Tag: Book Haul

Book Haul – Canberra Bookfair – September 2025

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During the last weekend I was able to attend the Canberra Lifeline Bookfair, an event that occurs several times a year and gives great opportunities to pick up secondhand books donated for charity. I ended up managing to pick up several pretty awesome books at this bookfair which I was very happy with. This includes multiple books I had been keeping an eye out for, as well as a few interesting novels that proved to be very welcome surprises. Due to these successes, I decided to do a bonus Book Haul post to show off just how varied the books you can potentially find at this bookfair can be.

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

One of the most talked about fantasy novels in recent years has to be The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman.  I heard a lot of awesome things about The Blacktongue Thief when it first came out, and I even did a Waiting on Wednesday post about it.  Despite this, I kept failing to find a copy of The Blacktongue Thief, even though I was still extremely interested in reading it.  As such, I was pretty damn happy to find a good secondhand version of this book on the weekend and I’m hoping to read it soon.

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Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher

Another book I was particularly happy to find over the weekend was Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher.  The second book in Butcher’s Unorthodox Chronicles, Long Past Dues is the awesome sounding sequel to the author’s debut novel, Dead Man’s Hand.  I had a great time reading Dead Man’s Hand when it first came out, and I’m very excited to finally get my hands on the sequel.

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Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien De Castell

I just had to pick up a copy of Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien De Castell when I saw it was available, especially after enjoying some of the author’s more recent novels.  The first book in the author’s Greatcoats series, Traitor’s Blade sounds pretty amazing, and I’m curious to see how De Castell set up his entertaining universe.

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Apocalypse Cow by Michael Logan

So, I’m not going to lie, I picked this one up purely because of the puns on the front page, which still makes me chuckle.  A comedic novel about zombie cows is frankly something I’d never be able to turn down, and it sounds like Apocalypse Cow is a particularly funny read, which I am very keen to check out.

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Star Wars: The Mandalorian Armor by K. W. Jeter

While I haven’t explored the now defunct Legends canon of Star Wars fiction as much as I would have liked, I was very interested in this copy of The Mandalorian Armor by K. W. Jeter I found.  The first book in a series that pits the infamous bounty hunters of Star Wars universe against each other, The Mandalorian Armor sounds pretty damn awesome, and I look forward to diving into it when I get a chance.

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Warhammer 40,000: Grey Knights by Ben Counter

More fun Warhammer 40,000 fun from the always impressive Ben Counter, how could I possibly turn that down.

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Footprints of Thunder by James F. David

The final book I picked up is the intriguing classic science fiction novel, Footprints of Thunder by James F. David. A compelling and thrilling novel that sees the modern world merged with the dinosaur inhabited past, Footprints of Thunder is an excellent book that I was very happy to find a good copy of.  I think I actually read this book when I was younger, so it will be interesting to revisit it after all these years.

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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 – 4 August 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

The first awesome new book I recently received is the new Steve Cavanagh novel, Two Kinds of Stranger.  An excellent legal thriller from Cavanagh that will see his former conman protagonist attempt to save an innocent client from a terrible set of circumstances, Two Kinds of Stranger sounds very cool and I am hoping to read it soon.

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The Final Vow by M. W. Craven

Next, we have the exceptional novel from M. W. Craven, The Final Vow.  Part of his Washington Poe series, The Final Vow will see Craven’s intense protagonist attempt to stop a deadly sniper terrorizing the UK.  I love the sound of this book, and I am very excited to read it, especially after how impressive the previous entry in the series, The Mercy Chair, turned out last year.  I honestly believe that The Final Vow is going to end up being one of the top thrillers of 2025 and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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Templar Traitor by Angus Donald

I was very happy to have received a copy of the excellent historical fiction novel, Templar Traitor, this week, especially as I really enjoyed author Angus Donald’s first book many years ago. This latest novel features a very interesting plot about an English knight who joins the Mongol army as it invaded Europe.  I am actually reading Templar Traitor now and it is proving to be a very impressive read with a great story behind it.

