The Burn Line - Jonathan Sims // Book Review

 

The Burn Line
Jonathan Sims || Publication Date - 25.08.2026

London's biggest heatwave on record, and a terror stalking under its streets...

Horror | Mystery

The Tube, a heatwave impacted, sweltering underground transport system for all walks of life within the bustling city of London. Lives are making their way through the city, some to work and others from work. There are those who are well, injured, sick, houseless and there are those who shouldn't be on there at all.

Something is stirring on the London Underground, five travelers witnessed an unimaginable horror, to which they don't remember save for random unexplainable events plaguing their consciousness while going about their lives.

They're bound to work together to figure out exactly what happened that day, what it is, and how to stop it from dragging others down with it.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

I have no idea what could be more terrifying than some entity which is unknown, stalking people within a confined space underground. Yet 'The Burn Line' brings this deeply unsettling scenario to my imagination. I live in Australia, particularly South Australia, where the public transport via train is all primarily overground. I've experienced the subterranean rail in Sydney, and I hated being confined in a train God knows how far underground. Add in the possibility of something skulking around hell bent on creeping the shit out of ,and, possibly killing people? Absolutely no thank you.

The setup of this novel has made this incredibly easy to read. It's divided up into parts, which are then divided up further by chapters experienced by each individuals point of view. Books written this way seem to fly by for me and I'm unsure if this is the same for others, but it makes them significantly more interesting. Unfortunately I didn't find each character unique. I appreciate that they are, and descriptions give them their own qualities which would make them superficially identifiable. The diabetic, the rail employee, the unhoused man, the trans person, the rich guy and the office worker. However, other than this, that would be about the extent that I would be able to identify each person based on their name. Whether this was intentional I am unable to confirm, but it did put a dampener on being able to connect with the characters to truly immerse myself in the book.

Unfortunately, the 'twist' kind of ruined this book for me. Not necessarily in a negative way, and some may find it thoroughly entertaining, however I was expecting... more? But then again I was also thinking I was getting an entirely different kind of monster than what was actually revealed. I did feel that almost 400 pages was a bit long, and the last 20% dragged a lot more than I would have liked. The split chapters could have been a lot shorter since a lot of it was information which was already mentioned in other characters chapters. I'm not particularly fond of reiteration simply for adding to word counts, which is what this ended up feeling like to me.

Overall Thoughts

Do you like one shot monster thrillers which feature urban settings? Do you enjoy superficially diverse characters who work together to a common goal? Do you like split POV chapters which detail a narrative from multiple perspectives? If you answered yes to any of those questions then I would say give the book a go. It was well written and despite the big bad not being my particular cup of tea, it wasn't a novel without merits. 

** Affiliate Links **

Blackwells - 

Booktopia - 

We Call Them Witches - India-Rose Bower // Book Review

   

We Call Them Witches
India-Rose Bower || Publication Date - 07.04.2026

When they came, almost everyone died. Now they torment those that survived...

Horror | LGBTQIA+

Two years ago, eldritch abominations came from what seemed like nowhere and plunged the modern world into an apocalypse. Now they're looming, salivating and hunting for any surviving people that managed to escape their grasp. Sara and her family can hear their screams in the night, not knowing whether her Ma's pagan inspired wards really are working to keep these 'Witches' at bay. And most importantly, keeping their family safe.

During a routine ward check they find a young girl, about the same age as Sara, soaked and unconscious on the outskirts of their protected borders. Her name is Parsley, she doesn't remember how she got there, and no one in her family trusts her but Sara. That is until one of Sara's younger siblings is taken by one of the 'Witches'. She and Parsley immediately grab their things and attempt to battle the wilds in hopes of retrieving him alive.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

What can I say about a novel that opens with some horror bleeding through the walls and attacking the family innocently cooking their lunch. Immediately captivated my attention and sucked me into the story. It was graphic, gross and descriptive to the point where I kept thinking those things would morph above my own fridge. India-Rose's descriptive prose kept strong through the entire book and it brings me to my next point.

The thing that really hooked me about this book was the atmosphere and writing of the areas the characters found themselves in. I could feel the damp and cold weather of the moors, and when mist was brought in to make everything even creepier I could feel the chill settling in. Whenever a new location is entered, India-Rose never wastes any time reminding the reader how desolate and abandoned the world is. It's a very similar feeling to 'Wild Dark Shore' or 'The Wolf Tree'.

It was a depressing and almost hopeless reading experience. Glimmers of positivity were written within the story, however it was always short lived. Always reminding the characters and the readers that this world was never going to be the same again.

