SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
Ismark: The Marked Boy by JH Lillevik
A captured slave, Eirick, crosses continents and battles an empire in this original world fantasy adventure. Eirick struggles to survive as human chattel as men in positions of power plot and scheme, with his path leading him to a man who may hold precious answers about his past.
The world and the nations in Ismark: The Marked Boy are all clearly developed so readers can visualize them quickly. The best part of JH Lillevik’s worldbuilding revolves around the diverse religions, faiths, and cults that populate this world. Though there are several mythical races in the story, they aren’t really involved […]
Layla-Rae Bryce is a woman with a deeply troubled life, and with a dark vocation: she works in the murder-for-hire industry, where clients can choose how victims die and watch the death streaming live. When Layla finally tries to raise herself up from the depths of despair, her employers may have other thoughts about her own fate.
Generous Fruits: A Survey of American Homesteading by Barbara Bamberger Scott is a fascinating history of the homesteading movement, from early settlers in America up to the modern day. Written from a “walked the walk” perspective, Scott shows an obvious passion for her subject, unearthing the challenges, successes, and missteps that American homesteaders have faced over the centuries.