Tag: Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday – Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 41: Ten Thousand Plums by Stan Sakai

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Comics/Manga, Waiting on Wednesday4 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 week’s Waiting on Wednesday post, I highlight the next volume of the epic Usagi Yojimbo series by Stan Sakai, Ten Thousand Plums, which should be another exceptional entry in this amazing comic series.

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Fans of this blog will be more than familiar for my love of the exceptional Usagi Yojimbo series by Stan Sakai.  A particularly awesome comic that has been running since 1984, the Usagi Yojimbo stories follows a rabbit ronin as he faces all manner of foes in an alternate version of feudal Japan populated with anthropomorphic animals.  Thanks to its clever stories, great use of Japanese culture, complex characters and stunning artwork, the Usagi Yojimbo series has long been a favourite of mine and I currently have every single volume of it sitting proudly on my shelf.

Needless to say, getting the any new volumes of Usagi Yojimbo is a major priority for me each year, and I am always excited when I find out when the next comic is dropping.  As such, I was very, very happy to recently find out that the 41st volume of the series, Ten Thousand Plums, is set for release later this year.  This volume is particularly exciting for me, as we’d usually only get one volume a year and I was worried that the 40th volume of the series, The Crow, which I had a blast with earlier this year, was going to be me only Usagi Yojimbo hit of the year (barring one of my many re-reads, such as for volume 15: Grasscutter II).  However, it looks like this is one of the blessed years where we get more than one volume, and this new entry sounds pretty damn cool.

Currently set for release in late November 2025, Ten Thousand Plums will see the protagonists visit a beautiful valley, filled with thousands of plum trees, only to encounter mysterious deaths, suspicion and other dark occurrences.  I am already very intrigued by this comic’s unique new plot, and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.

Plot Synopsis:

Murder and arson are plaguing the valley of ten thousand plums.

The trees within the valley of ten thousand plums are beautiful to behold. But the umeboshi, or pickled plums, made in the local village are renowned for their strong medicinal properties, and a favorite of the Shogun. As a series of deadly events grip the valley with fear, the Shogun’s samurai strongman is immediately suspicious when Usagi, Yukichi, and Gen are found wandering among the prized foliage…can their appearance be a mere coincidence?

A new adventure starring Usagi Yojimbo by legendary creator Stan Sakai, with beautiful color work by HiFi Colour Design.

Now this sounds like it is going to be a particularly cool Usagi Yojimbo story that will allow Sakai to really show off both his artistic talent and ability to craft great, mystery filled narratives.  Mysterious events around an intriguing location with a connection to a specific Japanese product (in this case, pickled plums) will allow Sakai to really dive into historical practices, and I cannot wait to see what cool narrative emerges.  At the same time, having Usagi and his companions become involved with the interests of the Shogun really increases the stakes of the plot, and may have some interesting long-term implications for the simple wanders.

While I think the story of Ten Thousand Plums is going to be amazing, one of the things that I am very much looking forward to for this new volume is the exceptional artwork.  Sakai always excels at painting breathtaking landscape shots as the background for his stories, especially as he really showcases the beautiful Japanese wilderness, or the iconic feudal towns.  It sounds like we will be in a for a real artistic treat in Ten Thousand Plums, as the entire narrative will be set to the background of thousand of flowering plum trees.  The multitude of trees and their blossoms is going to look so impressive when drawn by Sakai, and I cannot wait to see how it frames every single panel, especially now that the volumes are in colour.  Throw in Sakai’s usual brilliant artwork around combat, towns and unique characters, and this upcoming volume is going to be a real visual treat, and I can see this being one of Sakai’s more visually ambitious volumes.

