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Just a girl, living her life through books

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Remain
Remain
by Nicholas Sparks
tagged: arcs and currently-reading

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2026 Reading Challenge

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Emma has read 1 book toward her goal of 50 books.
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Professional Reader Camp NetGalley 2025

10 Book Reviews
Read and Release at BookCrossing.com...

  • 📚 Fantasy & Romantasy UK Book Releases: 19–25 September 2025

    Hello, my fellow bookish humans and creatures of the night! ✨

    Another week, another stack of fantasy and romantasy releases to tempt our already chaotic TBRs. Whether you’re craving fae trickery, grimdark battles, gothic romance, or alchemical desire, this week has a lot going on. Buckle up and grab your purse — or just hide it, honestly, because these titles will demand attention.

    1. To Clutch A Razor – Veronica Roth (19 Sept 2025)

    The second instalment in Roth’s Curse-Bearer series continues the dark fantasy saga with curses, morally complex choices, and high-stakes action. If you read the first book, this picks up right where the story left off, expanding the magical world and deepening the intrigue. Expect tension, danger, and the kind of world-building that makes you lose track of time… and meals.

    • Genre: Dark Fantasy / YA
    • Why you’ll love it: If you loved the intensity of Divergent but wanted more grit, moral complexity, and dark magical stakes, this is the one for you.
    • Where to get it: Available at Amazon UK and Bookshop.org

    2. A Sword of Gold and Ruin – Anna Smith Spark (23 Sept 2025)

    Anna Smith Spark returns with her trademark brutal and lyrical storytelling. Epic battles, vivid characters, and morally grey choices abound. This is the kind of grimdark fantasy you’ll be thinking about in the shower, in meetings, and possibly during awkward family dinners.

    • Genre: Epic / Grimdark Fantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: Lush, sharp prose and stakes so high you’ll need a neck brace from turning pages too quickly.
    • Where to get it: Available at Amazon UK.
      and Bookshop.org.

    💬 Spark said writing this sequel was tough — the first book flowed quickly, but the pressure for round two had her sweating. We feel you, Anna.

    3. Thief of Night – Holly Black (23 Sept 2025)

    The queen of fae is back! The sequel to Holly Black’s adult debut Book of Night, Thief of Night continues the story with more glamour, intrigue, and romantic tension in a world full of magical danger. Sharp-edged, darkly whimsical, and impossible to put down, it’s perfect for fans who want more of Black’s shadowy, morally complex world.

    • Genre: Fae Fantasy / Dark Romance
    • Why you’ll love it: More shadows, more mischief, and yes, more heartbreak. Basically, everything we adore about Holly Black, dialled up to eleven.
    • Where to get it: Available at Amazon UK.
      and Bookshop.org.

    4. The Second Death of Locke: The Hand and the Heart – V. L. Bovalino (23 Sept 2025)

    Gothic, atmospheric, and full of emotional stakes. Love, death, and sacrifice entwine in this darkly magical story that will pull at your heartstrings while keeping you on edge. Think candlelit manors, whispered secrets, and maybe a ghost or two.

    • Genre: Gothic Fantasy / Dark Romantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: If you like your romantasy tangled with grief, shadow, and beauty, this book delivers heartbreak and haunting magic in equal measure.
    • Where to get it: Available at Amazon UK.
      and Bookshop.org.

    5. Alchemised – SenLinYu (23 Sept 2025)

    SenLinYu makes the leap from viral fanfiction to full-length fantasy with alchemy, romance, and betrayal at its core. Expect heady tension, forbidden magic, and a story that’s impossible to put down.

    • Genre: Fantasy / Dark Romance / Alchemy
    • Why you’ll love it: Fans of dark academia, alchemical intrigue, and slow-burn romance will be absolutely hooked. Magic and desire collide in ways that’ll leave you breathless.
    • Where to get it: Available at Amazon UK.
      and Bookshop.org.

    💬 Alchemised started as the viral fanfiction Manacled on Archive of Our Own and TikTok, making its leap to shelves a big, exciting moment for the author and fans alike.

