Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Pulsefest turns out to be an unmitigated disaster. Instead of showcasing Pulse as a company and the progress its vast array of products has made for mankind, it has instead created a nightmare as millions become infected with a strange alien virus turning them into monsters overnight. The infestation spreads globally faster than the world's governments can cope and it is only a matter of time before the human race will be wiped out of existence. A few survivors take it upon themselves to find a solution to restore their planet but it is riddled with risks. They must find a colony hidden away in the desert where an outcast works at returning order to the system he created. Will E, Fytchy, and Trezor survive or is it already too late? Find out in B.A. Bellec's Pulse: Book Two.

The long-awaited sequel to B. A. Bellec's science fiction horror novel is finally out and I can say that the wait was worthwhile. Bellec picks up the storyline from where it left off as we are given an update on the present scenario in this story. He uses an entire chapter to give an impressively elaborate synopsis of the first book. This goes a long way in getting the reader situated into the story as the action from thereon is end-to-end stuff. Where there are new characters, he is quick to link their importance to the overall storyline with the use of flashbacks. I love the way he teases out the potential link between Magnus and Amber as the story progresses, keeping the reader guessing as to the extent of their importance in the bigger picture. Mark's introspection into how things got to where they are humanizes him in a manner that drama lovers will find quite interesting to follow. The best part of this novel is the way Bellec uses skillful and highly detailed storytelling to maintain the suspense from the start to the very last page. Pulse is an absolute masterpiece.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Atlantis Writhing by Jean Brannon is the first installment in the Highest Light book series. The book follows Elysia and her team of formidable missionaries, tasked to plant Highest Light Energies on Atlantis. They travel through space from their home, Ahlaiele, and land in Poseidia, the capital of Atlantis. Using her gift of insight, Elysia discovers that their home has been hijacked by their leaders, who have weakened them and sent them to their deaths. Elysia and her crew experience emotions that make them feel unstable. They interact with the people on Poseidia and attract their attention. Elysia gets drawn to Alaric, a seductive man who lights up something familiar within her. As the team grows weak and hopes to have their essences restored, Elysia starts to learn how to harness her emotional power and joins forces with Alaric to fight against the dark forces.

I love it when genres merge. Atlantis Writhing by Jean Brannon has mythology, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. The book is well-thought-out from the book cover and themes to the steamy scenes and unique plot. Alaric and Elysia had an instant connection and great chemistry. Their love story is about hope, sacrifice, and second chances. The author introduces readers to a new world filled with mythical wonders and forces. The descriptions of characters and places were outstanding because they helped me visualize the story. The story is well-written but has some sex scenes that are not appropriate for younger readers. I enjoyed this book and hope to read the next in the series because this is just the beginning. More is yet to come.

Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Jason Bishop is testing his latest project when he is whisked off to Snyder Industries for a meeting with its mysterious owner. Their most important artificial intelligence project has developed a glitch, and the top brass at Snyder Industries feel Jason is the best person to step in and rectify the problem. Jason has personal reasons for doing so as well. This project involves a paper he developed with a respected colleague who went missing while turning their work into a reality. Jason jumps at an opportunity to be part of something special and discover what happened to his friend, but he soon realizes there is more to this project than meets the eye in Kurt Petrey’s Breakout.

Kurt Petrey blends technology and mystery into a one-of-a-kind adventure. In Breakout, Petrey takes his inspiration from the gradual invasion of artificial intelligence into everyday human activity and crafts a plausible story that could be our future. The characters have origin stories crafted to an impressive level of detail yet simple enough for the reader to follow. The pace is initially sedate but picks up as it progresses to where everything seems to be happening at breakneck speed in the final chapters. Petrey’s detailed and in-depth explanation of the science behind the plot creates certain instances that initially seem like information overload, as is evident in Jason’s intellectual conversations with Joseph. Still, closer analysis will show it is Petrey’s unique style of immersing the reader in the story and elevating the suspense as it approaches the conclusion. Breakout is an exceptional novel that will appeal to science fiction fans looking for something different and who are willing to think outside the box.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Roam Within: Macallah and the White World of Light by Maya Realm is a captivating story that follows a young woman's journey of self-discovery. After the tragic passing of her grandfather, Macallah seeks a soul-searching adventure, leading her to plan a boat trip aboard the fishing vessel Dragon Balls. Before she begins her journey, Macallah receives a mysterious memoir from the woman who raised her, Tia Valiah. As Macallah traverses the turbulent waters of the ocean, she becomes close with the captain's son, Jake, who has been searching for his birth mother all his life. Soon, Macallah and Jake veer off their path and arrive at Sandstone Harbour. Macallah eventually finds a home in the magical Village of Light, where she meets her extraordinary mother and kindred spirits who teach her ways to enjoy life to the fullest. Meanwhile, she reveals to Jake his mother's true identity.

