BookAwards.com
Award-Winning Books from Today's Best Authors
A Free Resource for Book Lovers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Journalists
Recommend this book:
Legacy Witches
Cass Kay
2023 Finalist
292 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite
Legacy Witches by Cass Kay introduces Vianna Roots, a young witch returning to Salem to attend her mother’s funeral. Vianna hopes to bind her mother’s ghost to prevent it from haunting her. Her plan to return to Boston is frustrated when she bonds with the resident house demon, and a procession of ancestral ghosts attempts to pass on the mantle of magic. As Vianna struggles to accept her family heritage, she is despised by the local witches, tempted by a date with an old crush, and puzzled by the disappearance of a childhood friend. What does all this have to do with a takeover scheme orchestrated by an upstart witch and can Vianna outmaneuver the various parties who covet the power residing in the Roots home?
Legacy Witches by Cass Kay provides the perfect urban fantasy read. The culture of the magical hierarchy was delineated with an attention to detail that complemented and fleshed out the other fantasy elements. I found it easy to identify with the main character, Vianna, who resented being restricted by strict customs and rules. I liked the way help and friendship came from unexpected sources, including the transgender Dee, the elderly neighbor, and a young Hoo Doo practitioner whose friendship she had been forced to abjure. I giggled at the black comedy provided by the antics of all the grotesquely annoying ghosts! I expect readers will enjoy this story because the narrative was well written, the plot invoked cathartic fantasy elements of developing identity and overcoming abuse, and the story ended at a positive point.
Legacy Witches by Cass Kay introduces Vianna Roots, a young witch returning to Salem to attend her mother’s funeral. Vianna hopes to bind her mother’s ghost to prevent it from haunting her. Her plan to return to Boston is frustrated when she bonds with the resident house demon, and a procession of ancestral ghosts attempts to pass on the mantle of magic. As Vianna struggles to accept her family heritage, she is despised by the local witches, tempted by a date with an old crush, and puzzled by the disappearance of a childhood friend. What does all this have to do with a takeover scheme orchestrated by an upstart witch and can Vianna outmaneuver the various parties who covet the power residing in the Roots home?
Legacy Witches by Cass Kay provides the perfect urban fantasy read. The culture of the magical hierarchy was delineated with an attention to detail that complemented and fleshed out the other fantasy elements. I found it easy to identify with the main character, Vianna, who resented being restricted by strict customs and rules. I liked the way help and friendship came from unexpected sources, including the transgender Dee, the elderly neighbor, and a young Hoo Doo practitioner whose friendship she had been forced to abjure. I giggled at the black comedy provided by the antics of all the grotesquely annoying ghosts! I expect readers will enjoy this story because the narrative was well written, the plot invoked cathartic fantasy elements of developing identity and overcoming abuse, and the story ended at a positive point.
Recommend this book:
Beauty and the Blade
The Talented Book 1
S. C. Grayson
2023 Honorable Mention
278 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson sees Contessa agree to an arranged marriage with the deformed Nate Woodrow in the belief that he is responsible for the murder of her mother. Contessa has sworn to bring the killer to justice, but she learns a lot about herself and her new husband along the way. Nate may not be the savage criminal he appears to be, and the Lions may not be a bunch of hardened offenders. Everything she has been taught about upholding the law may contain a bias that Contessa must navigate to arrive at the truth. Was her mother murdered by a rival gang, the Serpents, or someone even more unexpected?
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson is a refreshingly original take on the archetypal Beauty and the Beast saga. I loved the essential feminism of Contessa’s character as she learns self-defense and develops skills with a blade. It is also exciting when she discovers a hidden talent. The relationship between Contessa and Nate develops slowly, with emotional realism and a sense of genuine trust. The side characters, including Julia, Gregor, and Kristoff, were all sufficiently distinguished to generate sympathy and liking. It was thrilling to read the adventure scenes where Contessa helps Nate evade danger, and I applauded when they took offensive action against enemies. I mourned the losses when young Lions were killed or injured. One character I was suspicious of throughout the story turned out to be a surprising ally! Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson entertained me for hours with the perfect combination of fairy-tale and adventure stories.
