Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Born: Against All Odds is a work of dramatic literary fiction penned by author Hope Silver. Translated from its original Russian by Krystyna Steiger, this unusual narrative takes us on the conceptual path of how human beings come into form, discussing the nature of souls waiting to be born. This spiritual work concerns a single soul called Peace, who spots a woman whom he feels would be the ideal mother to bring him into the world. We journey with Peace on his desire to be born, asking important questions about life and its purpose, as well as human nature along the way.

Part spiritual discussion, part magical realism, this fantasy and literary work combines the serious and the surreal with excellent balance. Author Hope Silver develops characters with a seamless fluidity alongside the plot, never pausing to delve into too much conceptual explanation or backstory, which allows us to get to know Peace, Lera and the rest of the cast as you would get to know new friends. The concept of souls choosing where to be born is an interesting and heartfelt journey that is well told, with many ups and downs and issues that will keep you questioning long after you finish the actual novel. The prose too is elegantly formed to paint ethereal images of the pre-existence of souls, compared to the earthy qualities of the human form as it walks the planet. Overall, Born: Against All Odds is a dramatic, uplifting and thought-provoking piece of literature that anyone can enjoy.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Journey of a JuBu: How a Neurotic Jew Found his Inner Bu by Blaine Langberg is a unique story that both entertains and enlightens readers. The story is a spiritual odyssey that follows the path of Adam Freeman as he searches for inner peace. He is sent out to find himself in a noisy world where he has to learn to connect with himself and discover peace. The protagonist is actually the author and when he sends his character off on a quest to find spirituality and inner peace, he expects to become a better version of himself: father and boss. Things do not turn out as Jacob intended as his Adam encounters real-life situations and seeks to understand himself. It is a winding, hilarious path that eventually leads Adam to confront his true self and understand meaning in a world that seems to be filled with everything but meaning.

This is a wonderful book filled with spiritual lessons and the author offers a fresh perspective to understanding and embracing one’s spirituality. There are powerful hints of different religions: Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. And at the core of this story is the powerful message that humanity is spiritual. The characters are ones that readers will love and the differences between these characters have a message that readers need to listen to. The humor is strong and I enjoyed the lighthearted manner in which the author delivers a compelling and timely message. Here is a book that makes you laugh out loud while thinking about your own reality and exploring the inner world of your soul. Journey of a JuBu: How a Neurotic Jew Found his Inner Bu is a book that exposes the secrets of everyday happiness amidst the chaos of a fast-spinning world. Filled with wisdom, humor, and insight.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Sophia Von X is a work of fiction in the suspense, mystery, and parody sub-genres, and was penned by author Victoria Ray. Written for mature audiences due to the inclusion of some explicit language and mild violent scenes, this highly amusing tale lightly mocks the action thriller genre whilst taking readers on its own wild and suspenseful ride. Our central characters are Sabina and Thomas, who find themselves brought together in a visit to a newly discovered tomb of Jesus Christ. Neither is willing to be upfront about the truth of themselves, and Sabina soon finds herself embroiled in a sudden murderous plot involving biblical artifacts, and powerful people who seem to know her potential better than she does herself.

There was something very James-Bond-meets-Dogma about the reading experience delivered by author Victoria Ray, who injects intelligent, wry humor into every moment of this genuinely suspenseful mystery novel. One of the elements which most impressed me was the dialogue, which serves to introduce us to characters and deepen them immediately due to the variety of distinctive voices used. Sabina is an excellent foil for the mishaps and bizarre plot twists, for she reacts in an intrinsically human way to which we can all relate. The plot itself is also extremely well-crafted, with a non-stop succession of typically exciting action novel events that come together to form an excellent and engaging parody of themselves. Overall, I would certainly recommend Sophia Von X to readers who enjoy an indulgent, funny, and totally thrilling action/adventure mystery.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Transference is an intense work of science fiction penned by author B. T. Keaton. Conceptual, passionate and exciting on every page, Transference is the tale of a criminal slave laborer called Barrabas Madzimure. Whilst mining for the precious eridanium ores on a planet far from home, Barrabas kills a prison warden and finds himself sentenced to death. In a world where immortal life has been achieved, this terror forces him to confess a truth: he himself is an immortal who has transferred his identity to keep himself alive. As he claims to be the missing war hero Thaniel Kilraven, the investigation heats up around him and Barrabas must make a mad dash for freedom.

