Reviewed by Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

The Girl Who Found The Sun by Matthew S. Cox is a YA sci-fi fantasy set in a futuristic Earth. After decades of world leaders ignoring environmental threats, the planet is finally brought to its knees when the insects die out and a climatic disaster hits. Humanity is nearly wiped out. Less than two hundred people remain in an underground Arc and they are the last of humanity. At least that's what Raven Wilder has been taught all her life. As an engineer who keeps the Arc from falling apart, she's aware of their home's failing systems. The situation is brought to a head when her six-year-old daughter gets sick and a trip to the surface proves that the ground may not be as toxic as they have been led to believe. Raven must not only face her fears but break a centuries-old belief system.

I really loved The Girl Who Found The Sun, not only because I love science fiction but it could not be more relevant than at this particular point in human history. Matthew S. Cox takes a birds-eye view of what could happen if we continue to ignore the planet's environmental woes. The fact that Raven is living at least six generations after an environmental melt-down makes her the perfect judge for this generation. She's part of the generation that has been affected by other people's ignorance and thinks it's stupid to ignore such signs. Make no mistake, this book is not preachy but an entertaining history of what could happen if humanity doesn't wake up. I loved the characters in this book and the plot is thought-provoking. Lovers of the CW's The 100 will love this book.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

See These Bones is a fascinating dark work of science fiction and dystopia, and was penned by author Chris Tullbane. The central figure in this would-be heroic tale is Damian Banach, an eighteen-year-old who discovers that he has inherited a deadly and undesirable superpower from his murderous father, David. At the Academy of Superheroes in Los Angeles, David hopes to escape the tragedy of the Crows and their penchant for necromancy, but the accompanying silent ghost of his mother suggests that his haunted days are far from over. But once at the Academy, there are more people to despise him, and far greater challenges waiting than he could ever have imagined.

Recommended for mature young adults and adult readers due to some swearing and violence, this is a realistic and emotive look at the dark side of superpowers, which grabs its readers from page one. Author Chris Tullbane puts heart and soul into Damian, giving us the deadly backstory to the fascinating Crows, and the dark destiny that awaits the hero will have readers empathizing with so much. Alongside this superb character work (which extends into the whole Academy and its inhabitants), there is a great consideration for magical realism, mixing superheroes into Los Angeles with realistic and amusing consequences. The dialogue, too, is suitably snappy but not overdone, keeping this a fun sci-fi conceptual piece, but also a relevant dystopian drama. Overall, See These Bones is a must-read for any dark superhero fiction fan seeking an original new tale.

Reviewed by Kristy Vee for Readers' Favorite

No Freedom by Inge-Lise Goss is a suspense novel with a splash of something for everyone. It’s fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, romance, and mystery all wrapped up into one imaginative, futuristic tale. In a society where it’s considered normal for human-like cyborgs to walk among us and even hold positions of high authority, most believe the ways of the old world have been destroyed by hackers and have accepted things for how they are…except for a rebel few. Because it’s forbidden by The Institute to date below an individual's social stratum, legal clerk Paislee Hobson is struggling to find real love. After her heart-wrenching breakup with Tate, she begins a contractual relationship with a handsome and attentive android named Pellegrin. She soon realizes that he’s controlling her and can’t say or do anything without listening devices monitoring her every move. She must decide, and fast, if she can continue living life this way or join in the fight to defeat those in power for not only her freedom, but for those she cares about most.

No Freedom grabs you from the first paragraph! I can honestly say that out of the dozens of books I’ve read this year, No Freedom is one of the top two. I loved it. The author did a great job at making it feel realistic despite it being a fantasy/sci-fi read. It seems scarily predictive of what our future could hold as a society if we allow those in charge to act out their evil agenda and take away our rights and ability to communicate. The engaging plot, excellent writing style, grammar, and punctuation make this a five-star read (and higher if I could). This is a future movie!

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

In Survivors of the Sun, a post-apocalyptic thriller written by Mia Kingslie, everything is gone. The power, the water, any means of communication and there’s barely enough food left to ration. Georgia’s husband, Nathan, is missing and she has to decide what to do next to ensure the survival of her loved ones. With the world now in shambles, reeking of devastation, Georgia ventures out to find some place safe with better resources. People in desperation have turned to vandalizing and looting for the things they need to survive by whatever means necessary in this post-apocalyptic world. Can Georgia lead her loved ones to safety before they become victims of this new and violent world? Will she be reunited with Nathan or is he gone forever? How long can Georgia keep her loved ones safe from those that would hurt them? Will they ever find out what set off this apocalypse to begin with?