Look, I was always going to be grabbing the new Usagi Yojimbo volume the second it came out, but hearing about Ten Thousand Plums’ impressive plot has made me even more eager for it.  Stan Sakai’s next volume sounds so damn cool, and I cannot wait to get my hands on even more Usagi Yojimbo comic-awesomeness this year.  As such, Ten Thousand Plums is now one of my most anticipated releases coming out later this year, and I already now it will be one of the best comics I read this year.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday3 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 my latest Waiting on Wednesday, I check out the highly entertaining fantasy novel, The Bone Raiders by awesome author Jackson Ford.

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Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, there are a lot of entertaining fantasy novels coming out, but one of the ones that has really caught by attention is the very fun sounding read The Bone Raiders.  Written by author Jackson Ford (a pseudonym of writer Rob Boffard), who previously impressed with his Frost Files series, The Bone Raiders has an insane and deeply intriguing fantasy plot that I am really excited for.

Set for release in August 2025 and already boasting a very cool cover, The Bone Raiders will follow a group of grassland raiders feared for their habit of bedecking themselves with the bones of their enemies, as they attempt to survive a dangerous new enemy and his massive army.  When threatened with invasion, they are forced to find a way to survive, and their best idea is to do the impossible and tame the giant, fire-breathing lizards that rampage through their homeland and turn them into the ultimate raiding mount.

Those readers who are familiar with this blog will know that is the sort of crazy and hilarious sounding plot idea that I instantly love.  I have no doubt that with Ford behind the helm, this unique scenario will result in The Bone Raiders becoming something very special, especially as his outrageous characters attempt to achieve something particularly insane.  As such, I am extremely eager to get my hands on a copy of The Bone Raiders when it comes out, and I strongly believe it will be one of the more entertaining and captivating fantasy novels coming out in the second half of the year.

Plot Synopsis:

The start of an edge-of-your-seat, action-packed fantasy series from the irreverent Jackson Ford, where a wild band known as the Bone Raiders harness the power of gigantic, fire-breathing lizards to defend their homeland.

You don’t mess with the Rakada. The people living in the grasslands of the Tapestry call them the Bone Raiders, from their charming habit of displaying the bones of those they kill on their horses and armour.

But being a raider is tough these days. There’s a new Great Khan in the Tapestry. He’s had it with the raider clans, and plans to use his sizeable military to do something about it. And then there are the araatan: fire-breathing lizards the size of elephants, roaming the grasslands in search of dwindling food supplies.

Sayana is a Rakada scout, and she loves her job. But if she wants to keep it, she’s going to have to do something drastic. Like convincing her clan to ride araatan, instead of horses. Sayana doesn’t quite know how to get that done without being eaten and/or cooked alive, but she’d better figure it out fast – or she and her clan, along with every other raider in the Tapestry, will be wiped out.

Waiting on Wednesday – Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday7 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, I highlight the final upcoming entry in the excellent Broken Blades fantasy trilogy with Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland.

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Last year I had the very great pleasure of reading Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland, an outstanding fantasy debut that saw five highly damaged killers, including a thug, a spymaster, a poisoner, an outlaw prince and a thief join forces to kill an immortal king.  Featuring a great plot, some excellent protagonists and an impressive audiobook format, Five Broken Blades was a very impressive read that ended up being one of my favourite debuts of 2024.  However, this was only the start of the fun I was having with Corland’s new series.

Due to how much I enjoyed Five Broken Blades, I made sure to listen to a copy of the sequel earlier this year, Four Ruined Realms.  An excellent sequel that moved the plot of the series along in some exciting ways, including with some additional character development and a good dose of tragedy, Four Ruined Realms was an awesome novel and one of the better audiobooks I enjoyed so far this year.

After having a brilliant time reading the first two books in the Broken Blades trilogy, I was naturally very excited to find out that Corland was finishing the series off this year with the third and final book, Three Shattered Souls.  Set for release in July 2025, Three Shattered Souls will wrap up the series as the remaining protagonists will face the combined wrath of their world as they try to finish their mission and remove the tyrant king from the throne.

