Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Curse of Beauty is a work of historical fiction and interpersonal drama which is part of the Ancient Legends novel series. It is intended for the general adult reading audience owing to non-graphic reference to abuse, violence, and assault, and was penned by author Lauren Lee Merewether. In this thrilling standalone novel that explores the story which inspired the myth of the infamous figure Medusa, we find ourselves in Greece circa 1650 BC. Our central protagonist, Thais, is the daughter of a chieftain who wants to settle with oncoming invaders without the need for bloodshed. Although she believes in his peaceful vision, the personal cost Thais will suffer sees her undergo a trial of legendary proportions.

I always enjoy diving into historical works by Lauren Lee Merewether, particularly because this is an author who knows how to balance all the most interesting and well-researched elements of ancient history with emotional parallels to modern life and drama so that every character resonates with contemporary readers. Thais is no exception to this, and when Merewether’s up-close and empathetic narrative style is combined with the many sensations, family conflicts, and political struggles of this exciting plotline, it makes for an unstoppable read that I couldn’t put down without wondering what was yet to happen and aching to pick it back up again. From its slow-burning politically charged aggression to its poignant observations about the role of women and attitudes toward them during ancient times, The Curse of Beauty delivers everything you could possibly hope for in a historical drama. Unmissable.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

The Jarl of Oakharrow, Bor Kjellson, was of feeble mind, and his heir, Annar, ruled instead. Annar had two other brothers and one sister named Aelthena. She wanted to be more, but their culture forbade it. Aelthena lived with people who believed the woman’s place was by the hearth, to be seen and not heard. She was stubborn, challenged the status quo, and dreamed of leading Oakharrow one day. When an enemy razed her home, taking everything but her brother Bjorn the coward, the mantle rested on him. But does Bjorn have the strength to take charge of his Jarlheim? With no one to trust, brother and sister will show their mettle as politics and webs of deceit spin in The Throne of Ice and Ash by J. D. L. Rosell.

The Throne of Ice and Ash by J. D. L. Rosell was an enthralling novel that would appeal to lovers of epic fantasy tales with a realistic touch. This saga took root in the fabled nation of Baegard, governed by betrayal, agendas, hypocrisy, manipulation, politics, evil schemes, and more. The author fleshed out this realistic story around a brilliant plot and excellent character development. Rosell captured all the relevant emotions, and I connected with the characters. This story made me reason with the protagonists, even though they annoyed me to no end, especially Bjorn. However, Frey and Bastor grew on me as the novel progressed, and I can’t wait to read about their exploits in subsequent installments. I must commend the flawless editing and writing style as these made the book enjoyable. Keep writing, J. D. L. Rosell!

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

God of Nothing by Shane Scott is a captivating epic fantasy with a timeless setting, featuring a world inhabited by all kinds of creatures. Aja Ashe Jensen is a descendant of a god and a devil. Murdered at seventeen by the God of Death, Silver, she eventually resurrects with her dragon. As she navigates a treacherous world where nothing is what it seems, she must unravel her identity and choose which side to take in her dual nature of good and evil. While struggling to stay safe from the grip of the God of Death, she must choose which path to follow: will she save the ALL or annihilate everything in her path? The first of all things born and not created, she has more power than she can ever imagine, and the war is more within her than in the world she is awakened into.

God of Nothing introduces the epic fantasy series, The All, and readers who enjoy tales with supernatural, phenomenal characters and a strong conflict will adore this story. Aja Ashe looks all too normal when readers meet her, but she knows something is wrong with her. The signs are telling. Matthew, her father, doesn’t help whenever she asks about her mother, only saying that he loves her. There are intriguing moments as the young Aja struggles to figure out who she really is. Learning that her mother died in childbirth but that it was something else that caused her death doesn’t make anything easier for her, plus there is the disturbing experience with the strange snake and the lightning.

The story moves on quickly to introduce powerful characters. It is a world in which gods hide disguised as humans. Even Memnoth, God of Love, hides as a mortal. The plot is cunningly written and the conflict is strong. The multidimensional nature of the characters pulled me in and kept me racing through the pages. The storytelling craft is stellar, the prose impeccable, and the conversations as real as any can be. This is a rollicking ride for fans of epic fantasy. The intersection between the physical and the supernatural elements is superbly woven into this entrancing story. A page-turning story that will be loved by fans of epic fantasy tales.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

"Yes, I understood the natural world despite their horrific dispositions. I respected that they had only instincts to guide them. A simple purpose to fulfill: survive. But wasn’t knowing that fact what kept us from living in such a way? The fact that we knew the difference? The fact that we could be better? People were content acting like wild beasts, it seemed. That saddened me. They could have been so much more. Perhaps they still could." In Red Sand (The Creations Series, Book 1) by Anne MacReynold, the immortal Lilith constantly finds that existing on Earth has its wonders but also terrors; love and hate, trust and betrayal, life and death. Can she find her true purpose and guide humanity to its highest potential?

