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Recommend this book:
The Old Wolf
J.S. Morton
2026 Finalist
250 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Donna Stevenson for Readers' Favorite
The Old Wolf by J.S. Morton follows a private detective and former hitman who returns to killing after his friend Margery is murdered in a Post Office robbery. He is extremely upset about the fact that his Post Office has been robbed and that they have killed one of his favourite tellers. He tracks down each of the four robbers and eliminates them. But then, three of their associates abduct him. They want to know who hired him, and so they torture him. He escapes and quickly disposes of them, though he still doesn't know who sent them. He gathers a group of misfits—former targets—and embarks on a mission to uncover his real enemy. News of his recent killings reaches MI5, and one agent reactivates the chase to capture him once and for all.
The Old Wolf by J.S. Morton is a fast-paced thriller with graphic scenes that leave nothing to the imagination. J.S. Morton’s characters are a unique group of misfits with warm, lovable personalities and glib, fast-talking dialogue. Their many quirks and displays of affection with one another add humor, particularly in the scenes when they are gathered. The cat-and-mouse chases between The Wolf’s misfits, their enemies, and the MI5 agent mix humor and pathos. Despite being hailed in this story as the UK’s most notorious criminal after thirty years of killings, I found The Wolf to be a sympathetic figure. I found myself rooting for him to succeed, and I thought the unorthodox ending suited his volatile life perfectly.
The Old Wolf by J.S. Morton follows a private detective and former hitman who returns to killing after his friend Margery is murdered in a Post Office robbery. He is extremely upset about the fact that his Post Office has been robbed and that they have killed one of his favourite tellers. He tracks down each of the four robbers and eliminates them. But then, three of their associates abduct him. They want to know who hired him, and so they torture him. He escapes and quickly disposes of them, though he still doesn't know who sent them. He gathers a group of misfits—former targets—and embarks on a mission to uncover his real enemy. News of his recent killings reaches MI5, and one agent reactivates the chase to capture him once and for all.
The Old Wolf by J.S. Morton is a fast-paced thriller with graphic scenes that leave nothing to the imagination. J.S. Morton’s characters are a unique group of misfits with warm, lovable personalities and glib, fast-talking dialogue. Their many quirks and displays of affection with one another add humor, particularly in the scenes when they are gathered. The cat-and-mouse chases between The Wolf’s misfits, their enemies, and the MI5 agent mix humor and pathos. Despite being hailed in this story as the UK’s most notorious criminal after thirty years of killings, I found The Wolf to be a sympathetic figure. I found myself rooting for him to succeed, and I thought the unorthodox ending suited his volatile life perfectly.
Recommend this book:
The Catalogue
V.E.N.O.M. Series Book 1
Ty Mitchell
2026 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
The Catalogue is the first book in the V.E.N.O.M. series by Ty Mitchell, and it is perfect for readers who enjoy high-octane espionage thrillers. Detective Jake Penny is a disillusioned NYPD officer who struggles with grief and opioid addiction. Routine work in the Catskills uncovers the murder of Liang Do Shen, the leader of a ruthless mercenary organization—V.E.N.O.M. An NSA operative, Ethan Parker, pulls Jake in to help locate “The Catalogue,” a dossier that contains the identities of dangerous operatives in governments, syndicates, and corporations around the world. Jake is determined to retrieve the catalogue, but the path is fraught with danger, including terrorist threats and double crosses. Jun Li, the successor to Do Shen, is after what he is looking for, and other entities will kill to keep it a secret.
Ty Mitchell had me utterly entertained with this thriller. Jake wasn’t initially my favorite character, but being so flawed and believable made him a hero for me. He is an addict and struggles with survivor’s guilt, and that was enough to win my sympathy for him. But he surprised me in many ways. Zasha Avery is another character that I followed keenly, the Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist who seems to hide more than she reveals. The author used characters like her to create mystery and suspense in the story. The Catalogue has well-developed conflict, and the psychological chess match between Parker and Jake was well-written to examine the boundaries between loyalty and patriotism. For fans of Mark Greaney's The Gray Man or Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X, this book delivers adrenaline-fueled action while probing the cost of secrets.
