November Reads

Ink, intuition, and a dash of snark—this month’s curated reads

Alchemised A thousand-page dark fantasy of necromancy, alchemy, and missing memories… that somehow still didn’t reveal its own. It’s atmospheric and ambitious, but often repetitive. And if someone hadn’t whispered “Harry Potter fanfic,” I never would’ve spotted it. But I did finish all 1,000 pages, which is an accomplishment worthy of a solid three stars and a very long nap.

Boleyn Traitor Yes, yes, I always insist I’m over Tudor fiction … and then a book like this comes along and proves me a liar. Gregory dives into the ambition, betrayal, and razor-edge survival of Henry VIII’s court with delicious control. Think Wolf Hall energy, but from the wings instead of center stage. Bonus: the sly comparison between Henry VIII and a modern wannabe tyrant is absolutely intentional and absolutely delightful.

Cinder House A queer Gothic Cinderella retelling with smoke, shadows, and slow-burn longing? Yes, please. I devoured this one. For the full spell, see my longer review: Not Your Mother's Cinderella.  But the short version: come for the fairy tale, stay for the ghosts, the romance, and the wonderfully eerie atmosphere.

Girl Dinner A novel about power, privilege, and a sinister “wellness” trend practiced by rich moms and sorority girls. The premise promised teeth, but the bite never really landed. I was intrigued, a little disappointed, and occasionally grossed out, but surprisingly bored. A sharp idea dulled in execution.

The Lost Heiress Gothic secrets, family tragedy, cliffside mansions, this suspense novel has all the ingredients I love. It kept me turning pages well past my bedtime. The only hiccup? A tangle of characters and subplots that occasionally left me flipping back to remember who belonged to what ghost. Still: atmospheric, twisty, and satisfying.