Author: Jenni

As a book-loving mom of four and wife of one, I'm probably reading when I should be doing something else. When I'm not reading, I love graphic design, diversity, and deeply dozing — not always in that order. I created this blog to rant, rave, and ramble about the books that steal my sleep and wreck my emotions. Spoiler-free(ish), brutally honest, and always caffeinated book reviews... incoming!

Shadow & Bone

Shadow & Bone is an accessible, atmospheric fantasy where the villain steals the show and the world-building keeps you hooked.

Shadow & Bone

by Leigh Bardugo

When darkness falls, one girl’s light could change the fate of an entire kingdom.

The Quick Look

Shadow & Bone sweeps readers into the Grishaverse with magic, political intrigue, and a heroine grappling with newfound power. While it doesn’t reinvent fantasy tropes, it offers an easy-to-read, immersive story with a villain who steals the spotlight and minor characters who shine brightly.

  • Release Date: April 20, 2021
  • Pages: 416
  • Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult
  • Themes: power and corruption, identity and self-discovery, loyalty and betrayal, light vs. darkness
  • Read if you like: 
    – Russian-inspired settings
    – Powerful, morally gray villains
    – Magic-driven world building
  • Best for: Readers who enjoy YA fantasy that’s accessible, atmospheric and brimming with mysticism
  • Skip if: You’re looking for complex, layered characters across the board or groundbreaking originality

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The story follows Alina Starkov, an ordinary mapmaker who discovers a hidden power that could save her war-torn country. Bardugo’s pacing is steady, mixing bursts of action with quieter moments of training and discovery. A few twists keep the narrative from feeling predictable, though the overall arc leans on familiar fantasy beats.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Alina is a solid lead, but it’s the supporting cast that lingers—Mal’s loyalty, Genya’s wit, and of course, the Darkling’s magnetic menace. The villain nearly outshines the heroine, and the interplay of minor characters gives the world added vibrancy.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Bardugo’s writing is smooth and easy to slip into, prioritizing clarity over flourish. The atmosphere, however, is majestic—rooted in a setting that feels both mystical and lived-in, with the Shadow Fold serving as a striking, memorable backdrop.

THEMES & DEPTH
At its core, Shadow & Bone wrestles with questions of belonging and the lure of power. While it doesn’t dig too deeply into its themes, the contrasts between light and darkness — both literal and moral — make for an engaging foundation.

PERSONAL TAKE
This was a fun, fascinating fantasy read. While not utterly remarkable, it had enough unexpected turns to keep me invested. The immersive world and strong villain left me eager to see where the series heads next.

The Final Verdict

A mystical, immersive fantasy that balances easy readability with a compelling villain and a world that begs for more exploration.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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The Book of Doors

What if you could open a door and step into another life—would you risk everything to find out what’s on the other side?

The Book of Doors

by Gareth Brown

Reads like Narnia met Fight Club in a library and made a questionable life choice.

The Book of Doors

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The Book of Doors

Gareth Brown 

Fantasy / Speculative Fiction

400

February 13, 2024

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The Quick Look

What if you could open a door and step into another life—would you risk everything to find out what’s on the other side?

  • Themes: Choice, Fate, the Power of Stories, Alternate Realities
  • Read If You Like
    • Doctor Who
    • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
    • portal fantasies
    • books about books
  • Best For: Fans of magical realism, multiverse stories, and books that feel like treasure hunts
  • Skip If: You hate nonlinear narratives or need everything fully explained

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The Book of Doors is ingeniously crafted, spinning a story that’s as twisty as it is absorbing. It starts grounded but quickly unfolds into a mind-bending, multi-reality adventure. The plot doesn’t just hook you—it grabs you by the collar and yanks you through a series of doors you didn’t even know existed. Think: big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff—but with books.

CHARACTER & VOICE
The cast is compelling, with main characters who feel both ordinary and extraordinary. There’s a quiet vulnerability in the protagonist’s journey that keeps you emotionally tethered, even as the story veers into the surreal.

