Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

In J.T. Moy’s Scion of Lightning, Jaks was a failure. With his conscription coming to an end, he hoped to follow in his big sister’s footsteps, to be something, be someone. But he was useless, detested, worthless. Even his own father had disowned him, although perhaps that had more to do with the fact the man was a monster more than Jaks’ failings. When a comet fell from the sky and he stood watch over a young woman, he thought he'd finally do something worthwhile, only they were more interested in labeling her a spy than the truth and leaving him to failure and embarrassment. He vows to find her, but first, he needs to get his own affairs in order. He had all but failed his conscription and not a person wants him. A penniless beggar seems to be the fate awaiting him until Fate deals him a surprising hand. Yet little does he know Fate is also pulling him toward something else, something that affects the fate of all.

The world-building in J.T. Moy’s Scion of Lightning is rich and vibrant, and as a reader, you are pulled into a world of strife and magic. Lands are at odds with each other, unaware of the threats that encroach from places they least expect, and unaware of the true nature of those once seen as heroes. I enjoyed the fullness of the world, from the descriptions of places that made me feel I was there, beside the characters, to the small touches that give insight into the justice system, views, and lifestyle of those in this land. The characters are unique. I loved how Jaks is flawed; not the archetypal cookie-cutter character, but a fearful boy with a troubled past working hard against adversity, bullying, and his own mental blocks. A gripping and involved read, with a real sense of dread and looming danger, that you won’t want to put down. It will leave you wanting the next book. Action, danger, relationships, and mystery, this book has it all wrapped in the perfect fantasy package. On a side note, I have to confess I really loved the old-school book cover. It really adds to the charm of a perfectly presented fantasy.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Blood of the Lion by C. D. McKenna is an epic fantasy and the first book in The Vorelian Saga. McKenna gives us three distinct point of view characters all in different stages of a journey that we will likely see converge at some point in future books. The introductions are made in the same way the novel is written, solidly interspersed with enough information to craft a good scene but not so much that we lose sight of the other two characters. The first is a king named Morei or, as bad luck would have it, the “Demon King”. He is desperate to do right by his people, and has the fantastical power of moving energy, but is lonely and hamstrung by what he is and is not able to do. Dragon riders have been non-existent for centuries until Cyrus and his dragon Sozar burst onto the scene, with mixed but mostly hostile reactions, so they stay in the mountains. Not the mountain range with a history I might choose but, I don't ride dragons. There they remain until Cyrus is ready and better equipped to understand why he's the only dragon rider. Between these two males is Syra, who is in possession of a blade called the Demon Killer and has a price on her head. She's never more than a heartbeat away from peril but is in the company of two guardians bound to her security.

The Blood of the Lion is an extremely involved read that requires more than the usual commitment that a fantasy novel might, given the promise of a protracted series. C.D. McKenna didn't call it a saga for kicks, I'll tell you that. The character I thought I would like the least is the one I liked the most. Poor Morei might be one of the most misunderstood kings I've come across in recent fantasy. He's got some stability issues but not in the “off-with-their-head” sense, and he is, fundamentally, a good king with great potential but a crappy hand was dealt to him, and other players are definitely cheating. Syra is awesome and as a girl-dad reader, a firebrand of a female protagonist is non-negotiable to me. She's strong and valiant and flawed and brave and all-round awesome in the handling of the Demon Killer she has guardianship over, for better or worse [or way worse]. The bond between Cyrus and Sozar transcends lovey-devoted-pet territory and is a hybrid empathic-telepathic mix. It will take readers more than a few minutes to find themselves engrossed in the novel because the start is what can be best described as a long beginning. World-building is tricky and complex and authors need to be given the time to lay the foundation for us. McKenna executes this well and once a reader is in, they are in. Overall, this is a fantastic entry into a fantasy series that will undoubtedly garner legions of fans. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

City of Storms is a work of fiction in the fantasy adventure subgenre and was penned by author Kat Ross. As the opening novel to the Nightmarked series, the work is suitable for the mature reading audience due to mild sexual scenes and some explicit language. In this fascinating high-concept fantasy dystopian drama, we find ourselves under the rule of the Via Sancta, who have found a way to suppress the darkest urges of mankind by making Marks on people’s skin. But some of those Marks are inverting, turning their owners mad with rage, greed, and hate, and it’s up to protagonist and priest Alexei Bryce to hunt them down.

