Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Iron Rose is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, romance, and adventure subgenres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience. Penned by author Abigail O'Bryan, this thrilling novel reimagines the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast with a dark and gripping twist. Lydia Brightwood seeks to dethrone the tyrant Crimson Lord to secure a better future for her country but faces the obstacle of finding a royal heir, all of whom are believed to be dead. Meanwhile, Adam, known as the Beast, struggles with his inner demons and the devastating truth of his past actions. As their paths intertwine, they must confront curses, secrets, and the high cost of reclaiming their humanity amidst a backdrop of war and magic.

Author Abigail O'Bryan has lovingly crafted a novel packed to the brim with rich world-building, intense action, and compelling characters that drew me into a dark and enchanting narrative right from the start. The pacing is excellent to get YA readers straight into the action, and every chapter is filled with suspense, romance, and intrigue to build to the next twist or revelation. The dynamic between Lydia and Adam is electric as they navigate the complexities of their intertwined fates and confront the shadows of their pasts. Their dialogue mirrored one another’s journeys beautifully whilst also intensifying the originality of each character. The story's themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the power of love are sure to resonate deeply with fans of classics and fairytales, and I loved the way O’Bryan honored the darker side of the original story with her own bloodthirsty new plotlines. Overall, Iron Rose is highly recommended as a captivating read that will leave fans of fantasy and fairy tales craving more.

Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

Extinguishing Shadows by Heather Beal is a riveting tale that delves into the intertwined worlds of vampires and viajantes, two ancient immortal species that have managed to coexist for centuries. Set against a backdrop of danger and secrecy, the story follows Mara, a young viajante, whose life was forever altered when her family was brutally murdered by vampires. Now an adult, Mara set out on a journey to uncover the truth behind the attack and a mysterious prophecy linked to her fate. The narrative opens with a captivating scene where Mara finds herself pursued by ominous forces. The suspense builds as she employs her unique abilities to outwit her pursuers and protect her identity. The story takes unexpected turns as Mara navigates a world rife with danger, deception, and hidden motives.

The dynamics between the immortal species are intricately explored, and Mara's encounters with vampires showcase the stark differences between the two groups. Heather Beal weaves a complex web of emotions, alliances, and conflicts that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Mara's character is a blend of vulnerability and strength, and her determination to seek justice for her family is both relatable and inspiring. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic vampires and the various characters she encounters, adds depth to the story's tapestry. The writing style is engaging, with well-paced action sequences and introspective moments that allow readers to connect with the participants' thoughts and emotions. The narrative is interwoven with mysteries, prophecies, and unforeseen revelations, creating a compelling layer of intrigue. Extinguishing Shadows offers a unique take on the vampire genre by introducing the viajantes and exploring the consequences of their interactions. The story combines elements of fantasy and suspense, creating a page-turner that will captivate readers from start to finish. Beal's narrative expertise and vivid storytelling make this book a must-read for fans of paranormal fiction, immersing them in a world where shadows hold secrets that are waiting to be extinguished.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

This gripping tale of determination and grit is a celebration of female resilience. Crafted in poetic language, The Ascenditure by Robyn Dabney follows Klarke Ascher, a passionate young woman who wants nothing but to become a member of the kingdom's elite climbing team. She wants to climb the Miter's Backbone in search of the cure for lung sickness that afflicts the population. But since climbing is reserved for men, not everyone is ready to welcome her. In her kingdom, women are owned by men and their place is in the kitchen. Klarke has skills that are unique and when she insists on joining the team, a civil uprising that favors her ensues. There are powerful people who are determined to make her pay. Now she finds herself not only fighting for the rights of her oppressed people but for her survival as her fellow Ascenditures are killed, one by one. Can she survive long enough to unravel the truth behind the killings?