    🔮 Why You Should Care (Besides the Obvious)

    This release week is stacked with both powerhouse names and buzzy newcomers. Holly Black is back with a brand-new fae tale (cue the collective internet squeal), Veronica Roth is venturing into dark fantasy, and SenLinYu is finally hitting the shelves. Add in Anna Smith Spark’s lyrical brutality and V. L. Bovalino’s gothic heartbreak, and honestly, it feels like we’re being spoiled.

    💭 Final Thoughts

    Personally, I’m torn. Thief of Night feels like the must-read of the week, but Alchemised has been on my radar for months and looks like it’ll be a fandom moment — also, that Little Red Riding Hood-y cover is giving me life, and I love it! That said, Roth’s To Clutch A Razor could easily become one of those series everyone is shouting about by year’s end. Basically? September isn’t slowing down — and our poor TBRs don’t stand a chance.

    Remember: You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy books — which is pretty much the same thing.

    Until next time… ✨

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • A Day in the Life of an ARC Reviewer: When the ePub Fights Back

    There’s nothing quite like the buzz of getting that email notification: “You’ve been approved for this title.” My inner book goblin does a happy dance every single time! Download, open, and—boom! A shiny new story is waiting for me, hot off the digital press.

    Except sometimes… it isn’t.

    Sometimes, instead of curling up with a dreamy read, I end up wrestling with an ePub that clearly skipped quality control. Paragraphs decide they don’t believe in spacing anymore. Dialogue lines up like it’s in a conga line. Italics? Vanished into the void. And don’t get me started on random symbols that pop up like digital jump scares.

    Cue me, squinting at the screen like a detective trying to crack a secret code.
    Welcome to the case of the rogue ePub, starring… Sherlock Dead Girl.

    The Reviewer’s Dilemma

    Here’s the thing: as an ARC reviewer, you know it’s not the author’s fault. Somewhere out there a beautifully formatted manuscript exists, but what we get sometimes looks like it lost a bar fight with Microsoft Word before landing on our e-readers.

    And yet, the story’s still there. It’s just buried under eBook formatting problems that make you question your eyesight and your sanity. Do I push through? Do I email the publisher? Do I just accept my fate as someone who now reads run-on paragraphs for fun?

    How I Handle Badly Converted ePubs

    After more than a few digital battles, I’ve picked up some survival skills. Consider these my ARC reviewer tips for when your file decides to misbehave:

    • Switch devices or apps. What looks like chaos on Kindle often sorts itself out on Apple Books, Kobo, or Adobe Digital Editions. (It’s like book magic, but slightly less impressive.)
    • Flag it to the publisher. A quick note on NetGalley or an email does wonders—they’re usually grateful, and sometimes you’ll get a shiny new file that actually makes sense.
    • Add a disclaimer in your review. Something like: “The ARC file I received had formatting issues, which may be resolved in the final edition.” Translation: don’t blame the poor author.
    • Focus on the story, not the spacing. Unless it’s unreadable, I try to judge the plot, pacing, and writing—because ultimately, that’s what matters.

    ARC Reviewer Tips: Key Takeaways

    If you find yourself in the same ePub nightmare, here’s your cheat sheet:

    • Don’t hold the formatting against the author.
    • Try different apps before throwing your Kindle across the room.
    • Keep your review transparent with a short note about layout issues.
    • Publishers actually want to know—feedback helps.

    Final Thoughts

    Being an ARC reviewer is a bit like being on a treasure hunt. Some days, you strike gold with a beautifully formatted copy. Other days, you’re squinting through walls of text that look like they were typeset by a caffeinated bear.

    But honestly? I wouldn’t change it. Every ARC—messy or perfect—is a chance to discover stories early, support authors, and share my bookish ramblings with the world.

    And if I have to decode the occasional “ancient-scroll-disguised-as-an-eBook” along the way, so be it. That’s just part of the adventure.

    So, fellow ARC reviewers, how do you cope when a file looks like it fought a war with Microsoft Word? Do you switch devices, squint through the chaos, or just mutter swear words at your screen? 😅

    Share your survival tactics in the comments—I promise, we’re all in this formatting apocalypse together!

