It’s Love Your Bookshop Day, Supa-Fans, and what better way to celebrate than with some fresh recommendations from Supanova’s Official Bookseller: QBD Books! If you’re searching for your new favourite book and/or author, look no further; these literary experts tell us which titles they are most looking forward to, this October.
The Devil and the Dark Water
By Stuart Turton
Out Now
If I knew nothing else about this book, the fact that it’s written by Stuart Turton would be enough to have me bounding to the bookstore on the day of its release! Turton’s first novel, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, immediately became one of my favourite books, before I was even half-way through.
Luckily, The Devil and the Dark Water sounds just as intriguing as Seven Deaths. A detective on death row, his bodyguard, a noble woman, and a governor general all travel the high seas on a ship in 1634. But this is far from any ordinary voyage. Devilry is at work onboard. Strange symbols appearing from nowhere, dead leapers stalking the decks. And that’s just the beginning. Soon the passengers will find themselves attempting to solve an impossible murder.
Seven Deaths put such a clever sci-fi/supernatural spin on the classic murder mystery. I’m so excited to see how Turton continues his completely captivating, unique style with The Devil and the Dark Water.
– Alyssa, QBD Books Penrith, NSW
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
By V.E. Schwab
Out Now
This is the book that all Schwab fans have been waiting for. She’s been working on it for years and every morsel she’s released has only made us crave it more. Addie, from provincial France in the 1700s, wants to be free of expectation and live a true life. But in praying to be set free, she inadvertently makes a deal with the devil. She is cursed to live forever, yet be forgotten by everyone the moment they turn away from her. Then one day, 300 years later, someone remembers her.
I’m so excited to see how this plays out from the 1700s to modern day, and how Addie is changed over the years.
– Paige, QBD Books Hornsby, NSW
Monster Hunter: World – Official Complete Works
By Various
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 October
The world of Monster Hunter has always been vibrant and alive, with beautifully creative creatures, fantastic and magnificent environments, and (of course) plenty of monsters to hunt.
This book contains everything a hunter could possibly need – from the fields to explore, the weapons to use, the armour to equip, and the monsters to hunt. The book expands even further past the realms of the game, containing exclusive concept art and developer commentary that hardcore fans would die for.
From the newest rookie to the most hardened veteran, if you are planning on playing one of the best games in a beloved and genre-defining series, then this is a book you need to read.
– Rory, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
A Wild Winter Swan
By Gregory Maguire
Release Date: Wednesday, 7 October
When it comes to reimagining fairy tales, no one does it better than Gregory Maguire. His best-selling novel Wicked has won countless awards, spawned a couple of sequels, and inspired an award-winning and critically acclaimed musical. But the world of Oz was not his only destination – his works have also reimagined Dickensian London, Wonderland, and the Nutcracker.
In A Wild Winter Swan, Maguire reimagines Hans Christian Anderson’s The Wild Swans, transforming the classic tale into a poignant coming-of-age story. I really loved the Wicked series, so I’m looking forward to this one!
– Sarah, QBD Books Support Office, QLD
The Witcher Boxed Set
By Andrzej Sapkowski
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 October
After all the hype of the books as they’ve been released, the video game franchise, the TV show, countless recommendations from other booksellers, and selling individual Witcher books to hundreds, if not thousands, of eager customers, I think I’ve held out for long enough.
The Witcher book series by Andrzej Sapkowski has been compared to other dark fantasy titles like City of Lies by Sam Hawke, which I adored, as well as authors N. K. Jemisin, Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence. I haven’t played the games OR watched the Netflix series, but I’m excited to enter the world of The Witcher anyway! Now that they’re all together in an affordable set, there’s just no reason for me to wait any longer!
– Jeremy, QBD Books Support Office, NSW
The Two Lost Mountains
By Matthew Reilly
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 October
The Two Lost Mountains is the penultimate book in Matthew Reilly’s brilliant Jack West Jr. books, and the tension has never been higher! Having delivered a monstrous cliff-hanger at the end of The Three Secret Cities, the stakes have been ratcheted up like never before!
Personally, I consider this series to be Reilly’s magnum opus, and story threads from all of his Jack West Jr. novels will no doubt come together to set the stage for the inevitable sequel, the long-awaited The One ‘Something-Something’! Will Jack and his team be able to save the world in time, or has luck finally run out for the plucky Australian?
