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 from April.
Chosen Ones
By Veronica Roth
Release Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2020
Bestselling author Veronica Roth, known for her Divergent book series (and subsequent blockbuster films), is the latest in a slew of YA authors transitioning into the adult sci-fi/fantasy space. It’s already been smoothly done by Leigh Bardugo, and most recently by Sarah J Maas, so I’m interested to see how this one goes.
Chosen Ones revisits a favourite trope of both YA and Adult Fantasy fiction, but twists it one step further. 15 years ago, five ordinary teenagers were singled out by a prophecy to take down an impossibly powerful entity wreaking havoc across North America. He was known as the Dark One, and his weapons levelled cities, and claimed thousands of lives. The Chosen Ones, as the teens were known, gave everything they had to defeat him. After the Dark One fell, the world went back to normal… for everyone but them.
You know the story… the ‘chosen’ teenagers save the world… but what happens after that?
– Sarah, QBD Books Support Office, QLD
The Glass Magician
By Caroline Stevermer
Release Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2020
A historical fiction, shrouded in all the magic and mystery of a fantasy novel, The Glass Magician promises to provide a perfect blend of my favourite genres. Set in an alternate New York in 1905, where society is ruled by the Traders (the magical elite), we follow the story of Thalia – a lowly, non-magical Solitaire. Despite having no magic of her own, Thalia makes a name for herself as a stage magician, being highly skilled in fakery. Until one night, when a trick goes wrong, Thalia discovers everything she knew about herself was a lie.
I can almost feel the atmosphere of this novel seeping out from the cover like mist! I love when books can seamlessly cross genres, and this is a historical fantasy with a strong element of murder mystery thrown in. Honestly, what more could I wish for?
– Alyssa, QBD Books Penrith, NSW
Bonds of Brass (The Bloodright Trilogy #1)
By Emily Skrutskie
Release Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2020
The first book in a new series from Emily Skrutskie, Bonds of Brass is a story of a young pilot who risks everything to save his best friend, all while learning he has a massive secret! He’s the heir to a brutal galactic empire.
Ettian Nassun has slowly pulled his life back together after the Umber Empire invaded. He became the best pilot in his class, and made a best friend in Gal. But then his classmates form an assassination plot against Gal. Now, Ettian finds himself torn between two impossible choices. Does he save the man who has taken his heart, or does he join the rebellion?
This book sounds utterly fantastic! I’m looking forward to battles in space, assassination attempts, and the fight for life. I know Skrutskie will keep me on the edge of my seat, and that is everything I need right now. Plus, there is going to be a sweet romance dropped right into the thick of things, and I’m here for that too.
– Angelique, QBD Books Broadmeadows, VIC
Now, Then, and Everywhen (Chronos Origins #1)
By Rysa Walker
Release Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2020
I am such a huge fan of all things time travel, but I have to admit – I have not yet read The Chronos Files series. How fortunate then that The Chronos Origins is a prequel series, making, Now, Then, and Everywhen the perfect book to kick-start my Rysa Walker addiction.
Truthfully this book had me at the mention of two, time-travelling historians. In 2136, Madison Grace uncovers the key to the origins of Chronos, a time-travel agency with ties to her family. In 2304, Tyson Reyes is a Chronos historian headed to 1965. When these two cross paths, they must work together to stop history as we know it from being erased forever. But Madi and Tyson may not be the ones in control after all.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Dr. Stone, Volume 10
By Riichiro Inagaki
Release Date: Friday, 10 April 2020
Dr. Stone by Riichiro Inagaki is one of the most educational and innovative manga series around today. Following the revival of genius scientist, Senku, and his adventure to restore humanity from stone, Dr. Stone strikes a perfect balance between humour, drama, and science – all topped off with an amazing art style to boot.
This particular volume focuses on Senku finally teaming up with his nemesis, Tsukasa, and closing out the third saga of the manga, Stone Wars. After finally winning the intense fight between the Kingdom of Science and the Tsukasa Empire, Senku sets his sights on the horizon in hopes of creating more revival fluid. But to do that, they’ll need a boat, a captain, and a way to survive the voyage. If you’re a hardcore manga fan, Dr. Stone will be your bread and butter, and it’s a great place to start for those unfamiliar to the genre!
– Rory, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Volume 13
By Aka Akasaka
Release Date: Friday, 10 April 2020
Don’t be fooled by its cutesy characters and romcom label – Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is the best romantic comedy manga I’ve ever read. Underneath its saccharine exterior is a realistic, and thoughtful deconstruction of the genre, along with all the drama that would accompany high school life.
