Review: ‘Violet Made of Thorns’ (‘Violet Made of Thorns’, #1) by Gina Chen

As the saying goes: every future is earned and no destiny is without blood.[All quotes are from the ARC, subject to change in the final version] Rating: 4/5 paper planes Genre: YA Fantasy; RomancePublication: 26 July 2022Pages: 368 (hardcover) Synopsis: Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the court as Seer with her cleverly …

Review: ‘Not Here to Be Liked’ by Michelle Quach

A girl who seeks a leadership position must be smart, competent, hardworking, attractive, and, above all, nice. She must be all of those things in order to stand a chance against a male opponent, who frequently only has to be some of those things, and sometimes isn't any of them. Rating: 4.5/5 paper planes Genre: …

Review: ‘A Day of Fallen Night’ (‘The Roots of Chaos’, #0) by Samantha Shannon

...to hold the risen fire at bay until the night descends... Rating: 4/5 paper planes Genre: High Fantasy; Dragons; LGBTQIA+Publication: 28 February 2023Pages: 880 (hardcover) Synopsis: Tunuva Melim is a sister of the Priory. For fifty years, she has trained to slay wyrms – but none have appeared since the Nameless One, and the younger …

Review: ‘Never Ever Getting Back Together’ by Sophie Gonzales

The opposite of love isn't hate. Not by a long shot. Hate and love are cousins. Possibly even siblings. So many ballads are sung about the power of love. Not nearly enough time is devoted to the passionate fulfilment only a perfectly matched enemy can bring. Rating: 3/5 paper planes Genre: YA Contemporary; LGBTQ+; Romance; …

First Lines Friday (24th Feb ’23)

Here we go... Her name was Dumai, from an ancient word for a dream that ends too soon. She was born in the last glow of the Sunset Years, when every day poured soft as honey in the city of Antuma. [ID: Yellow text reading 'Curious? Scroll down for the book!' above a white arrow …

Review: ‘Soul of the Deep’ (‘Skin of the Sea’, #2) by Natasha Bowen

I think of all my own memories, reclaimed and mine. To know where you came from holds so much power over how you feel about yourself. Rating: 4/5 paper planes Genre: YA historical fantasy; Mermaids; MythologyPublication: 27 Sep 2022Pages: 304 (hardcover) Synopsis: *CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 'SKIN OF THE SEA'* To save those closest …

Review: ‘Medusa’ by Rosie Hewlett

I was beautiful once. I would not recommend it. Rating: 3.75/5 paper planes Genre: Historical fantasy (Greek myth retelling)Publication: April 2021Pages: 204 (paperback) Synopsis: Within the depths of the Underworld the formidable snake-haired Gorgon has finally had enough. Tired of being eternally and unjustly brandished a villain, Medusa has found the courage to face her …

Review: ‘Under the Whispering Door’ by TJ Klune

"It's life, Wallace. Even when you're dead, it's still life. You exist. You're real. You're strong and brave, and I'm so happy to know you."[All quotes are from the ARC, which may differ to the final version.] Rating: 4.75/5 paper planes Genre: Speculative fiction; contemporary fantasy; paranormal; LGBTQ+Publication: 28 Oct 2021 (United Kingdom)Pages: 373 (hardcover) …

Review: ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’ (‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’, #1) by Stephanie Garber

"I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings."[All quotes are from the ARC, which may differ to the final version.] Rating: 2.75/5 paper planes Genre: YA FantasyPublication: 30 Sep 2021Pages: 408 (hardcover) Synopsis: For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox …

Review: ‘Skin of the Sea’ (‘Skin of the Sea’, #1) by Natasha Bowen

"In the water there are many things that mankind doesn't know about...When you peel back the skin of the sea, you never know what you will find."All quotes are from the ARC (advance reader copy), which may differ to the final version. Rating: 3.8/5 paper planes Genre: YA Historical Fantasy (15th Century C.E.); Mythology (West …