Novel
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What starts as the story of a lonely, set-in-her-ways woman rebuilding her life becomes a touching exploration of friendship, belonging, and second chances. Britt-Marie may be stubborn, blunt, and obsessed with routine, but beneath her prickly exterior is a character impossible not to root for as she discovers that life can still hold surprises, even…
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*Advanced Reader Copy* Returning to The Book Club Murders felt like catching up with old friends. The familiar cast, another compelling mystery, and Maggie Allswell’s cosy writing style made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. While I found this instalment a little more predictable than the first, it was still an entertaining mystery that kept the…
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A fast-paced space heist set in the first city on the Moon, Artemis combines science-fiction, crime, humour, and conspiracy into an entertaining adventure. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Project Hail Mary for me, Jazz Bashara’s witty narration and the unique lunar setting made this a fun and engaging read from beginning to…
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A beautifully layered novel exploring how one small decision can ripple through an entire lifetime. Thought-provoking, emotional, and quietly devastating, The Names examines identity, family, and the lasting impact of choice through three intertwining timelines.
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*Advanced Reader Copy* I went into The Book Club Murders not quite knowing what to expect, but it quickly won me over with its humour, charm, and intriguing premise. Following a book club that suspects they have stumbled across a real-life serial killer, the story balances light-hearted moments with genuine suspense. With a cast of…
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Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a quiet, reflective science-fiction novel that follows a group of astronauts observing Earth from space, focusing more on their thoughts and emotions than a traditional plot. While it explores powerful themes like grief, human connection, and the fragility of our planet, I often felt a little disconnected despite some thought-provoking…
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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is a dystopian novel that follows Kathy from her school days to her work as a carer and eventually a donor. The story’s ambiguity can be confusing at first, and I even had to Google a few details to follow along. Kathy’s emotionally distant narration made it hard…
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Chain Gang All Stars is set in a near-future America where prisoners can earn freedom by surviving a televised death-match programme. The story follows teammates and lovers Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker as rules shift and protests rise. While the large cast and frequent perspective changes can feel confusing, the central relationship is…
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After giving the book a full five stars last year, I was both excited and a little worried to see the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary. Would it capture the humour, tension and science that made the story so compelling? Thankfully, the film manages to stay true to the spirit of the book while…
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The Christmas Killer is the first in a winter-themed crime series by Alex Pine. Marketed around the chilling promise of “12 murders over 12 days,” it immediately sets festive expectations—though the execution doesn’t quite live up to the concept.
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Clytemnestra is a sharp, accessible feminist retelling that gives one of Greek mythology’s most notorious women her own voice. I enjoyed how easy it was to read, though the short, punchy sentences sometimes made the story feel a bit rushed. The themes of female rage, power, and trauma come through clearly, especially in the chapter…
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Truth, like light, can blind those unprepared to face it. Yet without it, we stumble endlessly in the dark—mistaking shadows for certainty.
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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a slow-burning psychological horror that focuses less on ghosts and more on the fragility of the human mind. While the story promises supernatural terror, the real haunting lies within Eleanor — a lonely, uncertain woman whose desire for belonging mirrors the house’s dark allure. Jackson’s writing…
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In the silence of deep space, one man wakes up with no memory — alone, uncertain, and thousands of miles from home. As fragments of his past return, he realises he’s humanity’s last hope against an impossible threat. With only his mind, his courage, and an unexpected ally, Ryland Grace must unravel the mystery of…
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A Marvellous Light is a queer, magical realist novel set in an alternative Edwardian England. It follows Robin Blyth, who unexpectedly finds himself in a new government position that plunges him into a hidden world of magic. After being attacked and cursed, Robin must rely on the help of Edwin Courcey, a prickly and intelligent…
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This novel is set close to home for me, in the small Derbyshire village of Eyam, and takes place during the Great Plague of 1665—a time also marked by suspicion and fear of witchcraft. The story follows two central women: Isabel Frith, the village midwife, and Mae, the youngest daughter of Wulfric. Their lives intertwine…
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Last weekend I was lucky enough to go to The Queen’s Reading Room, a literary festival at Chatsworth House. I was so proud to meet seven wonderful authors, including Samantha Shannon. I also attended her talk Fantasy and Dystopia within Fiction, where she was interviewed by the equally incredible Saara El-Arifi. The setting made it…
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On Saturday 20th September, I had the absolute pleasure of attending The Queen’s Reading Room, a remarkable literary festival hosted within the breath-taking grounds of Chatsworth House and Gardens — famously recognised as the cinematic backdrop of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
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The Unmaking of June Farrow is a fantasy/sci-fi novel by Adrienne Young, featuring June, a woman who travels from 2023 to 1951, entangled in a complex timeline involving murder, romance, and a family curse affecting only women. The engaging story highlights gender roles, despite leaving some questions unanswered, and showcases intriguing character relationships.
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A Discovery of Witches follows Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who discovers a powerful manuscript, plunging her into a magical world. As her powers awaken, she forms a bond with Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. Their relationship, fraught with tension and conflict, drives the narrative, offering a modern twist on supernatural lore.