FICTION

Some vampires live to feast on the blood of their victims. Others just want to score super limited edition anime merch! Hina Alucard is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of from humans. But she’s also a complete shut-in who hasn’t left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina’s dad does something that changes her life—he gives her a DVD of the Vampire Cross anime! Hina is instantly obsessed, especially with the character Mao. But it’s difficult to fangirl as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream! Hina’s so busy collecting Mao merch that she almost doesn’t feel bad about missing out on the Vampire Cross cafes. If only she had a human friend who could eat all the themed food for her! But connecting with humans isn’t easy until Hina literally bumps into her neighbor Kyuta, a prickly boy who looks just like Mao. Having her best friend live next door will be so convenient! Now if she can just convince him to actually be her friend…

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 39 Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?Endeavor and Dabi clash as the villain reaches critical mass, but Endeavor’s path to victory may also lead to his own destruction. Elsewhere, Ochaco tries to talk Himiko Toga down. She’ll have to find something inside Toga to appeal to before it’s too late. Both of these battles circle the main event—All Might versus All For One—in a showdown that’s been a long time coming. But All Might is a shadow of his former self—can he still go the distance?

KOYOHARU GOTOUGE BEFORE DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBAA collection of manga stories from the brilliant creator of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba!See how best-selling creator Koyoharu Gotouge, creator of the worldwide sensation Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, got started. This collection features four short stories packed with supernatural action—including a deadly vampire hunt starring Tamayo and Muzan that would serve as the direct inspiration for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

HILDA AND THE TROLL [Hilda’s world] is a glorious, exciting if also rather menacing place one children will be eager to enter.It’s also visually arresting: exuberant and lively and faintly Miyazakian

KAIJU NO. 8, VOL. 11 Kafka wants to clean up kaiju, but not literally! Will a sudden metamorphosis stand in the way of his dream?With the highest kaiju-emergence rates in the world, Japan is no stranger to attack by deadly monsters. Enter the Japan Defense Force, a military organization tasked with the neutralization of kaiju. Kafka Hibino, a kaiju-corpse cleanup man, has always dreamed of joining the force. But when he gets another shot at achieving his childhood dream, he undergoes an unexpected transformation. How can he fight kaiju now that he’s become one himself?!The five identified-class kaiju created by No. 9 gather in the eastern division’s area. Specifically designed to eliminate the Defense Force’s main players, these kaiju have drawn every division into a struggle. Meanwhile, Kafka makes a promise to Kikoru before the battle. What could it be?!

Atlas of Paranormal Places is a global tour of more than 50 locations with mystic, unexplained and ghostly significance. With a foreword by Danny Robins.

THE MANHUA ADAPTATION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES-BESTSELLING SERIES CONTINUES AS WEI WUXIAN EXPERIENCES TWO VISIONS OF THE PAST-INCLUDING HIS OWN!THE MANHUA ADAPTATION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES-BESTSELLING SERIES CONTINUES AS WEI WUXIAN EXPERIENCES TWO VISIONS OF THE PAST-INCLUDING HIS OWN!Using the power of Empathy, Wei Wuxian gazes upon the past, experiencing the tragic story of a deepening rift between brothers. When his soul returns to his body, he immediately rushes to Fragrance Palace together with his companion Lan Wangji, prepared to make bold accusations about the death he's spent so much time investigating. Yet his efforts go completely awry, and he soon finds himself in the crosshairs of everyone present! In both his past and present lives, the cultivation clans have tried to kill Wei Wuxian over and over again, but he's no longer alone. This time, he has Lan Wangji, who chases after him without hesitation, fending off his enemies!

Graphic novels to read anywhere- DC Compact Comics collect DC's bestselling, most iconic stories in a new size!For years, Selina Kyle has prowled the skyline of Gotham City as its most famous thief, Catwoman. But when word spreads of Catwoman's demise, Selina decides to leave the costumed world behind and continue her trade cloaked in the shadows.Graphic novels to read anywhere- DC Compact Comics collect DC's bestselling, most iconic stories in a new size!For years, Selina Kyle has prowled the skyline of Gotham City as its most famous thief, Catwoman. But when word spreads of Catwoman's demise, Selina decides to leave the costumed world behind and continue her trade cloaked in the shadows.Unable to enjoy her newfound anonymity for too long though, Selina decides that she must return to her infamous persona. Donning a new costume and attitude, Catwoman returns to the streets and sets her sights on the serial killer that has been preying upon the people she calls friends.Collects Catwoman- Selina's Big Score, Catwoman #1-9, and backup stories from Detective Comics #759-762.

