WWW Wednesday – 25 June 2025

On June 26, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW WednesdayLeave a comment

WWW Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Sins of the Fathers by John Byrnes (Trade Paperback)

I have just started reading the amazing Australian historical fiction novel, Sins of the Fathers by John Byrnes. Following two feuding families as they try to kill each other for the sins of their respective fathers in the chaotic history of 1910s Australia, Sins of the Fathers is proving to be an excellent novel, and a wonderful third book from Byrnes after Headland and The Youngest Son.

Grave Danger by James Grippando (Audiobook)

I decided to dive into the audiobook version of the intriguing legal thriller Grave Danger by James Grippando this week, especially after having so much fun last year with Goodbye Girl. The 19th Jack Swyteck novel, Grave Danger features a deeply compelling central case involving a complex custody case, political activism and fraught relations. I have made a fair bit of progress on Grave Danger this week and I am really enjoying its complex and captivating narrative.

What did you recently finish reading?

Broke Road by Matthew Spencer (Trade Paperback)

I finished off the excellent Australian crime fiction novel Broke Road by Matthew Spencer this week. The sequel to his fantastic debut, Black River, Broke Road was a brilliant outback murder mystery that I couldn’t get enough of. A very impressive sequel from a rising Australian author.

Warhammer 40,000: Fulgrim: The Perfect Son by Jude Reid (Audiobook)

I also finished off the awesome Warhammer 40,000 audiobook, Fulgrim: The Perfect Son by Jude Reid this week. Following members of the hedonistic and corrupt Emperor’s Children Chaos Space Marines Legion as they embark on siege on behalf of their dark master, The Perfect Son was one of Reid’s best books yet and featured a brutal and compelling plot. Highly recommended.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Medici Return by Steve Berry

I’ve got several excellent books I can dive into next, but I think I might try and read the latest Cotton Malone novel by Steve Berry, The Medici Return. Featuring another elaborate historical conspiracy, The Medici Return sounds like a ton of fun, and I have been meaning to check it out for a while. I will have to see how I go getting onto this, but I have no doubt I will have an amazing time with this book at some point.

Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

If I manage to finish off Grave Danger this week, I’m planning to start the over-the-top thriller Badlands on audiobook next. Bringing back the writing team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for another awesome thriller, Badlands will feature a very unique mystery as people start dying while holding Native American artefacts. I have no doubt this is going to be an incredible and very exciting novel and I cannot wait to see how fun things get.

That’s it for this week; check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

WWW Wednesday – 18 June 2025

On June 19, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW WednesdayLeave a comment

WWW Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Broke Road by Matthew Spencer (Trade Paperback)

I just started reading the excellent Australian crime fiction novel Broke Road by Matthew Spencer. The sequel to his fantastic debut, Black River, Broke Road sets up another compelling murder mystery, this time out in rural Australia. I have made a bit of progress with Broke Road so far and it is proving to be an intriguing and compelling piece of crime fiction. I look forward to unwinding the full case this week, and I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

Warhammer 40,000: Fulgrim: The Perfect Son by Jude Reid (Audiobook)

I’m still listening to the awesome Warhammer 40,000 audiobook, Fulgrim: The Perfect Son by Jude Reid, who previously impressed me with books like Creed: Ashes of Cadia and Daemonbreaker. Following members of the hedonistic and corrupt Emperor’s Children Chaos Space Marines Legion as they embark on siege on behalf of their dark master, The Perfect Son looks set to be an intriguing and entertaining Warhammer 40,000 novel loaded with secrets and betrayal. I’ve made a fair amount of progress on The Perfect Son, and it is proving to be a particularly impressive piece of Warhammer 40,000 fiction, and one of Reid’s best books yet.

What did you recently finish reading?

Battle Mountain by C. J. Box (ebook)

A very fun and over-the-top thriller with a ton of action and adventure. Review to follow very soon.

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson (ebook)

I decided to check out the interesting fantasy debut, The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson this week, and boy was it particularly impressive. Featuring a unique fantasy narrative, loaded with murder, intrigue and conspiracy, The Raven Scholar was an outstanding novel, and one I’m hoping to gush about very soon.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Sins of the Fathers by John Byrnes

I’m hoping to check out the amazing Australian historical fiction novel, Sins of the Fathers by John Byrnes next. Set to follow two feuding families as they try to kill each other for the sins of their respective fathers admit the chaotic periods of Australian history, Sins of the Fathers sound really cool and I love a good generational historical epic. I am looking forward to checking this book out, especially after enjoying Byrnes previous novels Headland and The Youngest Son.

Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I’m also hoping to start the over-the-top thriller Badlands on audiobook this week. Bringing back the writing team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for another awesome thriller, Badlands will feature a very unique mystery as people start dying while holding Native American artefacts. I have no doubt this is going to be an incredible and very exciting novel and I cannot wait to see how fun things get.

That’s it for this week; check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Winter 2025 To Be Read (TBR) List

On May 27, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn List4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official Top Ten Tuesday topic for this week involved fictional animal companions, which, while interesting, isn’t something I felt I could contribute to, and I am instead going to use this post to look at some upcoming books. This is because today is the first Tuesday before Winter 2025 and I thought this would be a good opportunity to do my quarterly post about the best upcoming books I am looking forward to reading in Winter (Summer for folks in the Northern Hemisphere). This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and I always love to highlight some of the most impressive sounding novels coming out in the next three months.

For this list, I have come up with ten books coming out between 1 June 2025 and 31 August 2025 that I am most excited for. There are quite a few amazing novels set for release in the next few months, so it took me a while to finalise my final top ten list, including my usual honourable mentions section. I have primarily used the Australian publication dates to reflect when I will be able to get these awesome novels, and these might be somewhat different to the rest of the world. I have previously discussed a number of these books before in prior Waiting on Wednesday articles, and I think all of them will turn out to be incredible reads. I am extremely excited for these next three months and I feel that quite a few of these upcoming reads have the potential to be some of my favourite books of 2025.

Honourable Mentions:

Forged for Destiny by Andrew Knighton – 24 June 2025

An entertaining fantasy novel that will present a new take on the classic chosen-one story.

The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford – 12 August 2025

Bone-covered, grassland raiders attempting to train giant, fire-breathing lizards as their new mounts, what’s not to love?

