Tag: review

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Any Way You Slice It by Méabh McDonnell: Review

The perfect novel for any foodie who also enjoys a side serving of romance. Any Way You Slice It blends baking, friendship and slow burn romance into a delightful mix of mouthwatering desserts and heartfelt character arcs. Our protagonist Carrie, an ambitious young baker who aspires to win the prestigious Castlecreagh Baking Competition is forced to team up with her biggest rival, Dara Harte, to avoid elimination.

The pair’s initial rivalry develops into a genuine friendship (and even something more) as they confront not only technical baking challenges but emotional ones as well. Carrie and Dara find themselves opening up to each other about deeply personal matters and their initial antagonism gradually gives way to compassion and vulnerability. The pair’s relationship develops organically and the story feels realistic unlike some rushed or overly dramatic romance novels.

The book balances teenage ambition, family struggle and first love sweetness to create a story showing the true power of friendship and teamwork. The classic trope of enemies to friends is executed perfectly with wit, warmth and humour. While the ending may seem inevitable the unique twist of the baking competition gives the story a fresh new flavour. For me reading this book felt like tucking into one of Carrie’s “Sadness lifting Cinnamon Rolls”. It is comforting, gentle and honest. Perfect for anyone looking for a story that mixes real life challenges with hope and heart. With its authentic emotions and delicious baking, there is no doubt that Any Way You Slice It is the perfect recipe for a young adult read.

Amelia Grace, 18

Any Way You Slice It
Méabh McDonnell
O’Brien Press, 2025
Paperback, £12.99
ISBN: 9781788495820

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The Binding Spell by Marisa Linton: Review

The Binding Spell is the type of book you pick up to read a chapter or two but before you know it you’re lost in a tale of spells, witches and druids. Arriving in the creepy rural village, Morgan can only hope her nightmares are behind her. Meeting Joe Harper, who is entangled with secrets like the rest of the village, helps. Yet her nightmares return with each relic her archaeologist father discovers at the local burial sight.

I could feel chills as I found myself lost in the mysterious atmospheric village of Weir Hinny which is bubbling full of secrets. This story was anything but short of mysteries that keep you on the edge of your seat, with a creepy element of horror.

The characters are compelling and complex, especially our protagonist Morgan as we follow her on a journey both magical and emotional. It’s easy to find yourself empathising with Morgan’s struggles as she is held back from her artistic dreams by an obligation to care for her siblings.

The story was easy to follow even without any prior knowledge of folklore. I wish I could begin at page one once again to experience the joy of reading this book one more time.

Sophie White, 16

The Binding Spell
Marisa Linton
Chicken House, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781915947765

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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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Normal Women – Making History for 900 Years by Philippa Gregory: Review

When we think of women of the past, we picture the powerful Cleopatras, or the intelligent Marie Curies, but what about the “normal” women? Gregory transforms our idea of femininity and historical women with this book. Everything from the author’s quirky writing style to the fun illustrations opened my eyes to the horrors, struggles and beauty of being a woman throughout history.

The book follows a series of events starting from the invasion of England in 1066 to the modern day, with insights into the extraordinary things women have been doing in their normal lives. Aspects like land ownership, love, religion and gender roles are explored in depth. What I love most about the author’s style is her ability to engage with the reader. She includes side notes with her personal opinion, which made me feel like I was having a one-on-one conversation with her, not just reading facts on a page. The language is colloquial and accessible, and graphs and illustrations create more engagement and make the book more aesthetically pleasing.

I wish this book had included more stories of women outside of England. While the later chapters introduce some international figures, I felt the book could have offered more diverse perspectives from the beginning. However, this is a minor issue.

Reading this book felt rewarding and allowed me to see beyond the typical perceptions of women from the past. It is definitely a must-read for teens interested in history, or want to start reading more nonfiction. Normal Women is an insightful, stunning, well-researched and informative historical nonfiction masterpiece that is well worth every second of reading time.

