Hello Readers,
Can you believe another year has flown by already. As 2024 comes to an end I’ve been reflecting on all the incredible books that have graced my reading list over the past 12 months. This year has truly been filled with so many great literary adventures, and I’ve loved every single minute of it, I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey along with me too. I’ve divided my favourite books into two posts, splitting the year in half to highlight my top picks.
Them Old Bones by Astor Y Teller (Gifted, AD)
Can you believe another year has flown by already. As 2024 comes to an end I’ve been reflecting on all the incredible books that have graced my reading list over the past 12 months. This year has truly been filled with so many great literary adventures, and I’ve loved every single minute of it, I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey along with me too. I’ve divided my favourite books into two posts, splitting the year in half to highlight my top picks.
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This quick and delightful read reminded me of the
Discworld series, with its similar style of humour and clever execution. The
magic system was a standout—fun and whimsical "word salad" spells
that avoided overcomplicated language, delivering laughs and charm.
The book's wordplay shines in character names, locations, and the inventive spellcasting. A notable highlight is the interlude chapter, an excellent tool for world-building and providing rich backstory on the protagonist, Miriam, without feeling like an info dump.
Fast-paced from the first chapter, the story balances its brisk tempo with well-developed characters and cheeky one-liners that add humour and momentum. The death humour is particularly sharp and enjoyable.
S.T. Gibson's An Education in Malice masterfully combines Gothic charm with dark academia in this Carmilla retelling, set in the hauntingly atmospheric Saint Perpetua’s College. The story follows Laura Sheridan, sent to study poetry, and her intense, passionate rivalry with Carmilla, who forms a dangerous bond with their poetry professor.
Fans of A Dowry of Blood will find familiar themes here, as Gibson explores the seductive allure of danger and the darker facets of love, using vampirism to examine abuse, obsession, and power imbalances in relationships. The lush, atmospheric prose captures both the beauty and terror of these dynamics while immersing readers in a world that's equal parts cosy and chilling.
With its blend of Gothic romance, academic rivalry, and tragic undertones, this novel is a page-turner that had me hooked from start to finish. S.T. Gibson’s vampires remain among my favourites, and this book solidifies their place in the genre for me.
*Please note, the cover image featured in this post were
sourced from Google. I do not own the rights to these images and am using them
solely for review purposes, in accordance with the 'Fair Use' provisions under
sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
This retelling of Medusa’s myth is a beautifully written, emotionally charged exploration of her tragic story. Hannah reimagines Medusa's origins with depth and poignancy, delivering a quick, perfectly paced read that is both heartbreaking and unforgettable.
The book is structured in three parts: Medusa and her
sisters, Danae and the birth of Perseus, and the inevitable conclusion we know
from the myth. It delves into the injustice of Athena's actions punishing
Medusa, her own priestess, after Poseidon's assault, and later assisting
Perseus while twisting the narrative to portray Medusa as a monster. Athena’s
betrayal is infuriating, particularly her dehumanising remarks and her role in
perpetuating Medusa’s suffering.
Hannah doesn’t shy away from the pain of Medusa’s story. Medusa’s self-imposed isolation to protect others from her curse only makes the Gods’ continued torment of her more tragic. The most heart-wrenching twist is how her sisters, Euryale and Stheno, resent and isolate her, blaming her for their transformation into gorgons a sharp departure from other retellings where they stand by her.
This is one of the most emotionally impactful Medusa retellings I’ve encountered. It left me in tears and reeling from the injustice and sorrow of her story.
During my first read of The Dark Within Them I was so engrossed
that I forgot to take notes for a review, and the second read confirmed that
this book was living rent-free in my head. This book also gave me my favourite quote used by a publisher 'If you make it through the book without wanting to punch
Chad in the face you are a better person than me.' 10/10 would still punch him and smile for my mug shot.
Set within a Mormon community, the story centres on Chad
and Amber. Chad is deeply devout, while Amber, after a pivotal realization,
begins to question her beliefs. Slight spoiler: if you make it through without
wanting to punch Chad, you’re more patient than me. The story’s brilliance lies
in how it makes you love to hate its flawed characters.
The twist was a game-changer. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Isabelle flipped the script masterfully. I didn’t see it coming, but it was perfectly executed and utterly gripping. Both times I read it, the twist kept me hooked, making this a one-sitting read each time. An unforgettable, brilliantly crafted story!
Fellow 90s babies, this one’s for us! From its VHS-themed cover (complete with a "Be Kind, Rewind" sticker) to its pages packed with nostalgic nods to classics like Interview with the Vampire, IT, The Lost Boys, and Elvira, this book is a trip down memory lane.
Though it’s YA, the nostalgia makes it a hit for readers of all ages. I’ve been in a reading slump, and this book pulled me right out of it. From the well-crafted characters and atmospheric writing to the endless pop culture references, I loved every bit of it. Teenage me would have devoured it, and 31-year-old me adored it just as much.
If you’re after a fun, fast-paced vampire story packed with 90s horror vibes, this debut is a must-read. Set in New Orleans, it skilfully weaves in local mythology, with mentions of the Axeman of New Orleans, Delphine LaLaurie, and, of course, vampires. If it wasn’t for my allergy disorder, I would have booked a flight to New Orleans with this book in hand.
Kirsten strikes a perfect balance between humour and impactful storytelling, highlighting the absurdity and consequences of banning books. Lula Dean, the caricatured town busybody, thrives on attention, and her latest obsession is banning books. The story makes a crucial point: books don’t harm people, people harm people.
Throughout the narrative, Kirsten demonstrates how books provide access to ideas, history, perspectives, and a safe space for moral exploration. Remarkably, the story is told through 28 different characters’ perspectives across 35 chapters, yet it never feels overwhelming or complicated.
Each chapter is named after a banned book, and Kirsten even includes a selection of banned books at the end, which instantly extended my TBR list. This is a brilliant and thought-provoking read I’ll be recommending for a long time.
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