The combination of Jewish folklore, The Alphabet of Ben Sira, and the Greek mythology of Troy as the foundation of the plot is deftly done. I’m more familiar with the fictionalized versions of Lilith where she’s often envisioned as an unsympathetic, dangerous being. MacReynold's Lilith in Red Sand is undoubtedly fascinating and much more complex. This is a different and interesting take on Lilith’s tale including how Eve and Adam came to be. The different views of Lucifer and Lilith regarding life are intriguing, and how she handles and feels about immortality are at times poignant to read. Her genuine hope to lead humans to the right path is admirable. Simply put, this is a great start for The Creations Series and I look forward to the continuation of Lilith’s journey.

Reviewed by Anelynde Smit for Readers' Favorite

Itchiwan by J.J. Cunis is an extraordinary book. We follow the adventures and misadventures of four young boys, Amos, Vernon, Brett, and Timmy. The four discover a hole in the ground that leads to a translucent orb. Amos is the first to enter and sees the many connecting holes inside that lead to other points in time. This appears to be a time machine and the boys use it to explore. Amos and Timmy go into the hole alone and come back over twenty years later, but to them, it was merely a couple of hours. The Pukwadgees are also loose. They are four miniature braves looking to destroy the two boys and kill everything in sight as they wreak havoc in the town of New Seabury. In planning to go back, can they change the past by changing the future? Will the boys be able to stop the Pukwadgees before they kill any more innocent people?

Reading Itchiwan by J.J. Cunis was one wild ride. I could not put the book down and, in all honesty, could see this as a movie. The chaos caused by the Pukwadgees was immeasurable and so very final, but it is up to our four boys to stop them. Seeing how they change the future by manipulating the past was a twist I didn’t expect but loved. I would have done the same in that regard, so the characters are very relatable. I loved how Timmy changed from a timid little boy into the man he would become and how each member of the team turned their lives around with the knowledge they brought back. This was a non-stop thrill journey with an assault on all your senses. The characters were well-conceived and the story entertaining. Highly recommended for a more mature audience.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Taro: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell is a captivating coming-of-age fantasy novel that refashions Japanese folktales from the perspective of legendary Samurai boy, Taro. The story is set in 1596, and Japanese warlords are fighting for the Imperial throne. Taro's father was a Samurai, and the boy doesn't want to be one, but that changes after he is adopted by a witch. Taro hones his supernatural talents and gets to know the animals of Mount Fuji. He saves the life of a warlord and finds his calling, plunging into all-out warfare to control Japan. Some violence and bloodshed occurs, but is pertinent to the storyline, so trigger warnings may apply.

If you like fantasy stories based on myths and legends, as well as Samurai stories with swords, ancient creatures, and martial arts, this book is for you. I like that there is some mystique surrounding the story. Even the chapters allude to mystery and something to dig for and discover. You don't have to be familiar with Japanese legends in order to enjoy this novel, but it could add to your reading enjoyment. The glossary is greatly appreciated, as are the illustrations. The three folktales that inspired this novel are "Kintaro" (Golden Boy), "Urashima Taro" (Island Boy), and "Momotaro" (Peach Boy). These tales aren't connected in any way, and the author uses clever imagination to bring real people, real places, and fictitious folktales to life.

The author offers an introduction that fills in some of the backgrounds you may want to know before diving into this unique and intriguing story. Spruell has an awesome talent for worldbuilding, character building, and a wonderful sense of time and place. His descriptions are intricate and detailed, and young readers will find themselves happily living in his world for a while. Taro is an unforgettable character, and the author can be applauded for bringing these Japanese folktales to a wider audience. Taro: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell is a coming-of-age fantasy novel you don't want to miss.

Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite

Most of us know the story of Medusa. She is the woman with snakes as hair who turns men to stone when they look into her eyes. She is killed by a hero, chosen by the gods, that uses the reflection of a shield to his advantage. Does anyone ever bother to ask how or why? With the gods of Olympus, anything is possible, so we assume she was born that way, mindlessly doing what she does best – killing. In Medusa by Rosie Hewlett, we have the monster’s story from her own lips. Tired of the lies that have been told over the generations, Medusa herself reaches out from beyond to give us the truth - her truth that has been tainted and altered to fit in with a world of deception. Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to accept it?

