Tag: book review

Book Review: At the Bottom of the Garden – Camilla Bruce

Book Review: At the Bottom of the Garden – Camilla Bruce

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: January 28 2025
Publisher: Magpie
Pages: 384
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

A murderess becomes the guardian of two very unusual girls in this mesmerizing gothic novel from acclaimed author Camilla Bruce.

Clara Woods is a killer—and perfectly fine with it, too. So what if she takes a couple of lives to make her own a little bit better? At the bottom of her garden is a flowerbed, long overgrown, where her late husband rests in peace—or so she always thought.

Then the girls arrive.

Lily and Violet are her nieces, recently orphaned after their affluent parents died on an ill-fated anniversary trip. In accordance with their parents’ will, the sisters are to go to their closest relative—who just so happens to be Clara. Despite having no interest in children, Clara agrees to take them, hoping to get her hands on some of the girls’ assets—not just to bolster her dwindling fortune, but also to establish what she hopes will be her legacy: a line of diamond jewelry.

There’s only one problem. Violet can see the dead man at the bottom of the garden. She can see all of Clara’s ghosts…and call them back into existence. Soon Clara is plagued by her victims and at war with the gifted girls in her care. Lily and Violet have become a liability—and know far more than they should…

Review

At the Bottom of the Garden is a compelling gothic tale that follows two young girls who go to stay with their estranged aunt following the death of their parents. Aunt Clara has little interest in raising children but she does have an interest in the large fortune left to Lily and Violet. Clara has plenty of secrets that she plans to keep buried but when the girls arrive with their mysterious gifts (such as seeing the dead), Clara soon realises that she might have bitten off more than she can chew.

This is my first time reading a book from Camilla Bruce and it was a really entertaining read. The writing is very accessible and this supernatural YA story is very easy to get absorbed in. The story was very intriguing and I found myself captivated very early on. I did think the latter half of the book was a little slower paced compared with the start of the book, but overall this was a hugely enjoyable read.

The story is told in multiple POVs, alternating between Lily, Violet and Clara. I enjoyed all three POVs but Clara had to be my favourite. She’s determined to get what she wants, she will even kill for it. I loved the complete lack of remorse she shows and I thought Bruce did a terrific job of crafting such a fascinating villain. Lily and Violet are really likable characters and I thought the explorations of grief and family were well executed in this supernatural tale.

At the Bottom of the Garden is an entertaining gripping read, full of gothic mystery and mayhem. If you’re looking for a psychological tale that’s packed full of ghosts, supernatural powers and a hint of murder, this should definitely be your next read.

Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls – Grady Hendrix

Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls – Grady Hendrix

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: January 14 2025
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Pages: 496
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to the Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. There, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to keep her baby and escape to a commune. Zinnia, a budding musician who plans to marry her baby’s father. And Holly, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.

Every moment of their waking day is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid . . . and it’s usually paid in blood.

Review

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is the newest release from horror author Grady Hendrix. The story follows fifteen year old Fern as she is sent to a home for unwed pregnant mothers. Fern feels alone and terrified, but she soon finds friendship among the other girls in the house. When Fern meets a librarian who provides Fern and her friends with a book about witchcraft, the girls finally have the chance to take power back and make their own choices, but at what cost?

I’ve read a number of Grady Hendrix books in the past and really enjoyed them all – Horrostor remains my all time favourite – and I went into this with pretty high expectations. This story was dark, gripping and horrifying in ways I definitely didn’t expect. The story was easy to get swept up in and Hendrix paints a vivid picture of America in the 1970s. The first half of the book is quite slow paced as we get to know Fern and the other girls at the house but the latter half of the book is incredibly gripping and full of tension as the story comes to a conclusion.

I thought the witchy elements were fascinating and Hendrix does an excellent job handling the difficult subjects in this book. This book is at times quite an uncomfortable, harrowing read and it is definitely a story that will stay with you long after reading. The characters were terrific and I loved seeing the friendships blossom between Fern, Rose, Zinnia and Holly despite the circumstances they find themselves in. Hendrix has created a really fascinating cast of characters that are full of rage against those that have wronged them.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a compelling, enthralling story, one that really centres on the trauma of the characters. If you’re looking for a horror story that will keep you turning pages long into the night, this one is definitely not to be missed.

Book Review: Five Broken Blades – Mai Corland

Book Review: Five Broken Blades – Mai Corland

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Five Broken Blades #1
Release date: May 7 2024
Publisher: Zaffre Books
Pages: 474
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I bought a copy of this from Waterstones
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

The king of Yusan must die.

