Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Finally, The Murder of Crows Series has come full circle with One Tin Soldier: A Post-Apocalyptic Superhero Novel. Author Chris Tullbane has dispatched his main protagonist, Damian Banach, as well as his other host of characters, into their final destinies. The first book (See the Bones) is a clincher, the second (Red Right Hand) is purposeful, and this third is the resolution for the Crow who wants to become a Cape. It gathers all the plot threads to weave Damian into one final adventure. This time, he volunteers for a mission into the Badlands, not for the purpose of relief work, but to implement a standing favor for Her Majesty that is past overdue. He is searching for Dr. Nowhere, the man whose dream has done a lot more than just bring superpowers into the world. Meanwhile, Tezcatlipoca, the mastermind and self-proclaimed god, is taking over the vast majority of Mexico.

One Tin Soldier has given the trilogy its full arc. I admire it even more as a whole as it certifies Chris Tullbane’s work as the product of immense creativity. As the culmination of the series, it is a crowning achievement in the visionary use of the superpower and dystopian theme in speculative fiction. As a necromancer struggling against the hostile reception of the people around him for the power that he wields, Damian has managed to emerge and redeem himself through his actions and motives. It is generous in both action and psychological depth, and One Tin Soldier becomes a work for readers of all ages craving a storyline with feelings and gravitas. You will feel something for Damian, who has matured along his journey. This is going to be the last that you will read about him, and you will never feel so at peace with a story set in a dystopian world.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Beautiful young people are often the stuff of young adult fiction, and that typical girl meets boy trope doesn’t seem to grow old. Perhaps it all depends on the author’s creativity and imagination in executing the plot. In Time to Wake by K. Thomas, Senlis, the female protagonist, narrates the story from her point of view. She’s trying to live a normal life and it proves difficult as she is a night person, caffeine-addicted, and has a strong sense of empathy. It doesn’t get any better in that she has a pet ghost named Benny and a Nephilim lineage that gives her a rare power of feeding off people’s souls. As she tries to stay normal, she befriends her new neighbor named Katie. As they start to hang out, they get entangled in a series of young girls mysteriously disappearing, and it seems to be tied to Senlis’s secret. Along comes the arrogant Hunter, whom Senlis suspects has been following her—and he has a good reason for doing so. The mysterious disappearances of the young girls are tied to Senlis’s past, of which she has no memory.

The leads are so lovely and infused with humor that it’s easy to get caught up in the romantic and adventurous element of the story. K. Thomas will make you believe in love but break your heart at the same time. Time to Wake is a well-written story that redefines what it means to live a normal life when you are tied to circumstances beyond your control. Senlis struggles to unearth more truths about her identity while trying to make sense of the predicament they face. These are pressing imperatives delivered in a thrilling and dreamy storyline. Despite impending danger, there is enough time to properly explore the relationship of Senlis and Hunter as it evolves from hostility to romance, and this evolution is how Thomas masterfully delivers the girl meets boy trope with an original twist. As the first installment in a new series, it meets expectations so that you will eagerly await the next book.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Cadet-in-Training is an entry in The Academy Saga by CJ Daly, a mix of suspense, romance, and psychological thriller. Of all the places she could be, Kate never imagined waking up strapped to a bed in a psych ward of the Academy. Ranger has done his job and Kate has no other choice but to complete the Cadet-in-Training program. Otherwise, she will lose the one important privilege given to her: being able to see her little brother. Officer Nealson is responsible for her being in this damn hell; he’s the one who drugged and brought her in. And all of this is happening because she is “gifted.” Follow Kate as she goes through a rigorous regime preparing for her first mission. Unless she succeeds, Officer Nealson won’t be returning to missions. What is the hidden agenda of this place? Can Kate successfully fight through the program and determine her own fate?

CJ Daly’s novel is written in an engrossing first-person narrative voice and it is filled with streams of consciousnesses that plunge readers into the minds of the characters. The alternating narrative voices shift perspectives, provide insights into the characters, and help to deepen the conflict. Kate is a character that I rooted for: she is in a delicate position, and against her will. Emotionally, she is fighting between her captor and Pete, the one person who risked his life to warn her. The emotional conflict is deftly handled and it is what drives the strong suspense in this novel. As one reads from page to page, the sense of a hidden agenda becomes even more glaring and this kept me longing to see what will become of Kate Connelly. It is a fast-paced, emotionally rich, and engaging story. I was seduced by the strong narrative voice and read through the story in one night.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Sin Eater by Amanda Denham, Jayde was only eighteen when she first discovered her gift of being able to erase painful memories. Just two years ago, Jayde thought she was acting out of kindness by eliminating a disturbing incident from the memory of her best friend, Jenny. But Jayde’s attempt to make Jenny feel better had resulted in deleting memories of her family and friends too. Now Jayde uses her unique talent to delete and bury people's pain and guilt disguised as her alter ego, the Sin Eater. As Jayde embarks on her next mission as the Sin Eater, she tries to forget how Jenny’s life was dramatically altered because of her actions. Unfortunately, every painful memory that is erased will remain with Jayde. She can never forget. Kept under the scrutiny and threats of blackmail by her callous boss, Jak, Jayde returns to her childhood town where she encounters two siblings with a horrifying secret. Jayde knows she can help them but it would mean revealing her true identity. Is that a risk she is willing to take?

