Silvercloak by L. K. Steven

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, torture, PTSD, blood, violence, gore

This was a fantastically rich and imaginative story with some brilliant twists and turns. The magic system was fascinating and I’m excited to see how Steven continues to develop the story in the next book.

Full review here.

Wish You Dead by Rebecca Westcott

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, murder, violence, grief, drugging, sexual assault

This built on its hooky premise to deliver a surprisingly tender story about finding your place in the world and loving yourself completely. It is a sapphic YA thriller with speculative elements that are utilised in clever and surprising ways.

Full review here.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

CW: death, murder, violence, kidnapping, blackmail, manipulation

I had to drop everything to read the new Hallett and I think this might be her best yet. As usual it twists an unusual narrative format to pull you into this twisty and layered mystery packed to the brim with surprises. Definitely not a pub quiz you’ll forget anytime soon.

Full review to come.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, murder, blood, violence, emotional abuse

I devoured both parts of this pop star turned spy duology – it was so compelling and pulls you into this world of subterfuge and secrets. I also enjoyed the central romance.

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, murder, violence, kidnapping

This sequel surpassed the original for me. The stakes were higher and the mystery had a further reach. I loved how Lu developed the characters further too and it was nice to be back in their story.

A Crime Through Time by Amelia Blackwell

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, grief, mental illness

This was an incredibly fun time travel mystery connecting Pride and Prejudice to a 90s set murder mystery of the set of the latest Austen adaptation. It is well-plotted and deeply enjoyable with plenty of heart and humour. I’m interested to see where Blackwell takes the series next.

Full review here.

Sick to Death by Chris Bridges

🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, gaslighting, manipulation, chronic illness

This was a slick and sharp debut thriller with some devious tricks up its sleeve. The discussion around chronic illness was also fantastic and refreshing to see.

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, kidnapping, abuse, serial killer, grief

This book sends a shiver up my spine every time. I think it has one of the best final thirds I’ve read in a YA thriller.

The Ladie Upstairs by Jessie Elland

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: rape, sexual assault, murder, death, violence, classism, eating disorder, bingeing, purging, vomiting

Elland packs a punch in this stunner of a debut. It is bizarre and weird and entirely disorientating. I loved the writing which was both sumptuous and disgusting. Elland’s writing is beautiful but makes you shiver and feeling deeply unnerved. It is the type of horror that seeps into your skin. 

Full review here.

The Tournament by Rebecca Barrow

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, murder, violence, classism, obsession, cheating

This was another excellent YA thriller from a writer whose work I really enjoy. This takes competitiveness to the next level with messy interpersonal relationships and a focus on toxic friendships.

Believe by S. M. Govett

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking, harassment

This was a tightly plotted and twisted thriller that kept you guessing throughout. It deals with dark topics with nuance and sitting firmly in the morally gray at times. Such a great ending too.

Full review here.

When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, suicide, addiction, racism, classism, sexism, animal death and mutilation

This was a wonderful Southern Gothic YA horror/thriller about the lengths to which we’d go to protect the ones we love and the cost of our dreams. It was gorgeously written with a knife edge to it.

Full review here.

This Is Not a Dead Girl Story by Kate Sweeney

🧠

CW: death, grief, sexual harassment, grooming, sexual assault, suicide

This was a perfectly fine and enjoyable YA thriller but I felt slightly underwhelmed in terms of characterisation and plotting.

Exit Stage Death by Ava Eldred

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, stalking, blackmail

This was such an entertaining and enthralling YA mystery that combined two of my favourite things – theatre and twisty stories. It is such a love letter to both art forms and full of great characters.

Full review here.

Run Away With Me by J. L. Simmonds

🏳️‍🌈

CW: murder, death, violence, stalking, abuse

This was such a compelling YA thriller with this road trip brimming with tension as both characters are running from their secrets. It has such great twists and turns along the way too.

Full review here.

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah

CW: death, murder, violence, harassment, animal death, grief

This just was not for me. Some of the narrative choices really rankled and the closing chapters cemented my dislike. Unfortunately not one I enjoyed.

Let The Bad Times Roll by Alice Slater

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, addiction, car accident, grief, toxic relationship, manipulation

This was fantastic with a twisted dark sense of humour at its core and an interesting exploration of manipulation. Slater stormed back for me with this sophomore novel.

Full review here.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, self-harm, psychological abuse, kidnapping, systems of oppression

This was a brilliant YA fantasy about vampires, fallen angels, gods, love and legacy – asking how far you’ll go for the ones you love. The world-building and characterisation were stellar, so ensure you keep this on your radar.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

🏳️‍🌈

CW: homophobia

This was a sweet and tender YA queer historical romance with these gorgeous stories woven into the narrative and stunning illustrations. It is a little slower and character-focused.

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexism, stalking, obsession, toxic relationships

This was another reread that proved that Thomas rarely misses for me. It held up to my recollections with a deftly plotted and wonderfully written YA thriller. That ending still catches me off guard every time & the extra novella is delicious.

How to Make a Killing by Kate Weston

CW: death, obsession, violence, stalking, blood, gore, murder

Weston rules the roost in this darkly comic gem of a murder mystery. Every character here is deeply unlikeable and out for themselves, putting a new spin on the world of estate agents.

Full review here.

Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, racism, classism, gore, blood

This sequel sparkled even more with an in-depth look at the cost of vengeance. I love how morally murky this series can be with a fascinating magic system, genuine consequences and brilliant characterisation. I hope to get to read the continuation.

The Goldens by Lauren Wilson

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, manipulation, emotional abuse, classism

This was a delectably dark journey down the rabbit hole in this sapphic YA thriller about influencing taken to a different level. It is atmospheric and unputdownable.

Full review to come.

One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, blood, infection, virus, pandemic, grief

This was an impressively strong debut novel with a unique take on the zombie apocalypse, strongly centered around grief. Radford weaves an emotionally rich and compelling story full of humanity and science, often undermining expectations.

Full review to come.