Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

Pages: 416 

Publisher: Penguin 

Released: 27th of July 2023 

*Squid Game at an American High School - the twisty YA thriller that everyone will be talking about in 2023.*

Twelve girls. Three rounds. One ultimate prize . . . for the last one left alive.

Edgewater Academy is a school for the very rich and very powerful.

Adina Walker is neither of those things. Alone and outcast, when she gets into a fight with a fellow student (and former friend), her scholarship to a top college is revoked, and her world falls apart.

Until she's invited to The Finish.

Annual games for the brightest and the best, hosted by power-family The Remingtons, the winning prize for The Finish is everything Adina wants. This is her chance at the life she's dreamed of.

Then the contestants start to die.

Love, revenge, pride - all are on the line. This isn't a game any more . . .

Horrific and engrossing in equal measure, THEIR VICIOUS GAMES is also a thoughtful and clever commentary on race and class. Ace of Spades meets The Inheritance Games, this is a game you'll want to see through to the finish.

What I Have to Say 

This book was amazing! I honestly keep waiting to get bored of reading about people killing each other in deadly competitions, but I never do! This one sucked me in from the start with the voice of the main character. She was sarky, compassionate and in many ways innocent. I can't really say what it was that set her apart but it was just fantastic. 

This book also surprised me. Through most of the book, I thought I knew what was going to happen. But there were mysteries there and twists that changed things. It felt fresh and original, which is impressive from an idea that has been done so often before. 

Just everything about this book was completely perfect. I'm so glad that I read it. 

5 stars 

My thanks go to Penguin and Netgalley for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

Pages: 

Publisher: Harper Collins 

Released: 1st of July 2023 

Ama Torres is a great wedding planner. Ama Torres does not believe in happily-ever-afters… When Ama lands the job of her dreams, a headline-grabbing wedding for a glamorous Instagram star and her fiancee, it’s her biggest job yet. But the florist is none other than Elliot Bloom – Ama’s ex, the man whose heart she broke two years ago. The man she hasn’t spoken to since. Can they get through the wedding without killing – or kissing – each other?

What I Have to Say 

I'm not big into romance but this concept seemed cute so I gave it a go and it was really nice and relaxing to read. I liked the characters a lot and it was a bit different from any romance I've read before so it was good to read. 

The fact that they were exes was what interested me. It was good in some ways but bad in others. It was good because it meant that a lot of conflict had happened in the past, so I could relax and not worry too much because the characters weren't together. But because of knowing something big had happened in the past and also because of Elliots grumpy attitude, I didn't warm to him very quickly and I wasn't that invested in them getting together. 

There was also no honeymoon period. All the time they were together in the flashbacks, I was aware that something was about to happen and ruin it all and that also gave me trouble with investing. Obviously it's romance so I knew it would end happily, but that didn't give me any satisfaction. 

Overall though it was a good romance. It did stuff different and most importantly it was something I could relax into and just read. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this gifted copy for review. 

The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lucruz

Pages: 533

Publisher: Daphne Press 

Released: 25th of July 2023 

In a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, a sweeping epic fantasy of colonialism, ancient magic, and two young women's quest for belonging unfolds.

Reina is desperate.

Stuck living on the edges of society, her only salvation lies in an invitation from a grandmother she’s never known. But the journey is dangerous, and prayer can’t always avert disaster.

Attacked by creatures that stalk the region, Reina is on the verge of death until her grandmother, a dark sorceress, intervenes. Now dependent on the Doña’s magic for her life, Reina will do anything to earn—and keep—her favor. Even the bidding of an ancient god who whispers to her at night.

Eva Kesare is unwanted.

Illegitimate and of mixed heritage, Eva is her family’s shame. She tries her best to be perfect and to hide her oddities. But Eva is hiding a secret: magic calls to her.

Eva knows she should fight the temptation. Magic is the sign of the dark god, and using it is punishable by death. Yet, it’s hard to deny power when it has always been denied to you. Eva is walking a dangerous path, one that gets stranger every day. And, in the end, she’ll become something she never imagined.

TW: Violence, Child death, Death,  Body horror, Medical trauma, Body shaming, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility

What I Have to Say 

This was brutal. If you skipped the content warnings, go back and read them because it was a lot. But I didn't  hate it. There were bits that I certainly wish I hadn't read, but I enjoyed the rest. I liked the characters, I liked the plot and the magic system was really interesting. 

I did feel like part of the plot was introduced too late. For one thing, I was led to hate Javier and then in the second half, I was meant to feel sympathy for him? Like his plotline was interesting, but there was a pretty big thing that didn't even seem to be hinted at, it was just dumped in the middle of the book and I was expected to go with it. Maybe there was foreshadowing I missed but it put me off. 

