Awakened (2025) Laura Elliott "Awakened by Laura Elliott is true horror - deeply unsettling, this story about the last survivors in a world where technology has eradicated the need for sleep, sending most of the people in the world into a unbreakable feral rage, is a chilling and haunting read. Asking important questions about humanity, purpose and how we treat those we see as less than human, Elliott draws on horror staples such as zombies, vampires and Frankenstein's monster to create something wholly unique - this has all the makings of a new classic."
The Edge of Solitude (2024) Katie Hale "Set in a worryingly plausible future where the possibility of reversing climate change is reliant on the whims of billionaires, The Edge of Solitude is not a book to miss. Disgraced activist Ivy Cunningham is a monstrously human creation, testament to Hale's formidable ability to delve into complex and flawed psyches."
The Puzzle Wood (2024) Rosie Andrews "The Puzzle Wood by Rosie Andrews is a twisty, masterfully creepy historical novel. It is a richly imagined gothic mystery, with a deep vein of the supernatural running beneath its roots. Perfect for fans of Mrs England by Stacey Halls, this dark tale is sure to enchant."
The Grief House (2023) Rebecca Thorne "Rebecca Thorne's The Grief House is a truly original story, with a compelling, in-depth exploration of grief, trauma and healing. I was totally gripped by the gradual, skilful revelation of Blue's story, and the ways in which her mother's obsessions marked her life. The setting is masterfully depicted, with the tension rising in tandem with the flood waters threatening the house. An absolute page-turner, this is a must for thriller fans."
Children of the Sun (2023) Beth Lewis "Children of the Sun is that rare thing - an utterly propulsive, heart-pounding, pacy narrative, with the kind of depth and resonance that makes it linger in the mind long after you've finished reading . . . A beautifully wrought and haunting tale."
Thirsty Animals (2023) Rachelle Atalla "Rachelle Atalla's second novel has shown her once again to be a master of slow-burning tension and unease. Thirsty Animals is terrifyingly believable, and functions both as a warning against overconsumption and division, while also providing a hopeful message about the redemptive possibilities of community. The pace of the story builds to an unputdownable conclusion, and the characters will stay with the reader for a long time."
Isabelle Schuler "Isabelle Schuler's Lady MacBethad is a stunning debut, and sure to become an instant classic. Gruoch's rise to power is utterly absorbing and believable, and she is a compelling and complex character. Schuler's meticulously researched historical setting weaves history, folklore and literature to create an unputdownable read - even if we know how the story ends, we're desperate to find out exactly how it began."
Laura Shepperson "The Heroines is beautifully told, and utterly gripping - a must for any fans of Greek myth retellings. I was immediately enthralled by the variety of voices and viewpoints telling the story, and each character was so well drawn and distinctive. The tension builds to an explosive, heart rending finale, and I couldn't put the book down. Shepperson draws from the original myths, and compellingly asks us to consider how our understanding is influenced by who is telling the story - and why."
