John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A chilling, thought-provoking vision of a militarized and chaotic future, Ocellicon: Future Visions by A.G. Russo is a dramatic work of military sci-fi that takes on tough issues, which reflect the current world. Continuing a lifelong battle against those who underestimate her, Annalisa, a military Investigator of scarred and controversial origins, boldly dives into a murky murder case that puts her reputation back in the crosshairs. However, when a far greater enemy than injustice reveals itself, she will have yet another chance to prove her merit, both inside and outside the courtroom. At times, the declarative style of the prose […]

The fifth chapter in Nick Snape’s Weapons of Choice series, Alien Rebirth returns to its survival thriller roots as the heroic squad plunges into a new and dangerous world. While investigating an electromagnetic anomaly in a mining colony system seeded by the Haven, these liberators, warriors, and explorers are confronted by a faceless evil, one that has awakened from ageless slumber with a blind hunger. Navigating the political minefield of the Tiqsimuyu system, while fighting desperately against an annihilating force, this unexpected conflict could cost Finn, Zuri, Noah, and Yasuko everything, including their ship, their mission, and their lives, for […]

A useful, inclusive, and accessible introduction to an ever-growing industry, See Yourself in Cybersecurity: A Book About Careers in Cybersecurity for the Next Generation by Zinet Kemal is perfectly designed for younger readers dreaming about what their future careers may hold. Putting a broad range of professional paths into simple terms, from investigator and threat analyst to cyber defender, this vividly illustrated book shows how exciting and interesting the seemingly dry field of computer security can be. Never patronizing readers, nor getting lost in technical details, the book is sharply edited, while the dynamic colors, formatting, and accompanying images make […]

A tongue-in-cheek urban fantasy thriller, A Devil in Every Dark Corner by Amanda Braun Boe is a witty and witchy supernatural mystery that is impossible to put down. Imogen thought she had left behind her quirky family’s Otherworldly Investigations, but finds herself pulled back into mystical sleuthing thanks to her perennially perfect little sister. Coming back to the world of magic means facing her oldest demons, tapping into new depths of power she never thought possible, and possibly saving the world. A brilliantly penned, identity-driven drama, with humor laced effortlessly throughout believable dialogue, this is an impressive and entertaining start […]

A romance with the whimsical flavor of a fairy tale, Mightier Than Magic by G.S. Kenney is a delightful romp of royal courting and magical mischief. When the meekest princess of the realm befriends a powerful foreign captive, he becomes her unlikely suitor in this charming coming-of-age adventure. Teenage royal rebellion and young love are common bedfellows, and newfound magical abilities are a perennial plot point in fantasy, but Kenney rises above the genre with her delicate prose, bringing to life the characters’ innocence and memorable passion. A thorough final edit is recommended for typos, grammatical errors, and some smoothing […]