REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

In The Strain, del Toro and Chuck Hogan introduced a new kind of vampire – a pure predator, who's sole focus is on feeding, and their prey of choice is the human race.

REVIEWED ROBERT MAXWELL - © Fairfax NZ News

Disappointing. That sums it up for me. When I hear there is a virus-ravaged world, I want to know a bit more than vague details. But, no, I am treated to a story of two brothers who have retreated to a farm in the hopes of escaping the virus that has eliminated most of the planet. A female sneaks into their fold and makes herself a part of their survival crew.

REVIEWED BY JILLIAN ALLISON-AITKEN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is the one I'd been not-so-patiently waiting for: an epic offering from the king of epic offerings, Stephen King.

REVIEWED BY JILLIAN ALLISON-AITKEN - © Fairfax NZ News

I really wanted to love this book but, sadly, it just didn't do it for me.

REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

Audrey Niffenegger's debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, was a best-selling sensation, and a pretty good story. So for her second novel, Niffenegger did what most debut authors don't: she took her time.

REVIEWED BY GWEN CHALONER - © Fairfax NZ News

Elizabeth and Michael's marriage is passionless, they seem to stay together because it's too much effort to do otherwise, besides he is steady and dependable and is rather well off.