The five most dangerous liars in the land have been mysteriously summoned to work together for a single objective: to kill the God King Joon.

He has it coming. Under his merciless immortal hand, the nobles flourish, while the poor and innocent are imprisoned, ruined…or sold.

And now each of the five blades will come for him. Each has tasted bitterness―from the hired hitman seeking atonement, a lovely assassin who seeks freedom, or even the prince banished for his cruel crimes. None can resist the sweet, icy lure of vengeance.

They can agree on murder.

They can agree on treachery.

But for these five killers―each versed in deception, lies, and betrayal―it’s not enough to forge an alliance. To survive, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other…but only one can take the crown.

Let the best liar win.

Review

Five Broken Blades is the first in a fantasy series that follows a group of five people as they band together in an attempt to kill the King of Yusan. But how do you kill a God King? Each of the five killers have secrets and their own agendas to fulfill, but will they be able to trust each other long enough to succeed in their task?

This was such a fun, entertaining read and I really enjoyed reading this one. It was fast paced and addictive and I cannot wait to see what Corland has in store for book two. The world building was great and Corland’s writing style was easy to get sucked into. The story has plenty of twists and turns that had be on the edge of my seat and overall the ending wrapped up nicely but still left me very much excited to see where the story is going to go next.

I really love a heist story and I thought it was really well executed in this story. Each of our five characters have their own motivations and agendas. I was particularly fascinated with all the scheming as they attempt to work together or double cross each other. There were secrets revealed that I absolutely did not expect and each character had a pretty distinct narrative voice. This book is marketed as adult fantasy but to me it felt more like YA. My one gripe with this book was the romance aspect as it felt a bit over the top for all of the characters to pair off. I don’t mind a bit of romance but it did feel as though the various romances were taking away from the main heist plotline a bit.

Overall this an entertaining and compelling fantasy story. If you’re looking a fan of heist stories with the found family trope or you’re looking for a fast paced fantasy tale with tons of action, you won’t want to miss Five Broken Blades.

Book Review: Second Coming – George Bachman

Book Review: Second Coming – George Bachman

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: 2nd January 2025
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 129
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy to review
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis

In this dark fable set in Victorian England, seven-year-old heiress Melissa Hawthorne is confronted with loneliness when she is uprooted from her comfortable countryside existence to a London boarding school, where headmistress Miss Grandine flatters her while harboring jealousy and dislike. A dislike that balloons into open hostility when Melissa’s father loses his fortune and dies tragically, leaving her a penniless charity pupil completely at Miss Grandine’s mercy. Little does she know that being made a servant cruelly treated by both staff and fellow pupils will be the least of her worries, as a nameless horror begins to stalk her through the school halls, something pushing through reality’s thin surface to consume her. When her brutal circumstances begin to merge with the uncanny, Melissa, left all alone in the world, must find a way to escape both before they destroy her.

Review

Second Coming is an engaging novella that follows a young woman named Melissa Hawthorne as her father enrolls her in a London boarding school. Melissa is a very wealthy student and is treated to the best of everything. When Melissa’s father passes away and his fortune is lost, Melissa is left penniless. In order to pay her debts Melissa is kept on as a charity pupil where she is expected to act as a servant to the pupils and staff. As Melissa tries to navigate her new life, something dark and sinister begins following her. Will she be able to escape before it’s too late?

This was a well written and gripping story and I ended up reading it very quickly. I thought Bachman did an excellent job of creating a strong sense of atmosphere and the sights and sounds of Victorian England definitely came to life in the story. I do feel like the latter half of the book was quite fast paced and could have done with being a bit longer to really see Melissa’s struggle with life as a penniless servant.

Melissa is a really interesting protagonist and Bachman did a brilliant job creating a complex main character that I really liked. Melissa might be the wealthiest student at the school but she is kind and thoughtful, looking after her friends and those around her. Even when her circumstances change, she tries her best to remain true to who she is. The story really focuses in on the theme of class and how different Melissa is treated when she has no money. The story comes to a thought provoking ending and overall I thought this was a compelling read. If you’re looking for a novella that mixes historical fiction and horror and one you can easily devour in a day, this one should absolutely be on your TBR.

Book Review: The Company of the Wolf – David Wragg

Book Review: The Company of the Wolf – David Wragg

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Tales of the Plains #2
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 529
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The author kindly gave me a copy of this book
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Seeking a better life, Ree and Javani have traveled west into the mountains, and left their pasts – and their troubles – behind. But new places bring new problems, and when they stumble across a lone traveler under bandit attack, they make the mistake of lending a hand.