The Hungry Gods by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 12 August 2025

An intriguing new novel from one of the best modern authors of science fiction and fantasy.

Once a Villain by Vanessa Len- 19 August 2025

The epic conclusion to a great young adult fantasy series by Australian author Vanessa Len, Once a Villain will complete the tale started in Only a Monster and Never a Hero.

Top Ten List:

Hard Town by Adam Plantinga – 10 June 2025

First up we have the awesome sounding thriller Hard Town by Adam Plantinga. The sequel the amazing and brutal 2024 debut, The Ascent, Hard Town sounds like another impressive and over-the-top thriller and I really cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Warhammer 40,000: Grotsnik: Da Mad Dok by Denny Flowers – 1 July 2025

There are several awesome Warhammer 40,000 novels still to come in 2025, but the one I’m currently most looking forward to is the epic novel Grotsnik: Da Mad Dok. Written by the very talented Denny Flowers who has previously impressed me with books like Outgunned (one of my favourite Warhammer 40,000 novels) and Above and Beyond (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2024), Grotsnik: Da Mad Dok has a ton of hilarious potential as it dives into the most insane and diabolical “medical” practitioner amongst the brutal orks. I already know this is going to be a clever and very funny read (especially after seeing Flowers write ork characters in Da Red Gobbo Collection), and I cannot wait to see what insanity awaits in this cool upcoming book.

Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch – 8 July 2025

The always outstanding Ben Aaronovitch returns to his iconic Rivers of London series with the compelling upcoming Stone and Sky. Part elaborate urban fantasy, part clever police procedural, Stone and Sky will see the series protagonist and his unusual family journey up to Scotland on a holiday, only to encounter a new supernatural mystery from the depths of the ocean. Set to feature another amazing and addictive story told in Aaronovitch’s distinctive style, Stone and Sky will likely be one of the most captivating fantasy novels of 2025 and I look forward to continuing the series.

No Body No Crime by Tess Sharpe – 15 July 2025

A great new thriller from the talented Tess Sharpe, whose previous two books, The Girls I’ve Been and The Girl in Question, were so much fun. Sharpe’s new novel, No Body No Crime will follow two young female protagonists as they face off against a dangerous crime family and the consequences a murder they committed while teenagers. I already love No Body No Crime’s awesome story and I’m hoping to read this one soon.

Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland – 15 July 2025

In the last year I have had an amazing time checking out the awesome fantasy novels of the Broken Blades trilogy by Mai Corland. Following several dangerous killers as they are forced to pull off impossible missions for a power-hungry king, the first two books, Five Broken Blades and Four Ruined Realms, have set up an outstanding story with some brilliant characters. Fans of this series will be getting a conclusion to the trilogy later this year with Three Shattered Souls, which should be particularly epic. I cannot wait to see how Corland wraps everything up, and I already know I’m going to love it, especially in its elaborate audiobook format.

Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child – 17 July 2025

After absolutely loving my first Douglas Preston novel, Extinction, last year, I’m extremely keen to see his next novel, this time written with his long-time collaborator Lincoln Child. Their new book, Badlands, will continue the authors’ Nora Kelly series and will see the titular archaeologist protagonist investigate several mysterious and disturbing deaths connected by ancient artifacts the victims were holding as they died. Set to be an extremely fun and memorable thriller with potential supernatural implications, Badlands will be a great book to check out and I cannot wait to see how crazy the story gets.

Seven Recipes for Revolution by Ryan Rose – 22 July 2025

An intriguing 2025 fantasy debut that I have had my eye on for a long time, Seven Recipes for Revolution will see a young outcast attempt to become a magical chef, only for his culinary creation to turn him into a giant kaiju. Set to combine exciting magic and unique fantasy elements with intrigue and betrayal, Seven Recipes for Revolution sounds extremely unique, and I cannot wait to see Rose’s first literary offering.

Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh – 29 July 2025

I love a good legal thriller, and few examples of this sub-genre are more entertaining or memorable than the Eddie Flynn books by Steve Cavanagh. I have had an outstanding time with novels like The Devil’s Advocate, The Accomplice and Witness 8, and I am always excited to see what new craziness Cavanagh has planned for his next courtroom escapades. Luckily, we don’t have too much longer to wait for the next upcoming book in the series, Two Kinds of Stranger, which will see an innocent client dragged into a legal nightmare when she tries to help a random stranger with dark secrets. I cannot wait to read this new book, and it should be particularly entertaining and compelling.

The Final Vow by M. W. Craven – 12 August 2025

After absolutely loving the dark and twist laden novel The Mercy Chair last year, I am a major fan of all things M. W. Craven and I cannot wait to see his next epic read, The Final Vow. The new book in the author’s Washington Poe series, The Final Vow will see the series’ damaged detective and his unconventional investigation team attempt to stop a sniper terrorising the entire country. This amazing sounding book will likely be one of the very best mystery novels of 2025 and I am extremely excited to see how many complex twists and shocking turns Craven will load into this new book.

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang – 26 August 2025

The final upcoming book I want to highlight in this TBR post is the complex and fantastic sounding Katabasis by R. F. Kuang. A very intriguing novel from an author who specialises in memorable fantasy scenarios, Katabasis will see two magical academics travel to hell to save their professor’s soul after accidently killing him. Likely to be one of the most inventive books of the year, Katabasis is a very worthy book to end this list on, and I have some very high hopes for it.

Well, that is the end of my Top Ten list. I think it turned out pretty well and it does a good job of capturing all my most anticipated books for the next three months. There are some really impressive books coming out in this part of 2025, and I cannot wait to read each of them soon. Let me know which of the above you are most excited for and stay tuned for reviews of them in the next few months. In the meantime, it looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do in the near future.

Waiting on Wednesday – Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

On January 29, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday6 Comments

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. For this latest Waiting on Wednesday post, I check out a fun and awesome upcoming thriller that sounds like a real blast, with Badlands by Doughlas Preston and Lincoln Child.

Last year I had the very great pleasure of reading Extinction by Douglas Preston. An outstanding thriller set in a private nature park filled with cloned woolly mammoths and other prehistoric creatures, I was lured in by Extinction’s cool premise but came away deeply thrilled by how crazy and fun things got, as an unlikely group of antagonists caused all manner of over-the-top carnage I loved every second I spent reading Extinction, and it was one of the more entertaining novels of 2024. Due to this, I decided to keep an eye out on more books from Preston and was very intrigued by his next release, Badlands, which he has once again written with his long-time collaborator Lincoln Child.