I found Transference to be a thrilling read from start to finish, not least because of its tense conceptual style and mid-level violent interludes. Barrabas is a fascinating hero with much to discover, and the mystery of his identity and motives really keeps the plot twisting around him with some excellent pacing. Author B. T. Keaton utilizes this to create a mysterious atmosphere with excellent prose but also develops a powerful political chokehold that looms over the rest of the action like a heavy shadow. As the one-man-mission collides with the bigger picture, wonderful developments occur and the concepts of identity and power are intelligently explored amongst the battles and strategies at play. Overall, Transference is a highly recommended read for fans of both conceptual science fiction and intense political thrillers with plenty of action and adventure.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Reveal: Among Us Trilogy by Anne-Rae Vasquez is the third book in this science fiction/fantasy series. It all began with Cristal and Harry trying to find out what was really happening in the world and trying to find their missing parents at the same time. However, with time, these two people realize that things are far more complicated than they first anticipated. There are far more dangerous and competent players in this treacherous game and there is not much they can do about finding the Truth, unless they are ready to take a drastic risk. With the Beast and the false Messiah right in the middle of this fight, how can a man and a woman save humanity before the actual Messiah comes? Is there really a Messiah waiting to help them or are they on their own?

It was a little confusing at first, but that is not the story’s flaw or the author’s fault. As I had not read the previous two novels in the series, I had to take some time catching up with the characters and to find out what was happening in the story. But once I caught up, there was no stopping me. I have never connected with characters this fast, especially in a series like this where I read the last novel first. I absolutely enjoyed Cristal and Harry, how they became a team and took charge of the situation. I absolutely loved the fact that they were both a team and not a man leading the woman or vice versa. No one was standing on the sidelines waiting for the other person to take an action because both of them were the go-getters and doers. The flow of the story was great, the narration was engaging and the overall development was amazing as well. I really enjoyed it! A very entertaining read.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Ancient Order (Bud Hutchins Supernatural Thrillers Book 0) by JB Michaels is a story with strong supernatural underpinnings, a tale that explores the birth of a powerful order, The Order of St. Michael, designed to fight the forces of darkness. The Roman Empire is experiencing the most challenging and dark period in her history when some of her finest warriors are being mysteriously slaughtered. The highly skilled and battle-tested centurion, Magnus, is sent to Roman Britain to investigate the murders. He is not aware of what awaits him as he sets off on this mission with a warrior woman by his side. Does he have enough fight in him to face the dark powers, the powerful clans, and the innumerable enemies on his path?

This is a stellar work, packed with action, tightly plotted and executed in a way that the reader is gripped from the opening pages to keep on reading nonstop. The author has a unique gift for plot and crafts scenes that are focused, keeping the story balanced, and leading readers into exciting places with the setting. The characters are well developed and they will recall to readers elements of a civilization that has always intrigued historians. JB Michaels builds the tension from the very beginning of the novel and keeps it strong and growing from page to page. The Ancient Order is deft and well balanced. I found it to be engrossing and utterly riveting, a novel with an irresistible appeal for fans of historical fiction and intriguing and action-packed thrillers.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Every so often, a book comes along that blows you away with its uniqueness. For me, Reprobation by Catherine Fearns is one of those books. It’s so different, so intense, and so “heady” for lack of a better word, that I can only say if you decide to read it, you better make sure you have have a large vocabulary, because Fearns certainly has. You might also need to be reasonably well-educated and interested in genetic experimentation. It would also help if you occasionally find yourself wondering about life and death within a religious context and if, indeed, you even believe in God. If all that sounds like you, then go ahead and challenge yourself by reading Reprobation.

You see, Reprobation is a challenge, not just for the reader, but for the protagonist, Sister Helen Hope, a Calvinist nun who believes in God, and Detective Darren Swift who doesn’t. When a man is found crucified on a beach with a strange symbol on his body, in the Liverpool area of England where churches of every denomination abound, thoughts give rise to a Satanic murder. But finding the killer or killers is difficult and when suspicion falls on a religious genetic scientist who cannot be found, the search becomes increasingly complicated, especially when a young woman is found with her abdominal innards removed. Yes, the details are gory.

How Sister Helen Hope is drawn into solving the mystery with the help of Mikko, lead singer of a Norwegian death metal band, is for readers to find out. Far be it for me to spoil your fun. When the mystery is solved, surprises abound, and not just about the identity of the perps, but what happens to Sister Helen’s faith and belief in God along the way. The woman who confidently teaches eschatology (look it up or read the book!) isn’t the same person by the time the story ends. Neither is Mikko nor Detective Darren Swift. What on earth happened in Reprobation?

Readers might need patience to read this novel, which is actually a bit of a psychological thriller. As I said above, the wording is erudite and the concepts are heady. As much as they contribute to understanding the Calvinist view of life and death, the use of lengthy biblical passages by the Deaconess and others slows the pace, as do the very detailed descriptions of the settings. But if this sounds like your kind of read, don’t hesitate to add this to your Thanksgiving bucket list. Why Thanksgiving? You’ll be thankful Reprobation is, after all, only fiction.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In When the Haboob Sings by Nejoud Al-Yagout, Dunya Khair had always noticed the cultural injustices around her but never dared to question them. When her conscience can take it no longer, she dares to speak out for the rights of women and others in a strict, patriarchal society. When her article is published, Dunya finds herself the subject of death threats and derision. Overnight her article sparks controversy and she suddenly finds herself in a cockroach-infested prison cell and denounced publicly by her family. Dunya's article draws attention from around the world and when she is released from prison, Dunya believes she must continue to fight all the injustices around her and tackle subjects that many are afraid to confront. Dunya finds herself in the midst of a scandalous witch hunt; many want to silence her, while others support her from behind closed doors. Dunya's steadfast belief that she must follow her truth and speak out continues but sometimes questioning the status quo has serious consequences.