A dark comedy about how to live your best life, even when you're dead. Stacey was trying to live her best life, but now she’s dead. But why hasn't she passed on? Could it be her fatal car accident was actually murder? Detectives Ed Beaufontaine and Rosie Garafino certainly think so. They have a long list of suspects, chief among them Stacey's fiancé, Liam. His business dealings and new relationship with Emily Jackson are raising a few eyebrows. As the detectives dig deeper, so does Stacey. With nothing but time on her hands, she forensically examines her past relationships – her pathological ex, unreliable father, controlling psychologist, and toxic girlfriends – realising she might have been better off without them. She's hoping she can steer the detectives in the right direction before she's doomed to wander for eternity. Because in the city of angels and 12-step programs, even the dead need a little help from time to time.Praise for Twelve Steps to a Long and Fulfilling Death ‘Such a wry and deft interweaving of the real and unreal. A unique voice. I loved it.’ – Rachel Ward 'Half thriller, half ghost story, 100% page turner, Sarah Smith’s brilliant debut novel has more precarious twists and turns than its Mulholland Drive setting!' – Kym Wilson 'A really great mystery. Loved it!' – Rebecca Gibney ‘A whip-smart and twisty debut that will keep you up all night.’ – Rose Hartley, author of Maggie’s Going Nowhere ‘Part detective story, part dark comedy and ghost story, Twelve Steps to a Long and Fulfilling Death has plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep readers guessing ... this is a fun ride for fans of Richard Osman or Janet Evanovich.’ – Books + Publishing

'A vivid story of small town allegiances and secret grudges that drew me in and didn’t let go! I was pinned to my chair.' – Amanda Hampson, author of The Tea Ladies 'One of the most enjoyable crime reads of the year.' – Hayley Scrivenor, internationally best-selling author of Dirt Town So many people had reason to hate her, but did anyone have reason to kill her? Everyone dies famous in a country town, but glamorous Vanessa Walton was a shining star. A celebrity since she was a child, Vanessa is back on the front page for all the wrong reasons; after a terrible storm she has been found dead at the bottom of her stairs. At first her death seems to be a simple accident, but anonymous letters are discovered that suggest otherwise – and when 16-year-old Jasmine Langridge claims it is murder, she suddenly disappears. As the police begin to investigate, secrets are exposed and friendships unravel. What happens to a community when murders and abductions sit alongside petty workmates, teenage tribulations and longstanding friendships? It will take a town to solve this crime, but what will be broken in the effort to piece together the truth?PRAISE for It Takes a Town: ‘There's a warmth and an edge to this beautifully written, nicely judged crime novel, which has at its heart the importance of female friendship.’ –Sydney Morning Herald ‘a complex and immersive read.’ –Canberra City News ‘A page-turning, easy read with a story driven by lively characters, It Takes A Town offers readers glimpses of a community that has more bubbling below the surface than can be contained within this novel.’ –Books + Publishing

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST CRIME FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA FOR GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR <p>SHORTLISTED FOR THE DANGER AWARD - BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION</p>Once you’re online, there’s nowhere to hide Is it paranoia – or is someone watching? For years, Reagan Carsen has kept her life offline. No socials. No internet presence. No photos. Safe. Until the day she stumbles on a shocking murder in a Sydney laneway. The victim looks just like her. Coincidence? As more murders shake the city and she’s increasingly drawn out from hiding, Reagan is forced to confront her greatest fear. She’s been found. A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time.PRAISE: ‘Thrilling and twisty – get ready to be paranoid’ – J.P. Pomare, author of The Wrong Woman ‘twisty and tantalising... Dark Mode is a thrilling read for when you need to get consumed by a good thriller instead of a social media binge.’ – Arts Hub Australia ‘a darkly sparkling gem’ – The Canberra Times ‘Absolutely terrifying! I turned every page with my heart in my mouth, utterly hooked by this explosive thriller. Ashley Kalagian Blunt taps into the dangers we face online every day and the monsters in our midst. Dark Mode is a powerful and disturbing story which will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished reading.’ – Petronella McGovern, author of The Liars ‘With Dark Mode, Ashley Kalagian Blunt has turned her love of true crime and passion for suspense fiction into a fierce wake-up call of a thriller, one that looks unflinchingly at the horrors of the dark web and sheds light on the unimaginable. Riveting, tense and supremely chilling, this is an eye-opening must-read for crime fiction fans everywhere.’ – Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House ‘Wow. Page turning, chilling dread that kept me guessing until the end. Ashley Kalagian Blunt hits it out of the park, creating a dark world where your worst fears aren't the worst thing to fear – not even close.’ – R.W.R McDonald, author of Nancy Business ‘Dark Mode’s greatest achievement is that, as the pieces fall into place, it’s not just Reagan Carsen’s world that’s turned upside down – it’s ours. Its stunning payoff doesn’t just reverberate through the pages, but beyond the book and into the world at large, where its implications are of urgent significance … there are some realities most of us would sooner pretend are impossible than acknowledge are already here. Kalagian Blunt forces our gazes upon them in this compulsive and breathless thriller.’ – James McKenzie Watson, author of Denizen ‘Dark and twisty, this thrilling offering from Ashley Kalagian Blunt is absolutely not to be missed. This book will keep you up at night’ – Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town ‘If you think that what happens on the dark web will never affect you, this book begs the question: are you sure about that? Like, sure-sure? A twisty, terrifying thriller, Dark Mode will have you buying a flip phone and moving off the grid the second you turn the final page, just so you can breathe again. I loved it.’ – Pip Drysdale, author of The Next Girl ‘A chilling and utterly gripping read that shines a light on misogyny and toxicity thriving in plain sight and its devastating consequences for women. Ashley Kalagian Blunt plunges the reader into the darkest corners of the internet and it could not be more terrifying! A superb thriller that will keep you riveted to the page and dial up your tech anxieties to eleven.’ – Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent

A Breathtaking Thriller from the Miles Franklin Award–Winning Author of Chai Time at Cinnamon GardensSri Lanka, 2009. Decades of civil war and bloodshed are finally coming to an end—by any means necessary.In Colombo, the capital city, tenacious journalist Ameena Fernando is executed on a busy street near her home, with no witnesses to the crime. Her murder sends shockwaves through the nation.Under mounting pressure to solve the case, CIA agent Ellie Harper is sent to investigate. Her orders are clear: uncover something, but not too much. It’s Ellie’s first time back on the island since her last mission ended in tragedy four years earlier, and she has more than one ghost haunting her.As international powers vie for influence in post-war Sri Lanka, Ellie begins unraveling a web of secrets and lies, following a dangerous trail to uncover a truth worth killing for.Praise for Unfinished Business“An explosive thriller that pulses with the weight of history. Forget James Bond, Ellie Harper is the real deal.”—Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent and Tipping Point“Tense, gritty, and deeply urgent, Unfinished Business is an action-packed thriller with international intrigue and real-world heft.”—Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of Dark Mode“Passionate and courageous—a thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue, and a high-stakes rollercoaster by one of Australia's most exciting writers.”—Caroline Overington, author of The Lucky One and The One Who Got Away“Unfinished Business expertly evokes the hyper-surveilled metropolis of Colombo as Harper moves through morally impenetrable circles of diplomats, warlords, bureaucrats, and spies.”—Books + Publishing

He’s the world’s most famous frontman. She couldn’t care less.Lexi is already an Oscar-winning documentary director at just 30 years old. But when she’s asked to ditch her current project to film Rebel Heart—a reunited boy band—she’s far from thrilled. Lexi didn’t work this hard to follow a boy group on tour, documenting their every manufactured move for teenage fans.Then she meets Aidan, the unofficial leader of the band, and sparks fly—but not the good kind. To Lexi, he’s egotistical, entitled, and impulsive. To Aidan, she’s high-strung, secretive, and emotionally unavailable.As tensions rise and Lexi struggles to separate work from her complicated feelings for Aidan, she’s forced to confront the painful past she’s carried with her: a father who abandoned her and a belief that no one stays in her life for long. Aidan might just challenge everything Lexi thought she knew—about herself, her work, and love.Will this project prove her wrong in ways she never expected?A classic enemies-to-lovers romance for fans of Hannah Grace and Ali Hazelwood.Note: I Knew You Were Trouble contains mature content and is recommended for readers aged 18+.Readers are falling in love with Emma Rae:“A mouth-watering read.” – Laura Starkey“The perfect spicy summer read… Emma’s writing style is very enjoyable! Great characters and a lovely bit of escapism.” – Margie the Hun“I devoured the whole novel in one sitting.” ????? Reader Review“I cannot stop thinking about this book… I absolutely loved this!” ????? Reader Review“A great love story… you won’t be disappointed.” ????? Reader Review“This book has stayed in my mind for quite some time after reading it—very much the mark of an outstanding book.” Reader Review“This one got me hooked. I finished the book in one sitting.” Reader Review

A powerful novel of the saving grace of language and human connection, from the celebrated author of The VegetarianIn a classroom in Seoul, a young woman watches her Greek language teacher at the blackboard. She tries to speak but has lost her voice. Her teacher finds himself drawn to the silent woman, for day by day he is losing his sight.Soon they discover a deeper pain binds them together. For her, in the space of just a few months, she has lost both her mother and the custody battle for her nine-year-old son. For him, it's the pain of growing up between Korea and Germany, being torn between two cultures and languages.Greek Lessons tells the story of two ordinary people brought together at a moment of private anguish - the fading light of a man losing his vision meeting the silence of a woman who has lost her language. Yet these are the very things that draw them to one another. Slowly the two discover a profound sense of unity - their voices intersecting with startling beauty, as they move from darkness to light, from silence to expression.Greek Lessons is a tender love letter to human intimacy and connection, a novel to awaken the senses, vividly conjuring the essence of what it means to be alive.Translated by Deborah Smith and e. yaewon.