Being Bookish

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. This week, I'm taking a step back into the world of Dark Fantasy with a tale of dark Fae, withered gods, and an inescapable labyrinth as I dive into Clare Sager's dark romantasy novel, King of Ravens, the first book in her Upon a Broken Throne duology.
The story follows Rhiannon, a sickly mortal who has been isolated in her family home. After her brother gifts her a mirror and a series of events lead to him tearing down walls around their house, she is thrust into a twisted bargain when Drystan, an unseelie king of the dead, arrives to claim her as his bride to save her family.
Whisked away to the Underworld fortress of Mordren, Rhiannon has to navigate a dangerous court of scheming courtiers and hungry nobles, eventually facing a treacherous six-tier labyrinth to win a chance at freedom. Along the way, long-held family secrets come to light regarding her supposed illness, leading to a gripping cliffhanger that leaves the door wide open for the sequel.
As always, this review is 100% spoiler-free. I also explore the loose ties the book has to the Hades and Persephone myth, and share my regular public service announcement on why we should all ignore reading trends and simply enjoy the books we love.
Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's talk books!

In this latest episode of the Being Bookish spin-off, The Stephen King Thing, I am joined by Lorraine to take on Stephen King's Dreamcatcher, one of his most divisive novels.
We talk about the book's dated language and the back-cover setup. We also cover how King wrote it while recovering from his accident, and why it reads like a fever dream. Bathroom horror and childish humour come up next. T
hen we get into the heart of the story: four friends, their bond with Duddits, and the compassion and equality that hold the group together. Along the way, we look at the book's many invasions (the stranger at the cabin, the aliens and the military), ask who the real monsters are, and discuss Mr Gray, Jonesy's possession and the film adaptation.
Is Dreamcatcher a lesser King novel, or has it been judged too harshly? We finish by talking about how each of us reads, imagines, ranks and rereads books, push back on gatekeeping around audiobooks and different ways of learning, and look ahead to future Stephen King reads.
Unlike other Being Bookish episodes, this one contains spoilers throughout and is definitely not family friendly.

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. I felt like I wanted to balance out all the incredible fantasy I've been reviewing with another cosy mystery, so I did a quick search of my shelves and came up with Suk Pannu's first Mrs Sidhu novel, Dead and Scone.
For me, this cosy mystery has everything you could want: a cold case, an intriguing present-day murder (or three), a curious and determined amateur sleuth, family conflict, a potential desire for revenge and aubergine bhajis prepared and cooked in a bathroom (you read that right).
So, how did this novel compare to others I've read in the genre? Is it one you'll want to pick up? That's for you to decide. But as always, I dive into what others thought before sharing my personal view.
Grab a coffee, pick up your favourite snacks...or perhaps plug in those headphones and listen on the train!
Cosy Mystery Playlist

In another bonus episode, I am joined by author Sloane Brooks to talk about what happens when sci-fi, fantasy, and romance collide in her latest novel, Written in Starlight, a bold genre mashup that follows Della, Ansel, and a layered mystery stretching between the world of Lumeria and a mysterious library that may hold the key to everything.
Sloane talks about how she wove three distinct storylines into one propulsive narrative, how Ansel's unforgettable found-family crew came together, and what it really takes to structure a complex, multi-threaded novel without losing the reader (or herself) along the way.
We talk about everything from her revision process, publishing timelines, the themes of identity, belonging, and love that beat at the heart of the book, and the relationship choices she agonised over. We also go into how she blended what would have been two books into one!
Sloane also shares where Written in Starlight fits into today's booming sci-fi and fantasy landscape, which beloved scenes landed on the cutting-room floor, and what readers can expect next in the series.
Whether you love fantasy, science fiction, or romance, this book could be the perfect one for you. So grab a coffee, put in those headphones and give this bonus interview a listen before picking up the book!

Sloane's Links
Website
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In this week's bonus episode, I'm joined by author Charlotte B. Plumb to talk about her debut, Reap and Sow, a gothic fantasy duology about Eda, a young girl whose father placed her and her two older brothers in an untenable position, bargaining with a demon! In order to rescue her brothers from death, she strikes a dangerous pact despite knowing such bargains always end badly.
We dig into the inherited debt that shapes Ida and her siblings, the life-trading magic system at the story's heart, and what really makes someone monstrous: appearance, or the things they put into the world.
Charlotte shares the origins of Kit and the enigmatic Mr Night, why Kit and Eda work so well as foils, and the side characters (including Robin) who bring heart and humour to the darkness.
And because it wouldn't be an author episode without it, we also talk about the craft of writing! Why her debut became a duology, Charlotte's pantser-or-planner process, and the advice she'd give to any writer still chasing their first book deal.
So, grab a drink, light a few candles, and join me for this gothic fantasy exploration.

Charlotte's Links
Instagram
Website
Buy the Book