Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L Lloyd is a science fiction story with strong psychological and spiritual underpinnings. Jack Van Horne writes science fiction, but he has a condition that has been having a devastating effect on him. It is called agoraphobia and it reinforces his depression. While Eddy, his editor, thinks that his mental illness is just a form of mental block, Jack knows he can’t dismiss it. The illness has affected the progress of his current writing very negatively. Now, charged with watching his niece for two days, Jack ventures beyond his familiar landscape on a journey to the West Valley Wall. He believes his cure or ultimate curse may lie in this journey, and what if all this isn’t real? The outcome is surprising.

The writing is gorgeous and the reader immediately feels a connection with the protagonist, thanks to the strong and expert use of the first person narrative, a voice that irresistibly draws readers into the worldview of the protagonist. The conflict is mostly internal, and it is introduced in the opening pages: “My editor and good friend Eddy thinks I’m suffering writer’s block as well, but it’s more than just that. My agoraphobia and depression have been getting worse and worse since book one.” It is interesting to navigate the mindscapes of the protagonist, to feel his mental tension, and watch him struggle in his dilemma, torn between what others think and what he firmly believes. Journey to the West Valley Wall is a powerful narrative with deep undercurrents when it comes to meaning and symbolism. While Mark L Lloyd tells the story of an author suffering from a rare mental illness, he invites readers to navigate the gray zone between reality and illusion. The characters are believable and elaborately developed and the conflict so strong that it moves the plot forward. A delightful read, indeed.

Reviewed by Deepak Menon for Readers' Favorite

Mercury in Retrograde by Merethe Walther is a futuristic science fiction thriller that keeps the reader on tenterhooks throughout its nail biting action. The book begins with the main protagonist, Aralyn, who has just served out her prison sentence on Tartarys, the most horrific prison in the galaxy, docking her spaceship at a remote dock on a desolate trading planet, Lyria V, somewhere in the vastness of space. As she walks to the entry gate, Caden Madigan, who had been a fellow runner of banned goods with her as well as her ex-boyfriend, accosts her with a complement of custom agents and guards. Caden is wearing the insignia of a ‘Spector’ of the Universal Decisions Assembly, UDA, the feared secret police entrusted with the responsibility of apprehending ‘Runners’ who smuggled goods between planets across the galaxy. She is searched and some minor drugs are found in her pocket, but she escapes imprisonment due to a technicality. Though Caden tries to convince her that he had no hand in her imprisonment, she is full of bitterness and rejects his overtures. Later, after restoring her relationship with Caden, Aralyn goes to meet her mentor and idol Kragg, a blind old man who was a genius in making guns. She had promised him before her imprisonment to smuggle a package, and before leaving smuggling forever, she just had to keep her promise, one that lands her back in Tartarys.

Merethe Walther shows amazing skills in writing and in her descriptions of the living hell that is Tartarys, and the ordeal faced by our heroine. To avoid spoilers is difficult here because I am tempted to put in at least a line for the numerous subsequent events that follow across the galaxy. There are many other great original protagonists, both good and evil, like Eladia Galven, described as a bitch from Helios; Kita Shinkai whose life she saves; the vindictive Proctor Madigan; the hacker Riordan and more. Suffice it to say that the tale covers many unique scenarios, many spectacular action-packed events, heroism, a wide canvas of human frailty and resourcefulness to make it a book to remember for any reader. There is some sex – nothing explicit. The flow is steady and continuous with each event merging seamlessly with the next. This is a well written book though the ending is open ended, probably leaving a window to a sequel which I am sure will be well received.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

If you’ve read any of Nesly Clerge’s other books…there are five of them, including a trilogy…you know what to expect from The First Conception: Rise of Eris when it comes to riveting, compelling characters, single-minded motivation, a plot that keeps you forever in suspense, and twists you won’t see coming. That’s the magic and skill of Nesly Clerge’s writing. In The First Conception: Rise of Eris, Clerge takes on those men who have an ingrained sense of entitlement when it comes to women i.e. men have the absolute right to women’s bodies, who think they don’t need to ask permission. These men abuse, rape, molest and, in their wake, leave women forever scarred, frightened, suffering from PTSD and unable to tell others what happened to them.

One such woman is Katherine Eris, raped by her stepfather and others, and who, as a child, watched her mother being abused by one man after another. Katherine grows up determined to change the way men treat women. More than that, she is determined to make them suffer as she, her mother and so many others did. With her brilliant mind and medical skills, working in secrecy with hundreds of others like her, she works to pull off the impossible: finding a way for men to give birth while women remain childless for years, meaning ultimately the possible extinction of people on earth! Is she insane? Does this group of motivated women achieve their goal? What is the result? And what is the real story behind Katherine Eris? You have to read to the very end of the book to find the answer to that last question. It’s the twist you never see coming.

