Book Haul – 30 April 2023

On April 30, 2023 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul3 Comments

I have been having an absolutely fantastic couple of weeks for book, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including some books that have the potential to be the top novels of 2023. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Battle Song by Ian Ross

Battle Song Cover

The first book I recently received was the amazing historical fiction adventure novel, Battle Song by Ian Ross. Set during one of the earlier English civil wars, Battle Song follows a young squire and his devious master as they try to figure out which side to fight for. I love a great historical adventure and this book sounds particularly fun. I am hoping to read it in the next few weeks, and I have no doubt I will love it.

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Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 38: The Green Dragon by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo - Volume 38 - The Green Dragon Cover

One of the highpoints of my year has to be the release of the new volume of the Usagi Yojimbo comic by Stan Sakai. One of my all-time favorite comic book series, the Usagi Yojimbo books are so much damn fun and I love the great combination of clever stories and breathtaking artwork. Well Stan Sakai just released his new volume of this series, The Green Dragon, which features several amazing new stories. I naturally read this comic the very second I got my hands on it and The Green Dragon was everything I wanted and more. I absolutely loved this comic and I will hopefully get a review up for it soon.

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Falling Sky by Harry Sidebottom

Falling Sky Cover

I was pretty happy to finally get my hands on a copy of the latest book from one of my favourite historical fiction authors, Harry Sidebottom, Falling Sky. Set in ancient Rome, Falling Sky will continue the adventures of Sidebottom’s original protagonist, a barbarian turned Roman soldier, as he fights to defend the Emperor and his adopted city of Rome. This new book will feature a deadly civil war in the Italian Alps and should be a particularly awesome read. I have been eager for this book for ages, and I am very glad to finally have my hands on it.

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The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien De Castell

The Malevolent Seven Cover

One of the books that I was particularly happy to get a copy of was The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien De Castellari, which looks to be an outstanding and intriguing fantasy novel. This awesome sounding novel will see a group of rogues attempt to take down seven of the most powerful mages in the world. I love the epic plot surrounding The Malevolent Seven and I honestly think that this book has potential to be one of the best fantasy novels of 2023. I really hope I get the chance to read this book soon as it sounds like something I will have a lot of fun with.

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The Fire and the Rose by Robyn Cadwallader

The Fire and the Rose Cover

An intriguing and powerful sounding historical fiction novel by a great Australian author, The Fire and the Rose sounds like an amazing book and I look forward to reading it.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

The Book That Wouldn't Burn Cover

I managed to receive an early copy of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn from one of the top fantasy authors at the moment, Mark Lawrence. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is a particularly awesome sounding novel set in a massive magical library and I am deeply excited to read it as soon as I can. I am actually planning to dive into it later this week and I have no doubt it will be one of the best books of the year.

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The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

The Isles of the Gods Cover

One of Australia’s leading young adult fantasy authors, Amie Kaufman, returns with another amazing novel, The Isles of the Gods. An intriguing nautical themed adventure that sees a young sailor and a rogue prince head off on a dangerous adventure across the seas, The Isles of the Gods sounds like an outstanding young adult adventure and I am very keen to check it out. I really enjoyed some of Kauman’s previous work, including the Aurora Cycle series she wrote with Jay Kristoff (Aurora Rising, Aurora Burning and Aurora’s End) and I look forward to seeing how her new novel turns out.

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A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson

A Hunger of Thorns Cover

Another young adult fantasy novel from an Australian author I was very happy to get was A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson. Wilkinson is another author who has really impressed me in recent years with her two amazing young adult novels, After the Lights Go Out and The Erasure Initiative. Her latest novel also sounds really amazing as it features a unique tale about magic and hidden horror. I am very intrigued by Wilkinson’s new book and I will hopefully dive into it in the next few weeks.

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Dragonfall by L. R. Lam

Dragonfall Cover

The fantasy hits keep on coming with the outstanding Dragonfall by L. R. Lam. A fantastic sounding novel about dragons, thieves and forbidden love, Dragonfall has a lot of potential and I will be very interested in seeing what elaborate story Lam has come up with.

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The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

The Ferrymany Cover

A dark and twisty science fiction dystopian novel that sees people in a futuristic paradise transported to another island against their will when their time is up. I love the mysterious narrative surrounding The Ferryman and I think this could be quite the awesome read.

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Night Angel Nemesis by Brent Weeks

Night Angel Nemesis Cover

The last book I received was a copy of Night Angel Nemesis by Brent Weeks, one of the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2023 and the sequel to his iconic The Night Angel trilogy. While this book sounds cool, I unfortunately have never read the original Night Angel trilogy and I am a bit reluctant to go diving into this series with the sequel. I honestly would prefer to go back and read the original books first (I have heard they are pretty epic), although I doubt I’m going to have time to do that soon. I will have to see about how I go reading Night Angel Nemesis in the near future but at the very least I’ll hold onto my copy of this book and hopefully read it at some point in the future when I manage to read Weeks’ original trilogy.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 10 April 2023

On April 10, 2023 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul1 Comment

Star Wars: Battle Scars by Sam Maggs

First up, I recently received a copy of the cool new Star Wars novel, Battle Scars by Sam Maggs. A tie-in to the Star Wars Jedi video games, Battle Scars is being released in conjunction with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and serves as a bridging novel between it and the first game, Fallen Order. This should be an outstanding book for fans of the games and I look forward to seeing what interesting story Sam Maggs has come up with.

