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 November.
Chainsaw Man Volume 1
By Tatsuki Fujimuto
Out Now
Denji is a down on his luck devil hunter; a boy with nothing but a demon dog named Pochita and a debt to pay. After being betrayed and left for dead, Pochita strikes a deal with Denji – “show me your dreams, and I’ll save you.” Thus, a man fuses with a demon, and Chainsaw Man is born!
After escaping the clutches of the money-hungry mafia, Denji falls into the arms of the enigmatic Makima, and is pressured into joining the Public Safety Devil Hunters – a group devoted to keeping people safe from demons. Demons like Denji.
Suddenly thrust into an organisation that is seemingly hellbent on wiping him out, how can Denji cope with his newfound power? One of the most popular new manga, this dark and bizarre fantasy will leave you laughing, bewildered, and itching for more.
– Rory, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
Troy
By Stephen Fry
Out Now
It has been 3,750 years in the making…
Okay. Maybe it’s only been two years in the making. But if you are like me, it feels like 3,000 years since the release of Mythos. Troy is nothing less than an epic conclusion to that series. Such a legendary yet disputed event in Greek history certainly deserves its own book.
Whether you are a diehard fan of Greek mythology, or just like to dabble now and then, Stephen Fry’s series is a must-read! I expect many of us have heard of at least a few of the Greek gods. Most will know of the battle of Troy, and some may even know how it all played out. But trust me when I say that does nothing to subvert Fry’s enthusiasm in presenting what is another retelling of one of the most famous battles in history.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Instant Karma
By Marissa Meyer
Out Now
I’ve read quite a bit from Marissa Meyer, and really loved the Cinder series. The premise of her new novel is very intriguing. Prudence Daniels is not shy when it comes to passing judgement on those around her. Then one day, by chance, she awakes with the power to deliver instant karma to whomever she chooses!
It certainly gets you thinking as to who would ‘benefit’ if we were to yield such power. But with great power comes great responsibility (I think I heard that somewhere, at least) and Prudence soon realises her newfound ability might not be all it’s cracked up to be.
A young adult novel with relationships, tough choices, and a sprinkle of fantasy – this one ticks all the boxes.
– Megan, QBD Books Traralgon, VIC
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Geirmund’s Saga
By Matthew Kirby
Out Now
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is quickly shaping up to be one of the games of the year. Combined with its rich and storied lore, Geirmund’s Saga seems the perfect read for any fans of the franchise.
The Assassin’s Creed novels and novelisations have always been thrilling and engaging reads, and often shed a light on untouched parts in the game’s story. This release seems no different, and would be a welcome and worthy addition to the franchise’s compendium of extended media.
– Lewis, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
The Fires of Vengeance (The Burning #2)
By Evan Winters
Out Now
The Rage of Dragons was released to incredible reviews, a gorgeous fusion of African culture, Game of Thrones politicking, and dragons(!!!!!). I have no doubt that The Fires of Vengeance will surely continue the hype.
With time running out to produce a desperate attack to overthrow a fake monarch, Tau and his queen need to engage in a dangerous plan to survive the upcoming onslaught. Winters is a gorgeous voice in the new era of fantasy!
– Lewis, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
The Monsters of Rookhaven
By Padraig Kenny
Release Date: Wednesday, 11 November
I have always loved Frankenstein and the way it posed the question of ‘who is really the monster?’. Now, The Monsters of Rookhaven is offering the same question.
The story is told through the eyes of a monster, Mirabelle. Mirabelle lives with her unusual family, protected from the outside, human world by what’s known as a glamour. But when the glamour is broken, and an orphaned brother and sister happen upon Rookhaven, can Mirabelle find friendship in the world outside?
This in itself sounds like it will be a good read, and then you have something more sinister thrown in. Something malevolent, lurking unnoticed. Something that will make you question who the real monsters are, and who really needs protecting.
I can’t wait to give this one a read, to discover what kind of monsters are lurking within the pages of this book. And how well they hide…
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
The Betrayals
By Bridget Collins
Release Date: Thursday, 12 November
The cover art! As with The Binding, Bridget Collins has sucked me in with a stunningly beautiful facade that I am definitely judging this book by before I even open it!
Set in ambiguous Europe in the 1930s, 32-year-old Leo is exiled back to his former school, Montverre – an academy for the best and brightest students. The intellectual, almost religious contest of Grand Jeu – a test of academics, arts, and everything deemed important – is at the forefront of the school’s teachings, with the entire community working to make each game the best it can be.
