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Recommend this book:
The Bible of Blackwater County
Jenny Cafaro
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers' Favorite
“The truth? It don't fit clean. Life don't work like no sermon or a newspaper headline. It's messy. It bleeds.” Life does these things and more, and messy can be an understatement as The Bible Of Blackwater County, a novel by Jenny Cafaro, clearly illustrates. Set in Depression-era Appalachia, the story follows young Bessie Winters, a girl from a destitute family. But poverty is only half of it. Bessie lives in a society that crushes dreams and is populated by small-minded individuals who judge others without ever having walked in their shoes. Under those circumstances, many people would succumb to despair, but Bessie is no ordinary person; she is the rare exception who manages to avoid being driven into the mud despite the tragedy life throws her way.
Unforgiving at times, but masterfully composed and resonant, The Bible of Blackwater County by Jenny Cafaro is a perfect example of modern literature at its finest. The plot centers on a young girl living through harsh times as she navigates an unforgiving era marked by poverty and stigma. Yet while the plot itself is very strong, the thematic depth is outstanding, as despair, manipulation, hope, and the struggle for survival make this book difficult to put down. Character development is also good, and the cast are all well-crafted individuals who are believable and relatable. A moderate pace combined with a deliberately accented writing style works well in recreating an era and atmosphere long gone. Overall, The Bible of Blackwater County is an exemplary tale that will delight fans of multiple genres. I easily recommend it.
“The truth? It don't fit clean. Life don't work like no sermon or a newspaper headline. It's messy. It bleeds.” Life does these things and more, and messy can be an understatement as The Bible Of Blackwater County, a novel by Jenny Cafaro, clearly illustrates. Set in Depression-era Appalachia, the story follows young Bessie Winters, a girl from a destitute family. But poverty is only half of it. Bessie lives in a society that crushes dreams and is populated by small-minded individuals who judge others without ever having walked in their shoes. Under those circumstances, many people would succumb to despair, but Bessie is no ordinary person; she is the rare exception who manages to avoid being driven into the mud despite the tragedy life throws her way.
Unforgiving at times, but masterfully composed and resonant, The Bible of Blackwater County by Jenny Cafaro is a perfect example of modern literature at its finest. The plot centers on a young girl living through harsh times as she navigates an unforgiving era marked by poverty and stigma. Yet while the plot itself is very strong, the thematic depth is outstanding, as despair, manipulation, hope, and the struggle for survival make this book difficult to put down. Character development is also good, and the cast are all well-crafted individuals who are believable and relatable. A moderate pace combined with a deliberately accented writing style works well in recreating an era and atmosphere long gone. Overall, The Bible of Blackwater County is an exemplary tale that will delight fans of multiple genres. I easily recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Runebound
A Novel Of The Old Gods, Destiny, And Awakening Power
Alessa M. Norwen
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
Runebound by Alessa M. Norwen is the story of a culture torn between its pagan roots and Catholicism. Milena is a princess of Mecklenburg, where the old pagan gods are banished by the Church, but their beliefs and rituals are still secretly practiced. Milena’s parents may have been forced to renounce paganism to preserve their throne and power, but Milena’s beloved nanny is still a believer and gives the young girl a powerful rune, telling her it is her destiny. As she reaches maturity, she discovers she is betrothed to a Saxon lord to cement her father’s rule. The arrival of Norse warriors interested in trade rather than pillage excites her interest, especially the handsome son of the Norse Jarl, Brynjar. Determined to avoid her marriage, Milena decides on a course of action to fulfil her destiny. The glowing rune and the ancient pagan gods are calling her to follow a course that could ultimately destroy her parents’ and her brothers’ worlds.
Runebound is the first in what promises to be an enthralling series. Alessa M. Norwen's intricate plot will captivate readers. Milena, or Adelheid as she was baptized, is a wonderful character clearly caught between two worlds, the old and the new. As we watch her develop and grow into a beautiful young woman, she does not accept her subservient role. In a society only one generation removed from the mysticism and magic of pagan worship, she is prepared to stand up against an organized marriage of alliance. The power of the rune and its impact on her outlines the clash between the Church and its pagan enemy. She must decide whether to put her entire family at risk to fulfill the destiny that the rune offers. David, the trader from Jerusalem, adds another element to this already fascinating and intertwined plot. It is obvious he will play an important part in Milena’s future, and I cannot wait to discover what adventures lie ahead. This is a wonderful story, beautifully descriptive, with a twisting plot. I highly recommend this read.
