The three stories are unique in their own way, but fall in line with classic gangster narratives: untouchable tough guys with sharp comebacks and quick trigger fingers. These surprisingly complex, small-cast tales are driven by intense, multilayered dialogue – or other forms of communication, as in the case of the two mute assassins from “Driving in Silence,” one of the standouts in the collection. Perfectly polished for […]
A young man tries to find peace while navigating the troubled waters of trauma and self-discovery in The Pebble Champion by A.D. Pritchard. Stories about life-changing events are often compelling and relatable, as trauma and loss are universal for readers, and this coming-of-age story is no different. Laced with vivid snatches of flashback and memory, this emotionally charged novel is raw and vulnerable, but also told with the confidence of a skilled storyteller. There are occasional sections of dialogue that feel overly wordy, or inauthentic to how young people speak, but this is a small criticism within a largely impressive […]
A young girl’s charming obsession for bears of all kinds takes center stage in One Night in Beartown by Nick Jones. Inspired by a real-life town of painted bears, Congleton, this is a beautiful children’s story of friendship and resilience, and being honest about what you love, without fear of being teased or judged. Packed with vivid illustrations, an engaging story, and strong thematic messages that should resonate for young children, this is a unique addition to any bookshelf, and one that can be returned to time and again. There are a few hiccups in the language that feel a […]
Willow Stewart is a mesmerizing and relentless main character, though her relationship with her brother, Briar, is the unbreakable engine that drives this slow-brewing story. This interwoven tale of family, resilience, betrayal, and the moral evolution of a nation is powerful and stirring, but also subtle and humble in its storytelling. The novel is a striking meditation on America of the past and present, particularly when it […]
Luck, lies, and the weakness of human nature collide in Luck by Chris Coppel, an entertaining and savage satire that circles the strange birth and even stranger life of Daniel Trapp. Boasting a power that most would consider a blessing, good fortune seems to follow the main character like a shadow, but there are darker forces at work, and prices that must be paid.
As the title suggests, luck is a persistent theme from start to finish, frequently driving the plot twists and inexplicable events of the story. Daniel Trapp’s seemingly miraculous gift is another character in itself, an aura […]
A vivid and heartfelt tale of family history, unexpected adventure, and abiding love, Just Where They Wanted to Be: The Story of My Amazing Parents (2nd Edition) by Ellen Sollinger Walker is a powerful and memorable recounting of her parents’ life. A beautiful blend of memoir and travelogue, the author not only takes readers around the world through her parents’ recollections, but is herself a part of this epic story. From Papua New Guinea and Yemen to the Bahamas and the Galapagos Islands, this globe-trotting read is a love story about the wild parts of the world, in addition to […]
Two unpredictable destinies collide in a far-flung corner of the universe in Predator Moons, a futuristic feast for the senses by J.H. Ramsay. Part dystopian fantasy and part space opera, this is an expansive and compelling story set in an endlessly layered realm of creativity and visionary imagination.
Traveling to the outer limits of the galaxy on two very different missions, the protagonists of this epic astral adventure don’t seem to have much in common, but that isn’t altogether true. Both are unable to resist change and progress; Isaiah is once again trying to escape a lifetime of slaughter […]
Tracing a legendary Confederacy treasure through the twists of time, In the Shadow of Gold is a sparkling piece of historical fiction by author Michael Kenneth Smith. As the president of the Confederacy races away from imminent capture, the treasury of the retreating Southern army takes another set of dubious tracks. A subject that has been hotly debated for decades by treasure hunters and historians alike, this is the dramatic reimagining of what happened to that long-lost trove of Confederate gold.
A tangled string of intertwined plots brings a group of fascinating characters into focus, helping to full realize the […]