Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Punjab: War Against the Sikhs by Nigel Seed takes us back to 1843 when India was ruled by a loose configuration of British residents and British sovereignty was maintained principally by the private, yet government-sanctioned army of the all-powerful East India Company. When two young shrimp fishermen, brothers Thomas and Steven Rushforth, are inadvertently caught up in a pub brawl that leaves the local magistrate lying dead on the pavement, Tom and Steven know they are certain to face the hangman’s noose despite it being an accident. They flee Morecambe Bay with just the clothes on their back and head for the nearest port of Liverpool with the “peelers” hot on their tails. Planning to emigrate to the United States, they sign up for the first available ship leaving port, which just happens to be an East Indiaman ship heading for Madras in what is now modern-day Pakistan. To keep body and soul together, the pair joins the local East India Company Army on arrival and prepares to head out to do battle, principally with the Sikhs who are rebelling against the British rule in the province of Punjab. There they will have their courage, their honor, and their mettle well and truly tested in a series of bloody encounters that will change their destinies.

Punjab: War Against the Sikhs was an absolutely rollicking read that flowed seamlessly from one horrific battle to the next. Author Nigel Seed has given us a fascinating and chilling story that could well have come directly from the pages of the “Boys’ Own Annual” that I read as a child. Thomas is a wonderful character who comes alive on the pages and, despite the gruesomeness of the task and the many temptations of life in a foreign and exotic land, he manages to display the best qualities of humanity, kindness, and honor. What I particularly liked about this story was the willingness of the author to credit the bravery, dedication, and sheer grit of the army’s opponents. It is so easy to gloss over much of the severity and unfairness of British rule throughout the world in the nineteenth century but the author was prepared to expose the reality, warts and all. I also appreciated the relationship that developed between Thomas and the young green Ensign who looked to and appreciated Thomas’s assistance but still without allowing Thomas to cross that invisible dividing line between the classes and the ranks.

The story is fast, furious, and there is no shortage of action to keep the adrenaline junkie fully engaged but it is also woven through with quiet, contemplative periods in which Thomas and others question what they were trying to achieve in India. This is a fantastic book that opened my eyes to an area of the world and a war, the extent and ferocity of which I was not truly aware. I am looking forward to reading book two of this particular series, as I loved this read and its characters and can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

A Lion's Share is Brad Graft’s second book in his Brotherhood of the Mamluks Trilogy. Set in the 13th-century Middle East during the Seventh Crusade, the story begins with a former French Crusader named Leander, who becomes a member of the Mamluks—highly trained soldiers who were originally sold as slaves. He no longer sees much nobility in the French code of chivalry and no longer embraces their religion. He is thankful to be more than just a crossbowman, more than a warrior. He is now a Muslim, a Mamluk serving in the Bahri. He fights against his Crusader brothers as King Louis IX of France plans to attack Egypt. However, when the Bahri’s adored sultan dies, Leander and the Egyptians will face other problems, as Leander falls for an Egyptian woman while the Mamluks attempt to seize power.

One cannot say that A Lion’s Share is based on violent battle scenes and shifts in loyalty. It is based on Brad Graft’s ability to imagine and recreate the past and paint it with sensory details. Reading this work will make you know how it feels to be there and it convinces you that this story has earned its rightful place in the canon of historical fiction. There are moments of profound introspection within the protagonist Leander, as he finds himself facing difficult moral choices. Perhaps the decision to defect from the Crusaders was easy for him, but he needed to prove his shifted loyalty from external circumstances that surround him. If you can visualize the pressure, you will understand why A Lion’s Share is a powerful work. It is not a simple historical or adventure novel; it is a story that uses an epic period in history as the stage for the moral, spiritual, and political development of a disenchanted man.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

It was two years in service for the Whitlow brothers in the Union army and the war was not over yet. This was since the secession of the Southern states of the US in 1861, which saw the outbreak of the Civil War between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederates). James Whitlow and his younger brother Solomon had enlisted with the Nineteenth Indiana regiment which was fighting in Virginia. The Union army had been forced to move toward Maryland following speculations that General Lee of the Confederate army was on a mission to invade Pennsylvania. The Union army encountered General Lee’s men at Gettysburg. Both General Lee’s men and the Nineteenth Indiana regiment had a formidable reputation on the field. What will happen to the Whitlow brothers and the Nineteenth Indiana regiment? Will the Union or the Confederates win the war? Find out more in Michael Eisenhut’s Brothers of War.

