Book Review: Until the Red Leaves Fall
February 19, 2026
A must-read if you enjoy historical fiction that explores social issues with lush prose and charming, realistic characters.
A must-read if you enjoy historical fiction that explores social issues with lush prose and charming, realistic characters.
The Vaster Wilds is beloved for a reason, a feral Jane Eyre for a modern audience. I can’t recommend it enough.
Make the wrong decision and it could be your life in danger…This is dark, chaotic and full of twists in classic McFadden style!
The island setting of the novel is a constant presence, with the rocky, ancient landscape and wild weather setting a moody tone throughout.
With such clever and witty prose, it makes for an incredibly convincing adventure into the world of FBI manhunts.
It’s quirky and playful, with self-deprecating Kiwi humour and a dash of romantic sizzle. A delightful comfort read that’s full of heart
Despite being a short novel written in an almost deadpan style, Keiko moved me, and I find myself returning to both her fragility & strength.
Strange Pictures utilises illustration as a narrative device, pulling the reader further into the fabric of the story in an unsettling way.
Not for the faint hearted, this scandi-noir exudes the perfect atmosphere that will transport you right into the gritty heart of Denmark
Fast-paced, powerful and underneath it all somehow comedic, Everett packs a punch with every page. This is a book that has stuck with me.
Within this beautifully bizarre book, Lynley Edmeades fictionalises her experience of becoming a mother in bite-size vignettes.
It starts off witty and light then suddenly becomes a thriller while maintaining a humour that keeps it in line with dark comedy.
Simultaneously a story of grief, self-discovery, and simple kindnesses, this was an incredibly peaceful read, and I didn’t want it to end.
Twisting through plots like a winding path, it slowly weaves itself together into a bizarre story of immortals, romance and above all, a bet.
Twisting through the plot like a winding path, it slowly weaves together into a bizarre story of immortals, romance and above all, a bet.
There are no heroes here; every single character is deeply flawed, not just the three teenage boys accused of murder.
This poetic prose turned whirlwind novel reveals the plastic neon monotony of addiction without ever being repetitive.
Kate Riley’s unique heroine has such a wry, funny, subversive voice that her day-to-day reflections are completely absorbing.
Laing explores both the conditions that enable fascism, and the power of art to hold a mirror to the society that forms it.
Set in Georgian London, this novel delves into the world of antiques with mystery, intrigue, and (possibly) cursed objects thrown in.