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The Detective by Matthew Reilly

The always outstanding Matthew Reilly dives into the crime fiction genre this year with The Detective.  The Detective will see a new investigator protagonist dive into a long-running case of missing girls and murdered detectives in the American South. The Detective sounds like a particularly awesome read and I am really intrigued to see how this cool novel unfolds.

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High Rise by Gabriel Bergmoser

I am very excited for this next book, High Rise by Australian author Gabriel Bergmoser, which honestly sounds so damn awesome.  Featuring a very cool plot about a rogue cop who finds himself being hunted by an entire city’s underworld in his daughter’s apartment building, High Rise has the potential to be one of the most thrilling Australian novels of 2025, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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Seed by Bri Lee

 A compelling thriller about two people stuck out in an isolated seed vault, Seed sounds really good and could be quite an interesting read.

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Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville

A gritty and layered novel from a very highly regarded thriller author.

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Dead Line by Marc Cameron

An outstanding new novel from Marc Cameron set in Alaska that has a very intriguing plot synopsis behind it.

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Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill

The final book I recently received is the fantastic murder mystery novel Five Found Dead by Australian author Sulari Gentill.  An interesting take on the classic train-based whodunnit, Five Found Dead sounds like quite a compelling read, and I am curious to see what sort of mystery Gentill has planned.  I am hoping to start reading Five Found Dead in the next week or so, and it should prove to be a pretty amazing mystery.

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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 – 21 July 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

The Last Soul Among Wolves by Melissa Caruso

The first new book I want to highlight is the excellent fantasy novel, The Last Soul Among Wolves by Melissa Caruso.  The sequel the Caruso’s 2024 novel, The Last Hour Between Worlds, The Last Soul Among Wolves looks set to be another gripping fantasy mystery as the protagonist tries to survive a will reading that has been made livelier by a deadly curse.  Sure to be one of the more compelling and complex fantasy reads of 2025, I cannot wait to check this book out.

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Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

I was also extremely happy to receive a copy of one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2025 with Katabasis by R. F. Kuang.  A cool dark academia fantasy novel that will see two rival students got to Hell to retrieve their professor’s soul, Katabasis has a ton of potential, and I am very excited to read my first book from Kuang, whose books have been high on my to-read list for a while.

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The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford

One of the more insane and entertaining books I have recently received is the fantastic and fun novel, The Bone Raiders.  Written by rising author Jackson Ford, The Bone Raiders will see a group of bone-clad raiders attempt to survive an oncoming invasion by taming giant, fire-breathing lizards that stalk the steppes with them.  I really love the sound of this book’s awesome plot, and I have no doubt that The Bone Raiders will be a particularly epic read.

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End Game by Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer brings his William Warwick series to an end later this year with End Game. The eighth book in the series, End Game will see the final battle the protagonist and his mortal enemy, all while trying to stop an assassin using the 2012 London Olympic games as cover.  I am really looking forward to seeing how this series comes to an end, and End Game should be a particularly awesome read.

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Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge

An explosive and cool YA fantasy debut from Australian author Mikayla Bridge, Of Flame and Fury follows a team of phoenix racers as they attempt to win big while getting dragged into an elaborate conspiracy.  A fun book that I am currently reading at the moment, Of Flame and Fury is proving to be a fantastic novel, and I am excited to see how it comes together.

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The Scene of the Crime by Lynda La Plante

A cool, CSI based series from one of England’s leading crime fiction authors, Lynda La Plante.

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Death at Booroomba by A. L. Booth

A rural, post-World War I Australian crime fiction novel, Death at Booroomba is a compelling sounding novel that will see a scarred veteran attempt to settle into a remote property he inherited, only to be accused of murdering the land’s previous owner by the suspicious locals.  I have a feeling Death at Booroomba is going to be an excellent piece of Australian fiction and I’m hoping to read it soon. 

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How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

Another particularly awesome and unique sounding novel I have recently received is the thriller How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates.  Set around a controversial party on an isolated island that soon becomes a bloody mess, How Bad Things Can Get sounds like a ball of gruesome fun, and I am really keen to check this incredible book out.

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Legacy by Chris Hammer

A particularly exciting new book from one of Australia’s leading thriller authors.

