Hemlock: Wild Women and Family Trauma

 

Author:  Melissa Faliveno

Genre: LGBTQ+, Fantasy, Adult, Horror, Fiction, Gothic Horror

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: January 20, 2026

TW: Animal death (on page), suicidal ideation (on page) cheating, homophobia, alcoholism, gore (on page), addiction (alcoholism), discussions of religion that may be triggering

I was very affected by this book, and it will stick with me for a long time. (And there's more devouring, yay!)

But first, the plot: Sam, recently unemployed and living in NYC, is trying to start the next chapter of her life. Recently sober, she returns to Hemlock, her family's cabin in the wilds of northern Illinois. She is determined to fix it up, sell it and give the money to her father, and move on. She hasn't been back since her mother disappeared, and that unresolved trauma isn't the only thing that's followed her to these woods. Will she be swallowed by her addictions? Or perhaps turn into something else, something more monstrous?

The prose was the standout of the book. However, the characters were almost as strong, and I am so glad I got to follow them throughout this journey. Sam is a broken, complex, morally grey woman. She is also an unreliable narrator; which heightens the tightrope tension of her growth. I love how distinctive her voice is, even through third person limited. Sam is a character you can see in front of you, a real person with flaws and darker parts of her personality.There were a few times during the novel that I was screaming at her to try something different, or for her not to do what she was doing. Her family were unspoken characters, notable in their absence, and that reflected on Sam too. 

I enjoyed and appreciated the realistic queer and indigenous rep (although as I am a white cis woman, I encourage you to read critiques from reviewers of those groups). The queerness also extends into the sex scene that happens later in the book, which was unsettling to read but also good to read, for me. This is not a romance; this scene is pivotal but not in a romance way. The scene and Sam's nonbinary-ness do play a huge part in the book's themes, and it well woven into everything else. 

The supporting characters were great too, with particular mention towards Lou Ann and Stephen, but for spoiler reasons, I wont go into them.

The imagery of the novel is the true standout. The language really sold the isolation and darkness (both metaphorical and physical) of the Northwoods. When the imagery turned into darkness and horror, it was a natural thing, like the sun setting. There are certain scenes that will stick with me forever because of that. (The truck scene in particular)

Mind the trigger warnings, please. But if you're looking for a harrowing meditation on addiction, religion, family and queerness set in the middle of nowhere, with scenes that stick, this book is for you. It definitely was for me. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!  

Final Score: 4 of 5 stars

Drink Paring: Green hojicha, for the leaves of the forest, and a slight dark smokiness

 

 

The Blackstone Chair: Extremely Gory and Creepy Fantasy

 

Author:  Waqas Khan

Genre: Fantasy, Adult, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Grimdark (the protagonist can't change the system, and the setting tends towards darkness)

Publisher: Victory Editing Co-op

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: January 24, 2026

TW: gore, body horror (grafting of body parts onto skin), torture (broken bones, jabbing with hot pokers), rape and sexual assault (threatened), cheating, slight homophobia (alluded to), murder, animal death (undead rat), sexism/misogyny, child death (flashback, on page), pregnancy, birth

The Blackstone Chair is a book about horrible people trying to avoid a horrible fate. It was a difficult read for me. I still really liked parts of it, however and think it might be worth someone’s time.

But first the plot. Ciaran Ryker is the Darkling Prince, heir to the Blackstone Chair. he lives in the lap of luxury and is about to be married to a noble and powerful woman. There’s just one problem. Ryker does not want to be the heir;  as the heir is the next person in line to die feeding the Blackstone Chair. The King’s life force gets sucked out to grow darkroot; the plant that makes necromancy possible, and therefore enables the Ryker family to stay in power. Ciaran is said to have a while before he perishes, but when that turns out not to be true, Ciaran, his uncle Romney and his squire Martigan flee together for one last desperate meeting with the deposed kings of the tundra like south.   

First off, all of the Rykers are bastards, and that includes the main character. I hated Cirian as a protagonist. He was an incredibly complex character, and his upbringing definitely showed through the pages, but as he kept getting into worse and worse situations and continued to be absolutely horrible to the people around him, I found that I didn't really want him to succeed. He is arrogant, cowardly, and mean, fitting for such a setting. If the narrative was getting me to hate him, it succeeded. 

