Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Daughter of Ash and Bone by S. Ramsey follows Alice Reed, a foster-care survivor who works at a lab. The law firm of Franklin, Maier, and Ziegler hands her a golden pendant from her shadowy ancestor, Campbell Graves, and it pulls her into a war between Norse deities. She has just become the divine bearer of a token belonging to Odin, and Loki targets her by infiltrating her life, disguised as the manipulative Devlin Frost. The spirits of the Graves family guide her through dangerous landscapes as she receives help from a colleague named Beckett, who is also not who he seems to be. Alice discovers tunnels and hidden armories in the manor she inherited, learns teleportation, and plunges into Yggdrasil’s roots to unlock the power of what she carries before it is too late.

Daughter of Ash and Bone moves slowly from unopened mail to a hollow portal realm, melding the heroine’s mundane trauma with mythology. Alice is a well-sculpted character who learns the hard way that survival also means accepting a birthright she never even asked for. S. Ramsey gets the pacing right, and the slow rhythm of life at Alice’s lab quickly gives way to escalating tension as she struggles to decipher who she truly is and her connection to Norse lore, with physical challenges that include confrontations with Loki’s followers and a battle with a frost giant. The author skillfully infuses the third-person voice with intimacy, using prophetic dreams and chapter titles like “Beam Me Up, Scotty” that hint at pop culture to ground the mythic in the heroine’s skeptical perspective. You’ll love the characters, from Alice, broken by trauma, to mythical beings hiding their loneliness in human form. This novel was captivating and an utter delight to read.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders is a breakneck urban fantasy thriller that explores the cost of survival in a world where the devil is just another business partner. We’re with three elite operatives who are hunted by the corporation they once served when an operation goes very wrong indeed. On the run through the gritty depths of New York’s Five Hives, Jon, Friedrich, and Guion make separate infernal pacts to stay alive at whatever cost. But they haven’t thought it through, because hell has terms, and payment is soon due. As darkness creeps from the outside in, they must battle both external threats and the demons within before the city burns and they lose their souls.

Author Russell Anders has a sharp sense of wit and timing that he uses to its full in this gritty, inventive take on Faustian themes in a near-future dystopia. This is the kind of story I love, and the atmosphere is set for suspense and dark dealings right from the start, and the novel more than lives up to it time and again with brilliant twists and turns. I loved the slick feel and the confidence of the storytelling, with sharp, snappy dialogue and high-stakes action keeping the pace taut and the stakes high. Our trio of operatives is distinct, with well-drawn characters with layered motivations, and each one has their own reasons to root for them, but also plenty of darkness and vulnerabilities that we as readers have to make our minds up on as they’re all put through the wringer. This matches wonderfully with the ‘be careful what you wish for’ themes and the dark twists, blending cyberpunk and supernatural occurrences with heaps of cinematic flair. Overall, Daemones Ex Machina is a thrilling and highly recommended read that I know fans of urban fantasy will adore from cover to cover.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Susan Copperfield’s The Prince of New York follows Ian Ambrose, New York’s royal heir, after Queen Rachel pulls him back into palace work that exposes how badly his own protection has been neglected. Ian is a powerful flameweaver with a history of shielding his siblings from their abusive parents, and he is trying to serve New York while refusing the throne Rachel now holds. California’s wildfire crisis gives Ian a diplomatic task that reaches beyond his home kingdom. Dr. Stanton’s search for Madeline Chalro, the woman who once treated Ian as ordinary, opens the possibility of a bond he never expected. When Ian’s parents reappear with information about a royal terrorist cell, his public role becomes bound to a family past he cannot ignore for long.

