Editorial Reviews

A spiraling and surreal set of stories from Mikhael Aroni, Your Lucky Day is an unassuming yet compelling work of short fiction. Tracing a mysterious force through the causes and effects it wreaks on average lives and the world at large, “The Noise” is a haunting tale of societal interconnectedness. Exploring identity, risk, and human exploration in modern relationships, “The Power” has a similar premise, but proceeds to deliver a vulnerable narrative around an enigmatic and imaginative protagonist. Layered with intentional meaning and subtle probing of social norms, Aroni offers up a brief but profound read.

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Two nebulous characters meet at an undescribed location and converse in Talk To Me, Love by Mikael Aroni, a collection of three dialogic pieces. No introduction or staging notes are given, but the protagonists reveal all that is required as their conversation develops, with the characters’ interrogation of each other revealing their particular quirks and motivations. Leaving the protagonists unnamed can make it difficult to figure out which character is speaking, but the uninterrupted dialogue creates an intensity that builds tension throughout. Modernist, absurdist, and complex in its discussion of love and connection, the book may seem to be a […]

A thoughtful exploration of fate, self-discovery, loss, and healing, The Invisible Red String by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah is a modern retelling of an ancient idea. The four members of a therapeutic meditation group find themselves subtly bound to one another in unexpected ways as they journey through their own wounds and weaknesses. As their most personal stories are gradually told, including revelations of abuse, abandonment, hope, and desire, the connections pulling them together become harder to resist, as if by destiny. Weaving together relevant themes of wealth inequality, cultural clashes, childhood trauma, forbidden love, and more, this slow-burning […]

Taking to mountain solitude to overcome heartbreak and trauma leads to a new chance at fulfillment in Moonshadow Over Red Moon Hill by Cynthia L. Clark. Driven by emotional reflection and tentative romance, Brody and Tessa are escaping the past in different ways, but the intertwined fate of these two deftly drawn characters is a patient pleasure to witness, each coming with layered stories that unfold within an unexpectedly thrilling drama. Exploring the core issues of rediscovering trust, revisiting tragedy, and finally accepting the truth, Clark’s layered novel neatly transcends romance fiction, reminding readers of the hard-won resilience we are […]

Ben Hackett is an affable man-about-town reporter in Hackett at Large: Tales from a Reporter’s Life in Paris 1961–68 by Jack Fitzgerald. In this collection of stories and anecdotes, Hackett interviews top-line celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, and JFK, which aren’t necessarily historically accurate, but give us a chance to witness Hackett in action, with all his wit and charm. The story veers to feeling like fantasy fulfillment, with the celebrities seemingly star-struck by Hackett himself, but it’s a fun fantasy nonetheless, spurred on by the colorful characterization of the endearingly old-school, cigar-chomping reporter. The story doesn’t entirely […]

Tapping into a classic noir vibe with a good dose of contemporary flair, Involuntary Flashback by Dave Garrett is a fast-talking, razor-sharp Big Apple mystery. When a young ingenue named Lilly seeks sanctuary with Rod Weyhengrubber and his partner, Ida, it becomes a race to crack the case before her wannabe kidnappers find out where she’s been tucked away, and Rod soon discovers that the conspiracy is much larger than he first thought, with extortion, espionage, and geopolitical consequences hanging in the balance. Garrett is wickedly sharp with a turn of phrase, and readers will find themselves smirking and nodding […]

Unsettling and evocatively written, The Quelling by C.L. Lauder is an affecting work of dystopian fantasy, and an enticing first installment of a new trilogy. The planet of Aurora Saura is overrun by two parasitic invaders: the monstrous Tarrohar and the insidious, body-possessing Rhemans, whose victims are known as “The Quelled.” 19-year-old Kyjta must form an alliance with the enemy – the rebel Rheman Kranik – to rescue her friend Calipsie and confront the Rheman leader head-on. With chapters alternating between the perspectives of its two compelling protagonists, The Quelling is an intricate and skillfully realized piece of imagination, unveiling […]

Shining a light on the powerful work and legacy of a legendary couple, Politics, Partnerships & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church by Jay Pridmore and Christine Wolf is an illuminating glimpse into America’s unpredictable history. Examining the political rise of Ralph E. Church and his wife’s bold decision to enter politics and win his Congressional seat, the story is rich in historical context and well-researched detail, illustrating how this long series of events shaped the landscape of Chicago and national politics for the better part of four decades. Reading at times like a novel, this […]