There was so much story to devour in City of Storms, and I loved every second of author Kat Ross’s intense worldbuilding. Ross has crafted a masterpiece of magical fantasy which mixes its unique concepts into the darkest psychology of the human mind and its most base physical desires and emotions. Alexei and Kasia make for an exciting duo at the center of the plot, with sharp dialogue and interesting backstories that give them layers of light and shade. For me, Malach and his enormous corruptive influence was a stellar piece of creativity, one which cast a long shadow of despair, desire, damnation, and danger over the novel and kept the suspense amped up throughout. Combine this with the ambiance and atmosphere of the language used to bring each scene and character to life, and what you get is a perfectly formed fantasy adventure with action, excitement, and darkness in all the right places. Overall, I would highly recommend City of Storms to fantasy fans everywhere as an unmissable and original read.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Overworld is the first novel in the Dragon Mage Saga by Rohan M. Vider. Earth is invaded, and life as we know it is about to be destroyed. When the aliens invade Earth, Jamie thinks the end is near. They open portals to the Overworld where gifted people like Jamie are taken, but not before Jamie is tested through challenging trials. While survival is on the top of his list, his main focus is on ensuring that his loved ones survive this invasion and safely reach the Overworld. However, the trials are complex, and the Overworld is brutal. Jamie will have to make sacrifices that he may not be willing to make. Will he succeed? Or will he lose it all?

Magical realism is intense in this story, and perhaps Rohan M. Vider is the first contemporary author to nail it, in my opinion. I am amazed by how detailed and realistic the story is. The world-building is strong, and so is the background building. Jamie is a strong protagonist who has the will and the drive to only look at the future. He keeps the past in his heart, and he does whatever it takes to reach his goals. Honestly, this novel was so much better than any other “end of the world” or “alien invasion” stories. The pace is perfect, the characters are interesting, and the story is beautifully crafted. There are no loopholes in the plot. Jamie is a real character with real emotions and flaws, and I honestly got an adrenaline rush while reading the fast-paced action. It is beyond entertaining. I felt like I was part of the story.

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

Endangered Spells by S.R. Mallery is a well-written story that begins with Gillian Goode driving in her car, thinking about the argument with her sister Carly the night before. Her car is nearly run off the road by a familiar-looking car. She recognizes who owns the vehicle and realizes that it is her old friend Rebecca Newel from high school. After a brief search for where the car went, she drove to the police station to report it. Two detectives take the case. Gillian returns to her home in Connecticut where her family of witches migrated after leaving their coven in New Orleans behind. Even though Gillian is a witch, she does not actively practice her spells as much as her sister and mother. Once the investigation gets underway, a date with the handsome detective Nate Meeks materializes.

S.R. Mallery does an excellent job in paying attention to the details of the spell casting as well as her sister's snide remarks regarding Gillian's talking pet cockatoo, Joselyn. There is rivalry within their coven, and Gillian seems to lack any real dedication to her gifts. The author's writing style is impeccable, and I got a big kick out of her numbered notations with the definitions of words and phrases, just in case readers' vocabulary might not include them. I was tickled by the definitions and explanations. All in all, I found Endangered Spells a well-crafted, tastefully written story with a surprise ending that left me wanting more. S.R. Mallery gave it the wow factor. Encore!

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Magic Unfurled by M.L. Ryan is a fascinating and entertaining urban fantasy novel. This is a world of the Haves and the Have Nots--those with magic powers who rule with an iron fist, and those with very few magic powers that are ruled by those warlords. This story centers around one of the Have Nots, named Kya, but that isn't the only disadvantage. The other is, she's a woman, but this is where the story gets even more interesting. From the time she was eleven years old, she's had to fend for herself, stealing food just to survive. Since women are on the lowest rung of the ladder in the land, she passes as a boy, and it works for her. When Kya is taken by a gang of warlords to their camp, she discovers that she has magic powers she didn't realize she had. And in this world, magic is power.

This book is full of drama, clever humor, and interesting characters, especially Kya. The award-winning M.L. Ryan has crafted a world and a plot that you'll love to lose yourself in, with charismatic Kya leading the way. The character of Kya is strong enough to lead you through chapters and storylines that enchant and impress. There is a good balance of action, drama, and humor, and the first-person POV makes the reader's relationship with Kya even more personal. I like that the story gets into the meat of things on the first few pages, and before you know it, you're deep into the plot. The author's worldbuilding skills are amazing, and the attention to detail adds so much texture and volume. I appreciate that Ryan doesn't talk down to her readers, and has an inviting, earnest style. There are some sex scenes that add energy to the story as well. By all means, grab Magic Unfurled by M.L. Ryan the first chance you get.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

A Song of Hope by Sophia Davidson is the first book in the Search for the King’s Staff series. As a child, Cierra was gifted with a key and the knowledge that she has been chosen as the Keeper of the Key, which means one day it will be up to her to search for the King’s Staff. That day arrives just before her coming of age ceremony which finds her life veering in a new direction as she embarks on the path to discovering her destiny. As darkness seeps through the Spirit Realm and grows closer to claiming everything she knows, Cierra is the only one that can find the staff and destroy the darkness. With the help of her cousin James, her tutor Windsong, temperamental dragons, and a mysterious stranger, Cierra sets off through a dangerous wilderness and must discover the strength of her power if she’s to save them all.

