John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Bringing storybook history into sharp and fascinating focus, Awesome Battles for Kids: The Ancient Wars by Ryan Rhoderick is a thrilling peek into epic conflicts of the ancient past. From chariot clashes in Egypt and city-state strife in Greece to the brilliance of Alexander the Great and the legendary defeat of Xerxes, this book is a perfect blend of backstory, strategy, and classic heroics, offering a thorough introduction for kids. While some of the writing may be too advanced for younger readers, the pages are packed with compelling imagery, military analyses, and historical context, making it an engaging and eye-opening […]

A uniquely crafted self-help memoir, Body Wisdom: A Guide To Connecting With Your Intuitive Self by Cathy Williams invites readers to tap into the interconnection of mind and body, learn to trust their instincts, and develop better forms of self-love and protection. Featuring a visually stimulating format of illustrations, poetry, and essential featured text, this is an interactive read that engages and challenges the reader well beyond standard works of text-based self-help. With a comforting and conversational writing style, anecdotal storytelling that is both relatable and impactful, and vital existential questions proposed throughout the book, Williams’ work resonates long after […]

An unassuming yet continually compelling poetry collection, Telling It All: Trauma And the Unspeakable Truths by Jenna Casey, PsyD is a minimalistic exploration of unavoidable suffering and the need for resilience. Varied in poetic form and style, but sharply focused on past trauma, pain, grief, and loss, Casey’s vulnerable poetry is raw and relentless in its message. Though some of the pieces can feel too brief for the complexity of their subject matter, there is a cathartic power in the stark style. Empowering and comforting for readers who have experienced similar hardships and heartbreak, these visceral short-form pieces carry a […]

A dimension-bending, time-leaping adventure through past lives and nightmare realms, Simon’s Dream of Tomorrow’s Structure by Jeremy Howe is the sprawling second piece of a genre-defying series. Simon Verner may have bested his brother Mubiru once, continuing their ancient cycle of epic conflict, but the villains of the dying Dark Dimension have a new scheme to bring an end to the human world. Relying on strong friendships and the generations of wise warriors before him, Simon becomes embroiled in more corporal mysteries as sinister forces descend on his new home. Whimsical, mystical, gritty, and creative, this unassuming novel patiently plays […]