Release date: September 10 2024
Publisher: Usborne Books
Pages: 337
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Erin and Max are two trans kids, just trying to get to California. Max is desperate to finally be able to transition, and Erin is longing to understand why she’s on this trip to begin with, after Max suddenly broke up with her two years earlier.

But when they find themselves stranded – and eventually separated – in the creepy woods of rural middle-America, they suddenly have much bigger problems.

First, there’s the creature that, according to legend, feeds on girls, hunting them through the shadows.

And then there are the locals, who are searching for a female sacrifice. If either of them hope to survive to see the sunrise, Erin and Max will have to come together and stop from their attackers, from each other, and, ultimately, from themselves.

Review

Old Wounds follows two trans teens – Erin and Max as they attempt to journey cross country to California to a new life. When they become stranded in a small town in the middle of nowhere they soon find all is not what it seems and must do everything they can to escape.

This is such a well crafted story that really focuses in on these two characters and their lives. I thought the characters were really well developed and there’s lots of character growth as Max and Erin attempt to find themselves during this terrifying situation. I also liked the way Kisner explored the dynamics between the two. Max is so desperate to get to California, to transition and start a new life. Meanwhile Erin is trying to understand who she is to Max since they’ve barely spoken since he broke up with her.

This story is fast paced and captivating, I ended up reading this one in just a few sittings. The story is atmospheric and there are some really scary moments in this book. The story very much focuses on gendered violence and there are quite a few content warnings to check too.

Overall this was a thoroughly gripping and thought provoking book one that I know fans of YA horror/thrillers will be absolutely hooked by.

Release date: September 12 2024
Publisher: Renegade Books
Pages: 292
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

Steeped in ancient magic, dark divinity and wild ways, Goddess with a Thousand Faces takes you on a historical journey like no other…

Blending mythological retellings with historical research, Goddess with a Thousand Faces traverses the world and transports through time to bring ten formidable and inspiring ancient goddesses to life. Meet Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness, never without her bow and arrow; Sedna, Inuit goddess of the ocean, guarding the icy waters and all its creatures; Isis, Egyptian goddess of healing, who dwells by the River Nile, just to name a few…

Jasmine Elmer explores these goddesses of our past, uncovering their truths, their rebellion and their freedom. For too long, they have been written out of history; lost to the sands of time and stamped into silence. Goddess with a Thousand Faces restores these women to their glory.

Pour over this treasure trove of myths, legends and mighty goddesses. Hear the messages echoing through the ages and see yourself in the faces of these icons. For while their stories might ancient, today they are more important – and more powerful – than ever.

Review

Goddess with a Thousand Faces is a fascinating book that explores the myths of ten goddesses from around the world. Split into ten chapters, each section explores the myth and historical context of a goddess.

This was such an interesting read! I loved the way Elmer retold the myth surrounding each goddess but also gave the reader some information surrounding the history and culture of the goddess. It allows the reader a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the world and history surrounding that mythology. I also liked the way Elmer highlighted what we can take from the myth of each goddess and apply it to our lives.

Elmer has a great narrative voice and I really liked that Goddess of a Thousand Faces is written in a really accessible way – even if you know lots about certain mythologies you’re bound to still find some new and interesting details. There were goddesses I was already familiar with featured in this book (like Freya and Isis) and plenty I had never heard of (like Kali and Sedna). Their stories were all fascinating and I ended up reading one a night to give me a chance to really think about and absorb each story.

If you’re looking for a book that weaves history and mythology in a really fascinating and compelling way, you definitely need to add Goddess with a Thousand Faces to your TBR.

Release date: July 16 2024
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 304
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Two years ago, Riley visited the abandoned and allegedly haunted religious reform school Dominic House with his boyfriend, Ethan, and his best friends, Colton and Vee.

Ethan never came out. Colton’s leg will never quite heal, Vee is branded as hysterical, and Riley has horrific scars as a reminder of that night.

Now, at eighteen, Riley hasn’t exactly moved on, but he’s kept away from all things paranormal.

Until legendary ghost chaser Jordan Jones shows up with an offer: return to Dominic House with her to film an episode of her Spirit Seekers TV show.

Riley may have vowed never to return, but he has unfinished business at Dominic House. With a reluctant Colton and Vee at his side, Riley is determined to find out what happened to Ethan once and for all.

But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life— he’s reliving it.

With an eerily elegant voice, dual timelines that slowly unravel a chilling ghost story, themes of religious trauma, and secrets in every corner, Trespass Against Us is the kind of horror story that will keep you up long into the night.