Forced to take refuge in the traveler’s village, they quickly find allies among the lush, wooded hills. But then the true nature of the bandits is revealed.

With winter approaching and a vengeful company of mercenaries circling like wolves, Ree and Javani must uncover the secrets of this peaceful valley . . . or risk the ruin of it all.

Review

The Company of the Wolf is the second installment in David Wragg’s The Tales of the Plains series. Following on from the events in book one, we follow Ree and Javani as they travel across the mountains in search of a new life. When they encounter someone being beaten up by bandits, they end up stepping in. They seek refuge in a nearby village Ar Ramas, only to discover the bandits are a mercenary company who provide “protection” for the village. When the company comes knocking Ree and Javani discover there is far more going on than meets the eye and must work together before the village is torn apart.

I absolutely adored book one in this series, it was gripping, action packed and had a great mix of humour and heartbreak. I think if it’s possible, I loved book two even more. I could not put The Company of the Wolf down and I think this is my favourite David Wragg book published so far. This is such a compelling story, it was well paced and I was glued to the book as I watched Ree and Javani attempt to unravel the secrets behind Ar Ramas. The world building is well developed and there is tons of action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I really enjoyed the way Wragg weaved in some humorous moments and I found myself laughing even when the characters were in the midst of something intense and deadly.

With this second installment comes a host of new characters and each one felt exceptionally crafted. I really liked all the villagers, though Anri in particular stole the show for me. I loved the dynamic between him and Javani and thought they were brilliant together. The introduction of Captain Manatas as a new POV character was really gripping and I liked that it gave the reader the chance to see things from both sides of the conflict. The story continues to explore the mother-daughter relationship between Ree and Javani which was really fascinating, particularly as Javani is growing into a young woman.

Overall The Company of the Wolf is a brilliant, engaging sequel and one I did not want to put down. I cannot recommend this series enough and if you’ve read book one you absolutely need to pick up book two. This will without a doubt be on my top ten list for 2024 and I cannot wait to see where Wragg takes the story in book three.

Book Review: Kavithri – Aman J. Bedi

Book Review: Kavithri – Aman J. Bedi

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Ghosts of Ethuran #1
Release date: May 16 2024
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 442
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Meet Kavithri. Outcast. Underdog. Survivor.

Kavi is a Taemu. Her people, once feared berserkers and the spearhead of a continent-spanning invasion, are the dregs of Raayan society. Their spirits crushed. Their swords broken. Their history erased.

But Kavi has a dream and a plan. She will do whatever it takes to earn a place at the secretive mage academy, face the Jinn within its walls, and gain the power to rise above her station and drag her people out of the darkness.

Except power and knowledge come at a cost, and the world no longer needs a Taemu who can fight. So they will break her. Beat her down to her knees. And make her bleed.

But if blood is what they want, Kavi will give them blood. She will give them violence. She will show them a berserker’s fury.

And she will make them remember her name.

Review

Kavithri is an engrossing South Asian inspired epic fantasy that follows Kavi. Kavi is a Taemu. Taemu are treated as the very lowest of society and Kavi will do anything to escape her life and realise her dream of attending the mage academy. Kavi wishes to rise above her station, but those around her only want to break her. Kavi will do whatever it takes to succeed and she will make them remember her name.

Kavithri is a dark and compelling story, one that gripped me right from the outset. The world is fascinating and I really enjoyed Bedi’s writing style. The story is well paced and the worldbuilding felt well developed with a rich history. I thought the action scenes in particular were very well done and Bedi doesn’t shy away from describing the brutal and gruesome parts of a fight. The story expertly navigates difficult themes such as colonialism and I really liked the found family aspect of the tale. The story has some plot twists that I absolutely didn’t expect and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Kavi is a brilliant protagonist and I thought Bedi did a great job with her character development. She’s determined to find her family, she does not want to give up. I liked that she was such a complex character and I was definitely rooting for her. I also thought the magic was fascinating in this one. Overall Kavithri is an impressive debut and if you’re looking for an epic fantasy read that is full of action, this one should definitely be on your wishlist.

Book Review: The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond – Louise Davidson

Book Review: The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond – Louise Davidson

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: October 12 2024
Publisher: Moonflower Books
Pages: 415
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

1891 Norfolk.

After a terrible tragedy, governess Julia Pearlie finds herself with no job, home, or references. When she’s offered a position as companion to Miss Olivia Richmond, her luck appears to be turning. But Mistcoate House is full of secrets.

