I’m so glad I picked up this audio book —I’ve had such rubbish luck with books this month, and this one completely turned things around for me. From the start, I was hooked by the gritty, emotional atmosphere and the raw honesty of the story.

Tyler, Bean, and Flick were absolute standouts. I fell in love with them so quickly—their loyalty, vulnerability, and resilience made their struggles all the more heartbreaking. I felt everything they went through, and it hit hard in the best way.

The whole book had a vibe that reminded me a lot of Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. It’s that same mix of tenderness and toughness, of survival in a brutal world with flickers of hope and connection.

The tension in the final stretch was incredible—so gripping I couldn’t stop listening—and the violence, while graphic, felt real and necessary. It didn’t hold back, and I appreciated that

If you like emotionally intense, character-driven stories with grit and heart, definitely give this one a go - just be sure to check the content warnings. 

I really liked the core concept of Our Infinite Fates—the whole idea of multiple lives playing out across different realities was cool and gave the book a kind of short story vibe, which worked well in some places. A few of the stories, were genuinely gripping and memorable

I partially liked the asylum lifeline

. But the majority felt a bit repetitive or too similar to one another, which didn’t really push the plot forward and made parts of the book drag.

The writing itself also left a bit to be desired. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that used the words "feral" and "ferocious" quite so much—They popped up so often that they started to stand out in a distracting way, which pulled me out of the story now and then.

Then there’s the ending. Honestly, I wasn’t a fan. It felt incredibly left field and didn’t seem to be seeded into the story at all—not even subtly. It just kind of came out of nowhere and didn’t feel earned, which was disappointing after sticking with it for so long.

Overall, this felt like a classic case of a strong idea at the start, but the execution didn’t quite live up to the concept. With the repetitive tone, lack of development, and an ending that fell flat, it seemed like the story didn’t really know where to go—and ultimately, didn’t end up anywhere worthwhile.

This one’s a slow, reflective read—more about mood and perspective than plot. It flips between astronauts in space and people briefly connected to them on Earth, which I thought was a cool angle.

Not a lot really happens though, and some of the deeper reflections felt like they were trying a bit too hard.

This is not helped by the fact that the characters didn’t feel like they changed in any way throughout the book.

Still, I really liked the writing style—Samantha has a great way with words—and I’d definitely be up for reading more of her stuff, though ideally something with a bit more plot to ground myself in.

I really wish I had DNF’d this book. The only reason I powered through was to tick off a prompt for my bookish bingo challenge — and honestly, even that barely made it worth finishing.

I struggled to enjoy a single character. They were all incredibly one-note and repetitive, with no real development. Feyi, in particular, was a huge letdown. I was initially drawn in by her backstory, but it quickly fell flat — she came across as little more than a horny girl with 0 morals, rather than someone shaped by grief or depth. 

I mean this girl was hell-bent on this concept of being friends with Nasir and then fucked his dad! Regardless of whether she view Nasir and her as  dating or just friends … you don’t just get with a guys dad … especially when said friend takes you on an all expense paid trip to the islands!

Every relationship in this book grated on me. The friendships felt shallow and more like excerpts from a chaotic, lust-driven journal. The supposed romance was just trauma bonding masquerading as something meaningful.

The only redeeming aspect was the concept of Feyi using her grief and trauma in her art. But since 90% of the book was spent on uncomfortable and icky interactions with terrible characters, it ended up being a massive flop for me.

Absolutely would not recommend.

I liked the range of characters in Little Boxes—they felt varied and real, which helped bring some life to the story. The book explores grief in a really honest, thoughtful way, and there were definitely moments where the emotion hit home. Knapp captured some of those feelings beautifully, especially when it came to how people process loss differently.

That said, overall the book felt quite one-note to me. The tone didn’t shift much, and I never really felt pulled into the story. I wasn’t hooked at any point, but I could still appreciate the emotional depth she was trying to explore. It had its moments, but it just didn’t fully click for me.

I was really impressed by Danielle Valentine’s debut adult novel, Delicate Condition. I went in expecting something more contemporary, but it turned out to be much darker and more unsettling—in the best way. Once I adjusted my expectations, I was hooked. It leans fully into horror and had me completely gripped.

What I really appreciated was the underlying theme about how women are often dismissed or doubted in the healthcare system. That added a powerful, real-world weight to the more graphic and intense parts of the story.

It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me—some parts felt a bit predictable—but overall, it kept me on my toes. Chilling, smart, and thought-provoking. A great pick for May’s buddy read!

I think for me the audio book was a great way to process this book, the use of different narrators to brought the  
interviews to life — it made the story a lot more engaging and easier to follow. 

However, I found the book incredibly strange and struggled to find my footing with the story as it progressed. The ending also felt pretty unsatisfying for me, and I thought the Kevin storyline had a lot more potential that wasn’t fully explored.

That said, the bizarre nature of the characters and the books prose kept me intrigued in a way… I don’t think this book/ author is for me. 

Suzanne Collins really nailed it with Sunrise on the Reaping. Even though it’s a prequel, she still manages to surprise with plot twists, using media censorship in such a clever way that it actually strengthens the plot rather than limiting it. The way she writes about propaganda and control is chilling, and so smart—it makes you think while keeping you totally hooked. 

There are so many heartbreaking moments, especially with the return of familiar characters. If you’ve reread the series, some scenes will really hit hard. It adds a deeper emotional layer that makes the story even more powerful. 

I am not sure I’ll ever emotionally recover from the Ampert & Beetee, Louella & loulou’s storylines and their ultimate deaths.

What really stood out, though, was how the book deepens our hatred of President Snow and makes Haymitch’s story feel even more tragic and tender. You come away with a whole new level of sympathy for him—and a fresh wave of loathing for Snow.

Overall, it’s a brilliant addition to the series. Sharp, emotionally devastating, and impossible to stop thinking about.

Going back and rereading this really reminded me how well it wraps up all the political tension built throughout the trilogy. It’s a satisfying and intense conclusion that leans heavily into the themes of war and power.

I really appreciated how it explored the fallout and trauma of the other tributes—not just Katniss. Characters like Johanna and Finnick really added depth. That said, the shift to political warfare made parts of it feel a bit slow at times - especially if compared to the movie … nonetheless, a strong end to the trilogy.

Rereading Catching Fire reminded me just how clever Collins was in laying the groundwork for the political unrest that drives the series. The subtle buildup of rebellion throughout the book is masterfully done and adds real depth on a second read.

I especially enjoyed the characterisation of the victor tributes this time around—there’s a noticeable increase in diversity and complexity, which brings fresh energy to the story.

I had forgotten how slowly the plot moves before the Quarter Quell begins. It felt a bit sluggish at first, likely because I was anticipating the intense action I knew was coming. Still, the payoff is as strong as ever.