I also started to really hate Reina by the end of it. She was the character I was most interested in at the start, but she made some really, really bad choices and treated Celeste terribly so I went off her. Celeste wasn't that great to her either, but that doesn't excuse it. 

I probably won't read on with this series. 

3 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Daphne Press for gifting me this book for review. 

Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

Pages: 496 

Publisher: Penguin 

Released: 20th of July 2023 

To hell with love, this goddess has other plans...

Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying.

The real story is much more interesting.

Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her.

Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core.

But consequences can be deadly, especially when you're already in hell . . .

What I Have to Say 

Unapologetically feminist, this book was fun, daring and imaginative. It takes the toxic qualities shown by certain Greek gods and shows what it might be like to try and be a women in a time when just anyone can kidnap you and take you for their own. Running away from all that, Persephone acts boldly and goes to the underworld hoping for a better life. 

This was a really interesting take on Hades. Artistic, sensitive and caring for many people he would be the perfect man, though best look elsewhere if you're looking for a bit of dark romance, this novel is about stereotypes that are cast on people and how there might be something different hiding underneath the surface. 

There were just two things that held me up about this book. One was that the slow burn romance was a little two slow for me in some places and everything would have been solved so easily if the characters had just hurried up and talked to each other. The other was that the Greek god of life was Phanes and the god of illusions was Dolos (a quick google search told me this much) and not the characters these things were attributed to in the book. 

Overall though, this was a good read, great for teenage feminists looking for a bit of girlbossing. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for gifting me with this copy for review. 

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Pages: 384 

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

Released: 25th of July 2023 

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

What I Have to Say 

Another great read from Chloe Gong! While I didn't love it quite as much as Foul Lady Fortune, I still enjoyed it immensely. It was interesting to explore a new world with new magic. The descriptions of SanEr were so evocative that I could really imagine the close buildings and cramped streets. 

The body jumping made it really interesting. While I cringed a little from the different rules of consent, it made it so much darker and more interesting. I almost wish we could have had the viewpoint of one of the characters who had to deal with their body being hijacked and what they would do to protect themselves, because I think that would have been an interesting perspective. 

The characters were really strong unusually for me, I actually got quite caught up in the romance. It was an interesting enemies-to-allies-to lovers type romance that was refreshing to read. It was good to get an enemies-to-lovers where the characters weren't of completely opposing viewpoints, because that has become really common lately. 

All around this was a great book. Strong plot, strong characters, a strong setting and an ending to make you desperate for the next book. I can't wait. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Hodder & Stoughton as well as Netgalley for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan

Pages: 512 

Publisher: Solaris 

Released: 20th of July 2023 

Two worlds bound by a pomegranate gate...

Toba Peres can speak but she can’t shout; she can walk but she can’t run; and she can write in five languages… with both hands at the same time.

Naftaly Cresques dreams every night of an orange-eyed stranger; when awake, he sees things that aren’t real; and he carries a book he can never lose and never read.

When the Queen of Sefarad orders all the nation’s Jews to leave or convert, Toba and Naftaly are forced to flee, but an unlucky encounter leaves them both separated from their caravan. Lost in the wilderness, Toba follows an orange-eyed stranger through a mysterious gate in a pomegranate grove, leaving Naftaly behind.

With a single step, Toba enters an ancient world that mirrors her own. There, she finds that her fate—and Naftaly’s—are bound to an ancient conflict threatening to destroy both realms.

What I Have to Say 

This book was so wonderfully Jewish. I liked especially how the characters weren't just said to be Jewish and then move on with the plot, they actually kept to the Jewish traditions. It was also based on Jewish mythology. As someone with Jewish ancestry, it was nice to see these characters and imagine what it would have been like for my family at the time. 

I preferred the bits with Toba more than the Naftaly bits. Both had their ups and down but I liked exploring the Mazik world. I also just liked Toba more as a character. She was more interesting to me, whereas Naftaly I only really found interesting when he was dreaming. 

All in all, I just really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters were great. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy. 

4 stars 

My thanks goes to Solaris and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

How to Die Famous by Benjamin Dean

Pages: 383 

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's UK 

Released: 20th of July 2023 

From award-winning author Benjamin Dean comes a deliciously dark and addictive YA thriller following the lives of Gen Z’s rich and famous through the lens of an undercover teen journalist. Perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and One of Us is Lying . 

London-born Abel has landed the role of a lifetime for an upcoming blockbuster. On the face of it he’s Hollywood’s latest teen star, but below the surface he’s an undercover journalist on a mission to expose the ‘squeaky clean’ entertainment industry and the part they played in his brother’s ‘accidental’ death.