The real MVP? The mysterious and slightly untrustworthy librarian figure (you’ll know them when you meet them).

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Brown’s prose walks the line between clean and lyrical—never overwrought, but richly atmospheric. He builds a world that feels both familiar and uncanny, like walking through your favorite bookstore only to find a trapdoor to a parallel universe.

THEMES & DEPTH
At its heart, this is a story about choice, consequence, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of chaos. It raises deep questions about identity and destiny, without ever slowing the pace for long-winded reflection.

PERSONAL TAKE
I chose this book based solely on its cover. I didn’t even read the summary beforehand, so I went in completely blind!

I’m happy to report that I wasn’t disappointed. The concept is brilliant, the execution tight, and the emotional resonance lingered long after I closed the cover. It’s a book lover’s book—clever, surprising, and full of wonder. I’m not sure I’ll ever read another book quite like it. 

The Final Verdict

A clever, twisty portal fantasy that feels like Doctor Who crashed into The Midnight Library — with a library card and a sense of existential awe.

"I am firmly of the view that more people in this world could use their brains more often, but my dear, if anyone needs to think less about things, it is you."
Mr. Webber, to Cassie
The Book of Doors

Spoilers below...

Desperate to know more about the power these books hold?

The Book of Doors

POWER
Allows the reader to open any door and travel instantly to another place—even across realities or timelines. 

NOTES
This is the central magical artifact. Its powers are vast and mysterious, and it doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

POWER
Allows the reader to manipulate or control shadows—both literal and metaphorical. This includes cloaking, concealment, and possibly influencing people through their emotional or psychic “shadows” (fears, regrets, secrets).

NOTES
This book is not to be trifled with. It seems to have a will of its own and is strongly associated with deception, manipulation, and hidden agendas. Those who use it often find themselves changed—or consumed—by the darkness it touches. It’s unclear whether the book reveals shadows or creates them… and that’s kind of the problem.

POWER
Can reveal, alter, or erase memories.

NOTES
This one raises serious ethical questions—memories shape identity, after all.

POWER
Bends probability in the reader’s favor. With it, things just happen to go your way—dice rolls, coin tosses, chance encounters, narrowly avoided disasters. Luck becomes an active force, subtly shaping events around you.

 

NOTES
At first, it seems harmless—who wouldn’t want a little extra luck? But over time, the book’s influence can distort reality. The line between earned success and magical cheating gets blurry. Users may become reckless or overconfident, forgetting that luck always has limits… and consequences. Also, there’s the nagging question: if you win because the book helped, did you really win?

POWER 
Grants the ability to ease emotional pain and bring comfort, joy, and peace to others—offering what they need most on a spiritual or emotional level.

NOTES
Unlike the more overt or dangerous books, the Book of Joy’s magic is gentle and restorative. It’s tied to healing, kindness, and quiet transformation rather than control or spectacle.

POWER
Restores health, both physical and emotional. It can mend wounds, cure illness, and even ease grief or trauma.

NOTES
Gentler than most, but still complex. Healing isn’t always straightforward—this book may require emotional vulnerability or cost the reader something in return. It’s often misunderstood as “safe,” but true healing can be painful before it’s soothing. Some say the book chooses who and how to heal, regardless of the reader’s intention.

POWER
Forces honesty or reveals hidden truths.

NOTES
Invaluable—and potentially brutal.

POWER
Manipulates time—pauses, rewinds, accelerates, or loops it.

NOTES
Extremely unstable. Small changes can ripple into chaos. Possibly one of the rarest and most guarded books in the collection.

The Book of Pain

POWER
Inflicts physical or emotional pain on others—or possibly amplifies their existing pain. Can also force the reader to relive their own trauma.

NOTES
Not just a weapon, but a psychological tool. In the wrong hands (which is basically any hands), it becomes a form of torture. Even reading from it feels like an emotional violation. Definitely not meant for casual use.

POWER
Manipulates the will of others—thoughts, emotions, decisions. Essentially a magical form of mind control.

