Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Amid the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, thousands of Ukrainian children were disappearing. Under command from their top brass, Russian troops were abducting the children into Russia. Among the many abductees are Sergiy and Gleb, the nephews of a Ukrainian Air Force Colonel, Hennadiy Kovalenko. When word reaches Kovalenko about his nephews’ whereabouts in Russia, courtesy of a recently resigned Russian army combat medic, Margarita Romanova, he moves swiftly to seek help from his allies and plan their rescue. Jake Fortina, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Special Forces officer, now a defense consultant in Italy, partners with his buddy Manny Alvarez, a combat veteran, and Marco Conti, an Italian businessman and Romanova’s lover, to extract the two kids from Konstantinovsk, Russia. Can they pull off this daunting mission? Will they make it out alive of Russia’s tightly surveilled, brutal landscape? Find out in Vital Mission by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke.

Lovers of military novels flavored with high-stakes action, thrill, suspense, and a romantic tale will find Vital Mission by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke an enthralling read. Anchoring the plot in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the brisk pace and shifting perspectives weave a compelling story that blurs the lines between fiction and realism. The prose feels visceral and is accompanied by an edge of tension, dread, and hopelessness. The cinematic depictions of the scenes bring the harsh realities of the war to life on the pages. I got a clear picture of Russia’s political terrain and military dynamics, and the horrifying circumstances the abducted Ukrainian kids are forced to deal with. The story explores themes of domestic violence, sexual and child abuse, cultural identity, love, betrayal, family, morality, international relations, and more.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In Brandon Fisichella’s The Corpse War of 1793, when the sergeant marches into the Norfolk town of Stowlham with a British regiment, expecting routine garrison duty during the Napoleonic era, he instead enters a town already collapsing beneath attacks carried out by the dead. Soldiers, including Captain Lawrence, Lieutenant Farwell, Corporal White, and a frightened private named John, become trapped inside streets where every corpse creates another attacker moments after death. After surviving the destruction of the town, the sergeant reaches British lines with firsthand knowledge, and General Hawkins and General Tomlinson redesign traditional warfare against an enemy impervious to traditional battlefield tactics. As the army constructs trenches, artillery positions, defensive barricades, and new infantry drills outside the burning ruins of Stowlham, the sergeant becomes part of the attempt to stop the outbreak before the dead spread beyond Norfolk and into the rest of the country.

Brandon Fisichella’s The Corpse War of 1793 transforms the wars against Revolutionary France into something supremely unique and thoroughly immersive. The author does an excellent job of keeping to authentic period details, and even in a first-person narrative, the language itself sounds true to the time. An interesting and stylistic choice is that the soldier is not named. He is brilliantly fleshed out, and his endurance is balanced by actual fear. I love John, whose own fear is palpable, and yet he still charges through corpses in a rescue attempt. The settings are visual, from Stowlham and its ash covering the churchyard stones beneath blackened skies, to a battlefield where distant bastions resemble burning volcanoes, while artillery flashes through smoke rolling across the farmland. Readers who enjoy historical horror and fans of military fiction and large-scale battlefield action will love this book. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Sean Spurlock's The Red Fields of France is a World War II novel that places readers at the center of the chaotic early days of the 1940 campaign in Western Europe. Set against the rapid German advance through France and Belgium, the novel follows British soldiers as they confront the uncertainty of retreat, duty, and survival. Through alternating perspectives, including those of frontline infantrymen and political leaders, the narrative captures the personal and strategic dimensions of a moment that reshaped the twentieth century. Spurlock’s prose emphasizes movement and momentum, mirroring the pace of events during the fall of France. Marches, conversations between brothers-in-arms, and moments of human connection punctuate the larger military picture. The characters are defined by their relationships to one another as much as by rank or uniform, particularly in the portrayal of brotherhood, loyalty, and quiet endurance.

