If you’re searching for your new favourite book and/or author, look no further! We invited our friends from QBD Books to tell us which titles they are most looking forward to this April.
The Archive of the Forgotten
By A.J. Hackwith
Out Now
Having fallen in love with The Library of the Unwritten, I cannot wait to get my hands on this sequel! The first book was incredibly humourous, fantastically moving, and read like a gorgeous love letter to literature.
Claire is in charge of Hell’s Library, which is full of every book never written, and has seen off both the forces of Heaven and Hell in their attempts to control the Library. A new problem emerges, and it will be up to both Claire and her Muse assistant Brevity, to deal with it, else the Library may face destruction forever!
Perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Alix E Harrow.
– Lewis, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
Displaced
By Cristina Sanders
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 April
Set against the backdrop of colonial New Zealand, in a time when the population was increasing due to government-funded immigration, and economic depression loomed on the horizon.
Eloise and her family embark on a perilous journey across the ocean from their home in Cornwall to the distant shores of New Zealand, a land full of the unknown. When her brother disappears and her father leaves, it is up to Eloise to stand strong and provide for her family.
As a born and bred Kiwi, it is heart-warming to see my homeland in contemporary YA fiction. Though colonialism has a lot to answer for, it is a part of our history that cannot be denied.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Dr STONE Reboot: Byakuya
By Riichiro Inagaki
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 April
In the world of Dr. Stone, one day changed the course of history forever. A mysterious flash of light led to the entire world’s population being petrified in stone, with no explanation as to how, why, or if they would ever return to normal. Eventually, the genius scientist Senku awakens and begins rebuilding society – as the only surviving human, it was all up to him, right? Well, not quite.
Six humans survived out in space, including Senku’s father, Byakuya. Having seen the calamity happen on Earth, Byakuya and his crew return to Earth to see what they can find out about all these new mysteries. While Byakuya’s story was mentioned in the main series, this spinoff expands on the journey of one of the most interesting characters in the manga – he might not be a genius like his son, but Byakuya and his crew need to find a way to survive in this new stone world.
– Rory, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
Sweet & Bitter Magic
By Adrienne Tooley
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 April
When Tamsin is exiled from her coven, she is cursed with the inability to love.
Wren has spent her life hiding her secret. She is made of magic, but cannot use her powers.
When a plague hits their queendom and kills Wren’s father, she wants revenge. Together Tamsin and Wren will find the dark witch who caused this plague for a bargain. When it’s all done, Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father. But things are never that easy. And while on this hard journey they do have to try not kill each other first.
Sweet & Bitter Magic just sounds absolutely fantastic – definitely the young adult fantasy that I am needing. It seems magical and haunting, but will also be an amazing adventure. I cannot wait to be thrown into this new world with Wren and Tamsin.
– Angelique, QBD Books Emporium Melbourne, VIC
The Frozen Crown
By Greta Kelly
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 April
I’ve seen this one all over US book channels. I will admit, I’m a little jealous that they get all the good ones first, but I can’t wait to read The Frozen Crown once it hits Aus!
Askia earned her place as the heir to the Frozen Crown. Her devotion to her people is evident, but now she faces a new threat. The Roven Empire’s Emperor is mad and has unleashed invading soldiers on her land to enslave them all. Askia’s forces are valiant, but they aren’t enough. She has to set sail for Vishir.
The battles in Vishir are different from the ones she has fought in before. Here, they are games of manipulation, of political power and secrets. She has to make an impossible choice, and one false move will cost her and her people everything. In the intricacies of court, can she hold her own?
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
The Light of the Midnight Stars
By Rena Rossner
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 April
A story of religious difference but add a little spice. Said spice being a pinch of Hungarian mythology and a whopping spoonful of good old Witchcraft; sounds like a recipe for success to me. Following three very different sisters as they cultivate their growing powers, all the while escaping their past. Unfortunately, history seems determined to repeat itself, forcing the sisters to adapt and survive.
Rena Rossner herself is an Orthodox Jew and in writing the novel was inspired and influenced by her ancestors. As such, the themes, the scenes, and even some of the events included within the novel are based on real-world events. Praised for its strong character development and lyrical prose, this is definitely one to look out for!
– Karina, QBD Books Mt Druitt, NSW
Malice
By Heather Walter
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 April
In this spiced-up retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Alyce, the Dark Grace, has magic flowing through her veins – the same magic that is responsible for the curse placed on Princess Aurora.
Though others find Alyce fearsome and call her a monster, Princess Aurora is the only one who sees the beauty in her power and thinks Alyce should be proud of her abilities.
With only a year until the curse is set to kill the Princess, Alyce is determined to help, though it seems Aurora is done kissing Princes. Can Alyce and Aurora find another way to break the curse? After all, Alyce is a villain.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Brother Red
By Adrian Selby
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 April
Adrian Selby writes gritty, roll-around-in-the-mud-and-get-things-done kind of fantasy, and I am a huge fan of it! His new book has a dead body hidden inside a barrel, unbeknown to Driwna Marghoster, who was hired to protect the trade caravan it’s travelling on.
After the caravan is attacked and the body discovered, even more surprises come to light: the body is one of the Oskoro people. The Oskoro are powerful, but secretive people, making the body extremely rare and priceless. The reason for the body being in the barrel is tied up in a tragic tale and holds the key to an even bigger secret. When Driwna begins to unravel the mystery surrounding the body, she finds a trail of deception and lies that could bring a kingdom to its knees. There is evil lurking, more powerful than she could ever imagine.
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
Sistersong
By Lucy Holland
Release Date: Tuesday, 27 April
When I first saw the cover art and hook for Sistersong I was super keen, having sisters of my own. But then Lucy Holland sweetened the deal with some superb transgender and LGBTQ+ representation. If I wasn’t keen on the book before, I SURE AS HELL AM NOW!
A retelling of The Twa Sisters ballad (I’ll save you the Google search; a mid-seventeenth century murder ballad which recounts the tale of a girl drowned by her jealous sister. Grim much?), Sistersong follows the perspective of three siblings as they navigate medieval Britain all the while being entrapped in a complex web of relationships and Christian versus Pagan power struggles.
If you’ve read Song of Achilles and are looking for something with a similar vibe, I’d definitely recommend giving Sistersong a go!
– Karina, QBD Books Mt Druitt, NSW
