I met my Goodreads goal of 75 books last year, but I am slightly behind schedule this year already. Follow me on Goodreads for other suggestions.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
When Emilia’s twin sister is murdered, the young Sicilian witch ends up making dark deals with the Princes of Hell. I am eagerly awaiting the second novel to arrive in the post.
4 stars
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
I absolutely loved the first one and this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. And it was…. Okay. The mystery wasn’t very compelling and I really missed the world-building and intrigue of the Houses. It felt as though it was mostly planning and building for the next book.
3 stars
Matrix by Lauren Groff
This was a powerful read about nuns in England in the 13th century. It was a topic that I knew nothing about but it was both engaging and emotional.
3 stars
The Changeling by Victor Lavelle
On the face of it, it seemed like this was a run-of-the-mill mystery which I don’t tend to gravitate to. But instead, it was a retelling of the classic fey myth of changelings but in a modern setting.
4 stars
The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow
This entertaining novel tells the story of three magical sisters separated by life and the fear of magic. Because the three sisters are all witches. And so are lots of other women in this universe where women are fighting for universal suffrage.
4 stars
Dolly by Susan Hill
‘The Woman in Black’ this novel is not. The build-up was spooky and fast-paced but the climax flew by too quickly and was frankly disappointing.
3 stars
Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver
This little gem is gothically atmospheric and will keep you guessing till the end. The stench of the fens permeates the novel and haunts poor Maud for the rest of her life.
4 stars
Pine by Francine Toon
I absolutely loved this supernatural murder-mystery set in the Scottish Highlands. Definitely pick this one up!
4 stars
Cold Moon Over Babylon by Michael McDowell
I hadn’t read this horror classic, but it had been on my list for years. It was definitely worth the wait. A sick criminal ends up being haunted by his victims. Anyone who has ever lived in the South in America will be struck by how deeply Southern this novel feels.
4 stars
Praxis by Fay Weldon
Oof. What can I say about Praxis? I won’t weigh into the is this a feminist novel? discourse. But. I do think that this is a book that I will go back to in about 10 years time to read again to see if it hits differently. Trigger warnings for just about everything.
4 stars
The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland
This was a book that sat on my shelf for years and I finally got around to reading it. It’s a historical fiction novel about a part of the English past that I had none nothing about. I found it quite fascinating but the characters were slightly underdeveloped.
3 stars
Big Girl Small Town by Michelle Gallen
I really can’t express how much I disliked this book. It didn’t have an endearing bone in its body.
1 star
Treasury of Folklore – Seas and Rivers: Sirens, Selkies and Ghost Ships by Dee Dee Chainey
I really enjoy the Treasury of Folklore series. (And I am a long follower of the FolkLoreThursday hashtag on twitter). I’ve preferred others in the series to the water edition.
3 stars
Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin
This felt like a book of two halves. It’s plot-twist was visible a mile away. I feel like Heaberlin wanted to be Gillian Flynn. However, it was an easy holiday read.
3 stars
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Gaiman has done a lovely job presenting some traditional Norse mythology. I know he was being faithful to the original stories, I just wish he had put a bit of a Gaiman twist on it.
3 stars
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
This book was filled with typically Moran whit, but I personally preferred her first book.
3 stars
My biggest recommendations from this list: Pine and Kingdom of the Wicked
What have you been reading lately?