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • Yellowface – Book Review

    🌑 Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
    ⭐️ 3/5 stars
    📖 Length: 319 pages
    📱 Format: Paperback
    ⏳ Read Time: 2 days

    Synopsis

    Authors Juniper Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena is a literary darling while June is a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls?, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse, stealing Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

    So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? This piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller. That is what June believes, and The New York Times bestseller list agrees.

    But June cannot escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens her stolen success. As she races to protect her secret she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

    What I thought

    I gave Yellowface three stars, and honestly, that feels about right.

    The book kicks off brilliantly. Hooked from page one. June is audacious, messy, and unapologetically flawed, which makes her a fascinating protagonist to follow. She makes questionable choices, but in a way that keeps you reading—half horrified, half rooting for her and all the while thinking, “She is one hot mess.”

    The peek behind the publishing curtain is where this book really shines. You get little glimpses of the grind authors endure: months of writing and revising, endless manuscript submissions, agents, deadlines, and the peculiar politics of book launches. Some of the insider chaos had me snorting with laughter. The petty rivalries, social media drama, and literary gatekeeping made me think, “So this is what authors really deal with? No wonder June’s spiraling.”

    But then… the middle. Ugh. Here’s where the book loses a bit of momentum. The tension fizzles out, some subplots drag, and I found myself skimming a few chapters, thinking, “Come on, give me the chaos I signed up for!” It’s not bad—it’s just a bit… meh compared to the punchy opening.

    And the ending? Predictable, but satisfying. Someone June had pissed off at some point in her career, comes back to haunt her. I had that classic “well, of course” facepalm moment, and I couldn’t help but grin. It’s the perfect literary karma: messy decisions meet predictable consequences.

    Tone-wise, the writing is witty and sharp, with just the right amount of satirical bite. It’s fast, easy to read, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. A perfect for a break from heavier, longer reads.

    Facepalm Moments I Loved:

    • June thinking she could get away with publishing someone else’s manuscript. Bold.
    • The petty literary feuds that escalate way too fast. I mean, I’ve argued over book club picks, but June’s level of chaos… next level.
    • Realising halfway through that June is probably her own worst enemy, and yet… you can’t look away.

    Overall, Yellowface was a decent palate cleanser during my 1000-page reading challenge. Quick, easy, and interesting, with just enough drama and insider commentary to keep it engaging.

    Would I keep my copy? Probably not—but I’d recommend it as a light, entertaining read if you’re curious about the publishing world, or just want a messy, chaotic story to pass a few hours.

    You can grab your copy of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang from trusted retailers:

    Until next time…

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • ☕ 1000 Pages in a Weekend? Here’s How It Went…

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    Have you ever set yourself a reading goal that sounded great in your head but maybe a little wild in practice? That was me last weekend when I decided to tackle 1000 pages between Friday and Sunday. Spoiler: I didn’t quite get there — but I did read 696 pages, finished two books, started another, and wrapped up my Goodreads Summer Challenges with six shiny achievements. Not a bad way to close out the season!

    And here’s the cherry on top: this push also helped me breeze past my 2025 Reading Challenge goal of 25 books. I’m currently sitting at 29 books and counting — which honestly feels amazing.

    📚 What I Read

    Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure — Caroline James

    I started the weekend strong by finishing this one, clocking 132 pages. It’s light-hearted, a little mischievous, and exactly the kind of book that makes you smile. Full review will be posted next week, so watch this space!

    Buy now on Amazon

    Hamnet — Maggie O’Farrell

    This was the crown jewel of the weekend. I absolutely devoured all 372 pages, and honestly? O’Farrell’s prose is stunning. It’s lyrical, heartbreaking, and a book I know will stay with me for a long time. If you’re looking for something powerful and poetic, this is it.

    Full review here

    Yellowface — Rebecca F. Kuang (finished today)

    By Sunday night I’d made it 192 pages in. This one is razor-sharp, darkly funny, and a little uncomfortably accurate about the publishing world. I didn’t quite finish before Monday rolled around, but I set an alarm for 6am to get it done before my working day began. It didn’t quite live up to the hype, but there’s a full lowdown on this incoming later this week.

