3.5 stars

I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

January Schaller is a rather lonely little girl who loves to explore her guardian's large house while waiting for her father to come home from his worldly adventures. January's life changes when one day she finds a door, and discovers that there are secret pathways to different worlds. But her discovery soon turns to a life and death journey as a terrible society determined to destroy the doors come after January and everything she holds dear.

This book is a really weird, yet lovely, mix between Every Heart a Doorway, the Chronicles of Narnia and the doors from Monsters Inc. I really wanted to love it, and there were parts of it I definitely did. I also am not 100% sure what age range this book falls into, I thought YA at first but there were parts that read more adult.

The writing in this was definitely really good, and I definitely felt like Alix E Harrow knew the world she was writing, and she knew her characters. I loved that January was a biracial character, and though she grew up in luxury she was not immune to the treatment she received sometimes just because of her skin colour. And I appreciated that she saw the other side of the class divide as well when she was journeying without her riches and the protection of Mr Locke.

I'm not sure what it was with me with this book, but it took me a lot longer than I thought for me to really start getting into the story and feeling anyway a connection with any of the characters. It even, shock, gasp, horror, took me a while to love Bad! The dog!

I really wish we saw a bit more of some of the side characters in this book - Samuel and particularly Jane were both interesting but I felt they were at times, forgotten about. I loved Jane's story and would honestly love a novella or even a novel just about her and her land of leopard women, so cool. January's parents were both the tropey sad, slightly pathetic figures and I honestly didn't much care for them that much.

When it came to January reading the story, I kept finding myself really uninterested in it. Obviously everything comes together eventually, and I saw why the story was so important but it just took a while to get there - which seemed to be the theme of this book. I felt like everything only started to really happen about 70% in.

I really loved the ideas in this book, and the magic of the doors. The story itself just took too long to get going for me, and I felt like there was too much build up before any actual action.

I received this book from Serpent's Tail in exchange for an honest review.

In 1793, Welshman Herbert Powyss does not want his name to fall into obscurity and decides to conduct an experiment about the effects of a seven-year solitude on a man's behavior. After constructing underground rooms, Powyss employs semi-literate John Warlow to live there. His clothes and food will be provided for him, but he won't see or speak to another person for over half a decade. Things begin to unravel as Warlow's thoughts wander in the darkness, and Powyss becomes acquainted with Warlow's wife..

This was an unsettling, yet addictive read about a man's slow descent into madness and you really do wonder what you would do in such a situation. I really enjoyed Warlow's POV which was fairly uneducaed but some of things he obsevered were realy interesting, and what he would write in his diary. There's definitely an 'ick' feeling when reading this too because it's obvious that Warlow isn't washing himself or cleaning his surroundings so it's not too long before he's wading through filth and describing all the creepy crawlies on his own body let alone in his chambers.

Powyss as a character was annoying mostly due to his selfishness and his entitled air - to the point that he didn't act entitled but he never really thought about anyone else. It is really intersting that he himself is an extremely solitary person and he decided to undertake such an experiment on someone else. I did find the relationship between Hannah and Powyss a bit predictable. I liked the POV of Catherine, one of the maids, as someone slightly impartial to everything else going on.

One of the things I wasn't mad on in this story was probably the revolutionary side plot. At the time of the novel, one of the French revolutions is ongoing and some men are beginning to think of overthrowing their masters on English soil as well. I wouldn't have a massive interest in the French Revolution - or French history in particular - so I found myself impatient in these parts to get back to Powyss and Warlow - mostly Warlow as his POV was so riveting.

The flip near the end of the book of Powyss's and Warlow's living situations really struck me and I thought it cleverly done. I did very much enjoy this book and how it all played out. I also love that Powyss and Warlow are based on real people and a real experiment, and Alix Nathan has put her own spin on it.