The Catalogue is the first book in the V.E.N.O.M. series by Ty Mitchell, and it is perfect for readers who enjoy high-octane espionage thrillers. Detective Jake Penny is a disillusioned NYPD officer who struggles with grief and opioid addiction. Routine work in the Catskills uncovers the murder of Liang Do Shen, the leader of a ruthless mercenary organization—V.E.N.O.M. An NSA operative, Ethan Parker, pulls Jake in to help locate “The Catalogue,” a dossier that contains the identities of dangerous operatives in governments, syndicates, and corporations around the world. Jake is determined to retrieve the catalogue, but the path is fraught with danger, including terrorist threats and double crosses. Jun Li, the successor to Do Shen, is after what he is looking for, and other entities will kill to keep it a secret.
Ty Mitchell had me utterly entertained with this thriller. Jake wasn’t initially my favorite character, but being so flawed and believable made him a hero for me. He is an addict and struggles with survivor’s guilt, and that was enough to win my sympathy for him. But he surprised me in many ways. Zasha Avery is another character that I followed keenly, the Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist who seems to hide more than she reveals. The author used characters like her to create mystery and suspense in the story. The Catalogue has well-developed conflict, and the psychological chess match between Parker and Jake was well-written to examine the boundaries between loyalty and patriotism. For fans of Mark Greaney's The Gray Man or Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X, this book delivers adrenaline-fueled action while probing the cost of secrets.
Recommend this book:
Who Nuked Silicon Valley?
Mike Donoghue
2026 Bronze Medal
591 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In the science fiction thriller Who Nuked Silicon Valley? by Mike Donoghue, David Erdogan leads a tech firm under the control of his AI superior, Big Al, enduring blackmail and other attacks on his company. Meanwhile, Katie is a hacker who steals AI memories to sell on the black market. Her latest target is connected to a major terrorist attack in Silicon Valley years earlier. The stolen memory belongs to Livingstone1813, a researcher who studies human and AI interactions. This memory contains crucial information about an effort to amend the constitution to grant AIs formal legal recognition, and recovering it is essential to uncover the political and technological forces driving the movement, the ethical debates it raises, and the potential consequences for the status of artificial intelligence.
Mike Donoghue’s Who Nuked Silicon Valley? brilliantly imagines a future where technological elements fuel a believable societal evolution, using speculative elements to reflect on contemporary issues like surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and civil rights. In all this, Katie emerges as a standout character, especially in the games she plays with kids, but also because we see how her sharp examination of Livingstone’s claims demonstrates the difficulty of separating fact from manipulation in a world full of misinformation. Donoghue is incredibly adept at blending tech with wit, using informal speech, playful banter, and humorous analogies to make the technical material approachable and the characters authentic. Overall, this is an intelligent, highly entertaining read—although I have issues with pets not being allowed in space—but otherwise, I'm all in, and you will be too. Very highly recommended.
In the science fiction thriller Who Nuked Silicon Valley? by Mike Donoghue, David Erdogan leads a tech firm under the control of his AI superior, Big Al, enduring blackmail and other attacks on his company. Meanwhile, Katie is a hacker who steals AI memories to sell on the black market. Her latest target is connected to a major terrorist attack in Silicon Valley years earlier. The stolen memory belongs to Livingstone1813, a researcher who studies human and AI interactions. This memory contains crucial information about an effort to amend the constitution to grant AIs formal legal recognition, and recovering it is essential to uncover the political and technological forces driving the movement, the ethical debates it raises, and the potential consequences for the status of artificial intelligence.