Plot Synopsis:

THE UNMISSABLE FINAL CONCLUSION TO THE EPIC KOREAN-INSPIRED FANTASY SENSATION, THE BROKEN BLADES TRILOGY

Some betrayals cut deeper than blades.

The Blades were never supposed to survive this long. But after the battle in Quu Harbor, escaping is no longer enough. The most dangerous liars in the four realms have one last mission – return to Yusan and finish what they started.

But now a usurper sits on the serpent throne. And he may be more dangerous than the god-king.

With three relics of the Dragon Lord in their possession, the Blades will face the might of the four realms. Enemies will become allies. Allies will become traitors. And the ones they love most? They’ll be the ones to break them.

Grief will carve the Blades into something ruthless and unrecognizable. But only by losing everything can they win this game of kings and crowns.

Three Shattered Souls looks set to continue all the best storylines from the first two books, and I am deeply excited to see where this final entry goes.  It sounds like the character’s will be involved in a three-way war against all their enemies, and I cannot wait to see what carnage comes out, especially after the chaotic conclusion of the second novel.  Corland will also have to expand and then wrap up the remaining character arcs in this final book, and I cannot wait to see how the various complex relationships, motivations and secrets finally end up, especially as there is bound to be even more treachery, mistrust and sacrifices in this final novel (based on the title, I’m worried at least one more major protagonist is dying here).  As such, Three Shattered Souls’ narrative has so much potential, and I really hope that Corland has a powerful and memorable finale in store for us.

After having an excellent time getting through the previous novels in this series, there is no way I’m stopping now, especially as Three Shattered Souls sounds so damn good.  This final Broken Blades book by Mai Corland should be something very special, and I am very excited to see how this epic trilogy comes to an end.  As such, July cannot come soon enough, and I am planning on listening to Three Shattered Souls as soon as it comes out.

Waiting on Wednesday – Hard Town by Adam Plantinga

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday3 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 week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I check out a fun, action-packed sequel set for release very soon with Hard Town by Adam Plantinga.

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Earlier this year I had an awesome time reading the outstanding debut thriller, The Ascent.  A fantastic and over-the-top read from new author Adam Plantinga, The Ascent followed tough former cop Kurt Argento as he was forced to fight his way to the top of a multileveled, rioting prison.  A highly entertaining read, The Ascent ended up being one of my top debuts of 2024, and I was very excited to see that Argento already has a sequel coming out this year with Hard Town.

Hard Town will be the second Kurt Argento book and looks to take the author’s damaged protagonist on another intense adventure, this time in small-town Arizona.  Set for release down in Australia in June 2025 (although I believe Hard Town has already been released in some formats in America), Hard Town should be another deeply exciting and outrageous read loaded with action, intrigue, and compelling characters.  Due to how much Plantinga impressed me with The Ascent, I’m pretty keen to pick up Hard Town in the next couple of months, and I have no doubt it will end up being one of the more addictive thrillers I read this year.

Plot Synopsis:

From the author of the USA Today bestseller The Ascent, a retired Detroit cop must unravel the mystery of a small desert town.

After surviving a deadly prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento is ready for some quiet. Still working through his grief over the passing of his wife, Argento finds himself house-sitting for a friend with his loyal companion, Hudson, a Chow Chow-Shepard mix. It’s a simple life, but it’s one that Argento is content to live. Then Kristin Reed shows up, begging Argento to find her missing husband and son. 

Argento starts to notice that Fenton, Arizona is more than meets the eye. First there’s the large, overly equipped public safety team complete with specialized tactics and sophisticated weaponry. Then there’s the unusual financial boosting of failing small businesses by the U.S. government. Finally, there’s a man with no name with unprecedented control over the town. Argento finds himself unraveling not just the truth behind the disappearance of a family, but a conspiracy that’s taken a whole town to cover up. 

Fenton, Arizona is going to push him further than he’s ever had to go. And along the way, he may just lose a part of himself. Because justice isn’t as black and white as Argento would like to believe.

