The 5 novels going viral on BookTok and whether they're actually worth a read.

There's an adorable little corner of TikTok reserved for girlies who love to read. Ones who always have their head in a book, who gobble up novel after novel, devour fantasy series and want to share their favourite quotes with their fellow readers. 

The land they live in is called #BookTok.

It's a hashtag that has gone bananas, amassing 154 billion views and counting. Which is particularly impressive when you think about the fact it's promoting such an analogue form of entertainment: literature. 

Watch: I read books for a living, these are the most addictive thrillers ever. Post continues after video.

The impact BookTok has had on sales of physical books has been equally crazy. Now, it seems the aim of most authors is to find a way to go viral on BookTok to boost their sales. 

But are the novels that go off on BookTok actually any good? 

Well, to pull you back into reality when you're watching the 4000th TikTok of someone gushing over a Colleen Hoover novel, we've given you honest reviews of the best (and worst) stories on BookTok. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

BookTok loves a bit of historical fiction – particularly of the spicy Greek Mythology kind. And The Song of Achilles hit that sweet spot so well.

It shares a mythological love story between Achilles and Patroclus, mapping from their initial meeting to their exploits during the Trojan War, with a heavy focus on their romantic relationship. (Which is great, coz the #BookTok girlies love a good sex scene or two.)

Madeline Miller's writing beautifully combines myth and storytelling, and her prose is elegant and evocative – painting vivid scenes that transport readers smack-bang to the centre of ancient Greece. While the pacing may be slower in parts, the emotional depth and exploration of love and sacrifice make it a compelling read.

Overall, a solid suggestion from BookTok. We'd recommend a read – 7 out of 10. 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

One of BookTok's spookier faves, Mexican Gothic has emerged as the go-to chilling gothic horror novel.

Set in a haunted mansion in 1950s Mexico, this book follows big themes like colonialism, femininity, and intense power dynamics – making it ripe for spicy conversations after your entire book club has read it.

Only drawback: the book requires some patience at the start as it builds up its eerie atmosphere, but we promise it rewards readers who get to the end.

We'd give this a decent 6.5 out of 10. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.

You've 100 per cent spotted this cover on your last scroll through BookTok. Why? Well, because it has the community HOOKED.

This enchanting tale follows Addie LaRue, a young woman who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. 

BookTokkers have fallen in love with Schwab's lyrical prose and the novel's exploration of identity, human connection, and the fleeting nature of time – an ironic theme as you'll likely fly through the pages of this one!

A pacey read. We'll give it a 7 out of 10. 

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

This was one heck of a debut novel from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, gaining insane popularity on BookTok seemingly overnight.

The story follows two Black students at an elite private school who find themselves targeted by an anonymous bully. The 'whodunnit' element makes it a speedy read, but it clearly stuck a chord with BookTokkers thanks to its compelling blend of thriller themes and poignant social commentary.

The true definition of a page-turner, we're giving this book an 8 out of 10. 

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

Colleen Hoover is a bazillionaire thanks to BookTok. Her novels – of which she has a few – took off in the early stages of BookTok and the fans just kept coming after that.

Her books are now so popular that she's constantly topping bestseller lists and this book, arguably her most famous, is now being turned into a feature film. A film that casually stars Blake Lively as the lead. So we're sure it'll be a pretty low-key, art house, small-fry film... 👀

Hoover's writing style is super accessible and easy to follow. But It Ends With Us does address complex themes and relationships – and should probably come with a trigger warning. Especially as the book deals with these themes quite casually, somewhat minimising the damage to the characters and readers. 

Despite its insane popularity, we don't love this book. It reads a little like fan fiction and feels very half-baked in parts. 

If you're going to sink your teeth into any BookTok story, probably don't make it this one – coz we're only giving it a 4 out of 10.

Feature Image: Booktopia + Mamamia.