This is an ongoing series where I read popular books so you don’t have to! To answer the question once and for all… are these books worth the hype surrounding them?
Booktok Lied To Me: The Secret History Review
Did I enjoy The Secret History? No. But were the vibes immaculate? Yes. Name: The Secret History Author: Donna Tartt Published: 1997 Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from…
Books That Changed My Life: ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ Review
As much as I cringe to say it, this book changed my life. ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ came to me at a time when I really needed it. At once inspiration, education and aspirational, I have a lingering sense of empowerment and challenge from turning the final page. Name: Girl, Woman, Other Author: Bernadine Evaristo Published:…
Make Some Noise For ‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’!
Change of plan. This book was going to be part of my ‘Is It Worth the Hype’ series, where I read and review popular books so you don’t have to. Find it here. But…where is the hype for IKSW? I haven’t seen nearly enough noise for Casey McQuiston’s latest novel – this is not a…
Iron Widow: A Raging Review
Gloriously brutal. Feminist and furious. There’s a reason Iron Widow has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for 34 weeks. Here’s why. Name: Iron Widow Author: Xiran Jay Zhao Published: Oct 2021 The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the…
Can the narrator please shut up? ‘Aurora Rising’ Book Review
While the chatty, informal style is for fans of Percy Jackson, the main difference between Percy Jackson and Aurora Rising? Percy Jackson is actually funny… Name: Aurora Rising Author: Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff Published: 2019 The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil…
‘Lady Midnight’ Book Review: Is It Worth the hype?
The biggest plot twist of the book: I actually ended up loving it! Name: Lady Midnight Author: Cassandra Clare Published: 2016 It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman…
The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo: Worth The Hype?
Read it for the history, read it for the hype, but for me, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo wasn’t all I was promised. Name: The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid Published: 2017 Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous…
Books That Made Me CRY: Afterlove
For fans of They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera and One Last Stop by Casey McQuinnston, Afterlove was one of the quirkiest and most devastating books I read in 2021. Name: Afterlove Author:Tanya Byrne Published: 2021 Ash Persaud is about to become a reaper in the afterlife, but she is determined to…
Worth The Hype? Serpent and Dove Review
The definition of a bingeable book. Name: Serpent & Dove Author: Shelby Mahurin Published: 2019 Song: Any song by Lou Reed (Get it! Get it!) Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like…
5 Star Book Review: She Who Became The Sun
I genuinely can’t praise this book enough. Name: She Who Became The Sun Author: Shelley Parker-Chan Released: May 2021 She’ll change the world to survive her fate . . . In Mongol-occupied imperial China, a peasant girl refuses her fate of an early death. Stealing her dead brother’s identity to survive, she rises from monk…
Recent Release Reviews: Ace Of Spades
Okay, Ace Of Spades was ‘recently released’ when I planned this post, but I forgot to factor in the time it would take to actually read and then review it. And… now it’s September. But that in no way takes away from how spine chillingly brilliant Ace Of Spades was. Name: Ace Of Spades Author:…
Book Review: Hani and Ishu’s Guide To Fake Dating
I have decided that Irish YA sapphic romances are my new favourite genre. (*Cough* read The Falling In Love Montage by Ciara Smyth *cough*). Name: Hani and Ishu’s Guide To Fake Dating Author: Adiba Jaigirdar Published: May 2021 Everyone likes Humaira “Hani” Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But…
One Last Stop: Is It Worth The Hype?
YES, YES, A MILLION TIMES YES. Name: One Last Stop Author: Casey McQuiston Published: 2021 For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how…
From Blood And Ash: Book Review
One good one thing came out of 2020… this book 😎 Name: From Blood And Ash Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Published: 2020 Song: Ashes by Stellar A Maiden…Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never…
Hundreds & Thousands of Books 