Runebound by Alessa M. Norwen is the story of a culture torn between its pagan roots and Catholicism. Milena is a princess of Mecklenburg, where the old pagan gods are banished by the Church, but their beliefs and rituals are still secretly practiced. Milena’s parents may have been forced to renounce paganism to preserve their throne and power, but Milena’s beloved nanny is still a believer and gives the young girl a powerful rune, telling her it is her destiny. As she reaches maturity, she discovers she is betrothed to a Saxon lord to cement her father’s rule. The arrival of Norse warriors interested in trade rather than pillage excites her interest, especially the handsome son of the Norse Jarl, Brynjar. Determined to avoid her marriage, Milena decides on a course of action to fulfil her destiny. The glowing rune and the ancient pagan gods are calling her to follow a course that could ultimately destroy her parents’ and her brothers’ worlds.
Runebound is the first in what promises to be an enthralling series. Alessa M. Norwen's intricate plot will captivate readers. Milena, or Adelheid as she was baptized, is a wonderful character clearly caught between two worlds, the old and the new. As we watch her develop and grow into a beautiful young woman, she does not accept her subservient role. In a society only one generation removed from the mysticism and magic of pagan worship, she is prepared to stand up against an organized marriage of alliance. The power of the rune and its impact on her outlines the clash between the Church and its pagan enemy. She must decide whether to put her entire family at risk to fulfill the destiny that the rune offers. David, the trader from Jerusalem, adds another element to this already fascinating and intertwined plot. It is obvious he will play an important part in Milena’s future, and I cannot wait to discover what adventures lie ahead. This is a wonderful story, beautifully descriptive, with a twisting plot. I highly recommend this read.
Recommend this book:
A Brilliant Defiance
Courting the Unconventional Book 6
Laura Beers
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite
Laura Beers brings us a Regency romance with hints of action in A Brilliant Defiance: Courting the Unconventional Book 6. The year is 1814, and Lady Jane Lyttelton has always done what society expected and what her father and brother dictated. And as she stood at the altar next to the Duke of Brackenford, a man four times her age, Jane decided to run. Disowned and cast out by society, Jane holds her head up high. When she suddenly becomes heiress to a large fortune, Jane finally has a chance to live life as she chooses. It is around this time that Lady Jane saves the life of Viscount Alistair Alcott, who has been an acquaintance since childhood. While eternally grateful to Jane, Alistair uncovers a plot of revenge against him because of a mission during the war, and unintentionally puts her life in danger.
Author Laura Beers is on the right track when it comes to historical fiction and Regency romance. Not as spicy as Bridgerton, but with more action than Pride and Prejudice, books in the Courting the Unconventional series are perfect for fans of historical romance. The pacing is fast enough so that you will want to finish reading in one sitting. Small twists and turns will keep you entertained, while witty dialogue will make you fall in love with the characters themselves. Sensory descriptions of buildings anchor the past in this novel, while the character descriptions are detailed and vivid. A Brilliant Defiance is suitable for young adults as well and ticks all the right boxes for action and romance.
Laura Beers brings us a Regency romance with hints of action in A Brilliant Defiance: Courting the Unconventional Book 6. The year is 1814, and Lady Jane Lyttelton has always done what society expected and what her father and brother dictated. And as she stood at the altar next to the Duke of Brackenford, a man four times her age, Jane decided to run. Disowned and cast out by society, Jane holds her head up high. When she suddenly becomes heiress to a large fortune, Jane finally has a chance to live life as she chooses. It is around this time that Lady Jane saves the life of Viscount Alistair Alcott, who has been an acquaintance since childhood. While eternally grateful to Jane, Alistair uncovers a plot of revenge against him because of a mission during the war, and unintentionally puts her life in danger.
Author Laura Beers is on the right track when it comes to historical fiction and Regency romance. Not as spicy as Bridgerton, but with more action than Pride and Prejudice, books in the Courting the Unconventional series are perfect for fans of historical romance. The pacing is fast enough so that you will want to finish reading in one sitting. Small twists and turns will keep you entertained, while witty dialogue will make you fall in love with the characters themselves. Sensory descriptions of buildings anchor the past in this novel, while the character descriptions are detailed and vivid. A Brilliant Defiance is suitable for young adults as well and ticks all the right boxes for action and romance.