Sean Spurlock’s inclusion of historical figures alongside fictional characters creates a narrative that bridges the gap between command decisions and their consequences on the ground. His attention to period detail, from military structure to civilian reactions, reinforces the reality of a turbulent time in history. The writing is engaging and goes beyond what many World War II novels cover. The Red Fields of France blends large-scale historical moments with character-driven storytelling. Readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on World War II will find much to appreciate, especially those drawn to stories that balance battlefield action with reflective interior moments. This book will appeal to readers interested in the human experience of war rather than solely its tactical outcomes, as well as those who value historically grounded storytelling that follows real events while giving space to imagined lives within them. It's an unforgettable story.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Suzanne Parry’s The Communist’s Secret begins in 1941, where former Leningrad radio worker Katya Karavayeva joins a Soviet volunteer labor squad, expecting to dig defensive trenches against the German invasion. After a disastrous attack near the Luga River destroys the group, Katya escapes into occupied territory alongside teenage hunter Svet Grigorova. As the German forces advance across northwestern Russia, the two women survive through forests, abandoned villages, partisan hideouts, occupied towns, and brutal winters while searching for food, shelter, and information about their loved ones trapped behind the front lines. In the occupied town of Staraya Russa, Katya adopts a false identity and becomes involved with underground resistance activity linked to factory manager Arkady Romashkin. The war forces Katya to confront the political choices that damaged her family long before the invasion began, including the imprisonment of her husband Aleksandr under Soviet rule.

Suzanne Parry’s The Communist’s Secret is an incredible historical thriller, and the author absolutely nails wartime Soviet history and German occupation rules with excellent period detail. Katya is a fantastic protagonist because her actions go beyond battlefield survival. I love Arkady, a textile factory manager secretly supplying medicine to Soviet resistance fighters inside German-occupied Russa. The use of German Kommandant Gerhardt Mueller as an antagonist is brutal in how effective he is. The guy oozes charm and calculated cruelty, complete with retaliatory executions. Parry's skill as a writer shines brightest in the atmosphere of every single scene, from the textile factory weaving machines and exhausted workers to the partisan forest encampment and its underground zemlyankas dug into frozen earth. Well written and completely immersive, readers interested in wartime history, especially with a strong female lead, will adore this book. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Fleet of the Forgotten is the first novel in the Exile’s War Series by Dan Thornton. The story follows Ryan Anders, a young man from Earth’s impoverished slums who is looking to turn his life around. The opportunity arrives when Ryan wins an unlikely place at Fleet Academy, which is more a political stunt than a true opportunity. But when a merciless alien invasion cripples Earth’s defenses, fate throws him into the command of the Cosmic Explorer, an incomplete experimental starship. With a crew made up of fellow cadets, refugees, and societal outcasts, Ryan must lead them in a desperate escape from annihilation. However, fleeing is just the first step. With Earth’s military shattered and no support in sight, Ryan faces the daunting task of becoming the leader humanity needs, all while fighting against an enemy that offers no mercy. Can he do it?

Author Dan Thornton created a wonderful story of resilience, courage, and leadership. The story is packed with action, suspense, mystery, and twists that had me in awe. I loved how Ryan was introduced. He wasn’t larger than life or a macho man; he was a simple guy who had the responsibility of the world on his shoulders, and he carried it with pride and honor. While the concept of an alien invasion isn’t exactly new, it is handled so perfectly that it makes reading this story eventful. The author effectively builds a sense of urgency and high stakes with the sudden and devastating alien invasion that forces the characters into a desperate fight for survival. I loved Aurora, the super AI. David was a great companion and a comrade for Ryan. This is a great start to a series that I know will be fantastic!

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In A Walk Among Heroes by James McDevitt, T.J. Montgomery had loved Magdalyn for as long as he could remember. When T.J. saw Magdalyn standing beside another man, smiling in a way he thought belonged only to him, his world shattered. T.J. searched for something that could give his life meaning again. That was when he saw it: a billboard calling young men to serve in the U.S. Army. With nothing left to hold him back, T.J. answered the call. But war has a way of changing a man. The war gave T.J. a purpose to live. It also reshaped his soul, hardened his heart, and forced him to face the brutal realities of courage, sacrifice, and survival. Life led T.J. to Smitty, a weathered veteran of World War I. The two men had fought in different wars and shared something deeper than circumstance: the invisible wounds of war.

