Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Lya Desmarais might have been many things, but she was certainly not a free woman. Having been born a half-blood elf, this was more of a lifetime obligation than a choice on her part. Creatures of her nature were seen as less deserving by the Othersiders (the elf community), despite being one of their own. It is for this reason that she had been exiled from her home. She had fallen in love with one of the royal blood and consequently was exiled to North Carolina. Now a bounty hunter, her life was largely dictated by strict rules from the vampires, Othersiders, and even werewolves. Lya then stumbles into Cade (a vampire) who not only presents her with an opportunity to seize control of her life and destiny but also a chance to love again. Is everything as rosy as Lya thinks it is with Cade? Does he love her or is he up to something else? Find out more in Whitney Hill’s Secrets and Truths.

Enthusiasts of paranormal novels with a touch of steamy romance will love Whitney Hill’s Secrets and Truths. Her style of writing is intense while her imaginative skills are outstanding. She narrates the story from the perspective of her two protagonists, switching between the present and the past with ease. The scenes are extremely well depicted and pleasing. This made me feel as if I was next to each character, watching their moves in every scene. Hill made me experience the emotions. I felt the lust, passion, love, loathing, rage, despair, joy, and satisfaction in her characters. I loved how she used introspection to make me connect with them, as it gave me insight into the story. The characters are wonderfully developed and are exciting. Lya is an intelligent, strong-willed woman with a big heart and I loved her. The plot is intriguing.

Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite

Imagine the pantheon of Greek gods living on earth, trying to blend in with humanity, keeping up with social media, texting, and tweeting. Imagine for a moment that the great Zeus, wielder of firebolts, was a garbage disposal man in Toronto. Then there is Dionysus, the god of wine and debauchery, the son of Zeus and Semele. He prefers to go by Dio now. He stays out at night, going from one party to the next. That is what he is supposed to do, right? When Zeus goes missing and Dio feels the encroaching Darkness his father has been talking about, he goes looking for Zeus. Will he find his father in time to stop The Darkness? Will he be in time to save us mortals?

We all know some of the mythology connected to the Greek gods of Mount Olympus. In Dio in the Dark by Rizwan Asad, the author majestically resurrects the gods to human form. The characters were wonderfully described, and I found myself looking up the different names to brush up on history. I feel that the author connected the mortals in the book with the reader by reviving the myths of the gods. This was a very clever way of utilizing shared experiences. The rhythm and tempo of the story were very good. I found myself unable to stop reading most times. The character development itself was phenomenal. The scenes were descriptive and engaging. I can honestly say that I will be looking out for more books by this author in the future. Superb!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Ravenite is a young adult supernatural fantasy novel by Alicia Rades. Ever since her parents' deaths at the hands of the vampires and her sister's kidnapping, Rachel Collins (Rae) has been killing off vampires by night, posing as the vigilante, Ravenite. In search of her sister, Rae questions a vampire named Cowen about the whereabouts of the Soulless, an elite group of vampires she suspects holds Jenna, her sister. Along the way, she meets Venn, a wolf shifter who's after Cowen in search of the Leora Locket, a magical artifact that can predict the future. Venn takes it upon himself to teach Rae about her potential witch powers. But with Venn's family embroiled in a war with the vampires, Rae finds herself stuck as to whether to rescue her sister or warn Venn about an oncoming attack. What will she decide?

A tale of witches, vampires, and shapeshifters, Ravenite is a captivating read that breezes past without a single hitch. Author Alicia Rades does a stellar job with the first installment of her supernatural Vengeance and Vampires Series. The plotting is tight and concise, and every page oozes action, intrigue, romance, or drama. All the characters have distinctive traits and personalities that shine through the pages. Rae is a well-developed and rounded protagonist. Her realistic motives and conflicts make for a thoroughly compelling character arc. I very much enjoyed her relationship with Venn, and the dynamic within Venn's family was one of my favorite aspects of the book. If you love young adult supernatural stories, I recommend Ravenite.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Beneath the Veil is the first novel in The Valor of Valhalla series by Martin Kearns. A bridge collapsed and David Dolan was plunged into the depths of the Hudson River. His unconscious body was taken to the hospital where he remained in a coma. His girlfriend and mother were baffled and hit with the possibility that David might never wake up again. Little did they know, David wasn’t dead. At least not yet. David was stuck in between. He embarked on a journey that would change his life forever, that is if David could get back into his body because it was destroyed by demons. But getting back into his body wasn’t easy. He had to traverse treacherous paths where he would face the strangest of creatures and horrors he never knew existed. Would David succeed? Or would chaos win both in the real world and in the other?