Michael Eisenhut shows great imagination with his demandingly engaging plot. He has a unique style of writing. He gives very vivid depictions of his scenes and characters. The narrative made me feel like I was right there in every scene, watching every character’s move. This especially came in handy for the action scenes. I felt like I was a Union soldier in the Civil War and it thrilled me. There is so much adventure in the plot. Reading the book felt like watching a movie. I could feel the tension, frustration, loathing, satisfaction, and despair among other emotions of his characters. His quite subtle way of aligning his ideas gave the storyline a feeling of suspense. I loved the level of character development; simply amazing. The conversations were lively and witty. I looked forward to Private Hawk’s banter with Private Henry or any other member of the Whitlows' squad. Michael Eisenhut laces his long and twisted sentences with the military vocabulary of the nineteenth century, giving his story a perfect period setting. Enthusiasts of historical fiction books of the Civil War will love Brothers of War. I loved it.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

DMZ: This is the Future of War (Future War Book 7) is the latest installment of the series by FX Holden. Set in the year 2036, the book follows several characters caught up in a devasting conspiracy in the Korean Peninsula. The unexpected bombing of the village of Panmunjom derails the process of the Peace Accord, starting a series of events with catastrophic ramifications. Tasked with training South Korean pilots, Lieutenant Karen "Bunny" O'Hare suddenly finds herself in a battle zone as North Korea initiates a seemingly unprovoked attack. When two nuclear bombs detonate over the Sea of Japan, it is up to Lieutenant O'Shea Lomax, commander of the USS Cody, to find the rogue North Korean submarine. Meanwhile, Supreme Guard detachment commander Captain Jong-chon Ri must do everything to protect the Supreme Leader from assassins.

Fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with political intrigue, DMZ is a stellar culmination of the Future War series. FX Holden draws upon existing geopolitical rivalries to create a convincing scenario of war between superpowers, showcasing the men and women on the ground dealing with its consequences. Every action sequence seems believable, and you get the sense that this is what actual war might feel like. Holden gives the points of view of characters from all the factions involved, making the narrative all the more compelling as you find yourself rooting for your favorites. The stakes feel genuine, and no victory comes without our heroes making enormous sacrifices. If you're a fan of military thrillers, this is the perfect book for you.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Mission: Repair is a work of fiction in the military genre and serves as the latest installment in the Rise Again Warriors series. It is aimed at the mature reading audience and was penned by author Stacy Eaton. The book follows Sergeant Brady Vanover as he struggles to recover from PTSD after being sent home from deployment after being injured. As he tries to come to terms with the loss of his career with the support of his family, his descent into addiction only serves to make life worse, but with the help of the Rise Again Warrior group he may stand a fighting chance of living a happy life once again.

This book quickly established itself as one of those important pieces of literature that shine an understanding and sympathetic light on an important issue that gets swept aside too easily; the trauma experienced by soldiers upon returning home. Brady is depicted with an honesty that is both brutal and heartfelt in equal measure, with author Stacy Eaton pulling no punches about the downward spiral that men in his position so easily find themselves in. This stark realism is contrasted beautifully by the themes of hope and optimism for the future that are present throughout this series, and Mission: Repair continues this tradition by beautifully presenting the idea that a future with peace, happiness, and recovery is possible through effort. Overall, Mission: Repair is a wonderful telling of one man’s story to stop being a soldier and start being a husband and father once again. I recommend this book to all.

Reviewed by Steven Robson for Readers' Favorite

Where Eagles Never Flew by Helena P. Schrader is a tremendously moving tale of human conflict, be it struggles within individuals coming to terms with their mortality or sweeping battles across nations driven by territorial prerequisites. Told chronologically from the battle for France through to the Battle of Britain, this World War 2 tale of aerial warfare goes further than most, giving us a unique insight into both sides of this critical conflict. By switching the focus between France and England, the book allows us to bear witness to the individuals caught up in this maelstrom, who are trying to live seemingly split lives; normal day to day routines that may lead them into unexpected relationships, contrasted with the utter turmoil of flying operations that may end in death. It becomes shockingly apparent that the young men and women on both sides are, essentially, very similar; what delineates them comes down to no more than the noughts and crosses on their wings. The tremendous gift of this book is that it grafts a human face onto the slashing planes and bullets, that paint the skies of Europe and Britain with an abstract expression of sheer terror, and blacken the hearts of the innocent.

Helena P. Schrader’s Where Eagles Never Flew is both inspirational and terrifying in its reality and should be required reading for anyone under the illusion that air warfare is in any way glorious. The people depicted are disturbingly authentic, and how their lives become entwined is beautifully crafted by Ms. Schrader; the linkage between Ernst and Robin could have come across as forced if it wasn’t written so subtly. Another gem carried in this story relates to the information it imparts; things like J. R. R. Tolkien’s son being a pilot in the war, or even quite simple facts like how gun ports were covered by canvas before each sortie to prevent condensation. This book is also quite accurate to the events as they played out over this period, with the only license taken being some fictitious squadrons and the personnel within these. I found Where Eagles Never Flew to be a compelling read and was genuinely moved by the injuries, death, and destruction which pervaded the lives of so many very special people trapped in the horror of living in the wrong time in history. A fantastic book!

Reviewed by Barbara Harper for Readers' Favorite

Status – 6 by W. Craig Reed follows Jon Shay, a widower engaged in a cat and mouse game of Russian roulette, still filled with raw grief, and riddled with self -reproach one year after the drowning of his late wife Annelia. Unwilling to accept comfort, his mind filled with irrational thoughts, and suffocating in self-flagellation, Jon is at a crossroads and the only thing keeping him afloat is his work at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Jon’s mission takes him to Alaska where temperatures are minus twenty-three degrees during the day and drop to minus thirty degrees at night, and men are required to be tough to thrive in the harsh environment. Agent Shay’s assignment is to conduct a meticulous criminal investigation within a limited time frame and uncover whether or not the sudden and untimely death of the Petty Officer aboard the USS Connecticut submarine was due to nefarious reasons. As the plot thickens and Agent Shay is caught in the middle of the spider’s web, will he be able to keep his wits about him and rely on his past Seal training to steer clear of the firing line?

