Newly arrived fiction from Aotearoa New Zealand
Contemporary Aotearoa shines
All That We Know by Shilo Kino
Māreikura, a young woman navigating self-diagnosed ADHD, finds herself thrust into the spotlight after a speech she makes goes viral. Torn between her feelings for her best friend Eru, who is leaving on a church mission, and the growing pressure of her newfound fame, Māreikura must grapple with the complexities of activism, relationships, and personal identity in a post-colonial Tāmaki Makaurau. Kino is one of the most exciting young novelists in Aotearoa today, and her debut adult work will appeal to fans ofGreta & Valdin and Kiley Reid.
Ash is a novella about Thea, a rural vet in small town New Zealand. A mother of two small children she juggles the overwhelming needs of breastfeeding, never ending laundry and child care with a demanding job in male dominated field, and a husband that barely seems present. All this is hard enough, but then a volcano covers Thea's rural community in ash, making simply surviving a monumental effort. Like Prophet Song and Soldier Sailor, Ash is the story of one woman against the world and will surely be one of the best reads from Aotearoa this year.
The Mires explores the intricate relationships between three mothers who become neighbours in near future New Zealand. In a world drastically altered by a changing climate, the novel delves into the lives of the women whose paths intertwine, connected by shared experiences, secrets and a deep-rooted connection to their community.
Blistering hot crime ficiton
Return to Blood by Michael Bennett
Former Detective Hana Westerman has left Auckland and her career after the traumatic events of Better the Blood. Settled in a quiet costal community, she hopes for a fresh start. But when the skeleton of a woman missing for four years is found in sand dunes near her house, Hana is drawn into a decades old murder investigation that may put her right back into the path of danger. Bennett's second Westerman book is another taught and atmospheric thriller that showcases the best of Kiwi crime.
In the wake of his brother's untimely death, Livia's husband Scott falls down a rabbit hole, immersing himself in a the 'truther' ideology putting untold strain on their young family. Three years later, Livia is on trial for attempted murder. A dramatic mix of courtroom and domestic drama, Norman's newest work captures a family torn apart by suspicion, mistrust and disinformation.
17 years after a young private chef is jailed for the brutal murder of the Primrose family in small town Cambridge, a true-crime podcaster and a prison psychologist revisit the case. As the pair uncover new evidence in the violent slaughter that casts a different light on the events, twists and turns in the story may reveal a new danger. A superbly crafted thriller from one of our favourite crime authors.
Fantasy and magical realism
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
Forbidden romance? Check. Dragons? Check. Angst? Check. The current darling of romantasy Tiktok, this is a fast-paced fantasy adventure featuring a one-of-a-kind magic system and enigmatic creatures. With witty banter and a love story that spans centuries, When the Moon Hatched is perfect for fans of sassy heroines.
Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud by Lee Murray
Chinese Pākehā author Murray brings to light the silenced voices of the women of the Chinese diaspora in New Zealand who came here for a new life, but suffered at the hands of prejudice and isolation. Weaving poetry, myth and history, Chinese, te reo and English Murray's work is an important glimpse into an often ignored part of our society.
