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.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Bonds is an installment in the Royal States series penned by author Susan Copperfield. This is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy genre and is aimed at older audiences due to some moderate language and violent content warnings. Set in the Royal States of America, an alternative version of the USA where magic rules every aspect of life, the novel follows rescue diver Jack Alders. Using his arcane talents to prevent an oil spill from reaching the French coastline, Jack unwittingly discovers a secret that could shake the foundation of the Royal States, and one that puts him squarely in the crosshairs of a royal tyrant.

Author Susan Copperfield has created a marvelous fantasy diversion that is sure to provide a lavish and exciting new brand of escapism to anyone who is lucky enough to discover it. As a newcomer to the Royal States series, I was enchanted by the inventive worldbuilding and clever societal, cultural, and atmospheric changes that Copperfield’s alternative universe brings about, and she has clearly spent many novels already developing the dynamics of the cast of characters. It was easy to fall into the story though, and soon I was as invested in the intrigue as any die-hard fan could be, and enjoying Jack and Melody’s banter and interesting relationship type. I’m also a huge fan of cats, so there were many moments that brought a huge smile to my face during the reading experience. Overall, I would highly recommend Bonds and the Royal States series in general to drama fans looking for something accomplished and unique.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

As they say, “…and now for something completely different.” That is exactly what The Persistence of Memory by Karen Janowsky brought me. This book took me completely by surprise with both its premise and its development. Major Daniel Hecht was somewhat of an enigma. A sickly, weak, American Jew who was captured by the Nazis in 1938, Daniel was subjected to horrific experiments by the Nazi overlords who were working on a formula to make the “perfect” soldier. When Daniel was finally freed by a group of partisans, he was used and abused by the American armed services for his special abilities. Then, right in the middle of the war, something odd happened and Daniel was thrust through time to 2012 where he was again recruited by an organization that wanted to use his special talents along with some other “superheroes” to keep the forces of evil at bay. When Daniel, an awkward introvert, meets Nina, a new recruit, both instantly know there is something special between them. Despite neither having memories of the event, they are sure they have always known each other, and that there is a special bond between them. Daniel, Nina, and the rest of the rag-tag superheroes set about trying to stop the collection of ancient artifacts that together could create a superweapon for the forces of evil.

I absolutely loved this book. The premise was so outlandish and the story so personal and real that you, as a reader, can't help being drawn into the jumbled world of Daniel and Nina. The Persistence of Memory is an enigma in itself. Somehow author Karen Janowsky has managed to combine an action-packed narrative of superheroes with a sweet, beautiful love story that plays out between Daniel and Nina. Both characters are so incredibly naïve as to the ways of the world that at times you really want to shout at them… “for God’s sake, just do it.” The writing style is relaxed and comfortable. I was able to read this book in a single sitting. It is one of those stories you just simply cannot put down because you are always searching for the next step, the next move in the relationship. The erotic writing in the book is a very small part, but an extremely powerful part. I felt the author handled these scenes with such tenderness and care that it was an absolute pleasure to read. If you love good science fiction or fantasy with plenty of twists and turns, or if you just love a ripping good adventure yarn with plenty of romance, you will love this book. I did and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

"And then it shrieked at me, the agony of centuries piercing my ears till I thought my skull would burst, electric shocks searing through my fingers, hand, arm, ripping through my whole body, gripping my lungs and squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. I flung the rock away, covering my ears and dropping to the floor, shaking, gasping for air, while still it screamed, on and on and on..." In Debriefing the Dead (The Dead Series, Book 1) by Kerry Blaisdell, Hyacinth Finch and her sister, Lily, were murdered by demons, leaving her 7-year-old nephew Geordi behind with no one except his father’s Sicilian mob family. Archangel Michael offers her a deal; retrieve a powerful stone from the demons before they give it to Satan. In return, Hyacinth can remain on earth long enough to find Geordi a better home.

The battle between good and evil is endless, and a resurrected art dealer has no choice but to be involved. The story premise and its narrative hook got my attention right away. Despite playing a role in the 'shady' part of her business, protagonist Hyacinth is a kind-hearted person who wants the best possible life for her sister and her adorable nephew. The supernatural mystery and suspense elements drive the fast-paced plot forward, combined with enough romance to add sentimental flair between the characters. Balanced with a sense of fun and quirky situations, Debriefing the Dead is excellently imaginative and hard to put down. So what's next for Geordi's devoted and fearless "Tata Hyhy"? I'm eager to find out how the story will continue. Overall, an exciting supernatural thriller from Kerry Blaisdell for fans of the genre.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Tegen Hunt is a work of edgy, dark urban fantasy penned by author Inge-Lise Goss, and it forms the fourth novel of the Tegen Series. In this new and suspenseful adventure, we are reunited with Sara and some of the colorful characters from her past as new dangers and new mysteries loom overhead. A Tegen whom Sara took a confession from has now escaped from custody, and the immortal fugitive is dead set on a powerful vendetta to capture Sara to prevent her from talking. Meanwhile, a suspicious death sends Sara to an investigation in New Mexico, but what’s waiting for her there in the criminal underworld only complicates matters further.

Despite never having read this series before, it was so easy to fall into the shadowy, immortal world of Tegens and the structure of rules and laws around them. Fans of both supernatural fantasy and crime novels are sure to enjoy the blending of genres, which author Inge-Liss Goss does really intelligently. The result is a noir-feeling fantasy novel with high stakes and action, which also has a realistic, procedural crime drama feel to it. On top of this, the development of Sara’s character, and her relationship with her lover Conner, is really well written, and it provides a lot of emotional depth and understanding for both characters as the plot deepens. Overall, Tegen Hunt is a well-plotted fantasy adventure with plenty of dark little twists and turns to keep readers entertained from start to finish: a highly recommended read.