Book Review: Daughter of the Otherworld – Shauna Lawless

Book Review: Daughter of the Otherworld – Shauna Lawless


Series:
Gael Song Era 2 #1
Release date: September 11th 2025
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 448
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Over a hundred years after she went missing, Isolde, born to the family of a famous Irish king and a powerful immortal, inexplicably reappears.

Her mother’s kin, the Descendants, are one of the two magical races of Ireland. But no Descendant can understand the reasons for Isolde’s disappearance, and worse yet, she is giftless – born with no magical ability, a dangerous thing when the magic-rich Fomorians, ancient enemies of the Descendants, are growing in strength.

The Fomorians no longer control any Irish kingdoms, but they still desire control over the mortal world. They seek to spread their dangerous webs wider by manipulating England’s Norman lords to invade Ireland.

Not yet eighteen, Isolde’s world is about to change for ever. But when death and destruction seem inevitable, her true worth will show itself, for Isolde is far more than she seems.

Review

Shauna Lawless is back with a new book in The Gael Song series, and it is absolutely unputdownable. Isolde, daughter of Fódla, has reappeared after her disappearance one hundred years ago. But worringly, Isolde has no magical abilities, and the strength of the Fomorians is growing. Soon, everything Isolde knows begins to change, and war is once again on the way. Will Isolde be able to stop the Fomorians from taking control, and at what cost?

I’m pretty sure I could read fifty books about Gormflaith and never grow bored. She’s an absolutely magnificent character, and I’m so happy to be back seeing her scheme and manipulate to get what she wants. Lawless is a master storyteller, and I got completely swept away in this story. The plot is engaging, and I was pretty much on the edge of my seat for the last few chapters of the book. This series feels incredibly detailed and well-researched, and I love the way Lawless weaves magic and history together in this story. Lawless has such a beautiful writing style that you can’t help getting swept up in the story.I really liked that there were some old familiar faces in this story, as well as some new ones. Isolde is a great protagonist, and I loved getting to see her develop and grow as a character. Daughter of the Otherworld is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, and I am already dying to get my hands on the next instalment. If you’re a fan of historical fantasy and haven’t had the chance to check out The Gael Song series yet, this should absolutely be your next read.

Book Review: Spiderlight – Adrian Tchaikovsky

Book Review: Spiderlight – Adrian Tchaikovsky


Release date:
September 11th 2025
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 288
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

The Church of Armes of the Light has battled the forces of Darkness for as long as anyone can remember. The great prophecy has foretold that a band of misfits, led by a high priestess will defeat the Dark Lord Darvezian, armed with their wits, the blessing of the Light and an artifact stolen from the merciless Spider Queen.

Their journey will be long, hard and fraught with danger. Allies will become enemies; enemies will become allies. And the Dark Lord will be waiting, always waiting…

Spiderlight is an exhilarating fantasy quest from Adrian Tchaikovsky, the author of Guns at Dawn and the Shadows of the Apt series.

Review

Spiderlight is a gripping epic fantasy tale that follows a group of misfits as they embark on an epic quest to defeat the dark lord Darvezian. To do this, they must first seek help from the Spider Queen. The Spider Queen grants their wish, but sends along one of her children to accompany them. The group knows this quest will be a dangerous one, and those loyal to Darvezian will do anything to stop them.

This was such a wild ride of a book. It was fast-paced, entertaining, and I did not want to put it down. I have read several Adrian Tchaikovsky books in the past, but they have mainly been science fiction, so I was really excited to finally dive into some of his fantasy. I was expecting a ragtag group embarking on an adventure, but I absolutely was not expecting their spider turned into a human companion. This felt like such a unique and engaging idea, and it was executed perfectly.

The characters in this story are really excellent, but Nth is particularly fascinating. He’s attempting to adjust to life in a human body, he’s forced to do as he’s told by the other members of the group, and he’s faced with distrust and revulsion from most of the group. Tchaikovsky does a marvellous job exploring what it means to be different. The book has plenty of humorous moments and a few that are pretty heartbreaking. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy quest story with a bit of a twist, Spiderlight should definitely be on your reading list.