Olivia has a sinister reputation. The locals call her the Mistcoate Witch, thanks to her tarot readings, and her insistence that she can speak to the dead. Her father, Dr Richmond, believes this to be girlish fantasy and is looking to Julia to put a stop to it.

Determined to prove herself and shake off her own murky history, Julia sets to work trying to help Olivia become a proper young lady. However, as she becomes a fixture at Mistcoate, it is soon clear that there may be more to Olivia’s stories than Dr Richmond would have Julia believe – not least because somehow, Olivia seems to know something of the darkness that Julia desperately hoped she had left behind.

As the danger grows, and the winter chill wraps around the dark woods surrounding Mistcoate, Julia will have to fight to uncover the truth, escape her past – and save herself.

Review

The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is a gothic historical fiction novel that follows a young woman named Julia Pearlie. Julia is desperate to find a new role after the horrible events during her previous role as a governess. With no references she has very few options but when she is offered the role of companion and etiquette teacher to a young woman named Olivia Richmond, Julia knows she has no choice but to take the role. When Julia arrives at Mistcoate Hall she hears rumours about the Mistcoate witch and Olivia’s strong belief that she can commune with the dead. As Julia gets to work training Olivia for the upcoming London season, she is soon sucked into the darkness and mysteries that surround Mistcoate hall. Will she be able to save herself and those she has grown to care for?

I absolutely adored this book. It was an eerie, unsettling gothic tale that completely captured my imagination. It was such a readable, addictive read. I frequently found myself sitting down to read just one chapter and getting so caught up in the story that I was still there five chapters later. I really enjoyed Davidson’s writing style – the sights and sounds of Norfolk in the 1800s really comes to life in Davidson’s prose. Davidson is also an absolute master at creating atmosphere – some of the more spooky scenes were absolutely terrifying and without a doubt sent a shiver up my spine.

I loved the slightly isolated setting of Mistcoate Hall and I found the tarot element really fascinating. Davidson has created some really compelling characters in this book. Julia and Olivia are both so interesting and I really liked Alice, Ed and Marian too. This gothic book is a dark and creepy page turner so if you’re looking for some historical fiction that you won’t be able to put down, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is a book you will not want to miss.

Book Review: Heads Will Roll – Josh Winning

Book Review: Heads Will Roll – Josh Winning

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: July 30 2024
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Pages: 368
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Willow is in need of an escape.

A former sitcom star, she’s been publicly shamed on the internet after posting something she really shouldn’t have.

She checks in to Camp Castaway, an adults-only retreat based at an old campground in the woods.

It’s the first night and the campers gather round the fire to tell some ghost stories. That’s when Willow hears the tale of Knock Knock Nancy. A local urban legend about a witch, brutally beheaded in this very woodland.

They say her restless spirit knocks on doors late at night. If you answer, she’ll take your head.

Willow doesn’t believe in ghost stories. But the next day, a camper has vanished under mysterious circumstances. And then that evening, in her cabin, Willow hears it . . . .

Knock, Knock, Knock.

Review

Heads Will Roll is a dark and addictive slasher horror from The Shadow Glass author Josh Winning. The story follows Willow who signs up to attend Camp Castaway following her cancellation on social media. The camp is a digital detox with no phones or technology of any kind. When Willow arrives she soon learns the story of Knock Knock Nancy – a local legend about a witch who was killed where the camp now sits. Willow doesn’t believe the story, but when campers begin vanishing Willow must uncover the truth behind the tale if she has any hope of getting out alive.

I absolutely loved The Shadow Glass and Burn the Negative by this author so I was extremely excited to pick this one up. It was dark, gruesome and incredibly compelling and I ended up reading this one in just a few sittings. I loved the way it was a nod to slasher films and all things horror. The story is well paced and Winning does a magnificent job of building atmosphere and a deep sense of unease. There were a few scenes that were pretty scary – Heads Will Roll is definitely a book that will have you on the edge of your seat.

If you’re a horror fan Heads Will Roll is a book you will not want to miss. The story has some really fascinating characters and I thought the theme of cancel culture was a really interesting one. Willow is a great protagonist and I really liked the way you’re never quite sure which of the campers she can trust. I had a brilliant time reading this one so if you’re looking for a dark and bloody slasher story then definitely check out Heads Will Roll!

