Risingshadow 2026
01/01/2026 - 12/31/2026 (263 days left)
The Risingshadow 2026 reading challenge is designed to inspire readers to explore a wide variety of themes and genres, especially those familiar from speculative fiction. Take on the challenge and step into the fascinating worlds of stories, adventures that will invigorate both the heart and the mind!
Here's how to participate in the reading challenge:
- Log in to the website.
- Click the text "Participate" next to the challenge task to which you want to add a book you've read that fits the theme. The book must be read (or listened to) during the year 2025.
- In the "Book title" field, enter the name of the book. A dropdown menu will appear below the field with suggestions from Rising's database that match the title. If the book you read appears in the list, click on it. If it’s not found in Rising’s database, write the full name of the book and the author's name.
- If you want, you can write a short explanation in the lower text field about why the book you read fits the particular challenge task.
- Finally, click "Save".
Reading Challenges
1. A book where the world has been permanently changed by a major event
Completed 2: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Chelsea K (12/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Lost in the Never Woods - Aiden Thomas |
★ 4
Reasoning: The disappearance of Wendy and her brothers five years ago is the "major event." It didn't just change Wendy; it permanently altered her family dynamics and the safety of the entire town of Astoria.
2. A fantasy or science fiction book with a protagonist who is neither a hero nor a villain
Completed 4: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), HourglassEyes (11/25), Pisania (10/25)
Катерина Захожая:
The Measure - Nikki Erlick
Reasoning: The story follows eight individuals, who are simply trying to navigate their personal lives. They aren't trying to save the world; they are just reacting to their circumstances.
3. A book where technology causes more problems than it solves
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25)
Freyja: Ydinsota: näin maailma tuhoutuisi - Annie Jacobsen
Катерина Захожая:
The Stepford Wives - Ira Levin
Reasoning: Instead of helping with housework, technology is weaponized to erase female identity and agency.
4. A book in which myths, legends, or folklore play a central role
Completed 5: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), Pisania (10/25), Item202 (4/25)
Катерина Захожая:
White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout |
★ 8
Reasoning: The entire world-building is centered on the reimagined folklore of Gargoyles (Wardens) and Demons. It draws heavily from religious mythology regarding angels, hell, and supernatural protectors.
5. A book set mostly in a single, confined location
Completed 4: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
HourglassEyes: Richard Bachman: Rage
Reasoning: Story mostly happens in a single classroom.
6. A horror novel where the threat is initially unseen or undefined
Completed 4: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), HourglassEyes (11/25), Pisania (10/25)
HourglassEyes:
The Long Walk - Richard Bachman |
★ 8
Reasoning: You don't see what is wrong with the Walk before first of the hundred boys drops.
Pisania:
The Stepford Wives - Ira Levin |
★ 8
Reasoning: The town of Stepford surreptitiously turns frightening to new inhabitant Joanna when she begins to notice strange aspects about the townsfolk.
Катерина Захожая:
The Wendigo - Algernon Blackwood |
★ 7
7. A book where humans are not the dominant species
Completed 5: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), Pisania (10/25), Item202 (4/25)
Pisania:
Binti (Binti #1) - Nnedi Okorafor |
★ 6
Reasoning: The titular character travels to a university on another planet, and outside of Earth, humans are just one species among many.
Катерина Захожая:
The Prisoner's Throne (The Stolen Heir #2) - Holly Black |
★ 8
Reasoning: The story takes place in Elfhame and the Court of Teeth, where humans are treated as pets, servants, or seasonal curiosities. Fae are the ruling and dominant species.
8. A science fiction or fantasy book originally published before the year 2000
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Item202 (4/25)
9. A book where the journey matters more than the destination
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
HourglassEyes: Bryan Washington: Memorial
Reasoning: Figurative interpretation, Mike and Benson are on verge of break up. While Mike suddenly flies to Japan to meet his dying dad, Benson stays home with Mike's suddenly arrived mom. Each make their own journey on their own way to figure out what come's next.
Катерина Захожая:
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller |
★ 6
Reasoning: Since the ending is a famous historical/mythological tragedy, the reader already knows the "destination" (death and the fall of Troy). The value of the book lies in the emotional journey and the development of the bond between the two leads from childhood to war.
10. A book with a protagonist who makes morally questionable choices
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Pisania (10/25)
Pisania:
Thistlefoot - GennaRose Nethercott |
★ 8
Reasoning: The second main character is a conartist and a pickpocket. He endangers other people by not giving themm vital information and when the going gets tough, he takes off anf leaves others behind.
Катерина Захожая:
The Happy Ever After Playlist (The Friend Zone #2) - Abby Jimenez |
★ 10
Reasoning: This applies to Jason (the love interest). At a major turning point, he chooses to lie to Sloane and push her away under the guise of "protecting her" from his fame.
