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 Her Hidden Fire by Clíodhna O’Sullivan. Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In a world where dragons stalk the skies and magical abilities are an elite privilege, the ruling family of Ailm’s Keep is on a knife edge: can Ionáin, the heir apparent, channel magic, or will the family be cast out and replaced?
So when Éadha, a servant girl who loves Ionáin, discovers that she can draw power, she finds herself in grave danger. It’s extremely rare for a girl to have this talent, and certainly never outside the great families. At Ionáin’ s moment of truth, Éadha makes a desperate gamble – a trick – to save him, Ailm’s Keep, and herself. But how long can this ruse last?
Sent to the very heart of the Masters’ control, Éadha and Ionáin enter a whirlwind of patriarchy, class, jealousy and heartache, as Ionáin must make a suitable match and Éadha finds herself undeniably attracted to the enigmatic Gry. Here they also learn the true, terrible cost of channelling magic – a price the Masters willingly pay.
Publication Date: 5th March
CW: death, murder, sexual assault, sexual harassment, violence, injury, classism
My Thoughts:
Her Hidden Fire was such an inventive, imaginative and impactful YA romantasy.
Every aspect of this book is so well thought out and you can feel the careful shaping of O’Sullivan’s craft through the pages. The characters are arresting. I instantly loved Éadha and the double life she is living. Her trajectory in this story is brilliant and the accompanying message to that is much needed for readers. She is driven by love and wanting to do what is right, despite the risk or cost to herself. I also liked how proactive she was, adapting to situations, learning new skills and working to discover the truth of the world around her. The word is determined to beat her down and she refuses to let it break her. Around her is a colourful cast of characters, all with their own flairs and traits. I had a few favourites but I’d also be intrigued to see what happens next with a couple of them.
A real standout of this book for me was the magic system. This was so vividly drawn and intriguing with a mythos and history behind it that is complex. It sits hand in hand with the political intrigue that characterises the book, particuarly around the way narratives are spun and weaponised. Alongside this, the magic system uses elements of Irish mythology and beliefs around magic, which gives such a rich texture to the story. These are utilised in creative and refreshing ways and just enhance the story so much.
Also, I really liked how O’Sullivan interrogates the bloody cost of power and how this is often obfuscated in order to maintain order, making people complicit through propaganda and temptation. The way this is shown through Éadha and Ionain’s story is unsettling because it chimes strongly with our own reality. There are some sickening scenes in this but they serve a purpose and underline that deep-rooted anger that bubbles up through the pages. This is a story with a message that it is determined to deliver, which is highly respectable.
Her Hidden Fire is a firecracker of a book with great characters and a compelling plotline that I’m excited to see continue.
Next up, I’d like to talk about The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White. Thank you to Del Rey for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anneke has a complicated relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing – doctor, scientist, and madman devoted to studying vampires – up until the night she comes home to find him murdered, with a surreally beautiful woman looming over his body.
It soon becomes clear that her father isn’t the only inexplicably dead body. So, obsessed with vengeance, and armed with the latest in forensic and investigatory techniques, Anneke puts together a team of detectives to catch her mysterious serial killer.
But, for reasons even she can’t explain, Anneke keeps some crucial evidence to herself: infuriatingly coy letters, addressed only to her, occasionally soaked in blood, and always signed Diavola. Devil. The obsession is mutual, and all the more dangerous for it.
And the closer Anneke gets to her devil, the less sense the world makes. Could her father have been right all along? Could Diavola be something even more deadly than a serial killer? Because as Anneke unearths more of Diavola’s tragic past, she suspects there’s still a heart somewhere in that undead body.
Publication Date: 10th March
CW: murder, death, violence, grief, blood, injury, gore
My Thoughts:
The Fox and the Devil is a brilliantly atmospheric and characterful mix of fantasy, mystery and horror. Let the shadows draw you into this dark tale of obsession and revenge.
I have long enjoyed Kiersten White’s work and the way the atmosphere in her books comes out of the pages and lingers in the air around you. Her style of writing is so captivating, so when it is married with great ideas like this, I’ll always be drawn to it. This is no exception with a layered and fascinating story that pulls you into its embrace and refuses to let you leave. It adds a different take on vampirism and ties in wonderfully to existing iconography of the genre. White always has a way of putting a different slant on things and once again executes this here. It is a heartfelt and surprisingly tender story at times, though at others it is mired in blood and guts and gore. The way it pays homage to existing works is inspired, right down to certain styling choices in the narrative that I adored. It is a darkly entrancing Gothic gem.
I also particularly enjoyed how it played with the classic detective genre, again paying homage to lauded works but adding a new spin. It leads you on a merry dance chasing clues and suspects right along with Anneke. I enjoyed how shrewd she was with brilliant observations and tiny details coming together to form a bigger picture. She is deeply loving and loyal, but almost self-destructively obsessive in chasing the truth at all costs. There is a fear that she might burn everything down if it would mean obtaining her idea of justice. That balance weighs heavily in the pages and adds an interesting dynamic to proceedings, especially as the stakes get higher and higher.
The Fox and the Devil is further proof for why White is such a staple of the horror genre. She has these wonderfully creative concepts that send a shiver down your spine but also imbues her work with the messy, complex emotional realities of these well-drawn characters. It is a spell-binding mix that will keep you coming back to her books time and time again
Finally, I’d like to delve into This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Benny and Joy like to say that they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met.
Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is accused of her murder.
Best friends Benny and Joy host a beloved ‘comedy survival’ podcast, gleefully finding life-affirming humour in near-death experiences.
When Benny arrives at Joy and her husband’s home one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house.
With Joy missing and the hours ticking by, not even their most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets they have hidden from the world – and from each other.
If Benny wants to find Joy in time, and clear his own name, he’ll have to solve the highest stakes survival story yet.
Publication Date: 12th March
CW: death, murder, violence, stalking, abusive relationship
My Thoughts:
This Story Might Save Your Life might just be one of the books I am most excited to get my friends to read this year, purely so we can discuss it further. It has such a distinctive perspective and is an incredibly engaging read.
This concept is incredible. Having this podcast built around survival scenarios that then flips into an investigation is such a fascinating concept of its own, then Crum starts adding in different viewpoints, timelines and dynamics that keep the pages seemingly turning of their own accord. It was just such a compelling read. The mystery is well-constructed with great twists and turns in store. I also felt like Crum’s use of the dual timeline and dual POV was brilliant and adds a whole new depth to the story. It is this beautiful blend of genres that is refreshing and imaginative and just takes the story to a new place entirely. Without giving anything away, there are certain dynamics that shift and evolve in gorgeous ways.
Joy and Benny are such interesting characters and Crum’s narrative choices allow you to peel back their layers. They have plenty to say and I really liked getting to know them, particularly through the other’s perspectives. You slowly get to learn how they ended up here and what makes them who they are, with a few surprises along the way. The magic of the book is in their dynamic and seeing it grow. There are plenty of moments we can all recognise from our own lives and elements that form the rich tapestry of their individual stories and the one that they share. They are three-dimensional and believable, making every action have that emotional resonance you crave in a story when the consequences unravel.
This Story Might Save Your Life is a genre-blurring story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a thrilling mystery with twists and turns that land all the more because of how nuanced these characters are and it is so much more, but let Crum weave her tale and discover for yourself.
A Short Book Lover 