NOTES
One of the most ethically troubling books. Using it robs people of agency, even if the intentions seem good. A book like this doesn’t just tempt—it corrupts. The longer it’s used, the harder it is to stop.

POWER
Creates convincing illusions—sights, sounds, even sensations. Can disguise people, objects, or entire environments.

NOTES
Reality becomes bendable, which makes this book perfect for deception, misdirection, or emotional manipulation. It’s flashy, but also dangerous—it’s easy to lose track of what’s real, even for the reader.

POWER
Induces overwhelming hopelessness or emotional collapse in others. Can drain joy, motivation, or the will to go on.

NOTES
Dark, subtle, and horrifying. It doesn’t attack the body—it erodes the soul. Some readers report feeling its effects just by being near it. Possibly the most dangerous of all, because its effects can’t always be seen until it’s too late.

POWER 
Can put people to sleep instantly, or manipulate their dreams.

NOTES
Subtle and dangerous in the wrong hands—use with caution.

POWER
Lets the reader see things not visible to the naked eye—hidden truths, magical auras, or even glimpses into other worlds.

NOTES
Might show more than you want to see.

POWER
Possibly allows communication with the dead—or worse, resurrection.

NOTES
Rare, feared, and possibly forbidden.

POWER
Can trap or bind people, creatures, or even concepts.

NOTES
Dangerous in the wrong hands; used for control or imprisonment.

The Book of Matter

POWER
Grants the ability to manipulate physical objects and materials—altering, reshaping, or moving matter at will.

NOTES
This is one of the more tangible and potentially dangerous books. Its power can be used for creation or destruction, depending on the user’s intent. It represents control over the physical world and is especially potent when combined with intelligence or ambition. Unlike the more emotional or symbolic books, the Book of Matter is rooted in raw, physical transformation.

POWER
Self-explanatory—summons and controls fire.

NOTES
Highly destructive. Best not left lying around.

POWER
Allows the user to manipulate light—both literally (illumination, visibility) and metaphorically (truth, clarity, perception). It can reveal what is hidden and dispel illusions or darkness, both physical and emotional.

NOTES
The Book of Light is deeply symbolic. Its magic is tied to knowledge, revelation, and hope. It’s less about raw power and more about insight—helping people see things clearly, whether that’s a physical path forward or a deeper understanding of a situation or themselves.

POWER
Grants the user extraordinary speed—both physical quickness and heightened reflexes—allowing them to move, think, and react faster than normal human limits.

NOTES
Its effects go beyond just running fast; it enhances agility, combat ability, and possibly even mental processing. It’s a tool of precision and action, often suited for those in high-risk or physically demanding situations. Unlike some of the other books, its magic is kinetic and outwardly impressive, often used in moments of urgency or danger.

POWER
Creates or controls mist and fog—literal or metaphorical. It can obscure sight, sound, and even memory or time. Some versions suggest it can veil entire places or moments from perception.

NOTES
This book is all about concealment, confusion, and transition. It’s used to hide, escape, or blur reality. Those caught in its mist may lose their way—physically or mentally. There’s a dreamlike, almost liminal quality to its effects, making it both beautiful and unsettling. Readers report that time feels strange when the book is active… as if reality itself gets a little foggy.

POWER
Controls water and weather.

NOTES
More than just storms; some versions suggest emotional or symbolic resonance.

POWER
Allows the reader to change their appearance—or adopt someone else’s entirely. This includes physical features, voice, and possibly even mannerisms or surface-level memories.

NOTES
It’s the ultimate disguise, but also a fast track to an identity crisis. Prolonged use can blur the line between self and façade. Some users report forgetting who they really are underneath the mask. There’s a seductive quality to this book—it lets you become anyone, which makes it a favorite of spies, thieves… and liars.

Five Survive

A high-stakes survival story where trust is a gamble and the truth could get you killed.

Five Survive

by Holly Jackson

Six teens. One RV. One sniper who won’t let them leave alive.

