Category: Reviews

Reviews

Walking Practice Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Walking Practice Review

This book was honestly one of the weirdest things I’ve ever read, and I mean that in the best possible way. It follows a shapeshifting alien stuck on Earth who changes between male and female forms to have sex with humans before, well… eating them. It’s bizarre, unsettling and kind of brilliant. Beneath all the chaos, it’s really a deep look at what it means to be human or what it means to never quite fit into the world’s expectations.

Through the alien’s voice, Min dives into big ideas about gender, queerness, loneliness and disability. The creature keeps changing shape, breaking every rule of identity, yet it still craves connection and love. There’s this strange tenderness underneath all the violence and hunger that makes it hit harder than you’d expect. It’s messy and emotional and painfully relatable at times.

The writing plays around with structure too, stretching out words and spacing to make you feel off balance, like you’re inside the alien’s head. It’s graphic, sexual and often confronting, but it’s also beautifully human in its own odd way.

Walking Practice won’t be for everyone, but if you like stories that are strange, gutsy and full of feeling, this one’s worth the ride.

⭐️4/5 stars, weird in the best way.

Reviews

The Housemaid Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on The Housemaid Review

*MILD SPOILERS AHEAD*

I finally picked up The Housemaid after hearing about it everywhere, and it definitely lived up to the hype. From the very first chapter I was hooked and found it hard to put down. The writing is simple but sharp, making it a quick read that almost feels like watching a thriller play out on screen. It starts off creepy and unsettling, with Nina acting more and more strangely, and then it ramps up into something much darker and far more dangerous.

Millie is such a fascinating character. At first, it’s hard to connect with her because we don’t know much about her, but as her backstory slowly unravels I became more invested. The mystery around her kept me intrigued, and by the time the big reveals landed I was fully on board. Nina’s truth was also a shock and while I didn’t agree with all of her choices, I found myself sympathising with her more than I expected. Andrew though… absolutely detestable.

The story itself isn’t the most original, but McFadden tells it in such an addictive way. The first two parts felt a bit predictable, but part three completely changed the game and left me stunned. The twists just kept coming and the ending was the kind that makes you want to pick up the sequel straight away. Sure, some moments stretched believability, but that almost added to the fun because it kept me guessing.

Overall, this is a wild, fast-paced thriller that delivers on tension and shock value. It’s eerie, outrageous in places, and ridiculously entertaining. If you’re after a bingeable read that will keep you second guessing every character, this is one to add to your list.

⭐️4/5 stars Definitely a guilty pleasure, pop corn thriller!

Reviews

Bury Your Gays Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Bury Your Gays Review

Bury Your Gays follows Misha, a Hollywood writer who’s pressured by producers to kill off a queer character in the name of ratings. What unfolds is a mix of horror and satire as the villains from his own scripts step off the page and begin stalking him, blurring the line between art and reality.

I found this book original and bold, especially in how it critiques Hollywood’s treatment of queer stories and the wider issue of corporate greed in media. It tackles erasure, tokenism, AI ethics, and trauma, all while highlighting the power of friendship and love in all forms. Some of the monsters, particularly Mrs. Why, were genuinely creepy and surprisingly sad, while the flashbacks to Misha’s childhood gave depth and context to their creation.

That said, I did have mixed feelings. The pacing dragged in places and the chapter transitions sometimes left me feeling lost. The audiobook added to this with extra voices and sound effects that felt unnecessary. The Black Mirror-style AI angle also felt a little tired, and while the ending had some campy horror flair, it fizzled out and leaned heavy-handed.

Overall, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. It’s clever, confronting, and very readable, and even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing, it adds something valuable to the conversation about queer representation in media.

⭐️3/5 stars In the end, it’s a bit messy but still worth the read.

Reviews

A Sorceress Comes to Call Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A Sorceress Comes to Call Review

I went into this one with high hopes because I usually love T. Kingfisher’s fairy tale retellings and low-romance fantasy, but this didn’t quite land the same way.

The premise is strong. Cordelia is a sympathetic character, trapped under the control of her cruel sorceress mother, Evangeline. Her inner thoughts feel real and painful, while on the outside she’s forced into obedience. When they move on to their next victim, a kind squire, Cordelia meets his sister Hester who sees through Evangeline’s schemes and tries to help. The dynamic between the three women had a lot of promise and there are some really powerful darker moments that worked well.

But once the story shifts to the squire’s estate, the pace slows right down. The middle section drags with endless conversations, house parties and glares across the room. Some of the tension is there but it lingers too long and the action stalls. The fairytale angle also felt pretty thin.. apart from the horse Falada and Hester looking after geese, it didn’t really tie back to The Goose Girl in a meaningful way. I think it stands better as its own story.

Hester herself is likeable, but her subplot with Lord Evermore didn’t fully make sense to me. She refuses to marry him because of appearances, yet later on suggests he should be engaged to Cordelia despite it being just as scandalous. It felt a bit inconsistent. I also thought Cordelia’s voice blurred into Hester’s at times, losing some of the unique character work from the start.

The last part of the book picks up with more creepy and horror-leaning elements, and the climax is exciting if a bit convenient. By then though, it felt like a long wait to get there.

Overall, compared to other fantasy books out there this is still solid, but against Kingfisher’s usual work it fell short for me. I missed her trademark humour and sharper pacing. It’s not a bad book by any means, but not one of my favourites from her.

⭐️3/5 stars Strong characters and a dark edge but it drags a bit too much!

Reviews

The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Gate of the Feral Gods is probably the messiest entry in the series so far, but it still had plenty of moments that kept me turning the pages. The fifth floor comes with a whole new set of challenges, with everyone split into their own little fortresses to fight their way out of. It’s a clever idea, but at times it did feel like box-ticking rather than real adventure. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the tension from earlier books wasn’t quite there.

That said, I still really enjoyed it. The world continues to evolve in ways I don’t expect and the creativity is what makes this series so addictive. There were a few frustrating bits, like Carl hiding things from the reader for no clear reason or characters levelling up off-page with little explanation. But those quirks aside, the planning, the battles and the talk show appearances were as entertaining as ever. The AI’s obsession with Carl just gets funnier each book, adding a weird but perfect layer of comedy.

Character-wise, there were some great little moments. Katia’s absence is going to leave a hole, but it also opens up space for new dynamics. I loved the glimpse of Bea finally getting into the game, and I’m keen to see how she’ll shake things up. Some of the new faces introduced on this floor also feel like they’re going to stick around, which could make things even more interesting.

Overall, The Gate of the Feral Gods isn’t the strongest in the series, but it’s far from a disappointment. It’s another step deeper into the dungeon and closer to uncovering the bigger story behind it all. I’m still hooked, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

⭐️3/5 stars Again not the strongest floor, but I’m still all in for the crawl