Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Jungle Beauty Goddesses – Book 3 – Dirty Ball is a continuation of the saga of the seven sisters, daughters of the creator of the Universe, who are tasked with creating and nurturing a blue planet in the far-flung reaches of the Universe – Earth. Author Cassandra George Sturges has created a cast of characters that seek to put a different slant on the creation of the Universe, the galaxies, the planets, and the sentient beings on them. In Dirty Ball we follow the machinations of the sister Afar who, after creating the first higher order being on earth – Mada, falls hopelessly in love with her creation, in direct contravention of the Sisters' oaths and their father’s rules. When Mada’s future mate comes into being, a woman called Sumeria, Afar’s jealousy knows no bounds. Humanity’s future is hanging by a thread and controlled by a Goddess whose sanity and good judgment must be severely questioned. What ensues is a complex tale that seeks, in some way, to explain both the human condition and the current state of our planet.

Despite not having read the first book in this series, I had read the second. Although excited by the premise and carried away by some of the author’s clever imagery, I was left with the feeling that still more could be achieved in this concept. In Jungle Beauty Goddesses – Book 3 – Dirty Ball, author Cassandra George Sturges does exactly that – moves the story to a new, exciting level. One of the true joys of being a professional reviewer is watching an author grow and mature over time and, in this tale, I was duly rewarded. I felt the mixture of myths, fantasies, and original thoughts achieved a new imagination high and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The tale is not finished though and I look forward to more excitement in the future. What stood out for me the most in this book was the uncanny corollaries the author was able to draw between her fantastical story and the current human and planetary condition. I loved the spiritual side of the story and the deep thought that clearly went into some of the passages. The passionate sex scenes, although few, were beautifully handled and never crossed over that line of decency into crudity. All in all, this was an excellent read and one I can highly recommend. I now await book four with bated breath.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Cycles of Norse Mythology: Tales of the Aesir Gods is a work of rewritten fiction based on classic works, and was penned by author Glenn Searfoss. Working from sagas like the traditional poetic and prose Eddas of Norse mythology, Searfoss has created a new retelling of six key cycles of storylines to suit readers from young adult age upwards, and to bring a modern relevance and sensibility to the tales. Included in this extensive work are cycles focusing on Prophesy, The Victory Gods, The Sword of Vengeance, Premonitions, Ragnarok and Of Gods and Men. Popular heroes such as Thor, Odin and Baldur are heavily featured, as are the contracts they make with other lands, their battles, and their sufferings. Also provided is a helpful glossary of terms to keep the understanding going, as well as a guide to reading more on the fully complex mythos for readers who enjoy this retelling.

Author Glenn Searfoss has provided a loving recollection of the Norse mythology tales in a very compelling and engaging style for readers of all ages. The violence of the world of the gods is brought about with dynamic phrasing that isn’t lost in the old, passive style but brought forward lyrically to show it off for all its action and adventure. There is tenderness too, and well-chosen lexis which characterizes both heroes and villains, humanizing them during their moments of success and failure. Though the grammatical style continues to translate and refer to the original stories (of which there are over one hundred, impressively tackled), the simplicity of the text and the removal of many strange conventions of the Eddas allows for easy translation here. As a primer for readers looking to take in all the stories with ease, you should look no further than Cycles of Norse Mythology. A highly recommended read for mythology fans all around.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Victoria will embark on a new life when she marries her fiancé Gerald so this should be the best time of her life, yet she feels like her life has grown a little dull and knows something more is out there. Then she meets a strangely familiar man on the train and when she falls asleep, she wakes up to find herself in the Underworld where the strange man reveals that not only is she the Goddess of Chaos but her fiancé isn't who she thought he was. At first, she doesn't believe she could be a goddess, but her growing powers make it harder to deny the truth. Her memories are muddled which creates a drive that has her pushing back against who she's told she is and she sets out to find the truth about who she truly is. This leads to a fork in her path, taking her toward the two different people she used to be.

Goddess of Chaos by Cheyenne Bennett is a dark and gripping YA fantasy that explores the concept of reality and chaos. Bennett weaves in some lighter moments as Victoria bonds with Cecil and the other characters which provide some fun banter-filled moments. She also forms a sweet connection with a dragon egg which hatches into her closest companion. The little dragon is a spark of innocence among characters who have tragic pasts and often have darker actions. Bennett focuses on the idea of chaos as Victoria struggles against giving in to the chaos inside her and works to find a way to be her own person. Cheyenne Bennett opens up the idea of fighting for your own choices and choosing for yourself who you want to be. Victoria finds herself on a journey of self-discovery as she discovers that what she wants in life may not be what she originally thought. Goddess of Chaos is a fantasy that questions reality and delves into an exciting adventure about a journey of self-discovery with dragons, magic, betrayal, romance, and chaos.