While Preston and Child have both written solo books, they are better known as a highly regarded writing partnership which has produced a mass of exciting and compelling thrillers with supernatural or scientific twists. The pair’s main body of work is the long-running Agent Pendergast series, which started back in 1995 with Relic, and has since resulted in over 20 associated books. In addition to the Agent Pendergast books, Preston and Child have also written other series, such as the Gideon Crew books, as well as some cool standalone novels, which all sound very awesome. Due to the various intriguing narratives contained within this series, the novels of Preston and Child have been on my radar for a while, and I think it is time I make the effort to check them out, especially after having so much fun with Extinction.

As such, the pair’s next book, Badlands, seems like an excellent place to start. Part of the author’s Nora Kelly series, which follows the titular archaeologist as she becomes involved in a series of dark investigations with historical components to times, Badlands sounds really intriguing, and I love the cool plot behind it. Based on what I have heard about Preston and Child’s novels, I should be able to start reading Badlands without too much pre-knowledge of the author’s previous books, and hopefully I can just start enjoying the awesome sounding narrative. Set for release in July 2025, Badlands has a ton of potential, and I cannot wait to unwind Preston and Child’s new elaborate plot.

Plot Synopsis:

In the New Mexico badlands, the skeleton of a woman is found — and the case is assigned to FBI Agent Corrie Swanson. The victim walked into the desert, shedding clothes as she went, and died in agony of heatstroke and thirst. Two rare artifacts are found clutched in her bony hands–lightning stones used by the ancient Chaco people to summon the gods.

Is it suicide or… sacrifice?

Agent Swanson brings in archaeologist Nora Kelly to investigate. When a second body is found — exactly like the other — the two realize the case runs deeper than they imagined. As Corrie and Nora pursue their investigation into remote canyons, haunted ruins, and long-lost rituals, they find themselves confronting a dark power that, disturbed from its long slumber, threatens to exact an unspeakable price.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2024

On December 10, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List14 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday was books to read during a storm, which while interesting, is something I am putting aside for the moment as I want to continue with my end of year best-of lists, which I started last week when I looked at pre-2024 novels I read this year. instead, this week I will be looking at new-to-me authors I discovered in 2024. This is a list I have covered for the last couple of years (make sure to check out my 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 versions), and it is one that I always have a lot of fun doing.

Each year I am lucky enough to read a great number of awesome novels and this often includes books written by authors whose work I was previously unfamiliar with. 2024 was a particularly good example of this as I powered through an incredible collection of amazing novels written by authors who were completely new to me. Many of these new-to-me authors produced some truly exceptional novels, including one or two which I consider to be some of the best books released in 2024 (more on that later), and I really feel the need to highlight them here.

To appear on this list, the author had to be someone whose work I checked out for the first time in 2024. All new-to-me authors were eligible to appear here, although I did exclude debut authors as I am going to cover them in another list. Even with debuting authors excluded, I still had a ton of potential inclusions, as I apparently got through 24 new authors in 2024. After some hard work, I was able to whittle this down to a manageable top ten list, with my usual generous honourable mentions section. I am really surprised at some of the impressive and enjoyable authors I had to exclude, and I was honestly tempted to increase this to a top twenty list. I managed to resist and I think the below entry really highlights the absolute best new-to-me authors I enjoyed in 2024.

Honourable Mentions:

Don Bentley – Capture or Kill

Thanks to him taking over the Mitch Rapp series this year with the exciting read Capture or Kill, I got my first taste of thriller writer Don Bentley, who impressed me with his fantastic first entry in the series.

Mark Billingham – The Wrong Hands

I had fun with my first Mark Billingham novel, The Wrong Hands, which showed the authors quirky side in this entertaining crime fiction read.

Lainie Anderson – The Death of Dora Black

Australian author Laine Anderson impressed with this excellent Australian historical crime fiction read, based around Australia’s first female police officer.

James Patterson and Nancy Allen – The No.1 Lawyer

While I have read many things from James Patterson before, 2024 is the first time I enjoyed anything he wrote with co-author Nancy Allen. Allen, whose legal thriller fiction I haven’t read before, worked well with Patterson to create an exciting and captivating novel with The No.1 Lawyer.

Top Ten List:

Steven B. Fischer – Warhammer 40,000: Witchbringer and Broken Crusade

The first new-to-me author that I want to feature on this list is Warhammer 40,000 writer Steven B. Fischer. I was lucky enough to read two books from Fischer this year, including his debut from a couple of years ago, Witchbringer, as well as his 2024 release, Broken Crusade. Both books were particularly good examples of Warhammer 40,000 fiction, and I love the author’s intense style and ability to dive into two different, unique factions. Fischer is a Warhammer author to watch in the future and I look forward to seeing what cool stories he comes up with next.

M. L. Wang – Blood Over Bright Haven

I am particularly happy that I decided to read something from M. L. Wang this year, as she has been on my radar for a while now. An intriguing author, Wang has so far written two acclaimed adult fantasy novels with amazing plots behind them. I read one of them this year with Blood Over Bright Haven, and boy was it something special. Set around a particularly inventive magical system, Blood Over Bright Haven follows two very different protagonists as they uncover a dark secret at the heart of a magical city. I was really blown away with this book, especially as Wang loads it up with shocking twists, and this ended up being one of the top fantasy books of 2024.

C. J. Box – Three-Inch Teeth

I had a lot of fun getting to know well-established thriller author C. J. Box this year when I was grabbed a copy of the latest book in his Joe Pickett series, Three-Inch Teeth. Following his game warden protagonist as he investigates a series of bear attacks, the book quickly turns into something special when an old nemesis returns, disguising a series of revenge-fuelled murders using an unlikely contraption. I had an outstanding time with Three-Inch Teeth, and I fully plan to grab the next Joe Pickett novel when it comes out in 2025.

Douglas Preston – Extinction

One of the wildest novels I had the pleasure of reading in 2024 was my first Douglas Preston book, Extinction. Preston goes all out with this amazing science fiction thriller, that sees a series of grizzly murders take place within a nature park filled with living mammoths and other cloned pre-historic creatures. I powered through this outstanding read, especially as Preston really amps up the craziness and intensity shortly into Extinction, and I honestly loved every second I spent with this book.