    📊 By the Numbers

    • Total read: 696 pages
    • Target: 1000 pages
    • Progress: 69.6% (rounding up, let’s call it 70%!)
    • Books finished: 2
    • Books started: 1
    • Daily average: ~230 pages

    That’s about the equivalent of reading one full novel per day, how many blinks is that per minute?

    🎉 Goodreads Summer Challenge Achievements

    This wasn’t just about hitting a random number, it was also about closing out the Goodreads Summer Challenges (July–September). Normally, I dip in and out of these without much thought, but this time I stayed focused. The result? Six achievements unlocked! I was being a bit adventurous by thinking I could complete them all, but I’ll save the gold medal for the Fall Challenge.

    • 🏆 Page Turner — finished 2 books during the challenge
    • ⚡ Speed Reader — finished 3 books during the challenge
    • 👑 Book Boss — finished 5 books during the challenge
    • ⭐ Challenge Faves — read one of the most popular books of the 2025 challenge link
    • 🔍 Poolside Puzzlers — completed one of the beach-ready thrillers link
    • 🏅 Acclaimed Titles — read an award-winning book link

    📅 Crushing My 2025 Reading Challenge

    Here’s the part I’m most proud of: my original Goodreads goal for 2025 was 25 books. This weekend’s marathon helped push me past that target — I’m now just starting my 30th book of the year! Officially well ahead of schedule (not like me), and still plenty of time left in the year for more favourites – Yay!

    ☕ Tips for Surviving a Reading Marathon

    If you’re tempted to try a “1000-page weekend” yourself, here are a few things I learned along the way:

    1. Mix your genres — jumping from something light (Atticus Arnott) to something deep (Hamnet) to something sharp (Yellowface) kept me from burning out.
    2. Set up your reading space — snacks, tea, blanket, done. The less time you spend hunting for comfort, the more time you spend with your book.
    3. Don’t beat yourself up — whether you read 100 pages or 1,000, you’re still further along than you were on Friday.

    📖 What’s Next on My TBR?

    Even though the weekend is over, my reading streak isn’t. I finally finished Yellowface today and am heading straight into another ARC for Love Books Tours, which I’ll also be reviewing next week.

    After that, I think I’m going to dive back into Throne of Glass for the daunting tandem read — and I absolutely CAN’T WAIT!!

    ✨ Want to See What Else I’ve Read in 2025?

    29 books down already in 2025, and yes, I’ve got receipts. Want to see what made me swoon, what broke my heart, and what I couldn’t stop talking about? It’s all here: My 2025 Reads.

    👉 Now it’s your turn — what’s the last book that earned a full 5 stars from you? Drop it in the comments, because I’m always looking for my next obsession.

    Until next time…

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • Hamnet – Book Review

    ⭐️ 5/5 stars
    📖 Length: 372 pages
    📱 Format: Paperback
    ⏳ Read Time: 2 days

    Synopsis

    England, 1580. A young Latin tutor–penniless, bullied by a violent father–falls in love with an extraordinary, eccentric young woman: a wild creature who walks her family’s estate with a kestrel on her shoulder and is known throughout the countryside for her unusual gifts as a healer. Agnes understands plants and potions better than she does people, but once she settles with her husband on Henley Street in Stratford she becomes a fiercely protective mother and a steadfast, centrifugal force in the life of her young husband, whose gifts as a writer are just beginning to awaken when his beloved young son succumbs to bubonic plague.

    A luminous portrait of a marriage, a shattering evocation of a family ravaged by grief and loss, and a hypnotic recreation of the story that inspired one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time, Hamnet is mesmerizing and seductive, an impossible-to-put-down novel from one of our most gifted writers.

    What I thought

    This novel absolutely floored me. It’s one of the most emotional and unforgettable books I’ve ever read, and I can see why it has won so much praise. O’Farrell doesn’t just tell a story, she immerses you in the world of late 16th-century Stratford-upon-Avon, in the rhythms of family life, the markets, the countryside, and the small domestic details that make the characters feel alive.