Survivors of the Sun by Mia Kingslie is a riveting, well-written story with a plot that gets more and more interesting as horrifying events unfold in a world that has been turned upside down. The characters are highly developed with personal traits that add momentum to the story. I recommend Survivors of the Sun to anyone who enjoys reading about what the world would be like if everything suddenly changed and the survivors had to learn how to fend for themselves or die trying. I love how Kingslie does not spare the reader the horrible details in the plot's events as they unfold. I hope to read many more stories by this skilled author in the future. A wonderful story!

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

If you love dystopia, but also love fantasy and dragons, then Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel might be the novel you’ve been waiting for. We are introduced to Jared Cartwright, who is an explorer traveling around the desolate continent to find boosters (I’ll leave the explanation about that to the book itself) and other useful items to keep him alive. When he explores an underground tunnel, he finds something that will turn out to be the most valuable item he ever found in his life. While the rich lead an easy life in floating cities (either in the sky or on islands), people like Jared have to fight for their survival on a daily basis, either in colonies or on their own. It seems like Jared has found something that would give him an edge over everyone else: a dragon and a special connection that helps him to overcome obstacles that would otherwise have been the end of him. It is a world in which even fluffy rabbits can turn into lethal opponents and fellow humans do not always have the best intentions.

It is November, and I have read dozens of books this year. I hadn’t come across one I’d call my favourite book of the year until I read Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel. It is an unusual mix of fantasy, dystopia, coming of age, adventure, and a little bit of (gentle) horror. I didn’t expect to be drawn into this novel after reading the description, but once I started, I was hooked. I just couldn’t put it down. I loved that it was actually a decent sized novel, not short like many first books in a series. This is quality writing with an unusual plot, interesting characters, surprising twists, shocking developments and also some humor that fits the situations. I loved how the bond between Jared and Scarlet developed; it really is something special and I’m looking forward to reading how these adventures continue. While there is a lot left to happen, a lot to discover and a lot to experience, the novel does not end on a cliffhanger that makes you want to strangle the author. I’m really pleased I picked up this novel and I’m not sure whether I’ll come across anything better this year (2018). Also a thumbs up to the quality of editing.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

The world’s population has been reduced to a more manageable level thanks to a deadly version of common influenza. In the dystopian novel Gone to Ground by Cheryl Taylor, this means that people have to move closer together and live in so-called APZs (Authorized Population Zones). As in they have no choice. Everyone who refuses to move is branded some sort of rebel, either forced to move or simply removed from society (i.e. killed). When Maggie’s time comes to move to an APZ with her son Mark, she decides that it’s not the future she wants for herself and her son. From her work as a journalist, she remembers the stories about an isolated ranch, somewhere near a canyon. The two flee, but they are not the only ones who know about that ranch. One of the cowboys who originally lived in the area also decided to settle down there as the ranch has everything needed to live. Maggie and Mark arrive first but have little knowledge of ranch life. When O’Reilly turns up, life takes a turn for the better thanks to his knowledge. But then it also takes a turn for the worse. Because O'Reilly has knowledge the government doesn’t want to come out, and they’ll stop at nothing to find and silence him.

In the beginning, I thought Gone to Ground by Cheryl Taylor would be too much of a “western/cowboy” type of dystopia. However, I do enjoy survival stories in dystopian worlds, especially when they aren’t too unrealistic, which this plot isn’t – it could very well one day be like that, considering the world we currently live in! Fortunately, this is a wonderfully entertaining story with just the right amounts of everything: some romance – but not cheesy and not overdone; lots of wild places, realistic survival problems (e.g. how to store enough water for an emergency); a small cast of well-written, engaging characters and a plot that kept you turning the pages. My favorite character, I have to admit and hope the author won’t curse me for it, is Houdini. He stole the show. He’s a true star, and I hope Maggie’s attitude isn’t a reflection of what the author thinks of that magnificent character. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out more about the most entertaining and heroic character of the book.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I’ve got good news for people who are fans of post-apocalyptic war stories. The After War by Brandon Zenner is the first book in The After War Series that will go down as one of the best in the genre. The writing is so good that you will feel you are right there in the ruins with these great characters, making decisions that will shape the destiny of the human race. These are stories of survival, but just as important, they are stories of hope. I’ve read a few post-apocalyptic tales, both individual stories and series dealing with this all too probable possibility, and The After War is one of the best I have read. It is rich in detail and the characters are fully human, with all the strengths and weaknesses that come with that. The After War grew on me, as I think Brandon Zenner intended it to do. Page by page, it introduces this strange new world to us. Then Zenner shows us the hard decisions that these survivors must come to grips with.