The subject matter of this incredible story is quite relevant in today's society, where many people are persecuted for addressing cultural and religious practices. Dunya is a wonderful character with such a strong resolve but slowly her mental frailty emerges. The main message I gained, however, is that sometimes it cannot be left to one person to speak out while others agree in the shadows; sometimes you have to spread the risk about for change to occur. The descriptive narrative and behavior of characters that live under strict cultural and religious laws were relayed so realistically, and although many citizens of the West understand the difficulty of speaking out, very few experience the implications of having differing views when it could result in imprisonment or death. The entire plot is filled with shocking twists and revelations, especially the explosive ending. This is such a powerful story that the image of Dunya and her fight for the truth and justice is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

Jaw-dropping plot twists combine with thoughtful themes to produce an unforgettable read in Ted Neill’s debut novel, City on a Hill. Religious war turned the world to nuclear dust and desert. The remnants of humanity live in the walled cities of Lysander and Fortinbras. Religion is illegal, a form of insanity, and the root of division and discord. Lindsey and Sabrina have been friends since Sabrina beat up a girl bullying Lindsey on the playground. Now women, Lindsey hopes to study art while Sabrina pursues a career in law enforcement. As part of a routine investigation, Sabrina and her supervisor discover religious pendants in a workshop. Following their only surviving suspect leads Sabrina to an abandoned warehouse filled with cultists, Lindsey among them. Torn between her best friend and her duty, Sabrina is forced onto a path where terrible secrets will shake the foundations of everything she knows.

City on a Hill is a fast-paced read that tackles potentially volatile subject matter in a manner that’s both thoughtful and impartial. While the themes provide much for the reader to contemplate in terms of both religious and atheist zealotry, there’s also plenty of exciting action scenes. This provides a good balance to the narrative. The relationship between Lindsey and Sabrina is as complex as you’d expect from two people with such differing personalities. I loved that Neill kept a tight focus on Lindsey and Sabrina’s friendship, even though there were various opportunities to develop romance between these women and the men in their lives. The plot twists in City on a Hill caught me off guard more than once. Just when you think you understand the bigger picture, Ted Neill peels back the layers to reveal shocking facts that force the reader to reexamine everything.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Espionage, religion, and love collide in the thrilling novel, The Eagle and the Child) The Child Trilogy Book 1 by S. Khubiar. Dr. Phillip Sherrod is an up and coming orthopedic surgeon, with a reputation for his indiscretions. After a year of treating the enigmatic Dr. Shahla Markow for a shoulder injury, he discovers there is far more to her than her government job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and he is intrigued. When Shahla is stabbed by a prisoner and requests Phillip as her surgeon, his interest takes a more serious turn. Her government job has another layer, and he realizes Shahla is a trained killer; still, her paradoxical life fascinates Phillip even more. He finally convinces her to marry him, but the complexity of their relationship intensifies when Phillip learns she practices and follows the laws of Judaism. Because he loves her, Phillip endeavors to understand and incorporate Shahla's religion into his life, yet the incongruity between her beliefs and her work continues to perplex him. Shahla's history is still a mystery to him, and one evening when she has visitors from her past who attempt to intimidate him, Phillip becomes very upset. Shahla won't explain their presence, and Phillip loses control; he oversteps his moral and physical boundaries. Two days later, without explanation, Shahla disappears. Has he driven Shahla away or has Shahla's past caught up with her?

The Eagle and the Child by S. Khubiar is a scintillating tale about a woman operative's struggles to have an ordinary life, despite her race, religion, and career. In combining Shahla's and Phillip's dissimilar cultures, the story realistically portrays the extreme difficulties existing in combining two diverse backgrounds. Shahla views her place in her home and society in the traditions of her Persian parents, which vary significantly in contrast to Phillip's Protestant upbringing. The polarity of their formative years brings an element of intensity to the plot and an unexpected development in the storyline. This is an enlightening story confronting the issues of hate and prejudice from the viewpoint of those who are the victims of intolerance. Intrigue and subterfuge are the principal elements woven throughout the book, laced with fast-paced action and electrifying fight scenes. These exciting aspects keep the reader mesmerized and entertained until the final page. It is a suspenseful story centered around international government conflicts and building to an exhilarating climax. This riveting novel terminates on an emotional cliffhanger, leaving the reader anxiously awaiting the sequel. This is a brilliant beginning to a saga that reminds me of a modern version of the "Zion Chronicles" by Brock and Bodie Thoene. Discretion is advised as there are bouts of violence, mild sex scenes, and a few mature words.