Review

Trespass Against Us is a dark and addictive YA horror that follows a group of friends that visit the abandoned Dominic House in search of ghosts. Four went in, but only three came out. Riley is unable to get past the horrors of that night or the disappearance of his boyfriend Ethan. When Riley and his friends are asked to take part in an episode of ghost hunting show about Dominic House, Riley knows he has unfinished business and has no choice but to return.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. Ghost hunting gone wrong is one of my favourite premises and Kemp did a magnificent job of executing this story. Told in two timelines (one during the first visit to Dominic House and the second during the return) i found the way this story unfolded so compelling. I really enjoyed Kemp’s writing style and there were a few scenes that definitely sent a shiver down my spine. Kemp does a brilliant job creating a tense, unsettling atmosphere and this book is the absolute perfect read for Halloween.

Trespass Against Us has a really interesting friendship group and I really enjoyed seeing how the dynamics changed between the two trips to the abandoned school. Riley and Ethan have such a sweet relationship and I thought their relationship was really well developed.

Trespass Against Us is a gripping, creepy YA horror that will have you turning pages long into the night. If you’re looking for a fast paced read that will have you on the edge of your seat, this is a book you will not want to miss.

Series: The Dragon’s Crawl #1
Release date: April 29 2024
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 410
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Part cozy, part bloody, all fun.

Hidden underneath the small town of Haverly Arms lies an entrance to the Dragon’s Game, an extensive world where adventurers compete to collect power objects and progress to the next level.

Temerity’s father and brothers have been down in the game for years, leaving Temerity and her mother, plus their house goblin, Half-pint, to manage their tavern. Bored with small-town life, Temerity decides to enter the tunnel labyrinth, launching an adventure to survive Level One of the Dragon’s Game: Dark Town.

Review

Dark Town is a fun and gripping LitRPG novel that follows our main character Teremity. Bored with life working in a tavern in her small town she decides to enter level one of the dragon’s game and embark on a deadly adventure.

I’ve never read a LitRPG book before and I know very little about RPGs but I had absolutely tons of fun reading this book. It was fast paced, full of bloody action and I couldn’t put it down. There are also some cozy fantasy elements that I wasn’t expecting, but did really enjoy.

The characters are well crafted and while I did really like Temerity, the witty Half-Pint was definitely my favourite and I loved the dynamics between the two. I loved seeing them work together to puzzle out how they were going to complete the different elements of the game. The world building was very detailed and despite knowing pretty much nothing about gaming I was able to easily understand and get wrapped up in this captivating tale. I really enjoyed the writing style and can’t wait to try more from Palmer Pickering in the future.

Dark Town is a brilliantly addictive read and the book has some absolutely stunning illustrations. If you’re looking for something fun and compelling, this is definitely one to pick up in between heavy fantasy tomes.

Release date: September 5 2024
Publisher: Usborne Books
Pages: 352
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Horror movie enthusiast Charley is determined to keep a low profile when she’s enrolled to a girls’ boarding school on a remote island. That is, until someone starts killing off her senior class! From elaborate scare tactics to severed heads in fridges, Charley has found herself at the centre of a teen horror movie. And that’s not the only alarming thing that’s happening – she’s now seeing the ghosts of her former classmates!? Haunted by her peers, and with everyone beginning to suspect her, Charley decides to do something about it. She and her only best friend Olive are going to solve the murders and find out who’s killing off the class before graduation. Charley just needs those pesky ghosts to shut up and give her a hand…

A fast-paced tongue-in-cheek YA novel about two friends trying to survive senior year – literally!

Review

How To Survive a Horror Movie is a brilliantly fun and gripping YA horror tale that follows Charley as she starts at a girl’s boarding school on a remote island. Soon someone begins murdering members of the senior class. When Charley starts to see the ghosts of her former classmates she knows only she will be able to find out who’s really behind the murders.

I absolutely loved this one! It was gripping, fast paced and full of horror references. The story was well executed and there were plenty of twists and turns. This story is very much a homage to slasher films and is absolutely perfect reading for spooky season. I liked our main protagonist Charley, she was a vivid main character and felt like a realistic teenage girl, making mistakes and being scared in such a terrifying situation.

I loved the remote island setting and Dunmore does a great job building tension with the dark and creepy scenes. There’s also some moments that are pretty funny too as Charley attempts to navigate solving the murders with several ghosts following her around. The story does a great job of keeping you guessing and there are a few scenes that are really creepy. This is quite a quick read at just over 300 pages so if you’re looking for something a bit shorter that you won’t want to put down, How To Survive a Horror Movie should definitely be your next read.