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Death Under a Little Sky by Stig Abell

The next book I received a copy of was Death Under a Little Sky by Stig Abell. This is Abell’s debut novel and sees a London detective trying to retire in the country until he uncovers a dark murder in his new small town. This sounds like a fun take on classic British crime fiction novels and I will be interested to see both the murder mystery and the changing settings within the book.

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Homecoming by Kate Morton

An intriguing, multi-generational mystery novel by a talented Australian author, this will no doubt be an excellent read.

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Search History by Amy Taylor

Australian author Amy Taylor makes her unique fiction debut with Search History, which sees a woman get obsessed with diving into her new boyfriend’s history online, only to discover a dark secret about his past relationships. This sounds like a very fun book that will no doubt critique our overuse of social media.

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Ascension by Nicholas Binge

A freaky and compelling science fiction thriller that follows a group of scientists sent to investigate a mysterious mountain that rose out of the ocean, only to discover dark secrets and dangerous self-reflection. I am very curious to see what happens in Ascension and it sounds like quite the fascinating read.

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The next several books are all ones I received in advance through NetGalley. This is actually the first time I have really used NetGalley (I know, I’m behind the times), and I am loving that I got early copies of several outstanding books.

Witch King by Martha Wells

I was very happy to get an early copy of one of the hottest upcoming fantasy books of 2023 with Witch King by Martha Wells. Wells is such a beloved author at the moment and I am very intrigued to read one of her books, especially this one which follows a trapped demon who finds himself at the mercy of a lowly mage as he tries to remember how he got into this situation. This sounds like such a fun and awesome book and I look forward to diving into it soon.

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Killer Traitor Spy by Tim Ayliffe

Another upcoming book I was particularly pleased to get a copy of is Killer Traitor Spy by Australian author Tim Ayliffe. The fourth book in his John Bailey series, Killer Traitor Spy once again dives into international espionage in Australian politics, this time with a focus on the lasting impact of the Cold War. I have deeply enjoyed Ayliffe’s previous books, including The Greater Good, State of Fear and The Enemy Within, and I look forward to seeing how his next book turns out.

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The Tyrant Skies by David Annandale

I also decided to dive into the world of tie-in novels associated with Marvel Comics, which included getting a copy of The Tyrant Skies by David Annandale. This book will see everyone’s favourite villain, Doctor Doom, take on the insidious Red Skull in a battle for dominance and control. I know I am going to love this epic book and I am hoping to dive into it soon.

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Mockingbird: Strike Out by Maria Lewis

I also grabbed a copy of the fun sounding book Mockingbird: Strike Out by Maria Lewis. This intriguing novel will follow the great character of Bobbie Morse, AKA Mockingbird, as she travels to England to investigate a world-ending plot. This should be another fantastic read and I look forward to diving into the Marvel canon with this outstanding sounding read.

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Book Haul – 27 March 2023

On March 27, 2023 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Book Haul post so I figured I would try quickly update everyone on all the awesome books I have recently received. I have been having a great couple of weeks for book, as I have been lucky enough to receive several amazing new novels from some of my local publishers, and I have even more on the way. These include some truly awesome new releases, including some of the top releases from 2023. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Fatal Legacy by Lindsey Davis

Fatal Legacy Cover

Another epic entry in one of my favourite historical fiction series, Fatal Legacy will see Lindsey Davis’ outstanding protagonist, Flavia Albia, attempt to uncover a tricky and deadly legal situation in ancient Rome. This has the potential to be one of the best books of 2023 and I am very excited for it.

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Echo Lake by Joan Sauers

Echo Laker Cover

An intriguing Australian crime fiction read from Joan Sauers that sounds quite compelling. I look forward to unwinding Sauers’ complex mystery set in the Southern Tablelands of Australia.

Book Depository

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat Cover

Murder and death at a mysterious horror writing retreat in the remote wilds, if that isn’t a great setting for a fun horror book, I don’t know what is.

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Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Seas Cover

I was very excited to receive a new standalone novel from Brandon Sanderson with Tress of the Emerald Sea. Part of his massive Cosmere shared universe, Tress of the Emerald Sea is an elaborate fantasy book that apparently has some similarities to The Princess Bride. I look forward to diving into this captivating tale and I am sure it is going to be magical in all the right ways.