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson sees Contessa agree to an arranged marriage with the deformed Nate Woodrow in the belief that he is responsible for the murder of her mother. Contessa has sworn to bring the killer to justice, but she learns a lot about herself and her new husband along the way. Nate may not be the savage criminal he appears to be, and the Lions may not be a bunch of hardened offenders. Everything she has been taught about upholding the law may contain a bias that Contessa must navigate to arrive at the truth. Was her mother murdered by a rival gang, the Serpents, or someone even more unexpected?
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson is a refreshingly original take on the archetypal Beauty and the Beast saga. I loved the essential feminism of Contessa’s character as she learns self-defense and develops skills with a blade. It is also exciting when she discovers a hidden talent. The relationship between Contessa and Nate develops slowly, with emotional realism and a sense of genuine trust. The side characters, including Julia, Gregor, and Kristoff, were all sufficiently distinguished to generate sympathy and liking. It was thrilling to read the adventure scenes where Contessa helps Nate evade danger, and I applauded when they took offensive action against enemies. I mourned the losses when young Lions were killed or injured. One character I was suspicious of throughout the story turned out to be a surprising ally! Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson entertained me for hours with the perfect combination of fairy-tale and adventure stories.
Recommend this book:
 by Whitney Hill. Arden was stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to find some semblance of balance between her many roles and titles. Just when she had resolved to get things in order, everything flipped ...){kind=link}
Tempered Illusions
Shadows of Otherside Book 6
Whitney Hill
2023 Honorable Mention
335 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite
Life was complicated by shaky relationships, old grudges, and a whole lot of politics in Tempered Illusions (Shadows of Otherside Book 6) by Whitney Hill. Arden was stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to find some semblance of balance between her many roles and titles. Just when she had resolved to get things in order, everything flipped on its head when bodies started showing up with clear signs of it having been a vampire attack. When all hell broke loose, Arden had to decide whether to deal with things her way or the manner everyone else wanted her to handle them.
Tempered Illusions by Whitney Hill was an exciting and interesting read and although it took me a while to find my bearings I soon found myself invested in the plot and characters. I think this book could be read as a standalone, but it would be much easier to follow after reading the full series as some terms and phrases won’t make sense until you are well advanced in this installment. The world-building for this book was amazing with a variety of different races, each with their particular lore and circumstances, and I enjoyed the diverse assortment of magical abilities. Hill has a knack for creating interesting characters, especially the main leads in the story. Arden’s hard-headed and feisty personality drew me to her and the same went for Troy. I loved their relationship dynamic. Even though both of them were stubborn, they found ways around it that worked for them. This was a great book and it left me itching to read the series from the start.
Life was complicated by shaky relationships, old grudges, and a whole lot of politics in Tempered Illusions (Shadows of Otherside Book 6) by Whitney Hill. Arden was stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to find some semblance of balance between her many roles and titles. Just when she had resolved to get things in order, everything flipped on its head when bodies started showing up with clear signs of it having been a vampire attack. When all hell broke loose, Arden had to decide whether to deal with things her way or the manner everyone else wanted her to handle them.
Tempered Illusions by Whitney Hill was an exciting and interesting read and although it took me a while to find my bearings I soon found myself invested in the plot and characters. I think this book could be read as a standalone, but it would be much easier to follow after reading the full series as some terms and phrases won’t make sense until you are well advanced in this installment. The world-building for this book was amazing with a variety of different races, each with their particular lore and circumstances, and I enjoyed the diverse assortment of magical abilities. Hill has a knack for creating interesting characters, especially the main leads in the story. Arden’s hard-headed and feisty personality drew me to her and the same went for Troy. I loved their relationship dynamic. Even though both of them were stubborn, they found ways around it that worked for them. This was a great book and it left me itching to read the series from the start.
