THE BATTLE DRUM by Saara El-Arifi

Once again, a rich writing style with multiple points of view effortlessly brings this world and story to life. The intricate worldbuilding within this blew me away as it was gradually uncovered, layer by layer, like an onion. I may not have understood every detail, but I was deeply impressed by how every aspect, from the blood colours to the land, magic and creatures, was skillfully expanded.

More exciting 2024 releases!

The books: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft (Fantasy, January 2nd 2024) Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire (Fantasy, January 9th 2024) Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Fantasy, January 16th 2024) The Fury by Alex Michaelides (Thriller, January 16th 2024) Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer (Fantasy, January 23rd 2024) […]

November 2023 Monthly Spotlight

Every year, I am surprised by the cold wind and dark evenings as winter approaches here in the UK. Even more baffling is that some parts of the world are experiencing summer and high temperatures right now! The good news is that whatever the weather you are experiencing, there are new releases for that season this month! Here are a few to check out:

ASSISTANT TO THE VILLAIN by Hannah Nicole Maeher

Writing: 🌟🌟
With a loose historical setting, random creatures and unexplained magical powers, the world-building in this story lacked the depth needed to make much of an impression on me. I also struggled to find the simplistic, fairytale-style narrative engaging, especially since the humour fused into it generally fell flat for me. Despite all this, there were some vivid scenes that stood out to me, and it was very satisfying to have dual points of view from both Evie and the Villain.