As Abel steps into the spotlight alongside fellow actors Lucky, Ryan and Ella, he soon discovers that beneath the glittering surface of fame and riches lies a darker world of secrecy, scandal and murder. Nobody is who they seem when the cameras are off, and everybody has something to hide. But who’s next in line to die famous? 

Drawing on his previous career as a celebrity journalist, Benjamin Dean examines the dark underbelly of showbiz, leaving no stone unturned.

What I Have to Say 

It's always fun to come across a book that reminds me of everything I love about YA. How to Die Famous is definitely one of these books. With four queer protagonists embroiled in a manipulative industry, it doesn't hold back in showing the dark side of Hollywood. 

I loved the four characters so much. I think Ella and Ryan were my favourites because I'm always a sucker for a Sapphic couple. Abel was probably the character I liked the least, but I still liked him a lot. Each character was strong and had their own issues going on, but they were so strong together. 

The ending was clever, as all mystery endings should be. I guessed some stuff, but there was still plenty to surprised me. 

Read for a great mystery and fantastic characters! 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with this copy for review. 

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

Pages: 523

Publisher: Orbit Books 

Released: 18th of July 2023 

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe.

The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can’t think about how Nizahl’s armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier.

In a moment of anger Sylvia’s magic is exposed, capturing Arin’s attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she’ll escape persecution.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

In this Egyptian-inspired debut fantasy, a fugitive queen strikes a deadly bargain with her greatest enemy and finds herself embroiled in a complex game that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever.

What I Have to Say 

This book was very much not for me. It was slow, I hated the main character and the romance really creeped me out. I just don't think that there should be romance between an oppressor and the oppressed. I just couldn't get it out of my head that he was trying to wipe out her entire country.  Others may disagree but I don't think genocide has a place in romance. 

I did like the setting though. Though I kept getting a couple of the kingdoms confused because of their very similar names, it was interesting to explore each of the kingdoms through the different challenges of the contest. 

I also liked how challenging it was for her to use magic. The presence of the cuffs really changed things up. 

It ended in an interesting way, but I have no desire to read on with this series. 

2 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this copy for review. 

Charming by Jade Linwood

Pages: 336

Publisher: Solaris 

Released: 18th of July 2023 

9 to 5 with fairy tale princesses in a delightful comic fantasy revenge/heist!

Brave, Resourceful, Deceitful, Double-Crossing... Charming.

Prince Jean-Marc Charming Arundel, known to friends and enemies alike as "Prince Charming," is handsome, well-mannered, brave, a peerless swordsman, a cunning tactician – and a liar, a con man and a fraud. For years he has been travelling from one kingdom to the next, rescuing endangered princesses and maidens, securing their troths and his place in their fathers' palaces, then looting their treasuries and having it away before dawn.

Until a chance meeting of three of his victims – raven-haired Marie Blanche de Neige, the sorceress Doctor Emilia Rapunzel and the long-slumbering Bella Lucia dei’ Sogni – suggests a course of revenge...

What I Have to Say 

This was such a great new imagining of fairy tales. I loved the fresh angle and the way they explained how Prince Charming is in every fairy tale. It was interesting to see a modern take on it with three strong women looking to take him down. 

The fairy tales themselves were the main event for me. Sleeping Beauty was briefly skimmed over but Snow White and Rapunzel were told in full. I really liked the Snow White one and the Snow White character was my favourite, but I found the Rapunzel one strayed a little too far from the original tale. It was basically a brand new story. 

The ending was satisfying, playing into the main characters' skills and bringing it to a really satisfying conclusion. 

A must read for fairy tale fans. 

4 stars 

 My thanks go to Netgalley and Solaris for providing me with this copy for review. 

My Week With Him by Joya Goffney

Pages: 400 

Publisher: Hot Key Books 

Released: 11th of July 2023 

Nikki's always had a difficult relationship with her mum. So when she finds herself homeless at the start of spring break, she decides to rage-quit Texas and give California a shot, to pursue her dream music career.

Until her best friend and long-time crush, Malachai, discovers her plan, and convinces her to spend spring break with him, so he can show her all the reasons she should stay in Texas.

But when Nikki's little sister goes missing their plans are interrupted, and Nikki is forced to face her feelings about both her mum and Mal. Can Nikki find the love she's always been missing? And will it be enough to convince her to stay in Texas?

TW: Abuse 

What I Have to Say 

While I didn't enjoy this as much as Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl, it definitely had the cute romance plot with series issues behind it that I found good about the first book. The masterful way that Goffney weaves the seriousness of the abuse scenes in between the sweet romance just has me in awe. 

I love how wholesome Goffney's male love interests are. Although I thought for a while that the plot would be Nikki choosing between love and her career, I was glad to see that as we got further into the book, Malachai got more supportive of her. It's really nice to see these cute boys who know how to treat the women in their lives. 