Waiting on Wednesday – Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

On 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.  In this latest Waiting on Wednesday feature, I look at a very cool upcoming legal thriller that I know I am going to love with Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh.

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Over the last few years, I have become a massive fan of all things thriller, especially with the cool range of different stories that the genre encapsulates.  One of my favourite thriller sub-genres is the legal thriller, as there is something highly entertaining watching over-the-top court battles take place amongst over interesting storylines.  There are some very fun legal thriller novels out there, but I have taken a particular liking to the Eddie Flynn books by Steve Cavanagh, which have proven to be exceptionally awesome.

Cavanagh is an excellent author with some truly entertaining novels under his belt.  Not only did he write the outstanding standalone read, Kill For Me Kill For You, but he has been consistently impressive with his Eddie Flynn novels.  Set around former conman turned lawyer Eddie Flynn, the series sees the protagonist use his old unlawful talents, as well as his legal acumen, to defend interesting clients from impossible or unfair cases.  Each of these novels usually features a fun twist that takes the trial up a whole notch, such as having the real killer be a juror or featuring a sadistic prosecutor who manipulates the system to always get the death penalty.  I have had an exceptional time reading the latest Eddie Flynn books, including The Devil’s Advocate, The Accomplice and Witness 8, and I am very eager to see what Cavanagh has in store for us next.

Luckily, the next novel from Cavanagh isn’t too far away, as the ninth Eddie Flynn novel is currently set for release in late July 2025.  This upcoming novel, Two Kinds of Stranger, will feature another complex and unusual case, as the protagonist attempts to save a fallen internet celebrity from her own kindness.

Plot Synopsis:

SHE HELPED A PERFECT A STRANGER. SHE DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS THE PERFECT KILLER…

 Ellie Parker had everything.
Perfect husband. Perfect apartment. Perfect friends and the perfect job.
As an internet celebrity – famed for her random acts of kindness – everyone knew it.
So when a betrayal causes her to lose it all, millions of people are watching.

But even at her lowest, Ellie will always help someone in need.
Which makes her the perfect target for a sadistic game.
Because as she soon learns, you can never trust a stranger – and a seemingly random encounter plunges her into a nightmare worse than she ever imagined.

The only person she can turn to is conman turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn, who must take on a case where nothing is what it seems. With the most cruelly ingenious mind manipulating events from the shadows, everyone is in danger – including Eddie and his family.

While the above synopsis is nice and cryptic, it does suggest a very interesting plot that I am quite excited for with Two Kinds of Stranger.  Cavanagh always excels at writing desperate characters and elaborate scenarios, and this fits that bill nicely, especially the parts involving a sinister stranger who gets the protagonist’s new client into all sorts of trouble.  I look forward to seeing what sort of evil manipulations and dark scenes emerge thanks to this dark figure in the shadows, and it will be fascinating to see how the always twisty and clever Flynn worms his way out of it.  I have no doubt that the above scenario is going to turn into something very impressive, and I cannot wait to see how entertaining and over-the-top the story gets.

Based on how much fun I’ve had with Steve Cavanagh and the Eddie Flynn novels over the last few years, I was always going to get Two Kinds of Stranger when it came out, but I must admit the above scenario has got me very curious about what sort of cool thriller this is going to be.  Two Kinds of Stranger has a ton of potential, and I look forward to powering through this new offering from Cavanagh the second it comes out.

Waiting on Wednesday – Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Murder Mystery, 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 week’s Waiting on Wednesday post, I highlight one of the top potential fantasy novels of the year, with the excellent upcoming book Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch.

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2025 is shaping up to be a really impressive year for fantasy fiction, with some outstanding reads already released or on the horizon.  While quite a few of these intriguing and awesome upcoming books are on my radar, one of the ones I am most excited for is the new urban fantasy novel from Ben Aaronovitch, Stone and Sky, which will serve as the latest entry in the author’s acclaimed Rivers of London series.

