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Just River
Sara B. Fraser
2024 Finalist
267 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Just River by Sara B. Fraser is comedy writing at its best. The Otis River flows through a small city called Wattsville, a city full of ordinary people – or so you might think. Carol is a stress-eating cashier with a daughter called Garnet. When Garnet is put in prison for trying to defend herself, Carol’s friend Sam steps in to help Carol. Sam is a cross-dresser, and his and Carol’s efforts to free Garnet don’t come without consequences. Innocent people take the blame for what they do, and when parole for Garnet looks like nothing more than a pipe dream, her life is put in peril. The only thing that can save them is the river, but they all need to be good swimmers to reach the other side.
Just River by Sara B. Fraser is a wonderfully written story with plenty of action. It’s safe to say that it’s all go from the first to the last pages. I loved the characters who seemed so real and relatable, comfortable in their own skins, especially cross-dressing Sam. It’s a story of people pulling together to help one another, of growing in courage and self-esteem. There are several threads to this plot, each seemingly unrelated but all coming together to create a masterpiece. This vividly written tale gives us an insight into life in a small backwater town, with accurate descriptions that make you feel like you are living there. You’ll either love or hate the characters; there won’t be any in-betweens, but you’ll be rooting for Carol and Garnet all the way through. A thoroughly enjoyable story, and the perfect way to pass a few hours.
Just River by Sara B. Fraser is comedy writing at its best. The Otis River flows through a small city called Wattsville, a city full of ordinary people – or so you might think. Carol is a stress-eating cashier with a daughter called Garnet. When Garnet is put in prison for trying to defend herself, Carol’s friend Sam steps in to help Carol. Sam is a cross-dresser, and his and Carol’s efforts to free Garnet don’t come without consequences. Innocent people take the blame for what they do, and when parole for Garnet looks like nothing more than a pipe dream, her life is put in peril. The only thing that can save them is the river, but they all need to be good swimmers to reach the other side.
Just River by Sara B. Fraser is a wonderfully written story with plenty of action. It’s safe to say that it’s all go from the first to the last pages. I loved the characters who seemed so real and relatable, comfortable in their own skins, especially cross-dressing Sam. It’s a story of people pulling together to help one another, of growing in courage and self-esteem. There are several threads to this plot, each seemingly unrelated but all coming together to create a masterpiece. This vividly written tale gives us an insight into life in a small backwater town, with accurate descriptions that make you feel like you are living there. You’ll either love or hate the characters; there won’t be any in-betweens, but you’ll be rooting for Carol and Garnet all the way through. A thoroughly enjoyable story, and the perfect way to pass a few hours.
Recommend this book:
And Now There's Zelda
The Perfect Family Life Dramedy
Carolyn Clarke
2024 Honorable Mention
247 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite
Allison had experienced her fair share of woes, including the untimely death of a beloved father-in-law and unwelcome intrusions from an overbearing and opinionated mother-in-law. However, she believed that the trying times were over as she eventually managed to form a truce with Margaret. Unfortunately, life threw another curveball when Allison’s son, Cameron, introduced them to his fiancée, Zelda. Wasn’t it too soon for her baby to commit to such a serious relationship? What if, like his previous girlfriend, Zelda also broke his heart? Can Allison make everyone see sense and protect Cameron? Will Margaret become her ally in this project? Find out in And Now There’s Zelda, a hilarious piece of contemporary fiction penned by Carolyn Clarke.
Although this book is a sequel to Carolyn Clarke’s novel, And Then There’s Margaret, it can also serve as a stand-alone. Clarke incorporated just enough details from the previous book to shed light on the chemistry between the characters. She did an excellent job of portraying Allison’s fears and insecurities. Despite the irrational thoughts and biased judgments, we can empathize with her fiercely protective nature. I loved how Clarke drew a parallel between Margaret and Allison, showing how becoming a prospective mother-in-law might change one’s perceptions. It was admirable how each character evolved in their own way, modulating and mending their bonds with others. There were plenty of heart-warming scenes that made this a feel-good read. The bizarre crises Allison faced created a humorous backdrop. Through this comedy, Clarke conveys a profound message that one must be accepting and open-minded to nurture meaningful relationships. I recommend And Now There’s Zelda to anyone looking for a light-hearted yet thought-provoking family saga.