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The Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen

The Blind Spots Cover

One of the books I am particularly glad I got a copy of is The Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen. A high concept murder mystery set in a world where everyone went blind, The Blind Spots sounds like will be a pretty epic read and I look forward to seeing both Mullen’s compelling mystery and the intriguing new world he envisions.

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Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor

Ozark Dogs Cover

Chaos, gunfights and extreme family feuds all set within the confines of a deadly Ozark junkyard, this should be a pretty awesome read and I can’t wait to dive into it.

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Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Silver in the Bone Cover

I was very happy to receive a copy of Silver in the Bone, the latest fantasy novel from Alexandra Bracken. Featuring a fantastic sounding tale with some intriguing Arthurian elements to it, Silver in the Bone should be an amazing read and I particularly love that cool cover it has.

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing Cover

A compelling new fantasy read from Rebecca Yarros that will see a fragile women forced to enroll in a deadly dragon academy where everything wants to kill her. I love a great magical school scenario and I can’t wait to see what happens in this awesome sounding book.

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Book Haul – Second-Hand Books

On February 27, 2023 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

In addition to all the recent books I have received, I’ve also done a bit of second-hand book shopping that I want to talk about. Not only did I majorly clean up at an awesome second-hand bookstore in the Blue Mountains, but I also scored big at the recent Canberra Lifeline Bookfair (a great event to check out if you’re ever in Canberra). I honestly probably went overboard with some of the books I picked up, but the end result is a pretty awesome collection of older books, including some fantasy classics I have been keen to read for a while, and a ton of Warhammer fiction to fuel my current major obsession. So let us see what epic second-hand books I managed to obtain.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora Cover

I managed to grab a copy of the epic fantasy crime-fiction novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. I have actually already read this book before (on audiobook), but I wanted to quickly re-read it before doing a Throwback Thursday review in the future.

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Ashes of Prospero by Gav Thorpe

Ashes of Prospero Cover

The first of many Warhammer 40,000 novels I managed to grab, Ashes of Prospero is an epic Space Marine focused read that see the Space Wolves return to Prospero, the ravaged planet of their greatest enemy

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13th Legion and Kill Team by Gav Thorpe

13th Legion Cover 2

I was extremely happy to get a copy of the first two Last Chancers novels by Gav Thorpe, which I have been trying to get for a while. Essentially billed as The Dirty Dozen in space, the Last Chancers are an epic series and I’ve actually already read and reviewed the first book, 13th Legion, in the last week, and it was everything I hoped it would be.

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Temeraire by Naomi Novik

Temeraire

After enjoying some of her previous books, I decided to grab a copy of iconic fantasy author Naomi Novik’s first novel, Temeraire. An alternate history novel that imagines the Napoleonic Wars fought with dragons, I have heard some great things about this series and look forward to seeing how fun they actually are.

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Gotrex and Felix – The Third and Fourth Omnibus – by William King and Nathan Long

Gotrek and Felix - Third Omnibus - Cover

Of all the Warhammer Fantasy series out there, few have been as iconic and epic as the Gotrek and Felix novels by William King and later continued by Nathan Long. Following a suicidal dwarf slayer and his human companion, the Gotrek and Felix books are some of the best books in the Warhammer range and I have been having a lot of fun getting through the first several (see my reviews for Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer, Dragonslayer, Beastslayer and Vampireslayer). As such, I was extremely pleased when I managed to get the third and fourth omnibuses of the series that contain the next six books I need to read. I cannot wait to dive into these epic fantasy reads, and I know I am going to have a ton of fun with them.

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Space Wolf series – Ragnar’s Claw, Grey Hunter and Space Wolf: The Second Omnibus by William King and Lee Lightner

Space Wolf Cover

Another series that I got a ton of books for in my recent second-hand book hunt are the next five novels in the iconic Space Wolf series of Warhammer 40,000 fiction. I deeply enjoyed the first book, Space Wolf, last year, and it was pretty epic to find good copies of the next several entries, including the single copies of Ragnar’s Claw and Grey Hunter, as well as the second Space Wolf omnibus. This should set me up with some cool space viking adventures I will ever need and I can’t wait to continue this fantastic series.

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Ulrika the Vampire – Bloodborn by Bloodforged by Nathan Long

Bloodborn Cover

I’m always happy for some cool Warhammer Fantasy vampire fiction and few vampire series sound better than the Ulrika the Vampire books by Nathan Long. A spin-off of the Gortek and Felix books, Bloodborn and Bloodforged will follow recent vampire convert Ulrika as she comes to terms with her condition and new place in society.

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Helsreach by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Helsreach Cover

There was no way I could resist an epic novel about orks versus the Black Templar Space Marines on the planet of Armageddon, which is going to result in quite an epic read.

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Hunt for Voldorius by Andy Hoare

Hunt for Voldorius Cover

Another Space Marines focused novel, Hunt for Voldorius will see the White Scars and their allies go to war to kill an evil Daemon Prince.