Recommend this book:
The Lost Ballerina
Deanna Lynn Sletten
2026 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite
In The Lost Ballerina by Deanna Lynn Sletten, seventeen-year-old Maddie Carlson needs to earn money fast. Her boyfriend, Caden, crashed her car, and her father insists she pay for the repairs herself. Maddie takes a job mowing and weeding the lawn at a big, mysterious house that local kids think is haunted. Rather than seeing witches, she was greeted by two elderly cousins named Ginny, who was grumpy, and Eva, who was kind and graceful. While Maddie works all summer, Eva tells tales about her life as a renowned ballerina who trained in New York City under the guidance of the legendary George Balanchine. She shares stories about her life on stage and a difficult past that forced her to leave the dance world behind. Maddie also discovers that her mother, Sandy, was one of Eva’s best students years ago. Inspired by their reunion, Sandy decides to follow her dream and opens a new ballet school right in Eva’s home.
The Lost Ballerina is a dual-timeline mystery. The pacing is steady as it alternates between Maddie’s summer job and Eva’s past life as a professional dancer. Deanna Lynn Sletten’s vivid descriptions, details, and metaphors bring the settings to life. Straightforward, clear language focuses on emotional connection and authenticity, bridging the gap between a teen’s modern-day pressures and the demands and extreme competition of mid-century professional ballet. The character development follows an inspiring parallel journey of growth and healing. Themes cover emancipation, resilience, emotional healing, intergenerational friendship, and how older people can transform the lives of the younger generation as they find their way or focus on a better future. Recommended to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories and redemptive women's fiction.
In The Lost Ballerina by Deanna Lynn Sletten, seventeen-year-old Maddie Carlson needs to earn money fast. Her boyfriend, Caden, crashed her car, and her father insists she pay for the repairs herself. Maddie takes a job mowing and weeding the lawn at a big, mysterious house that local kids think is haunted. Rather than seeing witches, she was greeted by two elderly cousins named Ginny, who was grumpy, and Eva, who was kind and graceful. While Maddie works all summer, Eva tells tales about her life as a renowned ballerina who trained in New York City under the guidance of the legendary George Balanchine. She shares stories about her life on stage and a difficult past that forced her to leave the dance world behind. Maddie also discovers that her mother, Sandy, was one of Eva’s best students years ago. Inspired by their reunion, Sandy decides to follow her dream and opens a new ballet school right in Eva’s home.
The Lost Ballerina is a dual-timeline mystery. The pacing is steady as it alternates between Maddie’s summer job and Eva’s past life as a professional dancer. Deanna Lynn Sletten’s vivid descriptions, details, and metaphors bring the settings to life. Straightforward, clear language focuses on emotional connection and authenticity, bridging the gap between a teen’s modern-day pressures and the demands and extreme competition of mid-century professional ballet. The character development follows an inspiring parallel journey of growth and healing. Themes cover emancipation, resilience, emotional healing, intergenerational friendship, and how older people can transform the lives of the younger generation as they find their way or focus on a better future. Recommended to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories and redemptive women's fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Four Queens of the Buttonbush Museum
Beth Brookhart
2026 Bronze Medal
354 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Beth Brookhart's The Four Queens of the Buttonbush Museum, Irene Pickett joins the board of the Buttonbush Museum after losing her newspaper role, stepping into a neglected area where Odilia Delgado is already using her political access to secure control. Their opposing decisions drive the museum’s direction as Irene holds public events to bring people in while Odilia commits funds to move the Iversen ranch house, a move that triggers a legal claim once the building is already in transit. When Betty and Maye Marie join them, the four women become known as the Four Queens and take over daily operations while county officials begin formal steps to claim the land for a courthouse. The museum now stands on land marked for removal, and the Four Queens are the only ones left trying to stop it.
