Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Curse of Conchobar: A Prequel to the Adirondack Spirit Series by David Fitz-Gerald is a short but deeply compelling spiritual journey back to pre-history North America to C.E. 549. Conchobar has spent most of his life working on building stone steps on an island monastery, creating a staircase for the monks. One day, he makes a fateful decision to borrow a fishing boat and set out to sea on a fishing expedition. Caught in a violent storm, he is lost at sea for many nights and days before finally being washed ashore, barely alive, in a foreign land, among foreign people with a distinctively warlike nature. Conchobar finds himself engaged in a never-ending battle for survival as his villagers engage in a tit-for-tat battle against a neighboring village. Despite the constant predations of the harsh environment and the imminent threat of violence, Conchobar begins to build a life among the villagers, even falling in love with one of his adopted sisters. Weighed down by a curse he believes he carries, and following a series of deaths of his family members, his adopted family, also believing him cursed, cast him out of the village and he must look for somewhere new to call home.

The Curse of Conchobar is a fresh and innovative look at the tribal histories of the Americas long before the arrival of the first Europeans. Author David Fitz-Gerald paints a vividly realistic picture of functioning societies in which survival and the continuation of the family is the prime motivation, followed closely by the protection of that family structure by the use of force against any suspected or real interlopers into their world. The deeply spiritual nature of Conchobar and his interactions with both his new family and his spiritual nature are beautifully captured by the author. I particularly enjoyed the author’s ability to draw out Conchobar’s naivety, especially as it contrasted with the spiritual and mystical features of his special abilities and foresight. This is a lovely story despite the necessary violence, and it reminds us all that often everything is not always as it seems to be at first glance. There are hidden depths and meaning to all aspects of life, and we can see this in many of Conchobar’s actions, thoughts, and dreams. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and only regret that it was shorter than I felt it could have been. The opportunities to explore more of the mystical side of the story abounded, but I’m sure the author will have done that in the books that make up what I’m convinced is an excellent series. I can highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Demons, the Great White North and the Blind Detective by Shawn Adair Johnston is a modern-age Sherlock Holmes with supernatural elements and high-tech innovation. Set in the year 2080 when flying cars are real, and the world is far more advanced than it is now, the story follows Peter Straw (the blind detective) and his intelligently augmented seeing-eye dog Watson as they work on their biggest case yet. Someone or something is brutally murdering people and their companions in Inuit villages. Peter and Watson join law enforcement to figure out who is behind the killings and then do whatever it takes to stop them before it is too late. Can the famous detective team get the job done or will they become a victim of the killer as well?

The cover of the novel is deceptively simple, but the story is anything but that. The novel is surprisingly existential at times while always focusing on the mystery at hand. The synergy between Watson and Peter is fantastic. Watson is something special and not just because he is intelligently augmented. He is the eyes and ears of Peter; he sees what Peter cannot and then works with Peter to get the answers they desperately need to solve this case. Author Shawn Adair Johnston beautifully integrates murder mystery and science fiction to develop an entertaining story. I would not be surprised if this becomes a movie one day because it has the potential. The author lays the foundation of the story on the idea of soulless humans and immortal souls. The author is a genius with words. He knows which characters to boost, which characters should take a step back, and when to let the descriptions take the lead. I loved the dry humor and the intensity of the chase. This is perfect!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Chambers of the Heart is a collection of short fiction in the science fiction and anthology subgenres. The stories included in the collection are suitable for the general reading audience and were each penned by author B. Morris Allen. The book contains a diverse selection of stories that span across different themes and ideas with a variety of self-contained narratives around subjects such as arranged marriages, what life could look like post-Earth, simulated companionship, and the bravery of finding hope in dire times.