Allison had experienced her fair share of woes, including the untimely death of a beloved father-in-law and unwelcome intrusions from an overbearing and opinionated mother-in-law. However, she believed that the trying times were over as she eventually managed to form a truce with Margaret. Unfortunately, life threw another curveball when Allison’s son, Cameron, introduced them to his fiancée, Zelda. Wasn’t it too soon for her baby to commit to such a serious relationship? What if, like his previous girlfriend, Zelda also broke his heart? Can Allison make everyone see sense and protect Cameron? Will Margaret become her ally in this project? Find out in And Now There’s Zelda, a hilarious piece of contemporary fiction penned by Carolyn Clarke.
Although this book is a sequel to Carolyn Clarke’s novel, And Then There’s Margaret, it can also serve as a stand-alone. Clarke incorporated just enough details from the previous book to shed light on the chemistry between the characters. She did an excellent job of portraying Allison’s fears and insecurities. Despite the irrational thoughts and biased judgments, we can empathize with her fiercely protective nature. I loved how Clarke drew a parallel between Margaret and Allison, showing how becoming a prospective mother-in-law might change one’s perceptions. It was admirable how each character evolved in their own way, modulating and mending their bonds with others. There were plenty of heart-warming scenes that made this a feel-good read. The bizarre crises Allison faced created a humorous backdrop. Through this comedy, Clarke conveys a profound message that one must be accepting and open-minded to nurture meaningful relationships. I recommend And Now There’s Zelda to anyone looking for a light-hearted yet thought-provoking family saga.
Recommend this book:
The Funny Moon
Chris Lincoln
2024 Bronze Medal
240 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Claire and Wally have been married for twenty-five years and have two grown-up sons. It's time for them to retire, at least for Claire, a skilled massage therapist who gets tired after the sessions with her clients. Also, Claire is an energy healer and can connect with spirits and animals. Wally is a talented but unsuccessful writer stuck in a job he doesn't like. He finds an escape in golf and wants to write a great novel. But Claire thinks that enough is enough, and they fight. The next day, Wally leaves Claire and finds refuge at his childhood friend's house. Claire tries to multitask between her business and her volunteer job at a local dog shelter, whereas her pushy friend, Roz, has her own ideas on how to improve Claire's life. Wally finds an unexpected muse to overcome his writer's block. The Funny Moon by Chris Lincoln is for mature fans of humor, family drama, and inspirational fiction.
In Chris Lincoln's entertaining The Funny Moon, both spouses see themselves as victims of the circumstances that made their marriage unsatisfying. The author studies their development, which gets bumpy at times. The twists in the plot are humorous and bring the main characters closer to us. Claire gets into multiple awkward situations with her new admirer, Max, and Wally tries the tricky business of collecting bills. Claire's late grandmother, Mama Betty, or her spirit, is an intriguing secondary character who adds zest to the narrative. Chris shows us that life can be bright and promising in our fifties and that we should always pursue personal growth. The narrative is quick-paced and very engaging. Chris keeps us in suspense regarding the outcome until the last chapter. I highly recommend this compelling and motivational story to those standing at a crossroads.
Claire and Wally have been married for twenty-five years and have two grown-up sons. It's time for them to retire, at least for Claire, a skilled massage therapist who gets tired after the sessions with her clients. Also, Claire is an energy healer and can connect with spirits and animals. Wally is a talented but unsuccessful writer stuck in a job he doesn't like. He finds an escape in golf and wants to write a great novel. But Claire thinks that enough is enough, and they fight. The next day, Wally leaves Claire and finds refuge at his childhood friend's house. Claire tries to multitask between her business and her volunteer job at a local dog shelter, whereas her pushy friend, Roz, has her own ideas on how to improve Claire's life. Wally finds an unexpected muse to overcome his writer's block. The Funny Moon by Chris Lincoln is for mature fans of humor, family drama, and inspirational fiction.