    I found myself completely swept up in the textures of the world: the descriptions of Agnes’s garden and her knowledge of plants, the bustle of the household, and the contrasts between Stratford and London. The way O’Farrell builds is so vivid that it made me want to visit Stratford, to walk the same streets, step inside Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and lose myself in the history.

    But at the heart of it all is Agnes. I loved the way O’Farrell reclaims her from the sidelines of history. She’s not just “Shakespeare’s wife”. She’s a healer, a mother, a woman who feels things deeply and who carries the unbearable grief of losing a child. Reading her story was heart-wrenching, but also full of quiet strength and resilience. She is, without question, the emotional centre of this novel.

    The exploration of grief is raw and unflinching, but there’s also so much tenderness here. It shows the chaos of family life, the bonds of love, and the way loss can alter everything. It’s one of those rare books that makes you feel utterly devastated one moment, then quietly in awe the next.

    I loved every page of Hamnet, and it’s an easy 5 stars from me. It’s a book that lingers long after you finish, not just because of the story, but because of how deeply it makes you feel.

    And in perfect timing, just as I turned the last page, my social feeds were flooded with trailers for the upcoming film adaptation, out in January. It looks absolutely fantastic, and I cannot wait to see Agnes brought to life on screen.

    You can grab your copy of Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell from trusted retailers:

    Until next time…

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • The Secret’s Out: The Ending Writes Itself Authors Revealed

    At 7pm this evening (UK time), the big mystery was finally solved — and honestly, I’m still buzzing about it. The highly anticipated thriller The Ending Writes Itself (coming 7 April 2026) has kept readers guessing for months about who “Evelyn Clarke” really was. And now we know: it’s actually V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke writing together under one name.

    Yes, you read that right — two incredible authors teaming up to deliver what already looks set to be one of next year’s biggest releases.

    Why I’m Excited

    Even before the names were revealed, this book had me hooked with its premise:

    📖 Six aspiring authors head to a remote Scottish island.
    📖 Their host, a world-famous novelist, turns up dead.
    📖 His last manuscript is unfinished — and the guests have just 72 hours to complete it.

    A locked-room mystery with a deliciously bookish twist? That’s basically catnip for me.

    The Reveal That Had Us All Guessing

    For months, the question of “Who is Evelyn Clarke?” has been floating around book Twitter, TikTok, and everywhere else. Some people thought it was a debut, others guessed a big-name thriller writer hiding in plain sight. The truth? A secret collab between Schwab (whose books I devour) and Clarke (queen of sharp, emotional YA) — and I think that makes it even more exciting.

    The reveal at 7pm tonight felt like such a perfect moment — finally getting confirmation after all the speculation. The fact that the authors kept their own identities hidden until tonight feels like the perfect twist for a story built on secrets and suspense.

    Early Praise

    Even before today’s announcement, the book had already gathered glowing endorsements. Stephen King described it as “clearly in the running for the best mystery of 2026,” while Karin Slaughter praised its originality and sharp edge.

    With that kind of recognition, it’s safe to say expectations are sky-high.

    Counting Down to April

    The Ending Writes Itself will be published on 7 April 2026 by HarperCollins, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Between the atmospheric Scottish island setting, the literary satire vibes, and the locked-room suspense, it feels like the exact kind of thriller I’ll stay up all night reading.

    👉 You can already pre-order The Ending Writes Itself on Amazon or by supporting local indie bookshops at bookshop.org, to make sure it’s waiting on your doorstep release day.

    ✨ So, were you surprised by the reveal at 7pm tonight? Or did you secretly guess it was V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke all along?

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • What I’m Reading This Weekend 📚🌧️💨

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    This weekend looks set to be windy, rainy, and properly cold — ideal reading weather. With a spend ban until payday, I’ll be nesting at home with blankets, endless tea, and a stack of books to keep me company.

    🌟 Blog Tour ARCs

    First up are two exciting advance reader copies (ARCs) I’m reading ahead of my Love Books Tours stops in the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye on my socials for more info!

    Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James (approx. 300 pages)
    I’ve already made a start on this and it’s such a charming read. When seventy-year-old Atticus Arnott leaves the rainy hills of Cumbria for the golden coast of Spain in his beloved vintage campervan, with only his faithful collie Ness for company, he thinks he’s chasing sunshine and serenity. But back in Ireland, his daughter Mary is facing a crisis of her own. As father and daughter navigate fresh starts, both must learn that starting over isn’t about running from the past, but embracing the unknown with open arms.

    📅 My tour date: 23rd September

    The Cocoon Within by Liisa Sabah (The Five Fold Chronicles #1) (approx. 370 pages)
    This YA fantasy follows seventeen-year-old Ariana, who discovers a mysterious book in her attic that unlocks strange visions and appearances. Alongside her best friend Jack, her unexpected ally Jessica, and her little rescue dog Leo, Ariana is thrust through a portal into a magnificent new world — one threatened by the all-powerful Destroyer. As destiny and danger collide, Ariana must uncover her true identity and fight to protect everything she loves.

    📅 My tour date: 24th September

    🌞 Goodreads Summer Challenge Sprint

    Alongside the tours, I’m still chasing the Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge before it ends. I doubt I’ll finish four books in a single weekend (in addition to my ARCs, but here are some contenders that would tick multiple categories:

    • Chart Toppers: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (320 pages), The Devils by Joe Abercrombie (560 pages)
    • Acclaimed Titles: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (320 pages), Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (336 pages)
    • Debut Darlings: Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang (280 pages), The Eights by Joanna Miller (310 pages)
    • Lightning Round: All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (448 pages)

    📖 Page Count Goal

    • ARCs: 670 pages (combined)
    • Potential Challenge Reads: anywhere between 280–560 pages depending what I pick up
    • Weekend Total Goal: aiming for around 1,000 pages if I stay focused (and don’t get distracted scrolling Instagram 🙈).

    ☕ Weekend Mood

    So it’s me, the rain battering the windows, a cosy blanket, and a stack of stories. Between ARCs, blog tours, and Goodreads challenges, I’m hoping this weekend will be both productive and restorative.

    What’s everyone else reading this weekend? Do you have a favourite “rainy-day” book?

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • 📚 Fantasy & Romantasy UK Book Releases: 11–18 September 2025

    Hello bookish humans and fellow magic-lovers! 🧙‍♀️✨

    If your TBR pile isn’t already threatening to collapse under its own weight, this week’s fantasy and romantasy releases are here to give it a little… encouragement. From deities doing their thing 600 years ago, to dragons and dark curses, there’s something for everyone.

    Go grab your mugs of tea, find a comfy chair, a cosy blanket and let’s dive in!

    1. Wild Reverence – Rebecca Ross (11 Sept 2025)

    Let’s start with the biggie. Rebecca Ross is back with Wild Reverence, set 600 years before her Divine Rivals duology. Think gods roaming the earth, humans meddling, and the inevitable “please don’t destroy me” vibes.

    • Genre: Romantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: Matilda, a young goddess, meets Vincent, a human lord who might just be too charming for his own good. Expect destiny, magic, and more swoons than a fairy-tale ballroom.
    • Where to get it: Available at HarperCollins UK, Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    💬 Fun fact: Ross rewrote parts of this novel just to make it even better. Honestly, can we all just agree she deserves a medal?

    2. The Maiden and Her Monster – Maddie Martinez (11 Sept 2025)

    Next up: a tale of deals with monsters, family drama, and unexpected romance. A healer’s daughter makes a pact to save her mother—classic setup, right?—and finds herself face-to-face with a monster who might just have feelings.

    • Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Romance
    • Why you’ll love it: This one’s a perfect blend of tension, dark magic, and heart-melting romance. Expect intense stakes, morally grey decisions, and monsters that aren’t as one-dimensional as they seem. It’s spooky, swoony, and just the right amount of chilling to keep you glued to the pages.
    • Where to get it: Available at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    3. The Macabre – Kosoko Jackson (11 Sept 2025)

    Ever wondered what would happen if your great-grandfather’s magical paintings came with a curse? Jackson’s latest explores exactly that, with a mix of fantasy, horror, and oh yes… some serious plot twists.

