Category: Reviews

Reviews

The Darkness Within Us Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Darkness Within Us Review

I LOVED The Shadows Between Us when I first read it years ago, so I was excited to dive into The Darkness Within Us. While it had some good moments, overall it didn’t hit the same for me.

The story follows Chrysantha, who has spent years playing the fool to get what she wants, only to reveal herself as clever and ambitious when she finally gets the chance. I liked the idea of her using people’s low expectations against them and thought the feminist themes were strong and empowering. I also enjoyed the book club scene where tropes were openly discussed, it felt playful and self-aware.

That said, I really struggled with Chrysantha as a character. She’s sharp and determined but also selfish, narrow-minded and hard to connect with. Her relationship with Eryx felt unconvincing, with their constant lies, bickering and snark making the romance flat rather than fiery. The ‘enemies to lovers’ arc never quite delivered the tension or chemistry I was hoping for. The third-act conflict was predictable and wrapped up far too neatly, which left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

The pacing also felt off at times, and the political side of the story lacked depth or logic. Chrysantha’s relationship with her sister had potential but shifted too suddenly to feel believable. I did appreciate the way both sisters eventually grew and matured, but getting there was a bit exhausting.

Overall, this was a decent read with empowering messages and a fun premise, but the execution left me wanting more. It’s not one I’ll be widely recommending, though fans of the first book may still enjoy seeing another side to this world.

⭐️3/5 stars Worth a read if you loved the first book, just go in with lower expectations.

Reviews

Blood Over Bright Haven Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Blood Over Bright Haven Review

*SEMI SPOILERY*

I went into this book with pretty high hopes, but I came away feeling a bit mixed. There were things I really enjoyed, but also a lot that didn’t quite land for me.

The strongest part of the book for me was the magic system. It felt brutal, clever and really original, probably the freshest take on magic I’ve read in a long time. The prologue set such a dark, sharp tone and the middle of the book, when the characters were uncovering what was really going on, was gripping. Those were the moments that had me hooked.

But the story as a whole was uneven. The pacing dragged in parts, especially towards the end and I didn’t find the climax as satisfying as I’d hoped. The conclusion felt a bit too open-ended given how much the book built up to that point.

The themes of sexism, misogyny and discrimination are right at the centre of this story. While I appreciated what it was trying to say, I found the delivery heavy-handed at times, like it was ticking boxes rather than letting the message come through naturally. Some characters felt more like caricatures than people, which pulled me out of the story. Sciona could also be a bit frustrating, though I really liked Thomil and wished we’d had more of his perspective or even Carra’s.

Overall, I think this book will hit harder for readers who haven’t come across these ideas in fantasy before, but for me it lacked the subtlety and originality I was hoping for. It’s not a bad book by any means, the magic alone is worth checking out, but it wasn’t the standout I expected.

⭐️3/5 stars Didn’t quite live up to the hype for me!

Reviews

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping Review

by amyleighreads6 Comments on A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping Review

The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was an absolute delight! It was whimsical, warm and with a heartbeat that comes from its beautifully diverse cast of characters. At the centre is Sera, a once-powerful witch who lost most of her magic as a teenager when she brought back her beloved great-aunt… and a rooster. Exiled from her guild, she’s spent the last fifteen years running a magical inn that appears only to those who truly need it. Some who arrive never leave, becoming part of the inn’s eclectic and loveable found family.

When a chance to restore her magic appears, Sera teams up with Luke, a fellow witch, his brilliant and autistic nine-year-old sister Posy and the inn’s residents to gather what she needs. Along the way, the story weaves in tender romance, fierce loyalty and heartfelt representation. From queer relationships to characters navigating mental health, racism and the lingering harm of colonialism. These deeper themes sit beautifully alongside the cozy fantasy elements, making the warmth feel earned and the comfort all the richer.

I adored the way this book explores the magic of safe spaces, places where people can finally exhale, be loved without question and heal from old wounds. The romance between Sera and Luke is lovely, but the true love story here is the one between Sera and her inn family, each of them finding ways to be their truest selves. There’s so much joy, vulnerability and humour here plus a skeleton rooster called Roo-Roo who absolutely steals the show.

It’s everything I crave in this genre: cozy vibes, a sprinkle of romance, found family, a bit of chaos and just enough magic to make your heart ache in the best way. I laughed, I cried and I closed the last page feeling like I’d just been hugged.

⭐️5/5 stars This was everything and more for me!

Reviews

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook Review

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook was a bit of a mixed read for me. I still really enjoy following Carl and Donut as they try to survive this insane Dungeon and there is that same wild, over the top energy that makes this series so addictive. The character moments are great as always and I especially liked the glimpses into what other Crawlers are facing. Those little side encounters really make the world feel bigger and the intergalactic stuff happening outside the Dungeon is still such a fun, imaginative touch.

Where it lost me a bit was the main setting for this level, a sprawling, tangled subway and train system. Normally I am all for complicated worldbuilding, but here I just found it hard to visualise where they were or how it all connected. Portals, stations, endless train lines… it started feeling more confusing than clever. Because this setting takes up such a huge chunk of the plot, that confusion kept pulling me out of the story. Which is a shame, because when the focus shifted back to the characters and smaller moments, I was completely on board.

Even with those issues, I am still hooked on the series. There is a darker edge simmering under all the chaos that I would love to see explored more and Carl and Donut’s dynamic is just too good to walk away from. The worldbuilding, humour and wild situations keep pulling me back in, so I will definitely be there for Level Five, hopefully with a map I can actually follow.

⭐️3/5 stars Confusing at times, but I’m still hooked and ready for more.

Reviews

Bat Eater Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Bat Eater Review

*A LITTLE SPOILERY*

After witnessing her sister’s tragic death, Cora Zeng works as a crime scene cleaner in New York’s Chinatown. Grieving, anxious and navigating the racism aimed at East Asian communities during the early days of COVID, she also finds herself haunted by ghosts as the Hungry Ghost Festival approaches. When a series of murders targeting East Asian women begins, strange bat carcasses appear at the scenes, drawing Cora into a chilling mystery.

The novel weaves together grief, cultural tradition, systemic injustice and elements of horror. Its examination of anti-Asian hate, institutional failings and the significance of the Hungry Ghost Festival is both engaging and thought-provoking. Cora is a layered, well-developed protagonist whose struggles with loss, fear of illness and cultural identity are deeply relatable. The insight into Chinese traditions adds richness to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in real-world beliefs and history.

However, the pacing is slow, with long stretches where nothing seems to happen and the serial killer subplot often feels secondary to the cultural and personal themes. While there are moments of unease and some graphic imagery, the horror leans more towards the grotesque than the frightening. The lack of a strong sense of place in New York can make the setting feel flat and the ending may frustrate readers as it leaves justice unresolved.

It’s an atmospheric and meaningful read that shines in its cultural depth and social commentary, even if its structure and pacing stop it from reaching its full potential.

⭐️2/5 Haunting and heartfelt, but not quite the killer read it could have been.