It’s never too early to start planning which books you’ll be buying over the next year. Across fantasy, literary fiction, historical fiction, romance and more, here are The National’s picks for the novels you should look out for in 2025.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Release date: January 21
Listed as on the bestseller charts by August 2024 due to pre-order sales, the third instalment of the popular Empyrean series is one year’s most anticipated releases. Following the action in the first two novels Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, the romantasy story will continue to follow Violet Sorrengail.
She attended Basgiath War College, where she become a dragon rider and worked with her friends to fight evil magic-wielders. But things are different now. They aren’t students any more. There is a dangerous and very real war happening and Violet must protect the things she cherishes the most – her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Release date: February 4
Ali Hazelwood is known for her romance novels, such as the popular The Love Hypothesis and Not in Love. Her next release delves into love in the world of competitive sports. Scarlett Vandermeer is a dedicated junior at Stanford University trying to get into medical school and a student-athlete specialising in platform diving.
She has no time for relationships. Lukas Blomqvist the golden boy, a swim captain and world champion who thrives on discipline. They seem to have nothing in common until a well-guarded secret slips out and changes everything. So Scarlett and Lukas make an arrangement, a temporary fling. But when Olympics pressure builds up, their relationship takes a turn and Scarlett realises that staying away from Lukas is impossible changing what she knows about herself and her future.
Isola by Allegra Goodman
Release date: February 4
This novel is based on a true story from the 16th century. Marguerite is a young woman destined for a life of prosperity as the heir to a chateau with its own village and land. But everything changes when she is orphaned and her guardian, Jean Francois de la Rocque de Roberval – a volatile older man she has never met – takes control of her assets and future.
Alone and afraid, Marguerite begins a relationship with De Roberval’s servant. The two start meeting secretly when they are discovered by De Roberval who, as punishment, maroons them on a small island. Marguerite is now at the mercy of nature and must learn to survive in the wilderness on her own.
The Talent by Daniel D'Addario
Release date: February 25
Hollywood is preparing for the biggest night of the year and five actresses hope to win the prize of the night. Adria is the grand dame of the movie industry; Bitty is attempting to control a nervous breakdown; Contessa, a former child star wants the world to take her seriously; Davina wants to make a name for herself in Los Angeles after leaving the London stage; and Jenny, who has always come second to Adria.
This debut novel from Variety chief correspondent Daniel D'Addario is set to be a delicious look into the build up towards the awards season and how the women who are in the business of being perceived and revered are forced to confront truths about themselves.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Release date: March 4
Nigerian writer and activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has several literary accolades under her belt, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. A prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction, this year she is set to release her first novel since Americanah in 2013.
The novel follows the lives of four Nigerian women – Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor and Kadiatou – and explores themes of love, longing, and self-discovery. Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer who, in the midst of the pandemic, recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices. Zikora, her best friend, is a successful lawyer in the midst of heartbreak turns to the last person she thought she needed. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who is now unsure how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is raising her daughter in America is facing a hardship that will threaten all she has worked to achieve.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Release date: March 4
From the renowned Arab-American novelist Laila Lalami comes a novel set in a dystopian future where even our dreams are being watched.
Sara has just landed at LAX when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration (RAA) inform her that she will soon commit a crime. Using data from her dreams, the RAA’s algorithm has determined that she is at risk of harming her husband and she must be kept under observation for 21 days. The agents transfer Sara to a retention centre, where she is held with other inmates, all of them women trying to prove their innocence from crimes they are yet to supposedly commit. Then a new resident arrives, leading Sara down a path that sees her face the companies that are taking away her freedom.
All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
Release date: March 11
Exploring motherhood, parenting challenges and the pressures of fitting in, Harman’s darkly comedic novel follows the story of Florence Grimes, a 31-year-old single mother and former pop star.
Florence is attempting to clear her 10-year-old son Dylan's name when he becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of his classmate, Alfie Risby a bully and heir to a frozen food empire, during a school trip. Despite her lack of any investigative skills and her disdain of the other mothers from Dylan’s private school, Florence decides to investigate the case herself and prove her son's innocence.
Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian
Release date: March 11
Part feminist satire, part thriller, this novels touches on themes of fertility and reproduction as a marker for identity.
Sanjana Satyananda is a 39-year-old woman trying to recover her life after leaving her husband, Killian, at a commune in India when they disagree about having children. She is determined to resurrect her career and get her divorce finalised, but then gets the news that Killian has gone missing. As Sanjana tries to track him down, she is faced with the choices she didn’t take in life and begins to wonder what her life might have been if she’d chosen parenthood.
The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li
Release date: May 6
This story is told in dual timelines and spans three generations. It begins with the death of actress Vivian Yin, who rose to fame in the 1980s and then disappeared from the spotlight at the height of her career, living out the rest of her life as a recluse.
Now that she has died, her daughters expect to inherit her Southern California garden estate but, in a last-minute change to the will, the house has passed on to another family instead. In hopes of staking their claim, both families move into the mansion and now Vivian’s daughters must find out what happened to their mother during the last weeks of her life.
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Release date: May 13
Set in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, this is a story of an unlikely friendship. Hai is a 19-year-old who is contemplating suicide on a bridge during a rainy evening when he is stopped by Grazina, an elderly widow with dementia.
This life-changing encounter pushes Hai to become her caretaker. Over the course of the following a year, they develop a profound bond that transforms both their lives. Hai starts to change his relationship with his family, his community and himself.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Release date: June 3
Taylor Jenkins Reid has made a name for herself with a run of best-selling novels, including The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six. This year she's taken her writing back to the setting of the 1980s Space Shuttle programme, with a love story set within it's high-pressure confines.
Physics and astronomy professor Joan Goodwin has long been fascinated by stars, which prompts her to apply to be one of the first women scientists to join Nasa’s Space Shuttle programme. She is selected, and joins a crop of fellow candidates on the programme, where they strike up life-changing relationships as they prepare to take on their first flight.
Katabasis by RF Kuang
Release date: August 26
After her hugely popular The Poppy War fantasy trilogy and the bestselling thriller Yellowface, RF Kuang is releasing a dark academia fantasy novel.
Alice Law is a determined student who has sacrificed almost everything to achieve her dream: to be one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick and to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world.
But then her plans come to a halt when he dies in a magical accident that is possibly her fault. The professor may be dead, but that’s not going to stop Alice from getting her recommendation and secure the future of their academic careers. And that’s exactly the same conclusion her academic rival Peter Murdoch has come to. Now they have to work together to rescue the soul of their adviser.
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.
Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
SPIDER-MAN%3A%20ACROSS%20THE%20SPIDER-VERSE
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