Beth Brookhart’s The Four Queens of the Buttonbush Museum is a fantastic story of women banding together to save a regional heritage site in mid-twentieth-century America. The attention to 1950s period detail is off-the-charts brilliant. Irene’s reenactment of Paul Revere with staged patriotism perfectly mirrors postwar civic displays, while the Parker Hills Country Club is a nod to the mainstay of American suburbia of the time, replete with dress codes, formal luncheons, and social hierarchy. The characters are all fully fleshed out, but Odilia is the one I found most fascinating. She has a shady past, but there's a mafiosa slickness in how she leverages what and who she knows, which plays out fabulously when a local businessman is called upon for cash. The settings are near cinematic in how they are portrayed, from The Blue Bonnet Saloon with its swinging doors, scarred bar top, and small stage where patrons once gathered, to the Edwards House interior with a grandfather clock that hides its own secrets. Readers who adore immersive women's fiction with a great cast of powerhouse ladies will love this book. Very highly recommended.
In Beth Brookhart's The Four Queens of the Buttonbush Museum, Irene Pickett joins the board of the Buttonbush Museum after losing her newspaper role, stepping into a neglected area where Odilia Delgado is already using her political access to secure control. Their opposing decisions drive the museum’s direction as Irene holds public events to bring people in while Odilia commits funds to move the Iversen ranch house, a move that triggers a legal claim once the building is already in transit. When Betty and Maye Marie join them, the four women become known as the Four Queens and take over daily operations while county officials begin formal steps to claim the land for a courthouse. The museum now stands on land marked for removal, and the Four Queens are the only ones left trying to stop it.
Beth Brookhart’s The Four Queens of the Buttonbush Museum is a fantastic story of women banding together to save a regional heritage site in mid-twentieth-century America. The attention to 1950s period detail is off-the-charts brilliant. Irene’s reenactment of Paul Revere with staged patriotism perfectly mirrors postwar civic displays, while the Parker Hills Country Club is a nod to the mainstay of American suburbia of the time, replete with dress codes, formal luncheons, and social hierarchy. The characters are all fully fleshed out, but Odilia is the one I found most fascinating. She has a shady past, but there's a mafiosa slickness in how she leverages what and who she knows, which plays out fabulously when a local businessman is called upon for cash. The settings are near cinematic in how they are portrayed, from The Blue Bonnet Saloon with its swinging doors, scarred bar top, and small stage where patrons once gathered, to the Edwards House interior with a grandfather clock that hides its own secrets. Readers who adore immersive women's fiction with a great cast of powerhouse ladies will love this book. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Cleansing
Victoria Alvear
2026 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Carine Engelbrecht for Readers' Favorite
To the ancient Romans, Vestal virgins represented the very personification of feminine purity. But when one of their number is accused of sex with a man, scandal erupts. In a city dealing with the aftermath of a crushing defeat against Hannibal's army, this shocking revelation demands punishment. In a world where the divine calm of the near-stoic Vestal virgins is a wafer-thin barrier against the volatile superstitions of the general populace, the youthful Opimia Pansa seems like a convenient scapegoat. But when Mia, the accused, learns of a ruthless conspiracy behind her accusation, she demands the right to defend herself. The Cleansing by Victoria Alvear tells a fictionalized version of this real historical figure's story in a tense courtroom drama set in ancient Rome during the Republican period.
The setting is alien to our perception, but also strangely relatable. The manipulation of belief and rumor finds a powerful echo in the present-day influence of social media. As in our world, there is a continuum from belief to skepticism that brings the inner worlds of several key characters to life, making them so much more than caricatures of history. But the theme that permeates everything is the role of women. In The Cleansing, Victoria Alvear tracks the degrees of disempowerment between a wife and a priestess, and between women and men. It compares the scrutiny to which all women are subject against the ease with which a man can shrug off accountability for crimes or falsehoods and shows how the powerful can gaslight society with impunity. Mia is a likable heroine whose story is authentic. At times, the suspense is truly nail-biting. At the back of the book, there is a detailed appendix that puts the story in its historical context.
To the ancient Romans, Vestal virgins represented the very personification of feminine purity. But when one of their number is accused of sex with a man, scandal erupts. In a city dealing with the aftermath of a crushing defeat against Hannibal's army, this shocking revelation demands punishment. In a world where the divine calm of the near-stoic Vestal virgins is a wafer-thin barrier against the volatile superstitions of the general populace, the youthful Opimia Pansa seems like a convenient scapegoat. But when Mia, the accused, learns of a ruthless conspiracy behind her accusation, she demands the right to defend herself. The Cleansing by Victoria Alvear tells a fictionalized version of this real historical figure's story in a tense courtroom drama set in ancient Rome during the Republican period.
