Top 5 surprising book recommendations

When I picked up this book (many, many moon ago) I assumed it would be your fairly typical superhero story. The cover even has Batman on it.

Instead, what surprised me most about Batman: Nightwalker is that the story is as much about the villain as it is about Bruce Wayne. Possibly even moreso.

The dynamic between Bruce and Madeleine Wallace drives much of the tension in the book, and it makes the story feel far more character-focused than expected.

It’s an interesting take on Gotham’s early days — and a reminder that sometimes the most compelling part of a story isn’t the hero.

For all three of you who haven’t read these books, the ending of Empire of Storms is absolutely devastating… and I loved it.

It is without a doubt, my favourite book in the Throne of Glass series.

Normally I’m not someone who enjoys emotional destruction for its own sake, but this book delivers a finale that’s so intense and dramatic that it genuinely elevated the entire story for me.

The scale of the conflict, the character sacrifices, and the emotional payoff all combine to create an ending that lingers long after you finish the book.

Honestly, the fact that I loved that kind of heartbreak is probably more revealing about me than it is about the book.

This might be the most surprising book on the list, simply because I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at all. So huge kudos to Stephanie for picking it for my 12 in 12 book in 2025.

The premise sounded interesting but a little odd, and I wasn’t entirely sure it would work for me. The fact that it was released in the middle of a dark, serial killer romance genre infestation probably didn’t help.

However, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy turned out to be an incredibly charming mix of fantasy, romance, humour, and heartfelt emotion.

The characters are wonderful, the banter is delightful, and the story has far more warmth and depth than I expected.

Sometimes the best reading experiences come from the books you almost didn’t pick up.

Before reading Wolfsong, I honestly thought it would be a fairly standard werewolf story.

I mean, yes, I’d heard that TJ Klune was an exceptional writer who delivered on everything and defied all expectations. But how good can a gay paranormal werewolf romance really be?

This book absolutely ripped my heart open.

What surprised me most was the emotional depth of the story — the way the characters grow together, the powerful themes of loyalty and belonging, and the intensity of the relationships at the heart of the book. It’s so much more than a paranormal romance — it’s a story about family, identity, and the bonds that shape our lives.

I went in expecting something entertaining and familiar. I came out emotionally devastated in the best possible way.