REISSUES

Pick of the paperbacks this month: Tricia Sullivan’s OCCUPY ME ( , 10 November, Gollancz). It centres on Pearl, an angel with wings that exist in another dimension, who wakes up in a tip with no memory of how she got there, finds work with a secretive organisation, and is pulled into a conspiracy involving big oil, time travel, and a mysterious briefcase. We said: “Sullivan has a talent for describing things in unusual ways, and the characters are a great strength. But the story is confusing, confused and oftentimes garbled.” Set six years before The Force Awakens, the events of STAR WARS: BLOODLINE ( , 1 December, Arrow) are integral to the new mythology. Centring on Leia, Claudia Gray’s tie-in reveals plenty about how a foundering New Republic spawned both the First Order and the Resistance. We said: “A cracking political thriller … Should probably be considered essential reading for any fan.” Finally, John Connolly’s publishers are marking the tenth anniversary of THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS (out now, Hodder & Stoughton) with a limited edition hardback that includes two bonus short stories, handsome illustrations, and an afterword by the author. Set in 1939, it puts a perverse spin on childhood favourites, as 12-year-old David quests through a land of myths and fairytales in search of the titular book. Featuring half-wolf/half-human “Loups”, screeching harpies and Communist dwarves, it’s grim fare, decidedly not for kids.