Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Mirrors of Life: What is Your Life in the Mirror? by Neal Owens is a riveting young adult story that explores racial themes, family, faith, and what it takes to succeed in a society where one's background already sets one up for failure. Yvonne is a young woman whose only dream is to raise strong and God-fearing children, imbuing them with the right philosophy to make them succeed in life. When one of her sons, Derrick, acquires a fortune, he is determined to create a positive impact on the lives of others. His attempts at building a business that reduces retail and gas prices pits him against powerful men in the business, including the greedy Erich Hornsby. A spiritually centered and God-fearing man, does Derrick have the kind of fight in him to help him win in a vicious and unforgiving business environment?

The story is compelling and the author explores the experiences of black Americans and the place that spirituality has in their lives. The book is laced with spiritual references and thoughts that are insightful and philosophical. I enjoyed the scenes where characters talk about life, often drawing inspiration from the Bible or using philosophy to define a path forward. The reader meets characters who are compelled by necessity, hardship, or poverty to think deeply about life and reality, often with humor. Neal Owens infuses the story with realism and explores the depth of characters. The prose is crisp and there is a lyrical quality to the writing that makes it appealing. Mirrors of Life is gripping, entertaining, and thought-provoking.