The setting is alien to our perception, but also strangely relatable. The manipulation of belief and rumor finds a powerful echo in the present-day influence of social media. As in our world, there is a continuum from belief to skepticism that brings the inner worlds of several key characters to life, making them so much more than caricatures of history. But the theme that permeates everything is the role of women. In The Cleansing, Victoria Alvear tracks the degrees of disempowerment between a wife and a priestess, and between women and men. It compares the scrutiny to which all women are subject against the ease with which a man can shrug off accountability for crimes or falsehoods and shows how the powerful can gaslight society with impunity. Mia is a likable heroine whose story is authentic. At times, the suspense is truly nail-biting. At the back of the book, there is a detailed appendix that puts the story in its historical context.
Recommend this book:
Hatfield 1677
Laura C. Rader
2025 Gold Medal
394 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
It is 1676. The colonists in America are caught up in a raging war against Native Americans under a formidable chief dubbed King Philip. After a cattle raid in the small town of Hatfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony, by Algonquian natives, the war council ordered an attack on the natives, believing it was one of King Philip’s attacks on colonist territories. However, the raid by the Algonquian natives may not have had anything to do with the chief. And it was bad enough that the natives' camp being attacked had more children and women than warriors. It is not long before the natives retaliate, attacking Hatfield and taking with them colonists' wives and children. Colonist Benjamin Waite, a skilled military scout, one of the few who had been against the prior attack on the natives, is left in despair as among the many missing is his pregnant wife and three kids. Can he save his family and the other colonists from their looming tragic fate at the hands of the natives before it is too late? Find out in Laura C. Rader’s Hatfield 1677.
Lovers of historical novels will not take their eyes off this enthralling book until they have read it from cover to cover. Running the story on a multi-perspective timeline, Laura C. Rader weaves an intriguing and riveting tale of war, love, friendship, resilience, secrets, adventure, drama, action, and so much more. Paying great attention to detail, alongside evocative depictions, Rader colorfully brings the scenes to life. It felt like I was back in the late seventeenth century in Massachusetts, experiencing the colonists’ and natives’ distinct cultures and lifestyles. The purposeful and nuanced conversations insightfully captured the social and political dynamics between the natives and the colonists. Ironically, the colonists felt justified in attacking the natives because they were invading their territories when, in the first place, they were the ones who had invaded the natives’ land. Rader uses sentiment in the narration, allowing me to experience the cast’s emotions. This made it easy to connect with them.
It is 1676. The colonists in America are caught up in a raging war against Native Americans under a formidable chief dubbed King Philip. After a cattle raid in the small town of Hatfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony, by Algonquian natives, the war council ordered an attack on the natives, believing it was one of King Philip’s attacks on colonist territories. However, the raid by the Algonquian natives may not have had anything to do with the chief. And it was bad enough that the natives' camp being attacked had more children and women than warriors. It is not long before the natives retaliate, attacking Hatfield and taking with them colonists' wives and children. Colonist Benjamin Waite, a skilled military scout, one of the few who had been against the prior attack on the natives, is left in despair as among the many missing is his pregnant wife and three kids. Can he save his family and the other colonists from their looming tragic fate at the hands of the natives before it is too late? Find out in Laura C. Rader’s Hatfield 1677.