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Agricola: Commander by Simon Turney

The final book I was lucky enough to recently receive is the third book in the Agricola series by Simon Turney, Commander.  Following the early life of the legendary Roman general as he returns to Britannia to make a name for himself, Commander should be an outstanding read and I’m keen to check it out.

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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 – 18 May 2025

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I’ve been away on holiday for a few weeks, which has resulted in a lack of major posts on this blog (at least that’s my excuse).  One upside about being away is that you tend to come back to a big pile of books, which is always fun to explore.  This holiday was no exception as I managed to return to a great collection of awesome books that have built up the last couple of weeks.  This includes some major 2025 releases, including a few books likely to be amongst my top books of the year.  I am very happy with this collection, and I just had to gloat about it here.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

Probably the book I was most excited to receive was the new Joe Abercrombie novel The Devils.  The start of a cool new series set in an alternate and dark medieval Europe filled with fantasy creatures, The Devils follow a mismatched group of monsters under the command of the Pope as they attempt to pull off an impossible mission.  This was one of my most anticipated fantasy releases of 2025 and I have already started reading it.  I’m a good third of the way through The Devils at the moment and it is already proving to be a particularly exceptional read that will likely be one of the best books of the entire year.  Highly recommended!

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Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler

Another particularly awesome fantasy novel I was very happy to get my hands on was Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler.  The sequel to the hilarious 2024 fantasy novel, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me follows a reluctant fantasy protagonist whose plan to survive by becoming a feared dark lord starts to backfire on her.  This will probably end up being one of the funniest books of the year and I am hoping to read it very soon.

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Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold

Australian author Luke Arnold returns with Whisper in the Wind, the fourth entry in his urban fantasy Fetch Phillips series that follows a damaged investigator desperately trying to bring back magic to a dying fantasy city.  I loved the first three books in this series, The Last Smile in Sunder City, Dead Man in a Ditch, and One Foot in the Fade, and I cannot wait to see how this series continues.  Another amazing sounding book from an excellent author that I will probably be reading this week.   

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Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch

The fantasy hits I recently received keep on coming with the epic new Rivers of London novel, Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch.  The latest book in one of the best ongoing urban fantasy series, Stone and Sky will follow the series’ police protagonist as he attempts to have a family holiday in Scotland, only to encounter a new dark magical mystery.  I really love the sound of this book, and I cannot wait to dive into Stone and Sky’s complex and entertaining story.

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The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence

Another great book I was lucky enough to recently receive was the third and final book in Mark Lawrence’s Library trilogy, The Book That Held Her Heart. Following on from The Book That Wouldn’t Burn and The Book That Broke the World, The Book That Held Her Heart will show the final battle for the impossible and infinite library, as the separated protagonists must find a way back to each other to save the lives of those closest to them.  I am very excited to finish this trilogy off, and The Book That Held Her Heart has a great deal of potential.

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Sins of the Fathers by John Byrnes

Another cool Australian historical epic from John Byrnes, who previous impressed me with Headland and The Youngest Son.  This new book will follow three children through the early 20th century as they feud throughout key Australian historical events and locations.  This will likely be a fun and compelling read that I look forward to checking out. 

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The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

An intriguing new novel from Nita Prose that will continue to showcase the investigations of her unlikely and unusual protagonist.

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Paved with Good Intentions by Peter McLean

The final book I have received was the cool fantasy crime novel, Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean.  A standalone novel set in McLean’s War for the Rose Throne universe, Paved With Good Intentions will follow a woman forced into the spying game as she tries to survive and get back to her children. A very intriguing and cool book from a talented author that I look forward to reading.

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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 – 7 April 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

The Malevolent Eight by Sebastien de Castell

First up we have one of the potentially most funny and over-the-top fantasy novels of 2025 with The Malevolent Eight.  The sequel to the author’s previous novel, The Malevolent Seven, this new book will see a group of unlikely magical heroes as they attempt to save their world from the invading armies of heaven and hell.  I had a lot of fun with The Malevolent Seven and I cannot wait to see how de Castell continues this entertaining story.

