John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A deadly warrior raised in a crucible of blood must fight her way through family, fear and a galactic conspiracy in Crestahn Kingdom by Dartanyan Johnson, the entertaining first book in The Crystal of Life series. Action, betrayal, sci-fi tech, and savage battle scenes dominate this intense, genre-bending family drama. The plot is occasionally hard to follow, as the slower, narrative-heavy scenes can feel tangential, and the vying motivations and schemes of secondary characters get tangled, but the prose is still gripping and well-edited. Driven by a striking female lead who is multilayered, sharp-tongued, independent, and wickedly good in a […]

Authors Elizabeth Walter and Debra Thro break down the critical elements of financial aid, scholarships, hidden costs, and resources for university students in Pay Less for College: The Must-Have Guide to Affording Your Degree. Organizing crucial information in intuitive ways and eliminating unnecessary narrative chaff, this is a reliable resource that can be read in a single sitting for an in-depth overview, or returned to at any point, given the encyclopedic amount of information. Bolstered by real-world examples, easily understandable graphs, hard numbers, and an informal, yet authoritative tone, this book is packed with accessible guidance that will help […]

Boasting a powerful cast of complex female characters that will stretch a reader’s idea of morality and the lines of the law, Crooked by Bronwen John is a bold and unforgettable thrill. With flashes of YA informality and easy reading, but also offering up nuanced ideas about art, criminality, human development, and ethics, this swirling heist novel is both unpredictable and highly polished. There is the occasional tendency to over-explain the significance of a plot point, or an interaction, but these subtle flaws don’t undercut the impact of the story, nor the unique perspective of this book’s feisty and fearless […]

Descend into the fantastic and untamed realm of purgatory in The Last Breath World of Souls: The Grave Robber’s Despair by David H. Brumfield II, the first book of a unique series. Unfurling a fantastic world of ghosts, ogres, stone giants, witches, lost souls, and the mysterious powers of a king’s last breath, this novel sparkles with creativity and flair. Packed with detailed history, exposition, and world-building from the very first page, this is an immersive and richly layered story, but one that also boasts allegorical and philosophical elements as well, touching on mortality and morality in equal measure. Despite […]

A shocking and multi-layered thriller, Perilous Last-Minute Christmas Shopping by Annie de Muynck is an unpredictable tale of terror, freedom, perseverance, and the occasional horror of the holidays. Written with a matter-of-fact, methodical tone that still pumps suspense into every scene, the plot moves quickly, giving readers a relentless ride through one woman’s seemingly endless nightmare. The dialogue is snappy and keeps the pace moving, although more emotion in the relationships and interactions could give the story more appeal. Despite the choppy writing and largely procedural narration, this is an expansive and spine-chilling read, and a perfect guilty pleasure for […]

A colorful, inspiring and heartwarming children’s book, Mommy, Daddy Please Teach Me! by Michael A. Brown is a treasure trove of wisdom for young children. From their very first lessons in life to more abstract ideas of self-esteem and joy, parents provide critical support for a child’s view of the world. Exquisitely illustrated by Zoe Ranucci, this vivid storybook touches on some of the countless opportunities for learning and growth that parents can share as their children grow. The simple language makes this a great starter book for early readers, while the images make it a stimulating experience, regardless of […]