Book Reviews

  • Lords of the Pacific by Grant Hyde

    Lords of the Pacific by Grant Hyde

    Pan Macmillan
    Rugby League followers might remember Grant Hyde from his days as a second rower/hooker for the Roosters in the early 1990s. After years in various post-football occupations he found himself in Tonga, project managing the construction of a hotel, and that was when he decided to write a novel set in the islands.
    Lords of the Pacific is a rattling good adventure yarn set in a little known part of the world. I was into it right from the start and the pace doesn’t let up all the way to the end. Despite being obviously well researched I found it really easy to read. If you like Wilbur Smith or Peter Watt, or historical fiction like Wolf of the Plains you will absolutely love this one.


    One of the best Aussie books I’ve read in years.

  • Book Review: Curlew Fugitive by Don Douglas

    I always enjoy a good Australian historical adventure yarn, and Curlew Fugitive is a ripper of a story. The author, Don Douglas, grew up living the life of a stockman, manager and owner throughout Western Queensland, and that real life experience shows through in his writing. The perils of the Gulf Track, station life on the WA/NT border, and the Kalgoolie Goldfields all come to life in this fast-paced novel that I found hard to put down. The fight scenes are so realistic I have to suspect that Don had a bout or two of his own back in the day.

    Ben’s a great main character, but you’ll love (and hate) Sarah, Basil, and the others too. This is a highly recommended Aussie bush story.

    Greg Barron