Inspirational stories of self-discovery find a way to make you introspect and contemplate life's biggest mysteries. Roam Within is one such story. The author paints a vibrant portrait of life with this fascinating tale about a young woman who stumbles upon something marvelous in a quest to find her place in the world. Packed with mystery, romance, drama, and some truly impactful insights into life, the narrative is a breeze to go through, complemented further by Maya Realm's smooth prose that plants some vivid and colorful imagery in your mind. Roam Within is the type of book you take your time with and allow yourself to enjoy each moment of the reading experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Die by Jude Berman introduces Darah, who joined a group at HastinSys after taking refuge in California before it declared itself a separate nation. The group of close friends shared a home, and what began as friendship ended up becoming a family. Darah is tasked with submitting a report on the KnoMor science game, and, skimming through the graphs on her screen, something catches her eye. Darah is shocked to discover alterations to the game she is working on for the Silicon Valley software company. One of her friends, Jedd, explores the darknet and discovers the unthinkable. An app has been created that leverages quantum computing and neuroscience to secretly change people's brains. The friends must decide whether to remain silent and be safe or risk their lives to oppose the global authoritarian force behind this conspiracy.

Jude Berman weaves aspects of metaphysical fiction and techno-thriller together in The Die, creating a fast-paced and action-packed story. The characters were authentic and relatable to readers. There is the sensitive tech writer Darah, the brash programmer Beers, the cool-headed super coder Jedd, and the forward-thinking ultra-coder June. The plot centers around this group of friends who are employees of the same company and the challenges they face to stop the coming disaster. This book is a page-turner, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. It is a story about friendship, courage, and democracy. Each chapter was dedicated to one of the friends and was told from their perspective. The chapters flowed together and were easy to read. The story is masterfully written and combines corporate intrigue with science fiction.

Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite

Orchid Child by Victoria Costello is a captivating read exquisitely written to thrill adult fans of psychological mystery thrillers. Thirty-one-year-old divorced Kate Jones, nee Callahan, is a neuroscientist. Having lost her job in Manhattan, Kate moved to Ireland to work at the National University of Ireland Galway. Kate is the permanent legal guardian of her sixteen-year-old nephew Teague whom her stepsister had abandoned due to Teague’s mental health issues. Kate convinced Teague to come with her to Ireland for treatment at the mental health clinic. Kate knew that Teague was neurodiverse and constantly on medication. What Kate did not know was that Teague was tormented by the voices of a supersized rodent, Ivan, and a pit bull, Larry. What lies ahead for Kate and Teague?

Orchid Child by Victoria Costello is one of the few most unusual books I had read in my life and one of the most captivating. I loved joining Kate in her adventures in Ireland and her adorable care and love for Teague. What made Orchid Child particularly memorable, unusual, and special for me was the intriguing combination of several genres. First, it's an adventure as Kate and Teague were starting a new life in Ireland miles away from home. Another is a mystery Kate delved into once she encountered weird obstructions in her research and dangers looming over Teague. And it's an action-packed suspenseful thriller as Kate navigated through the labyrinth of her jaw-dropping discoveries. All in all, Orchid Child was a great joy to read!

Reviewed by Tawny Molina for Readers' Favorite

Dark Cascade (Galacticide) by Bert-Oliver Boehmer is a sprawling space opera epic that ranges over multiple races and characters, soaring through dark voids, zealous AIs, and reality-bending multi-universe concepts. This story follows Kel Chaada as he travels through the galaxy, attempting to prevent another galaxy-wide devastating event by taking the fight directly to the enemy’s home. The story is filled to the brim with amazingly creative alien races, some humanoid, some as far away from human concepts as possible. It is difficult to sum up this novel in a way that will give it due credit as so much happens and the whole ordeal is exciting!

I find it hard to describe this novel in a limited word count. This novel offers so much from the fantastic dramatic aspects expected of a space drama to science fiction world-building that puts many a classic to shame. I found the alien races, in particular, to be interesting to read about. Many science fiction novels will pile on hundreds of humanoid aliens, never really departing from what we already know. The races in Bert-Oliver Boehmer’s work are so varied that I cannot even list them here. The world-building of Dark Cascade is heavy and multi-layered, and you can tell a lot of time and love went into this book. After reading this, I plan on going back to read more of Boehmer’s work. I would suggest any sci-fi fan does the same. Totally worth it!

