Book Reviews

The latest indie book reviews from Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Utterly Sublime Adventures of Ava Roberts by Lisa Frederickson

The Utterly Sublime Adventures of Ava Roberts by Lisa Frederickson

Vibrantly written and irresistibly funny, The Utterly Sublime Adventures of Ava Roberts by Lisa Frederickson is a novel about love and the healing powers of traveling. From Goa to Sydney, Thailand to South Africa, 29-year-old Ava learns that stepping out of her comfort zone is the best thing she could ever do.

Reading like Eat, Pray, Love with a funnier narrative voice and an LGBT focus, this book is a must-read for those who love adventurous travel writing, spiritual memoirs, and love stories. Thanks to the novel taking the form of fiction, diary, and blog, the narrative has an engaging […]

2023-11-22T18:38:08+02:00November 22nd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

Review: Our Cats Are Plotting to Kill Us by Jim Tilberry

Our Cats Are Plotting to Kill Us by Jim Tilberry

Peeking into the wild internal world of house cats, Our Cats Are Plotting to Kill Us by Jim Tilberry is a witty wander to the edge of the absurd.

When Julie signs up for Elon Musk’s new Cat Chat app, she and her doubtful husband find themselves able to spy on the telepathic communications of Oliver and Wendell, their two feline friends. Not only have their pets given them a variety of insulting nicknames, but they also have a laundry list of grievances, from their hatred of closed doors and being picked up to “Blondie’s” awful perfume and “Dagwood’s” tacky […]

2024-02-01T13:24:48+02:00November 22nd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Review: Marie’s Nutcracker by Margaret Marie Klenzing

Marie's Nutcracker by Margaret Marie Klenzing

Marie’s Nutcracker by Margaret Marie Klenzing is a fun and refreshingly honest novel about the hardship that ambitious ballet dancers must face in their pursuit of perfection. Set in the snowy Northeast, this beautifully written novel will charm readers with its genuine and gentle prose and enchanting wintry landscape.

Marie is a teenager for whom dancing is her whole life, and she’s set to participate in the annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” run by her town’s dance studio at Christmastime. As the title beautifully encapsulates, this production of “The Nutcracker” is more than a simple show to Marie, but it […]

2024-01-24T19:27:50+02:00November 15th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Audiobook Review: The Eyes of Penn by Richard Carlton London

The Eyes of Penn by Richard Carlton London

Surprising in its sensitivity, creativity, and heart, The Johnsons: The Eyes of Penn by Richard Carlton London is an entertaining and innovative literary experience about a resilient group of passionate musicians navigating the tricky landscape of success, happiness, and morality. Beyond the engaging plot, this audiobook is specifically tailored for those with listening and cognitive challenges, giving it an added level of appeal.

A local rock bank in Philadelphia, The Johnsons have four very unique members – Charts the bass player, JJ on guitar, Frankie on lead vocals, and Hoss the drummer. With a huge payoff on the table from […]

Review: Prompt Excursion by Lewis S. Kingston

Prompt Excursion by Lewis S. Kingston

A Weapons System Officer wakes up to fractured memories on a devastated and nearly lifeless experimental warship in Prompt Excursion by Lewis S. Kingston, a creative and original work of science fiction.

Johansson is a captivating and fearless protagonist from the very first page, showing a relentless drive to survive, despite nearly impossible odds. As she navigates the clutter and chaos of her slowly returning memories, she begins to piece things together – a mission gone wrong and an explosive attack, which has left her alone on a strange ship, lost in the vastness of space. Sending calls for aid […]

2024-01-12T13:09:49+02:00October 30th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Magi Apprentice by Dan E. Hendrickson

Magi Apprentice by Dan E. Hendrickson

A narrative clash of mysticism, science, geopolitics, and biblical lore, Magi Apprentice by Dan E. Hendrickson is a unique piece of historical fiction, exploring the religious sects, governments, and individuals who likely played a part in the star-driven journey to the birthplace of Jesus.

Rassan is a young military officer and friend to Prince Phraates, heir to the Parthian Empire. When a rogue magi embarks on a secret pilgrimage to Jerusalem, through Parthian lands, Rassan is sent to meet him on the road, only to find that his caravan has been attacked by bandits. The magi’s final wish sends Rassan […]

Review: Naimera: Sapient Quest by Michael Ganzberger

Naimera: Sapient Quest by Michael D. Ganzberger

A gritty work of sci-fi that feels ripped from a near-future headline, Naimera: Sapient Quest by Michael Ganzberger is the thrilling second piece of his biosynthetic space saga. After proving their incredible capabilities in bringing down the world’s most dangerous man, the NAIMERA program is enlisted once more for a task that just might end up saving the species.

On Earth, reports of mirage-like flying saucers and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena with impossible abilities have become harder to hide or explain away, heating up an already dangerous arms race for the recovery of this presumed alien tech. Under the guise of […]

2024-01-08T11:02:12+02:00October 19th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Tip’s Magical Journey by Barbara Mishkin, Illustrated by Jason Shiver

Tip's Magical Journey by Barbara Mishkin

Tip’s Magical Journey: The Ride of Discovery and Inspiration by Barbara Mishkin is an inspiring children’s book that promotes empathy, kindness, and celebrates the beauty of diversity. Inspired by the author’s own experience, this modern tale is both moving and funny, telling an important lesson through a child’s travels around a city.

Tip is a young boy of 8 ½ years and he has a secret hobby – he loves riding the train and exploring the city. Thanks to Tip’s curiosity, open-mindedness, and candor, he sees the complex world around him as an exciting opportunity to meet new people, with […]

2024-01-04T16:40:23+02:00October 19th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |
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