Mike Donoghue’s Who Nuked Silicon Valley? brilliantly imagines a future where technological elements fuel a believable societal evolution, using speculative elements to reflect on contemporary issues like surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and civil rights. In all this, Katie emerges as a standout character, especially in the games she plays with kids, but also because we see how her sharp examination of Livingstone’s claims demonstrates the difficulty of separating fact from manipulation in a world full of misinformation. Donoghue is incredibly adept at blending tech with wit, using informal speech, playful banter, and humorous analogies to make the technical material approachable and the characters authentic. Overall, this is an intelligent, highly entertaining read—although I have issues with pets not being allowed in space—but otherwise, I'm all in, and you will be too. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Dead Will
Dr. Zack Winston Book 5
Mike Krentz
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite
Mike Krentz’s Dead Will: Dr. Zack Winston Book 5 is a chilling and riveting medical conspiracy thriller. Dr. Zack Winston is a well-respected ER physician, based at the Bethesda Metro ED. He is temporarily at the District of Columbia University Medical Center ER, in charge of the ER physician residents. His daughter Jennifer is a first-year neurosurgeon resident at DC UMC. Zack is initially puzzled when patients are admitted to the ER with some kind of brain trauma, showing apathy, confusion, and cognitive difficulties. As he and Jennifer compare their patient observations and learn more about the patients’ prior medical history, they draw a terrifying conclusion: the patients have been subjected to unauthorized experimental medical procedures. Then, a grand jury witness lapses into sudden apathy and cognitive difficulties.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dead Will for its remarkable characters and its suspenseful and sinister storyline. I particularly liked the character development. The storyline was greatly enriched by the skillfully interwoven interactions of Zack and Jennifer, as doctors and as father and daughter. I liked Zack’s tenacious determination to get to the bottom of unauthorized and secret surgeries by unknown doctors and to protect his daughter. I enjoyed Jennifer’s character development, her inner journey, both as a beginning neurosurgeon and as a young woman, making her own career and personal decisions. The story and the characters sprang to life with the concurrent development of the storyline and the character development of Zack, Jennifer, and US Attorney Bridget Larsen. Bridget and Zack are longtime friends and partners in the investigation of medical malfeasance, fraud, and medical conspiracies. In this novel, they are now married, and I liked the situations that show Bridget’s love and understanding of Jennifer. I was riveted by the terrifying events leading up to the climax, as suspicions of deliberate surgical damage grew into a horrifying certainty of a powerful and formidable medical conspiracy. I highly recommend Mike Krentz’s Dead Will to fans of medical thrillers and crime mysteries.
Mike Krentz’s Dead Will: Dr. Zack Winston Book 5 is a chilling and riveting medical conspiracy thriller. Dr. Zack Winston is a well-respected ER physician, based at the Bethesda Metro ED. He is temporarily at the District of Columbia University Medical Center ER, in charge of the ER physician residents. His daughter Jennifer is a first-year neurosurgeon resident at DC UMC. Zack is initially puzzled when patients are admitted to the ER with some kind of brain trauma, showing apathy, confusion, and cognitive difficulties. As he and Jennifer compare their patient observations and learn more about the patients’ prior medical history, they draw a terrifying conclusion: the patients have been subjected to unauthorized experimental medical procedures. Then, a grand jury witness lapses into sudden apathy and cognitive difficulties.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dead Will for its remarkable characters and its suspenseful and sinister storyline. I particularly liked the character development. The storyline was greatly enriched by the skillfully interwoven interactions of Zack and Jennifer, as doctors and as father and daughter. I liked Zack’s tenacious determination to get to the bottom of unauthorized and secret surgeries by unknown doctors and to protect his daughter. I enjoyed Jennifer’s character development, her inner journey, both as a beginning neurosurgeon and as a young woman, making her own career and personal decisions. The story and the characters sprang to life with the concurrent development of the storyline and the character development of Zack, Jennifer, and US Attorney Bridget Larsen. Bridget and Zack are longtime friends and partners in the investigation of medical malfeasance, fraud, and medical conspiracies. In this novel, they are now married, and I liked the situations that show Bridget’s love and understanding of Jennifer. I was riveted by the terrifying events leading up to the climax, as suspicions of deliberate surgical damage grew into a horrifying certainty of a powerful and formidable medical conspiracy. I highly recommend Mike Krentz’s Dead Will to fans of medical thrillers and crime mysteries.
Recommend this book:
Fatal Invitation
Detective Kylie Cassidy Series Book 1
S.F. Baumgartner
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Fatal Invitation is the first novel in the Detective Kylie Cassidy Series by S.F. Baumgartner. The story follows Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy as she tries to find out why young women are being murdered. This new case was supposed to be a significant career breakthrough in Major Crimes, but it quickly became a nightmare. All her leads turn out to be nothing. However, one thing is for sure. Assistant State Attorney Gavin Watkins and his associate, Kozlov, have something to do with the murdered women. Things take a terrifying turn when her witnesses disappear, and strange men start to hunt her. With only a handful of trustworthy people by her side, KC follows her instincts in a race against time to expose a dangerous criminal network. But when she gets too close, she becomes the next target. How can KC survive while also finding justice for the women who lost their lives? Can KC do it all, or will she become one of the victims?
