Hyo the Hellmaker by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh

⭐️

TW: death, murder, infestation, mind control, grief, violence, injury detail

This was a really interesting fantasy mystery, where the line between gods and humans is blurred. It had a fascinating world that was richly imagined and very fun to explore. I enjoyed the central story and those illustrations were gorgeous!

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

⭐️🏳️‍🌈 (side characters)🧠

TW: sexual assault, rape, traumatic flashbacks, grooming, kidnapping, blackmail

This was such a brilliant mystery – Jo came into my life and stole a sliver of my heart instantly. Outcast and mistreated for such disgusting reasons, Jo gets caught up in a mystery only she seems to care about. The author’s note hit me with full force as well. An emotional, complex mystery read.

Full review here.

The Guests by Nikki Smith

⭐️🧠

TW: death, murder, infidelity, gaslighting, manipulation, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks

This was the type of sizzling mystery that makes you long for summer – it was scorching, full of secrets and had some breath-taking twists. It peels back the mystique of the rich and their ‘perfect holiday’ to instead show a grimy, gritty story full of deceit and despicable acts.

Full review here.

Smile and Be a Villain by Yves Donlon

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: queerphobia, outing, emotional abuse, physical assault, death, substance abuse, slavery, anti-Semitism, animal death, war (taken from start of the book) 

I adored this fantastical reimagining of Hamlet – which is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. This is such a rich world with a fascinating magical system at play. I’m very excited to see where Donlon may take this in the sequel.

Full review here.

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, murder, gore, violence, body horror, injury detail, self-harm, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, animal harm, child death, sexual assault, paedophilia, sexual abuse, mass murder

Stephen Graham Jones is a must read horror author for me. This brings an excellent horror trilogy to an explosive close with plenty of blood, death and meticulously crafted character development arcs. 

Full review here.

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

🧠

TW: eating disorder, death, grief, anorexia nervosa, depression, anxiety, hospitalisation, cancer, suicidal ideation, bullying, OCD

This wonderful novel in verse was a raw reading experience. Schu’s voice was delicate and nuanced, learning to face your issues and starting a rocky road to recovery. It was tough, with its heart on its sleeve but also full of hope and creativity.

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: childhood abuse, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks, suicide, assault, violence, injury detail, kidnapping, assault

I thoroughly enjoyed The Girls I’ve Been and this follow-up was just as twisty, dark and deliciously full of vengeance. You can never fully trust everything you are presented with in this world of false identities and shifting allegiances.

Full review here.

The Boy Next Door by Jenny Ireland

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, grief, loss, medical trauma, brain injury, surgery

Between this and The First Move, Ireland is carving out a quietly impactful niche of these coming of age contemporary romances with wonderful disability representation and a searing exploration of grief and loss.

Full review here.

These Stolen Lives by Sharada Keats

⭐️🧠

TW: slavery, violence, trauma, assault, physical abuse, death, murder, execution, imprisonment, racism, colonialism, injustice

This dystopian thriller was utterly captivating. The world Keats has created is terrifyingly believable and creates such fraught dynamics. Reading this is being on the edge of your seat throughout. Mora was a fantastic protagonist – driven by wanting to protect her friends and continue to survive. Keats’ writing was lush and evocative too.

Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew

🧠

TW: child murder, murder, death, torture, violence, grief, animal death, injury detail, blood, poisoning, cults, abuse, sexual assault, body horror, gore, insects (spiders)

Andrew just knows how to write such great atmosphere and these knotty characters that you relish reading about. This supernaturally tinged Gothic mystery read like a charm with an exploration of untapped power, cyclical violence and the darkness within ourselves.

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: violence, child abuse, drug use, addiction, homophobia, bullying

McDonald seized my heart with this gritty, raw and relatable book that just soared. I loved how it explored class, the care system and the bonds we forge in life. The characterisation was off the charts as well.

Full review here.

The Light That Blinds Us by Andy Darcy Theo

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: mania, mental illness, hallucinations, fantasy violence, mind control, manipulation

This reminded me of the great YA classic fantasy stories. It has such great characterisation, a vividly imagined world and fleshed out & fascinating magic system. In particular, the discussion around mental health was impactful and nunaced. Excited to see where the sequel takes us!

Full review here.