Synopsis: In Ray Nayler’s speculative novel of the recent past, four young teens caught between Nazis and the Red Army survive winter in the woods with the help of a flock of highly intelligent crows with a magnificent secret of their own to protect Neriya, a young Jewish girl who dreams of becoming a biologist, […]
Coming of Age
Synthers & Beasts by Judy Liu
Blurb Born into a powerful magical family that focuses on medicinal synthing, an ability to diagnose ailments by seeing colors, Halla struggles balancing her family’s legacy and expectations with her own career running her apothecary in a quickly modernizing world. As she navigates through her own struggles, she gets entangled with a powerful family and […]
SPFBO XI Review: Children of Nemia by Michael Goe
Synopsis On the eve of Nemia’s Journey of Patronage, fifteen-year-old Van is determined to prove himself by returning home as a blooded member of his tribe–assuming he survives the ordeal. As the chieftain’s son, Van will strive to earn his father’s respect by extending a hand in friendship to Simon, a fast-talking sorcerer from a land […]
Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Synopsis When 73-year-old matriarch Magnolia Chen sweeps into the family Chinese New Year celebration with a woman on her arm that she introduces as her girlfriend, shockwaves ripple through the room. But her 16-year-old granddaughter Izzy, black sheep of the clan, is far more intrigued than angry. Later that evening Magnolia begins to tell Izzy […]
Review: The Ascenditure (Daughter of Summit and Sea #1) by Robyn Dabney
The Ascenditure might be one of the most fun books I’ve read this year—a fresh breath of mountain air.
Review: The Deadlands: Trapped (Deadlands 2) by Skye Melki-Wegner
Synopsis Wings of Fire meets Jurassic Park in The Deadlands: Trapped, the second book of this action-adventure series by Skye Melki-Wegner about five outcasts―and former enemies―who are the only hope to save their warring kingdoms from impending doom. As bloody battle rages on between the two surviving dinosaur kingdoms, Eleri and his fellow outcasts, newly exiled from their herds, […]
The Odyllic Stone by Alex Scheuermann
Synopsis: When Aster Rutherford, the postmaster’s son and his childhood friend, Zinnia Hollyhock deliver a letter to the Pelware Mines, they are attacked by a birdlike monster that turns men to stone. Even worse, Buckwheat Village is plagued by an illness that’s incapacitating villagers, including Aster’s own father. A chance encounter with Kara Reeves, the […]
Review: Araña and Spider-man 2099: Dark Tomorrow (Marvel Press Novels) by Alex Segura
Synopsis Araña is a Spider-Girl lost in time. . . . Miguel is a Spider-Man who’s lost his way. . . . Together, they’re our only hope. Araña. It means spider—and it also means Anya Corazon. She was a normal Brooklyn teenager with normal Brooklyn problems—until a few months ago, when she was gifted with […]
Review: Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Synopsis Japan, 1625 A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest. Japan’s last hope lies in […]
Review: Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz
-Norbert Zsivicz first book, the Hungarian Literary Award winner Sealed Empire now available in English by the famous translator Tamás Pétersz (Game of Thrones). Blurb Ser Edward, an experienced sailor, embarks on perhaps the most daring expedition of the Kingdom of Esenworth so far. His mission is to try to earn the blessing of the […]
Review: Come With Me by Ronald Malfi
Synopsis: Aaron Decker’s life changes one December morning when his wife Allison is killed. Haunted by her absence—and her ghost—Aaron goes through her belongings, where he finds a receipt for a motel room in another part of the country. Piloted by grief and an increasing sense of curiosity, Aaron embarks on a journey to discover […]
Review: Dark Heart of Ilmoure by Cara N.Delaney
Synopsis Years ago, all she wanted was to leave. Now, a web of secrets might ensnare her forever. When Iris Grey returns to her hometown of Ilmoure years after a bitter parting, she hopes for reconciliation in the face of a tragedy. Instead, she arrives to a town changed for the worse, a cold welcome […]