The Rivers of London books are an outstanding urban fantasy crime series set in modern-day London that follows a young officer in the Metropolitan Police, Peter Grant, who becomes an apprentice wizard to deal with supernatural and magical crimes around the city.  Cleverly blending a modern and very British police narrative with some unique fantasy elements the Rivers of London series is extremely impressive, and I have really come to enjoy its complex features and memorable stories, especially in books like Lies Sleeping, False Value and Amongst Our Weapons (one of my favourite books of 2022).  As such, I am very keen to see this series continue later this year with Stone and Sky.

Stone and Sky, which will be the 10th Rivers of London book, looks set to be another exciting and complex entry in the series.  Set for release in July 2025, Stone and Sky will take the protagonist, his family, and various other members of his magical world, to Scotland, where they find themselves investigating a strange new murder with dark implications.


Plot Synopsis:

‘This isn’t London. The rules are different up here, and so are the allegiances.’

Detective Sergeant Peter Grant takes a much-needed holiday up in Scotland. And he’ll need one when this is over…

If more’s the merrier, then it’s ecstatic as his partner Beverley, their young twins, his mum, dad, his dad’s band and their dodgy manager all tag along. Even his boss, DCI Thomas Nightingale, takes in the coastal airs as he trains Peter’s cousin Abigail in the arcane arts.

And they’ll need them too, because Scotland’s Granite City has more than its fair share of history and mystery, myth … and murder.

When a body is found in a bus stop, fresh from the sea, the case smells fishy from the off.

Something may be stirring beyond the bay – but there’s something far stranger in the sky…


I really like the sound of Stone and Sky’s synopsis, especially as Aaronovitch is going to enhance a cool fantasy murder mystery, with some fun family drama and an interesting new setting.  Taking the Grant family and their magical issues to Scotland has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to seeing how crazy things can get there, especially when a dark and unusual murder is thrown into the mix.  The author will also likely feature some unique inclusions around magic in Scotland, with the city’s own wizards or magical lawmen perhaps taking issue with Grant and his team trying to butt in on their turf.  I am very intrigue to see how Aaronovitch will expand on his already elaborate magical universe, and I am certain there is going to be some fascinating dives into the setting and its magical history.

Honestly, I was always going to grab the new Rivers of London when it came out, as Ben Aaronovitch is such an incredible author.  However, I am also really intrigued by the above plot synopsis for Stone and Sky, as Aaronovitch takes this story away from the regular setting of London and presents a cool new case.  I have no doubt that Aaronovitch will blow us away with Stone and Sky, and it is currently one of my most anticipated fantasy reads for the second half of the year.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Final Vow by M. W. Craven

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Murder Mystery, 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, I highlight an upcoming thriller that will no doubt be one of the darker and more captivating upcoming reads of 2025 with The Final Vow by M. W. Craven.

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M. W. Craven is an outstanding author who has been blowing people away with his twisty and captivating reads for the last 10 years. I personally only started reading his works in 2023 when I was lucky enough to get a copy of his first Ben Koenig book, Fearless. An exciting, fun and extremely over-the-top thriller, Fearless was an outstanding read that I really got into, especially as the author featured some awesome characters and very imaginative scenarios.  Craven upped the ante on the Ben Koenig series the following year with the outstanding 2024 sequel, Nobody’s Hero, that took the reader on another wild thrill-ride with even higher stakes, and which proved to be another amazing read.

Due to how much fun I was having with the Ben Koenig books, I decided to also check out Craven’s other 2024 release, The Mercy Chair, which served as the sixth book in the author’s Washington Poe series.  A UK based crime fiction series, the Washington Poe books follow the titular protagonist and his unusual but brilliant civilian partner, Tilly Bradshaw, as they investigate some of the country’s most disturbing crimes.  The Mercy Chair for example saw the protagonist investigate the stoning-death of a controversial religious leader, which revealed some dark secrets about the local inhabitants.  I ended up having an absolute blast with The Mercy Chair, especially as Craven loaded it with shocking twist after shocking twist, as well as a compelling narrative structure, and it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2024.

