A Witi Ihimaera novel is now a major event. Sky Dancer is his ninth, and moves into fantasy fiction territory. You get the impression that it’s not really to reviewer Laurence Jenkins’ taste, but he comes out in favour: “It isn't a book for posterity, but for quick consumption and, perhaps, planned obsolescence. Just enjoy.”

Sarah-Kate Lynch’s By Bread Alone is an altogether lighter read. Like most of her other novels, this one will probably be optioned by film production companies. Margi Thomson likes the book, saying “Lynch handles her plot with aplomb, keeping the tension building rather than dissolving once the secrets emerge.”

Other books touched upon include Tracy Chevalier’s eagerly awaited follow-up to
Girl With a Pearl Earring. The Lady and The Unicorn is set in the fifteenth century and “written with the same sharp intelligence and great sense of fun”. Clare Boylan’s Emma Brown also sounds fascinating, carrying on the story left by two chapters of an unfinished Charlotte Bronte novel. It’s “faithful in its tone, captivating and compelling”.

Michael Collins’ Lost Souls is not as good as Poppy Z Brite’s novel of the same name. This one “is merely straightforward and lacks magic and complexity”. But Francis King’s 28th novel, The Nick of Time, is a treat: “A story of chance encounters and manipulation, told with assurance and subtlety.

Bringing up the rear is “a diverse, highly readable collection of stories from both local and British writers”. Bosom Buddies: Women’s Stories about Friendship, Love and Life is “great to dip into”. For each copy sold, $3 goes to the Breast Cancer Research Trust. That’s good enough for us.