Editorial Reviews

From the troubled and tragically hopeful mind of a truly hopeless romantic comes Strange Deaths of the Last Romantic by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev. Simmering with dark comedy and questioning the boundaries between magic and physics, this is a crafty novel that can easily make a reader forget it’s fiction. From existential questions about reincarnation to the cutting-edge frontiers of regenerative biology, this novel is a heady dive into mortality, conspiracy, personal identity, and a fatal penchant for love. The writing is smart and confident, and though the first-person narration can get redundant, the relationships feel real, as does the mounting […]

Author Oreste J. D’Aversa outlines a positive path forward through these unprecedented, painful, and dynamic times in Life Beyond the Pandemic. Taking a comprehensive look at how recent events have changed all of us in both unique and universal ways, this book breaks down the work that must be done in our emotional heart, body, and mind as the next chapter of the world begins. The positive tone, step-by-step approach, and underlying goal of greater prosperity and happiness make this an enjoyable read, despite the subject. Some of the language is a bit too informal, and certain sections veer […]

An expansive and daring sci-fi drama, Preons: Alpha is the first installment of a high-octane series by author Frederik T. Stevens. This endlessly creative novel is a coming-of-age story and a galactic thriller, founded on impressive world-building and complex, wounded characters, particularly David, the vengeful protagonist who fuels this violent tale. Dropping readers into this universe without an excess of exposition can feel jarring, but it also makes every detail, reference, and description important – scattered pieces to a fascinating puzzle. The narration is overly declarative at times, rather than visceral or suggestive, but the non-stop action of this cosmic […]

Kana Wu carves out a new niche in the romance genre with No Romance Allowed, a lighthearted, witty, and insightful novel about the struggles of being single, and the secrets we struggle to keep. Watching a different type of relationship blossom in such a traditionally predictable scenario is refreshing, while the first-person narration gives readers carte blanche access to the protagonist’s mind in a compelling and slightly voyeuristic way. There are some stumbles in the writing, and certain passages that could be more descriptive, but these are the exception, not the rule. Boasting realistic dialogue, slow-burning suspense, and a […]

His 7 Deadly Kins. by The R-n-R Hour™ is a thought-provoking novel about taking advantage of life’s surprising opportunities, and taking control of your destiny. With elements that are thrilling, contemplative, spiritual and downright unbelievable, readers are pulled into an eye-opening journey of self-reflection and salvation. The author succeeds in weaving philosophy throughout this fast-paced narrative, but it can make the dialogue feel somewhat stilted. Fortunately, the pervading themes of reconciliation and redemption are strong and well-developed. Though the narrative doesn’t quite convey natural colloquial speech, the book delivers a powerful story from a unique perspective, for an unusual and […]

A deadly warrior raised in a crucible of blood must fight her way through family, fear and a galactic conspiracy in Crestahn Kingdom by Dartanyan Johnson, the entertaining first book in The Crystal of Life series. Action, betrayal, sci-fi tech, and savage battle scenes dominate this intense, genre-bending family drama. The plot is occasionally hard to follow, as the slower, narrative-heavy scenes can feel tangential, and the vying motivations and schemes of secondary characters get tangled, but the prose is still gripping and well-edited. Driven by a striking female lead who is multilayered, sharp-tongued, independent, and wickedly good in a […]

Authors Elizabeth Walter and Debra Thro break down the critical elements of financial aid, scholarships, hidden costs, and resources for university students in Pay Less for College: The Must-Have Guide to Affording Your Degree. Organizing crucial information in intuitive ways and eliminating unnecessary narrative chaff, this is a reliable resource that can be read in a single sitting for an in-depth overview, or returned to at any point, given the encyclopedic amount of information. Bolstered by real-world examples, easily understandable graphs, hard numbers, and an informal, yet authoritative tone, this book is packed with accessible guidance that will help […]

Boasting a powerful cast of complex female characters that will stretch a reader’s idea of morality and the lines of the law, Crooked by Bronwen John is a bold and unforgettable thrill. With flashes of YA informality and easy reading, but also offering up nuanced ideas about art, criminality, human development, and ethics, this swirling heist novel is both unpredictable and highly polished. There is the occasional tendency to over-explain the significance of a plot point, or an interaction, but these subtle flaws don’t undercut the impact of the story, nor the unique perspective of this book’s feisty and fearless […]