Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven Review

 Title: Every Exquisite Thing

Author: Laura Steven

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy/Mystery

Series: Standalone

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I received an advanced reader copy of this book through the publisher, Wednesday Books and St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley, thank you to them and the author.

Everyone knows the classic story of Dorian Gray: Painted by an artist and enchanted so that the painting ages and withers while he does not. Every Exquisite Thing flips that story on its head and makes it young adult and queer. This book is one of my favorites of 2026, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! With this book, Laura Steven has become one of my favorite authors. I adored this book, every dark and frightening moment of it. I loved how it took heavy topics and handled them with grace and care. I loved the pacing, the snappy dialogue, the action and the secret romance. This book was a wild ride, and I really enjoyed it! This book may be my first Laura Steven book, but it definitely will not be my last! Dark, mysterious, and more than a little frightening, this book took my breath away!

Penny Paxton is a girl starving: for love and affection, for attention, for fame and glory, for food. Desperate to succeed at her cutthroat acting school and win the love of her cold and distant mother, she plays dirty to get the lead part in the production for Macbeth. This leads her down a dark and increasingly dangerous path, and she makes a choice that may not be reversible. Forced to examine her motives at the risk of all she holds dear, she must decide if she is willing to risk it all for eternal beauty, even at her own expense. Will she be able to escape her demons? Or will they drag her down to the depths, forever thin but forever wanting?

This book was absolutely wonderful: horror and dark academia and mystery wrapped all into one. I was immediately drawn in by Penny’s voice, sharp and scathing and so relatable. The pacing was quick and snappy, and I loved the premise. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a memorable classic, but you’ve never seen it like this. I loved all of the characters, especially Penny, Davina, and Catalina. I also loved the way the book handled heavy topics; most of the time, in fiction, it is handled clumsily at best. This book sang with detail, dark and captivating and more than a little scary! I was white-knuckled the entire time I read this book; I couldn’t stop until the end! And I loved the ending; I liked the way it was ambiguous and maybe, hopefully, room for a sequel? Every Exquisite Thing has become one of my favorite books of the year, and I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait until it comes out; I might just have to buy a copy for my own collection! The bottom line: Rich, dark, and full of entanglements and terror, I loved Every Exquisite Thing! Next on deck: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire!