Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

Things take a drastic turn for James when Elena steals the timepiece and his grandmother's diary from him out of desperation to save her sons. He had trusted her, and she betrayed him. On the positive side, she had left information about the hourglass. Could it help him get back to Cassandra? James had received something peculiar from his grandmother on her deathbed: the timepiece and her diary, which he discovered later. Her only hope is that the device gets back to its rightful owners. Diane Cross doesn't want it back because of the curse she believes it possesses. Is time travel possible? And can James use the device to positively influence events? To find out, get a copy of The Timepiece Legacy by Kevin D. Miller.

The Timepiece Legacy by Kevin D. Miller is wonderfully written and uses a unique approach to time travel. Unlike most books in this genre that are riddled with too much jargon, it's not too technical and uses easy-to-understand language that makes it accessible to all kinds of readers. Kevin also used suspense to great effect, and the twists and turns in the flawlessly flowing plotline kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, and the vivid descriptions of events and places help to create a mental picture of what is happening. The fast-paced narration kept me on my toes, and I was always looking forward to the subsequent chapters. I cannot wait to read something else by this talented author.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In Dreams, We Fly is a captivating time-travel thriller by Juliet Rose. Following the death of her mother, Sitka experienced life-altering events that changed her life. Sitka moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, to live with her Aunt Leigh and cousin. Sitka ran into a cabin to escape after witnessing a body being dumped, and it was there that she met Davis. Davis guided her into a tunnel beneath the cabin, and when the men arrived at the cabin, searching for her, she was propelled fifty years into the past. Setting off on a time travel adventure, Sitka fearlessly changed the path of events, sparing the life of a young girl, and struggling with a heavy secret that troubled her conscience. But before Sitka can return home, she must find out why she went back to the past.

In Dreams, We Fly is a thrilling journey as Sitka ventures through time. Juliet Rose handled the subject of racism with tact while fusing aspects of grief, mystery, adventure, and self-discovery. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages. With all the twists and turns, I could not wait to discover the secrets and surprises that awaited Sitka and Davis. The characters were genuine and well-developed. Sitka was welcomed with open arms into her aunt's family, and I felt bad for her since she could not comprehend why some people were prejudiced. I liked how Sitka developed and changed from a bereaved daughter to a heroic time traveler. The transition between the past and present was done skillfully, and the story was easy to read.

Reviewed by Sarah Pierzchala for Readers' Favorite

Western Lights by C.P. Schaefer opens with young Ethan Sites, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in the Alaskan wilderness investigating mysterious and disturbing anomalies in Earth's magnetic fields. Elsewhere, bush pilot and seasonal fisherman Mason Hahn does a good deed in helping Sara Gathers, a marine biologist also employed by NOAA, rescue a pod of beached whales. Since Sara's mother also happens to be the director of that same government agency, the team of young scientists has a direct connection to Washington, D.C. and the military. These resources are vital as they look further into the strange behavior of local wildlife, the magnetic anomalies, increased methane leakage, and the connections between these phenomena to solar activity. As the power grid fails throughout much of the United States, authorities scramble to reassure the public, even while the information the scientists in the field gather becomes more apocalyptic. When Sara, Mason, and Ethan get close to one of the magnetic anomalies, they find themselves trapped and separated from the world at large. Can they get a message to the future in time to make a difference?

Western Lights is a highly entertaining blend of hard science fiction, fantasy, and page-turning, fast-paced adventure. As Sara and her friends face ever more daunting obstacles, they use their wits and technical skills to adapt. C.P. Schaefer creates drama and tension with virtually no violent conflict or "good vs. evil" tropes. There are no real villains here other than the forces of nature. Sara stands out as a young woman learning hard truths about her world and her responsibilities while challenging herself to always do what's right in the face of incredible hazards. The romance with Mason is kept believable yet discreet. By the story's end, Sara's relationship with her mother, due to major twists in the plot, has become both complex and touching. Generally, the hard science aspects are integrated very smoothly into the action-packed plot, creating an entertaining and immersive novel with lots of exciting twists and rising stakes that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The conclusion leaves the door open for a sequel with a few unresolved plot threads, but, overall, it's a satisfying ending that leaves the reader confident this team of scientists and successful businessmen will eventually create a powerful coalition to help make the future a better place for all. Recommended to fans of both thrillers and hard science action tales.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Times of Turmoil is the second installment in Anna Belfrage's The Time Locket series, following The Whirlpools of Time. The series begins with Duncan Melville in 1715, searching for companionship after his father's death. However, he unexpectedly time-travels to 2016, where he meets Erin Barnes, and their bond grows as they navigate perilous adventures in both time periods. In this sequel, Duncan and Erin work to establish a peaceful life with their twin daughters but face relentless foes, including the vengeful Armand Joseph Chardon and his sons. Erin's confrontation with child abuse adds to their troubles, while Duncan's cousin seeks refuge, Nicholas Farrell reappears, and Erin's vulnerability as a woman of color in a dangerous era further complicates their existence.

