Synopsis: “If you’re reading this, you’ve likely thought that the world would be a better place without you.” A single line of text, glowing in the darkness of the internet. Written by Ashley Lutin, who has often thought the same–and worse–in the years since his wife died and his young son disappeared. But the peace […]
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Review: Unfortunate by Ayrton Silva
Synopsis: Wealth, power, and an easy life. Vaz had it all, but nothing could satisfy him. He always wanted more. When one of his plans makes his boss finally decide he is a threat, Vaz finds himself with only two options: to roll over and die, or to roll the dice. Literally. Due to an […]
Book Review: The Fourth Portal (Song of Saudade #1) by J.A. Merkel
Synopsis: Upholding her tribe’s highest law, Fenri must keep her heart—the body’s fourth portal—closed at all times, or face execution. Fenri is a Knowledger, a brilliant collector of information who dreams of discovering the ocean’s secrets. The tribe’s Masters grant her permission to explore the ocean, but only if she first traverses the perilous desert […]
Book Review: Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris
TL;DR Review: Sherlock Holmes meets the League of Extraordinary Gentlewomen. A gothic mystery that sucks you in, with marvelous characters that keep you coming back for more. Synopsis: In this fresh-yet-familiar gothic tale—part historical fantasy, part puzzle-box mystery—the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power. At the dawn […]
Review: American Rapture by CJ Leede
Synopsis “Blood-soaked, heart-wrenching, grim and glorious.”―Rachel Harrison, national bestselling author of Black SheepFrom CJ Leede, the author of Maeve Fly, comes a scorching new apocalyptic novel. American Gods meets The Last of Us in this epic and sweeping story about the end of the world as we know it. A virus is spreading across America, transforming the infected and making them feral with […]
Review: The Knife of Sorrows (The Blood & Steel Saga) by E.J. Doble
Synopsis “On a desert plain, in the coursing winds, death approached from the south like a ghost…” A MAN.Taken by death, returned in ashes, with a tale of revenge on his lips. A BOY.Cast out by his people for wrongs he never committed, longing for a chance at redemption. THEIR FATES.Intertwined by chance; forged by […]
Review: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2024)
Synopsis THE NEW ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN FOR A NEW ULTIMATE UNIVERSE! Review After covering Absolute Batman #1 last week, I thought it would be a good idea to backtrack a little to May of this year and another major reimagining of a classic superhero. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2024), written by Jonathan Hickman with pencils by Marco […]
Review: Fever House by Keith Rosson
Synopsis: When leg-breaker Hutch Holtz rolls up to a rundown apartment complex in Portland, Oregon, to collect overdue drug money, a severed hand is the last thing he expects to find stashed in the client’s refrigerator. Hutch quickly realizes that the hand induces uncontrollable madness: Anyone in its proximity is overcome with a boundless compulsion […]
Book Review: The House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
TL;DR Review: A deeply emotional, heartfelt, and poignant exploration of loss and grief wrapped up in a cozy story. Synopsis: A warm and hopeful story of a lonely witch consumed by grief who discovers a whimsical cast of characters in a magical arboretum—and the healing power of found family. Powerless witch Saika is ready to […]
Review: The Leap Year Gene Of Kit McKinley by Shelley Wood
Synopsis An inspired, sweeping, historical epic tracing the remarkable life story of a baby girl born on leap year day who grows one year older every four years. The Leap Year Gene imagines the fascinating life of Kit McKinley from WWI up to the present day, told through the voices of Kit and her family […]
Review: Sinophagia: A Celebration of Chinese Horror Edited by Xueting Christine Ni
Synopsis An anthology of chilling tales from contemporary China, translated into English for the very first time. An anthology of unsettling tales from contemporary China, translated into English for the very first time. Fourteen dazzling horror stories delve deep into the psyche of modern China in this new anthology curated by acclaimed writer and essayist […]
Review: Synthetic Sea by Franklyn S. Newton
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.