Lovers of historical novels will not take their eyes off this enthralling book until they have read it from cover to cover. Running the story on a multi-perspective timeline, Laura C. Rader weaves an intriguing and riveting tale of war, love, friendship, resilience, secrets, adventure, drama, action, and so much more. Paying great attention to detail, alongside evocative depictions, Rader colorfully brings the scenes to life. It felt like I was back in the late seventeenth century in Massachusetts, experiencing the colonists’ and natives’ distinct cultures and lifestyles. The purposeful and nuanced conversations insightfully captured the social and political dynamics between the natives and the colonists. Ironically, the colonists felt justified in attacking the natives because they were invading their territories when, in the first place, they were the ones who had invaded the natives’ land. Rader uses sentiment in the narration, allowing me to experience the cast’s emotions. This made it easy to connect with them.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/a-tiny-piece-of-blue&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/7161WZgb6iL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=A Tiny Piece of Blue is a historical drama by Charlotte Whitney. The story is set during the Great Depression in rural Michigan in 1934. After a fire burns down their decrepit home, thirteen-year-old Silstice "Silly" Trayson suddenly becomes homeless, leading her to seek shelter with an elderly couple, Vernon and Edna Goetz, much to the chagrin of ...){kind=link}
A Tiny Piece of Blue
A Novel
Charlotte Whitney
2025 Gold Medal
336 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
A Tiny Piece of Blue is a historical drama by Charlotte Whitney. The story is set during the Great Depression in rural Michigan in 1934. After a fire burns down their decrepit home, thirteen-year-old Silstice "Silly" Trayson suddenly becomes homeless, leading her to seek shelter with an elderly couple, Vernon and Edna Goetz, much to the chagrin of the frugal Vernon. Edna introduces Silly to her 4-H sewing group, but Vernon is adamant that Silly would have to pay for her stay in their home. Meanwhile, Silly's sister Alberta also has her share of trouble while staying at a friend's house. When Edna tragically passes away, Vernon unexpectedly has to care for both sisters as Silly participates in the Calhoun County Fair. Meanwhile, Silly's younger brothers fall into the clutches of a child trafficking ring.
A Tiny Piece of Blue is a story about finding hope amid adversity. This heartwarming tale beautifully shows how people can always strive to better themselves despite their circumstances. Vernon's character is the perfect embodiment of that. For about the first half of the book, he is presented as a cranky old man who wants to be left alone. Slowly, he develops a strong bond with the Trayson sisters and helps them and their brothers in their time of need. Author Charlotte Whitney has crafted some truly layered characters who are complex and realistic. The narrative is heartfelt, with a plot that keeps you invested until the end. You want to know what's next in store for the Trayson siblings and Vernon. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!
A Tiny Piece of Blue is a historical drama by Charlotte Whitney. The story is set during the Great Depression in rural Michigan in 1934. After a fire burns down their decrepit home, thirteen-year-old Silstice "Silly" Trayson suddenly becomes homeless, leading her to seek shelter with an elderly couple, Vernon and Edna Goetz, much to the chagrin of the frugal Vernon. Edna introduces Silly to her 4-H sewing group, but Vernon is adamant that Silly would have to pay for her stay in their home. Meanwhile, Silly's sister Alberta also has her share of trouble while staying at a friend's house. When Edna tragically passes away, Vernon unexpectedly has to care for both sisters as Silly participates in the Calhoun County Fair. Meanwhile, Silly's younger brothers fall into the clutches of a child trafficking ring.
A Tiny Piece of Blue is a story about finding hope amid adversity. This heartwarming tale beautifully shows how people can always strive to better themselves despite their circumstances. Vernon's character is the perfect embodiment of that. For about the first half of the book, he is presented as a cranky old man who wants to be left alone. Slowly, he develops a strong bond with the Trayson sisters and helps them and their brothers in their time of need. Author Charlotte Whitney has crafted some truly layered characters who are complex and realistic. The narrative is heartfelt, with a plot that keeps you invested until the end. You want to know what's next in store for the Trayson siblings and Vernon. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!
Recommend this book:
Chariots in the Sky
A Story About U.S. Assault Helicopter Pilots at War in Vietnam
Larry A Freeland
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Chariots in the Sky by Larry A. Freeland is a war novel that plunges readers right into the airborne chaos of the Vietnam War with unflinching realism and emotional clarity. We're with Captain Taylor St. James and his Huey helicopter crew, as the novel chronicles high-risk missions into places like the deadly A Shau Valley and Lam Son 719. What emerges is way more than a war story; a tribute to courage, brotherhood, and the quiet endurance required to survive under constant threat. The novel does not shy away from the brutality of combat, but also shines in the moments between battles: the tensions within the unit, the burden of leadership, and the fragility of hope.
Author Larry A. Freeland, himself a Vietnam veteran, has a strong sense of authority and compassion that elevates this novel above standard military fiction and makes it into something where you can really put yourself in the place of those experiencing conflict. There's something very raw and impactful about the visceral writing style, yet it never feels gratuitous or too shocking in any way. His prose captures both the technical precision of flight and the raw emotion of men facing impossible decisions. I found myself deeply invested in the crew’s fates, and the scenes in the air are some of the most gripping I have read. Freeland understands not only the tactics of war but the emotional weight it leaves behind. Overall, Chariots in the Sky is an essential, unforgettable novel about sacrifice, camaraderie, and the cost of duty in one of America’s most complex wars.