But Ciaran is a peach compared to the rest of his family. They all scrabble like rats in the dark trying desprately to avoid the chair, and none of them are redeemable  at all. I enjoyed reading about Menshe Ryker, as he was definitely my favorite villain, as he was competent and ruthless, as well as a mastermind. He was always two steps ahead for most of the novel, and I liked being drawn along with Ciaran into his schemes.  

My favourite character was Ciaran's arranged wife, Kathrine. She was a delight to read about, even as she also did some horrible things. I sympathized with her, as she was effectively shipped off to marry a dead man, leaving behind a man she loved. I was rooting for her and was disappointed that she was de-emphasised in the end. I hope she gets more time in the sequel. 

The novel is in third person limited, so it holds you away from the characters and really adds to the bleak setting. The setting was a character in its own right, and was definitely the best part of the book. In this world, undead do all of the labour where the Rykers rule. Naturally there are a lot of discontented peasants which come into play later. There are also unique gods and enough distinction between cultures that it doesn't feel like the stereotypical European fantasy setting. 

The thing that made me keep reading was the world-building. I love the concept of people not wanting power because is not really power, it's a cage. I love seeing the effects of extreme propaganda on the sacrifice for slaughter. I loved that the magic here was much more real than a lot of other books, using plants instead of more esoteric things. It made the magic feel visceral. 

There wasn't the only thing in the book that was visceral. There is gore galore, torture and various other things that might turn someone's stomach. This is not very tame, and you can be blindsided if you're not prepared as a reader. Sex however, is de-emphasised, although childbirth is shown on screen. There wasn't any romance here, but the world does have and talks about sex. Also, there is a lot of misogyny, so be aware. 

In my copy, there were a few typos, and repeated sentences; I assume that will be corrected when the book is published.  

All in all, despite everything, I want to read the sequel, just to see how these people end up. I also want to explore the worldbuilding a bit more, and see if there are more systems of magic that can be just as real. 

 If you like bleak settings, with realistic magic systems, and can stomach all of the content warnings, I'd give it a shot! Just be prepared to roll your eyes at the main character.   

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Final Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (rounded up to 4) 

Drink Paring: 1985 ding dong oolong, for the darkness and licorice flavor 

The Halls of the Dead: Bloody Gothic Brilliance

 

Author:  S.M. Harrow

Genre: Queer fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Gothic Horror, Adult, erotic elements but not romantasy

Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: August 18th, 2026

TW: (taken from the front of the book,  which I love) cannibalism, gore, murder, drowning, miscarriage, death in childbirth, self-harm-induced magic, depression, suicidal ideation, possession and loss of autonomy (added) bugs/pests, period typical misogyny, child abuse 

So, this settled in my stomach, and wouldn't leave. I have a favorite type of book, and it's a book with queer adults engaging in sacred cannibalism. 

First, the plot: In almost like our world Victorian London,  Irene practices necromancy, a banned magic in her world. Together with St. John of the Crypt, her undead husband/servant/ mentor, they resolve to resurrect Irene's lover and wife Agnes who has been killed for practicing necromancy. They do succeed, but Agnes comes back with a devouring hunger, and the magistrate who killed her is prowling around the three, looking for a reason to send Irene to an asylum.

I love the characters so much. Irene is driven and damaged, and a true delight to read. I love the way that she  cares about both Agnes and her magic with a fierce grasping love. St John is also great; I love his perspective as a man who's lived for centuries, and his affection for Irene and Agnes is understandable and appreciated. 

The worldbuilding is subtle, but I love it. Magic exists in this world, and there are forbidden arts that people don't have access to. I love that necromancer's in particular can live on as soul-books. However, I was unclear if this magic was hereditary or could be learned; I assumed it was hereditary.

The language was vivid, and I do appreciate how descriptive it was; the novel is split into three POVs, so be aware (again, I'm not typical, I was able to keep all three in my head, but be prepared to track back if you need to). 

The explicit sex scenes are lovely. There is both a threesome and a scene between Irene and Agnes which I will not go into for spoiler reasons, but suffice to say they were both well written and in character. I loved the way it was very woman-centric. The sex enhances the story, but can be glossed over if that is a deal breaker, this isn't a romantacy, as all three of the protagonists have feelings for one another of some sort. 