Gary Kloster – Warhammer 40,000: Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge

Another fantastic new-to-me author from the vast Warhammer 40,000 franchise I discovered this year was Gary Kloster who wrote the epic read, Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge. Focussing on the iconic Dark Angels chapter of Space Marines, Enmity’s Edge was a particularly clever and addictive Warhammer read that drew readers in with its elaborate conspiracy and fantastic characters. This proved to be an extremely cool addition to the canon, and I am very, very glad that I decided to read it.

Django Wexler – How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

Easily the funniest new author I checked out in 2024 was Django Wexler, who blew me away with his hilarious comedic fantasy novel, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. Featuring an outstanding plot about a human trapped in a time loop within a fantasy realm who, after hundreds of painful attempts at being the hero, decides to win by becoming the evil dark lord instead. Thanks to his cracked protagonist, outrageous scenario, and entertaining use of the time-loop concept, Wexler had me in stiches the entire way through How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, and I have so much love for this book as a result. The sequel, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me, is out in May next year, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

J. D. Barker – Behind a Closed Door

Now this next entry is slightly cheating, as J. D. Barker is someone who I have technically read before. However, as all the Barker books I have previously read were co-written with other authors, such as James Patterson (Confessions of the Dead and Death of the Black Widow), I felt that it was appropriate to include him on this list after reading one of his solo novels for the first time with Behind a Closed Door. A gripping, distinctive and highly adult thriller, Behind a Closed Door was an intense novel that I felt really showcased Barker’s own unique writing style. This was a very fun book, and I look forward to seeing what other devious narratives he comes up with in the future.

C. J. Tudor – The Gathering

I had been meaning to read something from awesome author C. J. Tudor for years, especially I have heard nothing but good things about her impressive thrillers and horror novels. I finally got a chance in 2024 with The Gathering, which ended up being one of the best books from the first half of the year. Set in an alternate version of America where vampires are second-class citizens, The Gathering follows an investigation into an apparent vampire attack in an isolated town, which could result in the extermination of the entire local vampire settlement. A particularly epic and clever horror thriller that made full use of its inventive concept, The Gathering was such a great read, and I plan to grab every new Tudor book that comes out from now on.

James Grippando – Goodbye Girl

It looks like I have a new awesome legal thriller author to become obsessed with after checking out my first book from James Grippando, Goodbye Girl. The latest book in Grippando’s long-running Jack Swyteck series, Goodbye Girl was a captivating and memorable legal thriller that dived into the world of online piracy in a surprisingly nautical way. Featuring some entertaining court sequences and a fantastic crime fiction plot, Goodbye Girl was a lot of fun to get through and comes very highly recommended. Grippando is another new-to-me author I am planning to add to my must-read list each year, and I am already excited for his next Jack Swyteck book, Grave Danger, which is out very soon.

Robbie MacNiven – Warhammer 40,000: Oaths of Damnation

The final new-to-me author I want to highlight on this list is Robbie MacNiven, who impressed me with his 2024 Warhammer 40,000 release. MacNiven, who has written a couple of series I am very interested in exploring, had fun diving into a unique Chapter of Space Marines with the compelling novel Oaths of Damnation. A fantastic novel loaded with epic Space Marine action; Oaths of Damnation was an outstanding read that made MacNiven a very easy choice for this list.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Top Ten list. I think it turned out rather well and it encapsulates some of the best new authors I checked out in 2024. I look forward to reading more books from these authors in the future and I have no doubt they will produce more epic and incredible reads. Make sure to let me know which new authors you enjoyed in 2024 in the comments below and make sure to check back next week for another exciting end of 2024 list.

Top Ten Tuesday – Top New-to-Me Authors That I Read in the First Half of 2024

On July 31, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List2 Comments

In addition to highlighting some of the best pre-2024 novels I read in the first half of this year, I am also taking this opportunity to list the best New-to-Me authors I have so far read this year.

Each year I am lucky enough to read a great number of awesome novels and this often includes books written by authors whose work I was previously unfamiliar with. 2024 is so far proving to be a great example of this as there were an incredible collection of amazing novels written by authors who were completely new to me. This included some debuting authors, as well as more established writers whose work I only got around to reading this year. Many of these new-to-me authors produced some truly exceptional novels, including one or two which I consider to be some of the best books released in 2024 so far and I really feel the need to highlight them here.

To appear on this list, the book had to be one I read this year and be written by an author who I was unfamiliar with before 2024. If I had not read anything from this author before last year or if their book was a debut, it was eligible to appear here. After some hard work, I was able to whittle this down to a manageable top ten list, with my usual generous honourable mentions section. I am really surprised at some of the impressive and enjoyable authors I had to exclude from this list, but I think the below entry really highlights the best new-to-me authors I have enjoyed so far in 2024.

Honourable Mentions:

Rich McCormick – Warhammer 40,000: Renegades: Lords of Excess

An excellent debuting author who released the Warhammer 40,000 novel, Lords of Excess. I am still currently in the process of reading Lords of Excess (which is why I’m leaving McCormick as an honourable mention for now), but I love the clever story this new author has come up with.

Mark Wales – Outrider

Former soldier turned media personality Mark Wales produced a very cool debut with the Australian thriller Outrider.

Paul Morgan – The Winter Palace

I had fun with my first Paul Morgan novel, The Winter Palace, which contained a great story about star-crossed lovers in occupied Poland.

Jon Lindstrom – Hollywood Hustle

Actor Jon Lindstrom made a fantastic writing debut this year with the cool thriller Hollywood Hustle.

Top Ten List:

Douglas Preston – Extinction

I had an awesome time getting to know science fiction thriller author Douglas Preston this year with his new novel, Extinction. A crazy and over-the-top novel, Extinction followed a compelling murder investigation which takes place in a luxury park loaded with clones of pre-historic animals.

James Logan – The Silverblood Promise

An outstanding and bold fantasy debut from a great new author.

C. J. Box – Three-Inch Teeth

A highly entertaining and exciting thriller from an author I’m glad I checked out.

C. J. Tudor – The Gathering

An excellent murder mystery novel set in a world with complex human and vampire settlements.

Victoria Hayward – Warhammer 40,000: Deathworlder

An outstanding and dark debut with lots of action, adventure and carnage.

James Grippando – Goodbye Girl

I ended up very wowed by the cool legal exploits of author James Grippando with this fantastic novel.

J. D. Barker – Behind a Closed Door

While I have read some of Barker’s collaborations, Behind a Closed Door was the first solo novel from the author I have experienced, and it found it to be an thrilling and clever read.

Steven B. Fischer – Warhammer 40,000: Witchbringer

A talented author with a real flare for complex characters whose first novel, Witchbringer, I should have read much sooner.

James Patterson and Nancy Allen – The No.1 Lawyer

The No.1 Lawyer was a great introduction to the writing style of the Patterson/Allen collaboration, and I loved the impressive and captivating story contained in this book.

C. A. Parker – Song of the Samurai

An excellent debuting historical fiction author who utilised their unique passions in this debut novel.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Top Ten list. I think it turned out rather well and it encapsulates some of the best new authors I have checked out so far in 2024. I look forward to reading more books from these authors in the future and I have no doubt they will produce additional epic and incredible reads. It will be interesting to see what other great New-to-Me authors I will get to experience in the rest of 2024, and I am sure there are going to be some exceptional new books from them.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Books From the First Half of 2024

On July 2, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List15 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently reside at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday involved listing books with your favourite colour on the cover. While this is an interesting topic which I might come back to later, I had already decided in advance that this week I would take this opportunity to celebrate the fact that we are into the second half of 2024 by highlighting some amazing books from the first half of the year.

2024 has already proven to be a fantastic year for books, and I have already read some incredible new releases, including impressive standalone books, amazing entries in established series and fantastic debuts. Because of this, I thought that I would take the time to work out what my top ten favourite books from the first half of 2024 were. To be eligible, a book had to be a particularly epic novel released in the first half of this year. I have excluded any books released during this period that I have not so far read, although a couple of releases I have my eye on might have appeared on this list if I had read them in time.

Coming up with this list proved to be a rather bigger task than I originally intended, as I ended up amassing nearly 20 releases, all of which I consider to be outstanding reads. I was eventually able to whittle this down to an acceptable Top Ten list, although I did include my typical generous honourable mentions section. I am rather happy with how this list turned out, although I am surprised at some of the great recent books that ended up being excluded. Still, the entries below represent what I considered to be some of the best books from the first half of 2024, and I would strongly recommend each and every one of them.

Honourable Mentions:

Warhammer 40,000: Deathworlder by Victoria Hayward

Warhammer 40,000 - Deathworlder Cover

One of the darkest and most compelling Warhammer 40,000 novels I have had the pleasure of reading.

Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien De Castell

Crucible of Chaos Cover

An outstanding fantasy murder mystery from the very end of 2023 that I am sneaking into the honourable mentions due to how good it was.

Devil’s Kitchen by Candice Fox

Devil's Kitchen Cover

One of Australia’s best thriller authors once again wowed me with the epic and moving Devil’s Kitchen.

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

The Girl in Question Cover

An awesome sequel to the amazing young adult thriller The Girls I’ve Been.

Top Ten Tuesday:

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Tainted Cup Cover

The first book I want to highlight was the delightfully compelling and intriguing fantasy murder mystery The Tainted Cup. The start of a cool new series by Robert Jackson Bennett, The Tainted Cup saw a fun pair of investigators attempt to uncover the truth behind an impossible magical murder in a land constantly under siege from giant monsters. A relentlessly entertaining novel with a fantastic mystery behind it, The Tainted Cup was an early favourite of 2024 that I cannot recommend enough.

The Gathering by C. J. Tudor

The Gathering Cover

Another excellent book that blended the genres together was The Gathering by acclaimed author C. J. Tudor. A compelling murder mystery set in an alternate world where vampyrs exist, The Gathering sees the protagonist travel to an isolated Alaskan town to investigate whether a murder was committed by a local vampyr colony or something far darker. A unique tale that sets up an intriguing new world from Tudor, The Gathering was an addictive read that really impressed me.

Play of Shadows by Sebastien De Castell

Play of Shadows Cover

Sebastien De Castell continues to expand his exceptional Greatcoats universe in a big way with Play of Shadows, the first book in the author’s new Court of Shadows series. Play of Shadows was a particularly clever and entertaining novel that followed a cowardly actor who taps into magical forces that allow him to reveal ancient secrets while on the stage. Thrust into a series of battles and intrigues, this resulted in a very fun and compelling story that I deeply enjoyed, and which made me seek out more books from this amazing author.

Extinction by Douglas Preston

Extinction Cover

I had to include Extinction by Douglas Preston on this list, mainly because it was so damn entertaining and exciting. Focussed on a series of murders occurring in a park full of clone megafauna, Extinction was instantly addictive, and I loved just how crazy the story got at times. The last third of Extinction was so damn bonkers and I had such a brilliant time watching the chaos unfold. A very fun book that proved impossible not to enjoy.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

The Silverblood Promise Cover

Debuting fantasy author James Logan burst onto the scene with the amazing first novel, The Silverblood Promise. Set in a cool new fantasy world and following a disgraced heir trying to uncover his father’s murderer, The Silverblood Promise featured a fast-paced and highly enjoyable narrative loaded with intrigue, adventure and mysteries. I absolutely powered through this awesome book and I cannot wait to see what fantasy stories Logan produces in the future.

The Mercy Chair by M. W. Craven

The Mercy Chair Cover

A last-minute addition to this list is the epically dark crime fiction novel, The Mercy Chair by M. W. Craven. This distinctive murder mystery sees the ritual stoning of a controversial religious figure turn into a haunting tale from the past for two unique investigators. I really got stuck into this story, especially as Craven cleverly layers twists upon twist for the reader to discover. I honestly cannot believe how much darker each reveal made this story as Craven leads the reader down a terrible path of betrayal, secrets and lies. Easily one of the best crime fiction novels of 2024.

Da Big Dakka by Mike Brooks

Da Big Dakka Cover

One of the most entertaining Warhammer books of 2024 is the insane and hilarious read, Da Big Dakka by Mike Brooks. The follow-up to his previous novels, Brutal Kunnin and Warboss, Da Big Dakka follows an ork horde as they attempt to destroy the infamous city of the Drukhari, with nothing going the way anyone planned. An excessively fun and action-packed novel that mixes subtle humour with the outrageous actions of his alien protagonists, and which showcases why Brooks is one of the best current authors of Warhammer fiction.