Book Review: Ascension – S. T. Gibson

Book Review: Ascension – S. T. Gibson


Series:
The Summoner’s Circle #2
Release date: July 8 2025
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Pages: 349
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me an E-ARC to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

From bestselling author of Evocation comes it’s hotly anticipated and spellbinding sequel, where Rhys steps into his new role as High Priest. A perfect read for lovers of urban fantasy.

Now the High Priest of Boston’s famed and secret Society, Rhys McGowan has a lot on his shoulders. With the help of his adoring witch wife, Moira, and his newly rekindled relationship with psychic boyfriend, David, Rhys is destined to become the most powerful High Priest ever.

However, Rhys’s insatiable ambition may be his undoing…

The second book in the bestselling Summoner’s Circle series sees beloved characters return for an all new dark and enthralling adventure.

Review

Ascension is the newest release from A Dowry in Blood author S. T. Gibson and the second book in Gibson’s Summoner’s Circle series. Picking up after the events of Evocation, we follow Rhys as he tries to come to grips with his new role as High Priest. Things don’t go quite to plan, and Rhys finds himself with quite a lot on his shoulders. He is supported by his wife, Moira, and boyfriend David, but Rhus is determined to be an outstanding High Priest at any cost, even if that means biting off more than he can chew.

I absolutely fell in love with Evocation, so Ascension was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025. It was an utterly compelling read, and I will absolutely read anything S. T. Gibson writes. Gibson has a beautiful and engaging writing style, and as soon as I started reading Ascension, I didn’t want to put it down. I raced through this book in a few sittings, and I am already counting down the days till the release of book three.

The story is pretty fast-paced, and there’s lots going on that will keep the reader hooked and desperate for more. Gibson has a way of crafting these fascinating, complex characters that you just can’t get enough of, and that’s definitely how I feel about Rhys, Moira, and David. I loved exploring the relationships between these three characters, particularly as the story progresses and Rhys becomes consumed by his ambition, while David encounters someone from his past.

This is a compulsively readable series; it’s full to the brim with magic and has some really fascinating and complicated characters. If you’re someone who loves stories with demons and secret societies, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.

Book Review: The Madness – Dawn Kurtagich

Book Review: The Madness – Dawn Kurtagich


Release date:
August 28th 2025
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 336
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Beware what waits in the shadows…

With one unexpected email from her estranged best friend, Lucy, Mina Murray’s carefully curated life is turned upside down. Leaving behind her psychiatric practice in London, along with her routine and the calm it brings, she returns to the windswept shores of Wales. Faced with everything she’s left behind, she soon discovers that Lucy’s symptoms mirror those of her mysterious patient with amnesia hundreds of miles away.

With nothing but an untreatable sickness connecting the two women, and with Lucy’s life on the line, Mina finds herself asking questions and being drawn ever-deeper into a web of secrets, missing girls, and the powerful, nameless force at its center—one that has been haunting her for years.

As terrible, ancient truths begin to reveal themselves, Mina prepares to confront her own darkest secrets, and with them, an evil beyond comprehension. Together with a group of smart, savvy women, Mina seizes one last, desperate chance to stop the cycle that began so long ago. But there are dangers to inviting the attentions of what might not be a man, but a monster…

Review

The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich is a dark and addictive gothic horror that follows psychiatrist Mina Murray. Mina receives an email from her old best friend, begging for help. Mina makes the decision to travel back to the Welsh town she left behind. Mina soon discovers Lucy has a strange illness, similar to a strange patient she had back home. As Mina tries to unravel the mystery of Lucy’s illness, she must confront the past she left behind.

This is my second book by Dawn Kurtagich, and it was an utterly compelling, thought-provoking read. Dracula is one of my all-time favourite books, so I’ve read many retellings, and I must say this is one of the most unique I’ve ever read. Kurtagich has a really accessible writing style, and the story was incredibly tense and atmospheric. There are some really eerie scenes in this story, and some gruesome ones too, that definitely sent a shiver down my spine.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the way Kurtagich wove Welsh folklore into the story. The Madness features some strong female protagonists, and I thought Mina was particularly fascinating. Kurtagich brings you the characters you’re familiar with from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but definitely not in ways you’d expect. This compulsively readable tale will have you on the edge of your seat, and if you’re looking for books for your spooky season TBR, this one should without a doubt be on it.

