Although this blog will mainly focus on fantasy romance, I couldn’t write my first post without mentioning one of my favourite authors: Christina Henry.

My love for her books began eight years ago in an informal book club at my then new job. A colleague, now a dear friend, lent me her copy of Lost Boy, a dark Peter Pan retelling. The fresh perspective and sinister twists completely hooked me, and I soon followed it with Alice and Red Queen.

Despite being Alice by name, I couldn’t stand Alice in Wonderland as a child. However, Henry’s horror-tinged take on it had me captivated, completely changing my perception of the tale. I found myself enthralled by the transformed landscape of Wonderland, where fear and mystery overshadowed light-hearted whimsy. I stayed up late more than once telling myself, ‘Just one more chapter,’ only to realise hours had slipped away as I became immersed in the darkness and suspense that Henry so expertly crafts.

My favourite of hers is The Ghost Tree. This book kept me awake until 3am on a weeknight desperate to know what was going to happen next. The point of view shifted between characters throughout, often leaving me with more questions than answers. This narrative style not only deepened my investment in the characters but also heightened the tension and suspense, making for an incredibly engaging reading experience. The eerie atmosphere and haunting themes resonated long after I turned the final page.

The most recent book of Henry’s I read was The Place Where They Buried Your Heart. Reading such graphic horror while lounging by the pool at a spa felt wonderfully jarring, a juxtaposition that made for a memorable reading experience. I was gripped by the obscene horror and gore, finding a strange delight in the chilling narrative that grabbed me early on.

They may be dark and horror-focused, but I find Henry’s books surprisingly easy to read. Her pacing keeps you experiencing one gripping moment after another. I’m always a little disappointed when I reach the end, only because I’m already itching to start the next one.

If you ever wanted to get into horror books but aren’t sure where to start, then Christina Henry is a fantastic introduction to that genre. She eases you in with dark retellings that tantalize your curiosity and wet your appetite before throwing you into the absolute chaos and darkness of her characters and stories.