Sophia Davidson weaves serious themes throughout though the tone remains light-hearted thanks to the genuine personality of Cierra and the way she sees the world. The writing is lovely with descriptions that paint vivid images, beautiful and action-filled, which transport you along with Cierra’s emotional journey. The beginning finds Cierra preparing for her coming-of-age ceremony, which is a lovely way of introducing her journey into self-discovery, the depth of her powers, and becoming a hero. The adventure is full of action-packed moments, bandits, dragons, dangerous assassins, and unexpected allies which make for an exciting read for all ages. The other characters in Cierra’s life play key roles in her journey with James and Windsong as her two greatest influences and who aid her along the way. Windsong is her tutor and mentor, serving as a father figure to them and who keeps them in line while providing a source of wisdom and understanding. James is her cousin but acts like a brother to her, with bickering and fighting while also supporting and building each other up. James is a great source of camaraderie and family as he stands by her and helps throughout her journey every step of the way. Davidson knocks it out of the park with The Search for the King’s Staff which is a lovely debut about self-discovery, darkness, and finding the light.

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Eyes Last Seen Dying by Colin J. Adams is a book for anyone who enjoys action and clashes with swords and magic. The author creates beautiful, cinematic action in excellent prose and with unusual storytelling skills. The protagonist is Lena, a girl with spectacular skills with the sword, who is tricked by her own sensei into stealing one of the six stones holding back the dangerous Nithrain, a dark power capable of untold destruction. Now Lena is a hunted young woman and she must fight to stay alive and redeem herself. Surviving in Ithander is not easy, even for a woman with incredible skill with the sword. Follow this protagonist on a journey in a land where magic is commonplace and where legendary fighters abound. Can she protect herself and do the right thing before she is cut down?

Colin J. Adams’ Eyes Last Seen Dying just made him one of my favorite storytellers in the fantasy genre. He has crafted an extremely bewitching tale with fascinating characters and a setting filled with more than magic. This is one of those books that I read and felt like I just woke up from an enchanting dream. The action is aplenty; the characters well-developed, and the conflict built to move the story forward through every page. This book contains the complexity that anyone will adore in a plot; it is what fantasy is for — transporting the reader to a world that is strange yet exciting. The sweeping and picturesque imagery the author conjures left me fascinated, and there is a level of emotional and mythical sophistication within this epic fantasy that sets it apart. Eyes Last Seen Dying is just gorgeous and enjoyable.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Phoenix is a work of fiction in the science-fiction genre that is aimed at all ages of reader and was penned by author T. S. Alexander. The first book in the Queen’s Avatar series, this story marks the beginning of a saga of the interstellar conflict between humans and the alien civilizations which they stumble across whilst first exploring the stars. As the science that brought humanity into the cosmos comes into conflict with the magic-like abilities of the aliens, mankind is drawn into the midst of an ancient conflict with the exploration ship Endeavour struggling to survive in the middle. What results is a highly engaging tale with both technical and sensational merits.

It is rare to find works of science fiction that have enough of the hard-boiled sci-fi concepts to satisfy fans but also manage to hold up lots of cinematic moments and blockbuster tensions, and I feel that author T. S. Alexander strikes a great balance of the two here. Combining a close human story about learning to trust one another with an epic bigger-picture threat of interstellar battle, the narrative delivers much of its exposition through intelligent dialogue exchanges rather than dumping too much information on us from the start. This journey of discovery mirrors the experience of the Endeavour’s crew as they learn about Aldeea and its many dark and fascinating secrets, which are revealed well in the plot construction. Overall, I would definitely recommend Phoenix to both super keen and casual science fiction fans for its many layers of accomplished prose.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

While a young woman searches for the answer to her mother's disappearance, a sinister entity locked away for twenty years is released and is wreaking havoc in the supernatural novel, Plague of Witches by John Patrick Kennedy. On her twenty-first birthday, Kana discovers she is a witch and is offered admission to an exclusive university. One of the reasons she wishes to attend that particular college is to find out what happened to her mother, Akemi. Twenty years before, while working on a project at the school, Akemi vanished without a trace. Believing the answers to Akemi's disappearance rest in the experiments she was conducting, Kana studies her mother's notes and restarts the project. Meanwhile, something is on a grisly murdering spree, and the student witches at the university seem to be the main target. Has reopening the science lab awakened a dormant entity? Does this being have anything to do with Akemi's disappearance?

Plague of Witches by John Patrick Kennedy is the first book in an exciting new series about witches and their supernatural skills. If you are looking for something more than a cozy witch mystery, then you have found it! Filled with action, horror, and passion, this is an exhilarating book complete with evil villains, murder, and a macabre plot. It is a thrilling tale of deceit, betrayal, mystery, and murder. From beginning to end, it is non-stop excitement. Although it is an intense and exciting story, the conclusion is a little baffling. Stopping on a cliff-hanger, the ending is quite abrupt, making it necessary to read the sequel. Despite that, it is a riveting novel that will enthrall readers who enjoy a series brimming with suspense and action-packed supernatural mystery and mayhem. With explicit sex scenes, graphic violence, and foul language, it is more suitable for mature readers.