Susan Copperfield’s The Prince of New York is a generous Royal States novel, and Copperfield gives Ian a wonderful heart beneath all that royal power. The best part is how each new duty shows another side of him. The custody hearing proves his tenderness when May and Danielle, two abused little girls, need safety that begins with someone finally listening. Madeline Chalro’s role as Ian’s aide is lovely because practical work turns into trust after her own past relationship leaves her needing protection. Copperfield also gives the danger real reach when Ian’s mission in Cambodia becomes a rescue of royal hostages instead of only a strike against terrorists. Even the animals fit Ian perfectly, from palace cats to Smalls, the baby crocodile that chooses him. Well written and full of thrills, readers who love urban royal fantasy with found family, romance, and the power of hierarchy will adore this.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Grave Intentions by Lilith Daniels is book 2 in the Grave Affairs series. Kinsley has taken a step back into the world of private investigation thanks to the trauma of being taken by mercury dragons. And just in time, too, as the dead are getting worked up and she has stumbled upon a series of missing women. Thankfully, between her closest allies, her fiancé, and even her hummingbird familiar, she knows she can uncover the truth. But as she works to find the culprits behind the missing women, she finds something even more shocking. Is there something worse than a necromancer lurking among them? Kinsley fears the answer, but that won’t stop her from doing everything she can, even if it means turning to the dead for help and embracing what she’s fully capable of.

The setting gives the story a grittiness that is presented through different elements of the world, from the various clans to the dangers Kinsley faces. Elements such as trafficking, necromancy, and restless spirits are examined in the case, and each has an emotional impact on Kinsley. While the setting is rooted in the supernatural, there are real-world elements that ground it in reality. The details of the dragons’ system, with different clans, the importance of colors, and even weddings, bring the world to life. The richness of these details makes the story feel more fantastical and epic. The relationship between Kinsley and Erik gives a sweet spot in the story, with discussions of their wedding and support when needed most. Lilith Daniels successfully keeps you invested in them as a couple. Kinsley's daily life also includes taking care of adorable kittens and getting help from a loyal hummingbird familiar. These animal characters balance the story with a wholesomeness that gives you moments where you can breathe during the mystery. Grave Intentions is a fun read from beginning to end, with ghosts, dragons, romance, danger, and adorable kittens keeping you turning the page until the exciting conclusion.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Dragon Her Heels by R.J. Blain is the twenty-third book in the series. Crystal Culling thought moving to Lake Hancock would be a fresh start. But now she wonders if she should have listened to her realtor, who tried to tell her the property was cursed. Supposedly, if the Dragon of Crystal Lakes were to wake, he would immediately devour her. To make matters worse, her new neighbors keep bringing her condolence pies, except for one elderly woman who thinks the dragon wouldn’t be interested in someone like Crystal. But could the legend actually be true? Just when she’s convinced it’s not, a castle appears one day from the lake, showing her that the stories are real and she’s directly in the middle of them. In a surprising twist, everyone was wrong about the dragon wanting to eat her. Now he expects her to be his executive secretary, and she’s tasked with handling his love life.

This series never fails to be surprising, with each new installment bringing completely original plot twists. R.J. Blain continues to win for most creative series thanks to the elaborately funny premises that find these characters in ridiculous situations. Each book can be read as a standalone, but the world is interconnected through supernatural components and characters. The humor of the property being ‘haunted’ sets up a red herring for the story that Crystal’s life could be in danger, but then Blain takes the story in a whole different direction. The lighthearted tone is part of the story’s charm, derived from the clever dialogue and situational comedy. The label ‘romantic comedy’ is accurate, as the romance unfolds organically in the story, but in a way that feels a little silly, heartfelt, and chaotic. Every element blends perfectly into the world Blain has created, making each installment more fun than the last. The world continues to be something unique, with you never knowing what supernatural elements to expect. This makes everything feel genuinely magical, while also making even the most chaotic things, such as a castle in a lake, feel plausible. The author has a gift for twisting the story in a quirky way, which has become a lovely staple of the series and what you look for in each new addition. Another winning adventure from Blain, Dragon Her Heels is a hilarious good time that has dragons, horses, romance, and situations that will keep you laughing and invested from beginning to end.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth by J. J. Hebert is a wonderfully complex dive into the world of fantasy. Daniel Ward is not what he appears to be. To his family and his colleagues, he is a mild-mannered, quiet accountant and family man, living in the suburbs of New England, with his wife of twenty years, Elena, sixteen-year-old daughter Emma, and ten-year-old son Eli – the perfect middle-American family. But Daniel is keeping a deep and dark secret from everyone. He is actually over five hundred years old and has been in hiding for centuries from the group he used to belong to, a group possessing powers unknown to humanity: the Arvynth. Daniel has eschewed his power to remain in hiding, knowing that if he used his magic, the Arvynth would be able to trace the magic and kill him and his family or force him back to the group. A split-second decision that Daniel makes to briefly halt time and save his son’s life from an oncoming truck will allow the Arvynth to locate him and his family. Can they run from what is coming, or should they stay and fight?

