Here's another review: "It's difficult to review this novel without wading in to the spoiler-filled morass of its plot, but suffice it to say that this book is about the adventures of a girl with no jaw, who is the first of the titular "Invisible Monsters" we are introduced to. This is Chuck Palahniuk's best novel to date (IMHO) as it was the archetype for his entire style. Its rejection by the publishing industry lead to his writing Fight Club, which is one of his weaker novels, but which then made it possible to get Invisible Monsters published. The rejection of a novel about rejection leads to affirmation and success. If you want to experience undiluted, horrific, hopeful Palahniuk, which would not reappear until Survivor and then Lullaby, check this one out."

Here's another review: "A wonderful novel. There are multiple levels to this. At the top level, it's an action story combined with a slower back story (which pays off). It's also a biting satire / farce on the futility of zero-sum games. Then again, it's a highly original, witty and engagingly bizarre fantasy (featuring ninjas and a mime troop!), which is by turns extremely funny, moving, daft and weirdly horrific (like John Carpenter's The Thing). It's quite a long book, but for me there was never a dull moment, so the length is something to celebrate. The writing style is beautiful and perfectly suits the novel. The sheer wit had me in fits of laughter at times. I relish the prospect of rereading this in a few years."

Here's another review: "Wool is set in a post-apocalyptic world. A society of survivors has been living in autarky in a 100-something-story underground silo, for countless generations. On the top floor is a wall-wide screen that shows the output of an outside camera, that is, pictures of the desolate landscape surrounding the silo, with the ruins of a city in the background. The camera's lens gets dirty with time though, so the capital punishment consists of getting put into a sort of spacesuit and dispatched to the outside world, in order to clean the lens with a bundle of wool. This means certain death, as the corrosive atmosphere pierces the suit in a matter of minutes. We begin the story by following the fate of Sheriff Holston who, in the first few pages, expresses his desire to "go outside", a thought which is automatically liable to capital punishment in this society.

Wool is divided into five parts. Parts 1 and 2 each focus on a different couple of characters. From part 3 onward, the continuity is more obvious and we stop jumping to different main protagonists. Still, all five parts build a single cohesive story. And what a grim story it is! Even compared to other post-apocalyptic science-fiction, many moments are strikingly depressing. Perhaps this stems from Hugh Howey's talent for creating likeable characters and his tendency for making them go through hell.In addition to strong characters, Wool has many qualities. The story is strong. The society that Howey describes is peculiar but he makes it completely alive and believable. Also, while the conclusion is obviously written with the possibility of a sequel in mind, it still completes the story in a satisfying way, meaning the book is perfectly self-sufficient. And the pacing in the first half of the book is absolutely perfect."

Here's another review: "Fingersmith is a writhing, twisting narrative of thieves, orphans, riches and poverty, murder and deception. The narrator, Susan Trinder, speaks of her makeshift "family" of thieves who live in the Borough – a collection of narrow and labyrinthine streets that seem ideally constructed for the conducting of petty crimes and scams. In 1860s London, by the age of seventeen, Sue is an expert thief and muses on the idea of becoming a baby farmer, like her beloved Mrs Sucksby – the caregiver who took in the infant Sue when her murderess mother was hanged. Yet, their sometime visitor, the handsome con-artist Richard Rivers, arrives to thicken the plot almost immediately, by suggesting a scheme to defraud an heiress of her fortune – if only Sue will play her part in aiding the deception. This alone would seem sufficient intrigue to drive an engaging narrative. However, Waters’ talent for invention and subversion is so powerful that any first-time reader will be constantly wrong-footed by the forks and misdirections in the ever-twisting plot.

This compelling novel is unrelentingly in the gothic tradition of romance, horror, family secrets, the macabre and the morbid. No one is wholly untouched by self-interest, even those who profess to love each other. The central characters are memorable, while even the supporting cast is rendered alive and visceral. The quality of Waters’ writing is consistently both literary and highly readable."

