I absolutely loved this book. I was on the edge of my seat reading it and I couldn’t stop! Some moments scared me to death! I loved both the4,5 stars*
I absolutely loved this book. I was on the edge of my seat reading it and I couldn’t stop! Some moments scared me to death! I loved both the timelines, especially Viv’s. I loved the mystery aspect of the story as well, and I really wanted to find out what happened. I can definitely see myself reading more of this author in the near future. ...more
This was such a cute little graphic novel. It was perfect for autumn. I absolutely loved the illustrations, and I loved the colors that were4,5 stars*
This was such a cute little graphic novel. It was perfect for autumn. I absolutely loved the illustrations, and I loved the colors that were used. The story itself was very light-hearted and wholesome. I am definitely going to read its sequel in the future. ...more
First of all, thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for getting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first Grady First of all, thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for getting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first Grady Hendrix novel, and it just blew me away! The story is about 15-year-old Fern, who is sent to live at a Home in Florida where pregnant and unwed girls are sent to have their babies in secret and give the babies up for adoption. During her time here, Fern develops a friendship with some of the other girls of the Home. After Fern gets a book on witchcraft from the traveling librarian, they successfully perform a spell. The girls feel invincible and try more and more complex spells. However, the power comes with a prize and Fern starts to understand how high this prize is.
It was hard to put this book down from the beginning. The writing draws you in and is very atmospherical. It makes you feel like you’re following a movie. This story also brings some light to awful situations that were real during 60s and 70s. The supernatural aspect made the story even creepier.
The characters were very well written, and I really liked the four main girls. The things that the girls in this book experienced were extremely well described by Hendrix. I love that every single time they were let down by the system, they started working together and become a team.
I would genuinely recommend this to anyone who likes Grady Hendrix� other work or anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a bit of supernatural in the mix. I personally will try some of Hendrix� other work in the future. ...more
Thank you, Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group UK, for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Lotus Empire was an absolutely amazingThank you, Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group UK, for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Lotus Empire was an absolutely amazing journey. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The story takes off where The Oleander Sword ended and follows multiple POV’s including Priya, Malini, Bhumika and Rao. The story itself focuses on conflict on multiple levels. Between Priya and Malini, but also between Ahiranya and Parijat, between Malini and the priests, and Priya and the Yaksa. Bhumika and Rao are both on a quest to secure alliances and survival from the yaksa.
I personally think this was a very strong and satisfying conclusion for this series. The worldbuilding was phenomenal in this book. The character development was also absolutely great, and I loved the new dynamic between Priya and Malini. It’s amazing how their relationship develops over the spam of the three books. I also liked that there were POV’s from background characters as a way to show what was going on in the background.
Overall, this series was great, and I will definitely recommend this to everyone who likes a classic high fantasy story with twists and choices. ...more
This book was so weird, but in such a brilliant way! This book was so well done, I couldn’t stop reading it. I loved the eerie atmosphere. I loved theThis book was so weird, but in such a brilliant way! This book was so well done, I couldn’t stop reading it. I loved the eerie atmosphere. I loved the mystery and I kept guessing what happened. I didn’t guess the big twist, even though the hints were there. The characters, especially Ted, were also well developed. I can definitely see myself reading more of this author in the near future. ...more
Circe is the first Madeline Miller book I have read, and I can say I really enjoyed this. I have always been a fan of Greek mythology, howev4,5 stars*
Circe is the first Madeline Miller book I have read, and I can say I really enjoyed this. I have always been a fan of Greek mythology, however I never really delved myself into Circe’s mythology. The writing style of this book reminded me a lot of Kaikeyi, which is another mythology retelling I really liked. The character development of Circe was also amazing. I also loved seeing other Greek mythology characters that I wasn’t expecting to see in this story.
Overall, I can definitely recommend this book if you like mythology retellings. ...more
Wow! This has to be one of my all time favourite books. I loved everything about it. The writing was absolutely mesmerizing. I loved how sad and frustWow! This has to be one of my all time favourite books. I loved everything about it. The writing was absolutely mesmerizing. I loved how sad and frustrating, yet how light-hearted and funny the story was. The characters were also amazing and well-developed. I loved that we had the dog’s POV in the story as well. I am definitely going to check out the show. ...more
Thank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for getting me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Spirit Bares its Teeth is a gothic horror novel sThank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for getting me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Spirit Bares its Teeth is a gothic horror novel set in Victorian England. In this story we follow Silas Bell, who is a sixteen-year-old transboy who is trying his best in a world where he’s not fit in society. That world insists on seeing Silas as a girl who’s fit to be an obedient wife nonetheless. Silas is diagnosed with “Veil sickness�, which is a mysterious disease that drives violet-eyed women into madness. Because of this, he’s shipped away to a sanatorium/finish school in order to become the wife that the society wants him to be. However, what happens to the girls that keep being themselves? And why is Silas suddenly seeing their ghosts?
I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. The writing was so horrific, but in the absolute best way. The story itself was very gory and disturbing, but also a little sad. The entire cast of characters was well flushed out. I especially really liked the dynamic between Daphne and Silas and that had me rooting for them throughout the entire storyline.