TW: Violence towards women, animal death (dogs)

I received this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In London, 1850, Iris is living a dull life trapped in a doll-making shop with her angry, bitter sister Rose. When Iris gets the chance to escape by becoming a model for artist, Louis Frost, she seizes it and also makes Louis agree to teach her to paint. As Iris begins to finally live her life, she's unaware of the danger creeping closer in Silas - a taxidermist who delights in the strange and horrific and has become obsessed with Iris and wants her for his collection.

I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel quite as unsettled and turned my stomach in such a way. The writing in this book is good, and I really liked the Victorian era London we got and I thought the stage was set really well. It definitely felt very in its time, and we got a grisly side of London with some slaps of the well-to-do with Louis and his friends. There's something very dark and creepy about this book - not just because of Silas, who is utterly gross and malevolent, but also to do with the descriptions all the other characters refer to as well - Albie and his blackened gums, his sister and her greasy pubic hair. Even the eventual lovemaking between Iris and Louis turned a bit gross when she talked about his sperm drying and 'cracking like egg white' on her stomach. I think all of this did a good job in creating a darker, dirtier story than just a girl learning to paint and fall in love. A good one to read for Autumn/Winter I think due to this feel in the story.

I did find the ending a bit lacklustre and I don't think anything in this book ever really shocked me. Everything was very obvious throughout and none of the characters ever tried to hide their true intentions to the reader. I really enjoyed the character of Albie and found his POV both entertaining for his youthfulness and really sad considering he was an impoverished young boy struggling to help his sister out of prostitution when they both should be in school.

I, however, don't understand why we had his POV at all though considering his eventual end.

3.5 stars

I received this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Antonia Valleau has to reassess everything when her trapper husband is killed by a grizzly bear. She ends up packing up her belongings and travelling to the nearest town with her two young children, where she meets Erik Muth - a recent widower desperately looking for a wet nurse for his daughter. Out of convenience, the two end up marrying and Antonia and her sons move to the Muth farm to start a new life. Erik and Antonia begin to build a new life together as they slowly begin to know one another, and learn to deal with their grief and growing feelings together.

If anyone is looking for a really nice, simple read this is one for you. It's been a while since I read a book that is just so nice, and comfortable with a lot of charm and I knew that nothing bad was going to happen to my favourite characters. This is mostly a story about dealing with grief while trying to start a new life, and dealing with feelings you might not be ready to really feel yet.

I really enjoyed the characters of Erik and Antonia - they were quite simple but I do think they gelled really well together and they were a couple I really rooted for. I enjoyed the family life and how the children were a big part of the family, for both Erik and Antonia and loving their stepchildren as their own.

There were times when Erik compared to Antonia to Daisy or Daisy to Antonia that was a bit negative towards the other woman which could be annoying at times, and I didn't really like that, and I felt Antonia didn't do that between her two husbands.

There is also some racist language and derogatory terms used in this book towards Native Americans (the word "redskins" and "squaw") and they are referred to as Indians rather than Native Americans as well which yes, would be of the times but if this book can have a female sheriff, there could probabl be a change in language too.

Overall, a charming, nice read which I really needed and enjoyed. And I am definitely interested in possibly continuing with the series - as I am curious to see how the snobby banker finally meets his match in the next book!

I received this book from Titan Books in exchange for an honest review.

When the Feenans are offered the chance to move away from their grimy flat in a not-so-good area to become the new trustees on a village board due to a family connection, they obviously jump at the chance of a fresh start and a brand new class of life. However, the family soon discover other things are going on in Holiwell involving the malevolent ghost of a young girl who died during the Black Plague. And now due to their new positions in the village, the Feenans' are in Hester's firing line and she's out for blood.

This was a super creepy read and was perfect to set me up for the Halloween season. I thought this book was really well written, and I really liked that everything in this book from the history of the village and the surroundings, to all the people in the village felt very well-rounded and thought out. The Feenans as a family aren't perfect but are perfectly normal in that way. They have a past together from heartbreak over infertility issues to differences in religion, as well as highlights like birthdays spent in the local pub and helping out in local community events.

