emmaj_xo's reviews
79 reviews

The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Finishing this book felt like grieving, I’ve just put it down and sobbed. Such a tense and atmospheric ready that steadily ramps up. A fascinating exploration of Scottish history and folklore. 

The Monk by Emma McEvoy, Matthew Gregory Lewis

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A melodrama of Operatic proportions with a plot to shock even modern readers. Whilst the Bloody Nun provides delightful capital H Horror, it’s in the monstrosity of man where this novel truly relishes the darkness. 

A House of Ghosts by William Ryan, W.C. Ryan

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A delightful, cosy read. A classic murder mystery with some ghostly visitors, it gave me house on haunted hill vibes. A perfect, comfort read for this chillier months. 

The Crow Garden by Alison Littlewood

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A creepy page-turner, definitely a good seasonal read for the cold and the damp. Definitely an unreliable narrator done right, though this would perhaps make the conclusion unsatisfying for some readers.

Through the Keyhole: Sex, Scandal and the Secret Life of the Country House by Susan C. Law

informative slow-paced

2.0

An accessible but fairly dry read for what should be a fun subject.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The book itself is obviously one of the most delightful children’s classics and there is very little I can add, so I’m just going to share my thoughts on this particular edition. 

D’Aquino’s illustrations and mixed media prints are wonderfully inventive and perfectly capture the strangeness of Wonderland. The abstract art would certainly appeal more to adult readers and collectors. I particularly loved the illustrations for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, I’d love a print for my wall. 

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Worldbuilding and characterisation is next level. Such a beautiful, original story and the love story at it’s backbone was truly moving. As much a story of parental love (in all its forms) as romantic love.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A thrilling page-turner. Went in for what I expected to be a restrained ghostly gothic novel and got complete balls to the wall body horror. Not a lover of the prose style but it didn’t put me off. Will be looking out for more of the author’s books in the future. 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“when I feel it my duty to speak an unpalatable truth… I will speak it” oh Anne you’re an absolute star!

To think this novel was suppressed for so long and by her own sister nonetheless. Anne was as fearless as her protagonist in writing and publishing this harrowing yet honest tale of spousal abuse, and a woman’s liberation from it.

Helen is a remarkable character. She’s both self-sacrificing for those she loves and utterly savage to those she loathes (and who deserve it.) I’d say we all need a Helen in our lives but she’s too good for us.

Gilbert, the narrator who frames the novel however, is a pathetic weasel of a man who doesn’t deserve to so much as walk in her shadow.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Alcoholism

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexism

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I read the pop up minalima edition which is just stunning. The book itself is cute and imaginative and an important artefact of American cultural history. Bain’s writing style though may be off putting to certain readers. He doesn’t mail that universal tone other children’s authors have mastered.