Recommend this book:
Archangel
The Book of Mammon
Black Mike
2023 Bronze Medal
344 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Archangel: The Book of Mammon by Black Mike is the first book in the Archangel Fantasy Thriller series. Special Agent Michael Lieberman heads up the anti-terrorism unit, and his next case is about to lead him down a strange, demonic path that reveals his heritage. Detective Sara Wilson doesn't see the same as Lieberman sees, but she soon discovers a link between his case and a murder case she is investigating. Drawn into the investigation, she must face her past as they draw nearer to the answers, and the deeper Lieberman goes, the faster he pulls Sara in with him. The closer they get to one another, the harder it becomes to turn away from their past lives. Can they save each other, or will their pasts and the truth consume them?
Dan Brown, step aside. Black Mike has taken your crown with Archangel: The Book of Mammon, a compelling, action-packed fantasy thriller. This book grabs you from the first page and holds tight as it whisks you off on a roller-coaster ride you won't forget in a hurry. It's a fun read with plenty of serious action, twists and turns, romance, and humor, all wrapped up in a mysterious fantasy. The characters are amazing, built up, and developed to a degree where readers get to know them and understand their backstories, and the interaction between the two main characters is second to none. This detective story has a strong paranormal element, is unpredictable, and has an ending you won't see coming. Fantastic story and I'm really looking forward to reading book 2.
Archangel: The Book of Mammon by Black Mike is the first book in the Archangel Fantasy Thriller series. Special Agent Michael Lieberman heads up the anti-terrorism unit, and his next case is about to lead him down a strange, demonic path that reveals his heritage. Detective Sara Wilson doesn't see the same as Lieberman sees, but she soon discovers a link between his case and a murder case she is investigating. Drawn into the investigation, she must face her past as they draw nearer to the answers, and the deeper Lieberman goes, the faster he pulls Sara in with him. The closer they get to one another, the harder it becomes to turn away from their past lives. Can they save each other, or will their pasts and the truth consume them?
Dan Brown, step aside. Black Mike has taken your crown with Archangel: The Book of Mammon, a compelling, action-packed fantasy thriller. This book grabs you from the first page and holds tight as it whisks you off on a roller-coaster ride you won't forget in a hurry. It's a fun read with plenty of serious action, twists and turns, romance, and humor, all wrapped up in a mysterious fantasy. The characters are amazing, built up, and developed to a degree where readers get to know them and understand their backstories, and the interaction between the two main characters is second to none. This detective story has a strong paranormal element, is unpredictable, and has an ending you won't see coming. Fantastic story and I'm really looking forward to reading book 2.
Recommend this book:
October Eclipse
October Sky Book 1
F.J. Blooding
2023 Silver Medal
344 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite
October Eclipse by F.J. Blooding introduces October, whose ability to connect with tarot cards allows her to see people and their intentions more clearly. At the senator’s office, she is offered an opportunity that she knows she should refuse. With her emotions pulling her toward the Valkyrie she should avoid, October embarks on a journey that will more than likely lead to another war. A war just like the last one that they lost. With paras being hunted with new and improved weapons, can Ryder and the assistance of the senator help her make the world a safer place for those that have paranormal abilities like her? Would they be able to stop those in charge from destroying the population, or will they all wind up dead or used for something much worse?
October Eclipse by F.J. Blooding is an interesting and suspenseful story that leads the reader through a world that is doing its best to get rid of or capture anyone with supernatural abilities. These gifted characters and their ability to see the things that others cannot make them a threat to normal society. The gifts range from connecting with tarot cards and reading the intentions of others to seeing small bursts of information. This keeps the paras searching for ways to move around undetected by the new and improved wands that give away their abilities. I loved the suspense in this story, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fantasy that keeps them wondering what will happen next. I look forward to the next book in the October Sky series.
October Eclipse by F.J. Blooding introduces October, whose ability to connect with tarot cards allows her to see people and their intentions more clearly. At the senator’s office, she is offered an opportunity that she knows she should refuse. With her emotions pulling her toward the Valkyrie she should avoid, October embarks on a journey that will more than likely lead to another war. A war just like the last one that they lost. With paras being hunted with new and improved weapons, can Ryder and the assistance of the senator help her make the world a safer place for those that have paranormal abilities like her? Would they be able to stop those in charge from destroying the population, or will they all wind up dead or used for something much worse?
