Top Ten Tuesday: Modern Books You Think Will Be Classics In The Future
18 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, reading, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday
Today is the first Top Ten Tuesday I’ve participated in for a while, mainly because of being busy and personal reasons, but, I’m getting back on track and, I love this topic. So, here’s my take on modern books (which I’m taking to mean recently written as oppose to contemporary setting – although, obviously, you could interpret it either way) that I think could be classics in the future:
King Sorrow by Joe Hill – I haven’t written my review for this one yet but I absolutely loved it. It’s a chunkster of a book but it’s so good that it doesn’t feel that way.
The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow – this is another recent read that I loved. Again, I haven’t posted my review yet (which will follow shortly) but this was so good. The writing is fantastic, the story is totally absorbing, literally a story that spreads across the ages.
Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow – yes, two books by the same author on this list. It probably seems a little indulgent but I love her books and this particular book is like a love letter to readers.
Station Eleven, the Glass Hotel and Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandell. This is not a series as such but the books all interconnect in ways that you wouldn’t be aware of without having read the others. Basically, each book is a standalone and brilliant in it’s own right but if you have the pleasure of reading all three, well, it’s really quite mind blowing.
The Justice of Kings, The Tyranny of Faith and The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan. Fantasy books with murder mysteries, epic in their scopo but with a more modern feel in terms of ease of reading, great writing and totally gripping. I would love to see these books become recognised for the scope, writing and originality.
A Dowry of Blood by ST Gibson. I’m not always a fan of classic retellings but this story works. Told from the point of view of one of Dracula’s ‘bride’s this is a dark tale of doubt and seduction and based itself on a ‘classic’ I would love to see it last the test of time.
A Boy and His Dog at the end of the World. Such a fantastic tale, told in a way to deliver a really powerful twist. I loved it and didn’t see it coming.
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar. Oh dear me, how much did I love this book? Ridiculously so. It’s an absolute keeper. A new story told in a way that brings all the charm of many older classics but easily readable and with hints of fantasy.
The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower, The Winter of the Witch. This series is so good, beautiful writing, fairytale fantasy and Russian Folklore. Quite mesmerising.
Finally, The Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence. This series definitely falls into the ‘grimdark’ genre (and, as such, maybe isn’t for everyone) but being the first of it’s kind that I read it felt so unique and unusual, plus the writing is superb and the overall scope, of not only this series, but all the following series by this author, well, it really is impressive.
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Review: No Women Were Harmed by Heather Mottershead
10 October 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, fiction, Heather Mottershead, No Women Were Harmed, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Well, No Women Were Harmed
I mean, as titles go this certainly grabs the attention – and that cover, I just love it, and I know that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover and you shouldn’t be so fickle (beauty being skin – or cover – deep) but I really must say I do love a good cover. Anyway, this book was really good. I was hooked from the very start and even now writing this review (which is very overdue because of circumstances that I won’t bore you all with) I could literally read this again just to try and pick up on all the things I may have missed the first time round in my haste to reach the conclusion.
This is really my kind of story. I like the style of narration. The Victorian period really lends itself to anything gothic and make the setting an asylum and you really have my attention. We have dual timelines that flit back and forth and the most unreliable narrator ever – although she doesn’t flinch away from telling quite a few shocking truths.
Lily is our MC. Named for the funeral flower Lily has a very engaging way of telling a story. We visit her in the asylum that she has been incarcerated in (following a hysteric murder) and as she relates her story to a visiting psychiatrist who wants to use Lily as a focus for her studies, it becomes clear that Lily is simply weaving a pretty narrative in the hopes of release.
I loved the writing and can’t believe that this is a debut. I will definitely be watching out for what this author comes up with next. The settings are so well described – no purple prose here – just the right amount of detail to drop you into a scene and bring it to life. Every element of the story shines from the page and it’s absolutely absorbing to read. From farm setting to dance hall to asylum, it’s all equally gripping.
