This review only represents my personal opinion and does not reflect the entire judging team’s (Red Stars) thoughts or progression in the SPSFC4 competition.
Reviews
Book Review : Claws Of The Collector (Shade the Collector #1) by Douglas Lumsden
Rating: 10/10 Synopsis: CLAWS, BLADES, GUNS, AND FIRE! Benedict Shade, a were-cat and collector of exotic and potentially lethal magical artifacts, arrives in Yerba City with his good buddy, Dwayne, to “collect” (some would say “steal”) an unusual dagger that is much more than it seems. Little does Shade realize that the dagger was involved […]
Review: The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams
Synopsis An orphan, without a trueborn name, returns to the city of her birth to uncover her past. Hounded by the servants of the Dark God and dying from the poisonous mist that covers the land, her path leads to one of the magical seals protecting the holy ruin of Eminence. A father, murdered and […]
The Last to Drown by Lorraine Wilson
Drown your Sorrows Synopsis People from this house go down to the sea at night, and drown. Tinna cannot remember the last words she said to her husband. Three whole months of her memories were stolen in the crash that killed him and left her scarred and suffering from chronic pain. Adrift and struggling to […]
Book Review: Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang
TL;DR Review: A morally gray heroine, a psychopathic King-to-be, and a twisty-turny rebellion story with a lovely heist flavor. Synopsis: Fearing for her life, an outcast princess joins the rebellion against her own kingdom and family . . . but when playing with fire, someone always gets burned. Teia Carthan abandoned her morals long ago, and now […]
Review: Progeny by Kenya Moss-Dyme
Synopsis In the murky depths of familial ties, Craven’s world shatters as his parents welcome Leo, an enigmatic 8-year-old wrapped in shadows that whisper of ancient terrors. Leo’s unsettling obsession with death and the chilling accidents that shadow his steps plunge Craven into a nightmare of dread, his every instinct screaming of impending doom. As […]
Review: A Thousand Li #11- The Fourth Fall by Tao Wong
Synopsis The war-mongering kingdom of Cai has begun to stir once again, the long held peace brought to the brink by a widespread drought. Now, the neighbouring kingdoms of Wei and Shen must ally together to deal with the Cai or see the flames of war spread over both nations once again. Wu Ying is […]
Book Review: An Unexpected Hero by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle
TL;DR Review: Ridiculous and hilarious, action-packed and heartfelt. Synopsis: A magical new world. An ancient power. A chance to be a Hero. Danny Kendrick was a down-on-his luck performer who always struggled to find his place. He certainly never wanted to be a hero. He just hoped to earn a living doing what he loved. […]
Review: Schroeder by Neal Cassidy
Synopsis A gripping new psychological thriller by author Neal Cassidy, SCHROEDER, weaves together elements of the literary thriller/horror genre, stream-of-consciousness narration, and critical social commentary. When an ordinary young man wakes up in his quiet neighborhood on a day seemingly like all the others, the city he’s lived in all his life has no idea what’s […]
Review: Blood Rites (The Dresden Files) by Jim Butcher
Synopsis For Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, there have been worse assignments than going undercover on the set of an adult film. Dodging flaming monkey poo, for instance. Or going toe-to-leaf with a walking plant monster. Still, there is something more troubling than usual about his newest case. The film’s producer believes he’s the […]
New York Minute by Stephen Aryan
Synopsis A noir story, set in an alternate New York City. After years of being a cop, and now a private investigator, there’s little that surprises Cole Blackstone. But when someone working for Karl Dolman, the most notorious crime boss in the city asks for his help, Cole is caught off guard, and more than […]
Review: The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
Synopsis: January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura […]