Book Review: Bitterthorn
‘Bitterthorn’ is a dream-like book that feels like it belongs alongside the classic novels and fairy tales of old.
Book Review: The Jellyfish
These poems are agonising with a completely relatable feel. I can’t wait to see what Mason Gilbert brings next.
Book Review: Swimming in the Dark
This is a beautiful and heartrending story of love against all odds and the bittersweet impermanence of life
Book Review: My Policeman
‘My Policeman’ follows the lives of Marion, Patrick and Tom as they navigate the consequences of queer love during an intolerant time.
Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England
The setting is enjoyable, the plot is downright wild and I am in love with some of the concepts that Sanderson throws at the wall.
Book Review: House of Hollow
A chilling, twisted Young Adult fairy tale about 3 strange sisters uncovering the mystery of their past which might be best left forgotten.
Book Review: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
This is not just a story about solving a mystery: it’s a deeply personal exploration of life’s biggest questions.
Book Review: The Vaster Wilds
Realistic and disgusting details of life are the showstoppers, as is the contrasting glory of the American wilderness.
Book Review: First Things
Sections of the book are punctuated by poems and photographs, one of which confirms that, yes, in 1969 Professor Ricketts was very cool.
Book Review: Talia
This collection is vulnerable and precise, travelling through and between the streets of Christchurch like a supercut of sweet memories.
Book Review: The Bee Sting
This is a funny, utterly heartbreaking and incredibly well crafted novel, but it comes with a warning.
Book Review: The Girl From The Sea
With beautiful illustrations, a seal-turned-human and a complicated love, what more do you need in a graphic novel?
Book Review: Wandering Stars
More impressionistic than ‘There, There’, this sophomore novel resists the pressure to repeat a winning formula – a pressure to which many breakout novelists succumb.
Book Review: Self-Made Boys
This sounded great to me! And it was. A must-read if you like historical queer books with lyrical writing.
Bonus Reading: Otherhood
Read an excerpt from Otherhood on the Spinoff here: Lily Duval’s fabulous essay on flatting with a newborn (someone else’s).
Book Review: Good Omens
Beautifully vivid, with hilarious twists on tried-and-true tropes, this collab between fantasy giants does not disappoint
Book Review: Glass Hotel
Each chapter serves as a piece of a montage which gradually expands into a sweeping tale of human failings, delusion and impermanence.
Book Review: Lies We Sing to the Sea
This is a tale that lingers, leaving readers with a sense of awe and a longing for more from this talented author.
Book Review: Secrets of the Sea
Touching on the importance of each fascinating creature, this book serves as a glorious reminder of how truly unique our ecosystem is.
Book Review: Cahokia Jazz
This is the jazz-infused, speculative crime noir mash-up you didn’t know you were looking for! Sparkling with energy and invention.
Book Review: Ferris
A glorious collection of interesting family dynamics interwoven into the wonderful daily life of Ferris.
Staff Review: The Screaming Staircase
The London of the Lockwood & Co series has been hit by a plague of ghosts. Only special children can see them…
Book Review: The Wager
This is a cracking good read – even for those with no previous interest in maritime history. Also, how did they keep their record books dry?!
Book Review: There’s A Cure For This
Billed as a memoir but reads easily as a collection of essays on lived experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.