Here's another review: "An absorbing story, beautifully written, about a young Black boy wrongly committed to a boy’s home, and the terrible conditions and punishments he endures. Some sections I skipped, faint-hearted me, but the surprise ending more than compensated for any sensitivities on my part. I’m a similar age to those boys, and I was living in New York at the same time as the main character, but I had no idea about the realities of segregation. Please read this book; I think you’ll be changed by it."

Here's another review: "Not for those weak of heart. The images the author conveys are raw and visceral. Written in a direct way that makes your stomach ache and your blood get cold.

It's a dystopia where everything feels eeriely similar to nowadays, except for the fact that humans can't consume animal meat, so they decide to consume human meat. Slaughterhouses and such are now a place to create 'special meat' (aka human meat because a euphemism makes everything more normal, more bearable). We follow the point of view of a man that works in a meat processing place, and his personal views on this new system and his personal tragedies. I honestly couldn't stop reading it. It's one of the best books I've read in the past year, visceral and blunt in the most disturbing of ways."

Here's another review: "Richard goes to live with his aunt and uncle after a terrible fire that kills both of his parents. They live in a small town. Richard is used to living in the city. He has a difficult time adjusting to his new home. He does make friends with a few kids from school.

Richard’s new life reads like a true horror story. Right away horrible things start happening to Richard and his new friends. His favorite movie is Night of the Living Dead. His life begins to remind the reader of scenes from that movie.

This book is a fun, scary book to read."

Here's another review: "An awesome, fun read that was as engaging as it was entertaining. The characters were well drawn and complex - the uncertain junior officer, Commander Dillon who is thrust into becoming Captain of the Borealis after an engineering accident kills the Captain; the Palani priestess, Amba who holds secrets about her own people and what they did hundreds of years ago - the consequences of which may affect the galaxy; Chief Black of Borealis who is like a 'mother' figure to the entire crew and the Dosh engineer, Sap Vish whose love of coffee and pranks provide a humorous counter-point to the action. A thoroughly enjoyable and recommended read."

Here's another review: "A man is murdered in his study. So many suspects, so many lies. But Hercule Poirot will get to the bottom of it.

This book is a throwback for me. It was one of the first (if not the first) Agatha Christie books I read but I had forgotten the murderer. I love how each detail is important and it reminds us how many secrets people hide. Definitely recommend to tickle the grey cells."

Here's another review: "If we encountered intelligent life on another planet, would we even be able to recognize it as such?

This question is really the driving force of the book.

This book explores a lot of big ideas and concepts, but that question is the one that is at the center of it all.

The book follows two story threads that happen over the course of thousands of years; a dying race floating through space, trying to find a new home, and another race rising into intelligence on a planet that was not originally meant for them. It tells this millennia spanning story through a series of connected vignettes that time jump with almost every chapter.

If you're looking for a very character driven story, this is not the book for you. The characters are well done, but they are not necessarily what the book is about. This book is about bigger things, things that can only be explored over the course of vast amounts of time.

And it is masterfully written. The prose was a little heavy for me at first, but a few chapters in I was hooked, and already beginning to love the prose.

This is definitely the kind of book that will leave you severely disappointed if you go in with the wrong expectations as to what kind of book it's going to be. If you're going into it expecting some big space opera full of interesting and very compelling characters, you will be disappointed.

Judging this book according to what kind of book it's meant to be, I would say it succeeds on almost every level."

Here's another review: "Recursion by Blake Crouch completely blew me away. It’s one of those books that grabs your attention from the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the very last page. The story centers around a neuroscientist, Helena Smith, and a detective, Barry Sutton, whose lives collide after the discovery of a technology that allows people to relive and even alter their memories. What starts as a scientific breakthrough quickly turns into something terrifying as reality itself begins to fracture.

The pacing is incredible. Every chapter leaves you wanting more, and the twists are so well done that I found myself gasping out loud a few times. It’s a perfect blend of science fiction, emotional storytelling, and psychological suspense. I loved how it made me think deeply about memory, time, and what makes our lives truly real."

