Mercy Thompson is capable without being invincible. Her independence, mechanical skills, and complicated history with the local werewolf pack make her feel like a fully developed person rather than a collection of supernatural abilities. The mystery is engaging, and the world introduces vampires, fae, shapeshifters, and Native American mythology without overwhelming the reader. The restrained romantic tension leaves room for Mercy’s own story to lead.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Winston Smith is not a conventional hero. He is frightened, compromised, and desperate for a truth he can barely define. His weaknesses make the power of the Party feel even more overwhelming. The plot can be intellectually dense, particularly during its political explanations, but its portrayal of surveillance, manipulated language, and controlled reality remains deeply disturbing. The conclusion is intentionally devastating rather than reassuring.
My Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Zélie’s anger and determination are rooted in personal loss and systemic persecution. Amari develops from a frightened princess into someone willing to challenge her family, while Inan’s internal conflict shows the damage created by fear and indoctrination. The plot is ambitious, action-packed, and emotionally intense, though some romantic developments feel rushed. The magic system and West African-inspired world give the novel a vivid identity.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Percy Jackson’s humor and frustration make him an immediately likable narrator. Discovering that his difficulties are connected to his identity as a demigod allows him to reinterpret qualities he once considered weaknesses. Annabeth and Grover contribute their own skills and insecurities rather than functioning as simple sidekicks. The quest is fast, funny, and filled with clever modern versions of Greek mythology.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Katniss Everdeen is practical, emotionally guarded, and driven by survival rather than a desire to become heroic. Her devotion to Prim and complicated partnership with Peeta reveal her compassion gradually. The Games create immediate suspense, but the novel’s deeper strength lies in its examination of propaganda, inequality, and public entertainment. The pacing is excellent, and nearly every action carries emotional or political consequences.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Clary Fray begins as an ordinary teenager but gradually becomes more assertive as she uncovers the supernatural world hidden within New York City. Jace is charismatic and entertaining, though his arrogance can be exhausting. The story includes demons, secret bloodlines, betrayals, and complicated relationships, occasionally packing in more twists than necessary. Despite its imperfections, the imaginative setting and strong character dynamics make it highly readable.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Bella Swan’s reserved personality makes her easy for many readers to identify with, although her emotional dependence on Edward can sometimes overshadow her individual development. The forbidden romance and mysterious atmosphere create an undeniably addictive story, even when the plot moves slowly. Whatever readers think of the relationship, the novel’s ability to build tension and inspire an entire generation of paranormal fiction is difficult to dismiss.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
TITLE: Doctor Glass (April 11, 2022)
AUTHOR: Louise Worthington
RATING OVERVIEW ★★★★.★ (4.5)
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Appearance: ★★★★
AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
Psychotherapist Emma-Jane Glass has prioritized work over leisure for far too long. She does whatever it takes to help her clients, and it’s bordering on professional obsession. When she publishes a controversial article about unstable mothers murdering their children, an anonymous letter arrives on her doorstep:
I will expose you.
Then, I will mutilate you…
Wait for me.
After she is abducted into the night, Doctor Glass finds herself at the mercy of a dangerous sociopath. But being a relentless doctor of the mind, she feels an urge to help her fragile captor, even if it might shatter her sanity—and her life. It becomes a game of survival, and only one mind can win.
For fans of deeply layered thrillers by Ruth Ware, Tana French, and Alex Michaelides comes the newest voice in psychological fiction.
CONTENT GUIDANCE: This novel explores aspects of psychology and mental health and contains depictions of self-harm, alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and suicide. Please read with care.
* Disclosure: Some links within this post are affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you purchase. I only recommend products/books/tools I use and love!
MY 2 CENTS / THE CRITICAL POINTS:
WRITING (★★★★★): Worthington’s writing style will draw you in! She has a degree in literature and psychology, which she uses to create psychological thrillers, such as Doctor Glass, that let her readers explore the depths of the human mind and how far humans are willing to go when their lives and livelihoods are threatened.
This book started out a little slow, but quickly picked up its pace as she pulls you into the store. Page after page, I couldn’t put this one down. I’ve read a few reviews that say the ending was too fast, but I don’t really agree. I think the story just doesn’t end the way we hope… there is no Hollywood ending here… Life doesn’t always end happily ever after, and Worthington isn’t afraid to show us the ugly side of life.
STORY (★★★★): This is a psychological thriller that will definitely keep you engaged. It starts with Dr. Glass’s kidnapping after writing an article that expresses her sympathy for a mother who killed her child and then herself. I have to say, I cringed as I read her words and yet, I couldn’t put the book down. Some of the scenes were hard to read – disturbing and emotional but I had to know what happened and why. I had to keep reading.
CHARACTERS (★★★★★): Worthington does a wonderful job with the character development in this story. It’s almost scary how she is able to make every single character realistically immoral and evil.
