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 June.
The Boy Who Stepped Through Time
By Anna Ciddor
Out Now
When Perry is on holiday, he doesn’t expect stepping into ruins will transport him back 1,700 years to Roman times. Now, Perry must do his best to blend in while desperately trying to find a way back to his own time. When he makes a new friend, the reality of her fate may already be known, and Perry must decide if he will stay and help her – even if that means never getting home.
With the right balance of drama and history, this book is set to be a delightful story for those who love adventure and ancient Rome. And remember, just because it is in the children’s section, doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it too!
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
In Deeper Waters
By F.T. Lukens
Out Now
Prince Tal has lived his life concealed away in his home, hiding his forbidden powers. The one thing he can’t wait to do is tour his family’s kingdom. Two days into their voyage, the crew discovers a prisoner on a burning, derelict vessel.
Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is drawn to Athlen, and quickly forms a strong connection with him. That is, until Athlen jumps overboard and disappears.
Racked with guilt, Tal is sure there’s no way Athlen could have survived. So, when Athlen appears on land a few days later, Tal is taken aback. But before the pair get a chance to properly reunite, Tal is kidnapped by pirates. At risk of having his secret powers exposed to the world by his kidnappers, and plunging his kingdom into war, Tal’s only hope of salvation lies with Athlen.
This sounds like it’s going to be a real adventure – full of high stakes, lots of flirting and some amazing characters. This coming-of-age novel is going to be fantastic and I’m ready for another sea adventure.
– Angelique, QBD Books Emporium Melbourne, VIC
The Unwilling
By Kelly Braffet
Out Now
The taglines for this book include: ‘an epic tale of greed and ambition, cruelty and love’, as well as ‘bowing to traditions and burning them down’. It basically has everything a book lover could want in a story, don’t you agree?
Judah has led a privileged life, despite starting with nothing, no name and no origin. As she grows up beside Gavin, son of Lord Elban, she realises that she has no true place. She is a pawn for Lord Elban’s use. He will use her to get what he wants, and she will never be allowed to leave the castle.
Beyond the castle walls, a healer with power like nothing the world has seen in years seeks Judah. He has his own plans for her. She will learn that no one comes from nothing, and there is more to her story than she ever imagined.
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
One Hundred Days
By Alice Pung
When Karuna unexpectedly falls pregnant at sixteen, her mother takes the extreme measure of confining her to their apartment until the baby is born. Suffering through the boredom of isolation, Karuna battles against her mother, whilst wrestling with her own trepidations about becoming a mother herself.
A unique look at the bond between a mother and a child, One Hundred Days is sure to leave a mark on its reader. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one to give it a read. No doubt it’s going to pack an emotional punch. But I’m more than ready for it!
– Katrina, QBD Books Indooroopilly, QLD
The Fort
By Adrian Goldsworthy
Out Now
There is no better person set to write about Roman history than Adrian Goldsworthy. With expertise gained over decades of research in the area, Goldsworthy’s writing is compelling and authoritative.
While The Fort is the first book in a new series, The City of Victory, it does carry on from the Vindolanda trilogy and features many of the same characters. The good news is that while this is at its core a continuation, you do not need to have read the previous series to enjoy The Fort.
In the Vindolanda series, we were in Britain with the Roman army a little over 20 years before Hadrian will build his famous wall. The Fort transports us to other frontiers, where we meet new cultures and experience Roman warfare from a different perspective.
If you have a love of Roman history, then Goldsworthy’s books are for you.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
The Shadow in the Glass
By Joanna Harwood
Out Now
Forced to work as a lowly maid under a vindictive man she once called stepfather, Ella wishes for so much more. She seeks refuge in stories, books that she reads in secret by candlelight, as she is forbidden from entering the library.
One night, amidst her beloved books, her dreams are answered. A fairy godmother makes her an offer that could change her life. Ella is going to have to decide seven times, seven wishes and seven prices to pay – what is she willing to give to get her wishes?
A darker retelling of Cinderella, set in a gothic Victorian era, where a wish could just as easily be a curse. This is a book you don’t want to miss!
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
For the Wolf
By Hannah Whitten
Out Now
The first daughter is for the throne.
The second daughter is for the wolf.
And the wolves are for the Wilderwood.
Red has one role to play in life: to be sacrificed to the wolf in hopes that the Gods will finally be released. With an untamed power and determination never to hurt the ones she loves, being sacrificed is almost a relief.
But as is often the case, things are not as they seem, and everything Red thinks she knows is about to be turned on its head.
The protection of the Wilderwoods is weakening, and the wolf is just a man. Red has the power the woods need. If only she could learn to harness it.
For the Wolf is Hannah Whitten’s first novel in this debut series. I have been keeping my eye on it for a while, and early reviews are very promising. With comparisons being made to Sarah J Mass and Renee Ahdieh, I am more than a little excited for this book!
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
One Last Stop
By Casey McQuiston
Out Now
August just moved to New York. Twenty-three and cynical, she has low expectations about life. Between her job at a 24hr diner and her new flatmates, life is dull.
The one bright spot? Subway Girl. The gorgeous girl on the Q Train every morning. Rocking a leather jacket, and serious punk rock vibes, she is there on one of August’s worst days.
But it turns out, there really is something magical about Jane, the subway girl. She doesn’t just rock a ’70s outfit – she actually is from the 1970s. Somehow, Jane has been stuck on the Q train since 1970, and it may take August putting away her cynicism to help her.
One Last Stop is Casey McQuiston’s follow up to the heart-warming and hilarious debut novel Red, White and Royal Blue.
It is hands down my most anticipated book this year, and I’m ecstatic to finally read this!
– Vanessa, QBD Books Parramatta, NSW
Goblin
By Eric Grissom
Out Now
One dark night, a sinister creature (a human warrior) raided a goblin family’s home, leaving young Rikt orphaned, alone and angry. He vows to get revenge for the murder of his parents and destroy the human who took everything from him. Luckily for Rikt, he discovers the secret powers of the First Tree will allow him to do just that.
Unlikely allies will help him through his journey, but is Rikt really prepared to face the trails that await him on his quest?
It’s a graphic novel, adventure story about a goblin! Who doesn’t want that?!
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
Daughters of Sparta
By Claire Heywood
Release Date: Tuesday, 29 June
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships, has a story. Yet so often, that story has been told by men. They speak of war and ownership, of adventure and honour. In this retelling of the Siege of Troy, we will finally hear from the women whose voices have been ignored for far too long.
Daughters of Sparta follows Helen and her sister, Klytemnestra. As the princesses of Sparta, their father has secured advantageous marriages for them both. Helen must stay behind, betrothed to Menelaos, while Klytemnestra is sent away to marry Agamemnon.
When their husbands’ cruelty and negligence become too much to bear, Helen and Klytemnestra must rise up and take matters into their own hands, carving out a new path for themselves. The consequences of which will be felt for centuries.
Having just finished reading The Song of Achilles, I am more than ready to dive headfirst into Daughters of Sparta!
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
