Editorial Reviews

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 […]

A well-written and informative introduction to the world of SQL, or Structured Query Language, which is how computers and databases communicate with each other, SQL Quest: A Journey Through Data by Neha Saini is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow overview of a complex topic. Aimed at young learners at least in its initial presentation, the book may be overly detailed for many young readers, but it is a perfect level for teenagers or adults looking to learn about the intricacies of computer science. Packed with imaginative examples, challenging exercises, and clear explanations, the book may not be wholly effective in its […]

An exhilarating sci-fi thriller exploring good and evil on a galactic scale, Awakened Horror by Quill Holland is a twisted and expansive sci-fi novel with a cast of compelling and conflicted heroes. Haunted by a lingering fear that the Empire has somehow survived and is regaining strength, Raith struggles with the revelations of his past life as a brutal oppressor, despite his recent heroics and the victory of the Republic. En route to a diplomatic mission, Raith’s freedom and family are once again ripped away by his reincarnated enemy, but as a nameless existential terror descends on the scattered colonies […]