Editorial Reviews

Returning with a fourth installment of her Angelina Bonaparte series, Nanci Rathbun delivers with Blood Kills, a romantic, riveting, and razor-sharp mystery. The murder of a gifted artist is far more than it may first appear, and it will take all of Angie’s investigative skills to unravel this high-brow crime before more bodies are put on display. Peppered with red herrings and a colorful cast of suspects and allies, this is an unpredictable and gripping slice of pulp fiction. The frequent self-referential exposition can be jarring, which occasionally breaks the illusion of the narration, but most of the prose […]

A down-to-earth guide for empowerment of women, both young and old, The Rules of a Big Boss by Haelee Moone is a raw slice of wisdom from a relatable young voice – bold and destined for big things. From peer pressure and fashion choices to dangerous communication patterns and impossible standards of beauty, the author provides a unique and unfiltered perspective on some of the challenges that all women deal with, but few choose to discuss. The prose could benefit from a thorough edit, as there are numerous errors in phrasing and grammar, and some of the radical shifts in […]

A soothing and encouraging book of poetry, koans, prose, and stream of consciousness, Here in Progress by Adrian J. Atwater is a philosophical float down a river of deep ideas. While the brevity of so many of the pieces gives the book a universal feel, there are some clear themes that push through the lyrical musings and dense passages: self-worth and empowerment, autonomy, knowing oneself, desire, and hope for the future, among many more. At times, the vagueness of the language makes certain thought streams feel redundant, but the form and whimsy of the poetry are continually fresh. Unafraid of […]

Three legends in the making return to protect Earth and join some unlikely allies in The Flight of the Mytar, Book 2 of Robert Cole’s dynamic Mytar series. Wrestling with otherworldly creatures intent on destruction is one thing, but these heroes must manage that while navigating the daily struggle of recess and schoolyard drama. Cole complements an engaging and exciting plotline with core characters who evolve believably over the course of the novel, with strong messaging about bullies, personal potential, communication, and overcoming differences through unity. However, the execution of the book is poor, in places, with sloppy errors […]

Magically inclined Alyssa McCarthy is back in The New Enchantress, the third installment of Sunayna Prasad’s inventive and charming YA series, Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions. The protagonist’s challenges are closely linked to relatable struggles for young readers – a lack of self-confidence, courage in the face of new milestones, and learning how to manage complex and overwhelming emotions – and the symbol-heavy storyline is easy to follow, providing plenty of exposition for those jumping into the series late, while still keeping up the suspense. However, there is also a good deal of grammatical sloppiness and room for editorial […]

A mind-boggling sci-fi epic. Summoning philosophical questions through an extreme sci-fi lens, this story is a prophetic parable for our times. The blending of technology with the natural world, and questions of computers becoming a part of human evolution, is a primary message that will continue to resonate for any curious thinker who makes their way through this densely packed explosion of creativity and outside-the-box storytelling.

 
 
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A relentless, breakneck adventure across time and the breadth of the galaxy, The Red Oasis by Joseph Kozak barely gives readers time to breathe between chapters. With a spiraling plot that leaps from escaping underground realms of rock people to epic space battles, warp portals, and dark sorcerers, this genre-bending adventure is packed with action. The plot is comic book-like in its energy, but there is significant room for improvement on the editing and structural side, as it’s difficult to understand the larger context of the plot, and there is little time taken for character development. While the overall plot […]

A thought-provoking tale of the future, The Astral Hacker by Brian Terenna is the dynamic first installment of the Cryptopunk Revolution series. This emotionally gripping YA thriller is ideal for tech-savvy fans of sci-fi and those who love character-driven, female-led drama. Terenna deftly explores youthful struggles of isolation, trust, independence, self-esteem, and digital friendships through the relatable eyes of a teenager surviving a century in the future. Though some of the dialogue is a bit too exposition-heavy to feel natural, the author’s creativity, social commentary, and prophetic powers are on full display, making this a strong foundation for what promises […]