The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney

The Chaos Agent Cover

Mark Greaney continues one of my favourite spy thriller series with the new Gray Man novel, The Chaos Agent. Setting his iconic spy protagonist against a dangerous new enemy, The Chaos Agent had a great story behind it that proceeded to get very crazy once some memorable weapons technology is unleashed. An amazing entry in one of the best thriller series out there, The Chaos Agent was fun from start to finish and leaves the reader on a very interesting cliffhanger.

Point Nemo by Jeremy Robinson

Point Nemo Cover

One of the best authors of the science fiction thriller, Jeremy Robinson, returns with an impressive new novel, Point Nemo. Set on a mysterious island formed from alien material, Point Nemo is a gripping and thrilling adventure that blends unique science with dark and twisted moments. A very compelling book that I could not get enough of, especially in its audiobook format, Point Nemo comes very highly recommended and is really worth a read.

You Like it Darker by Stephen King

You Like It Darker Cover

The final book I want to highlight on this list is the exceptional short story collection You Like It Darker by the legendary Stephen King. Featuring 12 short stories from King, You Like It Darker was a horror-themed thrill ride from start to finish as the author wowed me with his versatility and unique narratives. This book contains some particularly noteworthy short stories, including a sequel to Cujo and a unique story about the downsides of psychic visions, all of which grabbed imagination and refused to let go. You Like It Darker was so damn good and I loved every second I spent with it.

Well, that’s the end of this latest list. As you can see, I have already read some amazing and epic books so far in 2024 and we are only halfway through the year. I am pretty happy with how this list turned out, and it will be interesting to see which of these books ends up being amongst my top reads of the year. All the novels above come very highly recommended, and you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time reading them. Let me know what your favourite releases for the first half of the year are in the comments below and make sure to check out my two most anticipated reads lists for the second half of 2024 (fantasy and science fiction and other).

Extinction by Douglas Preston

On May 12, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Science Fiction, Thriller10 Comments

Extinction Cover

Publisher: Forge Books (ebook – 23 April 2024)

Series: Standalone/Book One

Length: 384 pages

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining author Douglas Preston presents Extinction, a wild science fiction thriller that will drag you in with is amazing and exciting story.

Preston is a veteran author who has been writing compelling novels for 30 years. Preston is best known for his many collaborations with fellow author Lincoln Child, which have resulted in an impressive body of work, including several standalone novels, the long-running Agent Pendergast series, the Gideon Crew series and the Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson books. In addition to his work with Child, Preston has also written several of his own series, including the Tom Broadbent novels, the Wyman Ford books and his standalone novel, Jennie. While I love the unique sound of many of these books, I have never had the opportunity to read anything from Preston before. However, when I managed to get my hands on a copy of his new book, Extinction, I dove into it as soon as I could due to its awesome-sounding story.

Deep in the Colorado Rockies lies the exclusive and world-famous Erebus Resort. Based in a massive 100,000-acre valley, the Erebus Resort contains many wonders of genetic science as clones of woolly mammoths, Irish Elk, giant ground sloths and other extinct species roam the valley, brought back to life, and turned into gentle tourist attractions. The Erebus Resort seems like the most perfect place in the world, but nothing is what it seems.

When a billionaire’s son and his new wife are kidnapped on their honeymoon in the wild countryside surrounding the resort, Agent Frances Cash of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is sent out to investigate. Working with local county sheriff James Colcord, the two lead a force of police and Erebus security to try and locate the missing pair. However, when the two hikers are found brutally murdered and mutilated, apparently by a group of ecological terrorists, the case takes a dark turn.

Determined to find the killers hiding out in the wilds, Cash and Colcord coordinate an exhaustive search while also trying to uncover the dark secrets hidden within the Erebus labs. But with the body count mounting and the Erebus staff attempting to cover up the truth, Cash and Colcord find themselves pushed to the limit, especially as there is something unusual about their potential suspects. The further they dig, the more they discover that the killers are there to pay back an old grudge and will do anything to get their revenge.

Extinction was an awesome book from Preston, and it was honestly as fun and addictive as I was hoping it would be. Combining a great thriller storyline with some entertaining science fiction elements, Extinction was a pretty epic read which I powered through extremely quickly due to the very exciting and thrilling story.

Preston comes up with quite an entertaining and over-the-top narrative for Extinction, which is frankly glorious in just how crazy things get. Starting off with a gruesome murder in a gigantic nature preserve with genetically resurrected creatures, the story quickly evolves into an elaborate and thrilling mystery with a background that is going to remind readers of Jurassic Park (although one character insists they are nothing alike). The first third of the book serves as a great introduction to many of the key elements of Extinction, including the resort, the main characters, and the initial search for answers, while the hints of a wider conspiracy are also shown to the reader. Things get even more interesting in the second third of the book, where further deaths are revealed, several intriguing and often annoying characters are introduced, and the potential antagonists of the story are somewhat revealed. It is the later which most got my attention, as the protagonists face off against an unusual group of apparent terrorists with some distasteful and extreme methods.

I honestly was hooked after the first two thirds of the book, and I loved where the unique mystery was going. However, it was the final third of Extinction that really sealed just how much I enjoyed this epic novel. There are some big, if not especially surprising, reveals here about who is responsible for the attacks and why, which I was completely there for as it was so bonkers and fun. The resulting chaos that results from these revelations is just perfect, as there are numerous outrageous and highly violent sequences that grab your attention. Many of the supporting cast, including several particularly unlikeable characters, meet an ironic or suitably entertaining end, which really highlights the book’s focus on hubris and karma. There are so many fun moments here, as well as some dark and serious pieces, as the protagonists try to survive and come to terms with what is going on. I absolutely powered through this part of the book as I was so intrigued to find out how the story was going to come to an end. Preston leaves everything on a very interesting note, and I frankly came away from the story very, very happy.

Preston did a great job of presenting this dark, if slightly exaggerated, narrative and I liked his writing style in Extinction. In particular, he utilised the tried and tested thriller method of splitting the story amongst several intriguing characters, who told various aspects of the story. While most of it was reserved for the well-written and compelling protagonists, Agent Frances Cash and Sheriff James Colcord, you also get to see the story through the eyes of several supporting cast members, which includes antagonists, supporting members of Cash and Colcord’s investigation, and other people located in the resort, including Cash’s politically minded boss, a grieving billionaire, and the unlucky members of a film crew working nearby. This interesting range of characters and perspectives added some extra drama to the story, especially as Cash is forced to deal with incompetence, politics and coverups, while you also get some fantastic viewpoints of the events leading up to the inevitable carnage. It helped that several of the characters that Preston chose to focus on where pretty unlikeable, and it proved very entertaining to see them get caught in the crossfire.

I think Preston did a good job of balancing the thriller and science fiction elements of Extinction to produce the best story. The initial novel is primarily a crime fiction read, with the protagonist’s investigation and search taking priority while the park and its genetically engineered creatures serve as an intriguing and distinctive background. However, as the story progresses, there are some interesting dives into the science surrounding the creation of the cloned animals, as well some of the interesting real-life history of the related genetic sciences. This genetic science leads to some very fun and major reveals in the plot, and Extinction soon turns into a full-fledged science fiction read with some pretty over-the-top discoveries. I feel that the inevitable science fiction story of Extinction was greatly enhanced because Preston drew the reader in with the exciting thriller elements, and it kept you guessing about who or what the antagonists were going to be. While much of the genetics featured within Extinction is a bit overexaggerated for plot reasons, there is a grain of real science at its core, which makes the book a bit scarier to a degree. Preston makes sure to highlight, both in the plot and his notes at the end, that much of what is being discussed is possible and could be seen in real life sooner than you’d think. As such, you come away from Extinction being a little thoughtful, while also really appreciating the great story Preston has provided to you.

Overall, Extinction by Douglas Preston was an extremely fun book that I was very glad I decided to check out. Loaded with some outrageous moments and exciting sequences, Extinction had me on the edge of my seat for its entire narrative, and I honestly got so caught up in seeing how events would unfold. Dark, brutal, and gloriously unrestrained, readers will get all the excitement and thrills they could want out of Extinction, while finding the underlying mystery to be intriguing, concerning, and entertaining in equal measures. A great novel that will no doubt bring me back to Preston’s writings in the future.

Extinction Cover 2

WWW Wednesday – 17 January 2024

On January 17, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW Wednesday2 Comments

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom (ebook)

Hollywood Hustle Cover

I just started reading the fun debut thriller from actor Jon Lindstrom, Hollywood Hustle. Following a washed-up actor as he tries to recover his kidnapped daughter, Hollywood Hustle is an interesting book, and I loved the sound of its cool plot. I’ve only made a little progress on Hollywood Hustle so far, but I am enjoying its compelling story. I will probably knock Hollywood Hustle off fairly quickly and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Cold Days by Jim Butcher (Audiobook)

Cold Days Cover

I am still going with the extremely awesome Dresden Files novel Cold Days by Jim Butcher, and I should knock it off in the next day or so. Cold Days is the 14th book in the series and sets a recently resurrected Harry Dresden against all the manipulations and intrigue of the Winter Court. A deeply addictive read, I am loving Cold Days and I am hoping to feature it in a post later this week.

What did you recently finish reading?

Rebellion by Simon Scarrow (Trade Paperback)

Rebellion Cover

I managed to finish off the new Eagles of the Empire book by Simon Scarrow, Rebellion this week and boy was it awesome. The latest book in one of my favourite historical fiction series, Rebellion was clever, dark and moving, and I cannot recommend it enough. Review to follow in the next day or so.

Saevus Corax Captures the Castle by K. J. Parker (Trade Paperback)

Saevus Corax Captures the Castle Cover

I had a lot of fun over the weekend reading the second of three Saevus Corax books that entertaining author K. J. Parker released last year, Saevus Corax Captures the Castle. An outstanding sequel to Saevus Corax Deals with the Dead (one of my favourite books of 2023), Saevus Corax Captures the Castle was another hilarious read that thrusts Parker’s smart, but unlucky, protagonist into the middle of an elaborate and complex conspiracy. Highly recommended.

Extinction by Douglas Preston (ebook)

Extinction Cover

The allure of Extinction’s fantastic plot proved to be too much for me, and I dove into the early copy I received of this awesome book by veteran author Douglas Preston. Following a murder investigation in an elite resort full of genetically resurrected mega-fauna, Extinction was a captivating and over-the-top read that had me hooked the entire way through.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Warhammer 40,000: Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer

Warhammer 40,000 - Witchbringer Cover

I am still planning to listen to the Warhammer 40,000 audiobook Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer next. Witchbringer has been on my radar for a while, but I couldn’t get a copy of it until recently. As such, I am hoping to make up for lost time by finally getting through this amazing sounding book that will follow a psyker, one of the most reviled beings in the Warhammer 40,000 setting, who is forced to return to assist the regiment she used to lead. Witchbringer sounds like a very awesome piece of Warhammer fiction, and I cannot wait to experience its fantastic story.

The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox

The Murder Inn Cover

I have a few books I wouldn’t mind reading in the next week, but I will probably start with the excellent crime fiction book, The Murder Inn by the team of James Patterson and Candice Fox. An outstanding sounding novel, The Murder Inn should be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to checking it out.

That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Top Ten Tuesday –Most Anticipated Fantasy/Science Fiction Books Releasing in the First Half of 2024:

On January 9, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, List, Science Fiction16 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. For the first Top Ten Tuesday, I will be listing my most anticipated upcoming books for the first half of the year. This is a regular post I do each year and I always look forward to highlighting the most awesome looking books for the start of the year. Because there are so many incredible reads coming out across the genres, I am doing two versions of this list, this first one that will exclusively look at upcoming fantasy and science fiction books, and another that will focus on upcoming books from other genres, including thrillers, crime fiction, historical fiction and more.

2024 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for fantasy and science fiction with a ton of epic and amazing sounding novels set for release throughout the year. I am particularly excited about the next six months as there are some deeply impressive books coming out that I am extremely keen for. This includes some fantastic sounding sequels, continuations to brilliant series, and several cool new novels from some very talented authors. I have already highlighted several of these books in some previous lists and Waiting on Wednesday articles which has made me really appreciate just how awesome the upcoming year is going to be in the fantasy and science fiction space, hence this list.

