Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In Beyond the Curtain by Marie Lunga, Europe has been sealed for sixteen years behind a magical barrier, the Curtain, raised after a wizarding war ended with the execution of a rebel leader whose survival threatened the new regime. When two civilian men escape through the Curtain alive, Liam Smyth, now working for an international magical authority, is assigned to investigate how the border failed. Inside the sealed territory, Ølsa Nyrbo, a student trained for low-status magical labor, is abruptly conscripted into the army and then forced into flight after drawing official scrutiny. Beyond the Curtain, Halina runs illegal crossings that move people and information past surveillance. As escape, pursuit, and investigation accelerate, a decision buried at the war’s end begins to surface, tying all three to the barrier that still governs their lives.

Beyond the Curtain by Marie Lunga is an absolutely sweeping fantasy that offers alternating points of view, with some really excellent twists and a world that is easy to become immersed in. Lunga moves cleanly between Ølsa, Halina, and Liam, shifting from military compounds to border crossings and mountain shelters, and I never lost track of any of them while reading. Ølsa is my favorite character and the total wild card in the novel, although Halina, as another fierce female protagonist, is tough to place in second. When all the paths finally intersect, Lunga shows the incredible restraint of a talented writer by keeping everything grounded in fatigue, injury, and guarded speech. The landscapes are cinematic, particularly on the Triglav slopes, where the climb is written through maneuvering on a narrow path above an open drop, fixing the scene in the reader’s mind. Overall, this is an excellent novel with ample room to develop into a larger series, and whatever Lunga publishes next will be an automatic read for me.

Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite

Can a near tragedy eventually lead to love? In Two Hearts’ Ambush by Tamara Ferguson, Lara Loughlin, a rising rock star who performs under a stage name, has returned to her hometown of Crystal Rock for a break from her busy life. She’s hoping to enjoy some time with family and friends, but old memories and painful events from her past still linger. Then there’s Zachary Nash. He’s an Air Force Captain, wounded in the line of duty, trying to figure out what the future holds. When they spot each other across the runway, there's an instant attraction. Zach asks her out, and the more time they spend together, the stronger the pull becomes. Then a string of unsettling incidents puts the whole community on edge. Soon, clues begin to suggest that Lara may be closer to the threat than anyone first realized. Now she and Zach must deal with challenges from the past just as they begin planning a future together. Can they find lasting happiness together—or will danger get in the way?

I thoroughly enjoyed Two Hearts’ Ambush by Tamara Ferguson. As I was reading, one word kept coming to mind: sparks. And it was those sparks that kept me turning the pages. This story blends romance, suspense, and personal healing. I liked the writing style, and the steady pace worked well. I also appreciated how the mystery added tension without taking away from the relationship at the heart of the story. My favorite part was definitely the chemistry between Lara and Zach. He also stood out because he doesn’t let the life-changing injuries define him. I thought it was wonderful how Lara and Zach accepted each other for who they were without question. There were plenty of reasons why their differences and personal struggles could have created distance between them, but instead those struggles helped strengthen their bond. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense, wounded warrior romances, strong emotional connections, and protective heroes will find a lot to like here. Two Hearts’ Ambush is a complex but enjoyable story filled with heart, danger, and hope, and I'm glad I read it.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

With her infant son and lord husband both dead, Empress Anastasia becomes regent of the Rasnaian Imperium, and begins an inquiry into the forces responsible in Michael C. Reid's A Nest of All Kinds. She governs the empire while caring for her late husband’s twin heirs, whose loyalty is contested by rival courtiers seeking influence over the succession. An earlier forbidden relationship returns and further complicates the questions of authority and lineage. Treating every member of the regency council as a possible adversary, Anastasia forms alliances outside formal power and works with one of her imperial stepsons, over whom she is regent. Each discovery exposes older structures beneath the state and reveals a concealed origin story tied to rule. As opposition appears from the court and household, Anastasia pursues accountability.

