Book Reviews December 2025

King of Flesh and Bones:

By Liv Zander

King of Flesh and Bone was an intriguing and immersive read. The world building is rich, the atmosphere beautifully eerie, and the dark fantasy elements are handled with confidence. It pulled me in, especially with the unique concept of a king who refuses to let the dead decay.

That said, for me it didn't quite reach the same impact as the Court of Ravens series. It felt a little like the "younger brother" of that world, similar in tone and tropes but not as sharp or powerful in delivery. Some moments came across as a familiar echo of other dark romantasy series, leaving me wishing for a bit more originality and emotional weight.

Still, there's a lot of potential here, and I'm hopeful book two will build on it. The ending sets up a strong path for the sequel, and I'm curious to see whether the character development and intensity deepen the way I'm hoping for. A solid start with room to grow, fingers crossed the next instalment takes it to the next level. So give it a go and watch this space!

4 stars for me.

Autopsy of a Fairy Tale:

By Nicole Scarano

Autopsy of a Fairy Tale delivers exactly what my story obsessed little heart craves. This book skillfully stitches the modern world to myth so seamlessly that I genuinely forgot where reality ended and the fairy tale began. Following Bel, a no nonsense homicide detective, into a case that drags her right into the path of the Beast Eamon felt like being pulled through a secret door no one else can see. The blend of murder investigation, curses, and ancient magic creates such an addictive atmosphere.

I devoured every page of the crime-meets-fantasy goodness. Witches, dark spells, and a creature cursed to be a monster make this feel like a twisted folklore autopsy in the best way. The characters jumped off the page. I adored most of them but, like any good story, there is one infuriating villain who tested every nerve…and then somehow earned my sympathy with a redemption arc that shocked me. Love that.

This is the first book in a series and I am already counting down the days for book two. The world is fresh, gritty, and enchanting, the mystery is expertly plotted, and Bel and Eamon are a duo I need more of immediately. A 5 star, stay-up-way-too-late-reading kind of book. I love, love, loved it! Bring on book 2.

In the Still of the Night:

By Ann Rule

I've always enjoyed Ann Rule's work and In the Still of the Night is another solid example of her ability to dig deep into real crime and emotion. The case itself is fascinating, and her attention to detail really pulls you in at the start.

However, about two thirds of the way through, I found my attention slipping. It started to feel like some of the information and reflections were repeating themselves, which slowed the pace and made it drag a little.

Still, it's an interesting read with Rule's signature compassion and insight into human behaviour. Worth reading if you enjoy true crime, just be prepared for a few slower sections.

Alchemised:

By Senlin Yu

I want to apologise for not offering a full review of Alchemised. After finishing the book, I realised I couldn’t fairly or responsibly review it due to the sensitive subject matter at its core. One of the major triggers included is something I cannot in any way condone, and because of that, I don’t feel able to give the story the balanced and thoughtful review it deserves.

I’ve also seen a lot of heated discussions online; arguments, trolling, and readers attacking one another over this very issue and I don’t wish to add to that noise or contribute to any further negativity. Instead, I feel it’s best for readers to approach this book with their own judgement and decide for themselves how they feel about its themes and execution.]

I hope you can understand my reasons, and I apologise again for stepping back from a full review.