I liked that we got so many different character perspectives for what was going on - especially within the Feenan family, though each character's reaction was probably a bit predictable - Peter with his anger and denial, Trish with her return to religion and Toby with his seeking out extra knowledge

and obviously becoming the savior due to that

I really enjoyed Hester's storyline and figuring out what was happening. I haven't read a whole lot set around the Black Plague and though it's not the most pleasant time to read about by any means, I found it very interesting and will definitely pick up more. I appreciated the flashbacks to her story and why she was so angry.

The ending of this book does ramp up the gore, violence and horror a lot but I don't think it's over the top either. If you are someone who doesn't like some descriptions of mild violence maybe stir clear but there were only a couple of moments that made me recoil a bit - not a lot!

A really good horror thriller to pick up for the spooky season, or any time of year.

Imagine your missing husband reappearing after seven years, just as you've decided to get your life together again? This is what happens to Sarah, but when she collects her husband fro the airport, she picks up a stranger. This man is not her beloved husband yet he seems to know her, and worse, all her terrible secrets. And he's out for revenge.

I listened to this book on audio, narrated by Kristin Atherton, and I think the narration was done really well - and really gripped me into the story straightaway. I thought the intensity of the plot and the secrets that seemed to be brimming on the surface just made for a really great plot and it was really well paced for me.

As soon as Sarah's husband arrives home, the sinister feel in the book just ramped up so much and it was so tense to read. The maliciousness that was constantly coming off the strange, directed towards Sarah, was actually quite frightening at times. There was so much promise of violence and destruction and it made me really uneasy and scared for the character of Sarah.

The last quarter of this book went a bit downhill for me. I don't think the explanations were really logical, and some of the secrets and how they played out were a bit meh. I thought the book was going to be a really strong 4-star read for me but it ended up just a low 3-star. If I was to rate on narration alone, it would be a 4-star.

I really didn't understand how vicious Philip was because of his suspicions about Sarah. He knew he was going to have to wait until finding out what was true but why act that way without proof yet when you're returning to the woman you loved. It was weird. Also the fact we got pretty much zero information about the camp and how Philip escaped really.

I received this book from Jo Fletcher Books in exchange for an honest review.

12 years on from being abandoned by Robin Hood, Maid Marion is happy raising her children, and helping the people of Sherwood Forest in the ways she can with her special powers of magic and relationship with the Fae. When Friar Tuck comes to Marion with terrible news of the deaths of several of their friends in mysterious circumstances, Marion ends up on a journey with her ex-husband, a tricksy Fae lord and a sullen warrior to discover what is happening and to stop the killer coming for her children.

I really loved a lot of things about this book from a new and interesting look at the character of Maid Marion - who I feel is often an underused character in Robin Hood stories, and can at other times fall into any kind of category from damsel in distress to badass warrior princess. I loved this magical version of Marion and it felt really natural that she would be a hedgewitch, helping people with their ailments and with a special relationship with the fae and the dragon of Sherwood Forest. Yes, dragon!!

Some of the descriptive writing in this about the fae, the different kinds of magical creatures and just the general description of the nature and surroundings were so beautiful, I really loved it. I really loved the magic used in this book too - it wasn't flashy by any means, but quite subtle and in a way, it felt more real and authentic. I think people who love the fae in The Cruel Prince, would like the fae in this book. I wish we saw more of Underhill, the fae world, in this book as we only got descriptions but never saw what it was like ourselves so that would have been cool.

The villain in this book, despite doing some scary things wasn't actually that scary for me, and I felt the reveal seemed a bit obvious. The ending with the villain also felt a bit anti-climatic - I know there was suppose to be a sadness there as well over it all, which is true, there was, but I wanted more of a fight I think.

One of the things in this book however, that I just can't get over is how Robin Hood is portrayed. I hated seeing what a vile, bitter person he was. The Robin Hood I grew up watching and being told stories about would never become the Robin in this book, and the way he treated Marion and how he talked to her was truly unforgivable. For readers who love the tale and figure of Robin Hood, prepare to have your hearts broken in this book!