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Death & Dishonour, edited by Alex Davis, Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley

Death & Dishonour Cover

A cool Warhammer Fantasy short story anthology that should make for quite an interesting and fun read.

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Soul Drinkers Series – Soul Drinker, The Bleeding Chalice, Crimson Tears and Chapter War by Ben Counter

Soul Drinkers Cover

I was very pleased to grab the first four books in Ben Counter’s iconic Soul Drinkers series, which I have heard some excellent things about. Following the doomed Soul Drinkers chapter of Space Marines as they attempt to save themselves from corruption and mutation, only to be declared heretics and traitors by the Imperium. I have had a lot of fun with Ben Counter’s books in the past (such as Van Horstmann) and I have a feeling this is going to be an outstanding and great series that I am going to really love.

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Shira Calpurnia series – Crossfire, Legacy and Blind by Matthew Farrer

Shira Calpurnia Cover

The last addition to my collection I got during my second-hand book foray was all three Shira Calpurnia books by Matthew Farrer. An intriguing Warhammer 40,000 series that follows a member of the Arbites, intergalactic space cops, these books look set to blend crime fiction with high-concept Warhammer 40,000 elements. I am very interested in checking these books out and I think I will have a great deal of fun doing so.

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That’s the end of my post and as you can see, I have managed to grab quite a few second-hand books in recent weeks, perhaps too many if that’s a thing. All of the above sound pretty epic to me and I cannot wait to dive into all of them in time. This will probably be a bit of a lengthy process, so make sure to check back over the next year or so to see how I do.

Book Haul – 27 February 2023

On February 27, 2023 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul1 Comment

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Book Haul post so I figured I would try quickly update everyone on all the awesome books I have recently received. I have been having a great couple of weeks for book, as I have been lucky enough to receive several amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These include some truly awesome new releases, including some of the top releases from 2023. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Unnatural History by Jonathan Kellerman

Unnatural History Cover 2

The first book I recently received was the latest Jonathan Kellerman novel, Unnatural History. Part of the amazing Alex Delaware crime fiction series, which I have been having an outstanding time reading in recent years (check out my reviews for The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine and City of the Dead), Unnatural History sounds like another epic novel with a great mystery behind it. Set to see the series’ fun detective duo dive into the murder of a controversial photographer, this should be an excellent read and I am hoping to start reading it next.

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How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

How to Sell a Haunted House Cover

The next book I received was the highly anticipated horror read, How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. Hendrix is an intriguing author who has been wowing audiences with his cool horror novels that deconstruct the genre with impactful and impressive narratives. I had a great time with his 2021 novel, The Final Girl Support Group, and I was very happy when I received a copy of How to Sell a Haunted House. As the name suggests, this will be Hendrix’s unique take on the Haunted House sub-genre of horror fiction and I look forward to seeing what elaborate and fun story this latest book contains.

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Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder Cover

An intriguing debut from Australian author Kerryn Mayne, Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is a fun sounding novel that will follow an unusual protagonist as she dives into the great mystery of her past and the dark reasons why her mother left her. I have a feeling that Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is going to be a particularly compelling debut and I am very interested in seeing what unique story that Mayne has come up with.

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The Last Highway by R. J. Ellory

The Last Highway Cover

An exciting and striking thriller that will see a vengeful sheriff attempt to find out who murdered his estranged brother amongst the Appalachian Mountains. I have heard great things about Ellory in the past and I cannot wait to see what fun and powerful story waits for me in The Last Highway.

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The Half Burnt House by Alex North

The Half Burnt House Cover

A gritty and powerful psychological thriller that sees a woman attempt to save her brother from himself and the dangerous secrets from the past that threaten both of them. This sounds like a very dark read and I am curious to finally try out North’s writing style.

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Bunny by S. E. Tolsen

Bunny Cover

The final book I received is an advanced copy of the fascinating upcoming horror thriller, Bunny. Written by author S. E. Tolsen (the pen name of husband-and-wife team Emma Olsen and Vere Tindale), Bunny will see a damaged man return to his family home to confront the demons of his past, including his abusive Aunt Bunny and a mysterious presence in the woods. I don’t have a lot of extra details about this book at the moment, but I am very curious about Bunny and I will have to read it to see what happens.

Book Haul – 22 November 2022

On November 22, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I have been having an absolutely fantastic week for book, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, some of which rank amongst my top books of 2022. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Death to the Emperor by Simon Scarrow

Death to the Emperor Cover

The first book I recently received was the latest historical epic from the master of Roman historical fiction, Simon Scarrow, with Death to the Emperor. The 21st book in his amazing Eagles of the Emperor series (which has previously featured such awesome reads like The Blood of Rome, Traitors of Rome, The Emperor’s Exile and The Honour of Rome), Death to the Emperor puts Scarrow’s long-running protagonists in the middle of Boudica’s rebellion in Britannia. I have actually already read this amazing book and it proved to be particularly captivating and action-packed. Review to follow soon.

