Editorial Reviews

Pairing the writings and wisdom of Frederick Douglass with the dynamic events and political structures of our modern world, The Frederick Douglass Project by Steve Amoia is both educational and rousing. Composed of short essays and articles written in 2007 and repurposed for the collection, this is a well-researched homage to one of America’s most impactful abolitionists. Today, in an era when those same claims of racism and injustice are ringing loudly across the country, Amoia’s accessible and inspiring pieces resonate greatly. Some of the articles do feel unnecessarily condensed, and more expansion on certain ideas or subjects would be […]

An electrifying new novel of self-discovery, liberation, and radical justice, Athens Ophelia the Partitioner by Zachary Aneiress is a bold and refreshing achievement. With an introspective protagonist facing multiple uphill battles, and a fantasy-driven plot that feels torn from a graphic novel, this fearless tale has attitude, insight, and a raw voice for a younger generation of readers. Drawing from a broad spectrum of genres and wielding an ambitious stream-of-consciousness style, there is a rugged informality to the prose. Some of the narration feels too unpolished to be intentional, but this is a surprisingly profound adventure celebrating diversity, purpose, representation, […]

A rough-edged piece of historical fiction, As the Road Narrows by James Anhalt is a tangled tale of murder, revenge, politics, and finding your own path in life – no matter how strange the road might get. A police procedural and a visceral snapshot of the seventies, this novel winds cleverly between genres, bringing to life quirky characters and ruthless criminals. The prose is informal, but impactful, and the author has a sharp, journalistic style that keeps the pace high and the story engaging. Despite the occasional conveniently closed plot hole that might raise an eyebrow, this colloquial adventure through […]

A timely sequel to Paul C. Thornton’s first love note to luxury sea travel, Cruising Interrupted is a story of the cruise ship industry’s grinding halt in the spring of 2020 due to the pandemic. The author, an avid cruiser who deeply believes in the benefits, insights, and opportunities of luxury liner life, deals with his own concerns and expectations for the future of his beloved method of travel. Peppered with real-world accounts of debarkations and heartbreaking trip cancellations, as well as opinions from major travel influencers and destination marketers, this book is both hopeful and realistic. Whether Covid crushed […]

A diverse, captivating, and unpredictable collection, By the Way by Caperton Tissot is a stylistic scattershot of meticulously penned stories that probe the depths of personality. From pastoral mysteries and down-country dramas to transcontinental thrillers and twist endings, Tissot demonstrates her versatility, while maintaining a patient and powerful style all her own. Largely dialogue-driven, the writing of each tale brings to life an eclectic cast of characters – original figures pursuing their quiet desires, taking chances, falling in love, or bearing the weight of the past. Straightforward and thoughtful, though occasionally playful, this intimate collection summons a dozen different worlds, […]

Presenting a compelling and optimistic approach towards living one’s best life, The YOU Beyond You by Ramzi Najjar is both a philosophical and practical guide to enlightenment and self-improvement. The author methodically dissects the classic problems that can affect our body and mentality, while also suggesting new perspectives and tools we can each use to shift our purpose, happiness, and expectations. While much of the language is abstract and cerebral, there are concrete principles and ideas throughout that can be put to immediate use, regardless of which journey you may be on. Despite a dearth of references or traditional proof […]

Elegant, heartfelt, academic, and profound, Short Stories of Space by Piers Horner is an entrancing and contemporary journey through the cosmos. Explicating some of the most interesting astral events of this unprecedented past year, this collection of autobiographical essays captures the author’s deep love for science and space, while also breaking down complex and mind-boggling phenomena into digestible and memorable pieces. Though the writing centers on the stars, different stories also touch on key elements of history, religion, philosophy, technology, politics, and physics, revealing an author with a keen sense of storytelling and an impressively deep well of knowledge.

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With the grace of a born storyteller, Jeffrey Pacitto delivers his first collection of stories entitled And the Wars Went On Without Him, inspired by the experiences of his own indomitable immigrant grandparents. From the difficulties of growing up too fast to the visceral horrors of frontline life during World War II, Pacitto paints a vivid picture of the past through vividly crafted characters. Offering unique and revelatory perspectives on sacrifice, duty, and national loyalty, this five-story collection is tightly edited and powerfully penned.

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