Reviewed by Deborah Adams for Readers' Favorite

Daughter of Winter by Corina Douglas is the first book in the series by the same name. Our main character, Brydie MacKay, is one of those ordinary people until she discovers she’s not. She learns that she has powers and the destiny to destroy an ancient evil. Most importantly, that evil is coming for her and won’t stop until she’s dead. The book also contains an electric romantic element that delivers a steady stream of tension between Brydie and the mysterious and handsome Gage. Sparks fly between these two as he sets out to teach her about the truth of her family and the part she must play while keeping her safe and avoiding his attraction.

Falling into this story was easy. The writing and world-building flowed smoothly, dropping the reader into a world where Celtic myths and magic are real and right under the noses of ordinary people. The plot was thrilling, and I could easily connect to the characters. Chloe, Brydie's best friend, provided a nice element of humor, and I look forward to learning more about her in future books. Corina Douglas only scratched the surface of the magic system, throwing in flashbacks going back to the beginning of the clash between good and evil. I expect to get much deeper into the magic in the follow-on book, but I like that it’s teased out in small doses. If I have any complaints about Daughter of Winter, it’s that it ended sooner than I would have liked! Five well-deserved stars for a great debut novel.

Reviewed by Dan M. Kalin for Readers' Favorite

Reno Ursal has produced a rare type of tale with Enlightenment, one with a fictional story line told over historical details which teach the reader things they didn't previously know. The story is told mostly from the perspective of two people; Dorothy Dizon, a high school senior soon to graduate, and Adrian Rosario, the mysterious new student from the Philippines who is much more than he appears. Drawn inexorably to Adrian and his first-hand knowledge of their shared Filipino heritage, Dorothy must decide whom she can trust. Other forces want Dorothy for their own purposes and will stop at nothing to attain them. At each stage there are historical and cultural references to explain the antecedents to the coming crisis, putting the entire situation into the larger context of good versus evil.

I found the best parts of the story to be the cultural wrappings Reno Ursal sprinkled so generously throughout the tale. Being able to learn something of Filipino cultural history while reading a tale of the paranormal was a real treat for me. A new (or perhaps an old) version of the vampire legend is told against that backdrop. Enlightenment builds multiple story threads and tension to a crescendo before resolving some of the mysteries presented. The print book is beautifully formatted, with ancient Filipino text and references in the event a reader wants to learn more. The two primary characters are well developed and, by the end of the book, completely familiar to the reader. I'm looking forward to the next installments of the Bathala Series.

Reviewed by A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite

Kameron Williams has written a novel about the world before the moon shone in the night sky. The Time Before The Moon is the story of Omi, who, at first, seems like any of a dozen other boys. He seeks the best flint for his spear, he dutifully goes to the village Seer to receive enlightenment, he tries to woo the girl of his dreams, and he goes hunting with his friends. Then one day he begins to doubt the leadership and teachings of the Seer and secretly questions the Seer’s supposed connection to the gods. But to question the Seer is to risk being “cleansed”, a fate worse than death. When a cruel rival crushes his most prized hope, Omi flees into the wild, leaving behind everything and everyone dear to him in search of freedom. But will he find it?

Kameron Williams’ The Time Before The Moon has an authenticity to it. This shows in the descriptions of the labor intensive processes the characters use for creating their homes and weapons. The culture of The Time Before The Moon is the Stone Age. The characters possess nothing that they have not crafted themselves. If they are going to eat, they must hunt for their food and plan for the future. The author describes all of this in fascinating detail, but has also written a compelling story with characters that readers care about. We experience Omi’s curiosity, love, hunger, and intensity first hand, and we yearn to find out if he and the others will find what they seek: freedom from rules and traditions that have no real worth. The Time Before The Moon comes highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Light of the North Star: The Descent is a short work of mythological fiction penned by author Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya, which forms the first book of a new series. Written in the form of an epic poem, this modern-day retelling takes its influences from both western and eastern mythological works, namely Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad, and Vyasa’s Mahabharata. At the crux of the story is a flood in the Indian city of Dwaraka, which marks an important crossover point in both Greek and Indian mythological storytelling and traditions. From here the journey continues through the Indian history of the Yuga-Sandhi, the transition from ancient culture into the modern life we know today.