In Chris Lincoln's entertaining The Funny Moon, both spouses see themselves as victims of the circumstances that made their marriage unsatisfying. The author studies their development, which gets bumpy at times. The twists in the plot are humorous and bring the main characters closer to us. Claire gets into multiple awkward situations with her new admirer, Max, and Wally tries the tricky business of collecting bills. Claire's late grandmother, Mama Betty, or her spirit, is an intriguing secondary character who adds zest to the narrative. Chris shows us that life can be bright and promising in our fifties and that we should always pursue personal growth. The narrative is quick-paced and very engaging. Chris keeps us in suspense regarding the outcome until the last chapter. I highly recommend this compelling and motivational story to those standing at a crossroads.
Recommend this book:
The Gullwing Colony
Book Two of the Gullwing Odyssey Series
Antonio Simon, Jr.
2024 Silver Medal
277 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite
Hilarious conversations and action scenes are foremost in The Gullwing Colony by Antonio Simon, Jr. Marco's job as a messenger is not easy for many reasons. Still, the main reasons are that he is one of four humans on a dragon island and that the dragons hate humans. He misses his land fondly and wishes to return; however, the only person who can pay for his way back is the one person who wishes to spend her entire life with him - Princess Dria. Although he has strong feelings for the princess, he doesn't think it's enough to hold him to Itudaeia, the Dragon Island. On one of his messenger routes, when he discovers a group of human colonists, his loyalty to the princess and Itudaeia forces him to prioritize helping the dragons first. This task becomes all the more difficult since humans have the backup of advanced firearms while the dragons must rely on their tactics and strategy.
Since The Gullwing Colony is book 2 in the Gullwing Odyssey series, a few basic questions are bound to occur to a reader; nevertheless, these do not take away from the overall pleasure of reading this story. Hysterical conversations stemming from a play on words or nonsensical battle rules ensured the humor quotient remained constant throughout the read. Antonio Simon, Jr. has weaved meaningful subjects, such as progress, equality, and love, into the plot without making the story political or serious. As a reader who was looking to read a combination of humor and fantasy, I am highly impressed. I recommend The Gullwing Colony by Antonio Simon, Jr. to action, humor, and fantasy lovers.
Hilarious conversations and action scenes are foremost in The Gullwing Colony by Antonio Simon, Jr. Marco's job as a messenger is not easy for many reasons. Still, the main reasons are that he is one of four humans on a dragon island and that the dragons hate humans. He misses his land fondly and wishes to return; however, the only person who can pay for his way back is the one person who wishes to spend her entire life with him - Princess Dria. Although he has strong feelings for the princess, he doesn't think it's enough to hold him to Itudaeia, the Dragon Island. On one of his messenger routes, when he discovers a group of human colonists, his loyalty to the princess and Itudaeia forces him to prioritize helping the dragons first. This task becomes all the more difficult since humans have the backup of advanced firearms while the dragons must rely on their tactics and strategy.
Since The Gullwing Colony is book 2 in the Gullwing Odyssey series, a few basic questions are bound to occur to a reader; nevertheless, these do not take away from the overall pleasure of reading this story. Hysterical conversations stemming from a play on words or nonsensical battle rules ensured the humor quotient remained constant throughout the read. Antonio Simon, Jr. has weaved meaningful subjects, such as progress, equality, and love, into the plot without making the story political or serious. As a reader who was looking to read a combination of humor and fantasy, I am highly impressed. I recommend The Gullwing Colony by Antonio Simon, Jr. to action, humor, and fantasy lovers.