Set in a prestigious high school in Japan, this series centres around student council president Miyuki Shirogane, and his vice president Kaguya Shinomiya, and their eternal battle to force the other to confess their love. Its humour is genuinely funny, and doesn’t rely on the tropes of its predecessors – bringing a fresh breath of air to a genre that could be seen as overplayed. This volume continues the cultural festival, as plans are set into motion, and things come to a head. All seems to be going well for our two main characters, but will that always continue to be the case?
– Rory, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
Lady Of Shadows (The Empty Gods #2)
By Breanna Teintze
Release Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2020
If you haven’t read Lord of Secrets, you are missing out on a wild story of necromancy and an outlaw wizard trying to find his imprisoned grandfather. If you have read Lord of Secrets, you’ll be hopping up and down impatiently for the sequel. I’m excited to follow the unluckiest protagonist I’ll ever read into another story of misadventure and high stakes antics. Lady of Shadows will surely delight and appal in equal measures.
– Paige, QBD Books Hornsby, NSW
The Book of Koli
By M R Carey
Release Date: Sunday, 19 April 2020
I loved The Girl With All the Gifts and have been following M.R. Carey ever since. I’ve also been binge-reading YA dystopian fiction recently. The Book of Koli is the first in a new dystopian trilogy that promises to be a terrifying glimpse into a future where human civilisation has crumbled, and technology is scarce. Also, killer trees!
– Jeremy, QBD Books Support Office
The Girl and the Stars
By Mark Lawrence
Release Date: Monday, 20 April 2020
I’ve not even read Lawrence’s other books yet (which all sound amazing) – but this book is one of my most-anticipated reads. Whether it’s because the story is set in an ice-cold world, or simply because it sounds so epic, the premise gives me absolute chills.
Lawrence tempts us in with the line: “In the ice, east of the Black Rock, there is a hole into which broken children are thrown.” The protagonist, Yaz, is one such child who suffers this unlucky fate. Only what makes her ‘broken’ or different may just be what makes her strong enough to survive in such a cruel world. I can’t wait to find out!
– Brooke, QBD Books Penrith, NSW
Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1)
By Zoraida Córdova
Release Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Kidnapped as a child by the King’s Justice, Renata Convida is brought to the palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, Renata’s ability to steal memories enables the King’s Wrath and leads to the death of thousands of her own people. Now, Renata is a Whisper – a spy who works against the crown. When Dez, the commander of her unit is captured, Renata will do anything to save the boy she loves. Forced to return to the palace under cover, Renata soon uncovers a secret in her past that could change, and cost her everything.
This one is right up my alley. A high fantasy that deals with high stakes, as well as court intrigue. Yes, please! I love the mix of magic and politics of a royal court. It always makes for an interesting novel, and I’m really excited to see where Zoraida Córdova takes this story. It’s bound to be full of romance, magic and powerful people.
– Angelique, QBD Books Broadmeadows, VIC
Aurora Burning (Aurora Cycle #2)
By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Release Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2020
A mismatched space crew. An action-packed adventure that hooks you in from the very beginning. Did I mention the space part? Need I go on?
There’s nothing I love more than a book that can draw me in from the very first page and leave me guessing the entire time. The first book in The Aurora Cycle did exactly that! Aurora Rising ended up being my all-time favourite read of 2019, and since turning the last page, I have been beyond eager to get straight on to Aurora Burning! Guardians of the Galaxy meets Firefly in this outer-space mashup that, you could say, was written in the stars!
I’m ready for Aurora Burning to rock 2020… let’s buckle up!
– Chloe, QBD Books Penrith, NSW
Shorefall (The Founders Trilogy #2)
By Robert Jackson Bennett
Release Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2020
I am so excited for book two in The Founders Trilogy. If you are not familiar with the series let me catch you up (#spoilerfree). All the objects in Foundryside are encoded. Sancia is not only good at reading and understanding that code, she is also incredibly talented when it comes to speaking, and re-writing it (also known as scriving).
Want to make your footsteps on a noisy floor less noticeable? Done. Need that wall to be softer so you can breakthrough? Done.
This talent leads Sancia to be one of the best thieves in town. But when she is hired for what should be an impossible robbery, she is thrown into the middle of a feud between two, rival merchant houses.
In book two, Sancia must understand the origins of scriving in order to defeat the deadly entity known only as Hierophant, resurrected by Sancia’s enemies, and hell-bent on remaking the entire world.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
