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Book Lists

5 Quotes from Last 5 Books

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on 5 Quotes from Last 5 Books

These are five of my favourite quotes from the last five books that I have read!!

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman

“They will not break me. Fuck them all. They will not break me. But I will break them. This is my promise to myself, to my friends, and to you, anyone who reads these words. I will break them all. – Crawler Carl, 25th Edition of The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook”

The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman

“My safe word is, “Harder. Daddy.”

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller

“My husband is taking too long to die”

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

“You know, arrogance never made a woman more attractive.’
‘When I care how attractive you find me, I’ll let you know.”

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

“There is always a little magic in the heart of a person who loves it.”

Updates

🐉 Inheritance Cycle Reread Update 🐉

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on 🐉 Inheritance Cycle Reread Update 🐉

*SEMI-SPOILERY THOUGHTS AHEAD*

I’ve been making my way slowly though and I’m about halfway into Inheritance and while I can already see some issues (pacing that drags at times and side plots that feel less important than they should) I’m still just enjoying the read. There’s something nostalgic about coming back to this world after following the series for so long and even when the writing isn’t perfect, it still pulls me in.

It has a familiar, almost comforting quality to it, even if it leans heavily on well-worn tropes and occasionally gets bogged down in detail. For me, it feels less about the polish and more about being along for the ride with these characters one last time. It might not be the most finely crafted fantasy out there, but it’s scratching that nostalgic itch and keeping me curious to see how everything finally wraps up freshly in my mind.

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.

Tags

Birthstone Book Tag 💎

by amyleighreads1 Comment on Birthstone Book Tag 💎

This month I wanted to revisit the Birthstone Book Tag!

The Rules:
  • Mention the creator (me- Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back to me so I can see your post!
  • Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
  • HAVE FUN!
  • Nominate people if you want!

Sapphire has this deep, captivating energy, like gazing into a star-filled midnight sky or standing on a mountain peak under crisp autumn air. It carries a sense of wisdom and inner strength, steady and unwavering, yet there’s a touch of magic in its depth. It feels grounding but also inspiring, like it’s quietly urging you to trust yourself and keep moving forward, no matter the path ahead. I’ve decided to go with three books I’ve read s and three books on my TBR that match Sapphires!