I loved the unique plot of Sin Eater by Amanda Denham. The characters were amazing, the backstories of their personalities were extremely detailed and compelling. The storyline also had many wonderful layers which were gradually revealed. I thought the constant switch in timelines was an excellent concept as I gained an insight into how Jayde became the Sin Eater and changed her outlook toward society. The descriptive narrative and the authentic dialogue were definitely the biggest strengths of this novel. Amanda has an excellent storytelling ability that kept the interest and intrigue throughout. There are so many life lessons cleverly entwined throughout regarding the challenges of growing up, facing the consequences of the choices you make, and forgiving yourself for those choices.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

To say that Emily Calby's sweet sixteen birthday was far from normal would be the understatement of the year. On her sixteenth birthday, she was arrested for carrying an illegal weapon. As she lived anonymously under a fake name, this arrest threatened her true identity being revealed to the world. When a murder charge was added to her original charges, her anonymous life should have been the least of her concerns. Soon, she found herself behind bars in a juvenile prison. Any hope she had of having an easy trial evaporated the moment she came face to face with a vindictive prosecutor hellbent on getting the "little gutter rat" (Emily Calby) thrown into an adult prison for life. The second book in the Emily Calby series, The Girl in Cell 49B by Dorian Box is the gripping tale of a sixteen-year-old who, like a phoenix from the ashes, rises from her anger issues and guilt of the past. But will she survive the law that has many exceptions attached to each rule?

What distinguishes an act of self-defense from a brutal murder? In The Girl in Cell 49B, Dorian Box has woven an engrossing story around this idea. And what a fascinating ride it has been! Emily is the perfect character whose characteristics, like real humans, are quite contradictory. She has the instincts of a killer, yet a substantial part of her nature is that of a savior. Emily cannot stand still and let an injustice unfold in front of her eyes. More often than not, she pays a heavy price for intervening in such situations; however, this quality also helps her win readers' hearts. Even the side characters are crafted with several unique qualities that establish them as memorable and intriguing.

Dorian Box is a skilled storyteller and has infused the plot with several fascinating twists. His remarkable legal knowledge shines through and makes the narration even more authentic. By adding all the right ingredients of emotions, action, corruption, justice, courtroom drama, and gentle romance, Dorian Box has created a potential bestseller. Since the author has included tidbits from the first book, this second book of the series can be very well read as a standalone. The Girl in Cell 49B - Emily Calby Book 2 by Dorian Box is a must-read thriller.

Reviewed by Lexie Fox for Readers' Favorite

White Fire by Laurie Bell is the first installment in the Toni Delle Adventures series. White Fire follows the adventures of an interplanetary adventurer named Toni Delle as she undertakes a new and dangerous assignment with the aid of her robotic dog companion and ship’s artificial intelligence. Burned in the past by an enigmatic adversary named The Smuggler, Toni’s addiction to the thrills of her job propel her back into her old enemy’s orbit as she races to stop a dangerous new tool of destruction from ending up in the wrong hands.

Laurie Bell has crafted a captivating science fiction novel with flavors of fantasy and crime. One of my favorite things about this story is how relatable the characters are, despite the invisible skin and heightened senses. Toni is the strong female lead we all need in our lives; she is courageous and determined but despite this, she experiences the same hardships and conflict we all face in our own lives which makes you root for her all the more. On top of this, she has two fantastic sidekicks in Mate and Zach, each of whom brings their own dynamics and they add sparks of humor and friendship to the story. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to readers looking for their next epic space opera set in a wonderfully realized world with compelling characters on an exciting adventure. There are twists and turns in the road, and the promise of a series set in this universe with these characters is a very exciting prospect.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Floating on Secrets by Tantra Bensko is a novel that will give you an out of body experience unlike any other. When most people want to feel detached from the world, they take drugs but not Flair. A waitress by profession, Flair Montgomery chooses sensory deprivation tanks over the local drugs to give her the feeling of calm and tranquility. Everything was great, she was enjoying the feeling of isolation while also enjoying some music when she felt someone touch her. Terrified and surprisingly excited, Flair had no idea who it was and why this person chose her. Was it her imagination or was it someone else? However, when she learns that the owner of the place has issues with being robbed, Flair started questioning the situation. What is happening? Is Flair imagining everything or there is something more to this than meets the eye?