As you would expect after I had such a great time with Craven’s last several books, I am very eager to grab anything new coming our way from this author.  Luckily it looks like Craven fans are going to have a great 2025 as the author has a new entry in his Washington Poe series coming out in August 2025 with the incredible sounding novel, The Final Vow.

The Final Vow, which will be the seventh Washington Poe novel, will once again bring the protagonist back to investigate a sinister serious crime.  This time, the protagonists find themselves hunting a dangerous sniper causing terror throughout the entire country in what promises to be a particularly epic read.

Plot Synopsis:

The next unmissable novel* in the Sunday Times bestselling, multi-award-winning Washington Poe series. Poe and Tilly fans: be prepared for the most twisted thrill-ride so far . . .

An invisible killer with a 100% success rate. No one is safe. Not even those closest to Washington Poe . . .

A shooting at Gretna Green. A bride is murdered on her wedding day, seconds after she slips on her new ring. It’s brutal and bloody but she isn’t the first victim and she won’t be the last. With the body count now at 17, people are terrified, not knowing where the sniper will strike next.

With the nation in a state of panic, the police are at a loss and turn to Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw – the only team who just might be able to track down a serial killer following no discernible pattern and with the whole country as his personal hunting ground. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him…

I honestly love the sound of this cool upcoming thriller, and it looks like Craven has something very special in store for us in The Final Vow.  A dangerous sniper who never misses is a very interesting basis for a thriller narrative, and it is one that I know Craven will excel at utilising, especially with his very distinctive protagonists involved in the chase.  I am very excited to see what narrative devices Craven will utilise to tell this complex new story, and I have a feeling he will present this tale in a very compelling and chilling manner.  I am also expecting a ton of dark twists, especially once the antagonist starts hunting Poe and Tilly, and it wouldn’t surprise me if there is some major collateral damage.  I’m not entirely sure how the author is going to match the array of over-the-top twists that made The Mercy Chair such an epic read, but if anyone can pull it off its probably Craven.

Frankly, after how awesome I found The Mercy Chair to be last year, there is no way I will be missing this next Washington Poe book.  M. W. Craven has really impressed me with his last few books, and The Final Vow sounds incredibly intriguing with some great plot hooks around it.  I have a feeling that The Final Vow is going to be a very dark and powerful read, and I cannot wait to see the many twists, turns and shocking reveals will bedevil the protagonists.  This novel has so much potential, and I am fully expecting The Final Vow to be one of my favourite books of the year.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Strength of the Few by James Islington

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday10 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 week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight a major 2025 release that a lot of fantasy fans have been eagerly waiting for, with The Strength of the Few by James Islington.

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Back in 2023 I was very lucky to read the brilliant novel, The Will of the Many by Australian author James Islington.  The first book of Islington’s I had the pleasure of reading, The Will of the Many was a captivating novel that followed a young prince of a conquered land hiding in the one of the cities of the nation that killed his family.  Recruited by a powerful nobleman and placed in the crosshairs of a dangerous resistance movement, the protagonist is sent to a school for the conquering nation’s elite, where he must rise up the ranks of the hierarchical classes in order to expose various secrets that could have major implications for the future of the world.  I ended up getting really drawn into The Will of the Many’s epic narrative, and Islington pulled together an exceptional read that combined complex characters and intricate world building with some impressive and intense moments.  The Will of the Many ended up being one of my favourite books, audiobooks and Australian novels of 2023, and got a very easy five-star rating from me.

Due to how outstanding The Will of the Many was, myself and many other fantasy fiction fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel since 2023.  Thankfully this patient waiting has paid off, as Islington just released details about his long-awaited sequel to The Will of the Many, The Strength of the Few, which has just been set for release in November 2025.

