Eden Robinson’s fantasy novel "The Sorceress of Sky Serpents," the first installment in her new trilogy, tops the Canadian fiction list. In an interview with CBC, Robinson discusses incorporating supernatural elements from her Haisla and Heiltsuk background into the story, including flesh-eating octopuses and cave worms but notably no sasquatches, which she believes would have pleased her father. The non-fiction section features works by Malcolm Gladwell on U.S. gun violence, Jason Bell about a World War II espionage mission, and Jody Wilson-Raybould and Roshan Danesh on leadership in complex times.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Eden Robinson, an author from the Haisla and Heiltsuk Nation, topped the Canadian fiction bestseller list with her new fantasy novel, "The Sorceress of Sky Serpents." This book marks a significant milestone for Robinson as it is her first completed fantasy work. The protagonist, Yuala, can communicate with supernatural creatures like giant octopuses and cave worms, drawing inspiration from stories Robinson heard growing up in Kitamaat Village.
When asked about her late father's opinion on the novel, she humorously replied that he would have wanted more sasquatches included. The book blends traditional supernatural elements with fantasy, reflecting Robinson’s cultural heritage. Additionally, several Canadian authors found success in non-fiction categories, including Malcolm Gladwell whose work "The American Way of Killing" addresses gun violence in the U.S.
Written for “Toronto Star Bestsellers List” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Haisla and Heiltsuk Nation author Eden Robinson has always blended the supernatural into her award-winning novels, including the “Trickster” trilogy and “Monkey Beach.”
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Robinson → blend → trilogy
But she told the CBC she’d never been able to finish writing a fantasy book before “The Sorceress of Sky Serpents,” the first in a new trilogy.
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she → tell → trilogy
It tops the Canadian fiction list.
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It → top → list
The novel’s protagonist, Yuala, has the ability to connect with monsters, including giant flesh-eating octopuses and dog-sized cave worms.
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protagonist → have → octopuses
Robinson told the CBC that giant octopuses were part of the supernatural stories she heard growing up in Kitamaat Village, thanks to her late father.
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she → tell → father
So what would he think of the new book, she was asked.
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she → think → book
“Not enough sasquatches,” she said.
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she → say → ?
“He was absolutely convinced that if I had put more sasquatches in my book ‘Monkey Beach,’ it would have been more successful.
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it → convince → book
So I know that he would have been annoyed that I have all these supernatural creatures in this book and there’s no sasquatches.”
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I → know → book
In non-fiction, several Canadian authors found their way onto the original list.
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authors → find → list
In “The American Way of Killing,” British-Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell tackles the U.S. epidemic of gun violence.
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Gladwell → tackle → violence
He told Time magazine, “It’s a problem that was brought about by a wide set of very specific choices, misapprehensions and errors.
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that → tell → choices
There’s no reason why the United States cannot have the same level of homicide as its Western European peers.
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States → ’ → peers
It just chose a different direction.”
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It → choose → direction
In “Operation Sparrow: The Incredible True Story of the Spies Who Tricked Hitler and Won the War,” Canadian author and professor Jason Bell writes about the three-person commando team that purposely got detained by the Nazis so they could convince Hitler the D-Day invasion was happening 2,000 kilometres away from the true target.
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invasion → trick → target
Finally, former federal minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and co-author Roshan Danesh share thoughts on leadership in “The Inbetween Leader: Cultivating Courage and Unity in a Complex World.”
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Raybould → share → World
They argue that in these polarizing times, the world needs leaders who foster interconnectedness and create environments where everyone feels valued and engaged.
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everyone → argue → environments
Redwood, Ben Macintyre, Signal (3)
7. The Cauldron, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Knopf (1)
8. Operation Sparrow, Jason Bell, HarperCollins Canada (1)
9. The Inbetween Leader, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Roshan Danesh, Greystone (1)
10. Rules to Live By, Jimmy Chin, Celadon (1)
CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT
1. Trust Fall, Lynn Painter, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2. Escape Me (deluxe limited edition), Tahereh Mafi, HarperCollins
3. Baby-Sitters on Board! (Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #1), Raina Telgemeier, Gale Galligan, Ann M. Martin, Graphix
4. The Mirror of Infinite Endings, Stephanie Garber, Lotusbubble, Flatiron
5. Cozy Love and Christmas Crime, Anouk Filippini, Djohr Guedra, Éditions et Diffusions Auzou
6.
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Rules → live → Endings
7. Camp Half-Blood (The Wild Zone #1), Rick Riordan, Annabelle Oh, Random House Books for Young Readers
8. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2, Jeff Kinney, Amulet
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling, Levi Pinfold, Bloomsbury Children’s Books
10. Gruffalo Granny, Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Macmillan Children’s Books
HEALTH AND FITNESS
1. Protocols, Andrew D. Huberman, Simon & Schuster
2. The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk, Penguin
3. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff, Workman
4. When the Body Says No, Gabor Maté, Vintage Canada
5. Heal Your Cells, Josh Axe, Will Cole, Avery
6. The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté, Vintage Canada
7. Training for a Healthy Life, Zeitgeist Wellness, Penguin Random Housse
8. Come as You Are (updated), Emily Nagoski, Simon & Schuster
9.
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You → keep → Life
The bestseller lists are compiled by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited from information provided by BookNet Canada’s national sales tracking service, BNC SalesData.
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lists → compile → service
The Aporia
