Reviewed by Jennifer Donovan for Readers' Favorite

Soulstealer by Shane Boulware is a supernatural urban fantasy. Nythan has his future planned out, determined to make a life for himself in the military. Everything changes when he is assaulted and a strange mist leaves his assailant and enters Nythan. From that point forward, Nythan hears a voice in his head urging him to consume the souls of other people. Food loses its appeal as everything suddenly tastes rotten; he will need to either steal people’s souls or slowly starve to death. He goes to great lengths to rid his mind of the intruder, even traveling to a monastery in India. What he doesn’t know is that this voice has an international network of humans who seek to fulfill its plan and another network set on killing it—thereby killing Nythan. He isn’t just possessed; he harbors an entity that has existed for millennia.

There is a lot of exposition in the book where Shane Boulware explains the history of the Soulstealer, whom Nythan names Bane. As Nythan and Bane inevitably get to know one another, we learn about the people who have preceded Nythan, as well as all of Bane’s exploits and the history and traditions of the networks who know of Bane’s existence. A lot more time is spent world-building, which may deter some readers. The book contains a good amount of humor, particularly in the banter between Nythan and Bane. The ending came as an absolute shock, and I’m interested in how the story will progress as the series continues.

Soulstealer was narrated by Daniel Wisniewski who did a phenomenal job of portraying numerous characters. His narration is distinct from his character voices, and he effortlessly transitions between his narration, Shane’s young voice, and the Soulstealer’s deep, sinister one. He also effectively portrays female and male characters, young and old characters, and several different accents. His performance and the production quality elevated my enjoyment of the book, bringing it to life.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Maz'hura is a work of fiction in the action, adventure, and science fiction subgenres and was penned by author Paul L. Centeno. It is presented in audiobook format with narration by Courtney Holly. The work forms Book One of the Twelve Dimensions series and introduces us to an incredible world where our protagonist, sorceress and captain Shirakaya, encounters a dangerous alien race that attacks her spacecraft. As Shira faces a personal crisis when her powers mysteriously wane, the stakes are raised elsewhere with the fate of not just her loved ones, but the entire universe hanging in the balance.

In terms of storyline and concept, author Paul L. Centeno delivers a sensational work of space opera which perfectly toes the line between science fiction and fantasy, offering a superb dose of adventure. The fantasy-style violence is not excessive, making the book suitable for older young adults as well as adult readers, and Shira’s presentation and emotional journey are highly relatable and with enjoyable aspects. The worldbuilding was also a massive selling point for me, and it already has me intrigued to read more books set in this fantastic alternate universe.

As an audiobook, narrator Courtney Holly reads well with a crisp and evocative voice, whilst also delivering emotion and clear passion as she embodies every moment of Shira’s struggles. The musical additions were atmospheric but not distracting and the overall editing and mastery were of very high quality, allowing for a vastly enjoyable listening experience. Overall, I would highly recommend Maz'hura to any space opera fan seeking a new series to devour. I can’t wait for more.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Villain Institute is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance subgenres. It is intended for the general adult reading audience but can also be enjoyed by mature young adults and was penned by author team Megan Linski and Alicia Rades. In this audiobook format, the narration is provided by Vanessa Moyen and A. J. Carter to bring to life Ava-Marie and Charlie, a pair of supernatural offenders sent to a reformatory. Charlie, a blind orphan, only finds himself stuck at the Institute because Ava shares a soul with him, but when a chance to escape rears its head, the pair must put aside their grudges and work together to win the Darke Games, and their freedom.

In terms of its storyline and construction, there’s plenty to adore in this truly epic fantasy adventure that readers are sure to lose themselves in. Author team Megan Linski and Alicia Rades provide two well-developed characters who each battle with disabilities and challenges that extend beyond their magical capabilities, and this diverse representation is done with genuine emotional resonance, not gimmicks. Charlie and Ava-Marie grow and develop together in both friendship and romance through evocative dialogue and triumphant action scenes that will really have your heart in your throat.

In terms of audiobook presentation, the emotional resonance and high-stakes drama of the plot are only further enhanced by the vibrant narration from both Vanessa Moyen and A. J. Carter. There’s wry, snarky humor to Ava-Marie that perfectly balances Charlie’s tough and reluctant exterior, and the narrators really understand how to complement one another and create sparks between them. Overall, I highly recommend The Villain Institute as an unmissable read for paranormal romance fans everywhere.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Christopher Hopper launches his science fiction series Infinita with book one, Oblivian Awaits, recorded as an audiobook narrated by Rebecca Woods and Daniel Wisniewski. Earth is a heartbeat away from being uninhabitable. Extinction events snowball. Humanity is not standing on one leg; it is standing on a single broken toe. Two settings are employed by Hopper; space and what is left of Earth. In space, there is a station called Astraea scouting for signs of alien life to help the surviving humans under the leadership of Dr. Evelyn “Evie” Park. Tragedy strikes and Evie is blamed. On Earth, we meet Jericho Fox whose career as a celebrated pilot takes a nosedive and crashes into a temporary new career of shuttling earthly minerals. Evie's failure gets Jericho re-enlisted and as events are pieced together, the so-called accident starts to look like anything but.

