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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Fault in our Stars is wrenching as it is lyrical. A perfect story, with a perfect cast. It will draw readers in and shatter their hearts. This was my first read of The Fault in our Stars it didn’t fail to have me in floods of tears. How is it that this book is so utterly perfect? It captivated my heart and soul and I fell endlessly in love with Augustus and Hazel. I failed to read this book until now because I felt that I wasn’t the intended demographic, but I shouldn’t have feared. Grief and pain is a universal emotion and this story brought it all out.…
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The Drift by C.J. Tudor
The Drift has a dark pulsating heart, a constant reminder of the evil that humanity can do. C.J. Tudor has the ability to wrong foot her readers at every turn. Superb. The Drift was immediate cover love…I know, I know, shoot me! But it called to me like a siren awaiting its next prey. Well let me just say, this book got its talons into me nice and early. I know its likely an unpopular opinion, but I love a story about viruses and post-apocalyptic worlds. And this take had me salivating with its torturous narrative and blood thirsty scenes. What made it even better was just how all the…
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The Things We Do to Our Friends by Heather Darwent
The Things We Do to Our Friends is a dark academia/toxic relationship-type story. I won’t mess around and get straight to it – this story did not work for me. It felt too long and convoluted, it could have actually been about 100 pages shorter and would have gotten to the meat of the story far quicker. None of the characters were remotely likable, which I think was entirely the point, but I personally need that connection point when reading a novel, something that connects me with the heart of the story, it didn’t have that for me. Clare has moved to Edinburgh to study Art at Edinburgh University. It’s…
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A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor – REVIEW
A Sliver of Darkness is C.J. Tudor’s inaugural short story collection. I’ve always said that short story collections are always going to be difficult to rate. You’re not going to love every single story, but if at least a few resonate within you, then it’s a win. I’ve not had the opportunity to read Tudor’s work previously, I know, please don’t come for me! I will be changing that pronto. Each story was complex and atmospheric, and it didn’t take much for me to envisage myself in the protagonist’s shoes, it’s safe to say every story was fully immersive. A Sliver of Darkness feels a little like a treasure map…
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The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas – REVIEW
The Girls Who Disappeared is a story crafted by the Queen of the unfathomable twist. It’s like an itch you can’t quite reach, a brilliant character study with razor sharp writing. The girls who disappeared is a strong novel about friendship, family, and the spreading virus that is lies and betrayal. We can all remember what it was like being eighteen, right? That taste of freedom has seeped into our veins, and we want more of it. A driving license, a car, and a group of friends – the possibilities are endless, well they would be if it wasn’t cut to a drastic end with a car accident on the…
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REVIEW: Outside by Ragnar Jónasson
Outside piqued my interest for its devastating atmosphere. Iceland has always intrigued me, with its brutal and raw landscape and its beautiful but deadly mountainscapes it’s the perfect backdrop for a survival thriller. It’s a place I have longed to visit to photograph the Northern Lights in all their glory, so I enjoy reading about the country and its heart-breaking imagery. Ragnar Jónasson is a new author to me, and I look forward to discovering more of his stories. Four friends head out to the Icelandic Highlands for a weekend’s hunting trip. It’s a reunion of sorts, with the friends not having been together as a foursome for quite some…