The Breaking of Time has a fascinating premise. The Arvynth’s belief in silence and stillness rather than the chaos and confusion of human life was intriguing and encouraged me to delve deeper. J.J. Hebert has touched on an idea that resonated with me. Daniel and his family were so appealing simply because of their normality, their ordinariness, a typical suburban family. Not only is it a wonderful fantasy adventure, and I do love a good fantasy story with a healthy dose of magic, myth, and mysticism, but it also has a deep and meaningful subtext to the overall plot. This reminds readers what is truly important in life and provides considerable food for thought long after the last page is turned. What the author does quite brilliantly with Daniel’s history and adventure is remind us that living in the present is the only way to embrace life. If we ignore the present and let day-to-day situations flow over us rather than actively participate, we not only miss out on the beautiful aspects of life, relationships, and love, but we also create a future for ourselves that threatens to be lonely, lost, and boring. The underlying theme of the importance of family and living our best life is perfectly woven into this fast-paced, magical fantasy. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Pearly Gates by Bonnie D. Solomon follows the titular protagonist, a deceased drag performer named Pearly Gates, who works in waste management in a segmented afterlife where souls seek enlightenment. After a breakup with her soulmate Thunder, Pearly accepts a temporary role as a spirit guide, managing three human souls: Hannah, a widow; Danielle, a trans woman; and Sam, a cancer patient. While assisting them, Pearly wades through interactions in a small-town café that also houses the reincarnation of Thunder. She becomes involved in the lives of her charges and but is thrown into a romantic dilemma when one begins to develop feelings for Thunder. Throughout her assignment, Pearly braves the rules and expectations of the afterlife’s hierarchy and reevaluates her connection to those she guides.

Bonnie D. Solomon’s Pearly Gates is a spectacularly entertaining and unique novel, and one that immediately sucked me into a spirit world rocking original mythology, souls with auras, White Robes, and a fully detailed bureaucratic system. Solomon’s own settings are imaginative, clearly developed, and realistic when they are situated in the “real” world. Pearly's sarcasm is electric, and I want to see some of what she says embroidered on a pillow. This links itself to the plethora of humor and pop culture references, like Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It” and Run DMC’s “It’s Like That,” adding a playful tone that balances the more emotional moments. The standout partnership for me is between Pearly and Hannah, and we see a really meaningful, emotive progression from uncertainty to mutual understanding. Overall, this is a tightly written and enjoyable read. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Mirana ‘Mira’ Fuentes, in her mid-twenties, had been hosting a demon in her body since she was eleven. Unlike most rifters, possessed unstable people who stirred up chaos and destruction, Mira and her demon were a rare, balanced pair. Living in Baltimore, they hunted down rifters, ridding the city’s streets of trouble. However, when their latest target leads them to a balanced host, Mira is curious about the existence of others like her. Baltimore PD Homicide Detective Ty Williams, a former Paranatural Task Force member, has been saddled with a new case and partner he doesn’t want. But this is thanks to a recent crime scene showing overwhelming signs of magic. It is even more frustrating that the leads point to a one-night stand he recently had. He knows neither her name nor address. As Mira and Ty go after answers for their different dilemmas, they find themselves pulled into a conspiracy involving a corrupt real estate developer using black magic to make way for his grand plan for humanity. Can Ty and Mira work together to stop him? Find out in L. R. Braden’s Demon Riding Shotgun: Rifter series Book 1.