Author S.F. Baumgartner did a fantastic job of creating a character-driven story that had me hooked until the end. No matter how hard I tried, I could not guess what would happen next. KC is a fantastic protagonist and an incredible character to follow. She is determined and flawed, making her a believable character, and I loved rooting for her. It is not your typical crime story, and KC is not your typical heroine. She is calculating, smart, and knows how to get things done, even with danger dogging her every step. I loved the action, the suspense, and the mystery around why young women were being targeted. The descriptions brought the story to life and made sure I was not going anywhere until I reached the end. Fatal Invitation is a brilliant start to the series, and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for KC in the next novel in the series.
Fatal Invitation is the first novel in the Detective Kylie Cassidy Series by S.F. Baumgartner. The story follows Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy as she tries to find out why young women are being murdered. This new case was supposed to be a significant career breakthrough in Major Crimes, but it quickly became a nightmare. All her leads turn out to be nothing. However, one thing is for sure. Assistant State Attorney Gavin Watkins and his associate, Kozlov, have something to do with the murdered women. Things take a terrifying turn when her witnesses disappear, and strange men start to hunt her. With only a handful of trustworthy people by her side, KC follows her instincts in a race against time to expose a dangerous criminal network. But when she gets too close, she becomes the next target. How can KC survive while also finding justice for the women who lost their lives? Can KC do it all, or will she become one of the victims?
Author S.F. Baumgartner did a fantastic job of creating a character-driven story that had me hooked until the end. No matter how hard I tried, I could not guess what would happen next. KC is a fantastic protagonist and an incredible character to follow. She is determined and flawed, making her a believable character, and I loved rooting for her. It is not your typical crime story, and KC is not your typical heroine. She is calculating, smart, and knows how to get things done, even with danger dogging her every step. I loved the action, the suspense, and the mystery around why young women were being targeted. The descriptions brought the story to life and made sure I was not going anywhere until I reached the end. Fatal Invitation is a brilliant start to the series, and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for KC in the next novel in the series.
Recommend this book:
The Black Raven's Song
A Chase Harper Thriller
Macklin Grey
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers' Favorite
“Behind closed doors, everything is invisible,” and as the novel The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey suggests, some doors are best left unopened. Chase Harper is a man of secrets who has lost the will to live. He hides behind his own closed doors and kills his days working as a supply chain manager for a business that means little to him other than a reason to wake up in the morning. When a nuclear explosion of unknown origin devastates Saint Petersburg and severely disrupts global commerce, Chase and his boss, Carolyn, fly to Singapore looking for new shippers. As luck would have it, the owner of the shipping company in Singapore is an old friend who is like family to Chase. But luck is fickle, and Chase finds himself in the middle of an undeclared war by a rogue state that will stop at nothing to achieve its goals.
The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey is an exquisite espionage thriller full of twists and surprises that breaks many genre stereotypes. An intricate and superbly crafted plot focuses on a devious scheme by a ruthless dictator to blackmail the world and the efforts of a spiritually broken man and his unlikely ally as they try to stop him. Themes of friendship, good versus evil, and a man rediscovering the beauty of being alive add depth and an emotional punch to the story. Strong character development comes from a surprising cast of villains and heroes who add some unique twists to the tale. With an adrenaline-fueled, high-speed pace, which includes parachute jumps, explosions, and scuba dives, The Black Raven's Song is a superb read that will satisfy and delight thrill seekers everywhere.
“Behind closed doors, everything is invisible,” and as the novel The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey suggests, some doors are best left unopened. Chase Harper is a man of secrets who has lost the will to live. He hides behind his own closed doors and kills his days working as a supply chain manager for a business that means little to him other than a reason to wake up in the morning. When a nuclear explosion of unknown origin devastates Saint Petersburg and severely disrupts global commerce, Chase and his boss, Carolyn, fly to Singapore looking for new shippers. As luck would have it, the owner of the shipping company in Singapore is an old friend who is like family to Chase. But luck is fickle, and Chase finds himself in the middle of an undeclared war by a rogue state that will stop at nothing to achieve its goals.