In A Nest of All Kinds: Jewels of the House Divine by Michael C. Reid, readers are immediately introduced to Anastasia's anguish, and as a reader who is also a mother, I felt this intensely. Her investigations and desperate need for answers are incredibly relatable, with a bittersweet relief when the truth is revealed. Reid is a bona fide craftsman, playing the long game with the restraint of a seasoned writer. Anastasia is not the only woman with a full, thinking presence who negotiates power. The Empress-Grandmother, Velthuria, is also a person of influence, with a touch of the Machiavellian. There's no denying that Reid has the writing chops and imagination to move forward into a series of massive scale. With an ending that satisfies and a hint of more, I'll be first in line to see what comes next.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray, two small-timers in the Cimmerian Order, a crime network in the city of Aspazia, are haunted by the demise of their friend Milo. Deployed on a mission to spy on Seraphina Bellanti, the Grandmaster of the Vesper Syndicate, a rival outfit, they stumble upon something big. The Grandmaster possesses a ring with clues to Mago, an ancient force that can alter the flow of time. Anyone who lays their hands on Mago will wield immense power. To the duo, it means they could bring back their friend and perhaps achieve some of their dreams. Hellbent on obtaining Mago, the duo orchestrates a heist at La Giostra dei Ladri, The Thieves’ Carousel, targeting the Grandmaster, who will grace the event with the ring. However, as alliances shift and their lives hang in the balance, will they survive the slippery path they’re about to be thrust upon? Find out in Briana Chen’s The Thieves’ Carousel.

If you’re looking for a dark fantasy flavored with crime, action, thrills, and more, Briana Chen’s The Thieves’ Carousel is a perfect pick. Featuring an exciting, dynamic cast, Chen weaves an intriguing plot that draws its heartbeat from a gripping tale of betrayal, loyalty, survival, sacrifices, desire, espionage, murder, blood, secrets, deception, heists, vengeance, mythical power, high-stakes drama, and more. The edge-of-the-seat suspense and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me, leaving me flipping through page after page. The evocative, cinematic depictions brought the grim city of Aspazia to life on the pages. It felt like I was next to the cast in every scene, closely following as they danced with danger. The sharp and gritty conversations, which continuously shifted from upbeat to urgent and tense, gave depth to the cast’s conflicts, intricate emotions, and complex traits. This is an incredible debut in the Carousel Series. I loved it.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Leah Moyes’s Soul Thief is set in Thebes in 1184 BCE, where eighteen-year-old Akila Nady lives as the privileged daughter of Kheti Nady, a royal scribe serving Pharaoh Ramses III. Beneath that life, Akila assumes the name Akl, a disguised tomb thief who steals funerary treasures to finance relief for Set Ma’at, the workers’ village where hunger and a deadly illness have taken people she once loved. Her closest ally is Moises, a former Nubian soldier who serves as her protector and guards her secret. As Ramses vows to punish grave robbery across Egypt, Akila’s secret raids place her in increasing danger. Her father’s plans for her marriage to Sethos, a captain in Pharaoh’s chariotry, place her future beside a man whose allegiance belongs to the crown she is defying.

Leah Moyes’s Soul Thief has a wonderful sense of character. Akila is fascinating, with a stubborn confidence that makes her feel fully fleshed out, especially when her certainty runs headlong into feelings she has yet to understand. Moyes develops the romance with Sethos beautifully, letting guarded conversations gradually turn intimate, so their attachment feels completely natural. Moyes is also superb with ancient Egypt, giving the book a strong sense of period beyond its central mission. As Akila moves across Thebes, Moyes turns those settings into almost characters in their own right, from Karnak’s moonlit columns surrounding her meeting with Sethos to a Western Valley tomb where torchlight exposes a concealed latch behind a painted wall. Intelligently written, immersive, and with a heroine I thoroughly enjoyed, readers who love historical fiction will adore Soul Thief.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason plunges readers into the heart of a chilling mystery. Journalist Riley Phillips discovers a corpse on a canine training exercise, only for the body to vanish shortly after. Armed with her camera, her crime-scene instincts, and a tenacious cadaver dog named Milo, Riley finds herself entangled in a web of secrets that draw the attention of the elite FBI Tracker Unit. As Riley teams up with Tracker Cody Lightfoot, she’s pulled into a dangerous hunt to uncover the identity of the victim and the dark plot behind the murder. Dickason weaves a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller where journalism meets federal investigation, and where every photo might hold the key to the next twist. Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, The Iris Code keeps readers guessing to the very end.

