At Readings we love to champion Australian books, yet as a lover of genre fiction, I find my reading list is often weighted towards international authors. This is somewhat unsurprising, given in the UK and US, fantasy, sci-fi and horror make up a larger slice of the publishing pie than they do here.
But excitingly, there are more and more genre books coming out from Australian authors. In hopes that this trend continues, I'm making a point to pick up as many as I can this year, and this is my way of encouraging other fantasy readers to do the same!
The Will of the Many
James Islington
James Islington's The Will of the Many was a breakout success when it was first released in 2023, with readers around the world captivated by the high-stakes magical thriller.
Now, ahead of the release of the second book in the Hierachy series later this year, the first book has been re-released with a striking new cover and new bonus material. And – arguably even more exciting than the full colour map in the new edition – you can actually meet James Islington and have your copy signed at Readings Chadstone on 28 June! Plus, everyone at the event will be entered into the draw to win an exclusive early copy of book two – The Strength of the Few. Find more details here and book your place now!
Ever Blessed
Olivia O'Flynn
If you're a fan of Rebecca Yarros, Holly Black or Rebecca Ross, or you like to read every mythological retelling you can get your hands on, this new release is for you! Ever Blessed starts off a new series that combines political intrigue, magical quests and simmering romance, in an epic fantasy about the power struggles between a pantheon of indifferent gods, and mortals with their own reserves of magical power.
Olivia O'Flynn is an experienced bookseller and journalist who is now making her exciting debut with this new series that is both gripping, atmospheric and queer – something that is always exciting to see, particularly in romantasy!
The Amber Owl
Juliet Marillier
Juliet Marillier should be a familiar name to most Australian fantasy readers, for her Sevenwaters series if not one of her other dozen books. (If you haven't already read the Sevenwaters series, trust me, you simply must! If you take nothing else away from this blog, read Daughter of the Forest!).
Her latest release is The Amber Owl, the first in a new duology revolving around a magical forest known as the Heartwood. As someone who loves to fit my reading to the season, I personally think this is the perfect time to pick up The Amber Owl, with the leaves still golden and the chill of winter adding to the atmosphere of Marillier's historic settings.
Thoroughly Disenchanted
Alexandra Almond
If you're not looking for an epic fantasy saga, try this cosy fantasy romance about a couple whose wish that their romantic getaway would never end comes, unfortunately, true...
Thoroughly Disenchanted is a great read for anyone who dreams of living in an enchanted castle, or who loved Legends & Lattes, or who has a soft spot for a second chance romance. It's witty, warm and thoroughly original, with charismatic characters that suck you in quickly. This is a book that can be joyfully devoured over a weekend, accompanied by pots of tea and maybe a glass of wine or two.
Empire of the Vampire
Jay Kristoff
Or, for an opposite vibe, there's Jay Kristoff's dark vampiric series Empire of the Vampire – the third book is out later this year, so if you haven't already picked up the series, dive in now to be ready to celebrate the new release.
The first book, Empire of the Vampire, takes place in a world of endless night, where vampires have overrun the world and are tearing down what remains of humanity. But there's one remaining hope for an end to the darkness – Gabriel de León, the only surviving member of a holy order of vampire hunters. Key to Gabriel's quest to end the vampire reign is finding the Holy Grail … but can the legends of the grail be believed, or is the quest doomed from the outset?
Mistress of Amber and Flame
Maria Linwood
Mistress of Amber and Flame came out last year from New Dawn Publishing, an independent Australian publisher that specialises in speculative fiction (the same publisher behind The Amber Owl, in fact). This is an atmospheric high fantasy novel about the land of Ságilorc, which for centuries has been kept safe from dark magic by banishing threats into another world. Tbála is the latest in a long line of guardians who protect the boundary between worlds, but when a stranger comes through from the other land, Tbála is forced to reckon with the cost being paid to keep her people safe. Each new discovery raises new questions – who can Tbála trust? And who does she owe her loyalty?
This is well worth picking up for anyone who enjoys darker stories that explore moral grey areas, alongside magic and romance.
Fangs for Nothing
Steffanie Holmes
Finally, let me bring this delightfully silly paranormal romance to your attention. This is an urban fantasy about Alaric, a vampire trying to ignore the growing attraction between him and his interior decorator, Winnie. That is until a visit from his mother with a potential bride for Alaric leads him to turn to Winnie to help him avoid the arranged marriage – by having her pretend to be his fiancée (naturally). Alongside the usual complications involved in a fake-dating romance, there's the added fact that Winnie isn't aware that Alaric is a centuries old vampire and that her book club is becoming increasingly certain that the mysterious man is connected to a murder in their village …
While Steffanie Holmes is a New Zealand author, rather than Australian, I will defend her inclusion here with a two-part argument: one, Fangs for Nothing has been published by Simon & Schuster Australia, making it a local release technically; and two, this book is simply too cute, chaotic and cosy for me to ignore! It had to be included.