Dana Alnajdawi, 16

Normal Women – Making History for 900 Years
Philippa Gregory (illustrated by Alexis Snell)
Red Shed, 2025
Paperback, £10.99
ISBN: 9780008725075

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Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell: Review

Where Shadows Meet is a genre-bending debut novel, building a world of monsters, gods, and vampire royalty. From the get-go, we’re immersed in a world with rich history and intricate mythology.

Two stories take place simultaneously. First, the story of Favre and Thana, their love and sacrifice, and the chaos that ensues when they descend from the heavenly realms. In the present day, the crown princess Leyla is faced with a perilous adventure to save her best friend. Leyla is aided by a seer, Najja, as they grapple with the implications of Favre’s pending return, all these years later.

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.

Sarah Fitz

Where Shadows Meet
Patrice Caldwell
Hot Key Books, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781471411861

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Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue: Review

Margo is on the train to boarding school when she falls through an interdimensional portal. Moon is travelling between worlds for work when he meets a girl from a place he’s never heard of. They soon discover that there’s more to Margo than meets the eye as a mystery begins to unravel around them that could spark a rebellion and change the universe.

I had very mixed feelings about this book. While I enjoyed the dual narrative and found it easy to read, the first half of the book was often frustrating, taking a little too long for certain aspects of the world to be explained. O’Donoghue also uses a mix of formal and informal language, which threw me off. As the book progressed I began to really enjoy the worldbuilding, as well as the plot’s mystery at the heart of the story. The book was very well paced, there was always a chance for danger but there were also moments for rest that allowed characters’ relationships to build and some themes to be explored further. I enjoyed it when I picked up on the clues O’Donoghue wove into the story, and had the chance to tweak my theories as the plot progressed. There were also very moving character moments.

Overall the book is an epic tale of rebellion and love with unique worldbuilding, well-paced plot, and compelling characters. While there were aspects I found frustrating, I had a very enjoyable reading experience and cannot wait for the sequel due to come out next year.

Freddie Higgins, 17

Skipshock
Caroline O’Donoghue
Walker, 2025
Paperback, £16.99
ISBN: 9781536228816

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Run Away With Me by J. L. Simmonds: Review

Run Away With Me is the type of novel that you shouldn’t start reading in the evening or you’ll be stuck turning the pages until the first signs of dawn start peeking through your window! J.L. Simmonds’ beautifully written debut novel expertly combines suspense and romance to create a compelling coming-of-age story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In this tale full of shady characters and even shadier motels, we are told the story from the perspective of Jessie “Mouse” Swift as she embarks on the roadtrip of a lifetime with her classmate (and long- time crush) Brooke Summer. They are both on a mission to outrun their respective pasts – pasts they slowly uncover along their journey.

Throughout the novel, Jessie and Brooke’s identities as teenage girls are not sacrificed. They are allowed to react in realistic ways that expose Brooke’s privileged upbringing and Jessie’s complicated past. Moreover, Jessie’s sexuality is not a source of stress or conflict in the story; it is a non-negotiable aspect of her identity.

As they drive across America in Brooke’s vintage red Mustang, Jessie and Brooke’s friendship begins and slowly blossoms into something more. Their slow-burn connection feels almost inevitable and adds tenderness and warmth to an otherwise action-packed journey as they face all kinds of adversaries together, from creeps in pubs to well-meaning deputies.

Although aspects of the harsh realities of runaway life are addressed in this novel, certain events feel outlandish in both their occurrence and their resolution. However, the many twists and turns that keep you turning the pages make it well worth the occasional suspension of belief.

Aoife McCarron

Run Away With Me
J. L. Simmonds
Penguin Random House, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9780241708149

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All Better Now by Neal Shusterman: Review

All Better Now is UNDOUBTEDLY one of the best books I have ever read. Set in a dystopian post-pandemic world, the book revolves around a new sort of virus that is threatening to become the next worldwide pandemic. Anyone who recovers from the virus becomes immensely content. Something which is bad for business, and drives the rich and wealthy to race to develop a cure.

The book has three main characters: Tiburón Tigre Escobedo, referred to by his nickname Rón, the son of an ultra-rich businessman, Mariel Mudroch, a street-smart girl who dwells borderline in poverty, and Morgan Willmon-Wu, a recent college graduate given an opportunity to change the world. The novel alternates between the perspectives of each of these characters, though not necessarily on a chapter-to-chapter basis. Shusterman has done an exceptional job at creating three seemingly unrelated characters, and then weaving their stories into one. The majority of the story is set in the United States, with some parts being set in the United Kingdom.

