Editorial Reviews

A consistently hard-hitting collection of poetry, Franco Cardiello’s Love is a Mental Illness strikes with precision again and again, drawing from the poet’s own experiences and laying them bare. Cardiello’s style is notably idiosyncratic and may take a poem or two to get used to his enigmatic flow of words, but the reader is soon drawn into the collection’s heart-wrenchingly realistic world of love, hope, trauma, pain, vulnerability, and honesty. A revolutionary work in its creativity and execution, this cross-genre collection works equally well as a work of lyric poetry and a form of self-help for those who see themselves […]

Author George R. Mitchell whisks readers back across the stars to Neverland in this new sequel to Peter Pan, An Awfully Big Adventure. Captain Hook is desperate for redemption and revenge, despite being half-gobbled by a crocodile, while the Lost Boys need a reason to keep Peter around as their fearless and ageless leader. However, the temptations of the Darling family and the bustling streets of London may cause Peter to grow up faster than expected, leaving Neverland without a hero, and Hook without a nemesis. This respectfully written sequel honors J.M. Barrie’s whimsical tone and emotional depth, while […]

Welcome to the Madhouse, the first volume of Valerie Anne Hudson’s Maids of Maddington series, is a delightful starting point for a new historical series, giving us a maid’s-eye view of murderous plots and domestic struggles both high and low. The novel tells an upstairs, downstairs story with a twist, as it also examines Victorian society writ large, which will please fans of “Downton Abbey,” albeit with a different historical focus. Deftly examing women’s roles in Victorian-era London, the novel offers a keen level of insight into the era with short but significant chapters that never sacrifice historical detail. […]

A raucous, wine-drunk spree complete with colloquial Sottish charm, Lochlan by Pax Sinclair is her latest innuendo-soaked read, and seductively sets the stage for the new Scotsman’s Kilt series. The bad boy billionaire heir exiled to America is a premise packed with potential, but when a stunning young volleyball star sets her eye on him as the target of a “bonding ritual,” the plot takes a decidedly intriguing turn. Anger and mistrust evolve into a deeper relationship, which allows this quick read to be more than just lip-biting pulp fiction. Sinclair gives depth where other romance authors settle for superficiality, […]

A relentless, action-packed take on mystics in the mainstream, In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura is a refreshingly original work of urban fantasy. Haunted by her brother’s death at the necromantic hand of her closest friend, Kara hides her powers from the world. However, when she is tasked by her editor to capture a femme fatale demon hunter in action, she is drawn back into the deadly realms of magic, and a powerful connection she cannot deny. Moving at a blistering pace, this is adrenaline-fueled storytelling at its best, yet it still manages to explore challenging themes of […]

A touching tale of outcasts finding connection and long-sought peace, On Bur Oak Ridge by Jenny Knipfer is a beautifully written portrait of the past, and dramatic historical fiction at its best. A slow-burning pastoral romance with dual narration for a fully immersive experience, this story feels archetypal, unfolding with exquisite execution. Centered on the emotional complexity of Molly and Samuel, who bear different ghosts and scars, this is a challenging, captivating, and suspenseful read. Meticulous in her word choice and masterful in scene-crafting, Knipfer smoothly transports readers through time, while delving deep into timeless themes of love, grief, loyalty, […]

A fantastic read for teenage self-development, How To Be An Adult For Teens: The Practical Side, the first installment of three books for teens released by Genius Rascal Press, is a comprehensive guide for any teen who is looking to improve their knowledge of vital life skills as they approach adulthood. The book covers a variety of areas, including home repairs, how to buy a car, cooking, hygiene, safety, and how to take care of your personal health – topics that may be left out of a school’s curriculum, or even within families, uniquely guiding teens on core issues […]

A near-future burst of visionary fiction, brilliantly supported by deep research, history-crafting, and a detailed imagination, Skyworld Saga Foundation by Alan Priest is a bold launch point for a sci-fi series. Exploring the weight of innovation in desperate times, readers bear witness to the relentless drive of human nature when pushed to the ultimate brink to save the world’s first city in the sky. A fine-toothed editorial comb would polish the occasionally stilted dialogue or rambling prose that undercut the meticulous nature of Priest’s storytelling. Overall, however, the vivid world-building and expositional artistry make Sky City an immersive new idea […]