Book Review: Thorns and Fire
December 11, 2025
I loved diving back into this rich fantasy world. Torj and Wren are my favourite fantasy romance couple, whether they’re together or apart.
Isabelle’s English Lit degree and Masters in Creative Writing has led her to read widely, taking an interest in an eclectic mix of genres: queer books of every flavour, Young Adult Horror, short story collections, Adult Romantasy, and the occasional biography, contemporary romance, chick-lit and historical fiction.
I loved diving back into this rich fantasy world. Torj and Wren are my favourite fantasy romance couple, whether they’re together or apart.
I love the slow-burn quality of Broadbent’s romances, they’re so full of yearning, understanding and eventual respect
Packed with surprising twists and creepy magic, this is a must-read for fans of fairy tale retellings who love a little bit of horror.
The plot twists had my jaw on the floor & the romance had me swooning, especially when circumstances turn from sweet to potentially tragic.
A slow, gothic, witchy Young Adult novel about mysterious magic, the American South, dark family secrets and insta-love romance.
If you’re a fan of immersive world building & headstrong heroines, you’ll love this novel – the first in a 4-book series!
A sweet, angsty second-chance romance between a stubborn med student, Lo, and her famous ex, Aiden, who never got over her.
Holm breaks down NZ finance-ing in a thorough yet easy to understand manner, outlining the many ways to financially prepare for the future.
I read this book out of the morbid curiosity and was violently pulled into the tragic tale of the Dollanganger siblings.
A warm, thoroughly enjoyable adventure through space. If you’re looking for feel-good sci-fi, look no further than the Becky Chambers!
This was my first cowboy romance and it won’t be the last! It’s a delightful childhood friends-to-lovers story.
Warm, witchy and wonderful! I immediately fell in love with the small town of Skerry Island and its fun, close-knit cast.
A quirky, tragic examination of a real-life father and daughter relationship. Funny, sad and wonderfully real.
A truly fun, heartwarming romp with some low-key body horror thrown in for flavor. Perfect for anybody feeling a little lost in life.
This little book is so atmospheric and vivid you can practically taste the sweat and smoke of all the blood-soaked dive bars.
Eerie, atmospheric and lyrical. An intense romance and an endless stream of horrifying creatures coming from the forest every night.
You’ll find characters you’ll either deeply love or deeply hate (I had the experience of wanting to slap everyone but also hug them tenderly)
Timelines and characters are bound together through an ancient text that changes their lives in incredible and unexpected ways.
A second-chance romance between the teenage leaders of two rival gangs, plus an interesting cast of side characters you’ll fall in love with.
A charming, gory sapphic Young Adult book about 2 girls falling in love during a horrifying road trip which starts after a monster attack.