Book Review: The Rainforest – Michelle Paver

Book Review: The Rainforest – Michelle Paver


Release date:
October 9 2025
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 240
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I received an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Synopsis

The virgin rainforest seems a paradise to Englishman Simon Corbett. A last chance to salvage his career. A final refuge from a terrible secret.

But the jungle is no Eden. It hides secrets of its own. It does not forgive.

As Simon is drawn deeper into its haunted shadows, he learns to his horror that the past will not stay buried. For there are places in the forest where the line between the living and the dead is thinner than the skin of water.

Review

Rainforest is the new terrifying horror tale from Dark Matter author Michelle Paver. Dark Matter is one of my all time favourite books, and I’ve reread it many times, so I was very much looking forward to reading this dark tale, this time set deep in the rainforest. Simon Corbett is an entomologist, determined to salvage his career; he takes a job in the heart of the jungle. As Simon carries out his research, he soon learns that something dark and deadly might be lurking in the jungle with him.

Rainforest is a really interesting read. It’s less than 250 pages, so it’s pretty fast-paced and a book I read really quickly. I thought the setting was fascinating and loved the depictions of the rainforest. Paver is an absolute master at building tensions, and there were a few scenes that definitely sent a shiver down my spine. The scenes where Simon is lost in the jungle were excellent, and they were the highlight of the story for me.

While I enjoyed the plot, I found it difficult to like Simon. He is a thoroughly unlikeable character, and I found it difficult to read from his perspective. Simon does some pretty questionable things, and the story explores grief, obsession, and stalking. While this isn’t my favourite from Michelle Paver, it was still a fascinating read, and if you’re looking for an atmospheric horror tale that you can read in one sitting, you’ll definitely want to pick up Rainforest.

Book Review: It’s Always the Husband – C L Taylor

Book Review: It’s Always the Husband – C L Taylor


Release date:
June 5 2025
Publisher: Avon
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I received an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

The school gates have never been so dangerous…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to the enigmatic Will, father to her young daughter’s best friend.

But Will’s devastating past holds questions that nobody knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

Review

C L Taylor is back with a new twisty thriller, this time following Mum Jude, who finds herself strangely drawn to the Dad of her daughter’s new best friend. Through gossip with the other Mums, Jude learns about Will’s past – two tragedies and two dead wives in a short space of time. Jude soon finds that rumours are flying everywhere, what really happened to his wives, could it have been murder?

I always really enjoy C L Taylor’s books, and this was no exception. It was fast paced, gripping, and had a really interesting plot. I raced through this book in a few sittings. I don’t think I’ve ever guessed the ending to a C L Taylor book, and yet again, the surprise twist was absolutely not what I expected. This is definitely an entertaining read, and there were definitely a few spine-tingling moments that had me glued to the page.

Taylor’s characters are really interesting, and I enjoyed the way Taylor depicted the school gossip mill and the way this can affect people, especially if they are on the outside of the clique. The characters were compelling, and I enjoyed exploring their backstories. I did find Victoria to be a bit on the annoying side and was less invested in her story. Overall, I thought this was a really entertaining and engaging read, so if you’re looking for a fun thriller, definitely check out It’s Always the Husband!

 

Book Review: The Pact – Sharon Bolton

Book Review: The Pact – Sharon Bolton


Release date:
May 1st 2021
Publisher: Trapeze
Pages: 384
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I bought a copy of this book from my local supermarket
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

A golden summer, and six talented teenagers are looking forward to the brightest of futures – until a daredevil game goes horribly wrong, leaving three strangers dead.

18-year-old Megan takes the blame for the crime, leaving her friends to get on with their lives. In return, they each agree to a ‘favour’, payable on her release from prison.

Twenty years later Megan is free.
It is payback time.
And her friends start disappearing, one by one . . .