    • Genre: Fantasy/Horror
    • Why you’ll love it: Atmospheric, haunting, and incredibly inventive. Jackson’s storytelling will wrap around you like fog rolling over a mysterious mansion—goosebumps guaranteed. Ideal for readers who like their fantasy with a dark edge and a slow-burn tension that keeps you guessing.
    • Where to get it: Available at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    4. Among the Burning Flowers – Samantha Shannon (11 Sept 2025)

    Prequel fans, assemble! This is the origin story you didn’t know you needed. Dragons, magic, and the kind of world-building that makes you want to live there (without the dragon attacks, preferably).

    • Genre: Fantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: Shannon delivers layers of political intrigue, romance, and mythical beasts, all wrapped in lush, vivid prose. It’s immersive, thrilling, and perfectly crafted for those who love epic fantasy with deep emotional stakes.
    • Where to get it: Available at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    💬 This is my FAVOURITE of the week!

    5. HEKATE – Nikita Gill (16 Sept 2025)

    Poetry meets myth in Nikita Gill’s latest, HEKATE. If you love gods, witches, and a touch of dark magic with lyrical prose, this one is for you.

    • Genre: Fantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: A beautifully meditative exploration of the goddess Hekate, human desire, and mystical storytelling. Ideal for contemplative readers who enjoy fantasy with a poetic twist. Darkly enchanting, this one lingers in your mind long after the last page.
    • Where to get it: Pre-order at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    💬 Also how stunning is this cover?

    6. Slashed Beauties – A. Rushby (17 Sept 2025)

    A thrilling, darkly romantic fantasy where beauty, betrayal, and forbidden magic collide. In a world where appearances can be deadly and power is never what it seems, a group of young heirs must navigate twisted alliances, dangerous secrets, and their own hearts.

    • Genre: Dark Fantasy/Romantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: Richly atmospheric with morally complex characters and edge-of-your-seat drama. Dark enchantments, shocking twists, and romance that burns hotter than a cursed fire make this a must-read. Perfect for fans of dangerous, sexy, and utterly captivating fantasy.
    • Where to get it: Pre-order at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    7. Uncharmed – Lucy Jane Wood (18 Sept 2025)

    A spellbinding tale of witches, curses, and the unravelling of hidden family secrets. Uncharmed follows a young witch who discovers her magical lineage is far darker—and far more dangerous—than she ever imagined.

    • Genre: Fantasy/Romantasy
    • Why you’ll love it: Full of suspense, magical intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance, this one weaves dark secrets with thrilling adventure.
    • Where to get it: Pre-order at Waterstones, and Amazon UK.

    💬 Bonus: it’s set in the same enchanting world as Wood’s hugely popular Rewitched, so expect familiar magic and new twists to keep you hooked.

    🔮 Why You Should Care (Besides the Obvious)

    If your TBR pile isn’t growing after reading this list, are you even a reader? This week is stacked with new worlds, swoons, and magical chaos that will keep you turning pages faster than a spell gone wrong.

    💡 Tip: Pre-ordering is your friend. That way, you can grab a cup of tea, curl up, and pretend you have the patience to wait for the week’s releases.

    💭 Final Thoughts

    From epic prequels to spooky monsters, this week in UK fantasy and romantasy has a little bit of everything. And can we just take a moment to squeee? A huge chunk of the most epic releases all landing TODAY! Talk about a bookish feast!

    Whether you like swoony gods, magical curses, or dragons causing emotional mayhem, you’re covered.

    Remember: Reading is cheaper than therapy… and infinitely more magical.

    Until next time… ✨ 

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • The Ghost Merchant – Book Review

    ⭐️ 3/5 stars
    📖 Length: 271 pages
    📱 Format: Kindle
    ⏳ Read Time: 5 days

    Synopsis

    Nestled in the small village of Ringwood is a peculiar shop that sells the souls of the departed.

    In life, Quill never stood up for himself or broke the rules, not even when it really mattered. Now, as the two-hundred-year-old proprietor, he dutifully matches each customer with the perfect soul—so long as they can pay the price and are willing to sign the contract.