This collection is charming in both its ideas and its eclectic nature, as even with the focus on speculative fiction the diversity of themes and styles within the collection is very impressive. B. Morris Allen’s incredible imagination is matched only by his gift for prose which masterfully brings each story’s world to life before seamlessly moving along to the next one. It’s a genuine challenge to pick a favorite story from the collection as there was never any dip in quality from one story to another. However, if pushed, I would highlight Memory and Faded Ink as a great example of Chambers of the Heart’s formula of introducing an interesting idea, then exploring it in with an engaging and intriguing tale that doesn’t waste an ounce of the potential the concept has. Overall, Chambers of the Heart is an exemplary collection of speculative fiction that quickly moves from one idea to the next, stopping only to fully consider the ideas each story puts on the table. I'd highly recommend it to fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

A Spell of Rowans is a work of fiction in the fantasy genre. It is aimed at the adult reading audience and was penned by Byrd Nash. The book follows the Rowan siblings as they deal with the fallout of their mother’s death. Not a mother they will miss terribly, but one whose influence saw the siblings develop unique magical abilities which they must use to survive as a murder inquiry begins in which they are all potential suspects. As the police get ever closer to the wrong conclusion and the townsfolk their mother tormented begin circling around, their lives are complicated further by an old flame who knows the truth of their powers.

There’s a lot of heart in this story about three siblings recovering from the traumatic upbringing they received at the hands of their mother. While the three siblings have magical abilities, the human connections and sense of healing are fought for and earned throughout the story, bringing a real sense of wonder. A testament to Byrd Nash’s gift for prose is that in a fantasy world, the everyday human moments are the ones that feel the most magical. The Rowan siblings, particularly middle child Victoria, are well-considered characters who are easy for readers to bond with as they move forward on their recovery journey after a traumatic childhood. The subject matter of A Spell of Rowans is challenging, and Nash is wise to include a trigger warning in the blurb. But do not let that deter you as the subjects are treated tastefully and respectfully. This is a wonderful read that I recommend to all.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Dreams of the Dying: The Dark Corners of Our Minds by Nicolas Lietzau is a fantasy novel derived from the gamer's realm of Enderal, but remains wholly independent of it. In many ways, the game is provided with more flesh from the book than the book gets from the game...and that's a good thing. The flawed protagonist is Jespar Dal'Varek, with a laundry list of mental health issues and addictions that plague him, who is pulled to the Tahiti-ish islands of Kalay where the dominoes really start to tumble. The king is comatose, the kingdom is ravaged by political and socioeconomic disparity and is on the brink of war, and Jesper is entrenched quite literally in the dreams of the dying. Adventure, love, cataclysmic ideology differences, nightmares, magic, culture, and a big, bad antagonist all come together in this wildly ambitious novel. “I want him to look all those orphans in the eye and explain to them why his lust for power was more important than their parents’ lives.” Her hand clenched her goblet so hard that Jespar almost expected it to bend under her pressure. “I want him to see what he’s... done.”

I don't even know where to start except to point-blank say this book is a masterpiece. The worldbuilding alone is mind-boggling and is enhanced by dancing shifts in narrative. Two points of view provide the eyes and ears for the reader in Dreams of the Dying, and Nicolas Lietzau has executed both to a degree of perfection I haven't come across in a long time. There is, of course, Jesper, but there is also another character who is revealed to us only as “the man.” The character development extends beyond the two mains and at times feels even more alive: a woman named Lysia—who is worthy of her own spin-off, and a compatriot named Kawu. It's a marvel that Lietzau brought such life to otherwise ancillary characters, and so deep is the enmeshing of a reader into a culture and landscape that he even created an entire language for it. There so many directions to go in here and I am beyond chuffed that this is only the beginning of a new reading adventure.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Katie Feavel’s Benyu, Born of Ash is an intense fantasy story about the outcast Roan. The story opens with Roan being expelled from school for harming another student. Roan can manipulate water, and if not controlled, she can burn others. After being expelled, Roan’s father takes her on a trip into the woods to teach her how to use weapons instead of her magical strength. Ten years pass by. Roan trades her life to General Galin for her people to never know any pain. However, Roan cannot read and signs a blood contract. When she returns home, Roan discovers she is to be Galin’s bride, and the young members of her village train for future unions with Woodlanders. After Roan kills Commander Izra, the King’s only daughter, they place her on trial. The Crow Priest, Talc, tortures her until she dies. However, Talc revives her and begins implanting a sinister message in Roan’s mind.