We go a couple of rounds, bouncing ideas back and forth that include sentient trees, cephalopods, and alternate dimensions. By the time we're considering the likelihood of and ancient Orcadian tomb being opened to release vengeful spirits, we're very nearly smiling properly again.

In regards to the characters, I enjoyed their ways of coping with the post apocalyptic setting they were now navigating. One of my favourite things they did together was proposing theories to how the 'Witches' came into being. It must be hard to rationalise something like this happening and the characters inventing stories and theories was really fun to read and explore.

Overall Thoughts

From the very first chapters I found the novel quite interesting. The ending however threw me for a loop! I don't consider myself a particularly smart cookie when it comes to pre-emptively solving the endings of mysteries and thrillers. I tend to shut my brain off and let the story take me where it wants me to go. So when the ending hit, I had no clue that was where this was going. In hindsight I do believe it is quite predictable, and if you're someone who doesn't like predictable endings then this may not be a book for you. However, I had a really good time throughout and I feel it's worth a read regardless of predictability.

** Affiliate Links **

Blackwells - https://blackwells.pxf.io/k4GV6L

Booktopia - https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Gb3EMm

Juniper & Thorn - Ava Reid // Book Review

   

Juniper & Thorn

Ava Reid || Publication Date - 21.06.2022

A young witch fighting for her independence against an oppressive father who has never given her a chance. A retelling of "The Juniper Tree".

Fantasy | Historical | Romance | Horror

Marlinchen, a young witch imprisoned in her own home with her two older sisters by her father. They spend their days making money for their home using their magical gifts on the normal humans who come to see them.

The three young women sneak out of their home to attend a newly opened ballet theatre, where one of the performers quickly and sharply captures Marlinchen's heart.

As Marlinchen continues to defy her father and sneaks out at night to see this man, her town is turned to horror when a monster is skulking around at night. She has a choice to make, continue to be trapped under the tyrannical rule of her father or, uncover the secrets of her terrorised city to expel this evil for good.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

This book hit a lot of really good marks for me in terms of genre and writing. I also feel that in terms of length, it was spot on. My quarrel with rating this higher than I did comes down to the opening of the book and how it overall made me feel.

The characters were good, and I enjoyed the dynamic displayed between the sisters and their abusive father. Unfortunately the opening to this book in my opinion just tried too hard in terms of the prose and descriptions. It took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style, which is not the fault of the author, and it felt like everything needed a comparison description rather than it just being what it is.

For example:

“Magic is the first sip of good wine that makes the edges of your vision blur. Magic is the cool breeze of the boardwalk at night and organ music in the air. Magic is landing a grand jeté and nearly going deaf with hate crowd's applause. Magic is the low flicker of tavern lights and the girl your courting leaning close so you can kiss.”

Why do we need 4 sentences to describe to us what Magic was like? There were also times the descriptors of items, environment and feelings tried to be too clever and ultimately sounded silly.

The relationship between Marlinchen and Sevas also seemed very hollow. Sure enough they were attracted to each other, which I don't think Marlinchen could say anything else about Sevas other than how attractive he was. Sevas also seemed to like her for some reason. Other than being attracted to her kindness and physical body, there didn't seem to be much more there either. Another relationship which could have had depth and gave it more of a place in the story, but never did.

Overall Thoughts

Ultimately I felt the writing was very strong as I got used to it, other than my points mentioned in terms of descriptors going too far. The premise and story did not overstay its welcome in terms of length and it was creative for a retelling, but did not blow my mind.

I do not feel the genres given to this book or it being nominated on Goodreads for "Best Horror of 2022" are warranted. There was a small instance of the monster attacking people which could be considered horrific, but this book had no indication of horror at all.

I am very keen to read more from Ava as I felt she has an amazing mind and one day she will, without a doubt, write something which will be my next favourite book.

** Affiliate Links **

Blackwells - https://blackwells.pxf.io/bk9OJM

Booktopia - https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/6k5yLm

Breathe In, Bleed Out - Brian McAuley // Book Review

Breathe In, Bleed Out

Brian McAuley || Publication Date - 29.04.2025

Can you really be free from your past haunting you?

Fiction | Thriller | Horror

Hannah is dragging the deceased corpse of her fiancé trying to get back to some form of civilisation after a holiday ended up going horribly wrong. She's trying to come to terms with his death and the guilt she feels being unable to save him. As a result, she's haunted by the events of that day, and his ghost.

Due to a near fatal nursing mistake at work, Hannah is forced on leave from her job and is working with her therapist closely to try and get to the bottom of her guilt and subsequent hallucinations.

Hannah and a group of her friends whisk her away to a wellness retreat. Supposedly so exclusive and successful, it almost feels like a cult... and when Hannah's friends start to go missing, she's torn between her feelings of going insane or if there really is something sinister going on at this retreat.