Here's another review: "The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the first book in The Library Trilogy. Evar has spent his whole life trapped within a vast library, that is older than empires and even larger than cities. Livira has spent hers living in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where no one dares go and nightmares stalk. They are not noticed by the world, but that is about to change.

I was instantly drawn in by the way the story has been worded. It is detailed and beautifully builds the world. I found the buildup to be slow, but it was effective in drawing me in. It felt like a book that I had to read slowly in order to fully appreciate the story.

This is a must-read for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and a dystopian world."

Here's another review: "Paige, Georgia and Cora all live on the same street and all are living in their own misery. Paige cannot recover from her son’s death, nor does she believe it was an accident. Cora suspects her husband is cheating but he continues to deny it. Georgia along with her baby never leave her house, but is that her choice or is something else amiss? All three spouses have their own issues. Their lives collide when secrets are exposed. A slow start but great suspenseful read overall."

Here's another review: "Cloud Cuckoo Land follows the stories of a number of characters, in a number of settings: from 15th-century Constantinople, to present-day Idaho, and lastly into the future. Each story intertwines with an ancient text and with each other in a way I never imagined, stories connecting together like pieces of a puzzle. These stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming, particularly Zeno’s, who is the true hero of them all.

It took me a little bit to understand the connection between the chapters but once this happened, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. What was going to happen next, where was I going to end up? I didn’t expect to feel so emotional in so many parts, but that’s the beauty of Anthony Doerr’s workl it really portrays the power of human connection.

I couldn’t recommend Cloud Cuckoo Land enough, and I can’t wait to go back and connect more pieces of the puzzle in the future."

Here's another review: "This is an amazing book. The tale of the Cookes from Indiana, an anything but mainstream family – parents who are scientists, their daughters Rosemary and Fern, and their son Lowell. And then there is a secret. I will not reveal the plot, nor give away the surprise effect... Just let me say this: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is about the love that binds the members of the Cooke family and the betrayal that disrupts them. It is about how the past defines the present and about the tricks that memories can play. It is about animal rights. But above all it is about what it means to be human. Writing in a beautiful, sometimes poetic language and using an unconventional structure of narration (by starting in the middle of the story), author Karen Joy Fowler has created a novel that is funny, thought-provoking and really heartbreaking at the same time. A book to remember. Read it!"

Here's another review: "Behind Her Eyes unfolds like a classic love triangle thriller. Single mom Louise meets a stranger at a bar, and the evening ends with a sultry kiss. Imagine how surprised she is to find that her boss at her new job is the very same man from the bar. She finds out that he is David Martin, and he is married – albeit not happily.

Things get complicated when she bumps into, quite literally, a woman on the street one morning who she strikes up a conversation with. This young woman is attractive and comes across as very lonely. She confesses that there are some distance issues with her husband – a Psychologist named Dr. David Martin. Louise is in quite a predicament as she had a brief 'thing' with David, yet really likes his wife, Adele, and also is in need of a female companion to befriend...To go any further threatens to risk letting out critical information, so I will leave things at that. The style of Behind Her Eyes follows the scheme made uber-popular by Gillian Flynn in her novel Gone Girl, where each chapter is told from a different character's perspective and forces the reader to make the connections. If one or more of the narrators turns out to be unreliable, it makes things that much more interesting. The twist, when it comes, is a doozy and one I did not see coming."

Here's another review: "Rebecca is my absolute favorite film noir. I have read this lovely book countless times, and it simply never gets old to me due the excellence in which Dame Daphne du Maurier has written this book... In Rebecca, she gently sweeps you through the lovely gardens, the sea cliffs and the opulence that is Manderley, then she enthralls you into all the trials and tribulations within the walls of Manderley, with twists and turns that keep you riveted till the end.

Regardless of the genre of books you enjoy, this is a must-read simply for the beauty of the way it is written and the lovely yet mysterious and chaotic story it possesses."

Here's another review: "Kane & Abel is an epic tale following the lives of William Kane and Abel Rosnovski. Both main characters are introduced to us at birth. and we are taken on the journey of their lives which spans 60 years.

