Book Bites

I feel a little mixed about this one. Overall, I did enjoy it and was always interested in picking it back up, but on reflection, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t completely fully formed. There were so many fascinating ideas and themes that I wanted explored further, and I felt there was potential for it to go deeper. That being said for a debut, I was impressed. I found the discussions around Natalie’s character particularly interesting. A lot of criticism focuses

10/10. No notes. Actually, I should probably take a star off purely because this book came out 15 years ago and we’re still waiting for the third and final instalment. That is honestly why it took me so long to pick up this one, because after this… who knows when we’ll get more? Rothfuss remains one of the best fantasy authors I’ve ever read. This book is packed with lore, history, and incredibly detailed world-building, but somehow it never feels overwhelming or boring. Even

I really struggled with this one. I went in hoping for an entertaining, escapist romance, but unfortunately this book just did not work for me. Now when I tell you I hated the MMC, I mean I hated that man. He is exactly the type of character the manosphere would eat up. He and this entire book was extremely misogynistic. His attitude towards women, relationships, and intimacy was incredibly difficult to overlook, and I found it hard to understand why anyone (let alone the FMC

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I don’t think you can deny it is an important work that has shaped how we think about politics and authoritarian regimes. Nineteen Eighty-Four is often described as a very male-centred text: it focuses far more on systems of power than on relationships or emotional interiority, which gives it a stark, cold quality and a distinctly male gaze perspective. It is written so convincingly that readers from real-life dictatorships have repo

Overall, I was genuinely impressed. I’ve read some pretty bad dark romances, and this was not one of them. The prose is strong, and the author writes like a seasoned storyteller. That said, I got completely lost in the magic system; by the end, it was so overwhelming that I just defaulted to Harry Potter logic. Setting the war and its darker themes in the background was brilliant, raising the stakes for the romance. The story is dark and intense, with influences from Harry Po

I found this book just okay. The plot was highly predictable, what you’d expect if a group of young boys were stranded on an island and slowly descended into conflict. Its short length was a relief, as I’m not sure I would have wanted to read much more. The story had moments of promise and a brisk pace, but it never fully captured my interest until the final fifty pages, when the tension reached its peak. I especially enjoyed following the main character, a boy trying to upho

This is a strong fantasy, and I can absolutely see why it’s considered such a king in the genre. The writing is really good, rich, immersive, and clearly very well thought out, especially when it comes to the politics of Buckkeep. I haven’t really dabbled in political-heavy fantasy before, but I can appreciate how well it’s done here. We follow Fitz, a royal bastard, from six to about fourteen, and somehow it doesn’t feel like there are big time jumps at all. But this is a

I really enjoyed this, mainly because the plot twist genuinely caught me off guard, something that doesn’t happen often, even with books that promise it. While I do think the twist slightly masks the novel being otherwise quite average, I was still fully invested, especially in the final stretch where I couldn’t put it down. That said, I often find with thrillers that the focus on shocking the reader comes at the expense of stronger writing. The prose here felt quite basic, t

I really enjoyed this one. The pacing is brilliant, and I flew through it without a single dull moment. The concept is clever, and McFadden’s tone suits the thriller genre perfectly, sharp, direct, and built to create tension. What stood out most was how the main character experiences her dread and distress. When we’re scared or confused, our reactions are immediate, and the writing reflects that. It makes the story feel intense and urgent, as though you’re living it alongsid

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series I had long wanted to read, having loved the films as a child without realising they were part of a seven-book saga. Buying the full set for some light reading blended nostalgia with genuine surprise at discovering new stories beyond the familiar adaptations. C.S. Lewis’s imaginative fantasy remains captivating, particularly through the strong dynamic between the four siblings and the deeper symbolism they represent. The rich Christian alle

Lady Chatterley’s Lover was far more than I expected it to be. Though known for its sex and scandal, the intimacy serves a purpose: it reveals the social tensions surrounding Constance, from class divides to the emotional chasm between men and women. Lawrence writes convincingly from a woman’s perspective, capturing both Connie’s frustration at lacking true sensual connection and the way she views the privileged men around her as coddled, emotionally stunted “gentlemen.” W

This one wasn’t quite for me, but it had a genuinely interesting premise: a dream-realm fantasy, a cursed “prince of darkness,” a doomed kingdom, and that classic light-versus-darkness theme. The opening chapters showed real promise, and the concept itself had so much potential. Where it fell short for me was in the execution. The plot often felt a little unfocused, and the world-building didn’t get the development it needed, which made it hard to understand the stakes or eve

I didn’t enjoy this book. Not because it was badly written, but because it really wasn’t for me. The blurb felt misleading, suggesting a story where Cassie, who escaped an abusive relationship, meets her ex again, now blind, and supposedly “holds the power.” I expected a more empowering, table-turning story, but it wasn’t that at all. Instead, it’s a heavy, unsettling read that dives deep into Cassie’s traumatic past. I wasn’t looking for a “girlboss revenge” story, but I did

Emily Henry proves once again that she’s a brilliant romance writer, perfectly balancing humour, plot, character, and sensuality. Romance is a tough genre, it can easily lose tension or rely on filler, but Henry manages to keep things engaging and heartfelt. While Book Lovers remains my favourite of hers, this book still shows her knack for crafting characters with believable chemistry and witty one-liners. She clearly understands her audience and toes the line of cliché wit

I first read this book as a pre-teen and I loved it. Back then, YA felt like the pinnacle of great literature – though it was also all I was reading. I never finished the trilogy, and over time I forgot most of the story, aside from the premise and a few small spoilers. Spotting it in a charity shop for £2.50, I couldn’t resist a reread. The concept is gripping: young people are Slated , their memories erased, supposedly to give them a second chance after their involvement in

This was such a precious little book, easy to read, yet thoroughly enjoyable. It was exactly what I expected, in the best possible way....

This novel leans firmly into psychological thriller territory, and it spooked me in the best way. I found myself on edge, holding my...

A fascinating book, deceptively simple, quick to read, yet layered with depth and mystery. It’s one where you can’t possibly catch every...

I’m still unsure how I feel about this book. As a romance, it’s well written, Cabot balances romance and sensuality with a plot that...

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finishing it faster than expected thanks to its excellent pacing. It follows Pat, recently released from...