Mythology is my jam, and I look for novels with mythological themes. Beneath the Veil had everything I love in a novel. It had Norse mythology, religious heroes, supernatural elements that were actually believable, and a hero who grabbed my attention from the very first line. Author Martin Kearns did extensive research in Norse mythology, and I could tell that at first glance. The narrative was almost playful at times. It teased readers and made them believe they had figured everything out before surprising them with another twist. The author kept the suspense alive both in the real world and with David. Kearns allowed readers to feel like a part of the story and kept the narrative interesting until the end with the final scene between David and the angels. I wouldn’t be surprised if this series becomes the central plot for a movie or a TV series.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Dragon(e) Baby Gone is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy genre, and serves as the first installment of the Reports from the Department of Intangible Assets series. It is aimed at adult readers and was penned by author Robert Gainey. The book follows FBI agent Diane Morris, of the Department of Intangible Assets, as she is tasked with finding a stolen dragon egg before the beast awakens and unleashes its wrath. The only problem is that the thieves in question have been incinerated by rogue elementals, forcing Agent Morris to ally with a knowledgeable demon to get the job done.

Dragon(e) Baby Gone was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long series of urban fantasy books, masterfully mashing together the formula of a police procedural drama with the trappings and aesthetics of classic fantasy figures and tropes. Robert Gainey is onto a winner with Agent Morris and Archades, their playful and charming dynamic taking a justified center stage. The plot is full of exciting twists and turns that use an edge of familiarity which makes the fantastical situations feel fresh and unique within a crowded genre. The lore building of Dragon(e) Baby Gone is exquisite in its crafting, with real-life locations and situations enhanced with a magical element that breathes fantasy escapism into the everyday world. The book maintains an excellent consistency for its magical elements and it all works to create a memorable backdrop for what was, for me, an unforgettable adventure. I recommend this book strongly to any urban fantasy fans.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Waking the Dead is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and interpersonal drama subgenres, and was penned by author Kerry Blaisdell. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains some use of explicit language, non-graphic fantasy violence, and moderate sexual scenes and references. Following on from the first book in the Dead Series, Debriefing The Dead, we find our protagonist Hyacinth Finch back in the throes of danger and drama as her first official mission begins. Archangel Michael charges her with a quest to retrieve a powerful rock, but Satan wants it too. What results is a very engrossing romantic and fantasy blockbuster of a tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.

Author Kerry Blaisdell has crafted an addictive work of fiction with plenty of romantic twists, wit, and warfare to offer its readers. One of the features I found particularly impressive about this piece was the interplay between its central characters, which drives the action and adds wit, sass, and all-out humor that juxtaposes some of the more serious, dangerous, and dark plot elements nicely. I think one of my favorites in this regard was Eric, cast in such a unique role but filled to the brim with excellent character development, imaginative description, and some wonderfully dry French dialogue. Add to this the well-paced adventure plot and the atmospheric mood of race-against-time fantasy and all-out quests for power, and what you have is a novel I’d read again and again. Overall, I would highly recommend Waking the Dead to fans of high drama and high stakes action-romances, atmospheric fantasy adventure writing, and for enthusiasts of quirky darkly edged fiction everywhere.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In The Witching Vault (Accessory to Magic, Book 1) by Kathrin Hutson, witch Jessica Northwood just got out of the magical prison and is determined to turn her life around. She applies for a job as an apprentice at Winthrop & Dirledge Security Banking, owned by an eccentric scryer Tabitha Belmont. The place is dusty and moldy, and there is a huge lizard named Confucius that seems to be more intelligent than it looks. When a shocking murder happens, Jessica finds herself as the new owner of the magical bank with its witching vault, troublesome customers, and a ‘Gateway’ on the second floor. Can Jessica handle the responsibility or will she try to break a contract that she unknowingly signed up for?

Engaging, fast-paced, and full of mysteries, The Witching Vault does not provide answers easily. Protagonist Jessica Northwood has to deal with her days at the Winthrop & Dirledge Security Banking as best she can if she does not want to end up dead. Readers will find out that in order for Jessica to discover the truth about the Gateway and why almost all magical beings want a piece of it, she needs to stay alive. The witch herself has a tantalizing past that will only increase readers' curiosity. It is easy to root for her in her quest to fulfill her role as the new owner of a magical bank that has a personality of its own. Fae, necromancer, dwarf, a half-giant, and other magical beings add another layer of peculiarity to the story, as the bank is a living entity that is powerful but vulnerable at the same time. With its dark humor and excellent fighting scenes, Book 1 of Kathrin Hutson’s Accessory to Magic series intends to keep most of its secrets and let everyone be intrigued. What will Book 2 reveal I wonder? A fascinating and fun read for fans of the genre.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Perish is the second installment of L.C. Barlow's Jack Harper trilogy. After escaping the clutches of Cyrus Harper and his cult, Infinitum, Jack arrives in New York to start her life afresh. But when she starts receiving letters from all over the country, from children imprisoned by the branches of the cult, Jack swears to finish Infinitum off for good. Along the way, she meets a young Irishman named Patrick Flannigan, who introduces her to a contraption that targets ferrics like herself. When Jack is abducted by a squad of hitmen hired by Infinitum, she has to strike a deal with the leader of the outfit: Jonathon Roth. As she prepares herself for a showdown with her brother, Alex, she must be wary of the conflicting factions.