– Lewis, QBD Books Miranda, NSW
The Once and Future Witches
By Alix E. Harrow
Release Date: Tuesday, 13 October
‘There is no such thing as witches, but there used to be.’
As beautiful and poignant as her first novel (The Ten Thousand Doors of January), Alix E. Harrow’s The Once and Future Witches tells the tale of three distinctly different sisters as they struggle against darkness (both within and without) in their fight for recognition, power, and a future for witches and women alike. Twisted magic against unconquerable resolve.
Gripping and immersive, this is a book that effortlessly weaves complex and modern issues into a spellbinding tale that captures the imagination and runs wild with possibility. Not only my most anticipated read for October, but a highly recommended read for all!
‘There is no such thing as witches. But there will be.’
– Olivia, QBD Books Coomera, QLD
Harrow The Ninth
By Tamsyn Muir
Release Date: Friday, 16 October
Gideon The Ninth came rocketing out of nowhere with the tragic story of Gideon and Harrow. After passing all the trials laid before her and defeating the crazed traitor of the sixth house, Gideon pays the ultimate price.
Harrowhark is now the last necromancer of the ninth house. But both her body and mind are failing, and her greatest troubles are yet to come. Working alongside her rival, armed with the skills and memories of Gideon, Harrow must fight the nausea that comes with every swing of her sword.
Gideon The Ninth was truly a unique story and I am really looking forward to seeing where Tamsyn Muir takes us in the second book of this series.
– Emily, QBD Books Knox City, VIC
Cemetery Boys
By Aiden Thomas
Release Date: Monday, 26 October
Yadriel, born to a family of brujo who can summon spirits and work dark magic, is set out to prove he can live up to expectations. Looking into his cousin’s murder, he summons the wrong ghost. Which would be okay if he could get rid of him. Which he can’t. Or if he wasn’t falling for this ghost. Which he most certainly is.
A trans latinx character, black magic, a murder, and a love story. This book has everything to make it an instant favourite. My most anticipated read for the year!
– Vanessa, QBD Books Parramatta, NSW
The Tower Of Fools
By Andrzej Sapkowski
Release Date: Tuesday, 27 October
Reinmar of Bielawa – doctor, magician, charlatan – is pursued by both a set of brothers bent on revenge, and the Holy Inquisition itself. As mystical forces gather in the shadows, Reinmar finds himself at the Tower of Fools – an asylum for the mad. Or for those who dare to think differently and challenge the prevailing order.
Like everyone else, I’ve been obsessed with The Witcher series since the TV show landed on Netflix late last year. The books are a cult classic series amongst fantasy fans, well-known and well-loved all over the world. So I cannot wait to see what Sapkowski does with this new series!
– Sarah, QBD Books Support Office, QLD
Kingdom of the Wicked
By Kerri Maniscalo
Release Date: Tuesday, 27 October
Would you make a deal with a Prince of Hell? What if you were a witch whose twin sister has been murdered, desecrated in death? Could you turn to forbidden dark magic to seek vengeance, and trust that a Prince of Hell is on your side? That he is tasked with finding the murderer as well?
Just one of those would have been enough to get me excited to read this book. With Princes of Hell, witches, forbidden magic, murder and vengeance, you can guarantee this will be going to the top of my to-read list. By the author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, Kerri Maniscalo, you know there is going to be some amazing, creepy, dark themes in this story. It looks like she is going to take her well-founded horror/murder mysteries and throw in some magic and mayhem, and I’m all for it!
– Tahlia, QBD Books Albury, NSW
The Magpie Society
By Zoe Sugg & Amy McCulloch
Release Date: Thursday, 29 October
Two great young adult authors come together to kick off a new gothic thriller series!
Taking place in an exclusive, upper-class boarding school, Illumen Hall, the dead body of Lola is found, with a magnificent magpie tattoo canvassing her back. The chapters alternate between the two main characters’ perspectives, with each of the authors responsible for one character.
Our characters are unlikely allies, drawn together by their desire for answers over the mysterious murder. Ivy was Lola’s friend, and won’t rest until she solves her friend’s death. Audrey is a newcomer to the UK from America, hoping for a fresh start. She becomes Ivy’s room-mate, and despite her best efforts to stay out of trouble, is thrown into solving the case at this seemingly picture-perfect school.
I get One of Us is Lying vibes from this teen-thriller, and I’m excited to see where the series goes!
– Megan, QBD Books Traralgon, VIC