I do love a historic setting and the Victorian era is a firm favourite. We start off with a glimpse of Lily’s upbringing on a farm, life was harsh but being a quick study and believing herself to be her father’s favourite Lily thinks her prospects will be different, she can help with the business. Imagine her disappointment then when she overhears her father discussing his plans to marry her off as soon as can be. This little nugget is followed by many other reveals in which male acquaintances disappoint or fail to meet Lily’s expectations. Set in the ‘grim’ north the story gives you a good idea of a woman’s lot in life – and it wasn’t all a bed of roses for sure.
Now, on top of this, during the conversations with Lily’s psychiatrist, we start to uncover a few truths as Lily relates her story and then, on occasions shares with readers a slightly different version. I loved this. I mean, I’m not saying that Lily is an upstanding character but it’s easy to see her expectations and motivations even if you don’t always agree with her actions.
Overall, this read is more compelling and entertaining than I expected, completely outdoing any notions I had going into the read. I was gripped and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Review: Ring the Bells (Stranger Times #5) by CK McDonnell
9 October 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, CK McDonnell, Fantasy, fiction, Review, Ring the Bells, Stranger Times #5
My Five Word TL:DR Review: This Series is a Blast
I’m absolutely loving the Stranger Times series and considering that we’re up to instalment No.5 already there hasn’t been a single blip or lull so far. I quite literally can’t say enough good things about this and if you’re currently looking for your next urban fantasy series then I highly recommend it. I would at this point also mention that if you’re intending to read this series (and you really should) then you might want to stop reading now in case of spoilers. I also suggest you start with book 1 as you really don’t want to miss any of these mysteries or the background to the characters.
This instalment is all about the merry Christmas vibe. As the book begins we meet with a small coven, meeting in the library after hours to do a few good deeds here and there. Unfortunately things go horribly wrong and all but one of the coven end up brutally slain. This is just the start of yet another mystery that the Stranger Times staff will become deeply embroiled with that has massive implications.
Basically, somebody is interfering with the universe, lulling people in with magical artefacts and causing chaos when things don’t go to plan. On this occasion an old, long forgotten God called Zalas has been released unwittingly. Absolutely livid at the paltry humans who no longer remember his existence he is determined to wreak havoc and have his revenge on these worthless people – and, well, if Christmas is ruined in the process then so be it.
The police are totally blindsided and although the staff of the Stranger Times are hot on the trail of Zalas it’s difficult to keep track when he can easily inhabit any body he wishes to. And, well, he’s currently playing the best role he’s ever had.
This was such an excellent read. It’s almost 500 pages but I couldn’t put it down and finished it in about two days.
As with the other instalments we learn more about the staff of the Stranger Times. Stella and Manny seem to be having something of a clash in this story which comes to a completely unexpected conclusion. Hannah and Tom are still pussyfooting around each other, Hannah being very protective over Tom’s (private) eye (I know!) Banecroft is saving the world whilst Ox plays audience and Grace wants nothing more than a festive party. Perhaps she’s on the naughty list after all.
To be honest, I loved this story and it’s another perfect instalment. The dialogue is funny, the imagination is incredible, I really care for the characters and I love the setting. I mean, I couldn’t begin to see how everything would be resolved and yet once again the author pulls it off with style. So, the whole package really. I seriously, wholeheartedly recommend this series.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 stars
Review: House of Splinters by Laura Purcell
8 October 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Horror, House of Splinters, Laura Purcell, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Return to the Creepy Cutouts
I absolutely loved The Silent Companions so was really excited to hear about House of Splinters which once again brings to us the creepy wooden characters that haunted the first book.
House of Splinters is a prequel to The Silent Companions and takes us back to the remote country estate known as The Bridge. This time we get to explore a little more of the ancestors whilst taking a closer look at the current inhabitants and their own haunted pasts.
I love a gothic tale and House of Splinters really delivers on that score. A somewhat rundown mansion with secrets a plenty and an unnerving amount of wooden ‘companions’. Moving into The Bridge with her husband Wilfred and their two children is a dream come true for Belinda Bainbridge. She is finally able to step out from her mother’s shadow and take up a position in Wilfred’s ancestral home. Unfortunately, the untimely death of Wilfred’s father remains something of a mystery but the two are determined to make a home at the Bridge. Wilfred tucks into the estate’s accounts, which are a little sadder than he had realised, and Belinda tries to take up various projects – such as transforming certain aspects of the garden – although with little success.