Intrigue is the first word that pops out when describing Oblivion Awaits by Christopher Hopper. It is intelligent science fiction that pulled me in and kept me there from start to finish. I liked what Hopper names 'Politicasts' and the ride-or-die mentality that more closely resembles prison gangs than political affiliations. These are Solum Terram, Viatoribus, and NUESSA and they effectively partition people into whether or not they want to remain on Earth and try to go into intense rehab mode, or leave the planet in search of an alternative, with or without alien assistance. The intensity that Hopper attributes to how people respond in these factions sets a high bar for character development that Hopper meets with flying colors. Evie, Jericho, Kit, and the murky narrator named Jack are excellent.

Hopper builds the world and characters and Rebecca Woods and Daniel Wisniewski do his work justice with a smooth and clean reading in the audio version, free of hiccups and voiced to a standard worthy of the story. I tend to prefer science fiction in a physical format because it can be hard to follow and sometimes requires going back to revisit technical elements that a lay reader needs a refresher on. This is not the case with the audio version at all and is the first time I didn't have to do that. We listened to the audiobook in the car, on a lengthy road trip, and all of us were enraptured by the book and how Woods and Wisniewski voiced it. Oblivion Awaits is a journey I would happily take on again.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw is a work of fiction in the fantasy, adventure, and action subgenres. It is intended for young adult and adult reading audiences, was penned by author D. A. Mucci, and is presented in audiobook format by narrator Tim Campbell. The title character, the reluctant and witty Iggy, finds himself embroiled in the fight of his life, despite having tried to run away from combat repeatedly his entire life to date. In the gorgeous and windswept Kingdom of Skye, a dark prophecy is returning, and Iggy is about to end up cast in the role of hero, whether he likes it or not.

Author D. A. Mucci has crafted a superb tale with plenty of twists and turns, and all the bloodthirsty, magical and mysterious elements one would expect from high-quality fantasy fiction. But much more than this, it was the expression of individuality in the central character of Iggy that really captivated me, and the clever little twists that really go against type and create something truly original in the genre. The Scottish setting was also gorgeously depicted and added a magical atmosphere to the whole tale.

In terms of its audiobook narration, I really enjoyed the variety of voices that narrator Tim Campbell was able to achieve in creating different attitudes, regions, and emotions amongst a wide array of characters. I felt there was a great balance in bringing characters to life with humor and vivaciousness without overdoing it, or making them so comical that the book would no longer appeal to adult readers. The audio editing and quality were also superb, making for a smooth listening experience all-round. Overall, I’d certainly recommend Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw to fantasy fans of all ages who are seeking a thrilling and detail-packed tale of sword and sorcery with twists and turns to keep them entertained from cover to cover. And I would highly recommend getting the audiobook version to make the story truly come to life.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

His Ragged Company: A Testimony of Elias Faust - Book 1 by Rance D. Denton is an audiobook that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy western-style fiction with a dash of magic and who do not mind some violent content. Elias Faust is the town marshal of Blackpeak, Texas, and he has a habit of dealing with town problems by throwing lead until the problem goes away. However, merely throwing lead won’t be nearly enough to deal with Magnate Gregdon and his undead syndicate who are determined to tear the town apart to claim what lies underneath it. Will town marshal Elias Faust be able to save Blackpeak or will Magnate Gregdon and his reanimated corpses triumph?

Move over Cowboys vs Aliens and make room for town marshal Elias Faust in His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton. The closest I have ever come to finding media similar to this was the Cowboys vs Aliens movie. I have to say I was far more impressed with this western magic mix than I ever was with that movie. This book quite simply excelled with its seamless blending of two very different genres. I especially enjoyed how Elias Faust felt like a real wild west character and I could not get enough of him. I really hope the author decides to write more books in the genre mix!

The narrator of this audiobook is John Pirhalla. Mr. Pirhalla is an accomplished voice actor who has many acting credits to his name including Surgecaller: Oathbound and Knighthood, The Chaos Rises: An Elemental Warrior Series, and The Master Executioner. Mr. Pirhalla’s acting expertise shone brightly in this audiobook because he did not merely read this book out loud for the audience, but instead performed it. He did a most spectacular job of drawing his listeners into the story with only his voice.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani is a fiction audiobook that would appeal most to audiobook lovers who enjoy psychological mysteries and thrillers. Dr. Alicia Reese is a psychologist whose professional and personal life is forever changed when she takes on a patient by the name of Lucas Ferro with a serious anxiety condition. Each session with Lucas Ferro brings Dr. Alicia Reese closer and closer to the truth of Lucas Ferro and the danger of him. Will Lucas Ferro be Dr. Alicia Reese’s last patient?

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani is a well-written book that quickly pulled me into the story and held me captivated within the first ten minutes of listening. As a psychology graduate student, I really appreciated the author’s attention to detail and the level of accuracy she had in her portrayal of psychology and Dr. Alicia Reese as a psychologist. It was easy to become enraptured with the story as the author wove together elements of danger, suspense, and mystery into Dr. Alicia Reese’s experiences with her new patient.

