Share

12 fiction reads we're dying to get our hands on

accreditation

Check out our non-fiction books to read piece here.

The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani

In the Perfect Nanny, a couple struggling to juggle their careers and their day-to-day life meets a woman named Louise. Louise is devoted, good with the children, manages and cleans the household and proves to be everything they want in a nanny.

In fact, she’s the perfect nanny. But as Myriam and Paul become more dependent on her it soon becomes clear that little miss perfect is decidedly unhinged.

Sounds a little like that movie - The Hand That Rocks The Cradle?

Published by Penguin Books on the 9th January, and published as Lullaby by Faber and Faber, 12 January.  

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

Ada, a troubled and young Nigerian woman relocates to the US for a fresh start.

Having developed separate selves, Ada’s story is one of constructing identities, overcoming trauma following an assault and coming to terms with what it means to live with a fractured sense of self.

Published on the 13 February by Grove Press

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

The sequel to the mesmerising Caraval (one of my favourites of 2017), Legendary follows on from that rather mysterious ending. In book one, the story was told from Scarlett’s point of view and chronicled her journey through a game of illusions and deviously and dangerous tricks.

This time around, the book focuses on Scarlett’s sister, Donatella who has made a dangerous bargain with a criminal and has to jump back into the game she and Scarlett barely survived, in order to retrieve something far more valuable than money – the name of the game master.

Published in May (US date: 29 May by Flatiron books / UK date: 31 May by Hodder & Stoughton)

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Beauty, wealth and the chance to be chosen to live at a royal court to serve the queen is just amongst the list of golden opportunities available to anyone who is a Belle. And Camellia Beauregard, who is a Belle is only all too aware of this.

However the world of Orleans is a ruthless one, one where ambition and power is shielded by the glamorous lifestyle and where Camellia herself discovers that her own abilities may be a pawn the queen intends for her to use in dangerous ways.

Published simultaneously in the US and UK on 6th February by Disney Hyperion and Gollancz respectively.

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi

Early reviews for Nigerian-American author's Children of Blood and Bone is already proving that this book is definitely one to be on the lookout for this year.

Although fictionalised, this magical little gem draws inspiration from the culture, history and folkore of West Africa. Think magic and vengeance, ruthless and royal dictators and the road to rebellion and revolution.

Published on March 8 by Pan Macmillan publishers.   

South African author love:


The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

The Ireland-based South African author's fantasy novel focuses on a girl whose talent comes at a price.

Steeped in folklore and mythology, The Wren Hunt is tells the story of Wren, a girl with an extraordinary talent who need to prevent a war by infiltrating a powerful group of people who’ve stolen magic that she needs in order to restore what was once lost to her family.

Published on 6 February by Bloomsbury UK publishers

Mine by Sally Partridge

Sally describes Mine as “the roller coaster love story of Finlay September and Kayla Murphy, two young people trying to make sense of their lives in the mother city.

“In each other they find that all-for-nothing love they've been searching for - but also a sense of belonging, until the ghosts from their past emerge to break them apart.“

Published on the 10 February by NB publishers.

Self-published local authors:

We don’t pay enough attention to our local indie authors so in light of this list I’ve asked some of them to tell us about their forthcoming books this year.

And here's a video about how to publish your own stories

(Please note that some book covers for the books below aren’t available yet)


The Firebird by Nerine Dorman

Nerine says that this book is  “a fantasy novella about a woman who's part of a restrictive pseudo-religious organisation whose brother leads a rebellion – and when he's captured, she has to help with his exorcism.”

The book is due sometime in February but we’ll update with an exact date as soon as we’ve been given all the details.

Besieged by Joan de La Haye

I’ve asked Joan to provide us with a little information about her book. Here’s the blurb she has kindly provided:

Joanna has survived the wilds of Siberia only to find herself under attack from all sides as well as from within the safety of her Patron’s inner sanctum.

With a war brewing and attempted assassinations, will she be able to save herself and those closest to her? Most importantly, will she be able to keep her head in a fight to the death with no rules?

We’ve featured an excerpt from one of the books in this series, which you can check out here.

Hacked Fiona Snyckers

This is the first in the Eulalie Park Mysteries series.

What the book is about:

Lucien Faberge is not a popular man. When he turns up dead, there is no shortage of suspects. Unfortunately, one of them is Fleur, the best friend of private investigator, Eulalie Park.

Fleur was last seen threatening Faberge in front of dozens of witnesses. A knife from her coffeeshop is the murder weapon.

Will Eulalie be able to prove her friend’s innocence before she is arrested for murder by Prince William Island’s newest chief of police, Donal Macgregor?

Tentative publication date has been set for the 31 January.

Memoirs of a Guardian Angel by Graham Downs

There's no cover available yet but Graham says his book will be on sale sometime in April. Check out the blurb below:

Do you believe in Guardian Angels? When he was alive, Adam was one of the few people who did. Now he's one himself. From teen suicides to professional assassins, Adam discovers what it's like to deal with the harsh realities of humanity, from the other side of the fence.

A Life Made of Lava Melissa Delport

Melissa Delport, author of the Legacy series and writing under her pen name Lissa Del, brings us a brand new contemporary offering that will no doubt leave you in tears by the time you're done reading the book.

About A Life Made of Lava:

Evie Danvers has three beautiful children, a stray cat named Dr. Moxley, and a best friend who drinks unapologetically at 9am. She also has stage four bone cancer and a gallows sense of humour that drives her husband crazy.

Nick wants Evie to fight. Evie, on the other hand, is ready to die.

She beat cancer twice, but this time around, Evie knows this is a battle she can’t win. Instead, she focuses on  getting her affairs in order, which includes hiring a nanny to take care of the kids after she’s gone.

Julia Soanes would not have been Nick’s first choice but it's not long before Julia is immersing herself into Evie’s life.

When Nick crosses a line, Evie’s best friend Kat begs her to reconsider. Determined to make sure her family is going to be all right after she’s gone, Evie can only hope that her final gamble will pay off.

The book is scheduled for release sometime in February. Cover reveal and final date to follow.

Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.



We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE