John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Endless royal intrigue, the uprising of an oppressed people, and a young warrior determined to step out from his father’s shadow make A Sun Going Down by A.C. Aerie a powerful and provocative read. A foiled assassination attempt leads the would-be victim on a quest across the sea to carry out his own murderous mission, but the journey opens his eyes to much harder truths about his own future kingdom, and the deeds carried out in its name. Boasting a rich cast of well-developed characters and a patient storytelling style, this plot transcends the classic road journey premise for a […]

A desert quest to meet a CIA legend turns into a deadly and surreal bid for survival in Ghost Town by A.J. Thibault. The fabled spymaster is up to his old tricks of deception, and has lured the sharp-tongued protagonist, a CIA operative himself, into a twisted experiment that could turn the tide of the Cold War. Through a mind-bending plot that has both characters and readers questioning the nature of reality, this Wild West spy novel is far from your average mystery, western, or paranormal thriller. The dialogue doesn’t always crackle with authenticity, but the storytelling is rich and […]

A gut-punch of a read, told through the pained lens of a young girl desperately trying to find her place, Pitch, Yaw & Roll: Identity, Love & Addiction by Mary Taylor is an evocative and stirring YA drama. In the perennial effort to connect and fit in, young Beth is led down a variety of slippery slopes, teetering between teenage rebellion, personal discovery, and dangerous compromises to her still-forming values. Challenging as this read may be for readers who can relate, the authentic dialogue, visceral self-reflection, and unflinching narrative voice make this a straightforward, but hard-hitting tale that has a […]

William Frank reveals an impressive palette and a confident hand in Young Blood and Old Paint, a swirling novel of slick liars, masterful forgeries, and the negotiability of every price – particularly for art and human life. The sharp and endlessly smart dialogue braids well with the rugged setting of this southwestern tale, along with a stoic protagonist, unpredictable bursts of action, and long strokes of beautiful prose. Defying classification in a particular genre, the investigatory elements don’t slow the pace, the artistic details don’t get too tangential, and the meticulously worded narration puts the quality of Frank’s writing […]

Deeply intimate in its explorations of grief, love, and the unplanned detours of life, Unveiled by Luvinska Golam Oogarah is a richly painted love note to Indian culture, and a probing glimpse into the heart of one tenacious young woman. Driven by complex and flawed characters, humble in their self-reflections, and patient in the story’s emotional buildup, this novel leans into some classic romance tropes, but is tied together with authentic relationship-building and intelligent dialogue. Oogarah’s narration is both luxurious and accessible, peppered with flairs of poetic inflection, making this lovestruck tale a delightful and poignant escape.

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A punchline-packed thriller that gives readers the ending before unpacking the past, Deadly Serious by A.J. Thibault is a cleverly crafted novel that unravels with slippery ease. A witty and unlikely comedian-turned-sleuth is tossed into the midst of a murderous hunt decades in the making, upending everything he knew about his family, his future, and the secrets often hidden within madness. Channeling the gritty pace of Elmore Leonard, along with a healthy Brett Easton Ellis mood to the prose, the dialogue crackles, the jokes land often, and the spontaneous bursts of action offer a well-balanced, original, and hugely entertaining thriller.[…]

Plunging readers into a supernatural-infused world where magical creatures, fearsome hunters, and oblivious humans mingle in a tense peace, Wicked Magic by Margot de Klerk is a strong start to this new YA vampire series. The author deftly captures the cringing social challenges of high school for Nathan, a future vampire hunter, and elevates that tension with a mountain of family secrets, supernatural stress, and a fumbling fall into young love. While the plot moves quickly, and the creative details bring this entertaining world to life, some of the dialogue is awkward, and the narration can be too leading, even […]