Month: October 2025

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A Match Made In Hell by Charlotte Ingham: Review

The play on words in the title of A Match Made In Hell by Charlotte Ingham is hard to avoid and it’s a good indication of the humour and tone of the book. Ingham captures a cheekiness that doesn’t compromise on the overall story, about twenty-one year old Willow who has just died and gone to (not quite) Hell.

Willow finds herself in Asphodel, cohabiting with demons under the gaze of the devil. She’s trying to solve her past life, her current life, and avoid falling in love with the devil. The far from perfect fiery protagonist drives the plot while doing an excellent job demonstrating the flaws humans possess.

The level of fantasy is exciting and not too dense. Ingham’s ability to build a believable and rich world comes from her descriptive and detailed writing. Willow’s snappy thoughts and dialogue can seem out of place in the depth of the world but she serves as a reminder of human failings. Willow’s desire for the devil becomes more prominent as the story progresses but there are plenty of other story points that keep the pages turning.

The book is dark and playful all at once: Willow’s black humour keeps everything light, while the sexual tension throughout the book keeps you engaged. It is a fun read but A Match Made in Hell is not suitable for younger readers and is rated as 18+ content.

Lorna O’Dea

A Match Made In Hell
Charlotte Ingham
Hot Key Books, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781471417443

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From the Archives – ‘In the Midst of the Storm’ by Rowan Beddows

Peace before the storm, that’s the saying right? But no matter how
many times you hear it, you never know quite how bad the storm can be.
Sometimes it’s subtle, hurting over time; sometimes it’s fierce, bringing
wave upon wave of pain and misfortune upon you; and sometimes,
sometimes it’s deadly. Sometimes, it kills.
They can come in many different forms: tornado, hurricane,
typhoon, earthquake. Call it what you may but the result is quite often
the same. People getting pushed from each other, people crying,
people dying.
People teach you how to avoid them or what to do when one
strikes but do they know what it really feels like? Do they know how hard
it is to follow what they say when you’re in the middle of one?
You panic, you lose control, you start shaking and you can’t breathe.
Help me, you might say, or you might be too scared to even speak.
What happens when you are the storm? When you are doing the
hurting, the pushing away or the killing?
They teach you that too, but usually you may not realise it. Your
brain works against you, feeding you lies.
Or there might be a tipping point and you know you are the
storm but you believe there is nothing to do about it.
What happens when you go too far?
What do you do when you can’t go back?
Who do you go to when you’ve already cracked?

‘In the Midst of the Storm’ by Rowan Beddows was originally published in Issue 4, when Rowan was 15.

Purchase a digital copy of Paper Lanterns Issue 4 and start reading instantly

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From the Archives – ‘Perfect’ by Sinéad Farrell

I have to be perfect.
I have to be okay,
Because that’s what I am.
Perfect.
Hide the cracks, hide the scars
Fractures are for the weak.
And I am strong.
Cover it up,
Keep it inside,
It can’t possibly be real.
Because I am perfect.
And perfect people don’t cry.
I’m happy.
I’m fine.
I can’t complain.
I’m great,
I’m perfect.
Amn’t I?

‘Perfect’ by Sinéad Farrell was originally published in Issue 4, when Sinéad was 15.

Purchase a digital copy of Paper Lanterns Issue 4 and start reading instantly