I’m pretty good at predicting how books will end, but these five had me guessing until the very end
As a long-time bookworm, I tend to devour books, often reading several novels a week. However, the more I read, the easier it becomes for me to predict what will happen at the end of any given book.
While I don’t particularly mind this—and in fact love a trope-filled romance every now and again—there’s nothing better than finding a book that completely surpasses any expectations I had for it. Big twists, unexpected villains and crazy endings are all very welcome on my bookshelf.
With that in mind, here are five books I’ve read this year that kept me guessing until the very end, with picks across the literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction and non-fiction genres, as reported in the Express.
1. The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates
An American teenager lands in Oxford and is swiftly drawn into the enigmatic and manipulative world of the Saracens, an elite secret society, in The Rabbit Club.
As his ambition intensifies, reality and illusion become indistinguishable and he unwittingly triggers a chain of events leading to far-reaching consequences beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.
Reading this dark academia thriller was a truly mind-boggling experience and it was much darker and more complex than I had anticipated. The ending left me stunned – and made me want to immediately re-read the entire book to uncover everything I overlooked.
This is the ideal autumn read if you’re looking for something to really delve into.
You can buy The Rabbit Club here.
2. King Sorrow by Joe Hill
Six friends strike a lethal pact with a dragon in King Sorrow, Joe Hill’s first novel in nearly 10 years. We follow Arthur, Gwen, Colin, Donna, Van and Allie over four decades as they are forced to select a new victim for King Sorrow each Easter – or face their own demise.
At just under 900 pages, you’d be excused for assuming parts of this novel must surely be tedious or predictable.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. King Sorrow takes you on a wild, genre-defying journey, packed with all sorts of unexpected twists and turns that I, for one, never saw coming.
I was fortunate enough to receive a proof copy, but this novel will be available later this month.
You can pre-order King Sorrow, out October 21, here.
3. Make Me Famous by Maud Ventura
If you’re a fan of gripping tales featuring truly detestable characters, then Make Me Famous is the book for you. The story follows Cléo, an ambitious singer who is certain she’s destined for stardom.
We trace her rise to fame and also keep an eye on her current life, where, after several albums, she retreats to a secluded island to write her fourth album in peace. Twisted and captivating, Make Me Famous takes an unexpected turn that actually left me gasping.
You can buy Make Me Famous here.
4. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
It seems like everyone I’ve spoken to has already read I Who Have Never Known Men but if you haven’t, this 1995 dystopian novel features 40 women confined in an underground cage, overseen by male guards. However, following an unforeseen event, they find themselves venturing out of their bunker and into the strange world above ground.
Despite its brevity, this novel delivers a powerful impact. Its plot is straightforward yet deeply thought-provoking, and had me scouring Reddit and Goodreads for theories about the novel’s events long after I finished reading it.
You can buy I Who Have Never Known Men here.
5. Careless People: A Story of Where I Used to Work by Sarah Wynn-Williams
Sarah Wynn-Williams’ gripping memoir, Careless People, takes readers on a journey from her early days as a young New Zealand diplomat to her role as the Director of Public Policy at Facebook. Despite her initial belief in Facebook’s potential to change the world for the better, her experiences while climbing the corporate ladder told a different tale.
The book kicks off with Wynn-Williams’ near-death encounter with a shark and continues to deliver one wild story after another. It offers an eye-opening look into the behind-the-scenes happenings at Facebook that are often more unbelievable than any fiction.
I would highly recommend the audiobook version, which is narrated by Wynn-Williams herself.
You can buy Careless People here.