Recommend this book:
License to Die
A James Flynn Escapade Book 4
Haris Orkin
2024 Gold Medal
377 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
License to Die is the fourth book in the James Flynn Escapade series by Haris Orkin. James Flynn was transferred to the Hornitos State Hospital, a place where the most dangerous serial killers, murderers, and such were housed for being criminally insane. While Mendoza wanted James out of the way, he had no idea that James would meet Caitlyn, a woman who believed she used to be a secret CIA agent. Caitlyn claimed she was being followed by a shady group that wanted to bring the world to an end by starting a war fueled by religion. With Sancho by his side, James decided to protect Caitlyn and stop the war before it began. But how much of it was true? Was it all Caitlyn’s imagination? Or was she telling the truth? Was James the best person to handle such a sensitive issue?
A modern-day James Bond story with twists, turns, and humor to keep you entertained for hours, License to Die was very entertaining. Filled with action, adventure, hilarity, and drama, License to Die was everything I desired. James was a hoot, and even though he wasn’t mentally sound, he was perfect. He wasn’t a secret agent or professionally trained, but he had courage. Caitlyn proved to be the right catalyst for James to find a new life purpose. I loved the scenes where these two would just banter and share information. Sancho was exasperated most of the time, but he liked James too much to let him die. The story was intense and more complex than I anticipated. The action scenes were fantastic, the plot was great, and the overall story was fantastic. The descriptions were incredible (the ending was so good), and at some point, my heart was racing fast. I loved the humor, the incredible characters, and the larger-than-life story! I would highly recommend this novel and the whole series because author Haris Orkin is that good!
License to Die is the fourth book in the James Flynn Escapade series by Haris Orkin. James Flynn was transferred to the Hornitos State Hospital, a place where the most dangerous serial killers, murderers, and such were housed for being criminally insane. While Mendoza wanted James out of the way, he had no idea that James would meet Caitlyn, a woman who believed she used to be a secret CIA agent. Caitlyn claimed she was being followed by a shady group that wanted to bring the world to an end by starting a war fueled by religion. With Sancho by his side, James decided to protect Caitlyn and stop the war before it began. But how much of it was true? Was it all Caitlyn’s imagination? Or was she telling the truth? Was James the best person to handle such a sensitive issue?
A modern-day James Bond story with twists, turns, and humor to keep you entertained for hours, License to Die was very entertaining. Filled with action, adventure, hilarity, and drama, License to Die was everything I desired. James was a hoot, and even though he wasn’t mentally sound, he was perfect. He wasn’t a secret agent or professionally trained, but he had courage. Caitlyn proved to be the right catalyst for James to find a new life purpose. I loved the scenes where these two would just banter and share information. Sancho was exasperated most of the time, but he liked James too much to let him die. The story was intense and more complex than I anticipated. The action scenes were fantastic, the plot was great, and the overall story was fantastic. The descriptions were incredible (the ending was so good), and at some point, my heart was racing fast. I loved the humor, the incredible characters, and the larger-than-life story! I would highly recommend this novel and the whole series because author Haris Orkin is that good!
Recommend this book:
Community Klepto
A Novel
Kelly I. Hitchcock
2023 Finalist
240 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
If you're in the mood for laughs, grab a copy of Community Klepto, a dark comedy novel by Kelly I. Hitchcock. Twenty-five-year-old Ann Josephson hates having to do anything involving people. A compulsive kleptomaniac, she often visits the local community center to work out and manage her social anxiety by stealing other people's stuff she doesn't necessarily need. However, she inevitably crosses the line by stealing one item too many, leading the center to hire a new security guard. Additionally, a guy called Joe asks her out, and soon, Ann finds herself joining a dodgeball team, a yoga class, and a kickboxing class in rapid succession. But it is when Ann finds out that Joe is a police officer that her world begins to crumble beneath her feet. What if Joe figures out her secret hoarding lair?
Community Klepto is a story about a young woman's attempts to navigate her sociopathic ways by acquiring material possessions that don't belong to her. Kelly I. Hitchcock tells a hilarious tale of a kleptomaniac who digs herself into a deeper hole by refusing to adhere to social norms despite getting chance after chance to redeem herself. Ann is a riveting character. I found some of her inner monologues incredibly funny, as they give you a glimpse into her dysfunctional mind and how she processes her surroundings and sees others. I also liked her dynamic with Joe and felt the two played off each other brilliantly. Anyone who loves dark comedy stories with flawed antagonists will enjoy this one.