Author Anita Dickason has a keen sense of timing crucial to the way this brilliant novel is structured, and that results in a pulse-pounding blend of investigative journalism and suspense that is a cut above most of the genre. The attention to detail is everything in laying out interesting clues and surprising conversations that always make sense in the end. Dickason delivers twist after twist with expert precision in a confident, strong narrative voice. For a thriller this complex, there’s never a moment when I had to double back or check anything because the right reminders are always in place. Riley’s dialogue and thought process make you feel like you’re solving the plot right on her shoulder. She’s also impressively brought to life as a tough, relatable heroine with brains and grit. Milo is a great dog, adding much-needed levity in a genuinely dark story. Overall, I’d certainly recommend The Iris Code to fans of crime thrillers. Readers will surely want more of Riley and the Tracker Unit, so I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Picospores by Ryan LeKodak, set in 2043, centers around an eclectic team led by Manar, with DJ, Ndidi, and others dealing with the resurgence of an advanced AI, Helene. The story follows Ndidi's investigation into her parents' deaths, suspicious of Helene's involvement. Another subplot involves Martin Bryan, a prosthetics researcher forced into developing bionic limbs while held captive. DJ, plagued by trivial assignments, begins to suspect a larger conspiracy at play. A significant development arises when Manar decides to merge his consciousness with another AI, Gaius, in a risky attempt to neutralize Helene. As the narrative progresses, the team faces a deluge of obstacles that range from AI drones to mysterious picospores. The team presses on to understand the complexity of the AI threat and devises strategies to thwart Helene's machinations, even as personal loyalties and sacrifices come into play.

In Picospores, the second book in the Paper War series by Ryan LeKodak, the fight from book one continues and it is an excellent continuation. The storyline is laden with LeKodak's ability to weave science into science fiction and use it to heighten the story beyond a simple AI uprising. The elements of manipulation raise the stakes in both the story and how a reader perceives them, like when Hermione realizes that Helene, who may have gained access to her father's research, could be using the picospores to control people like puppets. The tension extends to really well-done tech fight scenes and when an intense back-and-forth in José's relentless assault on the AI's defenses leads to the flickering of light on the Facility gate, I felt like I was there with them. Not everything goes to plan and the realistic facing of several failures leads to pivotal moments in the character arcs. When Chloe has a confrontation that, in no uncertain terms, expresses her anger and disappointment at the actions of others, the push for personal growth that comes only from stepping up in the face of danger adds a layer of fallibility and keeps the characters from being one dimensional. Once again, LeKodak delivers a multi-layered reading experience and with another cliffhanger ending, the hope that the next book comes out quickly is huge.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Warrior Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is a high-stakes mystery that takes readers on a thrilling ride through New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes. Ric Peters is torn between his dangerous career and his future with Elaina as he embarks on a trip that quickly spirals into chaos. A mysterious skull discovered near his family home, an old friend’s disappearance, and Ric’s entanglement in a murder accusation set the stage for a relentless investigation. As past and present collide, Ric must uncover long-buried family secrets while dodging hitmen, environmental scandals, and deadly betrayals. With Ric’s parents caught in the crossfire and Elaina targeted by unseen enemies, the danger becomes deeply personal. Fast-paced and full of unexpected twists, Warrior Pose is an exhilarating mystery that keeps readers on edge until the very last page.