Status – 6 by W. Craig Reed is a crisp and articulate work of fiction about Jon Shay--a guilt-ridden, remorseful, grieving widower with a death wish--and Agent Shay, the highly skilled Naval Criminal Investigative Service operative and the embodiment of masculinity. The author makes use of clever metaphors like, ‘Three geriatric bulbs lit the way’ and euphemisms such as, ‘he had cast off from the shores of life’. Agent Shay will need to unpick a jigsaw puzzle and put the pieces back together while battling an Arctic ice storm as well as the raging storm within himself and the one caused by those around him. The nail-biting action was fast-paced and kept me riveted as the author painted a black picture of Jon Shay the man, combined with the hazardous world inhabited by Agent Shay, the NCIS operative. This novel is a suspense-filled, roller coaster ride. The fast-paced action with its numerous twists and turns had me riveted to my seat to the last page!

Reviewed by Michelle Mollohan for Readers' Favorite

The Shepherd's Burden by Ryan Young tells the tale of Daniel Jeffries, a Staff Sergeant who survived an IED explosion in Iraq. Daniel returns home to New York, where he is struggling to come to terms with life outside of the military, while plagued with the memories of those that he lost. He is seeing a therapist and taking medication to cope with PTSD related to his time spent in Iraq. Daniel is working in a comic book store and living in a cheap apartment, with no real opportunity to improve his life. Running into Sonya, the love that he let go when he went overseas and finding that she still loves him, gives him hope that his nightmares will finally end. Just when his life starts to make sense and he feels he can let the past go, it comes back to haunt him and he learns that his life will never be the same.

Ryan Young's The Shepherd's Burden is a riveting tale that takes you on a journey from the deserts of Iraq to the suburbs of New York. It is full of mystery, intrigue, and murder with a supernatural element. I found myself empathizing with Daniel and his plight as he learned his true calling, and feeling his pain as the unforeseen consequences of his choices unveiled themselves. Ryan Young crafted a tale of suspense in The Shepherd's Burden that left me longing for more. I can't wait to read what is ahead for Daniel in The Shepherd's Duty!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Northern Hunt is the second installment of Daniel Greene's Northern Wolf series about the American Civil War. After a string of heavy losses, General Kilpatrick is determined to register a famous win and revitalize his stagnant political career. He gets the perfect opportunity when Captain John Yates of 3rd Ohio Infantry arrives at the Union camp near Stevensburg, Virginia, alongside his companion Martin, with tales of inhuman treatment of Union prisoners of war at the hands of Confederate soldiers inside Libby prison. He orders Colonel Ulric Dahlgren to plan an audacious attack on Richmond and gives him a letter permitting him to assassinate Jefferson Davis. Dahlgren takes command of the 13th Michigan, where Johannes Wolf and his comrades find themselves amid a war that offers little glory or riches but plenty of bloodshed.

Northern Hunt recounts the events leading up to the raid of Richmond during the Civil War. Author Daniel Greene never shies away from showcasing the brutal realities of war, painting a grim, gritty, and bloody portrait that feels realistic and tragic in equal measure. The narrative is well-paced, and the plot is filled with twists and turns. Historical personages and events are seamlessly woven into the story, giving it an added sense of depth and complexity. Wolf's experiences with his comrades during the raid provide an accurate portrayal of the impact of war on common citizens. The action sequences are bloody and visceral and vividly described. If you enjoy historical fiction, Northern Hunt is the book for you.

Reviewed by Gobi Jane for Readers' Favorite

Bishop's Law is the second book in the Bishop Series by Rafael Amadeus Hines and it is a fast-paced, rollicking ride for those who enjoy action thrillers. Special Forces Sgt. John Bishop is in deep water again, and even if he wants to spend time with Maria, his childhood sweetheart and wife, now pregnant for six months, he is pulled into a war he never asked for. This time, the war is against a powerful billionaire, warlords from Afghanistan where he has served and where he has left his unit of elite fighters, contract killers, and terrorists. He has a strong ally, Gonzalo Valdez, his uncle and a crime boss, and a team he has worked with before. With mounting tension and the enemies becoming deadlier as days go by, does John stand a chance this time?

This is a riveting story with a plot filled with twists. Fans of military novels will be thrilled as they follow the story. There is so much in the plot and John suffers a personal loss as well. Readers encounter radicalized Americans, an elite fighting team moving in to support a comrade, compelling characters like Nestor, Felix, Bunny, and a host of others. The danger that Rafael Amadeus Hines creates in this thriller is real and the protagonist is a character that readers will adore. He is intelligent, strong, and skilled, bringing into the fight his military training and experience. Bishop's Law is fast-paced and packed with action. There is something intriguing on every page and readers find themselves rooting for the protagonist and watching his every move. It is a work of superb entertainment and I loved every bit of it.