If you're in the mood for laughs, grab a copy of Community Klepto, a dark comedy novel by Kelly I. Hitchcock. Twenty-five-year-old Ann Josephson hates having to do anything involving people. A compulsive kleptomaniac, she often visits the local community center to work out and manage her social anxiety by stealing other people's stuff she doesn't necessarily need. However, she inevitably crosses the line by stealing one item too many, leading the center to hire a new security guard. Additionally, a guy called Joe asks her out, and soon, Ann finds herself joining a dodgeball team, a yoga class, and a kickboxing class in rapid succession. But it is when Ann finds out that Joe is a police officer that her world begins to crumble beneath her feet. What if Joe figures out her secret hoarding lair?
Community Klepto is a story about a young woman's attempts to navigate her sociopathic ways by acquiring material possessions that don't belong to her. Kelly I. Hitchcock tells a hilarious tale of a kleptomaniac who digs herself into a deeper hole by refusing to adhere to social norms despite getting chance after chance to redeem herself. Ann is a riveting character. I found some of her inner monologues incredibly funny, as they give you a glimpse into her dysfunctional mind and how she processes her surroundings and sees others. I also liked her dynamic with Joe and felt the two played off each other brilliantly. Anyone who loves dark comedy stories with flawed antagonists will enjoy this one.
Recommend this book:
How I Saved a Planet!
Stephen Quatro
2023 Honorable Mention
243 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
How I Saved A Planet! is a work of fiction in the science fiction, adventure, and comedic sub-genres, and was penned by author Stephen Quatro. Taking a highly tongue in cheek approach to the genre, the work is best suited for adult reading audiences due to the presence of nudity and sexual references, as well as explicit language and allusion to the use of alcohol and narcotics. In a simplistic tale delivered with comedic narrative charm, we go along for a wild ride as our young college-going protagonist encounters a new alien friend who demands that he help him save his planet from two dastardly great leaders. What results is a truly fun romp through space, sarcasm, and surrealism.
Author Stephen Quatro has crafted a smashing light read that will be sure to entertain the college-going reading age, as well as those who wish to remain young and goofy at heart. The narrative style gives off a lot of charm and humor, putting us right into the protagonist’s head and letting us see the bizarre hijinks with a fresh and somewhat naïve perspective. This is a recipe for delightful trouble, and it leads to playful nods to international relations in real life, and common college issues of making friends and facing responsibilities head-on. All in all, this makes for a fast-paced page-turner which is told as though a friend is recounting the tale for you. I’d recommend How I Saved A Planet! to mature teen readers and upwards for some light-hearted spacey fun.
How I Saved A Planet! is a work of fiction in the science fiction, adventure, and comedic sub-genres, and was penned by author Stephen Quatro. Taking a highly tongue in cheek approach to the genre, the work is best suited for adult reading audiences due to the presence of nudity and sexual references, as well as explicit language and allusion to the use of alcohol and narcotics. In a simplistic tale delivered with comedic narrative charm, we go along for a wild ride as our young college-going protagonist encounters a new alien friend who demands that he help him save his planet from two dastardly great leaders. What results is a truly fun romp through space, sarcasm, and surrealism.
Author Stephen Quatro has crafted a smashing light read that will be sure to entertain the college-going reading age, as well as those who wish to remain young and goofy at heart. The narrative style gives off a lot of charm and humor, putting us right into the protagonist’s head and letting us see the bizarre hijinks with a fresh and somewhat naïve perspective. This is a recipe for delightful trouble, and it leads to playful nods to international relations in real life, and common college issues of making friends and facing responsibilities head-on. All in all, this makes for a fast-paced page-turner which is told as though a friend is recounting the tale for you. I’d recommend How I Saved A Planet! to mature teen readers and upwards for some light-hearted spacey fun.