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Retribution by Sarah Barrie

Retribution Cover

Next up is the outstanding Australian thriller Retribution by Sarah Barrie. A sequel to Barrie’s dark 2021 read, Unforgiven, Retribution presents several intriguing, interlocked cases that tie into the events of the last book and sees her maverick protagonist once again try to take down the deadly antagonist from Unforgiven. I have already started reading this fantastic novel and I can’t wait to see how the various cases unfold.

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Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 37: Crossroads by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo - Crossroads Cover

I was exceedingly happy to receive a copy of the new Usagi Yojimbo volume, Crossroads, this week. As most readers will know, I am a massive fan of Stan Sakai’s outstanding Usagi Yojimbo comic series, and I was extremely happy that Sakai released a second volume this year. Crossroads, which I read the second it was delivered, is another amazing read with two epic stories to them. Loaded with action, incredible artwork and fantastic characters, this was another impressive outing from Sakai that I had a wonderful time reading.

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Silver Queendom by Dan Koboldt

Silver Queendom Cover

The next book I was lucky enough to receive is the fantastic and fun fantasy novel, Silver Queendom by Dan Koboldt. I absolutely love the sound of Silver Queendom which sees a scrappy group of conman attempt to pull off an impossible heist to save their skins. There is nothing about this book’s plot that I do not love, and I am very excited to see how this fantasy heist novel pays off. I already know I am going to have an awesome time with this book, and I am hoping to check it out next.

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The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett

The Resemblance Cover

I was also lucky enough to receive a copy of a fantastic new debut novel with The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett. Set in a college town, this book will see a police detective dive into the corrupt world of fraternities and sororities as she attempts to solve a curious murder of a college student run over by someone who looks exactly like him. This sounds like quite an intriguing read, and I look forward to diving into this elaborate case, which will no doubt provide some interesting insights into the crazy world of elite university students.

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Private Beijing by James Patterson and Adam Hamdy

Private Beijing Cover

I have been getting a few James Patterson books recently, and the latest is the compelling Private Beijing, which Patterson cowrote with Adam Hamdy. This is the 17th book in Patterson’s The Private series which follows a group of private investigators, and his latest book will see the Beijing office of the agency come under attack, forcing Private’s leader, Jack Morgan, into action. I haven’t had a chance to check out this series before, but I am very keen to try now, especially as this sounds like quite a fun spy thriller. I look forward to getting through more of Patterson’s books this year and I am sure I am in for an excellent time with Private Beijing.

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Judgement Day by Mali Waugh

Judgement Day Cover

The final book I received a copy of is the awesome 2023 Australian thriller, Judgement Day, by new author Mali Waugh. The debut novel from Waugh, Judgement Day will see a detective investigate the murder of judge, which will bring her to the dark heart of the local legal system. I am already quite intrigued by this upcoming novel, and I am very excited to already have a copy of this Australian crime fiction debut.

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Book Haul – 13 November 2022

On November 13, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I have been having an absolutely fantastic weeks for book, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, some of which rank amongst my top books of 2022. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence by Zoraida Cordova

The first book I recently received was the awesome Star Wars novel, Convergence by Zoraida Cordova. The first adult book in the second phase of The High Republic sub-series, Convergence looks set to be one of the major books of this franchise, providing a major introduction to the wider galaxy in the prequel era while also showcasing some of the key new characters and concepts. I only just finished the very first book in this second phase, Path of Deceit, and it has gotten me pretty excited for the upcoming High Republic offerings. I can’t wait to see what happens in Convergence, and I have a feeling it is going to be quite an impressive read.

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Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

I was very excited to receive a copy of the intense young adult thriller, Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarerz. I had an absolutely wonderful time reading Alvarez’s 2021 novel, Lies Like Wildfire, which was one of my favourite debuts of last year. Friends Like These will contain another intriguing narrative around teenagers making terrible mistakes that lead to murder. This time centered around the consequences of a beach party where a viral video prank gets everyone in trouble, Friends Like These promises to be an exceptional read, and I reckon I’ll try to dive into it next.

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The Prisoner by B. A. Paris

One of the more intriguing books I recently received was the compelling psychological thriller, The Prisoner by acclaimed author B. A. Paris. Set to follow a woman who knows plenty about survival, The Prisoner will see the protagonist kidnapped by mysterious captors, who lock her in a pitch-black room. However, as the ordeal continues, the protagonist finds herself feeling safe, especially as it keeps her away from her husband. I’m very, very curious about this book, mainly because I’m not entirely sure how it is going to unfold. I am imagining that this is going to be a super-twisty read, and I look forward to seeing just how dark and complex it turns out to be.