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The end times might be the result of a catalyst by a New Yorker named Sam Cattan in the science fiction book Artefactum by J.E. Tobal. Bartender Sam and his tattoo artist girlfriend Una are a near-perfect match and the finding of a fertility figure among Una's things heightens their experiences as that very model is the key to a portal to different dimensions. Sam has an affair within an alternate reality and Una ends their relationship as a result. Emotionally destroyed, Sam starts to explore the almost limitless alternate realities he can jump through to facilitate a second chance with the woman he loves. While doing this, Sam's understanding of dimensional tourism expands and Tobal's science fiction romantic tragedy evolves into a recipe for Armaggedon.

Artefactum by J.E. Tobal adds a distinctly human element to this science fiction novel that usually gets lost in the tech side of books in the genre. I think the majority of the science fiction readership would agree that characters like Sam with true emotional depth are the exception rather than the rule, and it is for this reason that Artefactum has the potential to be the success that it deserves to be. Tobal's character development is rich and the nuanced way the author probes Weltanschauung is exceptional. Sam's justification for what he is up to and his looking for ways to fix a relationship he screwed up is completely disproportionate to the apocalypse his tampering with alternative realities can cause. Sam's morality is questionable at best but Tobal has the chops to still make Sam likable and that's why Artefactum works. Overall, this is a remarkably singular novel and worth the time investment times infinity. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Secret of Life: An Adventure Out of Body, Into Mind by Stephen H Martin is a metaphysical novel that revolves around Claire, who is navigating the complex emotions surrounding her father's debilitating illness. After her father, in his unstable condition, mentions the name 'Angelique', Claire is propelled on a quest to unearth his obscure past. Assisted by Jeff, Claire discovers her father's survival of a devastating volcanic eruption in Martinique fifty years prior and his lost love, Angelique, providing some understanding of her parents' complicated marital history. Claire is immersed in themes of love, destiny, self-growth, and life's total interconnectedness. Guided by a spiritual healer, or quimboiseur, Claire ventures into the spiritual realm for even greater insight into her father's love for Angelique and the power of this love that transcends time. As she braces for her father's imminent death, Claire finds comfort in the lessons learned from their woven histories and the enduring power of their shared love.

I wanted to read The Secret of Life by Stephen H Martin because I am in the stage of life where, like Claire, I am faced with the prospect of the loss of unknown parts of my family history as the final generation before me prepares for their next journey in the afterlife. I felt deeply connected to Claire's very human drive to explore familial roots when threatened with their extinction, provided with hope when considering that all may not be lost, and heartened by her determination when she embarks on the pursuit and lands on the history of a volcanic eruption in the Caribbean. Martin conveys Claire's dedication beautifully and the landscape of the places she traverses, both here and outside the physical world as we know it, is almost cinematic in its descriptiveness. Dream-like sequences rarely pan out well in literature but Martin not only makes them work, he makes them work wonders for Claire's character arc. The 'real world' is also represented realistically as we see the simple rituals of plucking one's eyebrows against a backdrop of a consciousness that witnesses a natural disaster and observes ethereal beings emerging from a radiant source. The Secret of Life is a lovely adventure and a heartfelt, thought-provoking story that leaves room for more to come. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Carrying the Dead by Juliet Rose is a story of loss, acceptance, and moving on. Hannah Moore’s life changes six months after she miscarries. A terrible accident results in the death of an innocent motorcyclist, and Hannah cannot forgive herself. Getting help from a mental institution seems like the best course of action, but the nightmares of that horrible day never stop. Even when her doctor deems her ready for the outside world, Hannah isn't sure. Things escalate when Hannah starts to hear a baby crying at night and has horrible night terrors of the motorcyclist in various stages of decay. Hannah is about to lose her mind when Buzzy, the healthcare worker from the institute, points her in the right direction. Buzzy believes her nightmares are trying to give her a message. So Hannah packs her bags and travels to Mexico to get the answers she needs to end the torture she endures daily.

Carrying the Dead was a surprisingly emotional story of a woman’s journey to finding and forgiving herself. Hannah’s character became dear to me, and now I understand why; she is relatable, and I could see pieces of myself in her. Her nightmares are scary but understandable. Hannah struggles to find answers, but she has no idea she will first have to forgive herself. Buzzy is such a great friend and the voice of reason Hannah needs to take action against her guilt and grief. The elements of mysticism are handled with utmost respect and care. The narrative style pulled me in and made me stay until the end. I enjoyed Hannah’s arc and her journey toward acceptance. Juliet Rose does a fantastic job of covering spirituality, trauma, and paranormal themes. I highly recommend it.