Book: Death Wish: A Psychological Horror Novel by Gemma Vale
Reviewed by Kayleigh
Rating: God Tier
There are some books that entertain you, some books that unsettle you, and then there are books like Death Wish that get under your skin and refuse to leave. From the very first page, I felt completely trapped inside Lydia’s mind, and honestly, it was equal parts fascinating and terrifying.
Gemma’s writing is ridiculously good in this book. She doesn’t just tell Lydia’s story, she makes you live it. I found myself completely immersed in Lydia’s mind, and having to come up for air a few times because I was so deeply invested in every thought, feeling, and revelation. I certainly did not expect that ending!
Although I sympathised with Lydia, I absolutely did not root for her. She’s one of the least trustworthy characters I’ve ever read, and watching her spiral from unsettling to utterly deranged was both captivating and horrifying.
Prepare yourself, because this is not a quick or easy read. It’s dark, devastating, and wonderfully unsettling, pulling you so deeply into Lydia’s mind that you’ll start questioning your own grip on reality. Approach with caution, check the content warnings, and make sure you’re in the right headspace… but also, please read it because this book is incredibly good and deserves all the hype.
Death Wish is an incredibly compelling psychological horror that completely consumed me. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page, and I know Lydia’s voice will be haunting me for a very long time.
If you love psychological horror with unreliable narrators, slow-building dread, and a FMC you’ll never fully trust, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 🖤📖