Enter The Endgame by Triona Campbell

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, grief, indoctrination, manipulation, brainwashing, violence, injury, infection, imprisonment

This is a wonderful conclusion to a trilogy you need to pick up. Everything had a great payoff from the buildup over the three books and I particularly enjoyed the timely relevance of certain elements that come into play.

Full review here.

You Don’t Know Me by Imran Mahmood

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, trafficking, racism, sexual assault, drug use, addiction

This was structured in such a smart and interesting way – telling a gripping story of the lengths we’d go to in order to protect those we love. Pick this up and let Mahmood weave the story for you.

Rattle by Fiona Cummins

CW: death, murder, abduction, kidnapping, child death, grief, violence, blood, injury, torture

The voice in this was so unnerving and yet you couldn’t pull yourself away from it. This is a bleak story delving into some of the darkness humanity can wreck with some incredible twists and turns along the way.

The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, ethnic cleansing, religious bigotry, xenophobia, grief, anti-Semitism, injury, violence, torture, gore, body horror, sexism, misogyny, child death, domestic abuse, sexual harassment

This was a gorgeously written story with a beautifully tender heart, rooted in Jewish folklore and history. There is a lyrical quality to the sumptuously dark writing that makes you savour each page, even as it is full of horror. This world is fantastically crafted and springs to life around you. Martinez has such an eye for detail that makes this world feel inhabited and vividly recreated on the page. 

Full review here.

The Twelve by Stuart Neville

🧠

CW: death, violence, murder, execution, torture, terrorism, bombing

This was compulsively readable with a horror edge that I really enjoyed, looking at guilt and the continuation of political unrest & corruption in Ireland. It is a really interesting take on reformation and trying to reshape history.

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

⭐️🧠

CW: death, violence, grief, racism, sexism, ableism, manipulation, suicide

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I loved it. Kuang’s characterisation and writing are stellar as always and I love the richness of references. This version of Hell is endlessly fascinating. Ultimately, this is a story about exploitation and breaking yourself to try and achieve greatness but also about hope and love enduring.

Roar by Manjeet Mann

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexual assault, harassment, sexism, manipulation, racism, colourism, classism, bullying

Mann captivated me with this novel in verse – tapping into the emotional rawness inherent in the form and channelling the rage that fuels Rizu. It draws on empowering inspirations and weaves this wonderful, nuanced story.

Full review here.

You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper

CW: murder, death, violence, classism, blackmail, addiction

Johnson’s mystery plotting and Cooper’s sumptuously detailed drawings are a perfect match. This is a darkly hilarious read at times, pulling on classic staples of Golden Age mysteries but with an innovative twist. Challenge yourself to see if you can crack the case.

Full review to come.

Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, murder, sexism, cannibalism

I enjoyed Blake’s writing style and the way this interrogates motherhood and womanhood, but I think this has been massively mismarketed and this negatively influenced my reading experience. The ending clawed it back a little for me.

A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, murder, violence, shooting, colonialism, racism, torture, sexism, injury, blood, imprisonment

A Tempest of Tea was a beguiling, beautifully written and brutal read. This sequel lives up to the heady expectations set by its predecessor, delivering even more twists, turns and treacherous deeds.

Full review to come.

The Wreckage of Us by Dan Malakin

🧠

CW: violence, blood, abuse, murder, death, blackmail, addiction, drugging, manipulation, stalking

This was such an unputdownable read with plenty of sharp twists and turns in store. Malakin has a tightly plotted and tense story in store for you, which I would recommend just allowing yourself to enjoy the rollercoaster sensation of it all.

We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, violence, death, torture, emotional manipulation, gore, blood, self-harm, disordered eating, animal death

This was bizarre and beautiful – a real trip of a book. It is a fantastic sequel with gorgeously dark prose and characters that will stay in your mind long after the final page. One particular section is now seared in my brain.

Full review here.

Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou

🏳️‍🌈⭐️

CW: death, violence, injury, war, blood, manipulation

Hatzopoulou makes the most of this exceptional premise with a fascinating and expansive world that celebrate the endurance of love against the odds. It is impactful, timely and leaves a mark on your heart.

Full review to come.