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Astoundingly clever and deftly penned. Armed with the narrative touch of a major writer in the making, this eccentric novel absolutely shines with confidence and originality. Rarely does a contemporary author wield words with such dexterity; the author’s wry wit is embedded in every line, and readers will be hard-pressed to deny a smirking grin at the droll asides and tongue-in-cheek tidbits of narration. A stellar novel that stands up to any genre, the only complaint from readers will be having to wait for the second piece of this darkly brilliant duology.

Review: A Madness Unmade by E.K. Larson-Burnett ★★★★★

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A hilariously original genre mashup. Leder is an expert at the searing one-liner, revealing human absurdity in a seemingly ordinary scene, while also making readers interrogate their own feelings about loyalty, family, and humanity’s fickle nature. That’s an incredibly tough balance, and Leder handles it masterfully. This wildly entertaining satire of everything from gumshoe novels, domestic dramas, first contact sci-fi, and even America writ large is an impressive work of contemporary sci-fi that manages to be thought-provoking, emotionally rich, and hilarious, all within pages of each other.

Review: Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder ★★★★½

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The writing sparkles on the page, vividly bringing the realms of this novel into sharp focus, and the action sequences are riveting and visceral, hitting the sweet spot between manic bloodlust and organized movements that are easy to follow among the chaos. A gripping story of forbidden romance with Earth-shattering stakes, this is an exceptionally strong introduction to a fantasy series, which will appeal to new and veteran fans of the genre.

Review: Archer’s Moon by J.W. Webb ★★★★½

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The seamless weaving together of anecdotal reflection with philosophical musing and spiritual explanation is the source of this book’s power, offering an uncut glimpse into the lifelong journey of wellness. What most sets this self-help memoir apart from a crowded genre is Kennedy’s penchant for visceral language and immersive description. His mastery of language is entrancing; one can almost feel the excitement and authenticity pressing out of the page. Eye-opening, refreshing, and inspiring on multiple levels, this is far from your average memoir, taking the reader on a journey that approaches a full understanding of life’s challenges and purpose.

Review: The Remembering by Peter Kennedy ★★★★★

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A richly imagined story of loyalty, memory, and the dreams that define us. The prose throughout this fantasy mashup is tauntingly good, pulling readers into an expertly crafted world, all swirled together in a classic steampunk stew. The world-building is remarkably thorough, and it feels entirely unique; it is rare to find a book that feels entrancing on so many levels within the first few chapters. The immense creativity and authorial passion on display make this novel inspiring, thought-provoking, and invigorating about the continuing potential of fantasy fiction.

Review: Vallen by Kenton J. Moore ★★★★

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A stellar slice of sci-fi adventure. The creativity of the prose is relentless, with a huge range of clever technological adaptations, and theoretical aspects of warfare and space travel that are beyond original. The story’s frequent dives into astrophysics are also a mind-bending treat for readers who enjoy some hard science in their sci-fi. Bold in its predictions for humanity and impressive in its diverse world-building, this is sci-fi at its best, expanding the potential of scientific exploration, as well as our understanding of the present day.

Review: Blue Thunder Across the Shattered Stars by Gregg R. Overman ★★★★½

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An ominous and timely collision of medicine and murder, Toxic Minds exposes a shadowy side of alternative healing and the deadly power of disinformation. The medical emergencies are riveting moments filled with powerful cinematic energy. When Mark is undercover, it is intensely gripping and relatable, as the reader feels an alternating sense of fascination and fear. This second installment of the Dr. Mark Lin Medical Thrillers series is a dark and daring novel that fully establishes Dr. Lin as a strikingly original protagonist.

Review: Toxic Minds by Anthony Lee ★★★★

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Timely in its message and poignantly packed with revelations, The Errors of Mankind is an essential historical critique framed as a fictional reunion. Watching opinions clash and change through rhetorical parries and challenging debates makes for an immediately immersive reading experience; from the very first conversation, the flow of dialogue is enthralling. Reminding readers how often history is smudged, edited, or rewritten entirely by the victors, this incisive work of historical fiction elevates those inconvenient truths the world prefers to forget, while celebrating the insurmountable value of critical thinking.

