Also out

December’s traditionally a quiet month for book releases, but there were still a fair few we couldn’t squeeze in. Written by Atomic Blonde creator Antony Johnston, THE EXPHORIA CODE (14 December, Lightning Books) is the first in a new techno-thriller series about a female MI6 hacker. THE COMPLETE SOOKIE STACKHOUSE STORIES (out now, Gollancz) collects ten of Charlaine Harris’s tales about the True Blood heroine, previously scattered across anthologies. James SA Corey’s space opera series The Expanse returns with seventh instalment PERSEPOLIS RISING (7 December, Orbit), while Ian C Esslemont’s ventured back to Malaz for DEADHOUSE LANDING (out now, Transworld), the second in his Path to Ascendancy series. CLOCKWORK CITY (14 December, Hodder & Stoughton) is a new entry in Paul Crilley’s urban fantasy series Delphic Division, which sees an investigator dealing with the likes of African gods, vampires and angels; we said opening instalment Poison City “will suit readers of The Dresden Files right down to the ground.” Meanwhile, FIRESTORM (14 December, Pan) sees Lucy Hounsom’s Worldmaker trilogy wrapping up; our reviewer described book one, Starborn, as “a solid, traditional fantasy”. Turning to non-fiction: THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE (out now, Titan Books) explores the making of the 2001 film via interviews, concept art and rare stills. Finally, there’s not long to wait before you can feast your eyes upon THE ART OF JUSTICE LEAGUE and THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (both 15 December, Titan Books).