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No Body No Crime by Tess Sharpe

After having a ton of fun with Tess Sharpe’s previous novels, The Girls I’ve Been and The Girl in Question, I am excited for the author’s upcoming book, No Body No Crime.  Another awesome thriller that will see two women try to survive a powerful crime family coming for them, No Body No Crime sounds really cool and I look forward to reading it.

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2 Sisters Murder Investigations by James Patterson and Candice Fox

The superstar team of James Patterson and Candice Fox return for the new fast-paced thriller, 2 Sisters Murder Investigations.  The sequel to 2 Sisters Detective Agency, 2 Sisters Murder Investigations will see the dysfunctional sister protagonists dragged into a new murder investigation with potential lethal consequences.  I had a lot of fun with the first novel in this series and I am excited to see how it continues.

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Retreat by Krysten Ritter with Lindsay Jamieson

An intense and compelling thriller from acclaimed actor Kristen Ritter.

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Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake

An intriguing novel that is essentially Succession with magic, Gifted & Talented sounds like a very fantastic read, and I have heard some good things about author Olivie Blake’s previous books.

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When She Was Gone by Sara Foster

An intense and complex crime fiction read from a great Australian author.

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Vanguard Strike by Jarom Strong

The final book I want to highlight in this blog post is the awesome science fiction novel, Vanguard Strike by Jarom Strong.  Featuring a very cool sounding plot about a team of thieves trying to strip a valuable military ship in space, only to contend with its monstrous contents, Vanguard Strike’s plot really appealed to me, and I cannot wait to see how crazy this book gets.

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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 – 11 March 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

A Death In Berlin by Simon Scarrow

Let’s start this Book Haul post on a high with the new Simon Scarrow book, A Death in Berlin.  The latest entry in Scarrow’s Berlin Wartime Thriller series (Blackout and Dead of Night), A Death in Berlin will once again follow the series’ detective protagonist as he tries to investigate crimes in Berlin against the wishes of the Nazi leadership.

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Pacific Heights by S. R. White

Next, we have the very cool Australian murder mystery, Pacific Heights by S. R. White.  An intriguing new book from White, Pacific Heights will see new police protagonists attempt to investigate a murder using the conflicting testimony of five differing witnesses.  I look forward to unravelling this complex tale and it should be an exceptional read.

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Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 40: The Crow by Stan Sakai

I was very happy to get the latest volume of my favourite comic book series with Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow by Stan Sakai.  An outstanding addition to an epic series, I have already reviewed The Crow here, and it comes highly recommended.

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Vanish by Shelley Burr

One of Australia’s fastest rising murder mystery, Shelley Burr, returns with her third book, Vanish.  Following on from her previous novels, Wake and Ripper, Vanish will see the series’ troubled protagonist journey to another remote Australian town to investigate a historical murder, only to encounter a dangerous cult. I have really enjoyed Burr’s first two books, and I cannot wait to see how Vanish turns out.

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When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

I was extremely happy to receive a copy of the new John Scalzi book, When the Moon Hits Your Eye. A fun sounding science fiction comedy that will examine what happens to the world when the moon suddenly turning to cheese, When the Moon Hits Your Eye sounds so damn awesome, and I cannot wait to read it.

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Overgrowth by Mira Grant

One of the more intriguing novels I recently received was the intriguing science fiction book, Overgrowth by Mira Grant. A unique take on the alien invasion story, Overgrowth sounds extremely cool and I look forward to getting through it.

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The Other People by C. B. Everett

The final book I have recently received is The Other People by C. B. Everett.  An excellent sounding murder mystery, The Other People will follow ten strangers who wake up in a mysterious house and are forced to solve a missing person’s case while a killer stalks them. This sounds like an amazing concept, and I am intrigued to see how it turned out.

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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 February 2025

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I’ve had a excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Midnight Black by Mark Greaney

The first recently received book I want to highlight in this post is the new Mark Greaney novel, Midnight Black. The 14th entry in the author’s Gray Man series, Midnight Black follows on from the cliffhanger at the end of the previous novel, The Chaos Agent, and sees the dangerous spy protagonist attempt to rescue his love interest from a Russian prison camp. One of my most anticipated books of 2025, Midnight Black sounds really cool, and I cannot wait to see what brutal action and over-the-top chaos emerge in this amazing read.