I really liked the ending of this book too. It was really uplifting. Can't wait for the next Joya Goffney book! 

4 stars 

My thanks goes to Hot Key Books and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

Black Heat by Bex Hogan

Pages: 339 

Publisher: Orion Children's Books 

Released:  6th of July 2023 

Exile. Rebel. Healer. Three underestimated women, destined to be brought together by revenge in this dark and thrilling new YA fantasy.

Marzal - an exiled daughter with a plan for her return.

Rayn - a rebel blacksmith with a blade of blood.

Elena - a gentle midwife with a fiercely protected secret.

Each young woman wants peace for their country, but in times of war, not everyone fights by the same rules. As their countries burn around them, and the stakes of victory rise, each woman will have to decide how far she is willing to go for peace.

But the desire for revenge also burns deep...

A dark and thrilling new fantasy from the author of The Isles of Storm and Sorrow trilogy.

What I Have to Say 

This was another great book from the author of Viper. Though I didn't like it as much as Viper, the characters were strong, the plot was good and the banter was on point. It was nice to relax into a fantasy world and into the heads of these three characters for a while. 

Though I found it a touch predictatable in places, the plot of this book was pretty well thought out. There was nothing out of place about it. Even though I guessed the twist at the end, there was a sense of inevitability about it that just felt right. 

I loved how each girl was so different as well. From the manipulative princess who is looking to survive court life, to the rough and ready blacksmith who wants revenge on the empire, to the gentle midwife who wants to heal and help people. They're all drawn together and fit nicely into the rebellion. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Orion Children's Books and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

Overemotional by David Fenne

Pages: 336 

Publisher: Ink Road 

Released: 6th of July 2023 

Sometimes, emotions can be a little too powerful . . .

Seventeen-year-old Steven has a big problem . . . Whenever he feels intense emotions, weird things happen.

Like when he kissed a boy for the first time, and the boy's head literally exploded.

Fleeing to the miserable town of Grunsby-on-Sea, Steven is determined to not hurt anyone else - but he doesn't count on his best friend Freya, her boyfriend Marcus and American friend Troy following him. And when agents from the mysterious DEMA organisation show up talking about "neutralisation", Steven realises that Grunsby-on-Sea might not be the safe haven he'd hoped for . . .

The first in a wholesome queer YA fantasy trilogy packed with magic, loveable characters and big plot twists from debut author DAVID FENNE. Perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Rainbow Rowell and Adam Silvera.

What I Have to Say 

This was such a good concept. I loved the idea of a teenager trying to get the grips on magic controlled by emotions especially when emotions can be so large and overwhelming when you're that age. It was the perfect magic for a teenage boy to have. 

The story really lived up to the concept as well. I fell in love with these characters and their wins were my wins, their losses were my losses. It was really done well. I loved the town of Grunsby-on-sea as well. I could really see this dismal little British Seaside town. 

The LGBTQ+ representation was what really drew me to this book. And when your gay character is shooting rainbows out of his hands, you can't really make it any gayer. I loved how upfront about Steven's gayness the book was, even when he wasn't ready to be upfront about it himself. 

I can't wait to see what adventures await our little gang next. 

4 stars 

My thanks goes to Ink Road and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

Sing If You Can't Dance by Alexia Casale

Pages: 320 

Publisher: Faber and Faber 

Released: July 6th 2023 

An entirely original and much-needed own-voices perspective from a teenager coming to terms with her disability as she's coming of age. Ven had her life all planned out. her dance group were going places and so was she. Then she passes out right in the middle of a life-changing performance. And she's forced to admit that she hasn't been feeling right for a while now. Ven is about to discover she has an illness that threatens to ruin everything. No more dancing. even walking is proving a challenge, and standing. But don't you DARE feel sorry for her! Ven is no victim, and she is in charge here. Sure, her future is going to be different. but that doesn't mean it's over. Because if you can't dance, you can always sing!

What I Have to Say 

Loving the amount of disability rep I'm seeing in fiction at the moment. This was went a bit down the negative side at the start, authentically portraying the doubt and issues shown by someone still coming to turns when they have a disability, but it ended really upbeat. I was really happy that it showed how once you get the right support you can still live your life. 

Support in general was a big message of this book. I loved how every one of the Singers had something going on in their life and how they grew to support one another, even when it had nothing to do with the singing group. It really showed how important friendships can be. 

The author chose not to disclose what disability this is based on and I respect her choice so I won't make any guesses into what it might be, but I have to say I feel this choice was made assuming the potential readers would be abled. If someone was disabled in the same way that Ven is and was looking for a book to help them deal with it, I'm not sure whether they'd find this book. It's a pity really. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Faber and Faber and Netgalley for providing me with this copy to review.