A Walk Among Heroes by James McDevitt is a powerful story of lost love, battles fought, and the enduring search for redemption in the aftermath of war. The plot started slowly, which suited me. I had time to ease into the story and understand the characters. I could not put the book down once the action started. The descriptions of the events were vivid and left nothing to the imagination. Every character had a meaningful background and place in the plot. This book was excellently written and had my attention throughout. At times, I forgot the story was actually fictional. I enjoyed reading this book, and it lingered with me longer after I finished reading.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In The Very Last War by W.H. Hawthorne, Jake O’Connor rises from his roots in Alaska to become President of the United States, leading a political revolution that transforms the nation. His administration returns power to the states and diminishes federal overreach, sparking global attention. As tensions escalate, a coalition of world powers—including European socialists, Chinese communists, Islamic radicals, and Russian leaders—forms to challenge the United States. With a devastating new weapon at their disposal, they seek to annihilate America. In response, the U.S. unveils a revolutionary weapon of its own, relying not just on technology but on the resilient spirit of its people. As both sides prepare for the final showdown, the survival of America hinges on its enduring values and unbreakable will. "No matter how big you were, the only possible reason you didn’t fear the 1st Armored Division of the United States Army was that you were already dead."

In the interests of full disclosure, I am not an American and have never lived in the States. I am also on much further to the political left than most lefties are, just to give you an idea of who I am. Why does any of this matter? Because The Very Last War by W.H. Hawthorne is one of the most rah-rah-rah, ultra-libertarian, 'America first' red meat I have read in, well, probably ever. I enjoyed the heck out of it. Is it over the top? Yes. Is it plausible? No. Is it wildly entertaining? You bet your sweet bells and missiles, it is. The initial backstory is going to feel loquacious to many, but because I don't fully get American politicking, it was necessary for me. I appreciated it, and it set me in the right direction. Jake O'Connor is a character you want to follow, but Hawthorne gives us many other points of view that round the story out, and you have to get excited when ranking generals have legitimate surnames like “Crusher.” It is clear that Hawthorne is a science and technology guy, much to the same degree I am, and the tech employed from every single angle is brilliant. If you have an open mind and are looking for solid action, excellent tactical apparatus, and Clancy-esque detailing, you'll find it here. Recommended.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The focus of military operations has shifted from global to regional conflicts. In the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Special Forces are regularly deployed to quell terrorism and neutralize America’s enemies. Warrant Officer James Chase (nicknamed Gator) ventured into this world as a highly trained combatant. He enlisted in the army at the age of 17, after finishing high school in 1995. Advanced training followed, and he became a Ranger and was soon a seasoned combat veteran. A professional soldier to the core, the year 2013 found him in Baghdad, about to embark on a classified mission to nearby Iran, to capture or eliminate a High Value Target. The Delta Mission by Tony Perez follows his exploits as he and his unit tackle the clandestine operation, only to find that they have been lured into an ambush and face superior forces. As the mission unraveled, it became a fight for survival, and James found himself wounded, alone, and hunted. He made his escape on a motorcycle that he found and later in a captured vehicle, heading for the relative safety of Iraq, while being hotly pursued by a ruthless enemy.

