John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

An intimate and unfiltered look at the immigrant experience, the horrors of war, and the human capacity for transformation, A House in the Wild Berry Tundra by Akram Didari is a remarkably captivating tale. This short story is an intoxicating dive into Iranian culture and tradition, as well as a heartfelt examination of personal growth, familial grief, adaptation to new worlds, and the unifying power of community. A chronological and geographical puzzle in terms of narration, Didari weaves this straightforward yet powerful narrative with the skill of a master storyteller. Every short chapter adds more depth, introduces a new character, […]

Endless royal intrigue, the uprising of an oppressed people, and a young warrior determined to step out from his father’s shadow make A Sun Going Down by A.C. Aerie a powerful and provocative read. A foiled assassination attempt leads the would-be victim on a quest across the sea to carry out his own murderous mission, but the journey opens his eyes to much harder truths about his own future kingdom, and the deeds carried out in its name. Boasting a rich cast of well-developed characters and a patient storytelling style, this plot transcends the classic road journey premise for a […]

A desert quest to meet a CIA legend turns into a deadly and surreal bid for survival in Ghost Town by A.J. Thibault. The fabled spymaster is up to his old tricks of deception, and has lured the sharp-tongued protagonist, a CIA operative himself, into a twisted experiment that could turn the tide of the Cold War. Through a mind-bending plot that has both characters and readers questioning the nature of reality, this Wild West spy novel is far from your average mystery, western, or paranormal thriller. The dialogue doesn’t always crackle with authenticity, but the storytelling is rich and […]

A gut-punch of a read, told through the pained lens of a young girl desperately trying to find her place, Pitch, Yaw & Roll: Identity, Love & Addiction by Mary Taylor is an evocative and stirring YA drama. In the perennial effort to connect and fit in, young Beth is led down a variety of slippery slopes, teetering between teenage rebellion, personal discovery, and dangerous compromises to her still-forming values. Challenging as this read may be for readers who can relate, the authentic dialogue, visceral self-reflection, and unflinching narrative voice make this a straightforward, but hard-hitting tale that has a […]

William Frank reveals an impressive palette and a confident hand in Young Blood and Old Paint, a swirling novel of slick liars, masterful forgeries, and the negotiability of every price – particularly for art and human life. The sharp and endlessly smart dialogue braids well with the rugged setting of this southwestern tale, along with a stoic protagonist, unpredictable bursts of action, and long strokes of beautiful prose. Defying classification in a particular genre, the investigatory elements don’t slow the pace, the artistic details don’t get too tangential, and the meticulously worded narration puts the quality of Frank’s writing […]