Montverre has changed since Leo’s attendance. Even letting (*shock*) a woman named Claire hold one of the higher, official teaching positions. Leo and Claire appear to be drawn to one another and the gradual build of their connection, coupled with the trickle of unravelling knowledge and secrets through Leo’s school day diary, makes for a lyrical story of relationships, lies and a touch of magic!
– Megan, QBD Books Traralgon, VIC
Serpentine
By Philip Pullman
Release Date: Tuesday, 17 November
Whether you grew up reading His Dark Materials or have only recently been introduced to the story via the smash hit HBO series, I think everyone can agree Philip Pullman created a masterpiece.
The good news is, we are getting more from Lyra and Pan in Pullman’s new book Serpentine. Picking up after the life-changing events of The Amber Spyglass, Lyra and Pan are set to visit the far north again, for they have a most urgent question they must speak to the council of witches about. This book is a fantastic reintroduction to the world we left as children, and a wonderful companion to the Book of Dust series. There has never been a better time to have a nostalgic re-read of His Dark Materials and while you are at it, add Serpentine into the mix.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
The Camelot Betrayal
By Kiersten White
Release Date: Tuesday, 17 November
Raise your hands if you’re addicted to Kiersten White’s feminist spins on myths, horror, and lore! The sequel to her captivating Arthurian tale, The Guinevere Deception, is on its way.
This series, whilst at its core true to the original legends, gives Guinevere a starring role. It shows her as a cunning queen who used every skill she had to help protect Arthur from the forces that wished him ill, and protect Camelot from crumbling without him. The real catch is that she doesn’t actually know who she is, or why she was chosen for this mission. Kiersten White also created some captivating new bonds between characters, whilst giving the centuries-old story some fresh vibrancy and intrigue. I’m really excited to see what is revealed in The Camelot Betrayal.
– Paige, QBD Books Hornsby, NSW
Rhythm of War
By Brandon Sanderson
Release Date: Tuesday, 17 November
The lord of high fantasy is back again with another tome. The Stormlight Archive is growing, and this is arguably the most popular fantasy title of the year.
The series at its core follows a world at war with itself, a barren planet ripped apart by storms every few weeks until nothing remains. The people who are left strive for supremacy, which can only be found through the ownership of a Shardblade. Each book focuses on a different member of the new Knights Radiant, who claim a blade and unlock it’s potential, as they discover who they are meant to be, across the backdrop of war, destruction, and personal loss.
Rhythm of War promises to unlock the real history of the world we have become addicted to, as we discover the true reason for the Knights Radiant, the betrayals of the original Knights, and the stray powers that have seeped into the world. This is bound to delight both the casual and the hardcore Sanderson fans as we are going to be one step closer to unlocking the secrets of the Cosmere (Sanderson’s overarching universe between most of his books) and how this connects to some of the mysteries in his other series.
– Paige, QBD Books Hornsby, NSW
Blazewrath Games
By Amparo Ortiz
Release Date: Wednesday, 18 November
Set in an alternate, contemporary world where sixteen countries across the world compete in the Blazewrath World Cup – where riders and dragons race and fight for glory in a dangerous relay. When the runner from Puerto Rico’s team is kicked off, Lana Tores has her chance to join the fray. As the race draws nearer, so do attacks on dragon sanctuaries around the world as a former Blazewrath superstar, alongside their dragon, refuses to stop unless the cup is cancelled.
Conspiracy, betrayal, contests, and DRAGONS – this book looks extremely promising, not just due to its concept, but its dedication to worldbuilding and spectacular characterisation. I cannot wait to read this book for myself and experience yet another pulse-pumping epic fantasy!
– Olivia, QBD Books Coomera, QLD
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
By Holly Black
Release Date: Wednesday, 18 November
I was so sad when the Folk of Air series came to an end. I didn’t want to leave the beautiful world and its incredible characters behind! So I was extremely excited when Holly announced another book in the series.
This one is about our favourite bad boy, Cardan. Not only that, but it’s about Cardan as a faerie child, with a heart of stone. We will get to see what turned him into the arrogant, stubborn, yet swoon-worthy fey we all came to love in the series. This book is sure to be full of all the adventure, drama, and danger of the Faerie world. And on top of that, it is filled with gorgeous illustrations of the stories. This is going to be a must-have for anyone who (like me) adores anything Faerie, and anything Holly Black. And it’s just in time for Christmas!
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
I Would Leave Me If I Could
By Halsey
Release Date: Wednesday, 18 November
A lot of artists and actors are bringing out poetry collections this year, but this is the one to buy.