A high-stakes survival story where trust is a gamble and the truth could get you killed.

The Quick Look

Trapped, tense, and twisted, Five Survive is a survival thriller that unfolds minute by minute with growing paranoia and tightly wound suspense. The concept is deadly simple—six teens in an RV under siege—but nothing about the execution is simple. Secrets explode. Trust disintegrates. And by the end, not everyone walks away.

  • Release Date: November 29, 2022
  • Pages: 400
  • Genre: Young Adult / Thriller
  • Themes: Survival, secrets, trust, grief, moral ambiguity, loyalty, justice
  • Read if you like:
    • Lord of the Flies with Gen Z energy
    • Survival thrillers with long-buried secrets
    • One-room (or one-RV) mysteries with nowhere to hide
  • Best for: Readers who love high-tension, slow-burn thrillers with a strong sense of claustrophobia and moral gray zones.
  • Skip if: You want fast action or a mystery with quick reveals—this one builds pressure slowly and then lets it erupt.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The real-time pacing is both brilliant and brutal. The story takes place over eight hours, and you feel every second tick by. As the danger grows, so does the dread. Every chapter reveals a new secret, and the tension climbs until it snaps.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Red is a refreshing protagonist: flawed, grieving, and fiercely loyal. The group dynamic is messy and real, and watching alliances shift under pressure is half the thrill. Every character hides something—and some secrets are deadly.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Jackson keeps her signature clean prose and sharp dialogue but dials up the intensity. The RV setting feels suffocating, the suspense almost physical. You’ll feel trapped right along with them.

THEMES & DEPTH
This isn’t just a survival story—it’s about who we become when pushed to the edge. It dives into grief, guilt, and justice with a slow, simmering burn. The moral ambiguity? Deliciously uncomfortable.

PERSONAL TAKE
This one caught me off guard. It’s not Holly’s twistiest mystery, but it might be her most intense. The real-time format had me flipping pages with my heart in my throat. It’s a slow burn—but the payoff is explosive.

The Final Verdict

Tense, emotional, and morally murky, Five Survive is a survival thriller that traps you in its grip and doesn’t let go.

💀💀💀💀 out of 5 secrets you’d die to protect.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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Kill Joy

A fun, fast origin story that shows how Pip Fitz-Amobi found her spark—and never looked back.

Kill Joy

by Holly Jackson

Before Pip was solving murders, she was just trying to survive a murder mystery party.

A fun, fast origin story that shows how Pip Fitz-Amobi found her spark—and never looked back.

The Quick Look

A fun, fast-paced prequel that shows us Pip before the podcast, before the investigations, and before she started carrying the weight of the truth. Kill Joy is clever, adorable, and a perfect glimpse into the girl who’d go on to chase real killers.

  • Release Date: September 26, 2024
  • Pages: 138
  • Genre: Young Adult / Mystery / Novella / Prequel
  • Themes: Truth vs. narrative, media manipulation, family secrets, trust, identity, justice
  • Read if you like:
    • Locked-door, mystery party vibes
    • Origin stories for strong heroines
    • Quick reads with charm and cleverness
  • Best for: Fans of the AGGGTM series who want a little more Pip in their lives—or need a palate cleanser before diving into the heavier stuff.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for a full-blown thriller—this one’s more about beginnings than body counts.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
This is a tight, punchy story with just enough mystery to keep things fun. The murder mystery party setup is pure entertainment—but what makes this novella work is watching Pip start to think like… Pip.

CHARACTER & VOICE
We get a softer, funnier, more socially awkward version of Pip here—and it’s delightful. You can see the early spark of who she’ll become, even as she fumbles her way through a roleplay murder game with her friends.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Jackson keeps it light and engaging, with just enough wit and tension to echo what’s coming in the full series. It feels like a bonus scene—but with heart.

THEMES & DEPTH
This isn’t a story about murder. It’s a story about why someone might one day start chasing the truth—and how curiosity, frustration, and feeling like you don’t quite fit in can become your superpower.