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The Reunion by Bronwyn Rivers

The next book I want to highlight in this book haul post is the intriguing Australian thriller debut, The Reunion by Bronwyn Rivers.  Set in the iconic landscape of the Blue Mountains, The Reunion will see five former friends return to the site of a fateful incident 10 years before where one of their friends died during a hike.  Set to feature old secrets and lies re-emerge, The Reunion has a ton of potential, and I think it will end up being one of my top debuts of 2025.

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The Medici Return by Steve Berry

I was very happy to receive a copy of The Medici Return by Steve Berry.  The latest entry in the long-running Cotton Malone series (of which I have become very fond of), The Medici Return will see the series’ titular protagonist investigate a deadly conspiracy involving an old debt owed to the historical Medici family by the Catholic church, which could impact the entire future of Italy.  I cannot wait to see what elaborate narrative Berry has pulled together for The Medici Return and I know I am going to have an amazing time with this book.

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The Bluff by Joanna Jenkins

One of the more intriguing novels I recently received was the cool Australian legal thriller, The Bluff by Joanna Jenkins.  The sequel to Jenkin’s fun and clever first novel, How To Kill A Client (one of my favourite debuts of 2023), The Bluff looks set to be another compelling read as the big-city lawyer protagonist investigates a deadly cover-up in small-town Australia.

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Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben

Easily one of the more intriguing thrillers of 2025, I was very happy to get a copy of the new Harlan Coben book, Nobody’s Fool.  A follow-up to Coben’s classic novel, Fool Me Once, Nobody’s Fool will see returning character Sami Kierce forced to face his past after an old girlfriend he thought long dead returns, initiating an impossible mystery.  I really like the sound of this amazing book, and I cannot wait to read another incredible novel from Coben.

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You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

A very fun and meta thriller that will see several bestselling murder mystery and thriller authors caught up in a classic whodunnit situation when they are summoned to the private of a famous and mysterious author.  I love books that attempt to place their own twist on the iconic old-school mystery novels, and You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego sounds like it is going to be something very special.

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Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

An intriguing upcoming debut thriller that will see a chronic liar caught up in a dark situation thanks to her bold stories. This could be a very cool read and I look forward to checking it out.

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Grave Empire by Richard swan

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the new fantasy novel from Richard Swan, Grave Empire.  One of the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2025, Grave Empire takes readers to a new age of the Empire of the Wolf and presents a whole different raft of threats and challenges.  This sounds like a really cool book and one I hope I get the chance to check out this year, although as I still haven’t finished off the preceding The Empire of the Wolf trilogy, I worry I won’t be able to enjoy Grave Empire as much.

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Barren Cape by Michelle Prak

I was very happy to get an early copy of the fantastic thriller novel, Barren Cape, from Australian author Michelle Prak. This awesome novel will see a desperate person squatting in an abandoned and isolated resort, which will backfire on her in some dark ways.  I am extremely curious to see how Barren Cape turns out, and I think I am going to have a lot of fun with this book.

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Nightshade by Michael Connelly

Last, but definitely not least, is the new upcoming Michael Connelly book Nightshade.  I was very, very lucky to receive an early copy of Nightshade and I am very excited to check it out, especially as all my recent experiences with Connelly’s books have been extremely positive.  Introducing a new Connelly protagonist who operates on Catalina Island, Nightshade looks set to be a particularly impressive book and I am very excited to check it out.

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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 – 1 February 2025 – Netgalley Books

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As I mentioned in my other Book Haul post tonight, I’ve had an excellent few weeks for books, especially when it comes to the haul from Netgalley.  I have received a pretty awesome collection of great upcoming novels from the site, including several that have the potential to be some of my top books of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them and I am looking forward to reading all of them.