The current statistics on sexual abuse of girls and women are unforgivable. No wonder the #MeToo movement has caught on like wildfire and none too soon. Victims of abuse who support that movement will relate to so much of the thinking behind what Katherine Eris and her colleagues hope to achieve and why. Most likely, you won’t be able to put down The First Conception: Rise of Eris. I most certainly couldn’t. Another 5-star brilliant novel from Nesly Clerge. Read it!

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Disruption is Book 2 in the Singularity's Children series by Toby Weston, a futuristic story with an exciting setting, a world in perpetual conflict involving different classes of humans, AI, Buddhist commandos, and even a disgruntled dolphin. The world is run by well-calculated and intelligent, computer-driven propaganda that is designed to keep the poor in their poverty while increasing the wealth and power of those who have it. A king works on building a Utopia called Atlantis and strong woman’s life is in grave danger while an embittered dolphin, two banished hackers and an ex-soldier are in a race to save her. There is just so much action involving memorable characters that readers will find it hard to put this book down, even for a bit.

The narrative is ingeniously done and Toby Weston shows a great gift for character and plot. The story is set in an alternate world that shares similarities with ours, but it is a world facing numerous catastrophes and scientific challenges. There is a marked advancement in technology and lack of humanity in the leaders who rely too much on their technology and not on human values. Keith is one of my favorite characters and Stella. They are well-developed characters faced with impossible choices. The writing is both insightful and highly descriptive and the author conjures up images that will have powerful effects on readers. Conflict handling is impeccable and it combines with the exquisite prose to enhance the plot and make for an enjoyable reading experience. Disruption is exciting and absorbing, a gripping tale that is eminently readable.

Reviewed by Scott Cahan for Readers' Favorite

Soul Mirrors by Wiley Haydon is a well-crafted psychological exploration of a fictional ability called “reflecting”, and the effects it has on twins who are born with the ability. Thomas and Ashley are the first known twins to have the rare power of being able to look into a person’s eyes and receive their whole life in an instant. Every memory that person has is instantly dumped into their own mind. The ability is a blessing and a curse. The government has gotten involved and uses the "Mirrors", as they are called, to solve murders. Soul Mirrors delves into the lives of these two young people and we’re shown in vivid detail how the twins are affected; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The story line in Soul Mirrors moves slowly and meticulously, trading action scenes for in-depth conversations between the characters. In the hands of many authors, a book like this could get bogged down. But author Wiley Haydon has proven to be a master at weaving an intricate plot through character interaction and clever dialogue. The pacing never suffers as we’re carried along with ease, hanging on every sentence, following our characters on a roller coaster of emotions. He’s painted a picture that is so detailed in its description of how Ashley and Thomas are living with their power that, to me, it felt like the ability to reflect another person could almost be a real thing. Soul Mirrors is extremely well-written, completely original, and gripping from start to finish.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Quantum Heights by Richard A. Valicek is Book One in the Dead Path Chronicles, a story that will appeal immensely to fans of M.R. Mathias. The story begins with great action and the reader is seduced by the beauty of the language. The conflict is also introduced very early in the story. The introductory message is a powerful announcement that prepares the reader for a great adventure. The Elysian city of Alamptria receives a threatening message when the bodies of two agents are delivered to the king, dead. Now, the best two warriors are sent on a mission to investigate the crime and they get entangled in a plot that is deadlier than they could ever have imagined. They will have to fight their way through an army of vampires, encounter sly and deceitful characters, and meet with many dangers. Can they survive this mission and bring protection to their people?

I just became a fan of Richard A. Valicek because of his great writing style. The prose is neat and the descriptions are captivating. The plot moves very fast and it is animated by a powerful conflict. The author has carefully imagined the plot to have the reader turning the page. There are many twists and surprising turns and readers will enjoy the way characters unfold throughout the story. The characters are well-developed and readers can easily relate to them. There is a lot of action, yes, heart pounding action, that also makes the read a compelling one. Quantum Heights: Book One of the Dead Path Chronicles is one of the best fantasy stories I have read since this year began and I will be looking forward to the next books in the series. It is a great opening for a compelling series.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus is an awesome, action packed thriller. I was hooked after the first page. Resurrection is a small town. Rick Johnson is a small town sheriff. He is a hard headed, common sense, combat veteran, who also is a very smart and conscientious cop. He is my kind of guy. His world changes one morning with one strange radio transmission from his deputy and this is the beginning of an amazing roller coaster ride of a thriller. Resurrection America doesn't start with a big bang. It starts with a spot on look at policing in small town America. The first scene is actually a little comical. The sheriff’s morning ablutions are interrupted by a frightened deputy. This scene is written very well and sets the tone for the rest of the novel. The action and tension grow until you can hardly stand it, before exploding into a satisfying conclusion.