Review

The Pact is a taut, gripping thriller that follows six teenagers who make a horrible mistake one night and leave three strangers dead. One of the group (Megan) decides to take the blame for what they did, allowing her friends to go on to their bright futures, but it will cost them one favour each when she is released from prison. Twenty years have gone by, and now Megan has been released. One by one, the group begins to disappear, but can they appease Megan before it’s too late?

The Pact is one of those books that you sit down to read a chapter of and before you know it, you’ve been completely sucked in and you’re still reading hours later. This book completely captivated me from start to finish. It was intensely compelling, and I just had to know what was going to happen next. I thought this was such an intriguing concept – if your friend had sacrificed everything for you, what would you do when they came back into your life to collect on a promise you made twenty years ago? Bolton executed the plot really well and there were lots of twists and surprises I didn’t expect.

Bolton has created a fascinating cast of characters, and I loved that they were all so well developed. Each of the group are living pretty differently lives, and I enjoyed seeing how the pressure of Megan returning affected them. Towards the end of the book Bolton really ramps up the suspense and I read the last few chapters on the edge of my seat. This was a really tense, twisty, thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for a story that will keep you hooked till the very end, you don’t want to miss The Pact and I am thoroughly looking forward to reading more from Sharon Bolton.

Book Review: The Vengeance – Emma Newman

Book Review: The Vengeance – Emma Newman


Series:
The Vampires of Dumas #1
Release date: May 6th 2025
Publisher: Solaris Books
Pages: 384
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

Morgane grew up at sea, daughter of the fierce pirate captain of the Vengeance, raised to follow in her footsteps as scourge of the Four Chains Trading Company. But when Anna-Marie is mortally wounded in battle, she confesses to Morgane that she is not her mother.

The captain of the enemy ship reveals he was paid to kill Anna-Marie and bring Morgane home to France and her real family. Desperate to learn the truth about her lineage, Morgane spares him, leaving the Vengeance and everything she knows behind.

Her quest reveals a world of decadence and darkness, in which monsters vie for control of royal courts and destinies of nations. She discovers the bloody secrets of the Four Chains Trading Company, and the truth about her real mother’s death, nearly twenty years before…

Review

The Vengeance is a swashbuckling fantasy adventure that follows Morgane, daughter of the pirate captain Anna-Marie. Her ship is the Vengeance and they are known to attack and destroy ships from the Four Chains Trading Company at any opportunity. When Morgane’s mother is fatally wounded during one such attack, she reveals the truth to Morgane – she is not her mother but her aunt. This sets Morgane on a quest to France, to find her real family and what happened to them. What Morgane finds will be darker and more dangerous than she ever thought possible.

This was such a fun read. This is my first book from Emma Newman and I thought it was a really entertaining story. The plot is intriguing, though I do think the pacing was a little uneven at times. The story felt well written and Newman did an excellent job of bringing the sights and sounds of historical France to life. I really enjoyed the parts of the book that were set on the ship as they were detailed and well researched.

Our main character Morgane is a strong female pirate and she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in (or punch someone in the face). I thought she was a terrific protagonist and I loved the way she ruffled feathers, questioned the ruling classes and completely disregarded etiquette. The romance in the story is also well developed and I liked the way the relationship progressed without taking over the main story arc. I am very much looking forward to seeing where Newman takes Morgane and her pirate gang in book two. Overall I thought The Vengeance was a compelling fantasy tale so if you’re looking for a story that features a strong female character, that’s full of mystery and has a hint of vampires and werewolves, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Book Review: The Pawns of Havoc – Dave Lawson

Book Review: The Pawns of Havoc – Dave Lawson


Series:
The Envoys of Chaos #0.5
Release date: May 29th 2025
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 128
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

No Mercy, No Questions Asked.

Cork has quickly made a name for himself among the Kosellan mercenaries, but now his boss has come to him with an unusual job. Cork’s erstwhile countrymen, the Winn, have hired him to travel into the barren Frozen Lands and destroy a convoy, leaving only one survivor.

