Tag: book-reviews

Reviews

The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

The Butcher’s Masquerade has easily become my favourite instalment in the series so far. I’ve loved every book, even when things got a bit chaotic along the way, but this one reminded me exactly why I’m so obsessed with this wild world. As soon as we hit the Hunting Grounds something shifted. It felt sharper, more emotional and way more gripping than I expected. I tore through it.

Donut absolutely steals the show here. She always does, but this time she’s on another level. She’s clever, dramatic, mouthy in the best way and so full of heart. I was laughing at her one second then wanting to cry with her the next. Carl’s great too, but Donut owns this whole book and I’m not sorry about it.

What surprised me most was how much heart sits under all the madness. There are some big emotional punches in this one and a few scenes that got me tearing up when I least expected it. The reunion with a certain someone had me holding my breath and it paid off in such a satisfying way. And then there were the moments that came out of nowhere and left me crushed. Prepotente and Miriam had me feeling things I was not prepared for.

Level six itself is such a fun setting. A fantasy world full of dinosaurs, hunters chasing crawlers, strange politics and that menacing masquerade hanging over everything. I loved seeing Carl and Donut take on new specialties, fail and succeed in the funniest ways and get tangled up in all the drama the dungeon throws at them. Even the side characters shine. People you barely know end up hurting to lose because Dinniman is annoyingly good at making them feel real.

The humour is still perfect. Between Donut’s diva era, Mongo’s dinosaur adventures, the comic con scenes and the absolute trainwreck of the masquerade party, I laughed more than I expected to. This series balances heartbreak and pure silliness better than anything else I’ve read and it never loses its heart.

The ending was brutal in that classic Dinniman way and left me stressed but keen for whatever happens next. This series isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who love it, The Butcher’s Masquerade is a standout. It’s emotional, funny, clever and packed with characters you can’t help but root for. I finished it and still don’t feel done with it.

⭐️4/5 stars Bring on the next level!!

Reviews

A Short Stay in Hell Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A Short Stay in Hell Review

A Short Stay in Hell is a clever and unsettling read that turns a simple idea into something deeply thought provoking. It begins with a darkly funny twist as a Mormon man dies and discovers he chose the wrong religion. The true faith was Zoroastrianism, and now he must spend eternity in a Hell shaped like an infinite library. His only task is to find the one book that tells the story of his life. Once he does, he’s free to leave, though the odds of ever finding it are almost impossible.

The concept is fascinating and slowly becomes disturbing as the vastness of eternity sets in. The endless shelves, filled mostly with meaningless combinations of letters, capture the futility and madness of an infinite search for meaning. Peck blends humour and horror in a way that feels both strange and human, raising quiet questions about faith, purpose and the limits of understanding.

The novella shines most when exploring how people respond to hopelessness. The small society that forms inside the library feels both familiar and tragic, a reflection of how we repeat the same mistakes even in new worlds. The writing is simple and clear, but sometimes a little too restrained for such a powerful idea. I found myself wanting more… more emotion, more time with the characters and a deeper sense of closure.

Still, it’s a haunting little story that stays with you. Peck manages to capture the fear of infinity without relying on fire or suffering. Instead, he shows how eternity itself can be the most frightening punishment of all.

⭐️3/5 stars This is a book I feel like I’ll be thinking about for a while!

Reviews

Hex Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Hex Review

Hex might be short, but it really packs a punch. Set in 16th century Scotland, it follows Geillis, a young woman accused of witchcraft and locked in a cold prison cell on the night before she’s executed. With her is Iris, a woman from the present day who somehow finds herself drawn back through time to be with her. It’s a strange but powerful connection that shows how little has changed for women across the centuries… the same fear, judgement and control still exist, just in different forms.

Fagan’s writing is raw and poetic, filled with emotion and quiet fury. Through Geillis’s story you feel the weight of injustice and the cruelty of those who twisted fear into power. Iris brings a more modern voice, one that reminds us that these stories aren’t as distant as we’d like to think. The blend of history and magic works beautifully, even if it sometimes makes you question where the line between truth and myth really sits.

The phrase “as they say, as they say” repeats throughout, and it’s one that lingers long after you finish reading. It captures how easily people accept things without question, how gossip and fear can become truth when repeated often enough. There were a few slower moments that didn’t add much, but they don’t take away from the overall impact. The story still hits with force, leaving behind a mix of sadness, rage and admiration for the women who refused to stay silent.

Hex is unsettling, powerful and unforgettable. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin and sits with you long after you’ve closed it.

⭐️3/5 stars A small book with a big impact!

Reviews

When the Wolf Comes Home Review

by amyleighreads2 Comments on When the Wolf Comes Home Review

When the Wolf Comes Home was such a wild, strange and unforgettable read. It’s the kind of horror that sneaks up on you, full of blood and chaos but with a surprisingly emotional core. What starts as a werewolf story quickly becomes something much deeper about fear, grief, loss and how the things we run from always find a way to catch up to us.

Jess, a struggling actress in L.A. barely holding it together, ends up rescuing a terrified young boy on the run from his violent father. From there, everything unravels fast. The pace barely slows down as they cross the country, hunted by monsters both human and otherwise. It’s tense and messy and full of moments that are equal parts horrifying and heartfelt. Some scenes go a bit over the top, but honestly, that’s part of what makes it so compelling. Cassidy leans into the weirdness and somehow makes it work.

The real strength of this book is how human it feels. Jess isn’t your typical horror heroine; she’s anxious, funny, flawed and feels incredibly real. Watching her stumble through impossible situations while slowly confronting her own fears was what kept me glued to the page. The boy’s story adds another layer too, showing how fear and trauma can take on a life of their own… literally, in this case.

When the Wolf Comes Home is fast-paced, unsettling and full of heart. It’s weird, gory and emotional all at once, and it proves that horror can be just as much about healing as it is about fear.

⭐️4/5 stars A wild, bloody ride that somehow still manages to hit you right in the feels.

Reviews

Bloom Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Bloom Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD*

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Rosemary meets Ash at the farmers’ market. Ash—precise, pretty, and practically perfect—sells bars of soap in delicate pastel colours, sprinkle-spackled cupcakes stacked on scalloped stands, beeswax candles, jelly jars of honey, and glossy green plants. Ro has never felt this way about another woman; with Ash, she wants to be her and have her in equal measure. But as her obsession with Ash consumes her, she may find she’s not the one doing the devouring…

Being in Ro’s head for the majority of this book was tiring and frustrating. They way she latches on to Ash and how her thoughts about her just consume her every waking moment got to be a bit annoying. I literally just wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip, you coming on a bit strong there love. Though I can see why she would be second guessing herself at every turn and pushing a bit on Ash’s boundaries after the nasty breakup she just had with her ex.

Right from the start I knew there was something up with Ash. I could tell from her demeanour at the market stall, changing basically her whole personality depending on who walked in told me she was a calculative and potentially manipulative. Especially after she reprimanded Ro so many times for pushing her boundaries, I knew something was up but I couldn’t predict what, which was entertaining for sure.

I like the fact that this book elicited so many emotions from me. It starts off so unassuming and quite cute so I was a unprepared for the wild ride that was about to ensue. I definitely had my theories on what was happening but I was surprised at every turn which was why I think I enjoyed this as much as I did.

⭐️4/5 stars Wow.. this was good!!!