Just like with my other list of the night, I am only featuring books that are set for release in Australia or on Netgalley between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024 which I have some descent details about. Despite only being fantasy and science fiction books, I ended up with a huge collection of exceptional novels that I wanted to feature, which made completing this list surprisingly difficult. I was eventually able to break it down to the best 10 books (with honourable mentions), and I feel that I have capture the books that are going to be the best fantasy and science fiction reads of 2024. So let us see what made the cut.

Honourable Mentions:

The Burning Land by David Hair – 1 February 2024

An intriguing and awesome sound fantasy adventure that will see a group of knights go rogue to try and find the truth about the supposedly holy order that they serve.

The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan – 13 February 2024

While I am sure that The Trials of Empire is going to be high up on many people’s to-read list for 2024, I’m going to keep it as an honourable mention mainly because I haven’t had the chance to read the second novel, The Tyranny of Faith, yet. I am hoping to read The Tyranny of Faith before The Trials of Empire comes out, so I can enjoy this awesome sounding novel later this year.

Exit Black by Joe Pitkin – 20 February 2024

An intriguing science fiction thriller about a futuristic space hotel for the wealthy taken over by terrorists. Should be very, very fun.

Top Ten List:

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett – 13 February 2024

One of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2024, The Tainted Cup is an awesome and intricate novel that will force two unusual detectives to investigate a death apparently committed by impossible magic. Robert Jackson Bennett is an outstanding author, and I look forward to immersing myself in his new elaborate world.

Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 28 March 2024

An intriguing science fiction thriller set in a massive prison on an alien world, Alien Clay will follow a scientist’s attempts to uncover the secrets of the planet while also dodging the prison’s dangerous warden. I have really grown to enjoy Tchaikovsky’s writing, especially after his amazing 2023 novels, City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds, and I have no doubt that Alien Clay will be a fun and impressive read.

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence – 9 April 2024

After deeply impressing me with the incredible and inventive The Book That Wouldn’t Burn (one of my favourite books of 2023), Mark Lawrence continues The Library trilogy in a big way with The Book That Broke the World. Continuing to follow his intriguing protagonists as they attempt to uncover the crazy secrets of the impossible library at the centre of their lives, The Book That Broke the World looks set to provide more peak Lawrence creativity and imagination and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this amazing series.

Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller – 9 April 2024

I’ve been a bit remiss with my Star Wars reading lately, and I’m hoping to make that up this year by checking out the cool new novel by John Jackson Miller, Star Wars: The Living Force. Set before the events of The Phantom Menace, The Living Force will follow Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and all twelve members of the Jedi Council as they investigate how Jedi are perceived in the universe. Authored by one of the top authors of tie-in fiction, The Living Force should be a pretty awesome read and I am deeply intrigued about a story focusing on the Jedi Council and their politics.

Extinction by Douglas Preston – 23 April 2024

One of the more entertaining and awesome upcoming books of 2024 is Extinction by veteran thriller and science fiction author Douglas Preston. Set in a resort where ancient animals have been brought back to life with genetic manipulation (when does that ever go wrong), the book will see guests murdered and kidnapped by a gang of eco-terrorists. Sounding like a fantastic mix of Die Hard and Jurassic Park, I love everything about Extinction, and I am hoping to read it soon.

Warhammer 40,000: Deathworlder by Victoria Hayward – 23 April 2024

It wouldn’t be one of my lists without at least one Warhammer 40,000 novel, which has been such an epic franchise for me lately. While there are several great Warhammer 40,000 books coming out in 2024, the one from the first half of the year that appeals to me the most is Deathworlder by Victoria Hayward. Hayward’s debut novel, Deathworlder will pit two of this universe’s best jungle fighters against each other, as the human Catachan troopers attempt to navigate a world actively being consumed by the insidious alien Tyranids. This will probably end up being a disturbing and grim survivalist adventure, and I know I will love every second of it.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan – 7 May 2024

One of the books I’m particularly excited for this year is the excellent fantasy debut, The Silverblood Promise by James Logan. This awesome novel will follow a disappointing and caddish heir to a noble house who is thrust into a leadership position and must find out who is responsible for his father’s death in a deadly city of rogues and liars. I love the sound of this book and it has the potential to be one of the best debuts of 2024.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton – 21 May 2024

An awesome science fiction murder mystery that I am really looking forward to in 2024 is the intriguing and complex The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. Set in the last human settlement after a mysterious apocalypse, the book will see a deadly murder occurs that threatens the entire colony. To stay alive the protagonists will need to solve the murder before their sanctuary is destroyed, however, the settlement’s security protocols have been activated and erased everyone’s memory of the night in question, even the killers. Bound to be one of the most compelling and unique murder mysteries of 2024, I am very hyped for The Last Murder at the End of the World, and this should be an exceptional read from Turton.

Necrotek by Jonathan Maberry – 28 May 2024

One of my favourite authors, Jonathan Maberry, returns with an awesome and intense new book in 2024, with Necrotek. Maberry, who deeply impressed me with his 2023 releases, Son of the Poison Rose and Cave 13 (both of which were amongst my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023), has a great writing style and I look forward to seeing how it translates across to the science fiction genre with Necrotek. Featuring a dark and horror themed narrative, Necrotek will be Maberry’s first pure science fiction novel, and I cannot wait to dive into his elaborate tale of eldritch space horrors, ancient alien technology, and immortal souls being lodged in deadly machinery. I have no doubt this will be one of my favourite books of 2024 and I am so damn excited for it.

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 4 June 2024

Another outstanding Adrian Tchaikovsky novel coming out in the first half of 2024 is the epic sounding Service Model. Following a service robot who gains sentience and decides to rebel against its human masters, Service Model has a particularly entertaining plot behind it that looks to be quite amusing while also serving as a critique humanity’s growing reliance on technology. This honestly sounds like one of the funniest books of the year, and I look forward to seeing even more outrageous adventures, witty comedy and intense social commentary from one of science fiction’s top authors.

Well, that’s the end of this first list. As you can see, there are some mighty impressive fantasy and science fiction books coming out the first half of this year. All the above entries on this list have an incredible amount of potential and I have a feeling I am going to deeply enjoy every single of one of these great reads. 2024 is going to be an outstanding year for these two genres, not only with these amazing books, but because of some of the other ones potentially coming out later this year. I look forward to seeing how all these cool novels turn out and I think I am going to have an incredible time reading fantasy and science fiction in 2024. Make sure to also check out my other Top Ten List that looks at the top upcoming books of 2024 from the other genres.