Royals

By: Tegan Bennett Daylight ISBN: 978 0 7553 7929 3 Simon & Schuster (2023) “Royals” is a disappointing young adult novel. A set-up with considerable potential is wasted on a story which doesn’t explore any of the questions raised, and which has a deeply unsatisfying resolution which similarly dodges the questions. Please note that despite … Continue reading Royals →

The Fancies

By: Kim Lock ISBN: 9781867251620 HQ Fiction (2023) “The Fancies” is a funny novel about very difficult things. I enjoyed it, although it was a little darker than I anticipated. The Fancy family more or less runs the small town in which they live. This is not exactly intentional; in fact, Dave, the current patriarch, … Continue reading The Fancies →

A Tale of Two Princes

By: Eric Geron ISBN: 978 1 335 42592 8 Harlequin (2023) “A Tale of Two Princes” is a story about finding your place in the world, with a light dusting of fantasy over it. It’s aimed at young people who are finding their feet, and many in that group will enjoy this immensely. Edward is … Continue reading A Tale of Two Princes →

Both Feet in the Grave

By: Jeaniene Frost ISBN: 9781641972437 NYLA publishing (2023) “Both Feet in the Grave” is a continuation of the Night Huntress novels, and it maintains their high standards. The story – although familiar to fans – is exciting and engrossing, and the characters are wonderfully vivid. The story is a continuation of that begun in “The … Continue reading Both Feet in the Grave →

Halfway to the Grave

Book One in the Night Huntress series By: Jeaniene Frost ISBN: 978-0-575-09377-5 Orion (2007) Halfway to the Grave is the first in the Night Huntress series, a thoroughly good opener that will have most readers coming back for more. Three more books in the series are listed on the title page; it’s not clear if … Continue reading Halfway to the Grave →

Family Baggage

By: Ilsa Evans ISBN: 978-1-8672-7074-4 HQ Fiction (2023) This is an incredibly enjoyable novel to read. It doesn’t have any great new insights into family relationships, but it depicts them with warmth and humor. It’s not all positive by any means, but it’s highly readable. Middle aged sisters George, Kat and Annie are coping with … Continue reading Family Baggage →

Between Water and the Night Sky

By: Simone Lazaroo ISBN: 9781760 991845 Fremantle Press (2023) “Between Water and the Night Sky” by Simone Lazaroo is a novel that’s light on plot, instead focusing strongly on character and emotion. It’s understated, and yet remarkably effective at drawing you into the central characters’ lives. The novel opens with the death of the narrator’s … Continue reading Between Water and the Night Sky →

A Routine Infidelity

By: Elizabeth Coleman ISBN: 978-0-6454767-9-8 Pantera Press (2023) “A Routine Infidelity” is a charming crime novel (now there’s a phrase I don’t use often) which should delight a wide range of readers. More complex than a cosy mystery, less violent than a hardboiled crime novel, this is nicely grounded with a touch of escapism. I … Continue reading A Routine Infidelity →

Emma After

By: Anthony O’Connor ISBN: 978-1-922588-23-4 Green Light Productions (2023) “Emma After” is one of those books that sits firmly in the middle of the road: it has both strengths and weaknesses, but isn’t either good or bad. It’s just somewhere in-between, readable but not very memorable. Eighteen year old Emma Crothers lives in a very … Continue reading Emma After →