The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey is an exquisite espionage thriller full of twists and surprises that breaks many genre stereotypes. An intricate and superbly crafted plot focuses on a devious scheme by a ruthless dictator to blackmail the world and the efforts of a spiritually broken man and his unlikely ally as they try to stop him. Themes of friendship, good versus evil, and a man rediscovering the beauty of being alive add depth and an emotional punch to the story. Strong character development comes from a surprising cast of villains and heroes who add some unique twists to the tale. With an adrenaline-fueled, high-speed pace, which includes parachute jumps, explosions, and scuba dives, The Black Raven's Song is a superb read that will satisfy and delight thrill seekers everywhere.
Recommend this book:
The Alpha Particle
A Tom Rivers Thriller - Book 2 (Tom Rivers Thrillers)
T.J. Hawkins
2025 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
The Alpha Particle by T.J. Hawkins is the second book in the Tom Rivers thrillers series. After an encounter with Baqri, Tom woke up in bed at a secret section of MI5 and was told he was a Counter-Terrorist Asset; in short, he was a sleeper. Tom would only be activated in case of severe threats to the United States, and Baqri threatened the United States. A secret organization called The Collective was supporting Baqri. The Collective had members in powerful positions. They were a group of wealthy, powerful, and influential people from around the world. Tom found out that his American wife, Luna, was a similarly trained asset and also a sleeper. Tom’s knowledge of Baqri and his terrorist cell was vital, and the president personally instructed Tom and Luna to stop Baqri.
The Alpha Particle by T.J. Hawkins was intriguing and complex. There was never a dull moment in this fast-paced story. It was jam-packed with action, and I could not put the book down, too afraid I would miss something. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. The writing style was engaging and had me hooked from the first page until the last. The characters were well-developed and strong. Tom and Luna's transitions from ordinary persons to special agents were natural and comfortable. The description of where polonium and alpha particles come from and the devastation they could cause were interesting, and even an uninformed person like me could understand it. This book is excellently written and very interesting.
The Alpha Particle by T.J. Hawkins is the second book in the Tom Rivers thrillers series. After an encounter with Baqri, Tom woke up in bed at a secret section of MI5 and was told he was a Counter-Terrorist Asset; in short, he was a sleeper. Tom would only be activated in case of severe threats to the United States, and Baqri threatened the United States. A secret organization called The Collective was supporting Baqri. The Collective had members in powerful positions. They were a group of wealthy, powerful, and influential people from around the world. Tom found out that his American wife, Luna, was a similarly trained asset and also a sleeper. Tom’s knowledge of Baqri and his terrorist cell was vital, and the president personally instructed Tom and Luna to stop Baqri.
The Alpha Particle by T.J. Hawkins was intriguing and complex. There was never a dull moment in this fast-paced story. It was jam-packed with action, and I could not put the book down, too afraid I would miss something. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. The writing style was engaging and had me hooked from the first page until the last. The characters were well-developed and strong. Tom and Luna's transitions from ordinary persons to special agents were natural and comfortable. The description of where polonium and alpha particles come from and the devastation they could cause were interesting, and even an uninformed person like me could understand it. This book is excellently written and very interesting.
Recommend this book:
The Havana Syndrome
Nathan Burke Thrillers Book 1
Jeffrey James Higgins
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
In Jeffrey James Higgins' The Havana Syndrome, FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke is currently separated from his wife, Reagan, who has taken their daughter, Amelia, to spend a week with her. Upon his arrival, Nathan discovered Reagan lying on the floor of her office, surrounded by paramedics attending to her. Reagan was diagnosed with Havana Syndrome. Nathan still feels a sense of responsibility for Reagan and decides to take a leave of absence to learn more about Havana Syndrome. Nathan partners with his former academy classmate Meili, who is investigating the possibility that a high-energy weapon is responsible for causing Havana Syndrome. Meili was assaulted with the same type of weapon at the White House, yet law enforcement could find no evidence to support this. It appears that someone in the government is behind Havana Syndrome and the attack on Meili and is trying to cover it up.
