The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

⭐️🧠

TW: genocide, medial experimentation/torture, child abuse, self harm, death of animals, graphic violence, gore, graphic torture, graphic deaths, rape, self-sterilisation, opium use

Well that ended my reading year with a bang. Kuang’s book is a brutal, bloody and dark read but its basis in real world events reminds you just how atrocious humanity has been and has the capacity to continue to be. This was exquisitely told, setting the stage for what promises to be a painful but fantastic trilogy. I can’t wait to delve into The Dragon Republic with my good friend Finn.

A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

🏳️‍🌈(side character) 🧠

TW: kidnapping, mentions of abortion, sexual assault, drug addiction and substance abuse.

This worked as a perfect finale to the series for me, stepping back into its roots and the endlessly fascinating relationship between Holmes and Watson. The central mystery was intriguing and we were back to deductions and banter that crackles with wit and chemistry. Cavallaro has definitely reinvigorated the classic story and reworked it into a tight YA mystery series that definitely needs more love.

Come On In

⭐️

TW: racism, xenophobia, bullying, deportation

Anthologies are always tricky beasts to review, but this one was a sheer powerhouse. Every tale completely transported me and showed me a different facet of the immigrant experience. They all struck such a chord with me.

Full review here.

Lock The Doors by Vincent Ralph

⭐️🏳️‍🌈 (side character)🧠

TW: kidnapping, death, grief, violence, domestic abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse

Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, I had everything flipped upside down once again. For me, that’s the hallmark of a stand-out YA mystery – which Lock The Doors definitely is.

Full review here.

Influence by Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham

🏳️‍🌈💙🧠

TW: murder, bullying, mentions of eating disorder, OCD, violence, forced abortion, homophobia, forced outing

When the author of PLL turns her gaze to the darker side behind the facade of social media influencing, you know you’re in for an exciting, scandalous and completely impossible to put down read. Influence gave me all that and more, offering a glimpse behind the glitzy screen of modern day celebrity and Internet culture.

Full review here.

Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis

TW: mentions of suicide, suicide of family member, car accident

⭐️🏳️‍🌈(side character)🧠

I really liked how this was a love letter to theatre and the power of music. It’s a Romeo and Juliet story within a modern take on the same story in the musical, which added all these meta layers that I really enjoyed. A cute, easily binge-able YA contemporary.

Full review here.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

⭐️

TW: Racism, classism, stalking, fatphobia, animal death

This is a whip-smart, timely and thoroughly enjoyable examination of racism, performative activism, feminism and being a parent. It deals with how those with privilege will often centre themselves in conversations about oppression, which they are often complicit in.