The Ninth Session was both written and narrated by Deborah Serani. This audiobook is Serani’s first foray into narration, but I would not have known this was her first performance from the quality of her narration. While the narration was well done for all of the characters, I personally found that Serani’s narration was perfect for Dr. Alicia Reese’s character. I just felt like she really got into the character and her narration made me feel particularly connected with Alicia.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Shared Madness by Rick Moskovitz is a gripping story filled with suspense and mystery, following Zack Tripler, a psychiatrist in Boston who has just admitted Youssef al Saud to the hospital. Brought in from the woods where he has been hiding with his laptop, Youssef claims to hear voices and has also discovered coded messages on his laptop. He believes there is a terrorist plot and that the bad guys are out to get him. Tripler doesn’t believe him until Youssef dies under mysterious circumstances. The psychiatrist gets closer to his patient’s widow, Jamilah, but he is torn between compassion for and suspicion of her. When he begins to have the same symptoms as his patient, he knows it is only a matter of time before he breaks psychologically. Can he solve the mystery and how involved is the widow?

Rick Moskovitz has created a well-plotted story that pulled me in from the very beginning. The dialogues are skillfully written and I enjoyed the way the anxiety of Youssef is captured in the story, thanks to the brilliant dialogue. The biggest twist is when the psychiatrist begins to have symptoms of psychosis. The pacing is good, the prose excellent, and the character arcs are impeccably achieved. This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with memorable characters and strong plot points. It is a page-turning story that had me racing from chapter to chapter.

I listened to Shared Madness in its entirety with few coffee breaks. This is because of two reasons: I loved the clear and powerful voice of Joe Smith and his ability to communicate the drama and the points of view. I also loved the plot and how the narrator captured the pacing through the professional audio recording. I can say confidently that any listener will have the same experience they would have if they read the physical book — a thoroughly satisfying one.

Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite

The Roach by Rhett C Bruno is an excellent example of noir fiction. Set in the 1980s in Iron City, The Roach, or Reese Roberts, is a vigilante who prowled the streets and took out the criminals in the city. After making a rescue, he is shot and paralyzed. This is where we meet him, on the river’s edge in his wheelchair, contemplating suicide. A cry for help diverts him from it, and from this point on, the story develops into an adrenaline-pumping grunge thriller. Sustaining immense injuries while saving a little girl, Reese wakes after a month in a coma to find that someone had stolen his identity and was killed in the city. Reese, in his wheelchair, solicits the aid of a young man he tried to help and embarks on the search for the one scumbag reporter that may have answers. Reese makes the comic book heroes look like little girls playing dolls as he races through the city in his wheelchair to catch up with the imposter who is out to harm the two people that matter most to Reese.

Rhett C Bruno has written a page-turner; it is impossible to put it down once you start the story. The descriptions of Reese wheeling around and even fighting from his chair are impressive, and one can vividly imagine the hardened crime-fighter who will not let paralysis get him down. Child abuse is a very relevant and clear theme throughout the story; the primordial ooze formed Reese and motivated him in his actions. I like the book because Reese did not try to justify his actions; in his heart, he knew that killing was wrong, but he had something inside that drove him to kill in his cause to save innocents.

RC Bray must be one of the best narrators around. He has the voice that “sounds like he hugged a handle of whiskey, ate a box of cigarettes, then decided to try narrating,” according to Rhett C. Bruno. This is precisely what I imagined Reese to sound like. RC Bray uses his voice successfully in portraying a damaged and vulnerable man out to do what he thinks needs to be done. You can conjure up an image of the poorly shaven, beat-up but strong man in the wheelchair, confronting the ghosts from his past. The narrator makes the book even more believable than it already is. RC Bray has received multiple rewards and has done more than 200 audiobooks in varying genres.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

McDowell by William H. Coles is the story of an arrogant surgeon who has a rude awakening about what it truly means to be humble. McDowell is a surgeon by profession, but people know him more for his almost uncaring behavior, yet he is highly respected by his fellows. However, all the wealth and the reputation he built comes crashing down when his grandson kills people and becomes brain dead after a horrific suicide attempt. But the real change in McDowell’s life comes when he is jailed for apparently mercy killing his grandson. And with that begins his journey in which he starts from the bottom and learns what it truly means to be human.

I am officially a fan of William H. Coles's narrating style. He enunciates each word carefully while putting a lot of emotion into his voice so that he embraces his characters. I love the portrayal of McDowell and how his life changes. This novel is something special. We have a very common yet very enraging man in McDowell who thinks the world is beneath him, but fate serves him a slice of humble pie that leaves him breathless with pain. His development is something that a reader will not expect. It is almost spiritual and very satisfying. In true William H. Coles fashion, the narrative just glides and makes the reader a part of the story. The dialogues are crisp, they reveal so much about the characters and the descriptions are vivid. This is a must-read novel!