Editorial Reviews

Linking the mysteries and masterworks of history to a nearly omnipotent supercomputer from the 29^th century, Father of the Future by Darren Dash is a time-hopping sci-fi thrill. Cassique is a Time Fixer, devoted to realigning the past to protect the present, but life in the 29^th century is a digitally anesthetized and tech-dominated dystopia, and might benefit from some free will and open-minded genius of the past. Barbed with sarcastic and self-aware narration, this wildly creative read weaves issues of religion, science, and politics into a masterful allegory of contemporary society, seen through the spectacularly inventive lens […]

A time-leaping portrait of grief and fraternal connection, Invisible Sun by Andrew H. Housley probes deep into the unique scars and stains left by those we love, particularly when they make the tragic choice to leave this life. Ian and Chadwick, still reeling in their own ways from the sudden death of their brother, must navigate haunted memories, strained bonds, and painful past choices as they make his final arrangements. Authentic and revealing in its emotional depth and sensitive approach to the subject matter, this is a powerful, soul-baring novel that will be intimately relatable to readers whose lives have […]

A two-pronged narrative that weaves together gracefully across time, Rome’s Last Noble Palace by Kimberly Sullivan is a dramatic thrill for lovers of period dramas and supernatural tales alike. An ornate Roman palazzo with at least one century of secrets lies at the heart of this ghostly and lavishly detailed read, which artfully explores feminine expectations, the nuances of desire, and the long life of grief. As the mirrored lives of two dauntless women unfold in the late nineteenth century and the present day, readers are effortlessly transported to the linguistic, cultural, and aesthetic maze of Rome in all its […]

Offering a compelling spiritual argument for a critical referendum, Voice Treaty Truth: Has the Christian Voice Been Heard? by Barbara Miller is a timely and powerful assessment of race relations and the existential future of Australia. The opportunity for a multiculturally inclusive and self-aware future for the nation are at stake, and this book looks at the Yes or No vote through a Christian lens, utilizing Scripture and traditional guidance to analyze the righteousness of this important vote. Examining racism, colonialism, justice, the Aboriginal identity, discrimination, and the greatest aspirations of a democracy, this well-organized book comprehensively analyzes the ethics […]

A clever dystopian novel with a big splash of humor, The Odyssey of Fletcher by Erik Dargitz is a satirical novel about a socially-awkward young man who finds himself to be the last man on Earth when a global pandemic wipes out the rest of the male population. As he ventures out of his basement sanctuary, Fletcher discovers that the world has changed dramatically, and he is the focus – some women want to worship him, some want to study him, and others want him dead. While this premise could lend itself to insensitivity in the wrong hands, Fletcher is […]

An inventive and continually surprising novel, The Aching Plane by Cody Lakin tells an intimate story about grappling with the past. Since Charlie lost her friend Marion who disappeared when she was only twelve years old, and then her mother who left home when she was seventeen, she has been dealing with deep issues of abandonment. In her twenties, she finds her lifelong hallucinations are getting worse, and one day, she receives a call: Marion is back, and she’s alive, challenging Charlie’s sense of reality. At once surreal and true to life, Lakin’s novel works most of all for […]

Danish Connection: The Dansgaard Family Saga by Keith Thye is a compelling historical epic inspired by the author’s own family heritage. Bjorn Dansgaard, born in a southern Danish town lost to Germany in 1864, is enrolled to fight in World War I as part of the German army. From Europe to America, World War I to 9/11, we follow the Dansgaard family as they love, grieve, and change with the times, for a deeply relatable story that is at once personal and universal. With elegant prose, rich historical detail, and lively, credible characters, Danish Connection shows just how our personal […]

Rosie and the Hobby Farm by Kolina Cicero, with exquisite illustrations by Khoa Le, is an educational yet poetic picture book about the importance of nurturing a caring relationship with the world around you, which ticks all the boxes for superlative children’s literature. Rosie lives at the Hobby Farm with her dog Keeper where she explores the countryside, meeting a cat, a bird, a horse, a pigmy goat, and many other friends. As the seasons roll on, each animal teaches an important lesson, such as the value of patience and self-care, which is subtly bolded in red, while Rosie gives […]