Halsey writes about relationships, family, sexuality and mental illness with honesty I’ve rarely seen. Her poetry is set to be just as honest and beautiful. This will be the perfect Christmas gift for any poetry lovers out there!
– Vanessa, QBD Books Parramatta, NSW
The Infinite Noise
By Lauren Shippen
Release Date: Monday, 23 November
This series has such an intriguing premise! Teenagers who not only have to navigate the regular issues that present themselves in adolescence, but with superpowers! The kicker here is that these powers are simple enough. This doesn’t feel like your regular run of the mill superhero book.
The first in the series, The Infinite Noise centres on 16-year-old Caleb, who is Atypical and develops the ability of extreme empathy. If you’re angry and you cross his path, Caleb feels that anger surge through his body. Cool huh? As if dealing with your own teenage emotions isn’t bad enough. Caleb’s ability seems, in particular, to be drawn from classmate Adam who, as he deals with some heavy stuff, has some intense feelings which Caleb feels every inch of. With the help of his therapist, Caleb tries to navigate these emotions, and as he befriends Adam, romance begins to bloom. Such an amazing, original concept that I just want to dive into!
– Megan, QBD Books Traralgon, VIC
A Neon Darkness
By Lauren Shippen
Release Date: Monday, 23 November
Following up from that amazing debut, the second in this superhero-esque series centres on Robert, and his Atypical ability. He can control the desires of those around him. He wants his mum to stop at the drive-thru on the way home? All Robert has to do is make his mum think some fries would be a great idea.
Robert heads to LA to learn more about himself, and finds himself in the company of a group aptly named The Unusuals – people with a range of Atypical abilities, and among them, Robert feels at home. Finally, he belongs. When a figure arrives who is immune to powers, Robert must exercise control of his abilities, or lose everything. This series is at the top of my must-read pile!
– Megan, QBD Books Traralgon, VIC
These Violent Delights
By Chloe Gong
Release Date: Tuesday, 24 November
There is a growing trend within fantasy to include more diverse histories and settings, and I am personally excited to see this grow and really take off. Adding to that trend is Chloe Gong’s debut novel, These Violent Delights. If that phrase sounds familiar to you, then you probably studied Shakespeare in school.
These Violent Delights is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai. With such a well-known story set upon the backdrop of Chinese history, this is the perfect place to jump into this growing trend, and immerse yourself in the fantasy genre.
For me, this book embodies so many of my favourite things.
Shakespeare, tick.
Fantasy, tick.
History, tick.
Societal culture, tick.
I simply cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Ready Player Two
By Ernest Clive
Release Date: Tuesday, 24 November
Ready Player One was close to a perfect standalone sci-fi that particularly appealed to the Gen-X reader, littered with pop culture, gaming and 1980s music and film references. The sequel returns to the same, desolate wasteland of the future – where the only escape from reality is inside the virtual reality of OASIS.
Ready Player Two promises the same, relentless barrage of nostalgia and adventure that keeps the pages turning at a furious pace – as well as some tasty Easter Eggs. It’s going to be hard to match the intensity and pace of the original novel that I so quickly became addicted to, but even if it doesn’t stand up to its predecessor, it will still be bucket loads of fun!
– Jeremy, QBD Books Support Office, NSW
The Bone Houses
By Emily Lloyd-Jones
Release Date: Tuesday, 24 November
I fell in love with this as soon as I saw the cover (let’s be honest, we’ve all done that), but with this cover, how could you not?
After their parents’ death, Ryn and her siblings have turned to making a living as gravediggers. The only problem is, the dead they are burying aren’t staying where they belong. Risen corpses referred to as ‘bone houses’ are thought to be the result of an age-old curse on the village. Ryn has to defend her family and home from these creatures, and when an apprentice mapmaker arrives, the bone houses seem even more determined to wreak havoc. They will have to join forces and journey deep into the mountains, into the heart of what was once the home to Fae, the Otherfolk. Can they work together and end this curse, or will the truth be too hard to face?
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
Archangel’s Sun
By Nalini Singh
Release Date: Wednesday, 25 November
Nalini Singh has this incredible way of creating a world that you just get lost in. Between bloodthirst wars, between archangels and complex romances, she really does cater for all readers.
Archangel’s Sun takes a look across the world to Africa where infected zombie-like creatures are ravaging the country and the only ones that can help are the archangel Titus and the broken minded Hummingbird. The Hummingbird is an angel whose brilliance we have only seen glimpses of, due to her fragment mind. But now, to actually see her as she begins healing will be such an incredibly fun read!
– Monique, QBD Books Penrith, NSW