The two men were born on the same day in 1906 into drastically different situations – Kane into Bostonian wealth and Abel into Polish poverty. The reader is in for a real journey as they grow into young prodigies and they both display an incredible will to succeed. What also makes this such a rich read is that the timeframe for this book includes two World Wars, the Great Depression, McCarthyism, and the election of John Kennedy, so it is fascinating and rich with context.

What makes it such a page-turner that has stood the test of time is that that the plot is NOT predictable. The characters are real and act in ways that real people act. They are not too evil and not too good. The good do bad things and the bad do good things, which makes it so much more believable.

In the end, this is a moving tale of struggle, revenge and pride. We see the terrible cost financially and emotionally that each man pays as they refuse to budge on their positions, and the impact this has on them as human beings and their families.

Highly entertaining, compelling and a classic."

Here's another review: "When I read the last page I sat in the dark for a while reflecting on what I’d just read.

And thank God for the afterword that answered my first question after putting the book down! Namely, how on earth did the author come up with such a plot!

I can’t say much because you need to go in blind to enjoy it fully.

But the story centres around the disappearance of a six-year-old girl near a lake while out with her parents and older sister Dee.

The police have no leads and the case goes cold. After several years, Dee gets tired of waiting for answers and decides to take the investigation into her own hands. When she discovers that a suspicious young man was seen near the lake at the time, she decides to investigate.

Enter Ted, who despite his size seems to be a little feeble-minded. Ted is a loner and he lives in the last house on Needless Street, with a little girl he calls his daughter, and Olivia the cat.

That house! I’m sure it will give me nightmares!

This was such a hypnotic and atmospheric read! You want to look away, but you can’t because your curiosity gets the better of you. The author twists your mind and feeds you one red herring after the other until you don’t know what’s happening. Some seriously disturbing parts had me pulling disgusted faces at my Kindle, but I just couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what was going on.

I found the writing to be truly compelling, with multiple POVs, each with distinctive voices."

Here's another review: "Without giving the storyline away, an idyllic small town is not always as it seems. The narrator is central to the action and relays the tale from a current fog-like state, with flashbacks to build storyline and suspense. A little bit The Stepford Wives meets Girl on a Train in my opinion. The narrator, while well-developed as a character, is hard to like. Even as the mystery unravels, it is hard to feel good for anyone coming out of the story in the end.

I was about 3/4 of the way through and wondered if I even liked the book but pushed on to the end and was glad I did. The story is well-told and characters well-developed. It is an interesting storyline and suspenseful."

Here's another review of the first book in the series: "Galadriel and Orion are students at Scholomance. Right off the bat there’s tension between them. She doesn’t want help. He can’t stop giving it. They’re both powerful and interesting. You know how it goes.

The world-building happens at lightning speed, as does character development... It’s an entertaining, plot-driven story, on the surface about how magic works and the age old fight between good vs evil. But I liked that Novik described building up the potential for good magic – mana – through music, exercise, and doing chores, and bad magic – malia – by stealing from others. It’s not subtle, but the message is sound.

The writing is crisp and tight. Not one word wasted, even though the sentences are longer than average. It’s also funny."

Here's another review: "I must be careful with this review, because I don’t want to ruin the experience for future readers. So I’ll be short.

Keep an open mind if this book was recommended to you as a dark romance, because you may not get what you're expecting. It’s a strange mix of thriller, romance, and primal play kink .

There hasn’t been a book that has affected me so deeply in such a long time. Totally mind-blowing 🤯. A true gem. It is the one I crave, the one that tears my heart apart and leaves me in an emotional mess.

It is the kind of book that you should dive into blindly and enjoy the chaotic journey that unfolds.

The characters J.T. Geissinger portrays in her story are the ones I love the most: scarred and battered by life, struggling to keep their heads out of the water. Those kinds of characters you don't know if they will survive their journey to salvation.

There is a strong connection between the two. However, not the kind that will destroy them, because despite their wounds, Kayla and Aidan care for each other and try to find balance. Particularly, Aidan, who is a very supportive person to Kayla. He takes great care to be mindful of her feelings, and it’s so beautiful to read.