As a person of color the standout of Anna Belfrage's series, and Times of Turmoil in particular, is the struggle of Erin and the radical shift of 300 years that, sadly, shows how little things have changed. As a father, I am always on the lookout for books with characters my daughters can see themselves represented in, and Belfrage gives this to us, wrapped up in a supremely engrossing time travel epic. There is a line where Duncan says, “This is what a white man considers is his right to subject a coloured woman to.” It's beautiful and disheartening all at once. The plot itself is dynamic and fast-paced, with unexpected twists and turns. The use of ruses and strategies amplifies this, and all of the characters are multi-dimensional, with their own motivations and flaws. Belfrage's writing is able to evoke strong emotions of empathy, anger, and hope, and this follow-up in the Time Locket series is a solid, worthy read. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Outlaw Gillis Kerg by Mike Murphey is a work in the time travel, surrealist, and adventure subgenres and forms the fourth novel in the Physics, Lust and Greed series. It is best suited to mature readers for its adult humor and references. In this amusing, witty, and full-throttle science fiction adventure, we are embroiled in dangerous AI companions, murderous plots to kill prominent legal figures, and a dangerously stupid political campaign. To top it all off, the central protagonist and former time traveler Marta Hamilton has inadvertently caused the creation of a cult hell-bent on revenge against her.

Mike Murphey is a socially sharp writer who knows how to repeatedly hit the funny button on issues that we might all have a lot of trepidation and exasperation about today. There’s wit all over this novel, from the intricate narrative surrounding the characters to the plot line's worryingly familiar campaigning and dirty politics. Still, it shone through most in the slick dialogue that genuinely made me laugh out loud several times. There’s a comic timing to what Murphey does that draws you in, smiling along with the moments you think you recognize until a newly surreal incursion causes the other shoe to drop, and suddenly you’re in on a joke you didn’t even know was building. In addition, the character development keeps things somewhat grounded so that you’re never too lost in the absurdity of it all. Overall, I’d say that The Outlaw Gillis Kerg is a wonderfully well-balanced novel packed with satire, adventure, and humor galore.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Doubt the Stars are Fire by Daniele Kasper continues the story of Cara and Caine. Cara is back home in New York but she has lost all her memories of her time in the future and Caine. Everyone around her can tell she is different but nothing makes sense until she meets a fortune-teller. Once she gets her memories back, Cara has a single-minded goal to reunite with Caine. Little does she know, Caine is suffering just as much, if not more, without her. Caine misses her but that is the least of his worries. Before he knows it, Caine is surrounded by liars and enemies wearing the skin of friends. As more and more secrets of the Confederation are revealed, Caine is left wondering what goal he truly fights for. Is Cara able to retrace her steps to Caine? Is Caine able to support Cara despite what is happening around him?

I loved the thrilling tale of Cara and Caine. The suspense is alive, the mystery is thrilling, and the action is palpable. It is hard to pick a favorite moment in the story. I loved Cara’s reactions and how she handled the situation to the best of her abilities. My sympathies however lay with Caine and his struggles. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Caine is second-guessing everything including his next move. Cara’s health is a sensitive topic in the latter part of the story, and Daniele Kasper made sure to give it importance, without making it the focal point of the plot. The pace is fast and each of the characters has enough page space to tell their story. Doubt the Stars are Fire is the perfect weekend book to read!

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Raine, Summer, and Meadow are sisters and the stars of Timeless Secrets by Casi McLean. The first chapter begins in 1865 but we are quickly transported to North Georgia and the present time. The three sisters each have very different interests but are very close and rarely apart so when they are out and about, looking for treasures, and come across some strange things, they each play an important role. The adventure begins when they find a hand sticking out of the ground and see a very old and unusual-looking watch. They are soon caught up in the mystery. They realize that this is more than a watch and that when it is set properly, they can time travel. The sisters plan to find out who the mystery hand belongs to and why it took so many years for it to be found. To tell you more would spoil the fun, mystery, adventure, and excitement.