Chariots in the Sky by Larry A. Freeland is a war novel that plunges readers right into the airborne chaos of the Vietnam War with unflinching realism and emotional clarity. We're with Captain Taylor St. James and his Huey helicopter crew, as the novel chronicles high-risk missions into places like the deadly A Shau Valley and Lam Son 719. What emerges is way more than a war story; a tribute to courage, brotherhood, and the quiet endurance required to survive under constant threat. The novel does not shy away from the brutality of combat, but also shines in the moments between battles: the tensions within the unit, the burden of leadership, and the fragility of hope.
Author Larry A. Freeland, himself a Vietnam veteran, has a strong sense of authority and compassion that elevates this novel above standard military fiction and makes it into something where you can really put yourself in the place of those experiencing conflict. There's something very raw and impactful about the visceral writing style, yet it never feels gratuitous or too shocking in any way. His prose captures both the technical precision of flight and the raw emotion of men facing impossible decisions. I found myself deeply invested in the crew’s fates, and the scenes in the air are some of the most gripping I have read. Freeland understands not only the tactics of war but the emotional weight it leaves behind. Overall, Chariots in the Sky is an essential, unforgettable novel about sacrifice, camaraderie, and the cost of duty in one of America’s most complex wars.
Recommend this book:
Sink the Rising Sun
Jon C. Gabriel
2025 Silver Medal
242 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by P. Rosenthal for Readers' Favorite
Sink the Rising Sun by Jon C. Gabriel follows the journey of a twenty-five-year-old inexperienced naval officer named Benjamin Holt. During the chaos and destruction of World War II, he is given command of an aging submarine, newer crewmen, and outdated equipment. Their mission is to disrupt and destroy the supply lines of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Stationed in Albany, Australia, Holt navigates the waters of the Pacific as he and his crew search for the enemy in defense of the United States. “When danger struck, he got weirdly calm and analytical.” Thus, his command leaves little room for unavoidable politics and even less for thoughts of a doomed romance. Then again, it is best to act lest you be acted upon.
In times of war, it can be challenging to make a moral choice when every option feels wrong. In Sink the Rising Sun, Jon C. Gabriel introduces readers to military hero Benjamin Holt in this compelling war story. Readers will quickly become invested in the lives of Holt's crew and fellow officers. Gabriel does not hold back on authenticity; his vivid descriptions of life aboard a wartime submarine immerse readers in the heart of the action. This fast-paced page-turner is filled with philosophical insights, vernacular expressions, and bits of unexpected humor. Veterans, history buffs, and romance fans will not want to miss this book. Sink the Rising Sun is Gabriel’s debut novel, and as luck would have it, he promises, “There’s more to come.”
Sink the Rising Sun by Jon C. Gabriel follows the journey of a twenty-five-year-old inexperienced naval officer named Benjamin Holt. During the chaos and destruction of World War II, he is given command of an aging submarine, newer crewmen, and outdated equipment. Their mission is to disrupt and destroy the supply lines of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Stationed in Albany, Australia, Holt navigates the waters of the Pacific as he and his crew search for the enemy in defense of the United States. “When danger struck, he got weirdly calm and analytical.” Thus, his command leaves little room for unavoidable politics and even less for thoughts of a doomed romance. Then again, it is best to act lest you be acted upon.
In times of war, it can be challenging to make a moral choice when every option feels wrong. In Sink the Rising Sun, Jon C. Gabriel introduces readers to military hero Benjamin Holt in this compelling war story. Readers will quickly become invested in the lives of Holt's crew and fellow officers. Gabriel does not hold back on authenticity; his vivid descriptions of life aboard a wartime submarine immerse readers in the heart of the action. This fast-paced page-turner is filled with philosophical insights, vernacular expressions, and bits of unexpected humor. Veterans, history buffs, and romance fans will not want to miss this book. Sink the Rising Sun is Gabriel’s debut novel, and as luck would have it, he promises, “There’s more to come.”
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