October Eclipse by F.J. Blooding is an interesting and suspenseful story that leads the reader through a world that is doing its best to get rid of or capture anyone with supernatural abilities. These gifted characters and their ability to see the things that others cannot make them a threat to normal society. The gifts range from connecting with tarot cards and reading the intentions of others to seeing small bursts of information. This keeps the paras searching for ways to move around undetected by the new and improved wands that give away their abilities. I loved the suspense in this story, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fantasy that keeps them wondering what will happen next. I look forward to the next book in the October Sky series.
Recommend this book:
The Palladium
Thorsten Brandl
2023 Gold Medal
327 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
The Palladium by Thorsten Brandl contains all the ingredients that make for an exciting urban fantasy. You have the tried and tested formula of a down-on-his-luck writer who accidentally finds a good story. Michael Baker is that writer, and he doesn’t expect to find an unlikely story in the most unlikely of places. He has no plans to check in at The Orchid Hotel, but the need for shelter and warmth plus the fact that he got lost drew him there. The bellhop tells him that the hotel has its own share of crazy stories. Michael will soon become embroiled in a death-defying tale in that hotel with some portal travels. With a gorgon on his side, he is about to become part of protecting a mighty artifact.
The Palladium breathes new life into a familiar premise, thanks to Thorsten Brandl’s wicked imagination. It is truly one hell of a dream on which he has based the plot. Think of the hotel in John Wick that caters to assassins except this one caters to gods of mythology—now that’s an idea worth exploring. Brandl’s exploration results in a page-turning action fantasy with a romantic angle on the side. It gives a great degree of escapist pleasure, and especially when the hero falls into the trope of a loser who saves the world - as if to say that everyone is given a moment to shine. It has good pacing by showing and not telling. You learn more about Michael through his thoughts and actions. The Palladium puts a modern touch on the age-old gods and in the heightened aesthetics of this hotel. Highly recommended for lovers of urban fantasy. It’s a blast.
The Palladium by Thorsten Brandl contains all the ingredients that make for an exciting urban fantasy. You have the tried and tested formula of a down-on-his-luck writer who accidentally finds a good story. Michael Baker is that writer, and he doesn’t expect to find an unlikely story in the most unlikely of places. He has no plans to check in at The Orchid Hotel, but the need for shelter and warmth plus the fact that he got lost drew him there. The bellhop tells him that the hotel has its own share of crazy stories. Michael will soon become embroiled in a death-defying tale in that hotel with some portal travels. With a gorgon on his side, he is about to become part of protecting a mighty artifact.
The Palladium breathes new life into a familiar premise, thanks to Thorsten Brandl’s wicked imagination. It is truly one hell of a dream on which he has based the plot. Think of the hotel in John Wick that caters to assassins except this one caters to gods of mythology—now that’s an idea worth exploring. Brandl’s exploration results in a page-turning action fantasy with a romantic angle on the side. It gives a great degree of escapist pleasure, and especially when the hero falls into the trope of a loser who saves the world - as if to say that everyone is given a moment to shine. It has good pacing by showing and not telling. You learn more about Michael through his thoughts and actions. The Palladium puts a modern touch on the age-old gods and in the heightened aesthetics of this hotel. Highly recommended for lovers of urban fantasy. It’s a blast.
Recommend this book:
, despite being one of their own. It is for this reason that she had been ex...){kind=link}
Secrets and Truths
Whitney Hill
2022 Finalist
216 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
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.
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.
Recommend this book:
Dio in the Dark
Rizwan Asad
2022 Honorable Mention
170 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
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!
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!
Recommend this book:
 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 Soull...){kind=link}
Ravenite
Alicia Rades
2022 Bronze Medal
236 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
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.
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.
Recommend this book:
Beneath the Veil
The Valor of Valhalla, Book 1
Martin Kearns, Angela Trifecta
2022 Silver Medal
280 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
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.
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.
Contact Author -