Even so, there is a sense that something is looming over them like a reaper. Something you can't exactly pinpoint, and every time you think you've got it figured out, you find yourself doubting your intuition on the next few pages. Or maybe you're just trying to find a way out, another possibility because you don't want to acknowledge the truth. It was so nerve-wracking.

It ends on a very controversial happily-ever-after, so be prepared, because it will bring you to tears!

I'd recommend checking the trigger warnings."

Here's another review: "Rock Paper Scissors is one of those thrillers that completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I absolutely loved this book and tore through it in no time. The setting plays a huge role – the icy cold, snowbound atmosphere feels claustrophobic and unsettling, perfectly mirroring the tension simmering beneath the surface. Alice Feeney uses multiple points of view to great effect, gradually layering the story and keeping you constantly reassessing what you think you know.

The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that make it dangerously easy to keep reading 'just one more.' What truly elevates the novel, though, is the twist – clever, shocking, and deeply satisfying without feeling gimmicky. The subtle hint of paranormal spookiness adds an eerie edge, heightening the mystery rather than overpowering it.

Smart, atmospheric, and brilliantly plotted, this is a standout psychological thriller that fully earns its five stars."

Here's another review: "Alice Feeney’s Sometimes I Lie is a psychological thriller that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go – even long after the final twist. It’s dark, unsettling, and expertly plotted, offering the kind of layered narrative that fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins will devour.

The novel opens with a simple yet chilling premise: 'My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie.' What follows is a masterclass in misdirection and psychological complexity. Told through three alternating timelines – Amber’s present-day coma, the days leading up to the incident, and her childhood diaries – the narrative unfolds like a puzzle box, revealing shocking truths piece by piece.

Feeney’s writing is taut and atmospheric. She excels at building tension and planting subtle clues that only make sense in retrospect. The characters are well-developed, particularly Amber, whose voice is compellingly raw, vulnerable, and disturbingly ambiguous. The emotional stakes feel real, and the final twist – without spoiling anything – delivers a genuinely jaw-dropping payoff."

Here's another review: "This is my favorite sci-fi novel EVER. Wore out two paperback copies. I recommend it to everyone. It is amazingly plotted – there are a number of storylines, but eventually they intersect. Brin is brilliant. READ THIS ONE! It's worth it."

Here's another review: "Secrets secrets secrets! This book will have you thinking back to the last large wedding you attended and wondering just how many mini-dramas were taking place all around you, while you remained completely oblivious. If the people attending your event have anything in common with the wedding party and their guests in the aptly-titled The Guest List, probably more people than you think are holding secrets and harboring resentments.

The Guest List is a fast read that unfolds with alternating chapters, told by various members of the wedding party and their 150 guests. The book, from start to finish, is an excellent testimony to the skill of the writer. It is interesting from the start, with well written characters that come alive on the page. There is a lot going on here, but it unfolds smoothly, as we learn about the backgrounds of the various players, their secrets and their innermost thoughts.

It never feels disjointed or like the characters are un-connected, because each of them, despite their differences, have some connection to the bride and groom. The wedding itself connects people in unexpected ways and leads to several characters gaining new information about things that had happened in the past. The newly acquired information solves old mysteries and stirs up powerful emotions that change the course of the wedding and the future of many people there.

A less skilled writer would never have been able to make this clever, complicated story such an enjoyable read."

Here's another review: "I love a good psychological thriller. I read this book in two sittings because I could not put it down. I was completely blindsided by the twists. So much so that I had to go back and skim through parts I had already read thinking 'How did I miss that?'. I loved it. The ending was perfect as well.

Newlyweds Sam and Annie have just moved to a small town to help take care of Sam’s ailing mother. Sam is a psychotherapist who disappears one night after work. But did he leave on his own or was he subject to foul play?"

Here's another review: "This story will pick you up, take you on a long, winding journey, and absolutely refuse to return you to where it found you.

