Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Kingdom Society: Broken Reality by Nathan Helm

Kingdom Society: Broken Reality by Nathan Helm

Author Nathan Helm delivers a strong second chapter of his Kingdom Society series with Broken Reality, an endlessly creative fantasy with some hard-edged twists.

The idea of a “chosen one” who must come to terms with his destiny is a rather common premise in sci-fi and fantasy sagas, but Helm manages to put a unique spin on the character development and journey – in part through the use of so many different environments and settings. Alyeth’s growing powers are impressive, and he will need those “God mode” abilities, considering that sinister forces of the universe are conspiring to eradicate […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-06-13T13:39:43+02:00June 12th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: May We Learn From the Earth by Robert J. Tiess

May We Learn From the Earth by Robert Tiess

With this stunning observational record of the natural world, poet Robert J. Tiess has curated a brilliant collection in May We Learn From the Earth: Nature Poems and Reflections on the Environment.

A self-described ecopoet with a remarkable eye for the secret beauty and subtle wonders of nature, this is both an homage to the Earth and a desperate plea for a shift in collective consciousness. From academic and allusion-laced verses to thoughtful personal poems that reflect the writer’s own experience, this broad-ranging book feels both contemporary and timeless.

“Ecclesiastes of the Earth” is one of the strongest poems […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-06-12T13:09:13+02:00June 11th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: The Cathedral Murders by J.E. Morales

The Cathedral Murders by J.E. Morales

Set in Peru during the activity of the communist terrorist group Shining Path in the late 80s and early 90s, The Cathedral Murders by J.E. Morales is a remarkable historical thriller with a noir core and a searing snapshot of Peruvian society, from the poorest layers of society to the highest, giving voice to people who lived through a time of deep unrest.

In Ayacucho they call the Santa Maria Hospital “the cathedral of medicine” – the best possible place to hone your skills as a doctor or nurse outside Peru’s capital. When one of the interns Isabella finds an […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-08-14T18:42:38+02:00June 2nd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets by Marc Kage

Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets by Marc Kage

An intricate portrayal of the way work, life, and love interact with each other, set against the backdrop of industrial upheaval and social unrest, Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets by Marc Kage is an impressive slow-burn of a novel. With the style of a literary novel and the intrigue of a thriller, Kage has achieved a remarkable blend of character nuance and suspense.

As the title suggests, the fundamental question at work in this novel is that of trust. Everyone is holding something back from everyone else, from business partners to romantic partners, or even family members, as Kage portrays […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-05-19T09:23:22+02:00May 18th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Soft & Rage by Myka Silber

Soft & Rage by Myka Silber

Compelling and compassionate, mysterious and melancholy, Soft & Rage by Myka Silber is an extraordinary set of short stories. Surefootedly spanning a dazzling array of genres and styles, the collection feels fused together by its beautiful writing, clear-eyed point of view, and profound concern with the human condition.

Although it treats many different themes and ideas, at its heart Soft & Rage is, above all else, a deep meditation on grief and loss. Viewed through the variety of lenses afforded by the range of story types, Silber comes at the issue from many different angles and is able to explore […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-08-04T09:39:32+02:00May 12th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|

Review: Thank Goliath by Domenic Aversa

Thank Goliath by Domenic Aversa

A memoir spanning the author’s childhood to his later years, Thank Goliath by Domenic Aversa is both fun and tragic, emotional and entertaining. With cutting intelligence and the wisdom acquired with age, Aversa sews his memories together and offers readers the portrait of a bright, sensitive, and resilient man.

Adversity has repeatedly shown itself in Aversa’s life like a giant, which made him feel as little and unprepared as a child, but he has learned through these trials to face hardship. As in the story of David and Goliath, he has dealt with issues that seemed much larger than himself, […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-08-02T07:56:30+02:00May 11th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: Parenting with Kindness and Consequences by Barbara Frandsen

Parenting with Kindness and Consequences by Barbara Frandsen

Parenting with Kindness and Consequences by Barbara Frandsen is a fascinating, detailed guide to parenting that blends the professional and the personal into one coherent vision. With a strong emphasis on how parents can help raise independent, mature, and self-assured kids, this is a timely book, passionately written, and full of real-world, practical advice.

The title posits the fundamental juxtaposition at the heart of the book, a dichotomy that turns out to be a false one: should parents emphasize the positive but risk spoiling them, or be willing to discipline but risk being too cold and harsh? This is a […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-08-01T11:12:46+02:00May 6th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Parenting Book Reviews|

Review: Closer to Consciousness by Alexander Durig

Closer to Consciousness by Alexander Durig

Taking a deep plunge into the furthest recesses of the mind, author Alexander Durig presents a bold and expansive theory of the brain in Closer to Consciousness: The First Strong Theory of Consciousness. Like the unified Theory of Everything that astronomers and physicists so eagerly seek, a unified theory of consciousness is the holy grail for social sciences, and this well-structured tome takes a big swing in that direction.

This eye-opening read begins with an introduction to consciousness and autism, as well as modern-day neuroscience and psychiatric paradigms related to perception and the self. The sociology of autism and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-07-18T17:16:04+02:00May 4th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Psychology Book Reviews, Science Book Reviews|