Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom review – intriguing fantasy franchise is far from your average anime
Its Game of Thronesian intrigue, benevolent Skeletor protagonist and surprising lack of gratuitous violence sets this series apart
Paddington in Peru review – you can take the bear out of South America, but think twice before taking him back
The third instalment in the film adventures of the furry marmalade addict may boast Olivia Colman as a singing nun but it lacks home comforts
Anfield Road by Chris Shepherd review – from Liverpool with love
The writer and film-maker’s affection for the city of his youth shines through in this debut graphic novel about family, football and teenage dreams
Killing Time by Alan Bennett review – senior moments full of wit and style
The author employs his pitch-perfect repertoire of satirical skills in his first book for five years – a novella about the residents of an upmarket care home during the pandemic
V13: Chronicle of a Trial by Emmanuel Carrère review – a humane and thoughtful testimony of terror and loss
This forensic account of the 10-month-long trial of those involved in the 2015 Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed, treads a fine line between empathy and moral judgments while shining a light on survivors’ memories
The Position of Spoons and Other Intimacies by Deborah Levy review – an absorbing essay collection
The award-winning author’s thoughts on JG Ballard, Colette and…lemons
Season of the Swamp by Yuri Herrera review – a Mexican hero in exile
This meticulous reconstruction of Benito Juárez’s 18 months in New Orleans imagines how the inequalities he encountered shaped the future for Mexico’s first indigenous president
In brief: Hum; The Life of Birds; In Writing – review
A disturbing novel about the future of AI; David Attenborough’s readable survey of birdlife; and tips for aspiring writers of all kinds
Off-White: The Truth About Antisemitism by Rachel Shabi review – racism by any other name
In this sharp and engaging book, Shabi addresses the need to understand and confront antisemitism at a time when it is being downplayed by parts of the left and exploited by others on the right
The Biden Crime Family by Rudy Giuliani review – hapless is as hapless does
The Trump ally’s pre-election takedown of the man who hasn’t been running for months is a reminder of its author’s shambolic descent
Gliff by Ali Smith review – reading the signs of crisis
Two children decode a dystopia, in a chilling and wistful novel that speaks to our times
On Bullfighting by AL Kennedy audiobook review – dances with death
The author confronts her own mortality with candour and crisp humour in this thoughtful exploration of bullfighting
The best recent poetry – review roundup
An Arbitrary Light Bulb by Ian Duhig; What the Earth Seemed to Say by Marie Howe; Collected Poems by Mimi Khalvati; Ceremony for the Nameless by Theresa Lola; Girl by Ruth Padel
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton review – woman meets leveret
Burnt out by the London rat race, the writer retreats to the countryside where a chance encounter changes her life
Australian Gospel: A Family Saga by Lech Blaine review – a sensational tale, skilfully told
Author’s compassion and progressive vision of family stand out in incredible saga charting the acrimonious relationship between two families