The Delta Mission highlights the risks faced by soldiers operating in hostile territories. Tony Perez calls on his personal experiences in the military to bring this story to life in graphic detail. It is a question of shoot or be shot at. Mental strength is essential, as well as the ability to think on your feet and improvise. Time for Plans B or C, if these options are presented. This saga involves wounds, physical and emotional, and pursuit by an enemy that would show no mercy. James has thoughts of his mortality and children back home, as well as pondering his relationship with God. The writing style is vivid, gripping, and the tension is skillfully built and sustained throughout. The description of life in the military on special operations provides insight and background to the story, as does a debrief that concludes the first in this series. As is to be expected in war stories, there are casualties, reminding us that the path of the soldier on active duty embraces danger rather too closely at times. This account will delight fans of military fiction and is highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Red Lines by James Bultema is an intense military thriller that plunges readers into a world of escalating international conflict. In this third installment of the Sea of Red series, a devastating terrorist attack by domestic Hezbollah operatives against an American symbol sets off a chain reaction that threatens to ignite a full-scale war with Iran. As tensions mount and retaliatory strikes begin, the story unfolds across submarines, fighter jets, and warships engaged in deadly tactical warfare. Through masterful storytelling, Bultema explores how a single act of violence can cascade into global conflict while examining the human cost of modern warfare and the complex decisions faced by those in command.

Author James Bultema writes with an authority that immediately establishes trust in his military expertise with quiet confidence in the narration from cover to cover. I was thoroughly impressed by his ability to make complex military operations accessible without sacrificing authenticity or technical accuracy, balancing the level of detail in his descriptions really well with the suspense and action-packed pace required to deliver such an exciting plot. His nuanced portrayal of characters on both sides of the conflict creates a compelling narrative that goes beyond simple good versus evil dynamics, with keenly penned dialogue that offers realism and wit. What also stood out to me was his skill in maintaining white-knuckle tension while still finding moments to explore the moral and emotional impact of warfare on those involved, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking in real-world terms. Overall, Red Lines is a masterful military thriller that will keep readers engaged while challenging them to consider the far-reaching consequences of modern warfare, and I'd certainly recommend it to fans of realistic military fiction.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Beyond the Bukubuk Tree: A World War II Novel of Love and Loss by Loretta Goldberg is a bittersweet tale of the war in the Pacific with a fascinating twist. A young Australian Jewish doctor, Jake Friedman, is haunted by a car accident in which one of his nurses was killed, his uncertainty about his sexuality, and the rumors of the mass executions of Jews by the Nazis. Against the wishes of his beloved sister and despite being in a protected profession, Jake decides he must enlist and do his part to preserve democracy and the Jewish people. Posted to Rabaul, the capital of East New Britain, Jake will be part of the Australian forces set to defend this former German colony against invasion by the Germans, or possibly the Japanese if they continue their Asian expansion. On the ship to Rabaul, Jake meets Alex Whipple (Wip) a WWI veteran who willingly stands up for those being bullied and is prepared to fight for the weak and defenseless. The attraction between Jake and Wip is instantaneous and will become the focus of their time on an island that alternates between a tropical paradise and a “hell-hole.”

Beyond the Bukubuk Tree is a powerful exposition of human emotion and the horrors of war, especially for those unprepared for the conditions and environment. Author Loretta Goldberg has taken a real event, the defense of Rabaul, and woven a glorious story of love and loss around these events. Her two principal characters, Jake and Wip, are perfect as friends, confidantes, and lovers. Jake is a mixture of emotions; principally guilt as he tries to come to terms with the death of his nurse in a car accident when he was driving; his clear and undeniable sexual preference for males; and his genuine desire to appear normal to his colleagues, his family, and to be part of the continuation of the Jewish people. Wip, as an older man, has already accepted his sexuality. Yet he too is haunted by his past and the things he was forced to do to survive after World War I. The romance between Jake and Wip is beautifully written with the couple's love, care, and affection displayed on every page. I particularly appreciated that the actual love scenes were sensual and steamy without being graphic. What this story also conveys starkly and harshly is the terrible conditions these Australian soldiers endured in East New Britain. Initially set before the entry of Japan into the war, the Australian government was focusing most of its military assets and military might in North Africa and Europe, considering the soldiers in the Pacific to be of secondary importance. I appreciated the focus on the indigenous people of the country who played an enormous part in assisting the soldiers to escape the eventual Japanese invasion. This is a wonderful story that I was engrossed in from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.