Book Review: Have You Seen This Girl – Nita Tyndall

Book Review: Have You Seen This Girl – Nita Tyndall

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: May 21, 2024
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 272
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

Fans of Courtney Summers and Tess Sharpe will devour this standalone YA thriller following a nonbinary teen investigating a series of copycat murders targeting girls in their small town—murders based on their serial killer dad’s MO.

Another girl has gone missing in Cardinal Creek.

Sid knows their dad didn’t do it—this time. He’s currently serving a life sentence for the five girls he murdered ten years ago. Girls whose bodies he dumped into the lake. The same lake where June Hargrove was just found. And while Sid’s dad couldn’t have done it, suspicion is now directed at Sid. The only person who doesn’t suspect Sid is the new girl, Mavis—as long as Sid doesn’t let her find out about their past.

But Sid has another secret: They’re being haunted by the ghosts of the five girls their father killed. Except now there are six. And unlike the others, June isn’t content to just whisper in Sid’s ear. She wants them to find out who’s killing again, especially as another girl goes missing. If Sid wants any chance of solving the current disappearances, they’re going to have to face what their father did—or risk being haunted forever.

Review

Have You Seen This Girl is a really thought provoking YA mystery story that follows teenager Sid who spends their days alone because she is known throughout the town as the child of serial killer Dennis Crane. When girls start being murdered in exactly the same way ten years on, Sid must do everything they can to uncover who is behind it, before someone they love gets hurt.

This is quite a short book and I absolutely raced through it. It hooked me really early on with that fascinating premise and I really enjoyed the mystery of who was behind the murders. It kept me guessing right up until that very last reveal and the story came to a pretty satisfying conclusion. The story is complex and well written and while this is my first book from Nita Tyndall, it definitely won’t be my last.

While this is quite a fast paced story, it’s very much a character driven tale. Sid is going through so much in this story – they are dealing with being ostracized from the town and the friends she knew, they’re attempting to understand their own identity as well as trying to uncover the copycat killer. Sid also sees the ghosts of those who were murdered, something that added a slightly sinister, creepy atmosphere to the tale.

This is a really well executed YA mystery, one that I ended up reading in practically one sitting. If you’re looking for an engaging mystery that will keep you guessing to the end, this is one you don’t want to miss. If you’re a fan of YA murder mystery authors like Karen M. McManus and Courtney Summers, this one will be right up your street.

Book Review: Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch – Codie Crowley

Book Review: Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch – Codie Crowley

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: August 6, 2024
Publisher: Disney Books
Pages: 304
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Murdered bad girl Annie Lane is back from the grave and hellbent on revenge . . . she just has to figure out who killed her.

This fast-paced thriller by a talented debut delivers a horror-infused hunt for justice that’s at once furiously feminist, darkly funny, and utterly satisfying.

Between her careless mom, her cheating ex-boyfriend, and her rotten reputation around town, Annie Lane is used to being left behind. But she’s never been left for dead before—until she wakes up to find her body’s been dumped on a mountain rumored to raise the dead.

Annie can’t remember who killed her, but she’ll stop at nothing to figure it out and make them pay. Because girls like her don’t get justice unless they take it for themselves.

Codie Crowley’s propulsive debut presents a furious and cathartic thriller skewering society’s condemnation of “unlikeable” girls.

Review

Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch is a dark and insanely gripping thriller from Codie Crowley. The story follows teenager Annie Lane, who has returned from the grave with only one thing on her mind – to find out who murdered her and make them pay.

I could not tear myself away from this book. It was fast paced, twisty and full of dark humour. I ended up reading this in nearly a single sitting because I just had to know what was going to happen next. The title certainly drew me in but the plot will absolutely have you on the edge of your seat. The story is well developed with plenty of mystery. When the murderer was revealed it wasn’t who I expected and Crowley did a brilliant job of keeping the reader guessing. Crowley has weaved so many different elements into this story, it’s got gripping mystery thriller elements as well as dark and eerie paranormal elements too.

The thing that shines most in Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch is our main protagonist Annie. She has such a strong narrative voice and I was absolutely rooting for her to get her revenge. Annie isn’t the most likeable character but she’s loyal to her friends and she’s determined to see justice done. There are also some pretty sad moments showcasing Annie’s home life and Crowley handled this topic really well.

Crowley has crafted a really impressive debut and I am very keen to read more from this author in the future. If you love compelling YA paranormal thrillers with a vivid, kick ass main character this is definitely one you should add to your wishlist.