An Ethical Guide to Murder by Jenny Morris

The first new novel I want to highlight in this book haul post is the awesome and fun thriller, An Ethical Guide to Murder.  The debut novel from Jenny Morris, An Ethical Guide to Murder sees a young woman gain the ability to transfer life from one person to another.  Determined to use the ability for good, she goes about ethically taking life from bad people to gift it to those she believes deserves to live. I love this fascinating plot idea, and I have already started reading An Ethical Guide to Murder this week.

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The White Fortress by Boyd and Beth Morrison

I was particularly pleased to receive an early copy of the historical fiction thriller, The White Fortress by Boyd and Beth Morrison. The third book in the authors’ Tales of the Lawless Land series, The White Fortress brings back the protagonists of the first two novels, The Lawless Land and The Last True Templar, and sees them become involved uncovering a dark plot in medieval Croatia. This sounds like such an awesome read and based on how much fun I had with the previous novels in the series, I have no doubt The White Fortress is going to be exceptional.

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Battle Mountain by C. J. Box

An awesome thriller from acclaimed author C. J. Box, Battle Mountain is the new entry in the long-running Joe Pickett series, and it promises more bloodshed as one of the series’ protagonists sets out to get revenge. I had a ton of fun reading the last entry in the series, Three-Inch Teeth, and I look forward to seeing what craziness emerges in this cool new book.

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Crusade by Richard Cullen

Another amazing upcoming historical fiction read I recently received is the fantastic novel Crusade by Richard Cullen. The sequel to Cullen’s 2024 novel, Rebellion, Crusade should be another outstanding book that will follow the author’s knight protagonist as he joins the crusades to test his mettle. Crusade looks set to be another fun and action-packed historical read, and I am hoping to read it very soon.

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How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner

A fantastic and fun sounding thriller that follows a wife whose murderous plans are thrown into disarray by a chaotic holiday. I really love the sound of How to Slay on Holiday, and I am very excited to check it out, especially after having so much fun reading Bonner’s previous books Her Perfect Twin and Her Sweet Revenge.

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A Song of Legends Lost by M. H. Ayinde

An outstanding and massively epic upcoming fantasy debut that I think has a ton of potential.

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Landfall by James Bradley

An intriguing and unique upcoming piece of Australian fiction that will follow a police officer investigating a crime in an environmentally wrecked, future Sydney.

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Broke Road by Matthew Spencer

The final book I want to highlight in this post is the cool upcoming Australian murder mystery Broke Road by Matthew Spencer. The sequel to Spencer’s debut novel, Black River, Broke Road presents a cool new crime fiction story that I am very intrigued to check out.

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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 – 1 December 2024

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I’ve had a excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 39: Ice and Snow by Stan Sakai

First up I have the latest volume of one of my favourite comic series, Usagi Yojimbo: Ice and Snow.  Pitting the rabbit samurai protagonists against several relentless supernatural foes, including Usagi’s archenemy Jei, Ice and Snow was a great addition to this awesome series, and I read it the very second I got my hands on it.

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Deep Black by Miles Cameron

Next up we have the epic science fiction novel, Deep Black by Miles Cameron.  The sequel to Cameron’s excellent novel, Artifact Space, Deep Black will continue to follow the inhabitants of a massive human trading ship as it attempts to survive a nefarious plot to destroy it.  I really loved Artifact Space and I cannot wait to see how Cameron continues the story.  I am hoping to read Deep Black next, and I know I am going to really enjoy it.

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The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso

I was also very happy to get my hands on a copy of The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso.  A cool new fantasy novel from Caruso, an author who has really impressed me in the past, The Last Hour Between Worlds will see an unlikely pair of rivals team up to investigate a deadly magical mystery.  I am deeply intrigued by the synopsis for The Last Hour Between Worlds and I have no doubt this will end up being one of my favourite fantasy books of 2024.

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A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

I was exceedingly lucky to receive an early copy of A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett, which is one of the top books coming out in 2025.  The sequel to the exceptional fantasy crime fiction novel, The Tainted Cup (one of my favourite books from the first half of 2024), A Drop of Corruption will continue to follow two unlikely investigators as they attempt to uncover dire plots to their monster-besieged kingdom.  A Drop of Corruption is going to be such an epic novel, especially after Bennett blew me away with The Tainted Cup, and this will probably end up being one of my top reads of 2025.  I am going to enjoy this book as early as I can (probably once we hit 2025 proper), and I cannot wait to dive into its outstanding story.