I enjoyed reading this novel because it was full of twists and turns. It poses an interesting question; ‘Is being utterly content a good thing?’ You will gain new perspectives into both sides of this question. The novel also provides an insight into the struggles of impoverished people in pandemics, and also into the private lives of the ultra-rich.

All Better Now is a captivating novel that captures the struggles of different sides of a conflict, and shows the struggles faced by different people in the midst of a pandemic unlike any other.

Hariharan Senthilkumar, 15

All Better Now
Neal Shusterman
Walker, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781529517590

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A Fix of Light by Kel Menton: Review

A Fix of Light follows two queer teenage boys in the Cork village of Skenashogue. Hanan has deep struggles with mental health, meanwhile Pax has recently moved to the village to transition. A chance encounter between them leads to a discovery of long-dormant magic.

This is a book where the village itself should feel like a character. And while some of the natural environs of Skenashogue – Hanan’s cove, or the ominous forests – are vivid in their realness, the village and its inhabitants felt a little empty. There are some really interesting concepts about the intersection between the “normal” and the “magical”, and the erosion of natural magic and environment by the presence of humans, that are ultimately diminished by the empty setting.

Throughout the novel, Jessie and Brooke’s identities as teenage girls are not sacrificed. They are allowed to react in realistic ways that expose Brooke’s privileged upbringing and Jessie’s complicated past. Moreover, Jessie’s sexuality is not a source of stress or conflict in the story; it is a non-negotiable aspect of her identity.

Despite this, the book has many strengths. The magic manifests in unique and clever ways, leaning into the natural surroundings and classic Irish folklore. The characters are sympathetic despite some of the mistakes they make, and the author depicts mental health in a way that is both harrowing and sensitive. There are some wonderful concepts (using folk tales to explore queerness) and one of my personal favourites was the excellent prologue from the perspective of the forest.

There are many difficulties the characters face in this book, such as suicidal thoughts and transphobia. These are explored with a delicate touch that remains empathetic while not shying away from reality. Author Kel Menton’s ability to balance an unflinching look at the bigotry and hate in our communities while still maintaining a thread of hope and optimism throughout is perhaps the novel’s greatest achievement. Irish YA could benefit from a lot more novels like this.

Aoife Sheehan

A Fix of Light
Kel Menton
Little Island Books, 2025
Paperback, €10.99
ISBN: 9781915071699

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Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes’ by Joanna Nadin: Review

Young adulthood is a time of longing for self-discovery and adventure, and in Joanna Nadin’s Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes’, the titular Birdy is no different. In 1960, after resolving to say yes to everything, she takes a leap and moves to the fashionable, eclectic Soho in an effort to truly live, and records her escapades in her lively, charming diary.

This novel is wonderfully fun, with the high-octane Soho setting providing many theatrics and amusement for both the characters and the reader. Nadin illustrates the glamour of 1960s London – but doesn’t skirt around the unglamorous side of the characters’ lives either, with broken boilers and rickety chairs in abundance, as well as real heartbreak. The book is extremely funny due to Birdy’s wit and her friends’ eccentricities, but don’t be fooled, Nadin certainly pulls no punches when it comes to more heartfelt, even tragic, situations.

For me, the highlight was the characters. Birdy is fantastic as our fish-out-of-water narrator and protagonist, and although she often creates her own problems, she nonetheless retains the reader’s love through her can-do attitude and general good humour. She comes with a whole host of supporting characters, from her family, to her housemates, to aristocrats, who each bring their own charm to the story, as well as adding commentary on social issues like class and prejudice.

This novel is delightful, dynamic and a fantastic summer read for older teens and young adults, especially for us aimless young people in much the same situation as Birdy, trying to escape monotony and live our lives to the fullest.

Constance McHugh, 17

Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes’
Joanna Nadin
UCLan Publishing, 2025
Paperback, £9.99
ISBN: 9781916747654