I have some knowledge of classical literature, which helped me into the rhythm and pacing of this tale, as well as the references to the points of Greek mythological history that I already knew. Author Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya both educates and entertains in this continuation and transformation of the poetic narrative form, introducing readers to the perhaps lesser known eastern narratives and traditions of ancient India. What resulted was a pacey, well described and fascinating work that I found myself reading over again and again with a desire to fully understand the tale being told. The prose is elegant, with beautiful words well chosen for their poetic effect, but also not at the expense of not understanding the storyline. Overall, Light of the North Star: The Descent will be a treasured read for anyone with both an appreciation of poetry and a desire to learn more about Indian history and culture.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Mistress of Legend is the third book in the Guinevere's Tale series, an interesting recreation of the legendary world of Camelot with its feisty characters and intriguing relationships. Nicole Evelina reinvents the character of Guinevere and starts readers on an adventure with her as she returns to Camelot, a world splintered by political factions. Having escaped death at the stake, her options are limited, and while she wants nothing more than to be with Lancelot, she is embroiled in the turmoil in Camelot where Mordred is thirsty for power and the people are longing for her leadership as the former queen. Follow her on an odyssey that brings her back to Lancelot and how her people rely on her to save them from the warring Votadini. But does she still have the fight in her, the wisdom of the queen she once was?

For fans of the legendary tales of King Arthur, Mistress of Legend comes along as a sumptuous, delectable treat, a tale written in gorgeous prose and featuring characters that are richly developed, with multiple levels of conflict and an enticing romance. Nicole Evelina’s writing is daring, a work of great imagination, and I was enticed by the world she recreates in this story. The absorbing first person voice catches the attention of the reader as the protagonist opens the tale with Arthur’s men finding her and Lancelot in the woods and bringing them to Camelot. But this strength in the voice doesn’t ebb as the narrative progresses; on the contrary, it deepens, unveiling layers of emotions and the intensity of the conflict, keeping readers focused and interested. This is a book that fans of legendary tales will be delighted to read, an enchanting world to navigate.

Reviewed by Dan M. Kalin for Readers' Favorite

Buckle up and sit down to read Zeus is Undead when you're fresh and alert, otherwise you'll miss out on the little gems Michael G. Munz has sprinkled throughout. This installment occurs after the events of the Zeus is Dead story. Zeus is newly undead (as in not-dead), has rewarded the faithful and punished those who collaborated in his previous death. Athena has been rendered immortal, but no longer divine, which means things hurt a lot more than they used to when she battles. The storyline loosely follows her quest to improve her standing with Zeus in order to be divine once more. To improve prospects of a movie deal for the book (as well as pull-through sales for the previous book), two mortals are also engaged to help out. Together (mostly) they have to deal with an upsurge in zombie activity while Zeus is preoccupied with Lovecraftian cosmic entities making demands, backed by incriminating footage of Zeus doing what he does best. Hera will not be amused.

I enjoyed Zeus is Undead very much indeed. Seriously, read it slowly because the density of jokes, mythic or business references, and puns are non-stop. Michael G. Munz has produced a rollicking tale which ranks among those of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Piers Anthony. Since the best two of those three are no longer writing books, for their own personal reasons, there is definitely a market and ample room for Munz's efforts. I'm now motivated, by Baskin's Mighty Pink Battle-Spoon™ (chortle), to find some ice cream and read the previous book as well.

Reviewed by Eeva Lancaster for Readers' Favorite

The Jericho Prophecy by Fiona Tarr is biblical fiction based on the fall of Jericho. It has been forty years since the Israelites wandered in the desert, and they arrive in the land of the Canaanites, ready to claim the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, and backed up by the powers of Yahweh, the Israelite god. Joshua sends spies to Jericho for information and there, Salmah, one of the spies, meets Rahab, a priestess of the goddess Asherah, protector of Jericho. In spite of their differing faiths, the two connect and conspire to save their people from the impending turmoil, brought about by the gods whose intentions they cannot comprehend. Under the command of Yahweh, Joshua seems determined to slaughter every man, woman, and child, but Salmah finds it hard to accept that the Israelites will gain the land of milk and honey this way. He starts to doubt if the intentions of Joshua are really the will of Yahweh. He and Rahab, along with the goddess Asherah, work together to find a more amicable solution. Asherah has motives of her own and she is determined that the line of Salmah and the royal family of Jericho be preserved to fulfill a prophecy.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Jericho Prophecy. The history and the characters are skillfully developed by Fiona Tarr. The plot was captivating, and the dialogue kept me engaged. I enjoy biblical fiction and this book made it easy for me to imagine that I was there in Jericho, amidst the chaos, making me empathize with the hopes and doubts of a people who witnessed firsthand the miracles and powers of the gods they worshiped. There's romance and intrigue and I easily got caught up in the machinations of both gods and mortals. I found myself rooting for the characters and sympathizing with the dilemma they found themselves in. Fiona Tarr is a highly entertaining writer with exceptional storytelling skills. I recommend The Jericho Prophecy to readers who like biblical myths and legends, reinvented to give us a deeper view of the people and events we often read about. There is a lot of meat in this book and it gave me hours of entertainment.