Benyu, Born of Ash is a fantasy story that leaves no doubts about how Roan tends to be stubborn. She is constantly criticized for making plans that tend to cause a larger catastrophe. I questioned why her father didn’t attempt to teach her how to read instead of teaching her how to wield normal weapons. I think Roan should have investigated several situations she encountered instead of acting irrationally. However, this increased the suspense, and Roan’s development is easy to see. The vivid imagery shows the brutal environment, and I could almost smell the sulfur in the swampland she had to travel through. Talc was my least liked character as he preys on people’s emotions. He made the perfect villain for the story. The execution of the ending is perfect for leading into a sequel. My recommendation of Katie Feavel’s Benyu, Born of Ash is for readers who enjoy fantasy stories with strong female heroines who grow mentally. Unexpected plot twists fill this novel, and I enjoyed the unpredictable events that unfolded from Roan’s actions.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Neglected Merge is a work of fiction in the fantasy and science fiction, post-apocalyptic and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Eve Koguce. The work is intended for an adult reading audience due to its high concept content. Our protagonist is Tauria, a thirty-two-year-old woman living in a utopian-style world designed for people to cope after a near apocalypse. She lives in a world where happiness is guaranteed every minute of the day but is that really enough? When Tauria meets Doron, she isn’t so sure anymore, and it transpires that there may be another world waiting out there, right alongside her own.

Author Eve Koguce has crafted an interesting and well-thought-out work of fiction with plenty of emotion, romance, drama, and conceptual thinking to offer readers. One of the most essential features of this work was the talent the author displays in worldbuilding, through such details as the lore and culture of the new world of happiness. It was a striking new concept to see a post-apocalyptic novel painted in such bright tones, and then of course all the more satisfying when the cracks begin to show in the excellent plotline. The romance element will certainly please readers who enjoy fated lovers from far opposite corners of the world (or in this case, worlds). The dialogue was also very effective, serving to display the unique traits of the characters whilst moving the plot forward in a natural way. Overall, I would highly recommend Neglected Merge to fans of utopia/dystopia settings, futuristic romances, and for space opera fans everywhere.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

The "Master of all Evil", who is also the "Queen of Nations", never imagined ruling the world would be so boring. Conquering it was definitely fun with all the killing, torture, and imprisonment she inflicted on many innocent souls, but all she is left with is tiring responsibilities. Eventually, she embarks on a new quest of attempting to be good instead of evil. However, this task proves to be more difficult than anything she has ever done as she denies herself the pleasure of watching people suffer. To guide her on her challenging quest is a man who was once a great prince and one of her victims. Will the evil witch succeed in doing good or return to her beloved evil nature? Find out in Witch'n by Joshua Braun.

With an ingenious blend of dark humor and fantasy, Witch'n grabs the reader and holds their attention from start to finish. I couldn't put it down as I was arrested by the protagonist's energetic personality and her unbelievable evilness. It's nothing like I've seen before. From the demonic names that cannot be pronounced with the human tongue to magic powerful enough to make people walk upside down and the witch carving mountains to look like her, prepare for a wild, dark, different, and memorable experience! Joshua Braun goes beyond the surface to expose some deep ideas, like how magic is wonderful to many people but the ordinary is magical to someone who has used magic throughout their lifetime; this calls me to appreciate the "ordinary" things in life I take for granted. If you enjoy dark humor and creative fantasy, don't hesitate to read Witch'n!

