Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the hardest genres to really get right is young adult horror. You have to balance how much gore, nudity, and sex (often all excessive in horror) with what is appropriate for the age group, or what is expected from a lesser horror novel. C. G. Drews does this superbly in Hazelthorn. My first book by this author but certainly won’t be my last.
We are taken to an isolated mansion with two teen boys who’ve grown up together; well sort of. We have murder, amnesia, a wild garden, butlers, greedy in-laws, and a little MM romance blooms. Amoungst all of this our MC, a 17-year-old boy is fighting off panic attacks, ‘episodes’, and crazy ailments while he tries to figure out what is really going on in Hazelthorn.
This one had me riveted and flipping pages at top speed to find out what happens. This is a good entry into horror for anyone age 12 or above. I believe many adults will enjoy this one as it is complex without being totally angsty and annoying (given its YA classification and teen MC). I was pleasantly tickled by the ending as it felt both logical and smart.
I’ll definitely be looking up more of Drews books as Hazelthorn was a delightfully spooky read with a great murder plot set overtop.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Best book of the year? Maybe… just maybe The Macabre will be the best book I read in 2026. It will certainly be difficult to top. A horror story, undoubtedly, in which magical realism brings paintings ‘to life’ in our world.
The elaborate connections between the characters, paintings, and time periods is impressive. I couldn’t help but see mysterious Cassandra as the Lady in Red from Department of Truth graphic novels at first. I’m glad she broke from that feel later on. Our leading man, Lewis, is both resilient, troubled, and kind in so many ways. The exact kind of person I hope I am most days. Someone who makes the impossible choice correctly knowing a sacrifice is to be made.
In the end, The Macabre is about love and grief, life and death, pain and euphoria. As the ten magical paintings are revealed so too is an elaborate story that transcends culture, sexuality, ethnicity, or religion. Jackson has done a brilliant job of showing how it matters to be a minority; and yet how it really doesn’t at the end of the day. A perfect balance in a (slightly) gory at times horror that has more heart than you’d expect.
The selfish greed and grief at the core of The Macabre is something everyone should consider. Reminding us all not to be a certain way; and that sometimes you must tumble down a hole, or cross into a looking glass to see what is needed from another perspective. Jackson brilliantly marries Alice in Wonderland references, idyllic and horrific settings, and the brush strokes of art into this horror story that is as unique as they come.
The world sucks. No one can really argue otherwise. It’s difficult, unfair, unjust, and certainly doesn’t seem to benefit those whom it should. The Macabre takes that to another level with magic, a worldwide journey through space and time, all tied to one man whose pain was poured into his paintings. While there is an opening for a sequel at the end I actually hope it’s left as is because the opening leaves us to believe that love, happiness, and joy are all possible once we commit to who and what we are. A sentiment I believe any member of the LGBTQ+ community (like myself and the author) can appreciate in their soul. Be yourself, be true, be genuine and maybe you too can fight against evil, find love along the way and turn assumed enemies into friends. And yes some limbs, people, and dignities might be lost along the way; but Jackson makes us hope that even at the end of a horror story there is still something to live for.
A true masterpiece that anyone should read.
I know some of the horror descriptions may be a bit much for many; but if you can push through them I promise the payoff and ending is well worth the commitment. I’ll be going out to get a gorgeous limited edition copy of this hardcover with its interior sketch that builds in each iteration, beautiful inner cover art, and a stunning cover. The Macabre deserves a place in my permanent print library and I can’t wait to tell everyone I know (especially my husband) they need to read this book and delve into the psyche of a creative mind.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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The Swan's Daughter
by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A retelling, ‘anyone but me’ love story (you know the kind where the last people who are supposed to get together do). With an obvious outcome, and a game of challenges to win a Prince’s heart. The Swan’s Daughter is exactly what you would expect from a Romantasy. Its blurb tells you everything you need to know. While there is nothing overly special here; there is also nothing wrong. For me this is a cozy, easy going ‘beach read’. I know (more or less) exactly what is going to happen (and not just because I know the original story outcome) as it is telegraphed from the opening chapters.
I really enjoyed the use of tree imagery, unique ‘life’ of the chosen one, and the overall layout of the curse. A well written, easy to follow story that provides some lovely landscapes to transverse. Roshanki Chokshi is as description and lovely in her prose as ever; whilst making this an easy enough cozy young adult read. There are zero surprises but sometimes that’s okay. A story like this will never be 5 stars for me but I can be content in one when I’m looking for something easy.
A cute, frustrating at times, friends to lovers storyline with a dash of girl power. I am impressed the girls don’t all claw each other’s eyes out during the competition; and it’s nice to see them (mostly) come together as friends supporting one another near the end. Kudos to Chokshi for not making this another woman pitted against woman story that degrades friendship and implies women must always be in competition with one another. This is the perfect type of story to show that there is a place suitable for each and every woman; we need not be all vying for the same life or partner. We aren’t all going to be princesses, and that’s okay. The sooner we accept that each woman’s path is her own and needs to be found for themselves the better off we will all be. I’m happy to say The Swan’s Daughter gives that morale in the end and I felt our ‘chosen one’ girl isn’t the only one to get what she desired. It’s a good message to give teens, and one we could all stand to be reminded of.
Overall, The Swan’s Daughter is a cute narrative, with exactly the right kind of young adult fantasy prose to bring a teen over to fantasy for the first time. A solid choice for any youngster interested in delving into fantasy and romance; or an adult looking for a cliche, predictable break.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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