 This book is incredibly gory and intense. Hunger as cannibalism is a central theme, along with the aftermath of violation and abuse. If you're into that catharsis like I am, you'll enjoy this.   

 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC! 

Final Rating: 5 Stars

Drink Paring: Shui Xian black tea, sweet and dark 

The Red Winter (Deluxe Edition): A Perfect Debut

Author: Cameron Sullivan

Genre: Horror, Queer Fiction, Adult, Fantasy, romantic and sexual elements but not an erotica, Historical Fiction, Literary fiction

Publisher: Tor Books

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: February 23rd, 2026

TW: Murder, cannibalism, sexual assault (implied) xenophobia, homophobia, religious torture, pedophelia (alluded to), rape threats

This book reached in, pulled out my still beating former Catholic heart and bit into it. And I fucking loved it. 

But first, the plot: Sebastian Graves is a millennia old (at least) Magician (one of many titles) a monster hunter and exorcist who has access to both arcane human magics and the power of Spirits. Spirits are most of myth and the gods of our world including the Christian God. Pacts can be made with them, for protection and power.  Sebastian has one of those Spirits (a demon) in his head, Sarmodel. They have immense power as a demon but also the need to feed on life force and other fluids and food (including human meat). Sebastian has this hunger as well. When a client of one of his previous cases (and a former lover, named Antone) sends his son asking for his help, he can’t refuse. A Beast is haunting Baron Antone’s family, especially his son Jacques. Can Sebastian keep his hunger in check? 

Sebastian is a marvel of a character. A man who holds no truck with the Almighty, due to the Guest in his head, you can feel his aching for love, for a true purpose seeping out of every page. I also love Sarmodel more than is probably healthy and their relationship is a black hole, where they consume each other. I felt the difference in Sebastian’s love for Antone, which was playful and bittersweet. Antone and the BeastI will not mention due to spoilers but they were amazing as well. Lydia, Sebastian’s sucubus familiar is captivating in her own way, and her interlude chapters are a treat. 

Speaking of interlude chapters, I love the way this book is structured. There are 3 different storylines all being recollected in the far future, and I had no trouble following them, unlike some other reviewers. (No shade on them, I am decent at keeping track of shifting times, but if you aren’t, be prepared to flip back to the beginning of the segment to find where you are.) There is also liberal use of footnotes ala the Bartimaeus Sequence; and is what drew me to the book in the first place. The footnotes here like in the Sequence are snarky and informative and clever and I really enjoyed them, although they rubbed some people the wrong way. I loved the language of this book, I actually had to look some words up (and was encouraged to by some of the footnotes) which immersed me in the world even more.

The book takes place mostly in 17th century France, as Sebastian tells Jacques how he met his father. The initial hunt is based on the Beast of Gèvaudan, an event that actually took place in real life. The setting is just as harsh and wild as that implies. I appreciate that the author doesn’t shy away from the grimy parts, and this book is positively coated in grime and blood and meat and death. And sex. 

Oh boy is there sex. None of the sex scenes are explicit, but sex is used as a threat and as a means of sustenance and a way to seal bargains. It is not erotica but it is still sexually charged. I enjoyed it in a way that you would enjoy looking at an oil slick on a pond, as an Ace person, and these sex scenes were well done if harrowing.

It’s like someone wrote this book explicitly for me. It has all of my favourite elements, intricate magic systems with just enough mystery to imagine the gaps, gods who are twisted reflections of humanity, a troubled monster of a bisexual man who is ultimately good, and a silk voiced seductive demon who loves this man to the point of consumption. This is queer horror fantasy at its best, and I am so glad to have read it. 

Mind the trigger warnings people, this is an incredibly gory and terrifying read, but if you let it show you its heart, you’ll be as captivated as I was (I devoured it in one day.) I eagerly await more of Sebastian’s adventures and hope (but not pray) for a sequel. I will probably be buying this for my own collection.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Tor, for the ARC!

Final Rating: 5 stars

Drink Paring: Shui Xian black tea, dark and steaming

Nemesis Mine: Enemies to Lovers Done Right

 

Author:  Amy Archer

Genre: Humour, Queer Fiction, Adult, Fantasy, Romantasy

Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: January 23rd, 2026

TW: death (murder)

This book was a laugh riot, with a really sweet core and characters you can’t help but root for. 