Review: The Errors of Mankind by Curt A. Canfield ★★★★★

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A revelatory work of fiction, Magda Revealed creatively undoes centuries of “fact” and decorates dozens of sacrosanct parables from the bible with humor, honesty, and humanity. These artful takedowns of biblical legend will be enthralling for anyone with an open mind about the malleability of the historical record. For those readers who don’t identify with a religion, or have left their faith behind, this novel is also a subtle philosophical treatise, which is fittingly laced with profound yet off-the-cuff wisdom from an incomparable narrator. Wickedly clever, yet respectful in its bold retelling, this is an inventive, immersive, and enthralling tale, reminding readers that written history rarely captures the whole story.

Review: Magda Revealed by Ursula Werner ★★★★★

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A haunting visual journey through buried stories around the world, Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi is a transportive glimpse into rituals of death around the world. Urging readers to live with intention, this unique read is a thoughtful musing on the purpose and potential of our brief human existence. The author’s personal reflections, chosen poetry, and artistic choices combine for a profoundly thought-provoking message about the unifying potential of both life and death.

Review: Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi by Nasser Khadjenoori ★★★★

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An accessible and essential read, this book offers insightful advice on how to take control of your emotional future. The structure and style of this guide is uniquely relatable, entertaining, and engaging, and the concepts rarely seem radical or difficult to implement, which allows this book to be more comprehensive and effective than other works of self-help. This is a powerful resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world and their place within it.

Review: Emotional Intelligence by Anna K. Sergio ★★★★½

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An epic adventure beyond the known cosmos. The story sets itself apart for its creative mixture of fantasy and science fiction, with a sprawling diaspora of colonized planets and sentient beings that seamlessly cross genres. There is an immediate accessibility to this cosmic quest, and fans of the genre will appreciate the breezy readability and recognizable elements of beloved deep-space adventures.

Review: The Eye of Farem by Ron Blacksmith ★★★★

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A stellar third and final installment of the Foundra series. World-building across time and space is a particular skill of the author, which helps bring the whole series into focus and completes an epic and explosive plot arc. Explorations of sexual liberation, female empowerment, gender constructs, patriarchy, and the ethics of ultimate power also feature heavily within the writing, making this book a timely and cautionary read. With an expansive and inventive narrative, First Elite is an ambitious, gripping, and meticulously crafted conclusion to Arriaga’s visionary series.

Review: First Elite by Emmanuel M Arriaga ★★★★½

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A high-seas drama packed with pirate power struggles and bloody betrayals. Every scene drives the story forward, while the complex web of intrigue, motives, and loyalties makes it hard to predict the twists of the tale. The author’s attention to detail regarding maritime history, naval procedure, and the cutthroat nature of ship life makes the novel deliciously immersive. This second book of the series is an entertaining whirlwind of high-stakes emotion, wild fight sequences, heroic exploits, and unpredictable adventure with an unforgettable heroine at the helm.

Review: Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean by Dan E. Hendrickson ★★★★

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A wide-ranging and captivating review of the twentieth century in America’s first state. Whether delivering a sharp analysis of industrious policymaking by state leaders or waxing poetic about the state’s dedication to art, culture, and natural beauty, the author’s admiration and understanding of the state are on full display. The balance of well-researched history and endearing local tales makes this reading experience both illuminating and entertaining, boasting prose filled with inherent pride and passion, and proving this is a state that should never be overlooked.

Review: Delaware from Freeways to E-ways by Dave Tabler ★★★★½

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A metaphysical afterlife adventure that will have readers questioning the meaning of life and the permanence of death, The Soul’s Awakening is a thought-provoking musing on mortality. Creativity is in endless supply in every chapter, as the story wends through an incredibly rich and complex interpretation of the afterlife. This mixture of visionary fiction, theology, and philosophy is a singularly ambitious endeavor to answer some of life’s most enduring questions, which results in a profoundly eye-opening and inspiring read.

Review: The Soul’s Awakening by Shireen Anne Jeejeebhoy ★★★★½

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A visceral and unflinching memoir, Hope: A Journey of Self-Love is an outpouring of raw honesty that holds nothing back. There are myriad elements of commiseration and connection that readers will find with the author, while her direct manner leaves little room to debate the wisdom she painstakingly presents. This is an emotive and intimate portrayal of the sheer chaos that life often brings, the self-destruction that can so often result, and the enduring potential for renewal.

Review: Hope: A Journey of Self-Love by Renee Louise ★★★★