John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

The line between the realms of dreaming and reality gets blurry in Parasomnia, a mysterious and romantic ride by author JC Bratton. A sleepless grief drives one woman to paranormal heights in search of new connection, and the author’s creative mind lays the groundwork for a strong plot. The character development smacks of authenticity, but there is a tendency toward inorganic dialogue. While an editorial hand could help polish the rougher patches, the combination of self-exploration and mystical romance makes this a quick and intriguing read.

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Glenwood Fables: The Ruins of Parnice, the first in a four-part fantasy series, is a sparkling debut from author Danni O’Lenci, who immediately proves her confidence and comfort in the genre. Despite the classic foundation of an unexpected journey that becomes more about the characters than the ultimate quest, there is an original twist to every aspect of this story. In an often repetitive niche, the book is distinctly refreshing, with a masterful use of colloquial speech and organic dialogue. Benefitting from a poetic touch in the prose, the language is clever and surprising, reminiscent of other legendary fantasy authors. […]

Author Zak Yates plunges readers into a violent, fast-paced murder mystery in The Factory. This book wastes no time in establishing its premise: a newly dead Peter becomes an afterlife investigator of his own murder, and discovers that being a ghost does have certain advantages. As more bodies begin to fall, Peter discovers that the mystery of his death is far larger and closer to home that he would have ever imagined. Leaping from one intense scene to the next, this manic story is undeniably dark – boldly touching on issues of abuse, dishonesty, and repressed aggression. Delivering a […]

An old hunger for justice takes one man on a tireless quest of personal reflection and redemption in Finding Carson by Josh Soule. Benefitting from the sage wisdom of a retired detective who has had time to reflect on his career, this novel is both a compelling story and a platform for timely commentary, touching on themes of police misconduct, dangerous bureaucracy, and a societal system with far too many cracks for people to slip through. The writing is often on the nose, with purposeful dialogue and direct narration, and little room for descriptive flair, but this style results in […]

Three young lives are turned upside-down by a talking tree, launching them on a desperate quest to save the forest from dark forces in Treflins Three: A Staff, a Sword and a Stone by Elaine Smith. Following the path of so many YA fantasy novels, the bulk of the story is a harrowing journey to conquer an overwhelming evil, but the originality of the world-building helps this book stand out. There is a gentle edge to the narrative voice, with compassion and friendship taking center stage. While some of the language feels overly simplistic, Treflins Three is a unique and […]

Star-crossed lovers swirl and fearless fighters duke it out during a hot Brooklyn summer in Say Goodbye and Goodnight by author David Ruggerio. Capturing the classic air of tragic romance and blending it with modern urban drama, this is an immersive New York slice of life. A diverse web of stories weave believably on the pages and the dialogue feels ripped from reality, while the characters are patiently developed and perpetually entertaining. The prose is unpolished at times, but Say Goodbye and Goodnight still sparkles with authenticity and endearing charm.

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