The Havana Syndrome by Jeffrey James Higgins was captivating and intricate. The story was fast-paced and filled with action from beginning to end. Various plotlines were intertwined, and one did not take away from the other. It was a captivating read, and the chapters transitioned smoothly into one another. The suspense kept me eagerly flipping through the pages as quickly as I could. I found it hard to set the book aside, as I was too afraid of missing something significant. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. The characters were well-crafted, feeling genuine and relatable. The story was superbly written and far surpassed my expectations. I truly enjoyed reading the book and could not have wished for a better conclusion.
In Jeffrey James Higgins' The Havana Syndrome, FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke is currently separated from his wife, Reagan, who has taken their daughter, Amelia, to spend a week with her. Upon his arrival, Nathan discovered Reagan lying on the floor of her office, surrounded by paramedics attending to her. Reagan was diagnosed with Havana Syndrome. Nathan still feels a sense of responsibility for Reagan and decides to take a leave of absence to learn more about Havana Syndrome. Nathan partners with his former academy classmate Meili, who is investigating the possibility that a high-energy weapon is responsible for causing Havana Syndrome. Meili was assaulted with the same type of weapon at the White House, yet law enforcement could find no evidence to support this. It appears that someone in the government is behind Havana Syndrome and the attack on Meili and is trying to cover it up.
The Havana Syndrome by Jeffrey James Higgins was captivating and intricate. The story was fast-paced and filled with action from beginning to end. Various plotlines were intertwined, and one did not take away from the other. It was a captivating read, and the chapters transitioned smoothly into one another. The suspense kept me eagerly flipping through the pages as quickly as I could. I found it hard to set the book aside, as I was too afraid of missing something significant. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. The characters were well-crafted, feeling genuine and relatable. The story was superbly written and far surpassed my expectations. I truly enjoyed reading the book and could not have wished for a better conclusion.
Recommend this book:
Imber
Deborah Mistina
2025 Gold Medal
330 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Imber by Deborah Mistina is a thrilling science fiction novel that takes readers on a journey to the future where Earth has been rendered unstable. Earth is not what it used to be. Climate change, pollution, and too many wars have destroyed the planet. While most of the population is settled in underground complexes, only a handful of people brave the terrifying surface. One of them is Violet, a biochemist who takes care of the organic farm. Although she lives on her farm in peace, the local government is advocating for giving up on Earth altogether, something she could never agree to, and she is not alone. Three other people believe there is something fishy going on and needs to be investigated. Emily (a scholar), Mason (a hacker), and Jack (a hunter) all believe there is still something left on Earth worth fighting for. But is there? Or are they fighting for a lost cause?
Author Deborah Mistina weaves a beautiful story of survival, resistance, and hope. It is an immersive and thought-provoking dystopian story that feels very real and possible in the future. The descriptions are crisp, and the narrative is well-paced. I loved how Mistina balances intense action with character development. Violet is a compelling protagonist. She embodies resilience and rebellion even when the odds are not in her favor. Jack was an interesting character, and I wanted to learn more about him, whereas Mason was the go-getter of the group and ready to do whatever it took to make their mission a success. I instantly felt a connection with Emily. She was soft and endearing but fierce as well. The moment Mason discovered Project Noah, I knew I was in for an entertaining ride. The pace never slowed down, the action was relentless, and the characters ensured I stayed with them until the end. Imber was exactly what I wanted it to be, and I loved every moment of it. Highly recommended.
Imber by Deborah Mistina is a thrilling science fiction novel that takes readers on a journey to the future where Earth has been rendered unstable. Earth is not what it used to be. Climate change, pollution, and too many wars have destroyed the planet. While most of the population is settled in underground complexes, only a handful of people brave the terrifying surface. One of them is Violet, a biochemist who takes care of the organic farm. Although she lives on her farm in peace, the local government is advocating for giving up on Earth altogether, something she could never agree to, and she is not alone. Three other people believe there is something fishy going on and needs to be investigated. Emily (a scholar), Mason (a hacker), and Jack (a hunter) all believe there is still something left on Earth worth fighting for. But is there? Or are they fighting for a lost cause?