It is beautiful, heavy, strange, heartbreaking, and somehow still full of people you want to follow anywhere. Theo’s sadness seeps into everything, and Boris – I could eat Boris with a spoon, which probably says more about my psychology than his.

I’ll confess: I read two other novels in the spaces between this book. I had to. The grief and heartache got thick in places, too close to the bone. But even when I stepped away, I knew exactly where Hobie, Pippa, Theo, and Boris were. When I came back, they were waiting right where I left them.

Despite its size, this was not a slog. I devoured it. Some of the most beautiful writing comes near the end, and the ending itself is satisfying, complete, and worthy of the journey.

Read it. You won’t be sorry, but you probably won’t be the same."

Here's another review: "A sad tale which enthrals from beginning to end. A very poignant story of a man who was in desperate need of love, warmth and affection. Beautifully written, and the characters leap off the page and into your mind without you even realising – sublime."

Here's another review of the first book in the series: "Gideon the Ninth is a breath of fresh air with a standout protagonist. Her narration is filled with sarcastic quips, 'dirty jokes,' and a modern sensibility that clashes brilliantly with the ancient, morbid world around her. Muir crafts the most brilliant necro science-fantasy hybrid that feels wholly original, yet comforting familiar for dark fantasy die-hards. The book pivots from the complex relationship between the main characters into a tense murder mystery, as members of the different houses start turning up dead, and all the while the author teases us with reveals of the greater universe this mystery is set in."

Here's another review: "This book is a mind-bending journey through science fiction! I was hooked from the first page, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The story is complex and thought-provoking, exploring themes of alien contact, human nature, and the nature of reality itself. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well-developed. I especially loved the way the author seamlessly blended science and fiction, creating a truly believable and immersive world. If you're looking for a challenging and rewarding science fiction read, I highly recommend The Three-Body Problem."

Here's another review: "Wow! This was a bit of a surprise for me. I don't really know why it was a surprise since I have heard wonderful things about it, but it was. I guess I went into this book thinking that I would probably like it but I had no idea how much I would end up enjoying it...This is a zombie story that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.

This book is told from Melanie's point of view. She is a very bright girl but her experience at the start of the story has been very limited. I really enjoyed seeing the world she knows through her eyes. Melanie's entire existence is limited to her cell and her classroom. She knows the rules and how things are supposed to be. She knows exactly what to expect from day to day.

Melanie was a fantastic character. I would never have imagined that she would turn out to be so easy to relate to but she was. I loved the way she worked out problems in her mind and how observant she was of everything going on around her. She was able to work things out very quickly and made the people she was around re-think some of their beliefs. All of the key characters in this book were really well-developed and added something important to the overall story."

Here's another review: "Gone Girl is a portrait of marriage that will leave your jaw on the floor. It is the story of Nick and Amy, a couple who appears as stylish and compatible as Ken and Barbie on the surface. Amy goes missing on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, and what follows is a compulsively readable account of the search as doubt ramps up regarding Nick's innocence as well as a few supporting characters to keep things even more unpredictable... The author masterminds some impressive psychological and plotline-related gymnastics as she leads you through an impressive journey through the investigation of Amy's disappearance."

Here's another review: "Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn’s first novel, is an impressive story about a family of deeply disturbed, unhealthy women. While a very different story from her #1 New York Times Bestseller, Gone Girl, it is evident that Flynn has truly delved into the dark side of the feminine psyche. And while it’s not exactly 'fun' to read, it is so disturbing that it makes you want to read more."

Here's another review: "I have not read such a good, magically absorbing novel in a long time! The plot is constructed beautifully, without a flaw. The first part, which is also the longest, describes only one day – and during this day the reader is given the detailed portraits of all the characters... the author builds the tension up to the climax (at the end of the first part), and very believably describes the surroundings and the time... I could praise McEwan into infinity here, so as the last sentence I will just say that another of his achievements as a writer is that each of his works is truly original and unique, there is no self-plagiarism in any sense, no repetitive themes, only the ease with which he uses English and his ingenuity remain the same. Five stars don't do him justice."

Some reviews have been edited for length and clarity.