Idol by Louise O’Neill

🧠

TW: eating disorder, sexual assault, rape, drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues, gaslighting

I had such high expectations for this book as I love O’Neill’s work. It did have interesting character dynamics and I liked how messed up most people were. O’Neill’s commentary on social media was fascinating and fierce. However, I just really did not like this book. It felt somewhat lacklustre and I hated the ending immensely.

Bellegarde by Jamie Lilac

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: classism, sexism, homophobia, racism, attempted sexual assault

This is such a brilliant book, resplendent in its gorgeous and evocative writing. Every detail was captured, allowing me to imagine the lush ballgowns and splendid parties. Lilac really captures your imagination. Upon first requesting this title, I was not aware of the She’s All That historical romance retelling marketing behind it. However, I can now say that captures this book to a T. I really liked how Lilac brought in elements of class, race and sexuality. 

Full review here.

Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C Dao

⭐️

TW: abandonment, violence, death, drugs, addiction

This was a tender and sweet fantasy romance set in the world of one of my favourite duologies. The characterisation was brilliant and watching them grow over the course of the book was great. However, it just felt a bit too short, sacrificing interesting subplots for a somewhat rushed conclusion.

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde

⭐️🧠

TW; death, kidnapping, murder, fire, racism, classism

I enjoyed how atmospheric and tense this book was. It was an enjoyable YA Dark Academia mystery with some of the wildest twists I have read for a while. I also loved Ife as a character as well, with her passion, determination and drive. She is deeply vulnerable with loneliness as a key theme of the book.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: disordered eating, body horror, murder, death, parental abuse, emotional abuse, animal death, disfigurement, violence, suicide threats

Some books just burn incandescent with rage and this is one of those. It is a beautiful, haunting and deeply angry re-imagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray that takes distinct aim at the beauty industry and pressure over body image.

Full review here.

I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q Sutanto

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: racism, classism, death, murder, sexual assault, stalking, misogyny, physical assault, blood, prison

The twists and turns in this thriller are exceptional. Sutanto has created one fiendish gem of a book here. Every page brings a new element to the overarching tapestry, but how much can you trust what you are reading? I adored the pacing as well, feeling like I was in an elaborate and never-ending chase. Every time you think you have it all pinned down, trust me, you do not. 

Full review here.

In These Hallowed Halls

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: suicide, grooming, death, murder, car accident, school shooting

It is no secret that I adore the Dark Academia genre and this anthology is packed full of some of my favourite writers in the genre. This is delectable reading, especially perfect for the autumn season as nights grow colder and that chill starts to settle in your bones. As always, anthologies can be a mixed bag but I loved this one.

Full review here.

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker

⭐️🧠

TW: suicide, self harm, death, brief mentions of nonconsensual sexual contact, car accident, grief

The way Baker explores the concept of forgiveness and how it marries with grief is sublime. We get so many different perspectives and thought-provoking takes on what justice actually is. There is a deeply dystopian and frighteningly realistic element to this. Of course, this is a story about rehabilitation and the prison system, particularly how it disproportionately punishes Black and brown bodies. This is taken to a new and horrifying extreme

Full review here.

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, physical violence, gore, trauma, mental illness, mass shooting , grief

This was just the gory slasher fest I wanted it to be. It was so well paced and very action-packed, with some incredible twists and turns. This is knee deep in blood, guts and violence. The set-up is a little slow but from there, Cesare really goes there. I just did not love the ending.

Tideline by Penny Hancock

TW: death, murder, kidnapping, incest, paedophilia, sexual assault

My god, I hated this book. The twist was actually just sickening.

Divine Might by Natalie Haynes

There is just something completely entrancing about Haynes writing – I would read her shopping lists at this point. This non-fiction look at the Greek goddesses meshes historical research into these mythical figures and their depictions in popular media. I absolutely loved it.

Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, violence, murder, warfare, blood, mentions of human experimentation, parental abuse, mind control

This was everything to me.

FHH is the culmination of The Secret Shanghai series and it was an incredible journey, with love, laughter and a few moments that stopped me dead in my tracks. One particular one made me need to take a break from reading.

Full review here.

The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood

⭐️(side character) 🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, gaslighting, physical abuse, domestic abuse, sexism, homophobia

I absolutely loved reading this sort of Bridgerton meets Sherlock story, with a deliciously flirty twists and the feminist stamp of the all female detective agency. For me, Laura Wood remains an underrated and amazing gem.

How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, kidnapping, gaslighting, abuse, emotional abuse, suicide, sexual abuse

This book consumed my every waking thought. It is an incredibly well plotted and twisty thriller pulsing with anger, sadness and a complex look at grief and guilt.

Full review here.

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

⭐️(side character) 🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: eating disorders, domestic abuse, physical abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, pornography, misogyny, violence, hospitalisation

You know that gnawing hunger and rage that sometimes simmers in your belly whe you consider the state of the world, particuarly for young women facing the rape culture, constant societal pressure pushed by the beauty industry and media & the rampant misogyny prevalent throughout our world. Holly Bourne has written a book that nails all of that – a fierce rallying cry.

Full review here.

Welcome to Camp Killer by Cynthia Murphy

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠 (side characters)

TW: death, violence, gore, murder

This was such a fun, pacy and twisty read. The shorter pace, designed in keeping with Barrington Stoke’s aims, meant that I zipped through this. Cynthia Murphy remains a consistent standout of YA horror.

Full review here.