The descriptive prose welcomes readers on the first page and it only gets better and better as they read on. The image of the female heroine climbing a treacherous mountain against a raging storm immediately gives readers a powerful insight into her fighting spirit. This is a novel about a young woman who stands up against sexism, oppression, and the misuse of power by the ruling class. Robyn Dabney writes with confidence. But what sets this book apart is the incredible journey the heroine makes in pursuit of her goals. She is a robust character who faces unforeseen cruelty and must navigate through a web of conspiracy and threats to survive. It is a page-turning story that will appeal to fans of women's fiction and tales with finely accomplished female protagonists.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Conspiracy: The Legend of the Winged People - Book 1 is a young adult adventure by Alessandra Coco. Pamela Kendall is a fifteen-year-old girl with blue hair who has a gift for communicating with animals. Pam’s world is turned upside down when she makes a surprising discovery. Pam’s parents have been hiding the truth about her extraordinary skills and strange appearance. Determined to find the truth about her identity, Pam leaves her home and sets out on a dangerous journey. David Thompson is a shy, sixteen-year-old misfit who wants to write novels but is struggling to understand his newly developed strange abilities. Unexplainable events bring David and Pam together. David is eager to prove himself and is willing to help Pam with anything. David is forced to step out of his comfort zone and become a hero he never thought he could be.

The Conspiracy is an intriguing page-turner. Alessandra Coco took me with David and Pam on their journey to search for the truth about Pam’s origins and the force that had brought them to Greece. It was a roller coaster ride of mystery, ancient artifacts, hidden treasures, and prophecies. Alessandra created a beautiful and mysterious world, and several plots merge into an extraordinary story. It was a riveting read, and I could not put it down. The events were descriptive and easy to visualize. The characters were intriguing and compelling. There were a variety of interesting characters. My favorite characters were Pam and David. They were different people and worked well together to find the truth. The story is beautifully written and is one of the most unique stories I have ever read.

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Bandy by Craig Hipkins is about Isaac Barker, an orphaned boy who enjoys a relationship with a talking pigeon named Bandy. Isaac and his younger brother were taken in by his great-uncle Raymond when the rest of their family was killed in a tragic fire. Uncle Raymond shortly sends Isaac to Virginia to fetch a sickly slave girl from a plantation and pay to release her from the notorious slave owner Will Jericho. Isaac soon learns about Jericho’s evil plot of illegally annexing his Uncle Raymond’s wealth and property and plotting his demise. Isaac and Joy need to go to Boston as soon as possible before something happens to them. Fleeing the slave colony was both a difficult task and an adventure for the two teens. With the help of kind-hearted people, they planned their escape as they became stowaways and wanted fugitives. Will Isaac be able to successfully return to Boston with Joy so she can reunite with her sister and seek treatment for her condition? More importantly, will he be able to introduce her to Bandy and show her his happy place and paradise called Bandy’s Pond before it’s too late?

Bandy by Craig Hipkins has excellent character and plot development, with a riveting and exciting storyline, and events that compel the reader to read on. The language used is quite simple and not overly complicated. The dialogues also accurately depict a character and tell the reader their age and also where he/or she comes from by their choice of words, diction, and accent. More deeply, the change of personality, behavior, and maturity in the characters can be striking, moving, and memorable. Dark themes of cruelty, greed, violence, murder, and racial prejudice are present. But it’s the positive values of courage, friendship, perseverance, and resilience that are more impactful. These guide the characters through all the difficulties they encounter and the decisions that they have to make. It also reinforces not only the bonds of their relationship but also their motivation and fierce resolve to overcome their obstacles and move toward a better place and life that they deserve. The book has the makings of enduring historical fiction with a fascinating narrative and sense of adventure that will appeal to both the young and old. It provides readers with insights and a glimpse of life during pre-Civil War America, especially the conflict between the pro-slave versus the abolitionists. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and those looking for engaging books for young adults and independent readers.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The Last Triceracorn (Book One) by Vincent M. Miceli is a young adult fantasy adventure that reminds us why we invest in mythical creatures possessing noble qualities and supernatural abilities that cannot be visualized. But it really doesn’t matter because, for us, they embody ideals that we look up to that we’ve never outgrown. Such is the case of this new magical creature called the Triceracorn, the most magical creature in the galaxies which the villain, Gauro, is running after. Triceracorns are the ultimate righteous creatures that give the planets their rightful balance. Having said that, you know what happens if such creatures fall into the wrong hands, and the last one of its kind becomes a very priceless possession. Sisters Matea and Luciana will be involved in a dangerous rescue mission where the balance of the universe is at stake. They will have to forge an alliance with other gifted kids from different parts of the world to survive and stop a menacing evil.