PERSONAL TAKE
Short, sweet, and absolutely adorable. Kill Joy made me fall in love with Pip all over again—and reminded me that even the fiercest heroines start somewhere. This one’s a must-read for fans of the series.

The Final Verdict

Kill Joy is the perfect Pip prequel—equal parts clever, chaotic, and charming.

💀💀💀💀 out of 5 party games that hit way too close to home.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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A Spark of Light

Uncompromising and deeply human, A Spark of Light isn’t here to comfort you—it’s here to make you think.

A Spark of Light

by Jodi Picoult

In a single, terrifying moment, a safe space becomes a battleground—and no one leaves unchanged.

Uncompromising and deeply human, A Spark of Light isn’t here to comfort you—it’s here to make you think.

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A Spark of Light

Jodi Picoult

Contemporary Fiction /
Political Drama

400

September 24, 2019

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The Quick Look

Told in reverse chronology, A Spark of Light is a powerful, politically charged novel centered on a shooting at a reproductive health clinic. It’s a story that demands your attention, challenges your empathy, and reminds you that behind every stance is a human being.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Gun violence, abortion, religious trauma, sexual assault (implied), miscarriage, medical trauma

  • Themes: Choice, bodily autonomy, faith, family, grief, justice, morality
  • Read If You Like
    • Nuanced takes on controversial topics
    • Literary fiction that tackles real-world issues head on
    • Books that don’t give easy answers
  • Best For: Readers willing to wrestle with hard questions and sit in discomfort to better understand all sides of a divisive issue.
  • Skip If: You’re looking for an escapist read or something emotionally light.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The reverse timeline structure is bold and initially disorienting—but it works. Every chapter peels back another layer, revealing the complicated choices and beliefs that brought each person to the clinic that day. It’s not suspenseful in the traditional sense, but it is relentlessly tense.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Picoult has an uncanny gift for empathy. She lets every character speak, including those you want to hate—and in doing so, she asks you to listen before you judge. From doctors to protestors to patients, each voice is raw, complex, and painfully human.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Elegant and unflinching. Picoult doesn’t sensationalize—she humanizes. The atmosphere is charged and claustrophobic, but also threaded with quiet moments of reflection and resistance.

THEMES & DEPTH
At its core, this is a novel about choice—not just in terms of reproductive rights, but the choices we make every day to listen, to act, or to stand by. It refuses to be comfortable, and that’s exactly what makes it necessary.

PERSONAL TAKE 
This isn’t an easy book. It’s not fun. But it is essential. Picoult’s storytelling makes you sit with discomfort and confront your own assumptions. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you—not because it entertains, but because it matters.

The Final Verdict

A Spark of Light is a brave, unflinching novel that reminds us how messy, personal, and urgent the fight for bodily autonomy still is.

💀💀💀💀 out of 5 hard conversations we need to have.

Bride

Ali Hazelwood’s Bride is witty, steamy romantasy at its best—a political marriage of convenience between vampire and werewolf that delivers all the feels, all the spice, and all the swoon.

Bride

by Ali Hazelwood

When vampires and werewolves tie the knot, expect claws, banter, and more than a little bite.

The Quick Look

Bride blends Hazelwood’s trademark wit with a romantasy twist: a human-turned-vampire bound in a political marriage to a rival werewolf Alpha. Equal parts steamy, sarcastic, and surprisingly tender, it’s a story that proves the most dangerous battles aren’t fought with fangs or claws—but with trust and vulnerability.