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The Warrior by Stephen Aryan

I was very happy to receive a copy of The Warrior by Stephen Aryan in the last week, which will continue an excellent narrative from a talented author. The sequel to one of the more entertaining fantasy books of 2021, The Coward, The Warrior will see the protagonist, traumatized hero turned reluctant king, Kell, travel off on another lethal adventure, this time to help a friend. I loved the first book in this clever duology last year and I have no doubt that Aryan has another exciting and heartfelt adventure waiting for us in this cool sequel.

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Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher

Out of all the books I have recently received, the one that I am particularly curious and excited for is Dead Man’s Hand, and that is mainly because of its author, James J. Butcher. Butcher is the son of legendary fantasy author, Jim Butcher, and he is breaking into the family business by starting his own urban fantasy series. Dead Man’s Hand is a very cool sounding book that sees a mediocre witch forced to investigate a murder of one of his powerful peers in order to prove his innocence. Featuring a very interesting narrative and a cool cover, I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy Dead Man’s Hand and I look forward to finding out how Butcher’s first book turns out.

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The Perfect Assassin by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

The final book I recently received is the awesomely titled novel, The Perfect Assassin, written by the fantastic team of James Patterson and Brian Stills. I have been having an incredible time with some of the recent novels Patterson has cowritten, such as 2 Sisters Detective Agency and Death of the Black Widow, and I am looking forward to reading this next one, especially as it has quite an intriguing plot to it. Connected to classic pulp character, Doc Savage, this book will apparently follow a university professor who is kidnapped by a mysterious woman, who seeks to mold him into something very different. I am very intrigued by this interesting novel, and I have a feeling The Perfect Assassin is going to be a very entertaining, if slightly bonkers read, and I can’t wait to see how it connects to the old-school adventures from the 1930s.

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Book Haul – 14 August 2022

On August 14, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I have been having an absolutely fantastic couple of weeks for books, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, several of which I have been eagerly awaiting for some time. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

Call of Empire by Peter Watt

Call of Empire Cover

I was very happy this week to receive an advanced copy of Call of Empire by Peter Watt, the latest Colonial novel from one of Australia’s best historical fiction authors. Call of Empire will continue the storylines from the action-packed The Queen’s Colonial, The Queen’s Tiger, The Queen’s Captain and The Colonial’s Son, and should lead to some awesome moments. In particular, Call of Empire is going to take the reader on an intriguing dive into the Boer War, which I am very curious to see.

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Notorious Sorcerer by Davinia Evans

Notorious Sorcerer Cover

The next book I recently received is one of the more intriguing fantasy debuts of 2022, Notorious Sorcerer by Davinia Evans. This outstanding sounding novel is set in a city where magic is outlawed and follows a brilliant young protagonist who commits an act of impossible magic in front of everyone and then gets drafted into a desperate search to save the city that hates him. I love the fantastic sounding plot of this book and I have feeling this is going to turn out to be an excellent and captivating read.

Amazon Book Depository

The Pride by Tony Park

The Pride Cover

One of Australia’s most distinctive thriller authors, Tony Park, returns with another high-octane book set in the wilds of Africa with The Pride. This latest book sees Park’s recuring protagonist, Sonja Kurtz, tangle with a group of deadly poachers after her daughter is attacked, which forces her to survive against Africa’s underworld. I always deeply enjoy Park’s outstanding thrillers, especially as they contain some fascinating looks at poaching and other social issues in Africa, and The Pride sounds particularly good. If The Pride is anything like Park’s recent novels, Blood Trail, Last Survivor or Scent of Fear, I know I will have an amazing time reading it.

Amazon Book Depository

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

The Lies I Tell Cover

One of the most interesting and compelling sounding novels that I recently received was The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark. This book pits two women against each other, a notorious and secretive con-woman and one of her victims, in a powerful and intense battle for survival and revenge. I have a lot of interest in this impressive plot, and I will hopefully dive into The Lies I Tell soon.

Amazon Book Depository

The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester

The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre Cover

I was also quite happy to receive an advanced copy of the captivating historical drama, The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester. I got really caught up in Lester’s 2021 release, The Riviera House, and I am quite curious to see what happens in her next book. The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre is set around World War II and tells the tale of a brilliant young PR agent who is drafted into the war as a spy to turn a Nazi agent, only to have her life changed forever. This sounds liked a deeply compelling and powerful read and I have no doubt that many tragedies and betrayals are on the horizon.

Amazon Book Depository

Do No Harm by Robert Pobi

Do No Harm Cover

I have also received a copy of the new Robert Pobi thriller, Do No Harm, which sounds extremely fun. Pobi’s thrillers follow an astrophysicist turned FBI agent who investigates a series of unique crimes. Do No Harm will see him dragged into a deadly case when he notices that way too many New York doctors are dying in mysterious circumstances. I am really intrigued by Do No Harm’s compelling and distinctive premise, and I have no doubt I am going to have a blast getting through it.

