John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Marked by streaks of sadness and self-reflection, That’s Fair by Elizabeth Decker-Benjamin is a powerful collection of deeply vulnerable poetry. From the brilliant stream of thought in “None of Us Want to Be Here” to the lyrical agony of “Sometimes,” these pieces vary widely in form, intensity, subject, and style, demonstrating an impressive breadth of poetic flexibility. Some of the more prose-leaning moments lack the creative grace of the pure verse pieces, but these weak points are few and far between. The illustrations and sketches are unique as well, making this is a strong work of poetry from a voice […]

Breaking down boundaries and pushing the fantasy genre forward for a new generation, The Trinity Prophecy by Marissa Kinzel is a fast-paced and unpredictable adventure. Young royals are forced to save their elders from dark magical forces, and forge new bonds of friendship with an unlikely ally on an epic quest. Despite the recognizable premise, this playful and powerful story strikes an original chord, and Kinzel’s world-building is impeccable. Peppered with vivid illustrations, snappy dialogue, and entrancing magical rules, the realm of Endra is a wonderful new space for YA readers to explore.

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A VR-driven psychological thriller, Early Exit to the Void is a deeply unique and oddly prophetic new novel by Jack B.S. North. Written like Haruki Murakami with a computer science degree, this future-leaning tale doesn’t fall into any one genre, but there are visionary fiction elements that make the reading experience a mind-bending, thought-provoking ride. Blurring the line between reality, humanity, AI, and technological wizardry, readers might be challenged to stay on top of this enigmatic plot, but the story is an immersive plunge with surprising twists that keep readers guessing.

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Samuel Ludke unleashes a short but powerful new collection with Illuminati, a bold and confident flow of lyrical emotion. With under a dozen pieces, this may seem like a quick read, but there are plenty of thought-provoking lines and turns that will have readers looping back for another taste. One of the sharpest pieces, “Glasses,” has the polish of a piece ready to be dropped on the mic, while others could use some light tweaking for flow and creativity. Overall, this is a passionate spill of poetry from a prolific writer who is only getting better.

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A globe-spanning thriller that feels torn from the headlines, Qisas by AA Freda is a gripping piece of pulp drama, complete with runaway royal princes, epic shootouts, and a conspiracy-fueled edge that never lets up. As in the other Sam and James adventures, the core duo is complex and compelling, while the plot elements are sensational, leaning into the impossible when it comes to narrow escapes and action sequences, but never veering fully into unbelievable. The thematic line of terrorist attacks on US soil and instability in the Middle East feels perennially relevant, but the tension of recent years is […]

Exploring trauma and resilience in gritty first-person detail, Sleeping Around by Morgan Vega is a powerful reflection on stability, the concept of home, and the heavy baggage we all must sometimes carry. As an intimate coming-of-age tale, this young adult novel highlights the impact the foster care system can have on the mindset and psychological wellbeing of children, and the adults they become. Driven by a complex narrator and woven together with unassuming, conversational prose, the target audience for this book may be older teens moving into a new chapter of life, but the intense themes will resonate with older […]