Morren Aconite

I have mixed feelings about this month’s reads. I’ve read the books I was long anticipating and was not fully happy with them. Oh, well, that happens.

A Lesson In Vengeance, Victoria Lee

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Typical dark academia with an elite school, rich students, murder, magic, and plenty of mystery. Our MC returns to her studies after a break caused by the tragic death of her girlfriend. No matter how hard she tries to move on, the school’s secret history pulls her back into its web, and her new ‘friend’ – an eccentric young author – isn’t helping.

It was a quick and atmospheric read, perfect for the fall season.

The Dallergut Dream Department Store, Miye Lee

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘There is no such future as grand as you might imagine. There’s only the excitement of the present and dreams for tonight.’

A sweet and wildly imaginative story about a department store that sells dreams. I’d recommend this to anyone seeking a low-stakes, comfortable, and unusual read.

Tiny Threads, Lilliam Rivera

⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘She’s cosplaying as a person who isn’t afraid, who is put together, able to function in stressful situations.’

A horror novel that deals with themes of exploitation and abuse.

Everything seems to be going well for a bright-eyed MC at her new job for a famous fashion designer. She’s excited about the creative work and huge opportunities. Unfortunately, that doesn’t last long as she begins to uncover the dark side of her dream job and her employer.

This book is, at times, gory and viciously disgusting in its descriptions, so if you’re sensitive to that – it might not be for you. Seriously, the description of a certain smell will haunt me for the rest of the year.

Guillotine, Delilah S. Dawson

⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘There’s a magic to taking something no one else wants and making it something everyone praises.’

I loved this author’s previous work (‘The Violence’) but I can’t say as much for this one. The writing was beautiful while the content… well.

The story follows an ambitious young woman who wants to break into the world of fashion journalism. She secures herself an invite to a weekend at a private island of the most influential editor in the field, and it looks like everything is going her way. Only when she arrives does she begin to realize that the family’s money and privilege have turned them into monsters. Her timing to be among them couldn’t have been worse because they’re about to get exactly what they deserve.

I expected a tense thriller and got a slasher where around 50 percent of the book is literally just elaborate murders. I would’ve had much more fun reading this if the tone wasn’t so preachy. It felt like the author overdid it with the whole ‘eat the rich’ shtick, which frustrated me by the end.

Haunt Sweet Home, Sarah Pinsker

⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Forget ambition. You’re not even good at being you.’

This horror novella was a forgettable one-evening read for me. The concept was great but I didn’t particularly enjoy its execution. I thought it was flat and disjointed, though some parts were interesting.