Book Reviews

  • The Operators

    Unyielding and irreverent "The Operators – The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan" is a controversial first-person account from self confessed war junkie and journalist Michael Hastings. Featuring under-siege presidents, rock star generals, seductive spies, and a volcano named Eyjafjallajökull, this book gives fascinating insight into the longest war in US history.

  • Mercury Rising

    If there’s one man who has rightfully earned his title as “rock legend” it’s Freddie Mercury. In the latest and best biography about the Queen frontman, author and long-time friend Lesley-Ann Jones gives candid and vibrant insight into his extraordinary life.

  • Rock'n'roll: A Cautionary Tale

    With a familiar tale of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll, it’d be easy for Duff McKagan’s story to be lost amongst the plethora of other rock biographies. But in "It’s So Easy (and other lies)" the former Guns’n’Roses bassist keeps it real, never sounding like he’s on a pity quest, or gloating to the mindless mass of fans.

  • Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt

    The Booker Prize winner’s latest work is a meditation on belief, the nature of stories, and the end of all things.

  • The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

    After two adult literary novels and two haunting short story collections, Maile Meloy turns her hand to young adult fiction for the first time with her new novel, The Apothecary.

  • Snowdrops by A.D. Miller

    A disappointing story, somewhat saved by decent prose.

  • Reamde by Neal Stephenson

    Combines a complex plot with page-turning adventure and makes it look easy.

  • Jamrach’s Menagerie by Carol Birch

    Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Jamrach’s Menagerie turns from a fairytale voyage into a beautiful nightmare—but disappoints at the end

  • Black Jesus by Simone Felice

    Singer-songwriter Simone Felice, best known for his critically acclaimed folk/rock albums with The Felice Brothers and The Duke and the King, has released his second novel.

  • The Amateur Science of Love by Craig Sherborne

    Less of a romance, and more of a brilliant and ruthless investigation of one man's motives in love.

  • The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

    In his second novel, Patrick deWitt reinvigorates the Western genre with this darkly funny yet thought-provoking adventure story about a pair of killers-for-hire in the Gold Rush-era American Old West.

  • Violin Lessons by Arnold Zable

    An unusual, but near perfect memoir, depicting vignettes of the author’s life and experience in lyrical detail.

  • That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott

    Simultaneously joyful and tragic, the 2011 Miles Franklin Award winner is a stunning re-imaging of history.

  • The Vanishing Act By Mette Jakobsen

    The Vanishing Act is a gentle tale of innocence and loss, of self-acceptance and of dealing with the past.

  • Unlikely Brothers by John Prendergast & Michael Mattocks

    A touching but distant memoir of two unusual friends.

  • Embassytown by China Mieville

    China Mieville skilfully weaves language into Language in his newest novel, but while the central concept is carefully constructed, the edges fray.

  • A Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

    A newcomer is enthralled by the first novel in George R.R. Martin’s saga.

  • A fairy good build up

    Charlaine Harris’ latest offering in the Sookie Stackhouse series, "Dead Reckoning," answers plenty of questions for readers of the long-running Southern Vampire Mysteries. But with just two instalments to go, Harris leaves just enough juice in the plot to keep fans interested.

  • A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

    Simple despite its unusual structure, this is a wonderfully entertaining book with a lot of depth.

  • Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams

    All that running can't quite save the Troubletwisters...