 
Series: Heroes of the Empire #1
Release date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 458
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me an ebook copy to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖒𝖕𝖎𝖗𝖊 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊. 𝕳𝖊 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖉𝖌𝖊𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖎𝖙𝖘 𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖓𝖋𝖆𝖑𝖑.

Death is Velamir’s close acquaintance. As a student in the Chishman academy, he cannot escape the brutal war. When he’s sent on a mission with three fellow academy cadets, Velamir returns to the Empire, the land of his birth. Calamity befalls the group as they trek through enemy territory, and Velamir learns a part of his past that makes the mission far more personal. Burdened with the deaths of the unavenged and the chance of losing his own life, Velamir must decide if revenge is worth the cost.

Natassa knows her role well: The silent and obedient girl. The one who looks away from the torture her father, the emperor, inflicts on the Empire’s inhabitants. The princess. But she’s a shackled prisoner, and somewhere under the mask is a spark of rebellion. When she learns of her father’s intention to marry her to a man she loathes, Natassa crafts a risky plan of her own—one dangerous enough to get her killed.

Two searching hearts. Two perilous paths. Velamir must find the courage to face his past and Natassa must find the strength to face herself before the war consumes them both.

Review

The Cavalier is a young adult fantasy story that follows two groups on opposing sides of a war. Velamir is a student at the Chishman Academy and he is sent along with his fellow cadets on a dangerous mission into the Empire. When death befalls the group, Velamir will do everything he can to avenge those he lost, but at what cost? Meanwhile, Natassa is a princess of the Empire. She is taught to be dutiful and obedient, but deep down she is anything but. When she discovers her father’s plans to marry her to the ruthless Prince Draven, Natassa becomes determined to free herself from the shackles of her life, but will she succeed?

I completely fell in love with this book. The story is fast paced and compelling. I really enjoyed Azizi’s writing style and found myself completely hooked from the very beginning. The world was really interesting and the worldbuilding felt well fleshed out. This book has so many elements that I really enjoy – there’s plenty of magic, action, adventure and a touch of romance. I also love a school setting (even if it’s only for part of the story).

This is a multi-POV tale and I found I often find I prefer one POV over the other but actually I really enjoyed all the points of view. I was always desperate to know what was happening with each character and as a result I ended up flying through this book in just a few sittings. Azizi has created some really engaging characters in this series and I really liked our main protagonists Velamir and Natassa. Velamir is a soldier, trained to do whatever it takes to overthrow the empire. I also found the group dynamics with Jax and Lissa really fascinating, particularly as the story progressed. If I had to pick Natassa was probably my favourite character. She’s determined to stand up to her father even though she knows she will be punished and she does what she can to help her people. All the characters felt well crafted with compelling histories.

Overall The Cavalier was a brilliant, entertaining read. If you’re looking for a YA fantasy that will have you glued to the book right until the very last page, this is definitely one to check out!

Release date: October 1st 2024
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 144
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me an E-ARC to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

A noir story, set in an alternate New York City.

After years of being a cop, and now a private investigator, there’s little that surprises Cole Blackstone. But when someone working for Karl Dolman, the most notorious crime boss in the city asks for his help, Cole is caught off guard, and more than a little afraid.

Dolman’s daughter, Selina, has gone missing. To prevent a gang war that will tear the city apart, Cole must find her. But the job is being made more difficult as everyone is interfering, cops and criminals, and no one wants him to succeed.

Together with his childhood friend, Bracken Hart, the two men must navigate the depths of the city’s underworld for answers. In a race against the clock, Cole needs to find out what happened to Selina, and who is responsible, before the streets run red.

Review

Set in an alternate New York, New York Minute is a fantasy noir story that follows private investigator Cole Blackstone as he is roped into investigating the disappearance of Selina Dolman – daughter of the infamous crime boss Karl Dolman. Can Cole uncover the truth about what happened to Selina before it’s too late?

I absolutely loved this novella and I was so hooked I ended up reading it in a single sitting. The plot was really compelling and there were some surprise twists that I definitely didn’t expect. The story is fast paced, gritty and has terrific dialogue. I really liked the way Aryan wove the fantastical elements into the New York we’re already familiar with. I can’t wait to see more of the world in the next instalment.

Aryan has created some great characters in this book and I really liked our protagonist Cole. He’s sharp and clever and I was so fascinated seeing him piece together the different elements of the investigation. I also really like the dynamics between Cole and Bracken, who helps him solve the mystery.

Overall New York Minute is a dark, engaging noir tale that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you’re looking for a fantasy novella you won’t want to put down, New York Minute should definitely be top of your TBR.