1. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

This is the first book in Sarah J. Maas new series – Crescent City – the second book of which has been released this year.

It’s a breathless, fast-paced fantasy series filled with propulsive twists and turns. The plot is mapped out expertly and intricately, in a way that only Maas seems capable of doing. The novel revolves around Bryce Quinlan – a notorious party girl – who loses her closest friends in the most horrendous way. She is then tasked with capturing the murderer of her friends, with the help of Archangel Hunt Athalar and what follows is a breathless journey.

2. Writers & Lovers by Lily King

Following the breakout success of her critically acclaimed and award-winning novel Euphoria, Lily King has released this story, arguably based on her own experiences.

Blindsided by her mother’s sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she’s been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey’s fight to fulfil her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.

Writers & Lovers is whip-smart, but does not move with the same pace as her previous novels, at often times it is a largely unattainable novel in terms of depth and emotion but the result is an uncomfortably accurate portrayal of youth and times of crisis.

3. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

The Paris Apartment is one of the most hotly anticipated thrillers of 2022, following the release of The Hunting Party and The Guest List. 

The Paris Apartment centres around Jess who makes a spur of the moment decision to visit her brother Ben in his apartment in Paris. When she arrives, there is no sign of Ben and the longer he stays missing, the more questions Jess has around Ben’s life in Paris and the apartment building in which he lives. Foley builds out a mammoth and intricate cast of characters so that it is nigh impossible to decipher who the suspect might be.

The Paris Apartment isn’t Foley’s strongest thriller to date, but it is still immensely enjoyable.

Read our full review here.

4. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

The latest novel in Sarah J. Maas beloved series A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Silver Flames is out now.For the first time, Sarah J. Maas pivots away from Feyre’s storyline and this novel instead focusses on Nesta Archeron. Since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae, Nesta has struggled to find her place in this new world, haunted by the horrors she endured in the last battle. Cassian, the Illyrian warrior, ignites her temper. When Feyre decides on an intervention to combat Nesta’s self-destructive behaviour, the two are forced to keep close quarters with each other. Meanwhile, the human queens who returned to the Continent after the last ware have forged a dangerous new alliance, the key to halting them may well rest in Nesta’s hands. As Cassian trains Nesta up, her powers both inherited from the Cauldron, and within herself, become clearer.

Read our full review here.

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Sarah J. Maas’ new series Crescent City kicks off with the first novel – House of Earth and Blood – the second novel in the series, House of Sky and Breath, is out now too. The novel revolves around Bryce Quinlan, a notorious party girl. Her life is torn to shreds when her closest friends are savagely murdered, leaving her utterly devastated. When the murders start happening again, Bryce is asked to be the centre of the investigation, taking up the offer to avenge their deaths. Hunt Athalar, a notorious Fallen angel now enslaved to the Archangels, is roped in to act as her protector and partner in the investigation. As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into the root of the investigation, they uncover the underbelly of the city and its power, one based on corruption to the very centre.

It’s a blazing, passionate story that moves at a breathless speed, including searing romance, twists and turns and suspense. It’s as richly inventive as we have come to expect from Maas, though with perhaps less likeable characters than we have come to expect from Maas.

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The last book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is out now – A Court of Silver Flames. For the first time, Sarah J. Maas pivots away from Feyre’s storyline and this novel instead focusses on Nesta Archeron. Since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae, Nesta has struggled to find her place in this new world, haunted by the horrors she endured in the last battle. Cassian, the Illyrian warrior, ignites her temper. When Feyre decides on an intervention to combat Nesta’s self-destructive behaviour, the two are forced to keep close quarters with each other. Meanwhile, the human queens who returned to the Continent after the last ware have forged a dangerous new alliance, the key to halting them may well rest in Nesta’s hands. As Cassian trains Nesta up, her powers both inherited from the Cauldron, and within herself, become clearer. Whilst at The Night Court though, Nesta begins to forge alliances with the women she encounters.

This latest instalment in the Sarah J. Maas series is dark and sultry, as propulsive a read as the others in the series and continues to be as intricately woven as her previous novels in the series. In Nesta, Maas paints one of the most intricately painted and compelling character arcs in the series thus far, wetting appetites yet further for the final novels in the series.

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1.  A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight is the 4th book in Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series. It’s a blissful interlude after the breathless pace of A Court of Mist and Fury telling the story of Feyre, Rhys and their friends celebration of the Winter Solstice – Feyre’s first as High Lady.

The book is narrated by Feyre and Rhysand and is wondrous tale of hope and promise, setting the stage for the last instalment of the series – A Court of Silver Flames.

This novel had a mixed reception from fans, but when taken as a palate cleanser between books, it is a welcome and hopeful reprieve.

Read our full review of the first novel here.

2. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One True Loves is a startlingly powerful novel about loss, heartache and the true meaning of love. The novel centres around Emma Blair who marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, leaving their hometown in Massachusetts and pursuing a life of adventure and travel. On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Emma is heartbroken, quitting her job and moving home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.. until Jesse is found – alive. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect both men who she loves deeply.

Read our full review here.

3. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling is a very quick read, but for those expecting something clever from Rachel Hawkins, this is not it. The Ex Hex feels childish at times, not just with the content but the writing itself. Whilst an enjoyable and easy read, the characters feel quite surface level and so the reader is not suckered in in the way they have been in her other works. Honestly, we’d give this one a miss, despite its TikTok viral crown.

Read our full review here.

4. Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates

5. Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters

Detransition Baby was one of the biggest, most acclaimed debuts of 2021. It is a whipsmart debut about three women—transgender and cisgender—whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender, motherhood, and sex.

It is a provocative debut that will shift perceptions – an immensely eye-opening novel that will garner empathy for those of all genders encountering motherhood for the first time.

Pick up a copy here.

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Fans of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series went crazy when Sarah J. Maas took to Instagram in March 2021 to share the news that an adaptation of the loved series was on its way, stating ‘So, it’s official (and thank you, Josh, for accidentally spilling the beans! ): Ron Moore (creator of Outlander and one of my creative idols) and I will co-adapt ACOTAR as a tv show for Hulu! I’m currently hard at work writing the pilot with Ron (!!!!!), and while there is SO much more news to share with you guys about bringing this series to life, it just feels so great to finally be able to talk about this! Stay tuned for more details!’ Here’s everything we know so far about the forthcoming adaptation.

Written by Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first in a series of four epic fantasy romance novels revolving around the main character Feyre Archeron. The story is a very loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, though as any fans of the novels know this is a spring off point for a story of intrigue, adventure, war and romance.

As yet, there is no news on casting or filming for the pilot, though we do know that the project will air on Hulu, as Craig Erwich, President of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment commented in January 2022 about the series: “The books are a great roadmap for what I think will be a very successful series. I haven’t read the material yet, although I’m very aware of a lot of the conversations going on with the show. Ron [co-writer of the screenplay] is truly one of the visionaries of that genre.” Maas will act as executive producer and is being co-adapted with Ron Moore (Outlander).

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The third book in Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses sees the culmination of the war with Hybern that was set up in A Court of Mist and Fury. It’s a deliciously intoxicating novel that sweeps you along in its wake, a propulsive novel that moves with the kind of pace to leave you dizzy. Although it may be one of the weaker novels in the series, perhaps given the lack of romantic tension now that Rhysand and Feyre are established as the leading romantic couple. Still, Maas has an ability to build an intricate, detailed world like no other that pulls you into its fantastical wake. Whether it is the fear of the Carver or the Weaver or the confusion over Tamlin’s rivalry, Maas has an unique ability to leave you on tenterhooks throughout the novel, through to its heart wrenching conclusion. A Court of Wings and Ruin will satisfy any fans of the first two in Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series and whilst there is a largely predictable factor in this novel that was not present in the first two, still it is an immensely enjoyable read.

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It’s hard to put into words the propulsive power of Sarah J. Maas. She has an ability to transform even the most ardent opposer of fantasy fiction to a believer. The second book in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series is as undeniably compelling and propulsive, if not more so, than her first novel. It’s a slow-burning and exquisitely beautiful, hauntingly emotional novel, filled with fantasy, adventure and very real yearning, grief, sorrow and joy.

The book is a story about life and love, picking up as Feyre navigates her new status as an immortal Fae, grappling with the horrors of what she underwent Under the Mountain. Throughout the novel, Feyre comes to realise what real joy, love, companionship and hope entail. It’s a gorgeous story about a woman finding herself and understanding how to really overcome all the horrors she has dealt with and how best to deal with the bargain she made with Rhysand while in captivity. When Tamlin’s protectiveness for Feyre turns into something toxic, Rhysand sweeps away to his Night Court, as war approaches. It is the feminist side of Rhysand – particularly in comparison to Tamlin – that makes him such a compelling protagonist. A Court of Mist and Fury is a wonder of a novel that will sweep the reader back into the magical realm that Maas created, one they will not want to leave.

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A Court of Thorns and Roses – the first novel in Sarah J. Maas’ acclaimed series. It tells the story of Feyre – a mortal – whose survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. When she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh, but killing the doe comes at a hefty price. Feyre is dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, there she discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding many secrets. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

The novel is a perfectly crafted novel that sweeps the reader into this delightfully crafted world. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a magnetic novel that sweeps the reader into this magical realm. This is the kind of novel that can convert any novice reader of fantasy fiction.

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