If We Survive This follows Flora as she tries to protect her brother and her friends amidst a zombie apocalypse. After her father disappears and her brother hears a message suggesting he may still be alive, the two of them travel from Los Angeles to upstate California, hoping to reunite with their father and find a safe place to stay. Flora deals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which makes her feel like her chances of surviving are dangerously low, but she knows that the journey is necessary. On the way, she runs into her old crush Crisanta and Crisanta’s ally Adán, and Flora battles with the feelings she still holds and the lingering emotions from her last trip to northern California.
This was my favorite book from 2025, and Flora is one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read about. I found the OCD representation to be accurate, and Flora’s ability to work through her obsessions and her compulsions in such a dire situation was really admirable. Flora develops a lot throughout the story, which has a dual timeline—before the apocalypse and during it. I thought it was cool how much she loved fashion, and it was interesting to read about the normalcy of her life before her world completely changed. I loved reading about her learning to choose her own path, finding her will to live, and accepting the love that she deserves.
The Thorn Queen is the second book in a duology, following The Rose Bargain. In the first book, Ivy vies for the hand of Bram, the faerie prince of England, while falling for his brother, Emmett. Since The Thorn Queen is the second book, I don’t want to spoil too much about the plot, but this story follows Ivy as she deals with the aftermath of the first book. All she wants is to protect the people she loves—especially her sister Lydia. As the royal court in England deals with cruelty, Ivy must find a way to help the people she loves without risking her life.
While Ivy was incredible in the first book, her growth in the second book made me love her so much more. Ivy and I are both the youngest daughters/sisters in our families, so I could often relate to a lot of what she was going through. In the second book, after she has gone through so much trauma, she grows into such a strong woman. Reading about Ivy maturing felt realistic, though she was still able to hold on to some of the things she loved when she was younger—like fairytales and the fae realm. As she grew into her confidence and her strength, she became a role model for me, and I will always remember her.
Summer Ali is a pop-star, and she is determined to navigate fame and independence on her own after firing her parents as her managers. She’s confident that she can keep her “good girl” reputation intact—until she bumps into Jules Moradi. Paparazzi pictures of her interacting with the “bad boy” actor are not what she needs, and she’s less than thrilled when he suggests that they fake date in hopes that her reputation will clear his. As the two grow closer and the truth behind Jules’ image starts to show, Summer wonders if a real relationship with him is worth the risk.
I’ll Pretend You’re Mine was the perfect read, and Summer the perfect female main character. She struggles so much in this book, with her image, her songwriting, her sexuality, and her relationship with her family. Her parents are incredibly toxic, but Summer learns how to put herself first and prioritize her own happiness. She goes through so much verbal and mental abuse, and it’s admirable how she comes out the other side a kind and caring person. Her insecurities felt realistic, and watching her come out as pansexual and get through her writer’s block made me so happy. If she was real, I would definitely go to one of her concerts!
As the prison healer at the deadly Zalindov prison, Kiva has had to fight for her survival for a long time. When the Rebel Queen shows up, Kiva must keep her alive so that she can complete the Trial by Ordeal: trials by fire, air, water, and earth. Soon, a message from Kiva’s family shows up telling her to keep the queen alive. Kiva volunteers to complete the trials, knowing the queen will die if she has to compete. These trials are reserved for the most dangerous criminals, and if she survives, she can walk away free—but no one has ever made it out alive.
Kiva is such a complex character, and even though she made loads of poor choices throughout the series, I still loved her. She was often pulled between her family history and the people she grew to love, and I could sympathize with her and her situation. Though many people in the Zalindov prison hated her, I found her to be really resourceful and smart. She knew how to play the game of survival, and I honestly just think she’s super cool. Her knowledge of medicine coupled with her growth as a warrior throughout the series was everything to me—how could I not love her?
Six of Crows follows six gang members from Ketterdam as they perform a heist for a cash prize. Criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker’s Crows are the only ones who can complete the heist, but will their own problems get in the way of completing the mission?
Inej and Nina are the only women in the gang, and they are the most valuable members of the group. They’re both such distinct characters who are strong and ruthless when necessary but also incredibly kind to each other. The friendship they build is one of my favorite parts of the book. Inej has a rough past, and acting as Kaz’s Wraith may not align with her beliefs, but her devotion to the Crows is admirable. Nina is a Heartrender—someone who can control the beats of another person’s heart—and her wittiness and charismatic personality make her such an interesting character. Inej and Nina are the core of the gang, and they are incredible role models for women. Six of Crows is one of my favorite books, and Inej and Nina are very special to me because they perfectly define strong, powerful female characters.
Emersen Cooper, Pine Reads Review Writer, Editor, and Website Manager