Editorial Reviews

A satire that is both empowering and surreal, Professor Hex vs. Texas Men by Melanie Sovran Wolfe is a deliciously twisted take on the gender inequalities still plaguing a supposedly modern America. When a Texas woman is put on trial for the “crime” of a miscarriage, a righteously angry Godhead in disguise delivers an ironic brand of justice for the patriarchal powers that be: pregnancy for the city’s men. Mythology and modern crises collide in this political parody, taking well-deserved shots at the perennial misogyny of contemporary society. With a searingly incisive cast of characters, a host of hot-button issues […]

An amusing and encouraging collection of advice from every corner of life, The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom by Mike Kowis, Esq. is a reassuring companion for those approaching the end of their career. Gathered into thematic sections dealing with issues of mortality, personal freedom, financial stability, regret, rejuvenation, and more, this is far more than a book of witty one-liners or boilerplate wisdom, offering profound guidance with an engaging degree of levity that helps to drive the point home. Surprisingly comprehensive in its outlook, which should help retirees whatever their personal context, this well-curated collection provides sage and […]

In Dissonance: Volume I: Reality, author Aaron Ryan plunges readers into a chilling apocalyptic sci-fi world where silence is golden and a glance could spell doom. Set in 2042, after an alien invasion has decimated 85% of humanity, Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley’s journey embodies the struggle for survival in a world irrevocably altered by extraterrestrial terror. From the haunting arrival of the gorgons in 2026 to Shipley’s stealth missions in the ruins of Clarksville, Tennessee, Ryan’s vivid world-building and meticulous attention to the societal collapse is riveting, with a gripping exploration of human resilience in the face of catastrophe. […]

A charming children’s book with a vivid scrapbook-style layout, The Things I Love by Christina M. Carroll and illustrated by Jenny Slife is a simple but expressive book about everyday joys. Listing things that he loved from the ages of 10 to 1, we find the young boy’s favorite activities – from camping in the wild at 10 to chewing his toe at 1. Most importantly, many of these activities involve the outside world and don’t involve video games or smartphones, encouraging kids to look beyond their screens – a message that is increasingly vital, and subtly presented here. An […]

Priscilla by Jenny Knipfer is an earnest and heartwarming historical novel set in early 20^th century rural America, part of the Apron Strings series of historical Christian fiction, with each installment written by a different author. Priscilla joins a cooking class as she dreams of being the perfect woman and wife like her mother used to be. However, she comes to realize that love, marriage, and family mean much more than a well-cooked meal. Written in an easy-going, intimate language, this is a romantic and tender story that will immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the time, even […]

Weaving an allegorical warning within a dystopian parable, Don’t Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen takes a poignant jab at contemporary life and the missteps of our current social and economic progress. Eskild the Brotherhood Bear, ostracized from his community for promoting a timeless philosophy, must reunite with his siblings and find a righteous path to societal compromise, with the soul of the world hanging in the balance. The lyrical, somewhat fairy tale tone is sharply juxtaposed with the intense subject matter: xenophobia, wealth inequality, loss of faith, moral compromise, and the corrupting impact of capitalism. A philosophical fable and […]

A far-reaching manifesto about the transformative language of God, Paramorphing: The Secret Ancient Science of Transforming Physical Reality by Hari R. Mira is a deep dive into an ancient belief system – one the author argues has shaped the course of human history. Brimming with philosophical and religious explorations concerning the nature of existence, subjective reality, and personal control over those abstract paradigms, this text is a radical take on visualization techniques and more mainstream ideas of manifestation. Using extended metaphors and anecdotal parables to support the thesis of faith-based surrender, the author touches on everything from neuroscience and cognitive […]

Humanity survives in a philosophical cage at the edge of annihilation in The Devoured Sons by Seth Daniel Parker, a work of neo-mythological apocalyptic fiction that defies classification or comparison. The profoundly intelligent and deeply depressed narrator, Slevin, details in spectacular prose his academic and existential journey towards the fabled peaks of power, his brushes with unexpected immortality, and the ultimate discoveries in his quest for truth. Blurring the lines between memoir, allegory, and sci-fi prophecy, Parker’s writing is infused with subtle wit and classical wisdom. Emboldening contemporary readers who may embrace their gnawing curiosity about life after apocalypse, this […]