I can definitely recommend this book if you like gothic horror or fantasy like me. I can’t wait to read the author’s next book! ...more
I’m genuinely surprised how much I loved this book. Its 19th century Egyptian setting was perfect. The story was adventurous and mysterious 4,5 stars*
I’m genuinely surprised how much I loved this book. Its 19th century Egyptian setting was perfect. The story was adventurous and mysterious at the same time. I really liked the characters, especially the chemistry between Whit and Inez. The constant twists and turns made my brain think of every possible outcome, and I still couldn’t predict the ending. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel! ...more
This book contains four short stories that are interconnected with each other. The writing was very simplistic, but also beautiful. While I 4,5 stars*
This book contains four short stories that are interconnected with each other. The writing was very simplistic, but also beautiful. While I think the message could have been more powerful, I really loved the light-hearted and heartwarming stories. They were definitely wholesome. I also loved seeing the love between the owners and the animals. I also liked that all the characters were connected in some way....more
Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The storFirstly, I want to thank Netgalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Cassie, who works in a bookshop in New York City. After an elderly customer dies in the shop, she notices a small book left on the coffee table with an inscription addressed to her. It states that this is a magical book, which can transport her to any door she imagines. What follows is a journey across the world and through time as Cassie discovers the existence of other magical books, the people who hunt them, and ‘the woman�, who wants to use the books for evil.
The Book of Doors was such a fascinating read, and everything about the plot felt really thought out. The story reminded me of books like the Night Circus, and of Stephen Moffat’s era of Doctor Who. It’s a beautifully written and magical story that sucks you in immediately. It also features well-developed characters and multiple POV’s. The different perspectives and time dilation had me absolutely enraptured.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I can see this become a very successful fantasy book in 2024. I can definitely recommend this book, and I hope to read more of this author in the future. ...more
I absolutely loved this book! The mystery was great, even though I was able to guess the outcome early on. I also loved the Agatha Christie,4,5 stars*
I absolutely loved this book! The mystery was great, even though I was able to guess the outcome early on. I also loved the Agatha Christie, and the Veronica Mars references, although I felt like there could have been a bit more of them. Both the main characters were also interesting, as both were dealing with trauma as well as the normal high school drama. I really enjoyed this, and I can’t wait to read the sequel. ...more
Firstly, I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read An Education in Malice in exchange for an unbi4,5/5 stars
Firstly, I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read An Education in Malice in exchange for an unbiased review.
An Education in Malice is a retelling of the 19th century novella ‘Carmilla� and a companion novel to ‘A Dowry of Blood�. Yet it can be read as a standalone. We follow Carmilla and Laura, two girls who are in an academical rivalry at an elite all-women’s college in 1960’s Massachusetts. Both girls are constantly striving to impress their mysterious poetry professor De Lafontaine. As the three of them grow closer, more secrets come to light.
This book was so good! I was immediately gripped by Gibson’s lyrical writing style and the way she captured the gothic and academic vibe. I liked ‘A Dowry of Blood� as well, but I think I enjoyed this book even more. I really enjoyed the dynamic and the difference between the main characters, and I could relate myself to Laura. The character of De Lafontaine grew on me throughout the story.
Overall, this was a really good read. I kind of wished it was longer, so we’d get more time with the characters and more action. I can really recommend this if you read ‘A Dowry of Blood� or other vampiric stories....more
This book really surprised me! It’s a very good classic and the perfect read for spooky season. It’s incredibly well written and the horror 4,5 stars*
This book really surprised me! It’s a very good classic and the perfect read for spooky season. It’s incredibly well written and the horror is more psychological than actual jump scares, even though those are present as well. I loved the playful, yet tense dynamic between the characters. The house is its own character and follows and listens to its occupants. The ending was a bit abrupt, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars. ...more
I really enjoyed this retelling of Beowulf! It was an absolute joy to read. I liked the way the old poem is converted to the realm of children and locI really enjoyed this retelling of Beowulf! It was an absolute joy to read. I liked the way the old poem is converted to the realm of children and local neighbourhoods. I also enjoyed the pretty black and white illustrations and the alliteration. ...more
This book deserves all the stars. It had me hooked from the first chapter, which is rare. The story is beautifully written, and contains action, humouThis book deserves all the stars. It had me hooked from the first chapter, which is rare. The story is beautifully written, and contains action, humour, horror, romance and amazing characters. It’s the perfect book for everyone who likes cosy fantasy books, and it reminded me of Under the Whispering Door and The House in the Cerulean Sea. It’s definitely one of my favourite books this year. ...more
This book was phenomenal! After not really enjoying Babel as I thought I would, I wasn’t really sure if I would like this book. I am so happy I did deThis book was phenomenal! After not really enjoying Babel as I thought I would, I wasn’t really sure if I would like this book. I am so happy I did decide to pick it up. This book was so well written. Once I started reading, I could not put this down and wanted to find out how it ended! The main character was absolutely vile and didn’t have any self-awareness, which was fascinating to read. This is definitely a book I’ll keep thinking about. ...more
The Gilded Cage has a case of second book syndrome. The book is still good, but the pacing is a little slower compared to book 1. The character relatiThe Gilded Cage has a case of second book syndrome. The book is still good, but the pacing is a little slower compared to book 1. The character relationships were all written very well, and I really liked getting to know Caldon, Torrell and Rhess. The plot was a bit predictable at some points, but it’s YA so what could I expect. I also hated that there was a cliffhanger, but luckily, I had the second book installed and was able to read it instantly. I can definitely recommend this series if you like YA fantasy. ...more
I didn’t expect this book to be this good. I couldn’t put it down. The story was very easy to follow and has lots of little plot twists and 4,5 stars*
I didn’t expect this book to be this good. I couldn’t put it down. The story was very easy to follow and has lots of little plot twists and very loveable characters. I can’t wait to read the next part. ...more