Cork isn’t sure he can trust the Winn. He feels like a pawn in their political game. However, his mother is sick and the Winn have promised to heal her if Cork does the job. And killing is what Cork does best.
To make matters worse. Cork’s crew has been decided for him: Arabella, an inexperienced and infuriating archer, and Nessa, a gloomy criminal with murder on her mind.

Cork will have to figure out how to complete the job, avoid Winn treachery, and manage conflicts with Arabella and Nessa along the way.

It’s going to be chaos.

Review

The Pawns of Havoc is a gripping fantasy novella that follows mercenary Cork as he’s sent on another job – but this one isn’t his typical kind of job. He’s been tasked by the Winn to find a convoy in the Frozen Lands, destroy it, and leave only one survivor. Cork might be Winn himself, but he knows he can’t trust them. Forced to team up with an archer named Arabella and a criminal named Nessa, Cork must find a way to complete the job, stay out of the Winn’s political games, and keep Arabella and Nessa in line – what could possibly go wrong?

This is my first book from Dave Lawson and I absolutely loved it. The Pawns of Havoc is a prequel story to The Envoys of War and I thought it was the perfect place to jump in. The plot was so engaging that it made me immediately want to pick up the next book in the series. The action scenes are very vivid and well crafted and I was very intrigued by the mysterious Winn and what they were up to. While The Pawns of Havoc is just a little over a hundred pages, it certainly packs a punch – there’s plenty of adventure, love and heartbreak along the way.

The characters in The Pawns of Havoc are terrific and I really liked our main character Cork. He has a strong narrative voice and I can’t wait to see more of him in The Envoys of War. I loved the group dynamics in this tale – there’s plenty of bickering, banter, and heart as they attempt to come up with a plan and carry out their mission. I also thought Arabella and Nessa were really interesting characters and I loved seeing how the dynamics changed as they have to work and travel together.

Overall I thought this was a brilliant, entertaining tale so if you’re looking for a compelling fantasy novella that you can read in one sitting, this one should definitely be next on your TBR.

Book Review: The Order of Masks – Alina Bellchambers

Book Review: The Order of Masks – Alina Bellchambers


Release date:
September 10 2024
Publisher: Hodderscape
Pages: 498
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy to review
Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Synopsis

𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄. 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞.

Circus performer Mira has spent her life on the run. She is determined to secure her future by competing in the deadly Trials and winning a place in one of the three magical royal Orders.

Princess Scarlett is fighting to withstand her half-brothers’ sinister ambitions and seize power. Mira is the opportunity she’s been waiting for – a dangerous outsider poised to cleave apart the very foundations of the Court.

As Mira and Scarlett navigate a glittering world of magic, court intrigue and forbidden romances, they must decide if they are co-conspirators or rivals in a bloody bid for the throne. Will they sacrifice everything – even their own lovers – for power and revenge?

Review

The Order of Masks is an utterly compelling YA fantasy tale that follows two women in their quest for power in the deadly Ravalian court. Mira has spent most of her life on the run, though she has no idea why, she hopes to compete in the Trials and win herself a life at court, but it be everything she hopes? Meanwhile, Scarlett is the daughter of the Emperor, but she is cast aside by her half brother’s and their quest for power. When Scarlett sees an opportunity to seize some power of her own, she’s determined to take it, but at what cost?

I absolutely fell in love with this book. It was such an engaging, fast paced read that I found myself completely hooked on this tale. I really enjoyed the writing style and I thought the world building was detailed and well fleshed out. I thought the magic system was really interesting with the different orders and I’m intrigued to see more of that in book two. I also loved that the story featured a trial aspect, as this is one of my favourite tropes. Bellchambers really brought the tension during the trials and there were a couple of scenes that really had me on the edge of my seat.

The thing I loved most about The Order of the Masks is the characters. Most of our characters are on a quest for power and they will do pretty much anything to get it. I loved that there were so many morally grey characters and that they did plenty of questionable things to get what they wanted. The story is told from both Mira and Scarlett’s POVs and I adored them both. I thought this was an incredibly entertaining tale and I cannot wait to see where things go in book two. If you’re looking for a fantasy tale that features trials, court politics, betrayals and twists you won’t see coming, The Order of Masks should absolutely be your next read.