  • Release Date: February 6, 2024
  • Pages: 416
  • Genre: Romantasy
  • Themes: Power and politics, found family, belonging, love vs. duty, identity, trust
  • Read if you like: 
    – Enemies-to-lovers / marriage of convenience tropes with plenty of snark
    – Vampires & Werewolves
    – Ali Hazelwood’s banter-driven romances, but with fangs and claws
  • Best for: Romance readers who want humor with their supernatural angst
  • Skip if: Romantasy isn’t your jam, or if you prefer your Hazelwood books firmly rooted in the real world

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The premise is deliciously tropey: Misery Lark, the last vampire tethered to the human world, agrees to marry Lowe, Alpha of the Weres, as part of a political truce. While the setup leans into familiar beats — reluctant union, hidden secrets, slow-burn romance — the pacing stays lively thanks to Hazelwood’s banter-heavy style. Some plot threads resolve predictably, but the blend of fantasy politics and romance keeps the pages turning.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Hazelwood’s heroines are always sharp, sardonic, and lovable, and Misery fits right in. Lowe is equal parts gruff and golden-hearted, balancing the “Alpha” archetype with warmth. Side characters, while less fleshed out, add humor and political tension. The chemistry crackles in true Hazelwood fashion: awkward, electric, and irresistible.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Hazelwood shifts her STEM-girl snark into a supernatural register without losing her charm. The atmosphere leans more romance than dark fantasy; even the blood-drinking feels playful rather than gothic. Readers craving heavy, brooding worldbuilding may find it light, but Hazelwood fans will delight in her familiar voice, just dressed up in fantasy trappings.

THEMES & DEPTH
At its heart, Bride is about belonging — whether to a clan, a community, or another person. It touches on prejudice and power imbalances, but keeps the focus on relationships and trust. It doesn’t dive as deep as other romantasy epics, but thematically it’s consistent with Hazelwood’s larger body of work: people finding their place in love and in the world.

PERSONAL TAKE
All. The. Feels. That’s what you’ll get from Ali Hazelwood after reading this one. It’s just spectacular. I love the way she’s taken the “norm” (at least in regards to vampires and werewolves) and turned it up a notch. Bride is addictive, beautifully written, fast-paced, funny, and refreshingly original. The setting pulls you in, the characters are likable and layered, and the romance delivers the perfect mix of swoon and spice. Simply put: it’s Hazelwood doing what she does best—just with sharper teeth.

The Final Verdict

Bride is Ali Hazelwood at her boldest — funny, fast, and overflowing with heart. This is romantasy done Hazelwood’s way: political clans, supernatural stakes, and a romance that cranks the familiar vampire–werewolf setup up a notch with wit, spice, and characters you’ll genuinely care about. Addictive, swoony, and impossible to put down.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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Invisible Girl

A slow, often frustrating read that ultimately rewards patient readers with an unsettling but impactful story of secrecy, trauma, and redemption.

Invisible Girl

by Lisa Jewell

When everyone looks suspicious, who can you actually trust?

The Quick Look

Lisa Jewell’s Invisible Girl builds a web of secrets, lies, and flawed characters against the backdrop of a quiet London neighborhood. While the first half drags under the weight of unlikable voices and unsettling themes, the story eventually gathers momentum, offering a more layered exploration of trauma, misogyny, and redemption. It’s a slow burn with a payoff that makes the perseverance worthwhile.

  • Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, infidelity, grooming, misogyny

  • Release Date: October 13, 2020
  • Pages: 365
  • Genre: Thriller / Suspense
  • Themes: mistrust, power dynamics, trauma, secrecy, growth
  • Read if you like: 
    – neighborhood thrillers
    – morally gray characters
    – stories of redemption
  • Best for: Readers with patience for a slow build and interest in psychological underpinnings of crime
  • Skip if: You need fast pacing, likable characters, or lighthearted storytelling

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The setup moves slowly, bogged down by over-detailed scenes and little plot momentum. But around the halfway mark (page ~180), the pieces begin to lock into place, driving toward a more engaging—and even educational—reveal.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Jewell populates this novel with damaged, complicated characters, but few are easy to root for. The misogyny, selfishness, and questionable choices make for a difficult cast. Still, by the end, some key characters undergo meaningful change, which salvages part of the journey.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Jewell’s prose is straightforward, with enough atmospheric detail to set the scene without becoming lyrical. At times, the focus on grit and discomfort outweighs the narrative drive.

