The Library

Welcome to the section of my website where I rate the books I've been reading and share my thoughts. I typically read gritty fantasy, horror and extreme horror. I have such a deep love for disturbing imagery and magical or witchcraft-inspired aspects and characters. I get very attached to imperfect characters.

Please make sure to read the content warnings beforehand. You can hover over each one to view what the content warnings for each book are. I'm going to try and keep these reviews spoiler-free and just share my general thoughts on the books. I read horror, be sure to keep that in mind while browsing!

Don't Let the Forest In ─ C.J. Drews

4/5

Dates read: April 5 - April 6 Content Warnings: Body Horror Child Abuse Blood Physical Abuse Car Accident Suicide Death I'm rating this 4/5 even though I felt like the beginning of the book was such a slow read. Once I reached the half way point everything turned around for me and I was so invested in the characters, their relationships, the botanical horror bits picked up and I took off running. It took me multiple days to read the first half and then about one to finish the rest. I think being in my mid 30s really made it difficult for me to relate to the characters as it's YA. But I loved this same author's book, Hazelthorn.

Hallowed Be Thy Name ─ Morgan Dante

4.5/5

Dates read: April 5 - April 6 Content Warnings: Transphobia Ableism Religious Trauma Animal Death Toxic Relationship Talks of past sexual abuse This book surprised me! I saw it circulating Bluesky on Trans Day of Visibility and I decided immediately I was going to read it. Ths spicy scenes were GOOD and the first time I'd consumed spicy content that didn't leave me feeling disappointed. However, I wasn't expecting the spice, which actually made it a lot more fun. I fell in love with the characters and the idea that having sex is fine, but kissing each other is just simply too vulnerable. I finished it in less than 24 hours and that speaks volumes.

Hazelthorn ─ C.G. Drews

5/5

Dates read: March 31-April 2 Content Warnings: Emotional Abuse Toxic Relationship Death Violence Body Horror Murder Medical Trauma Suicide This book had me so enamoured with it's characters. I related to Evander on what I assumed was neurodivergence - feeling like not enough, like a nuisance, like nobody was truly listening. "Words have always sat like dead moths and dried flowers in his mouth, unheard because no one is ever interested in what he has to say." The sincere, genuine queer moments had me so emotional. "God was stronger than me when he made Adam and didn't fall in love with him." I really, really enjoyed this book. The contrast between the disturbing botanical imagery, the gore/death, and their love was so interesting to me. Their relationship wasn't perfect by any means, but something about the ending of it felt so genuine. After all the chaos, I was cheering for them.

The Starving Saints ─ Caitlin Starling

4.5/5

Dates read: March 25-29 Content Warnings: Cannibalism Body Horror Death Gore Violence I really loved this book. It's queer, medieval and disturbing. I know books like this might not be for everyone (in fact, my husband was quite distressed when I was telling him about it) but it scratched this itch I didnt't know I had inside me. I became so attached to these imperfect characters and found myself intruiged the entire read. I just couldn't guess what was going to happen next, which really held my interest. It's weird, unhinged and it truly feels like you're dunked into the madness of it all. I love the magical elements and the different creatures introduced. It really feels unique.