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Book Review #10: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

  Review of First Lie Wins , by Ashley Elston Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins is the kind of book where you think you understand what’s going on, and then it just laughs in your face. The story follows Evie Porter—except that’s not even her real name - which already tells you everything you need to know about the chaos ahead. She’s basically a professional identity thief working for this mysterious guy called Mr. Smith, and her job is to become someone else, get close to a target, and disappear. Sounds simple. It is not simple. At all. What I loved most is that you are constantly guessing. Like, there is no point where you can sit back and relax because the book will immediately prove you wrong. Every time you think “okay wait I’ve got it,” something shifts and you realise you absolutely do not. The timeline jumps actually work (which is rare because usually that just confuses everyone), and slowly you start piecing together who Evie really is—and it’s SO satisfying when things cl...
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Book Review #9: Philosopher's Stone, by J.K Rowling

  Book Review of Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K Rowling J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is basically the ultimate “your life is boring until suddenly—magic” story. It follows Harry Potter, who goes from being stuck with the literal worst relatives ever to finding out he’s a wizard and getting into Hogwarts. From there, it’s all secret corridors, suspicious teachers, and a mystery involving the Philosopher’s Stone that slowly gets more serious than just “first year chaos.” What starts off feeling fun and magical lowkey turns into something way deeper by the end, courtesy of Dumbledore’s Wisdom Quotes TM . Honestly, the best part is how immersive the world is. Like—moving staircases? Floating candles? A whole feast appearing out of nowhere? Say less. You’re discovering everything with Harry, so it never feels overwhelming, just exciting. And the trio—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—carry the story so hard. Ron’s chaotic energy, Hermione being the only one with common s...
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Book Review #8: House of Salt and Sorrows, by Erin Craig

  Review of House of Salt and Sorrows, by Erin Craig Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows is a gorgeously dark gothic fantasy that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go. Loosely inspired by the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” fairytale, the novel follows Annaleigh Thaumas, once one of twelve sisters living in a crumbling manor by the sea, where death has become an unsettlingly frequent visitor. As more of her sisters die in increasingly suspicious circumstances, Annaleigh begins to unravel the truth behind the strange balls they secretly attend and the eerie forces haunting both the house and her family. From the very beginning, the story feels steeped in mystery, grief, and salt-soaked dread—in the best way possible. What truly makes this book exceptional is its atmosphere. Every page feels heavy with tension: the roaring sea, the decaying halls, the candlelit dances, and the constant sense that something is wrong . Craig’s writing is vivid and immersive, making it easy...
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Book Review #7: A Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, by Agatha Christie

  Review of A Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side , by Agatha Christie Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side is a deceptively quiet mystery that proves once again that the most dangerous crimes don’t always come from obvious villains. Set in the seemingly peaceful village of St. Mary Mead, the novel begins with a murder at a charity fête — polite society, tea cups, and suddenly poison. Miss Marple steps in to untangle a case where gossip, appearances, and old memories are far more revealing than forensic clues. A central theme of the novel is how the past intrudes upon the present. Christie explores how long-buried trauma and guilt can quietly shape people’s actions, even years later. The title itself reflects this idea: a small crack can reveal a devastating truth. Christie’s characters appear calm and respectable on the surface, but beneath that lies obsession, regret, and emotional damage. Miss Marple’s strength is her understanding of human nature — she recognise...
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Book Review #6: Inferno, by Dan Brown

  Review of Inferno , by Dan Brown Dan Brown’s Inferno is a relentless, puzzle-packed thriller that throws the reader straight into confusion and never really lets up. The novel follows Robert Langdon, who wakes up in a hospital with a head injury, missing memories, and people trying to kill him—because of course he does. Soon, Langdon is racing across Europe with Dr. Sienna Brooks, attempting to decode clues rooted in Dante’s Inferno to stop a catastrophic global threat. The story blends art, literature, science, and ethics into a high-stakes chase where time is always running out. One of the strongest elements of Inferno is how it uses Dante’s Divine Comedy as both a thematic backbone and a codebook. Brown leans heavily into symbolism, hidden meanings, and historical references, making the reader constantly guess what matters and what doesn’t. You’re always solving alongside Langdon—sometimes feeling smart, sometimes realizing you’ve been completely played. Deception is every...
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Book Review #5: Review of Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

  Review of Clockwork Angel , by Cassandra Clare Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel launches The Infernal Devices trilogy with a mix of mystery, romance, and supernatural chaos set in Victorian London. The story follows Tessa Gray, who arrives in England only to be kidnapped and dragged into the hidden world of Shadowhunters, demons, and secret organizations. As she uncovers the truth about her strange ability to transform into others, Tessa finds herself caught between two very different Shadowhunters—Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs—and a far larger threat involving dark magic and deadly clockwork creations. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Victorian London is dripping with fog, secrets, and menace, and Clare uses the setting to heighten the sense of mystery. The characters are especially compelling: Tessa’s search for identity makes her relatable, Will’s sarcasm masks deep self-loathing, and Jem’s quiet intelligence and kindness provide emotional balance...
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Book Review #4: Towards Zero, by Agatha Christie

  Review of Towards Zero , by Agatha Christie “A good detective story begins with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that – with all the causes and events converging towards a given spot… towards zero.” Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero takes this idea and runs with it—calmly, cleverly, and with the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly how to mess with your brain. Ironically, the novel begins at point zero: long before the murder even happens. From there, Christie goes ahead in time and reconstructs the chain of past relationships, grudges, and choices that made the crime inevitable. Set in the seemingly peaceful seaside home of Gull’s Point, the story follows a group of people whose shared history is far more dangerous than it first appears. One of the strongest themes in Towards Zero is how the past bleeds relentlessly into the present. Christie shows that murder is never spontaneous; it’s the final result of long-carried emotions like jealo...
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