Author Deborah Mistina weaves a beautiful story of survival, resistance, and hope. It is an immersive and thought-provoking dystopian story that feels very real and possible in the future. The descriptions are crisp, and the narrative is well-paced. I loved how Mistina balances intense action with character development. Violet is a compelling protagonist. She embodies resilience and rebellion even when the odds are not in her favor. Jack was an interesting character, and I wanted to learn more about him, whereas Mason was the go-getter of the group and ready to do whatever it took to make their mission a success. I instantly felt a connection with Emily. She was soft and endearing but fierce as well. The moment Mason discovered Project Noah, I knew I was in for an entertaining ride. The pace never slowed down, the action was relentless, and the characters ensured I stayed with them until the end. Imber was exactly what I wanted it to be, and I loved every moment of it. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Doves In A Tempest
The Valley of Horror
Bill Schweitzer
2024 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
In Doves In A Tempest by Bill Schweitzer, it’s the summer of 1958, and a group of smart preteens wants nothing more than to enjoy the summer together. That peaceful dream is shattered when they come across a strange anomaly that none of them can explain. Each of the children’s stories is the same as they enter the forest, trying to see what the big deal was, and what Stevie thought he saw a few nights prior. A strange creature or being shows itself to each of the kids differently. For Betty, it is a beautiful fairy that reminded her at first of her favorite character in Peter Pan; Tinkerbell. Anna, Levi, Stevie, and James have different experiences but one thing remained similar: they believed their friends had abandoned them and were traumatized by whatever it was. None of the kids can make up for an hour of lost time, and the fact that they had bruises and cuts all over them. They know that something isn’t right, but feel that no one will believe what happened to them. Taking matters into their own hands, the kids, along with Stevie’s older brother, decide to figure out what’s in the forest.
I really enjoyed reading Doves In A Tempest. It reminded me a lot of Stephen King’s It with other homages to different books and movies from the 80s and 90s. Bill Schweitzer created a great tale of a group of preteen kids who had a terrifying yet unexplainable event that happened to them. I liked all the characters but I found myself relating the most to Anna personality-wise. She has this Beverly Marsh and Richie Tozier kind of feel to her. She’s smart with the mouth of a sailor but is always loyal to her friends. I also liked the nostalgic feeling of being a kid as my group of friends and I go on these adventures with our bikes. Doves In A Tempest is a summer tale of friendship and the paranormal; be prepared for a scare! I’m really glad I came across this book. I think Schweitzer has done an excellent job and I can’t wait to read more of his work.
In Doves In A Tempest by Bill Schweitzer, it’s the summer of 1958, and a group of smart preteens wants nothing more than to enjoy the summer together. That peaceful dream is shattered when they come across a strange anomaly that none of them can explain. Each of the children’s stories is the same as they enter the forest, trying to see what the big deal was, and what Stevie thought he saw a few nights prior. A strange creature or being shows itself to each of the kids differently. For Betty, it is a beautiful fairy that reminded her at first of her favorite character in Peter Pan; Tinkerbell. Anna, Levi, Stevie, and James have different experiences but one thing remained similar: they believed their friends had abandoned them and were traumatized by whatever it was. None of the kids can make up for an hour of lost time, and the fact that they had bruises and cuts all over them. They know that something isn’t right, but feel that no one will believe what happened to them. Taking matters into their own hands, the kids, along with Stevie’s older brother, decide to figure out what’s in the forest.
I really enjoyed reading Doves In A Tempest. It reminded me a lot of Stephen King’s It with other homages to different books and movies from the 80s and 90s. Bill Schweitzer created a great tale of a group of preteen kids who had a terrifying yet unexplainable event that happened to them. I liked all the characters but I found myself relating the most to Anna personality-wise. She has this Beverly Marsh and Richie Tozier kind of feel to her. She’s smart with the mouth of a sailor but is always loyal to her friends. I also liked the nostalgic feeling of being a kid as my group of friends and I go on these adventures with our bikes. Doves In A Tempest is a summer tale of friendship and the paranormal; be prepared for a scare! I’m really glad I came across this book. I think Schweitzer has done an excellent job and I can’t wait to read more of his work.
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