Recommend this book:
Doctor Refurb
Marty Essen
2023 Honorable Mention
244 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite
In Doctor Refurb by Marty Essen, after going through a divorce and finally learning how to get on with his life, Dr. Stefan Westin begins dating Tara, the woman who walked his dog. After a long day working at the hospital, Dr. Westin hears a voice in his head that belongs to an alien named Rodney. Rodney offers Stefan and Tara the chance to rid the world of the worst human beings. Anyone the couple chooses is removed from Earth and taken to a planetary depository. Selecting people comes at a painful price for Stefan and Tara. Rodney offers suggestions of people to remove, then decides that focusing on the United States and traveling through time would be a better idea. Are Stefan and Tara doing something good or are they only making matters worse? Is this venture of removing people for the greater good really worth their pain or is it all for the amusement of an alien from some distant planet?
This comical story takes an entertaining and twisted approach to some of the most prominent social issues concerning the sustainability of our planet. The unique personalities of the doctor, his girlfriend, and Rodney the alien, and their fun-filled interactions take the concept of refurbishing to a whole new level of hilarious. I love how the characters in this story base their choices on what will benefit the world in the long run in an effort to keep the aliens from recycling Earth now. I recommend this story to adults who have a sense of humor and enjoy looking at the world’s history from a new perspective. I hope that Marty Essen has more stories like Doctor Refurb that are as fun and entertaining.
In Doctor Refurb by Marty Essen, after going through a divorce and finally learning how to get on with his life, Dr. Stefan Westin begins dating Tara, the woman who walked his dog. After a long day working at the hospital, Dr. Westin hears a voice in his head that belongs to an alien named Rodney. Rodney offers Stefan and Tara the chance to rid the world of the worst human beings. Anyone the couple chooses is removed from Earth and taken to a planetary depository. Selecting people comes at a painful price for Stefan and Tara. Rodney offers suggestions of people to remove, then decides that focusing on the United States and traveling through time would be a better idea. Are Stefan and Tara doing something good or are they only making matters worse? Is this venture of removing people for the greater good really worth their pain or is it all for the amusement of an alien from some distant planet?
This comical story takes an entertaining and twisted approach to some of the most prominent social issues concerning the sustainability of our planet. The unique personalities of the doctor, his girlfriend, and Rodney the alien, and their fun-filled interactions take the concept of refurbishing to a whole new level of hilarious. I love how the characters in this story base their choices on what will benefit the world in the long run in an effort to keep the aliens from recycling Earth now. I recommend this story to adults who have a sense of humor and enjoy looking at the world’s history from a new perspective. I hope that Marty Essen has more stories like Doctor Refurb that are as fun and entertaining.
Recommend this book:
The Chancer
Fiona Graham
2023 Bronze Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
The Chancer is a comedy by Fiona Graham. Donnie, who was raised on a farm near a tiny Irish village, had dreamed of becoming a Hollywood star. Donnie’s younger sister was the only member of the family who thought that he could succeed as an actor. When Donnie’s uncle died, he inherited a sum of money, and he flew to LA to make his dream come true. Donnie fell in love with LA and the people and dived headfirst into any auditions that he could find. Donnie was determined to make it and become a famous actor. Donnie met Abe Nelson, a movie star, and Donnie’s spontaneity gradually won him over. Donnie and Abe seem to complement each other as they strive to become better versions of themselves.
The Chancer by Fiona Graham is an exciting read full of Irish expressions and idioms. The plot was intriguing, and I was hooked from the start. Family relationships, friendships, dreams, and loyalty were woven into the story, which alternated between Hollywood and a small Irish village. The chapters flowed into each other and were easy to read. The characters were well-developed and authentic. My favorite character is Donnie. He loved his family and had a big heart. He felt terrible about lying to them. Donnie believed in himself and was brave enough to follow his heart. The story is excellently written and is both funny and touching. The message is about the importance of pursuing your dream and this is a must-read for anyone looking for an amusing tale.