Added to this is the appearance, from the attic, of a number of wooden ‘companions’ that Belinda’s son Freddy takes a real shine to.
Once again Purcell manages to create atmosphere and tension with apparent ease. The story incorporates a number of current issues that add to this giving a feeling of escalation as the local villagers become incensed with the new owner. Added to this is the constant talk of ‘curses’ and the dreadful history attached to the mansion which gradually bring a feeling of hysteria to the current occupants. And then throw in the sudden and unexpected appearance of another family member.
What I really enjoyed with this. I love the ‘companions’. I feel like Purcell has come across something so creepy with these wooden characters. She seems to have tapped into our innate fear of puppets, dolls, and the like with these ‘dummy boards’ that were actually really popular in past times, although nobody really knows their real purpose – perhaps for decoration, perhaps as a deterrent, maybe even to make a home seem lived in and less lonely (hence ‘silent companions’). Whatever the reason these are chilling to say the least and give the Bridge an extra creepy vibe as they seemingly pop up all over the house when least expected. Their eyes and expressions sometimes seem to move or appear more sinister – they really are nightmare inducing. Added to this and heightening their ‘creep factor’ is that Freddy seems to have made friends with one of the companions. This really adds to the haunted vibe, I couldn’t help thinking of The Shining and the little boy who can see and hear all manner of scary things. Shivers!
I really enjoyed House of Splinters. It took turns that I really didn’t expect, it briefly touches on local issues and history that bring a more reality based explanation to some of the events but at the same time it infuses the story with doubt and creepiness soaking it with a feeling of pervasive dread. I was literally willing Belinda to scoop up her children and run.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 creepy companion stars
Review: The Last Witch by CJ Cooke
6 October 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, CJ Cooke, Fantasy, Review, The Last Witch, Witches
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Fantastic, Truth Based Historical Fiction
The Last Witch is a phenomenal read. It’s tense, dark, cruel and totally compelling. I absolutely loved CJ Cooke’s A Haunting in the Arctic, a shocking and highly spooky ghost story that I thought would be difficult to surpass but The Last Witch certainly comes close to doing so.
Put simply I don’t really think I can do this book justice in a review but I’ll give it a shot.
The writing is absolutely beautiful, which is a strange thing to say when so much of the story is composed of misogyny and violence towards women. It is without doubt a shocking read, not gratuitous I must say, just totally horrifically mind blowing in the way it relates the injustices of the era.
This is a story set in Austria during the 15th century. Women’s lives were certainly not their own during that period and when the witch hunts began many women became scapegoats, blamed for crops failing to children becoming ill. Accusations, many from bitter, jealous or thwarted neighbours were treated as hard fact and the women accused were tortured to make them confess.
Helena Schueberin had drawn the notice of a religious zealot, a priest who eventually became one of the most feared witch hunters in Europe and went on to write and publish the Malleus Maleficarum. Heinrich Kramer makes it his mission to clean up the quiet city of Innsbruck of witches – and apparently the city is overrun. Taken into custody along with six other women Helena was starved, tortured and treated despicably but remained firm in her determination to speak out against the injustices.
I have to say this is so well written, it’s one of the most gripping historical stories that I’ve read. It’s so powerful, the writing brings the setting alive, the fear, the appalling conditions, Cooke doesn’t shy away from the bitter truth or the fickle crowds that turn from peaceful and loving to a pitchfork wielding mob hungry for violence.
Helena is a fantastic character to read. I really liked her and I must say that I was terrified on her behalf for a good deal of the book! Equally, Kramer is absolutely unbelievably horrifying, to think that a religious man could be so shockingly brutal, to seemingly take such pleasure in inflicting pain and to be so consumed with hate for all women. It’s difficult to get your head around to be honest. Fortunately, not everyone was of the same mind and one of the other characters, Bishop Georg Golser, took many personal risks to champion the accused women.
I highly recommend The Last Witch, I would mention again that this doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the treatment of many women during this period, it is shockingly brutal in its portrayal and might not be for everyone. Personally, I think it’s a remarkable book. A dark tale with hints of the supernatural, wonderfully written and with very powerful performances from the central characters. A book that will stay on my mind for some time.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 