If paranormal dark fantasy novels are your forte, grab yourself a copy of Perish. Author L.C. Barlow's rollercoaster of a novel enthralls you from start to finish. The narrative is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep you hooked throughout the pages. The characters are compelling, with distinct personalities that make each of them stand out. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Jack and Patrick. The dialogue was snappy and crisp for smooth, exciting reading, and the action sequences were viscerally and vividly described. Despite being the second installment in the trilogy, Perish also functions seamlessly as a standalone read. I had a blast reading it. If you're into action-packed paranormal thrillers where the plot moves at a brisk pace, Perish is a recommended read for you.

Reviewed by K S Marsden for Readers' Favorite

Kassidy Simmons’ life, death, and after-life have had their toll. After she beat her boss in a fight, she gained her freedom. But living the last twenty years, drowning her sorrows in a bottle, she can no longer keep her head stuck in the sand. Her empathy powers are getting stronger, the Reapers and Wraiths are getting closer to finding her, and those she loves are in danger. Death’s Legacy by Dennis K. Crosby is the first in a new Urban Fantasy series, where Kassidy has to discover the truth about her heritage and destiny. What seems a small story focussed on a quiet town soon expands to include gods, mythology, and the mystery of death.

The narrative is split between two timelines. The modern-day follows Kassidy as an adult, living a very imperfect life. She loves her girlfriend, but they are in a rut, and Kassidy is slowly ruining her own life with her dark secrets stewing within. We also follow twenty years ago - how Kassidy struggled with her abilities as a child, feeling ostracized by those around her. When she becomes a Reaper, she gains a new family. And we see how she eventually leaves Azra-El. The narrative is shared with several other characters throughout the book; some important, others throwaway. In the first half of the book, I felt that some of these were filler and some were used to push the story along whilst Kassidy still stewed. In the second half of the book Kassidy’s agency kicked up a gear, and the side characters really added to the story. I really enjoyed the historical element to it, and how everyone’s stories were woven together. Some really surprised me in the end! Death’s Legacy is a strong debut from author Dennis K. Crosby, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Eldritch Sparks by Whitney Hill is the second book in the Shadow of the Otherside series. Arden has a lot on her plate but she's managed to find herself at home in the Otherside. Her relationship with Roman has become stronger but how they feel about each other may not be enough. The presence of his brother causes friction and when Roman gets an opportunity for justice, it could cost them their relationship. Her job as a private investigator takes her on the search for missing bodies which leads her to discover a Lich working in their area to bring forth zombies and cause some chaos. She has a choice to make when the Lich offers her a deal that could provide her with exactly what she wants but accepting would mean betraying those that trust her.

The story focuses on various elements that are woven together to create Arden's journey. It blends her quest for power, her relationship with Roman, and the chaos of this world. She works to balance her role as a PI, her Otherside responsibilities, and finding time to fit in a date night. Arden's journey is rooted in her desire to stand on her own, away from others such as the gods that tell her what to do. She's witty, brazen, headstrong, and funny which makes her relatable and roots the story in her journey of power. The relationship with Roman has deepened since the first book and she's found herself trusting him on a deeper level, even allowing him into her most sacred place. The deeper their bond becomes the more they stand to lose, which explores the theme of love versus justice while exploring the question of whether love can conquer all. This sets the stage for upcoming obstacles that will lend complications to their relationship and push them to decide if their relationship is stronger than the desire for justice.

Whitney Hill blends action and magic with an urban fantasy that derives these elements from rich mythology. Magic, creatures, gods, and more make up the Otherside, bringing the story to life through vivid details and drawing you into Arden's world. The story has mystery and suspense through the search for a Lich that's raising zombies and provides a significant element to Arden's journey. The world that Hill has created in Eldritch Sparks is beautifully brought to life with a tone that pairs well with the strength of a brilliant and powerful heroine.