Floating on Secrets by Tantra Bensko was a whole sensory experience. I can go on and on about how the sensory deprivation tank symbolized so many things and it will still not be enough to praise the author for this masterpiece. Author Tantra Bensko has done something incredibly vivid and sensual with this story. You have Flair, a woman who is not hesitant in getting what she wants, even if is very unconventional. She is a one-of-a-kind character that draws readers in with her uniqueness and individuality. I enjoyed her responses, how she reacted inside the tank, her response to the mystery man, and the way she handled the situation. The element of romance was brilliantly handled and the chemistry between her and her “mystery man” (I will not say his name and spoil it!) was off the charts. I loved this book. Unique and very interesting.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

No Romance Allowed is a work of chick lit and women’s fiction penned by author Kana Wu, which is suitable for readers of all sensitivity levels. Our central character is Rory, a young woman living in Irvine, California, who is determined to keep up her independent life with all her heady impulses. She advertises for a female roommate to help with expenses, and eventually accepts a short-term let from a professional woman. But when Peter turns up, the brother to the woman from the agreement, Rory’s financial pressures force her to agree to him replacing his sister. So begins a light-hearted but emotive journey about getting to know others from different walks of life.

This is a thoroughly charming and enjoyable story that reminded me often of the kind of sweetness that Rainbow Rowell puts into the relationships in her novels. Author Kana Wu has captured an 'odd couple' sort of charm in Rory and Peter as these two very different souls learn to co-exist and get to know one another, and though it’s not all rainbows throughout the drama of the plot, the overall vibe is highly pleasant and fun. The dialogue offers some great comedy and pathos, and Rory is a thoroughly likable hero to the tale despite her obvious flaws: endearing and the kind of girl you’d always root for like a friend. Overall, No Romance Allowed comes highly recommended for readers who are tired of the typical chick lit romance, and are ready for something light as air and just as refreshing.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Mirrors of Life: What is Your Life in the Mirror? by Neal Owens is a riveting young adult story that explores racial themes, family, faith, and what it takes to succeed in a society where one's background already sets one up for failure. Yvonne is a young woman whose only dream is to raise strong and God-fearing children, imbuing them with the right philosophy to make them succeed in life. When one of her sons, Derrick, acquires a fortune, he is determined to create a positive impact on the lives of others. His attempts at building a business that reduces retail and gas prices pits him against powerful men in the business, including the greedy Erich Hornsby. A spiritually centered and God-fearing man, does Derrick have the kind of fight in him to help him win in a vicious and unforgiving business environment?

The story is compelling and the author explores the experiences of black Americans and the place that spirituality has in their lives. The book is laced with spiritual references and thoughts that are insightful and philosophical. I enjoyed the scenes where characters talk about life, often drawing inspiration from the Bible or using philosophy to define a path forward. The reader meets characters who are compelled by necessity, hardship, or poverty to think deeply about life and reality, often with humor. Neal Owens infuses the story with realism and explores the depth of characters. The prose is crisp and there is a lyrical quality to the writing that makes it appealing. Mirrors of Life is gripping, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Way You Burn is a work of fiction in the new adult drama genre and was penned by author Christine Meade. Accessible to readers of all sensitivities thanks to its moderation of scenes of violence, language and some sexual references, this is a slow-burning tale of a couple in deep turmoil in their relationship. David and Hope have their problems, and David knows that the scars of Hope's past – both literal and figurative – mean that she will always be a challenge to love. But when a fresh start in the great outdoors throws David for a loop, he discovers that there are yet more struggles in his relationship, and indeed in what he thought was his life.

Author Christine Meade has crafted an incredible tale which smacks of intellect and an astute sense of wisdom from cover to cover. David’s personal journey serves as the central backbone to the tale and, whilst it is not always exciting, it is always poignant and highly emotive to uncover. Hope presents as an antagonistic figure, but she is well developed and fascinatingly deep as the novel progresses. In a relatively short space, personal explorations are made and the theme of growth and triumph over struggle is one which we, as readers, find ourselves yearning for. This is a highly relatable novel to younger adults finding their way in life, and overall I would highly recommend The Way You Burn for its intelligent emotional quality and the excellent narration and character development within.