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The Ascent by Adam Plantinga

An awesome and cool thriller debut that I have been meaning to check out all year, The Ascent sees a small group of survivors attempt to fight their way to the top floor of a rioting prison.  This sounds like a very fun and exciting book, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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Exodus: The Archimedes Engine by Peter F. Hamilton

A massive and complex science fiction novel from iconic author Peter F. Hamilton, Exodus: The Archimedes Machine, sounds like a very interesting read and I hope that I get the chance to check it out.

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Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

Another hit 2025 novel I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of was Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson.  A fun young adult dark academia novel that will see a young protagonist investigate a mysterious Scottish boarding school with a demonic edge to it, Unhallowed Halls sounds very entertaining, and I have really enjoyed Wilkinson’s other young adult books in the past (see my reviews for The Erasure Initiative and After the Lights Go Out).  I look forward to diving into this book and I cannot wait to see what complex narrative Wilkinson has come up with this time.

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Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose

The final book I recently received that I want to highlight in this post is the awesome 2025 fantasy novel, Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose.  An outstanding novel based around magical cooking, Seven Recipes for Revolution has so much potential, and I feel that it is going to be one of the more unique books of next year. 

 

 

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 – 22 October 2024

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I’ve had another excellent week for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne

I was very, very happy to receive the latest epic fantasy novel from John Gwynne, The Fury of the Gods.  The third and final book in the Bloodsworn trilogy, The Fury of the Gods will follow on from the exceptional reads, The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods.  Set to showcase the final battle between several bands of warriors and the reborn gods, The Fury of the Gods will easily be one of the top fantasy books of 2024 and I am extremely keen to check it out, especially after once again witnessing this glorious cover art.

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The Ghosts of August by Peter Watt

Another excellent book I was happy to get my hands on was the fantastic Australian historical fiction novel, The Ghosts of August by Peter Watt.  The sixth and final book in Watt’s excellent Colonial series, The Ghosts of August will continue to follow members of an Australian family as they battle their way through various key historical events.  This final book will be set around World War I and should prove to be another outstanding read.  I have had a lot of fun with this series over the last few years (see my reviews for The Queen’s Colonial, The Queen’s Tiger, The Queen’s Captain, The Colonial’s Son and Call of Empire), and I have no doubt Watt will end this series on a great note.

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Everyone this Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

As an early Christmas gift, I was lucky enough to get a copy of the new Benjamin Stevenson book, Everyone This Christmas has a Secret.  Following on from his previous awesome novels, Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone and Everyone on This Train is a Suspect, Everyone This Christmas has a Secret is a short, but intriguing entry in the series that will see the protagonist attempt to work out which performer at a Christmas show is a murderer.  I know that I am going to have a ton of fun with this book, and its sure to be one of the top Australian novels of 2024.

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Rebellion by Richard Cullen

An exciting historical fiction release, Rebellion is a great new novel from Richard Cullen that follows an uprising against King John by his nobles.  I loved the sound of this cool book, and I actually started reading it today.  It’s proving to be a very exciting and compelling historical read that focuses on a fantastic period of history.

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Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

One of the books I recently received with the most potential is the epic novel, Blood Over Bright Haven.  An intrigue laden book about politics and study in a magical university, Blood Over Bright Haven sounds really cool and I am very keen to get through its fantastic sounding plot.  I’m also interested in reading something from author M. L. Wang, especially after hearing some good things about her previous novel, The Sword of Kaigen, and I look forward to seeing how this book turns out.

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The Great Library of Tomorrow by Rosalia Aguilar Solace

The final book I recently received was The Great Library of Tomorrow by Rosalia Aguilar Solace.  An intricate fantasy novel about a multidimensional library, The Great Library of Tomorrow looks set to be a fascinating read and I am looking forward to diving into it.

Amazon

 

 

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.