Amazon Book Depository

The French Agent by Belinda Alexandra

The French Agent Cover

Another great historical drama set in the aftermath of World War II, The French Agent is the latest book from acclaimed author Australian author Belinda Alexandra, and I am very curious to check it out. The French Agent will follow two very different women in 1946 who find their lives drawn together in terrible circumstances when the hunt for a war criminal uncovers dark secrets. A fantastic combination of spy thriller and personal drama, The French Agent should be a great read and I can’t wait to check it out.

Amazon Book Depository

Chrysalis by Lincoln Child

Chrysalis Cover

I was very happy to receive a copy of Chrysalis by bestselling thriller author Lincoln Child, as it sounds like such an epic book. This new book will follow an enigmalogist (investigator of unexplained things) as he attempts to uncover a mystery and dangerous issue occurring the heart of a massive tech company. Chrysalis has a particularly intriguing plot and I have a feeling that this cool thriller is going to be one of the more unique reads of the year.

Amazon Book Depository

The Paris Mystery by Kirsty Manning

The Paris Mystery Cover

The final book I recently received is The Paris Mystery by Australian author Kirsty Manning. Set in pre-World War II Paris, The Paris Mystery will follow an Australian journalist who gets caught up in the glamour of Paris life while also investigating a deadly murder. The start of a new crime fiction series by Manning, I look forward to seeing how The Paris Mystery unfolds and I am sure I am going to have a wonderful time with it.

Amazon Book Depository

Well that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 18 July 2022 – Second-Hand Books

On July 18, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul1 Comment

In addition to my previous Book Haul post, which covered some of the recent new novels I have received from local publishers, I have also recently obtained several fantastic second-hand novels. I have been really getting into some awesome second-hand novels lately, and so I made sure to grab a few more from both my local second-hand book shop and the recent Lifeline Book Fair (a very worthy event to check out if you’re in Canberra). As such, this has allowed me to grab several impressive and fun older novels, including some outstanding and fun Warhammer books. These should all be some very entertaining reads and I can’t wait to check them all out.

Salamander by Nick Kyme

Salamander Cover

I was pretty happy to grab Salamander by Nick Kyme, the first book in the author’s The Tome of Fire trilogy. I love the sound of this book, which follows one of my favourite Space Marines chapters, and I can’t wait to check out all the amazing action and lore it no doubt contains.

Firedrake by Nick Kyme

Firedrake Cover

In addition to Salamander I also managed to pick up a copy of its sequel, Firedrake, which continues the story from the first book. This means that when I get around to reading Salamander I can immediately jump over to the sequel after, which should result in some excellent chain reading. I will have to try and keep an eye out for the third book though, but hopefully it won’t be too hard to find a copy of that.

Heroes of the Space Marines edited by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley

Heroes of the Space Marines Cover

I also made sure to grab a copy of the Warhammer 40,000 short story collection, Heroes of the Space Marines. As the title suggests, this fantastic novel contains multiple stories about various famous or heroic Space Marines, all of which have been written by some of the biggest names in Warhammer fiction. This collection apparently also contains a prequel story to Nick Kyme’s two novels above, which is one of the main reasons I grabbed the book, and I will probably end up reading this before I get to Salamander.

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis

The Silver Pigs Cover

After enjoying some of Lindsey Davis’ more recent novels (The Third Nero, Pandora’s Boy, A Capitol Death, The Grove of the Caesars, A Comedy of Terrors and Desperate Undertaking), I decided to go back and check out the author’s very first novel, The Silver Pigs. This is the first book in the Davis’s long-running Falco series and I look forward to seeing how this entire amazing series began.

Enemies at Home by Lindsey Davis

Enemies at Home Cover

In addition to The Silver Pigs I also picked up the second Flavia Albia novel, Enemies at Home. It looks like I might have missed this book when it first came out, so this seems like a chance to go back and rectify that issue. It helps that Enemies at Home has a fantastic sounding story to it and I am extremely keen to check it out.

The Dragon Lords: Fool’s Gold by Jon Hollins

Fool's Gold Cover

While I was browsing along the book fair this weekend, a copy of Fool’s Gold happened to fall into my hand. The first book in an intriguing series about a world ruled by dragons, Fool’s Gold will apparently follow a desperate band of adventurers who attempt a suicidal heist on a dragon’s lair. I love the sound of this exciting and amazing narrative and I am very keen to see what sort of fantastic shenanigans occur as a result.

Rebel Winter by Steve Parker

Rebel Winter Cover

There was no way that I could turn away from the awesome sounding Warhammer action novel, Rebel Winter. Written by Steve Parker, who also authored the exceptional Deathwatch: Shadowbreaker, Rebel Winter will follow a war between the proud Vostroyan Firstborn Imperial Guards and two separate armies of rebels and orks. Sure to be a fun and entertaining read, I look forward to quickly getting through this when I have a chance.