The Strength of the Few will be an intricate and compelling sequel, that will continue to follow the protagonist as he continues to infiltrate the Hierarchy and tries to uncover the dark secrets of the nation that took everything from him.  However, certain magical complications have resulted in the protagonist being split across three separate worlds, and each incarnation of him now has to play alternate games to survive.

Plot Synopsis:

This highly anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many—one of 2023’s most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels—follows Vis as he grapples with a dangerous secret that could unravel history across alternate dimensions.

OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM

The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. Still hail me as Catenicus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am.

But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore.

I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res. Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again.

I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone.

Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why.

I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can.

Now it sounds like Islington has quite an intriguing plot planned for The Strength of the Few, and one that has the potential to be pretty damn awesome.  Having the protagonist simultaneously stranded in three separate dimensions, with each version unaware of the actions of the other is quite ambitious, and it could result in some captivating scenarios, especially if each version of the protagonist needs to develop alternate skills to survive in each world.  While I can imagine the plot has some potential to get over complicated or confusing, if handled right it could be quite impressive, and I am very eager to see how it turns out.  Based on how well Islington managed the complex plot of The Will of the Many, I am very confident that The Strength of the Few is going to be pretty damn epic, and I cannot wait to see more excellent world building, some great character moments, and potentially some answers to the secrets from the previous book.

Due to how damn good Islington’s previous book is, there is no way that I will be missing The Strength of the Few when it comes out later this year.  An intense and ambitious book, The Strength of the Few has the potential to be one of the very best books of 2025, and I will be reading it the very first chance that I get.  An epic sounding read that is sure to impress.

Waiting on Wednesday – Circle of Days by Ken Follett

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Historical Fiction, Waiting on Wednesday7 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 my latest Waiting on Wednesday post, I check out an awesome upcoming historical fiction novel, Circle of Days, from one of my favourite authors, Ken Follett.

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Ken Follett is an exceptional author who has been a leading thriller and historical fiction writer since the 1970s.  Originally known for an array of complex and intriguing thrillers, including Capricorn One, Eye of the Needle, Triple and more, Follett is probably better known these days as an author of historical fiction, thanks to Kingsbridge series and The Century trilogy.

Both these ambitious historical fiction series attempt to examine key periods of history, both in and outside of England, following large casts of complex characters.  For example, his Kingsbridge series, which started with the iconic novel, The Pillars of the Earth, showcases different eras of the fictional town of Kingsbridge, following a new set of protagonists with each book over a period of many years.  For example, A Column of Fire was set during the Elizabethan period, The Evening and the Morning (one of my favourite books of 2020) was a prequel novel set to the backdrop of Viking raids, while The Armour of Light (one of my favourite books of 2023) focused on the Industrial Revolution in Kingsbridge and the Napoleonic Wars.  The Century trilogy on the other hand was an impressive series that followed members of several connected families living in different countries (i.e. UK, US, Russia and Germany) as they experienced the key events of the 20th century from various perspectives.  I really enjoyed these elaborate and compelling historical epics, especially as Follett does a wonderful job of working key events into his fictional character’s personal dramas, and they are all five-star reads in my book.  As such, I am always keen for more historical fiction from Follett which is why I am so excited to see that he has a new novel coming out later this year with Circle of Days.

Circle of Days is an intriguing and awesome upcoming novel that will be based around the construction of Stonehenge.  Set for release in September 2025, Circle of Days will once again follow an array of compelling characters as they live their lives around this major event in England’s pre-history.

Plot Synopsis:

From the master of epic fiction comes the deeply human story of one of the world’s greatest mysteries: the building of Stonehenge.

A FLINT MINER WITH A GIFT

Seft, a talented flint miner, walks the Great Plain in the high summer heat, to witness the rituals that signal the start of a new year. He is there to trade his stone at the Midsummer Rite, and to find Neen, the girl he loves. Her family lives in prosperity and offers Seft an escape from his brutish father and brothers, within their herder community.

