The thrill of discovering a new voice in literature is unmatched. January 2025 introduces us to a group of debut authors ready to captivate, challenge, and inspire. These fresh narratives bring originality, bold storytelling, and unforgettable characters to the table. Whether it’s a haunting mystery, an epic fantasy, or a moving contemporary drama, these books are destined to leave a mark. Let’s explore best debut books of January 2025!
Best Debut Books of January 2025
Homeseeking: By Karissa Chen
“Homeseeking” by Karissa Chen is a sweeping historical novel that traces the intertwined lives of Suchi and Haiwen over six decades. Their story begins in 1938 Shanghai, where seven-year-old Suchi is captivated by Haiwen’s violin playing. As they grow, their friendship deepens into love. However, in 1947, Haiwen secretly enlists in the Nationalist army to save his brother from conscription, leaving behind only his violin and a note saying, “Forgive me.” This decision sets them on separate paths through significant events in Chinese history, including the Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War.
The narrative alternates between Suchi’s forward-moving timeline and Haiwen’s retrospective one, highlighting their individual journeys through Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. In 2008, a chance encounter at a Los Angeles grocery store reunites them, prompting reflections on their shared past and the concept of “yuanfen,” a Chinese term denoting a fated connection. Chen’s novel delves into themes of love, displacement, and the search for belonging, offering a poignant exploration of the Chinese diaspora and the enduring impact of personal choices amidst historical upheaval.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom: By Shari Franke
“The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom” is a memoir by Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, a former YouTube personality known for the “8 Passengers” family vlog. The memoir reveals the hidden abuse Shari and her siblings endured behind the scenes of their seemingly perfect family life portrayed online. Ruby enforced a strict moral code and, with the influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, implemented harsh disciplinary measures that included physical punishment, food deprivation, and psychological torment. The family’s online presence masked these abusive practices, which continued until Ruby and Jodi’s arrest in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse.
In her memoir, Shari provides a candid account of her struggle for freedom and healing in the face of unimaginable pain. She exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares her battle for truth and survival against her mother’s cruelty. The book delves into the disturbing truth behind the “8 Passengers” channel and the family’s involvement with Hildebrandt’s cult-like life coaching program, “ConneXions.” Through her narrative, Shari aims to shed light on the dangers of family vlogging and the exploitation that can occur behind curated online personas.
Lightfall (The Everlands Trilogy, #1): By Ed Crocker
“Lightfall,” the inaugural novel in Ed Crocker’s “The Everlands Trilogy,” introduces readers to a richly imagined world inhabited exclusively by vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers, with humans existing only as myths. A century prior, the enigmatic Grays decimated half the vampire population, forcing the survivors into the fortified city of First Light. Within its walls, a strict hierarchy prevails: the impoverished consume diluted blood, while the nobility indulge in potent sources, reinforcing societal divisions. The narrative centers on Sam, a disillusioned palace maid weary of her subservient status. Upon discovering a clue related to the murder of the ruler’s son, she seizes the opportunity to ascend the social ladder, aligning herself with the Leeches, a covert group of rebellious maids.
As Sam delves deeper into the investigation, she forms alliances with a diverse cast: a sorcerer whose keen intellect compensates for his lack of magical prowess, a formidable werewolf assassin, and a countess privy to the city’s deepest secrets. Together, they unravel a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of their society. Crocker’s debut intricately weaves themes of power, class struggle, and survival, all set against a backdrop of dark humor and political intrigue. The novel has been lauded for its unique world-building and compelling character dynamics, marking a promising start to the trilogy.
Penitence: By Kristin Koval
“Penitence” by Kristin Koval is a poignant exploration of love and forgiveness. The narrative centers on Angie and David Sheehan, whose lives are shattered when a shocking murder occurs in their home. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help. Martine isn’t just legal counsel—she’s also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them.
Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of pre-9/11 New York City and back again, “Penitence” examines the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness. Koval’s debut novel delves deep into themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the toll of keeping secrets, maintaining the pacing of a thriller while offering rich literary insight. Readers are compelled to consider whether each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.
A Language of Dragons: By S.F. Williamson
“A Language of Dragons” by S.F. Williamson is a debut historical fantasy novel set in an alternate 1923 London, where humans and dragons coexist under a fragile peace agreement. The story follows Vivien Featherswallow, a Second Class citizen aspiring to secure an internship studying dragon languages to ensure a better future for her younger sister. However, her life takes a drastic turn when her parents are arrested for alleged rebel activities, and her sister goes missing. In a desperate attempt to save her family, Vivien makes a fateful decision that inadvertently ignites a civil war.
Recruited as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, Vivien is tasked with deciphering a hidden dragon language, a mission upon which her family’s survival hinges. As she delves deeper into her work, she uncovers unsettling truths about the societal structures she once trusted and the real nature of the war she’s involved in. Williamson’s novel intricately weaves themes of class disparity, political intrigue, and the power of language, all set against a backdrop of dark academia and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. The book has been praised for its imaginative world-building and complex character development, marking it as a standout release in 2025.
Also Read: 10 Most Anticipated Books Releasing in February 2025