But first, the plot. In this European medieval style fantasy world, there are both Wrongdoers and Champions. Wrongdoers take over a town, menace the peasants and receive offerings from them to assuage their wrath. Champions, meanwhile, are tasked to fight these champions, receive acclaim, and do brand deals. Champions are also elected, and a champion whom the populace doesn't like is either shuffled to a smaller backwater village or forcibly retired. Cyrus, the Earthshaker, is a wrongdoer, an important part of this world’s social fabric. And he is dastardly. (He is introduced to us cutting a rope on a bridge in his town so that people can fall into the bog below.) However, he’s losing his edge, and losing respect. When Maximillian the champion plans a campaign tour that strays near Cyrus’s home base, Cyrus resolves to fight him, to regain some of his former menace and rid himself of a hero whom he has a burning grudge against. Maximillian, however, has other more lucrative plans. Why not team up and be each other’s rivals? Cyrus get the reputation boost, and Maximillian gets to impress his constituents. A bargain right?

The characters make this book. Cyrus is a bastard but a lovable one, who can be a joy to read, especially when he rants about Maximillian. I loved his powers (no spoilers) and I loved the way he interacted with the peasantry, simultaneously disdaining and craving their attention.He also is a helluva showman, which is amazing to read. He can be really intimidating when he wants to, and completely in control, an actor who knows his script. He’s also incredibly funny to watch fail and obsess over his status without saying it. He’s our only POV (third person limited past tense) and a joy to read.

Maximillian is amazing as well. I love the concept of Championing being like an American election, complete with ribbon cutting and endorsements, and Max being disillusioned with it all is so great. He has a wild side that he lets out with Cyrus, and it’s a delight to read when he lets loose. You can’t help see instantly why these two hate/love each other, and much of the comedy comes from them butting heads.

Aside from the Campion versus Wrongdoer system, the world itself doesn’t stick out to me. It’s just a collection of European medieval villages and one big capitol city; however the story doesn’t really need to have super intricate world building outside of its social/political element because this is primarily a character piece.  

I appreciate the queer normative setting as well (multiple champions are lesbians and queer marriage isn’t commented on). There’s a reason why Champions and Wrongdoers don’t go together and it’s not because of queerness, which I appreciate. (I suppose you could read that conflict as analogous to the stigma of being queer in our world but it’s not a one to one.) 

I also do appreciate that there was some incidental diversity in other Champions, and it wasn’t odd that they were POC. Especially in this type of fantasy setting, I think that needs to be commented on. 

The sex scenes were tender and passionate, and as an Ace person were fun to for me to read. Be aware that they exist as this these characters are active sexual beings. (I appreciate the oil being used in a correct way, a lot of gay male romances written by women leave that out.)

I really enjoyed this book. It made me chuckle and full throated laugh at a few points and that is what a comedy is supposed to do. Pick this one up for an actual enemies to lovers romance (which sits in contrast to most others in the genre, which turn out to be colleagues/rivals to lovers).  

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Final Rating: 4 Stars

Drink Paring: Green tea for spring and laughter

A Wild Radiance: An Earnest Exploration of Revolution

  

Author:  Maria Ingrande Moria

Genre: Dystopia, Queer Fiction, Teen Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance (but not romantacy), friends and rivals to lovers 

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (Peachtree Teen)

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: Feburary 24th, 2026

TW: epidemic, climate change, death of children during a riot, lobotomy like surgery, colonialism

I loved this book, and believe it is needed for teens to read. However, I do have some small problems with it. 

But first, the plot (taken from the back):  "Josephine Haven is about to find out exactly where she fits into the march of Progress. Her outbursts are infamous at the House of Industry, the school for children who can wield radiance, an electricity-like magic. She’s tried to follow the rules, but her fiery nature is at odds with the core tenet of the House: Never form attachments. If she is meant to feel nothing, why are her emotions so volatile? No one is surprised when, upon graduation, Josephine is banished from the city to a remote Mission. In Frostbrook, she must work under standoffish Julian, the former golden boy of the House of Industry who seems determined to watch her fail. And then there’s Ezra, the flirtatious stranger who’s a little too curious about how the Mission operates. But there are bigger problems than Julian and Ezra’s secrets. A deadly disease is spreading across the countryside, and in Frostbrook, not everyone is eager to embrace Progress. As Josephine questions the system that raised her—and gives in to desire she’s been taught to suppress—she must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to expose not just corruption within the House, but the devastating truth about the radiance in her core."