Timeless Secrets is a very different time travel story than most and an excellent read. I loved reading Timeless Secrets. It is one of the most enjoyable time travel books I have read in a long time. While it is hard for me to believe that time travel is possible, the three sisters quickly pulled me along into their travels to 1960. Casi McLean has created characters that I hope to meet in many more books. If you are young, old, or in between and a fan of the time travel genre, Timeless Secrets is a must. I urge you to put this book on the very top of your reading list as you will definitely not be disappointed.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Kingdom Society: The Black Hood is a work of fantasy in the action and adventure subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and is penned by Nathan Helm. Filled with exciting combat and intense emotional character development, we follow our central protagonist, Alyeth Zane, through a turbulent time that will shape him into the hero he needs to become. His sister Cindrel and his master Xylok are the only ones Alyeth hopes he can trust as the rest of the world descends into darkness, and the unknown future he finds himself in is filled with mystery, all centered around the ominous Black Hood.

Nathan Helm has masterfully crafted a work of sword and sorcery adventure that weaves other genres into its core fantasy world to deliver a fully rounded and unique experience. I particularly enjoyed the mystery elements of the plot as the suspense around the wicked Black Hood built up. Some fascinating blends of science fiction concepts in this world added to the internal logic of how the magic and lore systems fit together. The story is deeply character-led, with particular attention paid to Alyeth’s emotional journey and a lot of narrative work around his actions and dialogue. You always feel like you know his thinking, making us root for his survival and growth. Overall, I'd recommend Kingdom Society: The Black Hood for a highly immersive fantasy that is super easy to get invested in. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Soul Scepter: Time Marauders by Eric Westergard is a speculative time travel novel that revolves around a teenager named Will Donovan who has always been singled out for 'special treatment', but not for the thing that makes him truly special. Will is the son of a notorious terrorist and it's no secret that when it comes to the sins of the father, the world can be horribly cruel and Will has been subjected to abuse from all angles, including the media. Not that it really matters when Will outwits the bullies but then gets tricked by bigger ones who carry more than paintball guns to activate a scepter he unwittingly controls back to the Dark Ages. A time in England's history when a paintball gun would actually be advantageous. Ask me later what a pebble cannon is, because it's a thing. Also launched back is the nefarious Commander Morgan, whose thirst for absolute power means that no modern president or archaic king is safe, and neither are the millions of people Morgan can and will see killed...unless Will can stop them with nothing but his wits, and get both his scepter and his lady crush back.

“Best-case scenario, I live the life of a peasant fugitive in the Dark Ages and watch as the Dreizack pillage humanity.” I mean, it could be worse, right? No. Probably not. But as a reader, I can say with some degree of authority that not only is Soul Scepter: Time Marauders by Eric Westergard good, but it's also a heck of a lot of fun. From a literary standpoint, the writing is excellent. It's polished, it's punctuated with intelligent humor, and the story unfolds at a comfortably quick, consistent pace. There are a couple of good twists and some clarity on what exactly Will's father did, or did not do. I think going into a book where the conspiracies are rife means that a reader can reasonably expect Will's bad-Dad narrative won't pass the sniff test when all is said and done. And, speaking of sniff tests, the medieval period details are woven in well, including a medical procedure that includes cauterizing wounds with a hot poker. Coincidentally, a hot poker is also how a king from this dynastic period dies in real life, but that's a different book for a different day. As for Soul Scepter and today? Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

In Her Dreams by Joanna Reeder is a time travel story with a new twist. Emily, a teenager living a normal high school life, travels back in time but never really leaves her bedroom. She visits the past at night in her dreams. Emily’s travels connect her with people as she shares their worst moments, their best moments, and very often their deaths. In some cases, she does something that changes the outcome and affects the future. When she begins traveling back one hundred years and entering the life of Lucy, Emily finds herself more involved than at any other time. There she meets Andrew and, as hard as she tries not to, she falls in love with him. Back in her waking hours, she has found a new boyfriend, Duncan, and she cannot help but compare him to Andrew. Are there ties between the two, and why does she keep going back in time to become one with Lucy?

In Her Dreams will take you on a time travel trip like no other book you have read. The twists and turns that this journey takes each night are both happy and heartbreaking. The characters are realistic and the plot shifts back and forth from the present day to the past in a seamless and logical process. Joanna Reeder has made Emily’s travels seem possible and, as the reader, you are on a roller coaster ride with her each night. I recommend this book for both young and old and it is a must-read for time travel genre fans. It offers a new and refreshing look with a totally different pattern.