THEMES & DEPTH
This is where the novel succeeds: it tackles issues of sexual violence, predatory behavior, and gendered power imbalances. While uncomfortable, it forces readers to confront these realities, and the ending provides a sliver of growth and reflection.

PERSONAL TAKE
The first half was a slog, and I nearly set it aside. But pushing through paid off—the second half proved much stronger. I didn’t love this book, but I’m glad I finished it; it reminded me that sometimes character growth and thematic weight only reveal themselves after patience.

The Final Verdict

A dark, slow-building thriller that stumbles early but ultimately redeems itself with thoughtful character growth and an unsettling look at hidden dangers in everyday lives.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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As Good As Dead

A gripping and gut-wrenching finale that proves even the smartest girl in the room has her breaking point.

As Good as Dead

by Holly Jackson

Pip solved two murder cases. But this time, she’s not the investigator—she’s the target.

A gripping and gut-wrenching finale that proves even the smartest girl in the room has her breaking point.

The Quick Look

As Good As Dead is darker, grittier, and emotionally heavier than the first two books in the series. This time, Pip’s the one being hunted—and the fallout might just destroy her. It’s a finale that pulls no punches.

  • Release Date: January 31, 2023
  • Pages: 480
  • Genre: Young Adult / Psychological Thriller
  • Themes: Trauma, justice, morality, survival, identity, obsession, psychological deterioration
  • Read if you like:
    • Unraveling protagonists
    • Revenge thrillers with emotional weight
    • Books that ask what would you do to survive?
  • Best for: Readers who want a YA thriller with serious bite, and aren’t afraid of moral complexity.
  • Skip if: You’re hoping for a feel-good ending or need your main characters emotionally intact.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
This book hits different. It’s part psychological thriller, part survival story, and all-out emotional chaos. The pacing builds slowly, but once it turns, it turns hard. It’s less about solving a mystery and more about surviving it.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Pip has always been smart and brave—but this version of her? Raw, haunted, and pushed to her absolute limit. Her arc here is complex and painful, but also powerful. It’s the kind of growth that doesn’t come easy—or clean.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE 
Holly Jackson leans into darker territory with sharp, intense prose and an atmosphere thick with dread. The tone is claustrophobic, reflective, and brutally honest.

 

THEMES & DEPTH
This book dives into the long-term effects of trauma, the morality of revenge, and what justice looks like when the system fails—again and again. It’s uncomfortable by design. But necessary.

PERSONAL TAKE
This wasn’t the book I expected. It was darker, messier, and more painful—but in all the right ways. Watching Pip’s breakdown and rebirth was hard but earned. It felt real. As Good As Dead doesn’t end with a bow—it ends with truth.

The Final Verdict

As Good As Dead is a bold, brutal conclusion to Pip’s story—one that leaves you breathless, heartbroken, and strangely at peace.

 💀💀💀💀 out of 5 choices you can’t unmake.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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Good Girl, Bad Blood

A powerful, emotionally loaded mystery that asks what happens when the hero can’t save everyone.

Good Girl, Bad Blood

by Holly Jackson

Pip promised she was done solving crimes. But when someone she cares about goes missing — and no one else seems to care — she hits record one last time.

A powerful, emotionally loaded mystery that asks what happens when the hero can’t save everyone.

The Quick Look

In Good Girl, Bad Blood, Pip’s back with her mic, her instincts, and a case that hits way too close to home. This time, it’s not about the past—it’s about saving someone in the present. And the clock is ticking.