The Review (may contain spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this novel. I was purely drawn to the style of the cover, and I am so glad I was.

Brian's writing is so easy to read and immersive. As I'd been reading it's like a movie was playing out in my head. The characters feel so oddly detailed, when really there's only a brief description of them as they're first introduced. They're intricate and funny, and their banter is perfectly written to give the impression they have genuinely known each other for years.

I'm obsessed with the creepy vibes through the novel. It starts off with a banger of a chapter, and has a tendency to throw in horrific scenes at random. I never truly know when something will happen, and it's always executed in a seamless way. Poor Hannah having already dealt with the death of her fiancé, is now experiencing the random trauma of hallucinating his restless corpse and being haunted by him. As scary and traumatic that would be for her, for me it's a damn good time 😂

The true unsettling nature was knowing this is supposed to be a horror/thriller, but there's absolutely no indication where this will trigger. It was deeply eerie and provided the perfect level of isolated confusion I was anticipating.

Overall Thoughts

Definitely an unexpected favourite coming into this novel. I had a blast with the story, the characters and the conclusion was impeccably satisfying. Brian's writing was immersive and easy to read, which was awesome as I ploughed trough this book. The writing was eerie, atmospheric and funny which kept me engaged the whole time to find out what the heck was going on through the book.

Unfortunately for me the twist was predictable, however that still didn't take away from the enjoyment I had reading the novel.

If you're looking for a thriller that's easy to read and has some amazing characters - look no further than this one. Genuinely had a great time reading and I'm definitely adding Brian McAuley to my author watch list.

** Affiliate Links **

Blackwells - https://blackwells.pxf.io/Gbdr59

Booktopia - https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/ZVj0Dg

The Staircase In The Woods - Chuck Wendig // Book Review

The Staircase in the Woods

Chuck Wendig || Publication Date - 29.04.2025

What lengths would you truly go to for your friends?

Fiction | Horror

Three dysfunctional friends are living their separate lives when they receive an email from their fourth friend Nick, telling them all he has cancer and to use the plane tickets he has purchased them to see him one last time.

He's promised them a weekend of alcohol, drugs and debauchery as a final farewell before his terminal diagnosis finally takes him away. However, upon arrival to the party, nothing is going to be the same again.

Nick has brought his friends to a remote part of the woods, and convinces them that the resort he has booked for them all is only a short hike away. What they don't know is he has lured them to an impromptu campsite next to an abandoned staircase. Very similar to the staircase which claimed Matty a few decades prior.

What follows is a fever dream of trauma, horrors and facing their own worst demons as they try to find the friend they abandoned all those years ago.

The Review (May Contain Spoilers)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this eARC for an honest review!

I have been craving the type of book lately that gives me the absolute creeps and Chuck did not disappoint. The atmosphere in this novel is truly eerie. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at a Staircase the same again...

The characters that are being focused on in this novel are fucked up in so many ways, however, their bond is wholesome and chaotic. I love their idea of The Covenant. It's gone from a pact to help each other through their lives major setbacks, to invoking unbridled and messy situations. It really opens up the question of "What would you REALLY do for your friends?". The novel explores so many various forms of trauma and character personalities that it's hard not to find an experience through them to relate to. I felt this added even more layers to the horrors the characters are being exposed to, as they are actively being forced to face them head on.

I love how these chapters are set out. It's coasty for a couple of chapters and they continue to get shorter as something looms. Then you're back to longer chapters which keeps building in a sense of dread, and because they keep getting shorter, the pace quickens making everything seem much more urgent and tense.

If there's a single triumph from this novel - I am truly proud to say it gave me the ever loving creeps. I had yet to find a book which actively made me feel uncomfortable, and this gave it to me in spades. Chuck's writing and how immersed I felt during the story truly gave me the feeling I had been searching for when it came to being given the heebies. And deeply I want to thank him 😂

Overall Thoughts

This was an absolute banger of a novel. From start to finish I was gripped by the situation, the characters and the calamity which ensues through the book. So many emotions were felt while reading, all overshadowed by a pressing sense of dread, and it was perfect. As I've said above, this is probably the first horror novel that actually left me physically uneasy while reading. I'd been craving something to make me feel this way and I loved how Chuck's writing imbued me with unease.

If you're looking for a book surrounding dysfunctional friends and a fucked up house, look no further than this. I highly recommend you pick this novel up for yourself, it was a damn good time and I'm so glad I got to read it.

** Affiliate Links **

Blackwells - https://blackwells.pxf.io/VOD2xa

Booktopia - https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/gRXaOO