Being Bookish

This week, I've been reading a lot of fantasy, and my episode is going to lean into that as I'm reviewing a story that takes a really clever approach to the fantasy genre. I’m talking about This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, a novel with an Isekai (or portal fantasy) premise that could be an absolute disaster, or a joy!
The novel follows a protagonist, Maggie, who wakes up inside the world of her favourite unfinished book series. It’s a place where she isn't a powerful warrior, but she does have two very specific advantages: she can’t stay dead, and she has an encyclopaedic knowledge of how everyone’s story is supposed to end. Whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy or you just enjoy a story that keeps you guessing, it's a title that's been getting a lot of attention.
As always, I’ll be sharing my personal thoughts on the book, the world, the characters, and what I thought about the story overall. As always, the review will be completely spoiler-free, so you can go into This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me completely fresh if you decide to give it a go for yourselves.
To round things off, my second, shorter review is for the 2024 mystery novel How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. Offering a really interesting contrast to the dark fantasy that comes before it!
So pop the kettle on, get comfy with your drink of choice, and let’s talk books.

Described as The Day of the Triffids crossed with Little Shop of Horrors, this week, I’m looking at a story that certainly presents an unusual scenario. I’m talking about Overgrowth by Mira Grant, a book with a botanical horror premise that's hard to ignore once you've heard it.
If you haven't come across this sci-fi horror novel yet, this episode’s a good place to start. It’s a bit of a genre-shifter that’s quite difficult to categorise, following a woman who’s spent thirty years trying to warn everyone about an alien invasion they simply refuse to see.
Whether you’re a fan of science fiction or you just enjoy a story that keeps you guessing, this is an interesting novel that came out in early 2025.
As always, I’ll be sharing my personal take on the story and looking at some other book reviews to give a balanced view, because we can't all like everything. I’ll also be keeping it completely spoiler-free, so you can go into it fresh if you decide to give it a go for yourselves.
So, grab yourself something to drink, settle back, and dive into this episode of Being Bookish.

In this brand new spin-off to my podcast, Being Bookish, I am reading my way through Stephen King's novels, specifically those where characters reside, or experience something, in Castle Rock.
These episodes will be every 6 weeks, as there is a lot to cover, and I am reading them with my friend, and fellow podcaster, Lorraine.
In this episode, we're looking at the novel, The Dead Zone. Released in 1979, the story of Johnny Smith, a man with extraordinary powers, is the first novel where Castle Rock makes an appearance.
Join us both as we take a tour through Stephen King's universe, and experience some of these books for the first time in decades!
If you prefer, you can watch this on

This week, I'm venturing into the chaotic and sometimes hilarious world of the LitRPG phenomenon that's taken the book world by storm. I'm talking about Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, the first book in a (currently) 7-book series that's grown from a self-published cult favourite into a global bestseller.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then this episode is a great place to start (as until a few months ago I didn't have a clue either). Dungeon Crawler Carl is genre-bending fiction that refuses to be pinned down. It moves from the fast-paced action of a role-playing game into a pitch-black satire of reality TV and corporate greed, all whilst balancing comedy with moments of genuine cosmic horror.
It follows Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning cat, Princess Donut, as they're forced to compete in a deadly, televised crawl for an alien audience. Whether you're a fan of gaming or just enjoy satirical sci-fi, this is a series you need on your radar.
As always, I'll be sharing my personal thoughts as well as looking to other reviews to provide a balanced perspective because we can't all like everything. I'll also be keeping it completely spoiler-free because you may want to dive into the dungeon for yourselves at some point.
So, get your refreshments ready and dive into this episode of Being Bookish.

Join me this week for the third in my 2026 author interviews. This time I'm talking with Venetia Constantine about her captivating debut fantasy novel, The Last Starborn Seer.
Released by Aria on the 5th of March, it is a sweeping, high-stakes journey through a world of ancient prophecies and celestial magic. It follows Leilani, a young woman whose volatile magic grants her visions of the future while slowly taking a toll on her mind. It is a brilliant read for anyone who loves epic world-building and high-stakes quests.
We talked about everything from her inspiration, an incredibly fascinating (and terrifying) story about how she came to write the book when she did (honestly, it is incredible), and her journey to traditional publication.
As always, we both did our best to avoid revealing any spoilers, because the book should be enjoyed without spoilers!
So, get yourself a cup of something hot and warming or cool and refreshing and settle down to enjoy the latest episode of Being Bookish.

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