Freyja: Tikli - Donna Tartt
11. A book where nature is a hostile or unpredictable force
Completed 2: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25)
12. A book in which reality and illusion become blurred
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Pisania (10/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Sorcery of Thorns (Sorcery of Thorns #1) - Margaret Rogerson |
★ 7
Reasoning: The Grimoires themselves create illusions and warped realities to trap the unwary. Additionally, sorcery in this world often involves glamours and deceptions, making it difficult for Elisabeth to discern what is a physical threat and what is a magical trick of the mind.
Freyja: Älä jätä hyvästejä - Han Kang
13. A book told from multiple points of view
Completed 5: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), Pisania (10/25), Item202 (4/25)
Freyja:
Hide - Kiersten White |
★ 3
14. A book that takes place mostly at night or in darkness
Completed 1: Chelsea K (12/25)
Chelsea K:
Cursed Climb (Displaced Fairytales #6) - Sarah Beran |
★ 10
Reasoning: Odessa is a swan during the day and a Person from Dusk to Dawn so a decent portion of the book takes place then although not all.
15. A fantasy or science fiction story that focuses on everyday life rather than epic events
Completed 4: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), Pisania (10/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Steppenwolf - Hermann Hesse |
★ 6
Reasoning: While it contains "speculative" elements of magical realism, the plot is intimate and mundane. It focuses on Harry’s walks through the city, his visits to bars, and his quiet despair in his rented room rather than an epic quest.
Pisania: Königsbergin kyky rakastaa - Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel
Reasoning: The Earth is taken over by aliens but Paul Königsberg continues to live his strictly scheduled life as best as he can.
16. A book where the past returns in a tangible way
Completed 2: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements) - Jennifer L. Armentrout |
★ 8
Reasoning: The plot is driven by Dez's sudden return after a three-year disappearance. His physical reappearance forces Jasmine to confront their shared history and the unresolved pain of his departure.
17. A book where an unlikely alliance is formed
Completed 4: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) - Jennifer L. Armentrout |
★ 8
Reasoning: To stop a greater threat (the Lilin), the traditionally hostile Wardens and Demonic forces are forced into an uneasy truce. Layla acts as the bridge between Zayne and Roth, creating a trio that would never exist under normal circumstances.
Freyja: Muusa - Mats Strandberg
18. A book in which death is not the end
Completed 5: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), HourglassEyes (11/25), Pisania (10/25)
Pisania:
Murder by Memory (Dorothy Gentleman #1) - Olivia Waite |
★ 6
Reasoning: The passengers of the spaceship Fairweather, which is on a thousand year journey, are able to make backup copies of their minds into the ships library and download them into new bodies when the old ones die.
Катерина Захожая:
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller |
★ 6
Reasoning: The ending explicitly follows Patroclus's spirit in the Underworld. The resolution of the story depends on his soul finding peace and eventually reuniting with Achilles in the afterlife.
Freyja: Musta linna ja muita outoja tarinoita - Lucilla Lin
19. A book with a hopeful tone despite a dark starting point
Completed 2: Катерина Захожая (20/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
HourglassEyes: William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
Reasoning: Twelfth Night may start from tragedy, but actually is a hopeful comedy.
Катерина Захожая:
Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) - Abby Jimenez |
★ 8
Reasoning: The "dark starting point" involves Briana’s failed marriage (infidelity/betrayal) and her brother’s life-threatening kidney failure.
20. A book where the protagonist is forced to question their entire worldview
Completed 3: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Chelsea K (12/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
Катерина Захожая:
Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3) - Jennifer L. Armentrout |
★ 9
Reasoning: Layla finally learns the full truth of her origin and the true nature of the "Great Design." Everything she was taught about Heaven, Hell, and her own purpose is proven to be a simplified version of a much more complex and darker reality.
Chelsea K:
Turned at Dark (Shadow Falls #0.5) - C. C. Hunter |
★ 8
Reasoning: Della discovers supernatural beings like Vampires, Werewolves, fae and others really exist and that she is now part of that secret world.
HourglassEyes: Neil Peart: Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road
21. A book whose cover or title made you pick it up
Completed 5: Катерина Захожая (20/25), Freyja (19/25), Chelsea K (12/25), HourglassEyes (11/25), Pisania (10/25)
Pisania:
Starling House - Alix E. Harrow |
★ 7
Reasoning: The cover image is really gorgeous.
22. A speculative fiction book published in 2026
Completed 1: Freyja (19/25)
Freyja: Viattomien arpajaiset - Stephen King
23. A book recommended to you on Risingshadow
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24. A book you have been putting off reading for a long time
Completed 1: HourglassEyes (11/25)
HourglassEyes: Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun
Reasoning: I've meant to read this on numerous times for challenges, but always some other book has taken the place. Now, finally it found it's place.
25. A book that stayed with you long after you finished it
Completed 2: Freyja (19/25), HourglassEyes (11/25)
Freyja: Nälkävuosi - Aki Ollikainen