    When Erin’s soul arrives at the shop, it becomes clear that she’s more than just inventory. Somehow, she’s able to maintain a connection to the living world. Quill takes Erin on as his apprentice, hoping to understand her mysterious abilities. But digging too deep will mean breaking the rules, and if The Boss finds out, someone’s going to pay with their very soul.

    Will Quill be able to do what he never could in life, or will he stay forever bound by the rules that have always restrained him?

    What I thought

    I first heard about The Ghost Merchant on social media, after stumbling across one of the authors Instagram stories promoting the book, and instantly fell in love with the storyline. I mean what’s not to love about a cosy little shop, tucked away in the quaint village of Ringwood that sells souls to those in need? It immediately gave me perfect autumn read vibes – and I was here for it!

    However, when I tried to track it down in Bath, I quickly learned it was self-published (note to self: do more research!) and not readily available in Waterstones, which was a bit disappointing. Sulking for the rest of the day, I ended up picking it up on Kindle (and treated myself to another book as consolation!).

    The opening chapters absolutely pulled me in. Quill’s story had this melancholic charm, and the concept of the shop was everything I’d hoped for: atmospheric, unique, and full of potential. But unfortunately, that’s where my excitement started to fade.

    Once the main characters were introduced, the story seemed to branch off into four or five subplots. Instead of building tension and depth, it felt rushed—a whirlwind from one character to another without enough time to truly connect. Personally, I would have preferred the narrative to focus more deeply on a single storyline, allowing us to really explore Ringwood, understand the rules of this world, and get to know Quill and Erin much better.

    For a short story, it was enjoyable in parts, although I couldn’t help but wish for more detail, worldbuilding, and breathing room for the characters. I did notice there’s a novella about Alma, one of the side characters, and while I’m undecided on whether I’ll pick it up, I do think there’s potential for this world to grow in future instalments.

    I’ve come across some incredible self-published gems in the past, and while The Ghost Merchant didn’t fully land for me, I still appreciated the originality of its concept and the imagination behind it.

    Curious about the souls of Ringwood? Grab your copy of The Ghost Merchant by Ben Andrews on Kindle or paperback and step inside Quill’s mysterious shop.

    Until next time, happy reading 📖🌙

    Dead Girl Reads

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  • Spotlight on Blackwicket by Bea Northwick – 2025 Gothic Fantasy Release

    Today marks the official release of Blackwicket by Bea Northwick, a dark and gothic fantasy that blends atmosphere, mystery, and a touch of the uncanny. I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reader copy (ARC) last month, which gave me the chance to read and review it ahead of publication.

    My Thoughts on Blackwicket

    I rated this novel 3 out of 5 stars, and here’s why:

    • Atmosphere: The gothic setting and the idea of a cursed estate immediately pulled me in. Northwick’s prose is elegant and haunting, with the concept of “curse-eating” adding a unique twist.
    • World-building: While intriguing, the magic system felt underdeveloped. Terms like drudge and curses were introduced quickly without enough explanation, which made it harder to fully connect with the world.
    • Characters: The cast is morally complex, but the dynamic between Eleanora and Victor developed too abruptly. Their chemistry surfaced suddenly, without enough buildup to feel convincing.
    • Pacing: The story jumped into action quickly, which left me wanting a slower introduction to ground myself in the setting. Some additional buildup would have deepened the impact.

    Overall: Blackwicket is atmospheric, imaginative, and perfect for fans of gothic fantasy who love eerie settings and morally grey characters. While I had some issues with the pacing and world-building, I’m curious to see what Bea Northwick writes next.

    Should You Read Blackwicket?

    If your reading list leans toward eerie, mysterious novels with vivid descriptions and morally complex characters, Blackwicket is worth picking up. It would especially appeal to fans of writers like Erin Morgenstern, V.E. Schwab, or Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

    Final Thoughts

    With its official release today, Blackwicket is now available to order or download. I enjoyed exploring its secrets and shadows, and I think many readers will find themselves drawn into its haunting world.

    👉 Will you be adding Blackwicket to your TBR this year? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to know what you think once you’ve read it!

    Blackwicket by Bea Northwick is available now from major retailers. You can order your copy here or check your local bookstore.

    Want to know more, you can read my full blog and book synopsis here.

    Dead Girl Reads

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