I enjoyed reading through the perspective of multiple characters. Worthington does a great job allowing us to get into the minds of each character. Although nothing really turned out the way I expected, or hoped, that is just the way life goes at times.
APPEARANCE (★★★★): I really like the cover. There is something about it that is so haunting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Louise Worthington writes psychological fiction for fans of deeply layered thrillers and horror.
She has a passion for exploring the complexity and darker side of the human heart in psychologically-layered tales imbued with strong emotional themes and atmospheric settings from poisonous gardens, and medieval dungeons to an isolated property by the sea. Common themes are mental health disorders, family, motherhood, murder and revenge.
After gaining a degree in literature, she taught English in secondary schools and studied psychology. More recently she runs a farm with her husband in Shropshire and tutors teenagers in English.
She is the author of six novels, including the psychological thrillers Rachel’s Garden and The Entrepreneur, and the gothic horror, Rosie Shadow.
Doctor Glass came out on 11th April 2022, the first book in the Glass Minds series.
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This one is always fun, and hopefully, new and aspiring authors could take something from my experience.
I started to write in 2009. I was 29 years old and thought I would become the next J.K Rowling. I’m honest as can come, and let’s face it, every new author who gets an idea thinks their book will be the next Harry Potter.
Newsflash, and it is a big wake up call, your book won’t be the next Harry Potter unless you really have something gold in your hands.
So yes, that is my number 1. Your book won’t be the next Harry Potter.
Number 2: Reviews.
If I knew reviews could be that harsh, I probably would never have started to write. The funny part is, it’s like 5% of my reviews are so negative, I wanted to sit in a corner and cry. The other 95% struggle to actually wait for my next book.
Authors quit writing because of their reviews. They can be brutal, and less than a percent of those reviews are actually helpful. You get negative reviews that you learn from, and those readers I treasure as they tell you what they find wrong with your book. The other part likes to tell you what trash your book is, and we call those reviewers, Trolls. They are known as trolls as they do not know how to write a review that helps authors and actually trash their writing dreams. It’s one of the reasons I do not read my reviews anymore as I always concentrate on those 5% negative reviews and forget about the 95% that actually loved it.
Number 3. Marketing.
If I knew that I would spend so much time on marketing, I would probably choose a different career. But I love the first part so much, it’s like breathing that marketing is just something I have to do.
Number 4. Writing the book.
My first book took three years to write, and I thought it was the most challenging part I’d ever done. Writing the book is the easiest part. I wish I knew that before I published.
Number 5. Wattpad.
I wish I knew about Wattpad before I started. Wattpad is a beautiful site if you are starting out, trying to build your fan base. It’s a bit harder if you are an established author using Wattpad and then developing your career.
Number 6. Publishers.
I was with a publisher first before I stepped out on my own. Publishers can really make things sound so sparkling and pretty. Giving you the idea that all you are going to do is write the book. It’s not the truth. If you are not a prominent name author, you will work your tush off for a crazy small amount of the percentage when it comes to royalties. You are lucky if publishers give you half, but most provide you with anything from 12 to 25% of the cut. So be careful when it comes to publishers. They have their strong points in getting your book out there, but you can also step in a ditch and struggle to get out.
Number 7. Editing, editing, editing.
English isn’t my first language, and I can’t tell how important it is to get an editor that can actually edit a book. I had many, many people telling me that they are brilliant at editing. Then I trust them and guess what, when my book gets released, plenty of reviews streamed in about my book being riddled with mistakes. It’s hard to find an editor, and I wished that I actually took an editor’s course before writing.
Number 8. You are going to work your butt off.
If you are not prepared to work your butt off (not meaning literally as you sit on a chair), then don’t do this. I never worked this hard at any of my jobs. So be prepared to work your butt off.
Number 9. Funnel sites.
Ever heard of Book funnel, Prolific, and StoryOrigin. Yip, I wish that I knew about them when I started. They are excellent sites that help you gain newsletter subscribers that love books. You need those to make a success from your writing career.
Number 10: Networking.
You need authors to help you make a success in this career. I started late in life when it comes to this, but glad that I discovered it eventually. This industry is not a competition. The sun is big enough for all of us, and you need author buddies to help with pushing and cross-promoting. It’s like one hand washes the other. Bloggers. Bloggers are gold. Treasure them, and work on your blogger list as you grow.
And that is my ten top list of things I wish I knew before I published my book. If you have anything to add, leave it in the comments. I might not even know about it.
Kristin resides in South Africa, East side of Johannesburg with her husband and two beautiful little girls. Writing has always been a passion of hers and she’s living the dream, being able to write every day. ” I love life, cherish every special second of it and live my dream.” She has recently started her own Publishing company – Fire Quill Publishing in South Africa – http://www.firequillpublishing.com/
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Nina Soden 