Editorial Reviews

Summoning the nightmare of fascist oppression in a chilling near-future prophecy, The First State by Tshekedi Wallace is a prescient international thriller of rebellion and resistance. Despite the novel being set five decades in the future, the existential threats of autocratic dictators, police state propaganda, and financial oppression feel all too timely for contemporary readers. Thematically, it is impossible to separate the core of the plot from all too familiar crises, for a dramatic allegory that every reader will find recognizable. Wallace’s sprawling imagination tells a story that is not just darkly entertaining, but necessary.

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The intrepid Delta Squad of space commandos is back in Invasive Species by Nick Snape, the sixth book in his wildly creative Weapons of Choice series. In need of recuperation after their recent tragic losses, the team descends into the Stratan system, only to find a shattered society of regressed humanity where trust is rarer than resources, and violence reigns supreme. Snape’s wholly original characters play with readers’ contemporary preconceptions about life, sentience, and the purpose of human evolution, while also delivering an action-heavy thriller that will satisfy any fan of tech-driven sci-fi. After six books, the pace and intricate […]

Both a heartbreaking book about the impact of grief, and an uplifting novel about strong, unremitting, and unconditional love, The Day Before Tomorrow: An Idea Whose Time Has Come by Monique Britten is a multifaceted and affecting read. Telling the story of a series of women who battle illness, such as Juliette, trauma, such as her daughter Kate, or unfaithful, criminal husbands, such as Linda, each character is riveting and thoroughly well-crafted. Thanks to Britten’s deeply moving and beautifully crafted prose, this richly emotional book manages to talk about death, grief, and hope across generations without ever being maudlin or […]

A captivating and original high-seas thriller, The Halcyon Crisis by Drew Harrison takes readers into the fascinating bowels and drama of a cruise ship as it navigates the dangers of a brazen pirate takeover. What the tech-savvy terrorists don’t expect is a skilled hostage negotiator among the ragtag cast of rebellious and entertainingly entitled travelers. Impressively capturing the energy and personalities of cruise directors, vice admirals, travel bloggers and villains alike, Harrison patiently unfurls this ransom-driven plot with masterful suspense, peppered with tongue-in-cheek narration and countless moments of clever dialogue. A conspiratorial heist like few others, this creative and compelling […]

A profoundly insightful look into one man’s relationship to race, Half-Caste: Decidedly Brown in a Black or White World by Jerome Cranston is a reflective memoir that is both timely and deeply personal. The author fearlessly explores interracial existence through challenging stories of cruelty in childhood, the peril of international travel, and the complexity of romance when it collides with social norms. On the surface, the book may seem to be written for a mixed-ethnicity audience, but there are anecdotal gems of wisdom and experiential advice that will benefit any reader. With a unique voice and style, Cranston shows himself […]

A timely and tightly penned novel, The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram dives into the violence of political belief and the dangerous half-truths we tell the ones we love. Eager to be her own boss and launch a security services company, Violet Cleveland, the intrepid head of Outrigger Services, never expected to be defending against enemies so close to home. Each character in this intimate thriller is gritty and compelling, particularly the high-stakes operator at the center of the story. There are some grammatical issues that could use a further proofread, and the prose tends towards declarative, rather than […]

Part parenting book and part history of motorsports, Texas Off-Road Racing 2: The Battle for ATV and Side-by-Side Championships by Mike Kowis, Esq. offers a humorous take on the author’s campaign for the 2022 championship in racing ATVs. Providing details of the incidents of the previous season and past racing experiences, the author sets the stage perfectly for this new challenge, offering a well-rounded look at ATV racing that is entertaining even if you have no knowledge of the sport. With additional details of Kowis’ family rounding out the narrative, this is a surprisingly readable look at a niche activity […]

A romantic novel that explores the aftermath of breakups, New Beginnings by Helen C. Kelly is a stirring, emotional read. Jane, a music teacher and talented singer, is coming out of a long and painful history when she meets David, a divorcee who runs a restaurant in her village. As they deal with feelings of betrayal, David and Jane realize that their painful experiences ultimately helped them understand what they really looked for in a relationship, strengthening their bond together. With its earnest, tender look at second-chance relationships, this is an intimate deep dive into issues of love, trust, and […]