I’m sharing another instalment of my Mini Review Mondays, the most recent of which was last week. In case you haven’t seen any of my previous posts, I do ‘mini’ reviews of books that I’ve previously read and am now ready to share my full thoughts about.
First up, I’d like to talk about Venus Fly Trap by Emma Medrano. Thank you to Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
When university student Louise moves in with her friend Cat, she can’t believe her luck. In her eyes, Cat is perfect – she’s rich, gorgeous, enigmatic and sexy, and the only person who has ever persuaded Henry, who doesn’t do commitment, into a monogamous relationship.
Life in Cat and Henry’s orbit is never dull, but when a night in for the three of them ends up in bed, Louise is confronted with the true nature of their relationship, and has nowhere to hide when Cat asks for help getting out.
Louise would do anything for Cat, even if what Cat asks terrifies her. Because for Louise, the only thing worse than doing what Cat is asking, is losing her completely . . .
Publication Date: 24th July
CW: death, murder, violence, abusive relationship, toxic relationship, manipulation, classism, obsession
My Thoughts:
Venus Fly Trap was a twisted nightmare – a spiralling tale of toxic relationships, obsession and manipulation.
Louise and Cat are such well-defined characters that spring from the page. They are complicated, messy people that seem to bring out the best and the worst in one another. Their symbiotic bond grows darker as the pages turn. Medrano explores that fissure of attraction between them and how this is nutured and cultivated. You can feel the tension from the first page and are aware of where this may end from that startling first chapter.
It is a strong opening that leaves you with plenty of questions that you will tear through the pages to get to the answers. Along the way, you’ll be pulled into this spider’s web, this dance of death and destruction between two people drawn together. It is a toxic and wild ride where the line between love and obsession seems to get ever blurrier. Of course, both of them are hiding things that will topple them. Cat is a fantastic narrator but we are always kept at arm’s length with her unreliability and unwillingness to let anyone but Louise truly in. I also appreciate the on-page autistic representation and how this informs Cat’s viewpoint, though it is one facet of her, it is important. It adds to her but she is still allowed to be realistically complicated and messy in a way that is rare to see.
This defined compulsive reading. I sped through this on a trip away and struggled to pull my thoughts away from the dark pools of this story. It is all too easy to get lost in. Medrano captures that atmosphere of an uneasy power imbalance in the relationship on all sorts of levels. It feels beguiling but dangerous and able to ignite at a moment’s notice. The way sex is woven into this power play as a tool of manipulation and a declaration of allegiance is fascinating. Medrano uses these dynamics to underscore some of the twists which are jaw-dropping and serve to pull you further into the story.
Venus Fly Trap is the type of book where you want to pull away but you just can’t. It is entrancing while a shiver runs down your spine.
Next up, I’d like to talk about A Grave Inheritance by Felicity Epps. Thank you to Team BKMRK for sending me a proof in exchange for an honest review.
After her father and older sister both die suddenly, Dolores is left with the family’s inheritance, and a large house she’s sure is haunted. Teaming up with her occult-obsessed neighbour, Ada, and the mysterious spiritual medium, Violet, the three girls plan to dispel the bad spirits from Dolores’ home.
But when Dolores uncovers a clue that suggests her sister Edith’s death wasn’t due to natural causes, what starts as an investigation into ghostly apparitions develops into the unravelling of something far more sinister. . .
Ghosts. Murder. The patriarchy. One should never underestimate what a trio of free-spirited young women can handle.
Publication Date: 31st July
CW: death, murder, grief, manipulation, medical gaslighting, sexism, misogyny
My Thoughts:
I zipped through this wonderful YA historical murder mystery with paranormal aspects.
Instantly the voice had me hooked and the characterisation following was superb. Dolores is a protagonist for the ages with a wonderfully sardonic note to her narration. She does not want to bend to society’s rules, especially in the aching grief of her situation. There is a deep melancholy to her and you can understand this completely. By Epps using this as the element that pushes her away from society, it taps into the isolation bereavement can cause in the way society does not know how to handle it, somewhat heightened by the expectations readers may have around the period. It is a clever subversion that underscores the changing rituality of what is considered normal. Dolores is charming and impactful with a fierce streak of loyalty for those she loves. You can’t help but root for her and the found family she gathers around her. There is such a focus on platonic love that I adored.
It is really interesting to have a historical fiction slant on the YA murder mystery with Epps very much using the confines of the time to make pertinent social commentary for readers nowadays. This is a book that celebrates empowerment and defining your own role in society, which is a vital message for young readers. Especially in the current political climate, it feels refreshing that younger readers are being encouraged to speak up against injustice. Epps explores serious issues with nuance and care but keeps a heart of gold throughout. There is a wonderful sense of heart and humour that infuses each page and leaves you with a smile on your face, but also plenty to think about. That balance is what reminds me of the brilliance of YA.
A Grave Inheritance was a wonderfully bold book. I hope this is the start of a new series because I need plenty more of The Society of Free Spirits and their sleuthing.
Finally, I’d like to delve into Immortal Consequences by I. V. Marie. Thank you to Electric Monkey for sending me a proof in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to Blackwood Academy: a boarding school located on the fringes of the afterlife. No one knows why they end up at Blackwood; but when they enter the school’s arched gates the only way out is to be chosen for the Decennial – a series of magical trials held once a decade. The chosen pupil is offered a choice: graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the Other Side.
Wren knows she has what it takes to win—unless, that is, her arch-rival (and subject of her tortured dreams) Augustine steals her spot. Irene has never cared about playing by the rules and will break whatever (and whoever) stands in her way, including her only friend, Masika. Olivier has given up securing the nomination. But he’ll stop at nothing to keep Emilio, from crossing over to the Other Side.
All are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate. All are determined to win. But this Decennial will be unlike any before.
Six nominees. Four trials. One victor. The competitors are about to learn that there are some fates worse than death.
Publication Date: 31st July
CW: death, murder, violence, grief, injury, blood
My Thoughts:
In Immortal Consequences, Marie weaves a darkly enchanting tale out of a brilliant concept in this Dark Academia style novel set in the in-between of life and death. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this cutthroat competition.
This has such a fantastic concept – taking the afterlife and adding a deadly competition. It instantly has such an existential thread and there are so many mysteries surrounding this. Blackwood is at the centre of it all and feels like its own character with this classic Gothic school that teaches the impossible in a land beyond comprehension. Marie includes some brilliant details that add to the overall world-building and I’m sure that may come into play within the sequel. One of the highlights was the magic system with both lessons and trials demonstrating wonderful imagination and the dark flashes of horror. The concepts just keep coming and continue to be impressive throughout. It feels like such a rich world with plenty more to discover. There is plenty of lore, even if some of it is obscured by secrets and lies, and the weight of history pressing down too.
I loved the use of multiple narrators, as you become invested in each competitor through learning more about their motivations and what brought them to Blackwood. You then are split for loyalties as you have peeled back the layers of each of them. Marie makes all of them feel three-dimensional and all too human in the ways they have loved and lost. Their relationships are a great accompaniment to the pulse-pounding primary plot and add further complications to the knotted web to untangle. The pacing is fantastic too with a twisty mystery threaded through each of their stories. I love when you piece the puzzle together with some of the brilliant twists Marie has in store. It all builds to an explosive conclusion that left me desperate to read more.
Immortal Consequences is a unique and arresting book with a story where the stakes are literally life and death. Do not let yourself miss this.
A Short Book Lover 
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