Blood Angels: Deus Encarmine by James Swallow

Deus Encarmine Cover

One of the novels I was particularly glad to grab was the first book in James Swallow’s Blood Angels series, Deus Encarmine. I have previously mentioned the Blood Angels’ books in my recent list about Warhammer series I want to try and read, so finding a copy of Deus Encarmine seemed like a good opportunity. Set to follow one of the most famous, if brutal, Space Marines chapters, this sounds like a great read and I am very excited for it.

Blood Angels: Deus Sanguinius by James Swallow

Deus Sanguinius Cover

I also managed to get a copy of Deus Encarmine’s sequel, Deus Sanguinius, so this is another series I can do some chain reading with.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

The Black Echo Cover

I was very happy to get my hands on a copy of The Black Echo by bestselling author Michael Connelly. I have been having a blast with Connelly’s books over the last few years, especially with his Ballard and Bosch books (such as Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire and The Dark Hours), so I figured it was time to go back and see where it all began with the very first Bosch novel, The Black Echo. I look forward to checking out some old school Connelly and I am extremely curious to see how different his early work is to his current novels.

The Poet by Michael Connelly

The Poet Cover

In addition to The Black Echo, I also grabbed another of Connelly’s older novels, The Poet. The first book to feature recurring protagonist Jack McEvoy, this novel will follow the journalist as he dives into an elaborate conspiracy. I really enjoyed Connelly’s latest Jack McEvoy novel, Fair Warning, a couple of years ago, and I am sure that this very first one is going to be an outstanding read.

Book Haul – 18 July 2022

On July 18, 2022 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I have been having an absolutely fantastic couple of week for books, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, several of which I have been eagerly awaiting for some time. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.

The Accomplice by Steve Cavanagh

The Accomplice Cover

I just received the cool new entry in Steve Cavanagh’s awesome Eddie Flynn legal thriller series, The Accomplice, which sees conman lawyer Eddie Flynn defending the wife of a notorious serial killer. I have already read this book (see review above) and it was extremely good. Highly recommended!

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Stay Awake Cover

I am pretty happy to have received an advance copy of the new book from fast-rising Australian author, Megan Goldin, Stay Awake. I have been looking forward to Stay Awake for a while, especially after enjoying Goldin’s last two novels, The Escape Room and The Night Swim, and this new book sounds particularly impressive. Featuring a trippy thriller narrative about a woman who wakes up without her memory, Stay Awake has so much potential and it is sure to be an excellent and fantastic read.

The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsyth

The Crimson Thread Cover

I have already started reading the next book in the haul with the powerful historical drama, The Crimson Thread by Australian author Kate Forsyth. Set in Crete during World War II, The Crimson Thread follows two Australian soldiers and a young Cretan woman as they attempt to weather the Nazi invasion while also dealing with their own dangerous love triangle. I am rather enjoying this books so far and I should probably finish it off in the next day or so.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Upgrade Cover

I was particularly excited to receive a copy of Upgrade by the always impressive Blake Crouch, who has produced some outstanding and trippy science fiction novels recently. This latest science fiction thriller looks at illegal genetic engineering and follows a man who has been “upgraded” into something more than human. I already know that this book is going to be pretty damn epic and I will try and read Upgrade as soon as I can.

The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh

The Orphans Cover

I also received an advance copy of the new historical drama from Fiona McIntosh, who has another impressive sounding Australian novel coming out soon with The Orphans. I have had a good time with some of McIntosh’s previous historical dramas, including The Champagne Wars, The Diamond Hunter, The Pearl Thief and The Spy’s Wife, and this new book has an interesting and moving narrative to it that will great to check out.

Dark Rooms by Lynda La Plante

Dark Rooms Cover

Another awesome book I just received is Dark Rooms, the new Tennison novel from the leading lady of crime fiction, Lynda La Plante. Serving as a prequel to the Prime Suspect television series, the Tennison series has featured some amazing books so far, including Good Friday, Murder Mile, The Dirty Dozen, Blunt Force and Unholy Murder, all of which have made me a pretty major fan. This new novel, Dark Rooms, features another intriguing murder mystery, that will not only see Tennison investigate a wealthy London family over a series of bodies, but will also feature a visit to Australia. I am very excited to check Dark Rooms out and it is sure to be an outstanding read.

The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis

The Unbelieved Cover

I also received a copy of the powerful and intense debut thriller from Vikki Petraitis, The Unbelieved. This intriguing book will follow a female detective who transfers to a small Australian town, only to discover that a dark and shocking secret waits for her there. The Unbelieved is probably going to be the grimmest novel on this list and I am very certain it is going to be a gripping and moving read.

Picture You Dead by Peter James

Picture You Dead Cover

The final book on this list is the latest thriller from bestselling author Peter James, Picture You Dead. The latest book in his Ray Grace series, Picture You Dead will see the protagonist dive into the world of fine art when a couple find a rare masterpiece and are subsequently targeted by a dangerous criminal. I haven’t had much chance to read many of James’ novels before (except his standalone book Absolute Proof), but I might try and check out Picture You Dead as it has a fascinating story to it.