Booktok December 2022 Novels & Stories

So I’ve been scouring my feed and there’s definitely a couple of titles that keep popping up. The big one seems to be 'Crimson Frost' by some new fantasy author, Aris Thorne. It’s giving major romantasy winter court vibes, and people are already posting aesthetic mood boards with icy castles and red-haired protagonists. I haven’t read it yet, but my mutuals are obsessed—apparently the tension between the two leads is unbearable in the best way.

Another trend I’m seeing is a weirdly specific resurgence of cozy, small-town horror? Like 'The Gifts of the Last Light' by M. Hollis. It’s not exactly festive, but BookTok is pairing it with hot cocoa and blanket content, calling it a 'chilly but comforting' read. The algorithm pushed it on me after I watched a few 'snowed-in thriller' videos.

Honestly, my December TBR is already overflowing, so I’m just adding these to my ‘maybe later’ list. The hype can be so fleeting; by January they’ll be onto something else entirely.

The obsession right now feels split between Rebecca Yarros and Olivie Blake. 'Iron Flame' discourse is everywhere—some people are furious about the pacing and certain character decisions, but they're still talking about it nonstop. Meanwhile Blake's 'The Atlas Six' universe keeps expanding with those new novellas; the academic rivalry and magical theory stuff hits that sweet spot for fans who want to feel clever while they read. I'm kind of over the Yarros cycle, honestly. The Blake fandom feels more sustainable to me, less about shocking twists and more about dissecting every line of dialogue.

A dark horse I keep seeing is Mona Awad. 'Rouge' blew up late this year after a few big creators did deep dives into its surreal horror take on beauty culture. The clips of people reacting to the weirdest scenes are super shareable. It's not a cozy romantasy, so it stands out. That's probably why it caught on—a palate cleanser from all the dragons and fae courts.

This month, I’m diving into 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and it’s absolutely captivating. The way the story unfolds through Evelyn’s life, her marriages, and her secrets is so compelling. I love how it blends glamour, heartbreak, and raw honesty. It’s one of those books that makes you think about love, ambition, and identity long after you’ve finished it.

I’m also starting 'A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder' by Holly Jackson because I’ve heard so much about its twists and turns. The idea of a high schooler solving a cold case is intriguing, and I’m already hooked by the suspense. Both books are perfect for anyone looking for a mix of drama and mystery this month.