The Chancer is a comedy by Fiona Graham. Donnie, who was raised on a farm near a tiny Irish village, had dreamed of becoming a Hollywood star. Donnie’s younger sister was the only member of the family who thought that he could succeed as an actor. When Donnie’s uncle died, he inherited a sum of money, and he flew to LA to make his dream come true. Donnie fell in love with LA and the people and dived headfirst into any auditions that he could find. Donnie was determined to make it and become a famous actor. Donnie met Abe Nelson, a movie star, and Donnie’s spontaneity gradually won him over. Donnie and Abe seem to complement each other as they strive to become better versions of themselves.
The Chancer by Fiona Graham is an exciting read full of Irish expressions and idioms. The plot was intriguing, and I was hooked from the start. Family relationships, friendships, dreams, and loyalty were woven into the story, which alternated between Hollywood and a small Irish village. The chapters flowed into each other and were easy to read. The characters were well-developed and authentic. My favorite character is Donnie. He loved his family and had a big heart. He felt terrible about lying to them. Donnie believed in himself and was brave enough to follow his heart. The story is excellently written and is both funny and touching. The message is about the importance of pursuing your dream and this is a must-read for anyone looking for an amusing tale.
Recommend this book:
Funeral Daze
Dorian Box
2023 Silver Medal
364 Pages
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Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Funeral Daze is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, suspense, satire, and adventure subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience for its occasional use of explicit language and theming around death and dying. Penned by author Dorian Box as the sequel to the hilarious and darkly dramatic Psycho-Tropics, we find ourselves back with protagonist Danny Teakwell five years after the events of the previous novel. But when the now-twelve-year-old Jessica Jewel turns up homeless and missing her parents, the reluctant and grief-stricken Danny feels compelled to help her. So begins an investigation and an adventure that might just bring Danny back to life as a result.
Author Dorian Box has crafted a uniquely entertaining novel that gives a fresh coat of paint to the 'unlikely duo' trope as Danny and Jessica set off to solve their mystery together. I always enjoy tales with precocious children in them, and Box’s knack for dialogue really sparks with Jessica, offering real laugh-out-loud moments despite the dark and deadly lacing of mortuary humor that runs throughout the novel as a whole. Danny’s emotional journey is also a great triumph in terms of its pacing and intimate portrayal, as we see him handle real, powerful, and palpable grief in one moment, which is then juxtaposed against some really amusing absurdist plot interjections. This clash works beautifully to showcase all the weird and wonderful facets of life and provide color and life to smash through Danny’s gloomy outlook. Overall, Funeral Daze is a novel that takes both light and dark elements to present a fantastically engaging, emotionally resonant story in a deeply humorous and satirical fashion. Unmissable reading.
Funeral Daze is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, suspense, satire, and adventure subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience for its occasional use of explicit language and theming around death and dying. Penned by author Dorian Box as the sequel to the hilarious and darkly dramatic Psycho-Tropics, we find ourselves back with protagonist Danny Teakwell five years after the events of the previous novel. But when the now-twelve-year-old Jessica Jewel turns up homeless and missing her parents, the reluctant and grief-stricken Danny feels compelled to help her. So begins an investigation and an adventure that might just bring Danny back to life as a result.
Author Dorian Box has crafted a uniquely entertaining novel that gives a fresh coat of paint to the 'unlikely duo' trope as Danny and Jessica set off to solve their mystery together. I always enjoy tales with precocious children in them, and Box’s knack for dialogue really sparks with Jessica, offering real laugh-out-loud moments despite the dark and deadly lacing of mortuary humor that runs throughout the novel as a whole. Danny’s emotional journey is also a great triumph in terms of its pacing and intimate portrayal, as we see him handle real, powerful, and palpable grief in one moment, which is then juxtaposed against some really amusing absurdist plot interjections. This clash works beautifully to showcase all the weird and wonderful facets of life and provide color and life to smash through Danny’s gloomy outlook. Overall, Funeral Daze is a novel that takes both light and dark elements to present a fantastically engaging, emotionally resonant story in a deeply humorous and satirical fashion. Unmissable reading.
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