A PRIESTESS WHO BELIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE

Joia, Neen’s sister, is a priestess with a vision and an unmatched ability to lead. As a child, she watches the Midsummer ceremony, enthralled, and dreams of a miraculous new monument, raised from the biggest stones in the world. But trouble is brewing among the hills and woodlands of the Great Plain.

A MONUMENT THAT WILL DEFINE A CIVILISATION

Joia’s vision of a great stone circle, assembled by the divided tribes of the Plain, will inspire Seft and become their life’s work. But as drought ravages the earth, mistrust grows between the herders, farmers and woodlanders – and an act of savage violence leads to open warfare . . .

Truly ambitious in scope, Circle of Days invites you to join master storyteller Ken Follett in exploring one of the greatest mysteries of our age: Stonehenge.

This sounds like another particularly cool and intriguing novel from Follett, and I cannot wait to see him explore this fascinating British period.  Focussing the plot of Circle of Days around the creation of Stonehenge is an awesome idea, and I look forward to seeing how the author envisions this era of pre-history.  It sounds like Follett will be utilising his typical style of focussing the story on multiple compelling characters, both protagonist and antagonist, which the author has used to great effects in his previous historical novels to create fantastic, character-driven narratives.  I am also very excited to see what complex and elaborate narratives evolve as a result, and the depictions of war, mistrust and shattered relationships, all set around the construction of Stonehenge, sounds extremely promising to me.  I am a little curious to see if Circle of Days will be some sort of very early prequel to the Kingsbridge books (the fictional town of Kingsbridge is set close to Salisbury), which will probably be a fun little revelation for existing Follett fans.

Based on Ken Follett’s previous historical fiction books alone, Circle of Days is a particularly highly anticipated read for me, especially as I have had an exceptional time reading Follett’s amazing books over the years.  However, I am also really intrigued by the new historical scenario that Follett is envisioning, and an elaborate, multi-protagonist narrative set around the creation of Stonehenge has so much potential.  I have no doubt that Circle of Days is going to be one of the top books of 2025 for me, and I look forward to reading it the second it comes out.

Waiting on Wednesday – Forged For Destiny by Andrew Knighton

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday2 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, I check out an awesome upcoming fantasy book that looks to bring the laughs with Forged For Destiny by Andrew Kingston.

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Here at the Unseen Library, we’re a big fan of all things fantasy, whether that be compelling epics, elaborate tales of woe, or action-laded adventures.  However, sometimes it’s nice to settle in with a fun book that parodies the genre, which is why the upcoming book, Forged For Destiny has caught my attention.

A compelling new read from Andrew Knighton, Forged For Destiny looks set to be an entertaining satire on the classic chosen one story, as a supposed long-lost prince and hero begins to doubt his destiny on route to claim the throne.  Set for release late June 2025, Forged For Destiny sounds really cool, and I love the fantastic and entertaining plot synopsis laid out below.  I have a strong feeling that Forged For Destiny is going to be one of the more unique and captivating fantasy novels of 2025, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Plot Synopsis:

Raul has a destiny: claim his birthright as the last surviving heir of King Balbainus and lead his conquered people to freedom.

The signs are all there—his birthmark, in the shape of Balbainus’ halfmoon and dagger sigil, the gemstone-hilted sword he found in his parents’ inn, and the sudden influx of illegal books featuring the late king’s lineage. Nevermind that his ma is a hidden scribe writing a play about Balbainus’ return, or that his da, a hardened warrior, has been training him to fight since he could stand. Or the fact that his sword doesn’t seem very old at all, he feels much more comfortable reading than fighting, and his birthmark is looking more and more like a burn scar…

As Raul leaves his simple village life to start a rebellion against the tyrannical Dunholmi government, he begins to wonder if his destiny is more someone else’s plan for a future he doesn’t want to be a part of. He’ll go along with things, for now, if only to prove that change can come from kindness instead of outright destruction.

After all, destiny is what you make of it.