Authors Susan Rogers and John Roosen have pooled their very best concoctions of mystery and tension together for another brilliant Yoga Mat mystery. This one is a gripping thriller packed with intrigue, action, and stunning settings, just as I’d hoped it would be. I loved the richness of the characters, both new and returning, and there was plenty of nail-biting suspense as we see Ric put under dramatic and emotional strain when his loved ones are compromised by the investigation. The story unfolds naturally through dialogue and the cinematically described action scenes, and this masterfully written mystery has plenty of heart-pounding twists that feel realistic, thanks to the meticulous detail of the setup. The New Zealand landscape comes to life to add character and flavor of its own, matching the tone of every moment, whether it’s a quiet, clue-laden discovery or a sudden burst of dangerous activity. Overall, Warrior Pose is a highly recommended read that’s perfect for fans of complex family secrets and high-stakes investigations.

Reviewed by Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite

Solitude by Alex Opanasiuk draws readers into the complicated lives of two sisters, Julia and Clarissa, as they navigate the challenges of mental illness, family loyalty, and personal healing. Most of the story unfolds inside their shared home, where Julia spends her days writing in her notebook, sometimes lost in deep thoughts, while Clarissa—her caregiver—struggles to help her cope. Their uneasy routine is shaken when Julia invites a troubled man named Stanley over for dinner, and Clarissa is forced to face her frustrations about being a caregiver. The story unfolds with conversations, uncomfortable silences, and glimpses into the characters’ pasts, revealing the ways each sister copes with pain and tries to move forward. Through moments of confrontation, reflection, and small gestures, the novel explores loneliness, family burdens, and the hope for connection.

Alex Opanasiuk's writing is thoughtful, detailed, and sometimes poetic, which gives a strong voice to each character’s feelings and struggles. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with the focus on quiet moments and emotional exchanges rather than big action scenes. I found the dialogue realistic and raw, especially during tense or tender moments between the sisters. Each character is unique and troubled, bringing their fears and longings to life on the page. The themes of healing, forgiveness, and solitude are woven together with care, creating a mood that stays with you after reading. I enjoyed how the writing captures the complexity of mental health and family, and it made me reflect on the small acts of love and patience that help us through hard times. For anyone who likes fiction that is honest and emotionally deep, Solitude offers a moving and memorable read.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

An Old Soul by M. Kevin Hayden is a gripping narrative centered around Isaac André, a young African American who feels lost in his life in 1996 Chicago. Working at a video rental store, Isaac struggles with feelings of displacement, family responsibilities, and the quest for love. When he meets Noa Gayle—a captivating Canadian zookeeper—through an online chat room, their connection blossoms quickly despite Isaac's internal struggles with self-worth and the chaos of his environment. As their romance unfolds, they encounter the challenges of their respective backgrounds, revealing layers of deep emotion, synchronicity, and personal growth. The novel explores themes of identity, the desire for belonging, and the profound impact of love.

M. Kevin Hayden expertly intertwines the threads of synchronicity—seen in the recurring elements of birds, music, and art—to mirror Isaac's journey. The contrast between his mundane life and the surreal moments shared with Noa offers a rich exploration of authenticity and self-discovery. Characterization is exceptionally done. Isaac is profoundly shaped by his upbringing, having lost his mother at a young age and being raised by his grandparents. His character oscillates between confidence and insecurity, vividly depicted by his work interactions and romantic pursuits. With its heat and urban grit, the setting of Chicago comes to life in this mesmerizing tale. Noa, a symbol of light and hope, not only fascinates Isaac with her beauty but also stirs within him a longing for connection and understanding. An Old Soul is emotionally rich and psychologically grounded. This novel is one of the best literary works I have read this year, infused with realism and featuring fully fleshed-out and unforgettable characters.