  • Release Date: March 1, 2022
  • Pages: 416
  • Genre: Young Adult / Mystery
  • Themes: Justice, power, truth, grief, friendship, trauma, media attention and bias
  • Read if you like:
    • Serial or true crime podcasts
    • Missing person cases with emotional stakes
    • Heroes who do the right thing—even when it hurts
  • Best for: Fans of AGGGTM who want a deeper, more personal mystery and a character arc that keeps evolving.
  • Skip if: You’re expecting a repeat of the first book—this one goes darker, and it’s not afraid to hurt.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
This book is a masterclass in slow-drip suspense. Every chapter tightens the mystery, teasing just enough truth to keep you guessing—and then flipping everything on its head. It’s impossible to put down, and once Rachel reappears, so does every single question you thought you had answered.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Pip’s growth is the heartbeat of this book. She’s not the same girl from AGGGTM—she’s seen too much, and it shows. Her relationship with Ravi deepens, and the emotional toll of solving these cases starts to surface. The stakes feel personal, and that makes everything hit harder.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Holly Jackson’s signature blend of fast-paced storytelling, multimedia flair, and dark humor is still here—but with more emotional weight. The atmosphere is tense, but layered with grief, anger, and moral conflict.

THEMES & DEPTH
Good Girl, Bad Blood digs into who gets attention when they go missing—and who doesn’t. It’s a pointed, timely take on media bias and justice, woven into a gripping mystery that still leaves room for Pip’s internal battle.

PERSONAL TAKE
This sequel does not disappoint. It goes deeper, hits harder, and proves Holly Jackson isn’t just writing twisty thrillers—she’s writing smart, urgent commentary wrapped in suspense. I loved it and I’m not ready to say goodbye to Pip just yet.

The Final Verdict

More than a sequel, Good Girl, Bad Blood raises the emotional stakes, sharpens the mystery, 
and cements Pip as one of the most compelling voices in YA thrillers.

💀💀💀💀 out of 5 people the system forgot.

And this time? The truth cuts even deeper.

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

A fierce and fearless mystery that digs up more than just secrets—this one leaves a mark.

A Good Girl 's Guide to Murder

by Holly Jackson

A fierce and fearless mystery that digs up more than just secrets—this one leaves a mark.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

The Quick Look

The case is closed.
The killer confessed.
But Pip Fitz-Amobi isn’t buying it — and she’s about to prove just how dangerous the truth can be.

  • Release Date: January 5, 2021
  • Pages: 400
  • Genre: Young Adult / True-Crime Inspired Mystery
  • Themes: Justice, bias, truth-seeking, media perception, racial injustice, obsession, morality
  • Read if you like:
    • True crime podcasts
    • One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
    • Sharp heroines who don’t wait for permission
    • Twists on small-town secrets and high school drama
  • Best for: Anyone who loves a layered whodunit with strong character work, tech-savvy storytelling, and major binge potential.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for something cozy, light, or free of moral gray areas.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
From the jump, this book delivers. Pip’s investigation pulls you in with podcast transcripts, interview notes, and late-night texts—making the mystery feel real-time and razor sharp. The pacing is perfect: equal parts sleuthing and unraveling, with just enough slow-burn dread to keep your stomach in knots.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Pip is the kind of protagonist you root for instantly—relentlessly curious, quietly brave, and refreshingly flawed. Her chemistry with Ravi? Chef’s kiss. And even minor characters feel alive, layered, and suspect in just the right ways.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Jackson mixes traditional prose with multimedia storytelling—emails, reports, texts—which gives the book momentum and an investigative vibe. The tone shifts effortlessly from dark to witty, mirroring Pip’s voice and inner turmoil.

THEMES & DEPTH
This isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about what justice looks like in a world that often gets it wrong. The book tackles racial bias, media narratives, and the consequences of digging too deep. It’s thoughtful without being preachy and sharp without losing its heart.

PERSONAL TAKE
This book hooked me. I felt like I was solving it with Pip, second-guessing every clue and suspect. Holly Jackson absolutely nailed the genre with this one—and it’s no surprise it became a phenomenon. I’d follow Pip into any case, even the ones she should’ve left alone…

The Final Verdict

Gripping, gut-wrenching, and packed with true-crime flair, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the YA thriller that raised the bar — 
and buried it six feet deep.

💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 truths they never wanted her to find.

“I'm not sure I'm the good girl I once thought I was. I've lost her along the way.”
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson

Jenni

Twined & Bound

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