A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I Lin

⭐️🧠

TW: poison, murder, death, executions, forced suicide, mentions of hanging, torture, violence, physical assault, substance abuse

A Magic Steeped in Poison was such a standout fantasy for me, it was unlike anything I have read before and stands out amongst the crowd. It reminded me just why I love YA fantasy. Safe to say my expectations for A Venom Dark and Sweet were in the stratosphere. Luckily, Lin lived up to them in this stellar sequel.

Full review here.

The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell

🧠🏳️‍🌈 (side character)

TW: death, gore, violence, fire, blood, self-harm

This is an incredibly atmospheric Gothic spectacle of a book. I was initially drawn to that blend of Victorian supernatural creepiness and the world of the theatre, which is itself a highly superstitious place. Purcell has crafted a twisted nightmare here. 

Full review here.

A Dark Inheritance by H F Askwith

🧠

TW: death, accident, grief, blood, gore, impalement, severe anxiety, fire

Pitch me a mystery combined with Gatsby vibes, Jazz Age New York, a touch of the fantastical and slick, sharp writing – I will always eat it up. A Dark Inheritance is a superb debut novel that you should definitely have on your radar. 

Full review here.

Whiteout

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: gender dysphoria, mentioned death of a parent, referenced car accidents, anxiety, drug use, homophobia

This was the perfectly heart-warming and romantic read for Christmas Eve. It left me with a glow in my heart. Like with Blackout, I love the celebration of Black joy, queer love and that snowy magic of cold winter nights. This time, the charcters are even more interconnected adn watching it all come together is amazing.

Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets by Chelsea Ichaso

TW: suicidal ideation, suicide, depression, infidelity

This was an enjoyable and fast-paced mystery with an intriguing premise, but I found much of it very predictable. Ichaso has some good twists up her sleeve and interesting characters to get to know though.

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

TW: homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, misogyny, online harassment, discussion of public outing

Lyla Lee is an author that brings queer love and Asian representation to the spotlight in fantastic ways. This is a love letter to the K drama industry, with their elaborate plots and fantastical following. Hana is a character I fell in love with. Also, I’m a sucker for fake dating and rivals to lovers.

The Black Queen by Jumata Emil

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: racism, death, murder, institutional racism, sexual assault, police brutality, cancer, homophobia, cheating, spiking, grooming, teacher/student relationship

This is a book that you need to have on your radar. Emil takes the classic small town mystery setup and ramps up the tension and atmosphere to max. It is also a veichle to explore institutional racism, privilege and the exploitation of power to keep the status quo.

Full review here.

Tell Me No Lies by Andrea Contos

🧠

TW: death, murder, blackmail, gaslighting, manipulation, assault, violence, blood, drowning, stalking

Contos’ distinctive and socially conscious writing continues here in a scathing look at toxic masculinity, privilege and the social hierarchy designed to protect these characteristics. I really appreciated Contos’ grit and determination to highlight these issues. They are always presented with sensitivity, but also are shown in their full horror. 

Full review here.

Out of the Fire by Andrea Contos

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: violence, sexual assault, gaslighting, manipulation, emotional abuse, racism, white supremacy, blackmailing, stalking, kidnapping

This is easily my favourite novel from Contos – it explodes with righteous anger at systemic injustices and abuses of power. At the same time, it is an incredibly twisty, dark and well plotted mystery and celebration of feminine rage.

She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: bugs, violence, gore, death, murder, anti-Asian racism, colonialism, white supremacy, fire, self-immolation

This blew me away completely. It is everything you could ever ask from a YA horror: unapologetic in its ferocity, creepiness and pushing the boundaries. Right away, I was hooked by the stunning writing. It has the poetic, lyrical feel full of lush descriptions and sensory writing. That glamour has a definite edge and sense of darkness to it though. Before long, it fades away to reveal the rotting heart and truth. This is not a book that holds back. 

Full review here.

This Cursed Crown by Alexandra Overy

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: confinement, violence, dead bodies, torture, blood & gore, decapitation, fire, injury detail, suicidal thoughts, character death, emotional abuse, physical abuse

I loved These Feathered Flames, so I needed the sequel immediately. Luckily, this sequel is just as strong as its predecessor. The characterisation is so nuanced and intriguing to follow along, with yet more shocking twists in store. 

Full review here.

A Chorus Rises by Bethany C Morrow

⭐️🧠

TW: racism, hate crimes, stalking, cyber bullying/harassment, terroristic threats

This sequel to A Song Below Water had an interesting tactic in choosing Naema as its protagonist, who was the antagonistic mean girl in the previous story. I enjoyed unpeeling those character layers as this was a very introspective book. Morrow interweaves these snippets of newspaper articles and online chatforums, slowly building a terrifying picture of radicalisation, racism and hatred. Naema ultimately redeems herself in a climactic showdown.

My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon

⭐️🧠

TW: cheating, car accident, imprisonment, blackmail, manipulation

This was one hell of a wild ride to read. Hana is a fascinating and deeply flawed character with an intellect that is terrifying. Fierce, fantastically plotted and full to the brim with twists and turns that will destroy you.

Full review here.

Every Gift a Curse by Caroline O’Donoghue

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: homophobia, conversion therapy, religious trauma, blood, self-harm, death, PTSD, transphobia, suicidial ideation

This tarot card based fantasy trilogy has been such a standout in UKYA fantasy for me over the past few years. O’Donoghue brings everything to a brilliant and explosive conclusion here, building character, lore and history even more.

Full review here.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: blood, violence, gore, animal death, paedophilia, harassment, child abuse, death, forced starvation, forced self-harm

Chokshi’s writing has that delectably dark tinge to it in this Gothic, twisted tale of obsession. This is an unhinged, toxic and obsessive fairy tale gone horribly wrong. Loved Chokshi’s meta commentary on myth and fairy tale as well.

Full review here.

Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: homophobia, biphobia, racism, parental illness, chronic illness, financial struggles, surgery

Garrett is such an underrated force of nature in YA contemporaries. This is a unashamedly joyous look at queer joy, Black pride and coming of age, mixed with a realistic look at family, financial struggles and friendship. It is what rom coms wish they could be.

Full review here.