For the most part, the characters are always what attracts me most to a novel and The After War has some great ones, major and minor. I liked the two cousins most of all. Brian and Steve reminded me of the relationships I have had with relatives and friends over the years. Other characters like Simon and Carolanne were interesting but the cousins fascinated me. The plot is important in a story like this and Brandon Zenner handles plot well. There is a sense of building to something, and the wonders of this new reality are peeled off layer by layer. The setting is great and very believable. Everything is done well. You will like this book and find it hard to wait for the next one.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Will Butler, the “Old Man” Dr. Jesse Johnstone, and rebel Malila Chiu continue on their quests for their respective governments in Exiles’ Escape, Book 2 of the Old Men and Infidels series by W. Clark Boutwell. The Unity and the RSA are heading for a major conflict and each side needs all the information they can get. They also need dedicated fighters to bring the resolution to a satisfactory end, obviously with different outcomes for opposing forces. Malila works through the underground to try to escape back to the Outlands, Jesse works again with the military and Will goes undercover for the RSA while others step up to do their part in providing information. Lieutenant General Jourdaine of the Unity knows that things are not what they seem. Malila is not gone, but the question is whether she still poses a threat. Without connection to the CORE, it doesn’t seem likely, but now is not the time to take chances. Even with the help of the Higgins' in the passageways under the transportation belts, Malila is on the run for her life, trying to stay one step ahead of recapture.

Pieces fall into place as the strategies play out, setting the stage for the next volume and full-blown war. Strong writing, fantastic imagination and detailed sub-plots make Exiles' Escape a great read. Focusing on individual characters makes the book seem like a series of vignettes, each interesting and intriguing. The pace within each section is good, action is exciting with unexpected twists, and the characters experience some interesting revelations that help determine their paths. Although Exiles’ Escape is not at its best as a stand-alone volume, I'd encourage readers to grab Outland Exile first to set the whole story in its rightful context. This dystopian series about rebuilding after civil war provokes thoughts regarding government oversight in life and the role of the individual in society. Begin at the beginning and you will have a rewarding literary experience.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Saturn: The Cassini Division is a work of fiction in the science fiction and action/adventure sub-genres and was penned by author Joseph W. Hudgens. Written for adult audiences due to some mild references to sex and infrequent usage of adult language, this complex and engaging work takes science fiction in a fascinating and thought-provoking new direction. In a far-flung future, we find ourselves with successful protagonist Victor J. Lugo, whose efforts in the world of stem-cell farming and working with the human gene have taken him far. But as his sudden rise to fame is halted by a dangerous finger of blame, we follow Lugo on a nail-biting adventure of intrigue and thrills to discover the source of the problem before it ruins his life.

Author Joseph W. Hudgens has created a conceptually rich science fiction adventure tale that takes elements of thriller and corporate mystery into its complex and rewarding plotline. The beats of the story are well spaced and exceedingly well planned to give both Victor and ourselves the chance to piece elements together without being spoon-fed, which results in a sophisticated and adult feel to the tale overall. I also enjoyed the overarching theme of the consequences of growing human body parts and interfering with the human gene and stem cells, which is presented in a fascinating way that shows both sides of the coin. Overall, Saturn: The Cassini Division is an intriguing work that shows plenty of sophistication and will be sure to please casual and hard core science fiction readers alike.

Reviewed by Kris Moger for Readers' Favorite

Ruins of Fate: The Omni Towers, Prequel by Jamie Waters takes place after a world similar to Earth now is devastated by environmental disasters. Forced to sift through dangerous ruins just to survive, the main character, Skye, struggles to maintain her precarious place in a scavenging camp. As well, she must protect her young son who is considered a burden by the camp’s leader. During a particularly risky hunt for supplies, she and her partner Leo save a young girl, who not only might ruin Skye’s place in the camp but brings with her a mystery that might completely alter everyone’s future.

For me, Ruins of Fate by Jamie Waters delivered a fantastic adventure. I enjoy reading good dystopian stories, especially ones dealing with an Earth-type world with a touch of mystery and magic. This book is filled with compelling characters, danger, and more. Waters weaves together her ideas to create a driving plot that makes the book hard to put down. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. Ruins of Fate is the perfect set-up for a series that dystopian fans would love. The author is a talented writer and works her skills to build a world so real that it’s almost an unnerving prophecy of what the future might hold if Earth’s environment falls apart. However, at no point did I find it preachy, which would have weighed the story down. The journey of Skye and those around her has just the right amount of intimate detail and action.