Tag: books

3 star

ARC Review: Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy

Fives @ Down The Rabbit Hole

Chloe Roberts is on top of the world at Morton Academy. She’s a shoo-in for Head Girl and the lead spot in the school’s secret Jewel and Bone. But then her best friend, Nikhita Patel, betrays her, and life comes crashing down.

Things take a darker turn when Chloe stumbles upon the Book of Crime and Punishment – a record of every misdeed committed by Morton students and the fitting penalty. And it’s not long before entries in the book start to match up with murders of Jewel and Bone members. Anyone could be a suspect.

Can Chloe get to the bottom of this twisted game before she’s next on the killer’s hit list . . . ?

**When We Were Monsters comes out September 2, 2025**

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t been reading a lot of thrillers lately so it’s been nice to jump back into a few in a row. This premise had the makings of something really great, but I think ultimately fell a bit short of 4-star for me with its execution. It was an enjoyable summer read, and had pretty good pacing, but was simultaneously predictable and unpredictable. There’s a surprise twist at the end, but for some reason it was not too impactful? Overall not a bad story but just isn’t one of the greats for me

Continue reading “ARC Review: Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy” →
3 star

ARC Review: When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

Fives @ Down The Rabbit Hole

A simmering psychological thriller about a dead teacher at an elite boarding school, the students who had every reason to want her gone, and the tangled web of rivalry and romance concealing the truth—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places.

At an elite boarding school, 8 students are selected for an exclusive program, but only one will walk away with a lifechanging opportunity to realize their creative dreams. 

Effy is piecing together a story about the tragic betrayal that led to her mother’s death. Arlo hopes to publish a novel—but he’s also trying to start a new chapter with Effy after he broke her heart and ghosted 3 years earlier. Everyone has a compelling reason to be there—they all want a big break—but only the most ambitious will prevail as the students are eliminated one by one.

Their mentor is the one and only Meredith Graffam, an enigmatic writer, director and actress, whose unorthodox teaching methods push them past the breaking point. Under Graffam’s tutelage, the students reveal their darkest secrets, take unthinkable risks, and slowly start to turn on one another. But Graffam never expected they would turn on her . . .

**When We Were Monsters comes out September 2, 2025**

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

A “simmering” psychological thriller is a pretty apt description. A fairly classic way of starting a thriller, the author reveals who the victim is right away. These kinds of stories usually start then divulging from the beginning, and we slowly have our re-build up to the climax of how the murder happens. However, this book was slightly different.

Continue reading “ARC Review: When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven” →
2 star

ARC Review: Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

Fives @ Down The Rabbit Hole

An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war… and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

A bloody war between demons and the Vatican has waged for more than a century, with two elite soldiers now at its center: Selene Alleva, a high-ranking exorcist running from a dark family legacy, and orphan Jules Lacroix, recruited by the Vatican and unrivalled on the battlefield.

When their paths cross over a series of unprecedented demon attacks, the distrust–and unwelcome attraction–they have for each other is immediate. But to get to the bottom of the breaches they strike an uneasy alliance to avoid suspicion. With Jules posing as Selene’s estranged fiance, they head to the Vatican in search of answers. But even as Selene questions who her most dangerous enemy is, Jules has begun to suspect that it’s him.

Now Jules’ very existence challenges every truth Selene thought she knew, and suggests a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Vatican. Unable to ignore their growing feelings, the two must make an impossible choice between love and duty.

They say love conquers all – but can it win in a war between demons and exorcists? Or will it tear them apart…

**Cruel is the Light comes out May 20, 2025**

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had such an intriguing premise, and perhaps at just the most perfect time in the current news as well with the Catholic church. Regardless though, this book just did not deliver in any way. I thought maybe it was just me, but I think after scouring a couple of other reviews, I don’t think I’m the only one who was left confused in this story.

Cruel is the Light is about a war between demons and humanity, “exorcists” who use magic to fight off demons. If you’re thinking some sort of video game premise, you’re basically on the nose. This story revolves around our two main characters, Jules and Selene. Selene is an exorcist who is very powerful due to a mysterious reason. Jules is an orphan soldier, who is also powerful . . . due to a mysterious reason. They serendipitously meet in a demon war-ravaged Vatican, and so their relationship and journey begins. Both are intrigued by the other’s power, and how it could be beneficial to them.

Continue reading “ARC Review: Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark” →