Medusa by Rosie Hewlett offers a unique perspective on an ancient story. Connected with the fibers of myth, the author creates a very believable alternative to what has been passed down as truth through the centuries. Told from the perspective of Medusa herself, we have the opportunity to place ourselves in her position from the very start. This account is written in a very engaging manner that also includes dialogue, which in turn allows for this ancient Gorgon to be made real and relatable to every woman. With impeccable editing done on a marvelous rendition of this age-old myth, I can recommend this story to anyone with only a hint of interest in Greek mythology.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Leah Brown knew from an early age that she was different somehow; special. When she tried to help a fellow runner at school, who appeared to be suffering, she realized the instant she touched her that there was something seriously wrong with her and that the girl’s heart was in trouble. Nobody was going to listen to a child, though, and when the young girl died that evening, Leah was branded some sort of freak by the other kids. In The Healer by Lisa Fougere, we watch as Leah grows older and begins to understand the power that lies within her. Strange dreams and the connection with another “healer” begin to open her eyes to the amazing abilities she has been gifted all the way down from ancient antiquity. Leah has an excellent support system but what she doesn’t fully grasp, at this early stage, is the effect these abilities will have on her young life, her relationships, and her entire future in general. She wants desperately to help people and to use her strange abilities for the greater good but there are plenty of people willing and able to throw obstacles in her way, as well as make her and her loved ones lives a living hell as they begin to understand the power of what they have unleashed. Through it all, Leah holds on tight to her dream of simply being a healer and helping people in this broken world.

The Healer is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable and fascinating books I have read this year. Author Lisa Fougere has created some unforgettable characters in this story. Leah is a strong young woman who readily identifies with everyone who has been branded as different or strange and realizes, along with the university professor, that our correctional institutes may well be full of people with special abilities who have not understood or harnessed them in the same way that Leah was able to do. I loved the flowing style of the author’s writing that just carried the reader along in a wonderful and exciting adventure. Her creative use of flashbacks to ancient Egypt and the gods and goddesses of antiquity to explain the source of these powers was inspired and gave the story completeness. The relationships developed throughout the story were the key to Leah’s survival in a sometimes harsh and judgmental world. Whilst reading, I couldn’t help but have flashes of the X-Men stories, especially with Leah’s desire to find others who possessed these abilities and to be able to bring them together and help them understand and share what it was they were going through. I absolutely loved this story and will certainly be looking for more from this talented author in the future. I can highly recommend this read.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

With nine awards and named Fiction Book of the Year by Authors Circle, The Destroyer of Worlds: An Answer to Every Question by Steven Seril rightfully deserves to be called the Book of the Century. Rich in both substance and chaos, the main plot revolves around the war between two reptile species, the cosmic dragons and the alien dinosaurs. Both species want to rule the cosmos, and this is where a plethora of gods from the colorful myths of different cultures take sides on who should rightfully rule. It is a time of hostility and unrest, and as the gods take sides, you will be drawn into a multi-layered story that takes you to the world of benign and destructive divines as well as epic battles that will determine the fate of the cosmos.

There are too many gods and other celestials for me to keep tabs on, and I’m so glad to have read The Destroyer of Worlds as it renewed my ties to these mythical heroes that I first came to know when I was a child. Steven Seril tells his story with great mastery and command. For its intended audience, it is definitely great reading entertainment. I enjoyed reading it myself because the stuff that Seril has written is the kind that covers a huge chunk of my reading tastes. There is plenty of dramatic conflict in this story, and Azure is one of the characters that is sure to linger in your mind. It is easy to acknowledge the creativity and imagination that went into writing this book. It will not only appeal to lovers of speculative fiction. The Destroyer of Worlds has the energy, intelligence, and absurdity that can draw any reader’s attention.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Vagabond King: A Coming of Age Story by James Campion Conway is far removed from your typical coming of age novel. Sixteen-year-old Chris is faced with a crisis of confidence – confidence in who he is and what he wants from life. When his beloved mother dies of cancer, Chris is faced with a pushy father, who he now understands is not even his “real” father at all. Faced with a senior year at high school and college in his future, Chris cannot face the path that is mapped out for him. He cruises through his classes, dreaming of something better. Finally, after another tumultuous argument with his father, Chris decides it is time to leave and seek something different – it is time to find himself. The only person he can think to go to on that cold winter’s evening was his waitress friend, Magda, a woman old enough to be his mother, but with all the beauty and latent allure that only a mature woman can have over an impressionable, young, testosterone-driven teenage boy. What he finds at Magda’s is hope and a new way of thinking.

This book definitely ranks near the top of coming of age novels I have read. Author James Campion Conway has a wonderful command of language and draws us into Chris’ tortured and questioning mind. Easy to read and incredibly easy to identify with, the story draws readers along on Chris’s voyage of self-discovery, both cheering and jeering the young man at times for his ignorance and his preconceptions. The character of Magda’s Hungarian father was beautifully drawn and his home-spun philosophy and pragmatic approach to life is a refreshing change in this era of entitlement. The Vagabond King: A Coming of Age Story asks the questions that all of us asked at one time or another; what is the meaning of life? Who or what controls our fates and destinies? What is the right direction for me to take? A smooth and seamless read that just flowed by. I especially appreciated the poetry of the character Atman O’Dey, another young man tortured by uncertainty over identity and fitting in. This is a powerful story, beautifully told and well worth the highest rating I can give it.