I received this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I'd like to state my rating of this book is not because I was comparing it to Perks. I went into this book fully aware it was a very different genre then the previous, and I honestly didn't really know what to expect. While the writing in here was fine, and I'm sure for some people more versed in horror thrillers than me, there may have been some great writing and story play, I just overall did not enjoy my reading experience with this book hence the low rating.

Imaginary Friend follows the life of seven-year-old Christopher Reese and his mother Kate as they flee Kate's abusive boyfriend and end up making a home in Mill Grove, Pennsylvania - a small town with a close-knit community and most importantly, a safe place for a new start. Things don't go to plan when Christopher disappears for almost a week and when he reappears, he's not the same. Now he hears a hissing woman and sees a nice man, and he's aware that something bad is coming for everyone in the town in a terrible battle between good and evil.

Hmm, where to start? The writing and the characters in this I did really enjoy. I definitely felt a very instant connection to Christopher, who is genuinely a very sweet little boy who loves his mom, and Kate is that courageous lioness of a mother you'd expect her to be while still being really brave to new beginnings and romantic relationships. I loved Christopher's relationship with Special Ed and the M&M's - Stephen Chbosky is excellent at building up such lovely personalities in his characters that just wrap around your heart. He also showed his skill in this book at some not-so-nice characters like Mrs Collins and Brady and Jenny. Mrs Henderson and Miss Latzo also fell into this grey area where they were both good and bad because of circumstance but still redeemable.

I enjoyed the start of this book and the build-up to Christopher's disappearance and just what it was all about. Some of the twists and turns, and reveals, were cleverly done as well but I think sometimes when it comes to children in horror, things get a bit ridiculous that I don't find scary - such as the clouds, and the white plastic bag.

I'm still a newbie when it comes to horror and I don't have a vast array of titles under my belt yet so I'm still figuring out what I like to read about in the genre and this type of horror I think just wasn't quite it - from how ridiculous some of the scenarios got (though I could definitely feel the horror and how scary it would be if a town got sick and mad at the same time). I didn't really like how messy everything got - it kind of felt like it was in a room full of brawling, screaming people and honestly, it really made my mind feel very cluttered and like I wanted to just sit in some quiet space or meditate for a while.

I'm not a fan of extremely religious books, and I didn't like how this book slowly started to reveal all the religious undertones. I didn't find the last couple of pages very surprising but also I was a bit like wtf.

A lot of the characters in this book, particularly the women, had abusive storylines or pasts attached to them and I just didn't like how people acted towards the women and talked to them. It actually felt a bit dated. From abusive fathers and mothers, to sexual assault (including the molestation/sexual assault of a child by a sibling), drinking problems, shitty husbands and abortion (I didn't like the language used around abortion at all - how it was implied to be wrong/dirty/murder). The pressure on Mary Katherine's virginal state was a bit nauseating and honestly the lack of information/knowledge she seemed to possess around sex, sexual acts, and even simple things like pregnancy tests were all unbelievable for me. I didn't like how Mary Katherine's character was used.

This book is also HORRENDOUSLY long. Way, way, way too long! Things felt like they began reaching a peak at 50% through and then it just kept going and going and going. I'm a fast reader and I found this book very long, and was very aware when I was reading it how long it was. So I can't imagine how a slower reader would feel. I do think personally, I prefer reading longer books in physical format so I can see the pages I've read and how much I've left. So maybe I wouldn't have felt this if I had a physical book.

Maybe this book would be perfect for some fans of the horror genre, those who like the classics, and horror focusing on religion and an archaic form of good versus evil. It just didn't do much for me.

I also couldn't figure out what happened at the end. Did everyone forget, was everyone miraculously healed? It seemed like some people 'died' several times and then they were fine. How did the community go on knowing they were some sort of hotspot for hell. Why was Mill Grove Woods chosen in the first place for this? So many questions.