This white-knuckle page-turner will grab you by the scruff of your neck, drag you forward, and won’t let go until the final word. L. R. Braden’s Demon Riding Shotgun is a must-read for lovers of gripping, fast-paced urban fantasy with a blend of supernatural thrills, adventure, action, high stakes drama, and more. Braden weaves an ingenious plot featuring a dynamic, exciting cast. The storyline is run on a multi-perspective timeline, giving it a beautiful flow. The edge-of-the-seat suspense, spell-binding cliffhangers, and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me. The colorful, cinematic descriptions brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like I was watching a Hollywood urban fantasy thriller. If you loved the chaos of Venom, this tour de force will grab you. It’s darker, sharper, and deadlier, with more grit and edge. I savored the sharp, lively conversations, filled with tension, urgency, banter, dark humor, and sarcasm. These gave depth to the cast’s conflicts, intricate emotions, and complex traits. This book is an incredible first installment in the Rifter series. I loved it. I’m on my way to find more of Braden’s terrific work.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Falling Stars by Julie Rogers is an exciting urban fantasy that mixes medical drama with supernatural mystery. Tommy Lucas is a young boy with leukemia who thinks he’s a vampire and believes his illness is a curse on his bloodline. One day, he finds an online magazine telling the story of Viscount Claudius Fallon, a dhampyre from the 1940s who tried to find a cure for his condition. Tommy becomes convinced that Fallon has the answers he needs. What he doesn’t know is that Fallon—now living as a reclusive artist—has already been cured. Fallon has to decide whether to help Tommy or keep his past a secret. At the same time, he grows closer to Tommy’s mother, which only makes his decision harder. The story moves between past and present as we discover the ways people fight to save the ones they love.

Julie Rogers does a great job of mixing fantasy, medical drama, and history into a compelling story, and, because of this, the vampire lore feels new and different, making it stand out from other urban fantasies. There's a lot to make you root for the main characters in Tommy’s determination, Fallon’s troubled past, and June’s deep love for her son. Each one feels real, and their struggles pull you in and balance nicely with the supernatural elements to make everything believable. The way Rogers weaves past and present together keeps the story moving and adds plenty of mystery to keep you hooked on every twist. I especially liked how the author uses fantasy to explore real-life struggles of physical illness and what we allow ourselves to believe. Tommy’s journey shows how stories can give people hope even in the hardest times of their lives. It's an idea that stuck with me long after I finished reading. Overall, I highly recommend Falling Stars to anyone who loves original fantasy stories with real heart.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Grover Wilcox Goes to the Circus by Martin Lastrapes is an urban fantasy about Grover Wilcox, an English professor who always dreamed of joining the circus but never had any real skills. Until a kitchen fire in which he should have died but didn’t. Grover is fireproof. When the Grambling Brothers Travelling Circus Show arrives in town, he can’t resist going, and his newfound power earns him an offer he can’t refuse. It doesn’t take him long to learn that this is more than just a circus. Beneath the surface, a dark, sinister secret is hiding, and Grover begins to realize he might have been a bit too hasty. What secret is the circus hiding? And can Grover escape unscathed?

Grover Wilcox Goes to the Circus by Martin Lastrapes is an incredible story. Yes, it has some bad language and violence, not to mention a few sexual scenes, but it all fits in with the plot, and there is plenty of humor to lighten the load. This is a twisty plot, and it will take you in all directions, but it is one of the most unique plots with plenty of action and solid dialog. The characters are well-developed and very likable, and you’ll love the main protagonist, Grover—a relatable character with a real personality. Lastrapes has a wonderfully creative imagination, which shines through in this story, written in the first person, which is not always easy to pull off, but it works perfectly here. With plenty of suspense, this will keep you hooked from start to finish. Highly enjoyable and recommended for anyone who wants to escape reality for a while.