn’t even been released yet! Cruel is the Light by @thesophclark will be published on the 21st January 2025!! MARK YOUR CALENDAR MY FRIENDS!

This is very high up on my tbr list but I’m trying to make myself wait a little longer before reading it so I’m a little closer to pub day (it’s actually killing me and I reckon I’ll cave really soon)🙈

This book is full of everything I love in a fantasy book:

🗡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Forbidden Love
🗡️ Grumpy x Sunshine (apparently the MMC is the sunshine😍)
🗡️ Only one bed
🗡️ Multi POV'
- @catsandpaperbacks on Instagram

'This was everything I hoped it would be and more: enemies to lovers, fake engagement, magic, demons, war, and an exorcist and a soldier being forced to work together as they fight growing feelings between them🫶🏻

There are so many characters that I loved, Selene and Jules being the two most prominent, however a special shoutout to Sparrow and Kian🖤 they have my heart at the moment🫶🏻 I will be obsessed with them for a long time yet! Sophie please be nice to them🙏🏻🥹

I will be recommending this to everyone I know, especially if you’ve loved shadow hunters or divine rivals!!

I can’t wait to have a finished hardback copy in my hands too🙏🏻🙌🏻💙'
- wander.through.worlds on Goodreads

'Enemies to lovers book I needed. Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark is by far the most beautiful ARC I own just because of the artwork on the cover. This was sent to me by @penguinbooksaus and I can not wait to read this book. When I saw it is about secrets of Vatican City I had to have it.'
- @lin_reads on TikTok

'The moment I started this book it completely consumed me and I didn’t want it to end. It’s been a long time that a book has entranced me as much as this one has it is a fantastic YA/NA Romantasy and my new obsession, I will never stop recommending this book!

It has everything I have ever wanted in a book, enemies to lovers, fake engagement, the most beautiful slow burn romance between a exorcist and soldier in a time of war who have to work together while at the same time fight the growing feelings between them, fantasy, magic, demons and twists and turns that you honestly are not prepared for. The turmoil that both Selene and Jules go through as they find themselves trying to navigate and learn secrets and truths when the world that they are living in would separate them is captured within the beautiful way it is written, as is the development of their relationship it was so well done and I loved that we had the reverse grumpy/sunshine with them. Added in with one of the most enchanting side characters in Sparrow that you can’t help but love. This book is every fantasy lover's dream.'
- Clara on Goodreads