This is how good Jeff Gunhus is. I kept thinking that Resurrection America might have been written by Stephen King. The portrayal of ordinary life in America was just that spot on. The plot is brilliant. The portrayal of a Marine veteran who has kept his professionalism, even though he is working law enforcement now instead of running combat patrols, is perfect. A lot of the reason I like Resurrection America so much is because I like Sheriff Rick Johnson. We could be friends sharing war stories in a bar somewhere. He was that real to me. A great thriller all round.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Corvette by Ken McConnell is a sci fi/fantasy novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of adults and young adults who enjoy fast-paced science fiction that takes place in space. Lieutenant Armon Vance despairs that his career in the fleet is over when he finds himself assigned to an ancient ship at the edge of the known galaxy. Yet, little does he know that his career is not over but only beginning as he will face an important mission. His assistance will be relied upon to ensure the safe return of the ship and crew when they encounter a warship of the Votainion Armada. Will Lieutenant Armon Vance manage to keep the crew alive and get them back home safely or will he die trying?

Corvette by Ken McConnell is a well-written novel that reminded me of a combination of the different Star Trek movies and the TV series. I enjoyed the combination of past and future that Ken McConnell seamlessly combined in this novel in that it had the feel of a naval battle with a futuristic setting. I found Lieutenant Armon Vance to easily be my favorite character because, even though he was only a Lieutenant, he did not let that stop him from showing himself to be a hero. The ways in which he aided his captain and his crew showed the strength of his character and his determination. Overall, I found myself impressed by both the book and the author as I was captivated by not just the plot, but also by the author’s unique writing style.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Wizzy Wig (Thanatos Rising Book 2) by Tiffany Pitts is a science fiction novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy reality bending stories. Jake Denny is an average looking gamer who lives in the basement apartment of his mom’s building, and has a crush on a Pizza Joe’s delivery driver by the name of Kix. Kix remembered that Jake needed a closed box with something inside that is unknown to everyone for an intentional collapse of a wave function experiment, and she has such an item. Kix’s decision to bring the mystery pizza to Jake results in a hole being torn through reality, and a cat named Toesy having to take action to end the reality bending. Does Toesy have what it takes to put reality back in order, or will the cat cause the end of the world?

Wizzy Wig (Thanatos Rising Book 2) by Tiffany Pitts has an intriguing cover that hinted at the fact that a feline would play a large role in the story; this instantly pulled me in, as I am a huge fan of animals that are developed into full characters instead of just pets. Toesy is a Maine Coon cat that the author developed into a full character with its own personality and role in the plot. I specifically liked how the cat had its own role that did not overshadow the roles of Jake and Kix in the story. The book can easily be read as a standalone novel and I did not feel that I was missing plot elements of character development in not reading the first book in the series. Overall, I truly enjoyed the way the author wove together multiple plot elements into a reality defying story - it kept me so enthralled that I read the whole book in one sitting.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Gravity by James M. Corkill is the fourth installment in the Alex Cave Series, a throbbing sci-fi with a gripping plot. Geophysicist Alex Cave has just been informed by the Director of the Nordic Volcanological Center about an unusual volcanic occurrence in Iceland, where huge blobs of molten rock float out of an ancient glacier. With his friend Okana, Alex sets out on an investigation that uncovers a 180-million-year-old alien artifact, but it is stolen by Janice Sloan, who demands $2 million in exchange. Things get even more complicated when Sloan abducts Alex’s girlfriend and her ten-year-old daughter as part of her ploy. But something worse is happening — an emerald asteroid is on course to collide with the earth, and there are only six days left until the impact.

A lot is happening in this sci-fi novel that features blackmail and kidnapping, as well as a man’s desperate race to save the earth and those he loves. Alex is a well-developed character, a man facing multiple conflicts at the same time. Readers will love the characters in this book and the author’s writing voice — strong and clear. Although I have not read the previous books in this serious, I was able to connect with the story and the characters without any need for much backstory, thanks to the author’s gift for intelligently weaving elements from his previous book into the new one, without distracting the reader. The plot is fast-paced and it has many surprises for the reader. One has to read on, eager to know what will happen to the ancient artifact and if the asteroid will collide with the earth. Gravity by James M. Corkill reads wonderfully and I loved the originality in plot and characters.