If We Were Villains is a novel that draws you in from its very first line and refuses to let go. Dark, theatrical, and deeply immersive, it’s a love letter to Shakespeare, performance, and obsession – and a compelling example of why dark academia continues to resonate so strongly with readers. … More Book Review: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Saltblood is immersive, emotionally resonant historical fiction that gives voice to a woman history largely forgot. Francesca de Tores writes with confidence, empathy, and a keen understanding of character, transforming fragments of fact into a story that feels whole. Despite a few moments that verge on being too much, this is a novel that lingers – salty, sharp, and human. … More Book Review: A Treasury of British Folklore by Dee Dee Chainey
Saltblood is immersive, emotionally resonant historical fiction that gives voice to a woman history largely forgot. Francesca de Tores writes with confidence, empathy, and a keen understanding of character, transforming fragments of fact into a story that feels whole. Despite a few moments that verge on being too much, this is a novel that lingers – salty, sharp, and human. … More Book Review: Saltblood by Francesca de Tores
Sistersong is a novel that gripped me almost immediately – and then, frustratingly, lost its footing just as it reached its conclusion. It’s a book full of promise, rich themes, and strong character work, but one that ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambition. … More Book Review: Sistersong by Lucy Holland
Palin captures Venezuela in all its contradictions: its extraordinary natural beauty and warmth sit alongside an ever-present sense of unease, the legacy of violence and instability that once earned Caracas the grim title of the most dangerous city in the world. … More Book Review: “In Venezuela” by Michael Palin
New year, same habit: buying more books. As 2026 gets underway, January brings a fresh slate of compelling new releases across fiction and non-fiction, from richly imagined historical novels and cosy fantasy to gripping history and thrilling crimes. Whether you’re easing into the year or already tearing through books at speed, there’s plenty here to tempt you back to the shelves. … More January’s Best Books
If ever there was a fantasy series that just keeps ascending, this is it. The Dark Mirror, the long-awaited fifth volume in The Bone Season saga, is everything I wanted – and then some. Samantha Shannon doesn’t just revisit her world – she expands it. … More Book Review: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon
The Raven Scholar is exactly the kind of fantasy novel I’ve been hankering for. It’s not just escapism – it’s high fantasy executed with intelligence, depth, and a sense of wonder that hearkens back to why I fell in love with the genre in the first place. … More Book Review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
In The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome, Guy de la Bédoyère takes readers on a sweeping journey from the glittering courts of the Ptolemies to the marble-lined forums of the early Roman Empire. … More Book Review: The Fall of Egypt and The Rise of Rome by Guy de la Bédoyère
It looks like April is shaping up to be a month of fascinating fantasy releases, with new releases from old favourites like Olivie Blake and Luke Arnold, and debuts by newcomers such as M. H. Ayinde, there’s sure to be something to immerse you in a world of magic and wonder. … More Best books of April
The Ink Thief 