The characters are the best part of this book. Josephine reminds me a bit of myself-someone who feels deeply, who doesn't know how to channel her anger. Her  deconstruction was really believable and I'm glad that her anger and capacity for violence wasn't condemned outright.

 I loved Exra and Julian. Ezra was the first person to pull Josephine out of the system and without spoiling too much, you can see why. Julian is a tougher nut to crack, but also well worth it. His ultimate fate at the end had me crying tears of joy. 

I wish the worldbuilding was more significant however. There's a large portion of this book spent in travel, and the places were very indistinct for me. There were also allusions to real world people in character names, which may put off some people. But this is a character forward book, and it did succeed there.

I appreciate the queer representation, and the fact that it seemed to be relatively normal in this world except for the Children of Industry.  There was kissing and allusions to sex in this book, but no explicit scenes. I love the depiction of a queerplatonic relationship as well. It's a rarity in fiction and I enjoyed it. 

I can't wait to see what's next for this author.

Thanks to Peachtree Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC! 

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Drink Paring:  Japanese hojicha, green and nutty, and smooth, like a summer field

Queen of Faces (Deluxe Edition): A Wonderful Premise, Slightly Shaky Execution

 

 

Author:  Petra Lord

Genre: Dystopia, Queer Fiction, Teen Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance (but not romantacy), Dark Academia, People of Color (Fantasy)

Publisher: Macmillian Children's Publishing Group

Format: Ebook (NetGalley Copy)

Release Date: Feburary 3rd, 2026

TW: murder, genocidal acts (explicit), parental abuse and abandonment, mutilation, suicide. racism

 

I loved this book, and am glad it exists for teens to read. However, I have a few problems with it. 

But first the plot (taken from the back of the book): "Anabelle Gage is trapped in a male body, and it’s rotting from the inside out. But Ana can’t afford to escape it, even as the wealthiest in Caimor buy and discard expensive designer bodies without a thought. When she fails to gain admittance to the prestigious Paragon Academy—and access to the healthy new forms the school provides its students—her final hope implodes. Now without options, Ana must use her illusion magic to try to steal a healthy chassis—before her own kills her. But Ana is caught by none other than the headmaster of Paragon Academy, who poses a brutal ultimatum: face execution for her crime or become a mercenary at his command. Revolt brews in Caimor's smog-choked underworld, and the wealthy and powerful will stop at nothing to take down the rebels and the infamous dark witch at their helm, the Black Wraith. With no choice but to accept, Ana will steal, fight, and kill her way to salvation. But her survival depends on a dangerous band of renegades: an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who might just spell her ruin. As Ana is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, the line between villain and hero shatters—and Ana must decide which side is worth dying for."

The characters are probably the best part of  this book. Anabelle isn't a chosen one; she's flawed and reckless and sometimes a but dumb. However, instinctively, I  do like her. She's great to read about, and I want to see her succeed. I feel her pain and her entrapment. 

I love Wes. I cannot expand on him due to spoilers, but I must say, that his exploration of his identity and inherent queerness was great to read. Nima and Mr. Nameless were less flushed out, but still fun to read about, and I can't wait for the book to focus on them all more. 

I have a few issues however. For one, certain anachronistic phrases (tonkatsu,) and discussion of those topics (discussion of favourite manga) weakened the worldbuilding for me. These words are inherently tied up with modern japan (especially manga) and don't really fit in a fantasy setting that seems to be based in 1920's England. This is a shame, because I love the idea of being able to swap bodies and all of the horrific implications and gender freedom that implied, but that was overshadowed by the choppy worldbuilding. I also wish that queerness was explored a bit more, as most of the characters are genderqueer, but I understand that the dying is more important. 

For two, there isn't much academia in this Dark Academia book. There's one class, and some small explanation of the magic system, but I didn't know most of the professors at the end of the book. I was fine with this but be warned. 

There is no sex/spice in this book, only kissing, and a brief love triangle. It was fine. 

But overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel.  

Thanks to Macmillian Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Final Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars

Drink Paring: Wild Da Hong Pao oolong, roasted and dark