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse: The Forerunner Series Book 1 takes the reader deep into the heart of Viking-occupied Britain at the beginning of the ninth century. Author Jay Veloso Batista shows us a fragmented land that is dominated and ruled by a mixture of Angles, Saxons, Danes, Celts, and Scots, where the languages and dialects are as varied as the many different ethnicities that inhabit these isles. Thorfinn (Finn) is a timid, ten-year-old boy growing up in a typical Viking family in Britain at the time. Some of the family, his Uncle Karl for instance, are away on raiding expeditions (known as going Viking) but the bulk of the family is intent on creating a life and earning a living from the hard work of farming, trapping, hunting, or artisanship. Finn is only the third boy in the family and his father has set him on the path of life with a forestry apprenticeship. Finn’s life takes an unexpected turn when he, his brothers, and a friend seek out adventure and discovering an old place of legend. Their encounter with an evil witch will change Finn’s simple existence forever when he discovers he has been turned into a vardoger – a living ghost. Finn now has the ability, whilst his body sleeps, to transfer between Midgard (everyday life) and another similar realm where he is a ghost, while his physical body rests. His ability to move unknown amongst his family, friends, and enemies allows him to become privy to many things including dangerous plots against his family and specifically his uncle. Will Finn find the courage and the ability to stop these evil men intent on destroying his family and the upcoming nuptials of his older sister?

As a lover of fiction based on historical periods, surprisingly, I have read little of this dark period in Britain’s history and after reading Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse, I find myself asking why have I not read this genre before? Author Jay Veloso Batista beautifully draws you into this tale of familial love, loyalty, and sacrifice that gives a different view of the Norsemen that we have always been told were intent on rape, pillage, and destruction. To be sure, there is plenty of action and fighting in this tale but the central themes are those of family, love, devotion, and cultural pride. Although this was a time of constant conflict the author shows how through careful matrimonial alliances peace was often maintained and families were built across cultures. One of the joys of historical novels is that they expose the reader to new and exciting legends and beliefs. This book does a fantastic job of introducing and elucidating on Norse lore, magical, beliefs, and cultural norms. The characters ring true and, as a reader, it was easy to be drawn to the young Finn, who, as a third boy in the family, was destined to live an ordinary and unexciting life. The unexpected adventures he stumbled over gave a depth of character to the young man that bodes well for future iterations of this series. As an author I have not come across before, Batista strikes me as one well worth following and I am certainly invested enough in this story to want to read Book 2. I await it with bated breath and can highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Outfoxed by R.J. Blain is the first book in the Fox Witch series. Jade has a strenuous relationship with Mother Nature and is proudly vocal of the fact. She's always relied on herself and her wits to keep one step of everyone else, but when bounty hunters close in on her, she goes head to head with the charming Sandro in a game of fox and hunter. To escape Mother Nature's wrath through the guise of dangerous tornadoes, Jade finds herself in the shocking position of seeking shelter with the handsome hunter, which comes with a bargain between them. Jade is thrown into the middle of a conspiracy that's larger than her and puts her in the position of a hero tasked with saving everyone in the city.

The story is a fun and dazzling read from beginning to end with a heroine that has a voice that will make you want to take the journey with her. Jade is a charming character that has it all: sharp brains, a strong-willed personality, and a quick wit. Over the course of the story, she's pulled into a new direction that finds her thinking about the fate of the city and everyone in it versus just her own well-being. It's the first step in her journey to find the hero she has within and the strength even she doesn't know she has. The dialogue is phenomenal and clever with humor woven through Jade's perspective and has a snark that is immediately engaging.

R.J. Blain delivers an action-packed plot that breathes life into a clever and original urban fantasy setting. The story takes place in 2043 which adds a futuristic quality to the setting. The title is a fun play on the nature of the plot and the character of Jade who truly outfoxes everyone around her with a wily and snarky personality that makes her brilliant and fun. Blain delivers an amazing voice to introduce you to this world and to pull you into it. Outfoxed is addictive with its action-packed moments, clever humor, fast-paced adventure, and the heroine's blazing personality.