While the Triceracorn is the center of this book’s theme, it’s about brave and bright kids who come together to pull off a common goal of saving the galaxies. The Last Triceracorn embodies the kind of innocence and idealism that belongs to curious and imaginative minds—something that we have all experienced and perhaps you will continue to do so. Vincent M. Miceli ramps up the young adult fantasy genre with a well-crafted and stirring plot. The Triceracorn reminds me of the Chinese mythical creature, qilin, which was used in the Fantastic Beasts film series. Reading the first page of this adventure tale immediately made me decide to invest in this new series. It’s an exploit fraught with dangers for the young protagonists, yet it feels reassuring. I loved the way Miceli allows his characters to explain jargon without sounding like they are lecturing. I highly recommend this book to lovers of young adult fantasy for its imaginary vision with a modern style appeal.

Reviewed by Paula García Lasa for Readers' Favorite

Love in the Age of Dragons by Fatima R. Henson follows one of the survivors of a destroyed world, Ayanna Grace. She is a citizen of an underground community with a strict system of rules to survive. Supplies are scarce, and people are barely hanging on. At just seventeen years old, she already carries the world on her shoulders. She is an apprentice to the community's only doctor, and everyone assumes she'll be his successor. However, she doesn't feel ready yet. The doctor's untreated heart condition limits his life expectancy, and she might have to take his place sooner than she would like. She will attempt to get the medicine he needs through the chaos of infections, drought, and protests. If that weren't enough, she finds her heart divided: Richard, the honorable boy she has known all her life, and Jackson, the charismatic boy she has just met.

Imagine if dragons reached our world through a wormhole. Cities burned to ashes, broken families, and people running for cover. That is the world Fatima R. Henson depicts in her novel. Love in the Age of Dragons combines a dystopian world with touches of fantasy. The author describes an extraordinary world through a thrilling and addictive narrative. The characters embedded in this dynamic tale are complex and very well written. Ayanna is a strong and brave yet believable main character that sets a healthy role model for anyone who might pick up this book. The people that surround her are as three-dimensional as she is. Henson pays attention to details. The result is a fast-paced but not rushed story, perfect for dystopia/fantasy lovers.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Secrets of the Gold by Baer Charlton is a suspense-filled young adult story about an extraordinary friendship between people with different pasts. Seventeen-year-old Bean is running away from an abusive home when she encounters Duff, a biker running from vicious assassins and a history he cannot remember. Bean cannot wait to turn eighteen, become independent, and get away from the foster care system. But, before then, she has to find a way to escape. So she convinces Duff to take her with him and cross various states together. Along the way, they develop a deep friendship, and Duff introduces her as his niece throughout the journey. Both main characters grow as they face dangerous situations and learn lessons together.

Charlton brings together two unlikely characters who forge an intriguing and believable friendship. Each character is fascinating in their way. I loved Bean’s perceptiveness and enjoyed reading about her growth as she makes new friends along the road and pursues her goals. The storyline provides her backstory, which further helped me understand her as a main character. The people they meet are equally fascinating. Duff’s mysterious past adds a thrilling twist to the plot, and tension mounts as the story ends. The conversations between Duff and Bean are entertaining and enhance the tale. Secrets of the Gold by Baer Charlton is a captivating mystery novel with riveting turns and convincing characters. You will love the lead characters’ growth and enjoy the absorbing experiences they have on their journey.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Flight of Sparrows by R.A. Lingenfelter is a young adult science fiction story and is the second installment in the End of Crows series. After the attack by the Dominion, Willow feels betrayed by Bradlee, whom she thought was a friend, and angry about the deaths of her parents. The only family she has left, Brice, her brother, is being held captive by the Dominion. The members of the Crow camp do not trust her because she is close to Bradlee, who turns out to be a spy. They all think she is waiting for the right time to betray them. Only Finn stands by her side and defends her, but now she is tired of the Crow's lack of action and decides to save her brother. Even though unsure of her developing powers, Willow embarks on a solo mission to infiltrate the Dominion camp to retrieve her brother. Will she succeed? And what will she uncover when she enters the Dominion walls?

Words cannot describe how much I loved reading Flight of Sparrows. I was glued to the pages from start to finish and could not put it down. It's a fantastic story about unconditional love, redemption, and the fight for freedom. Although it is the second book in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone story. R.A. Lingenfelter delivers a conversational, fast-paced, enjoyable, and engaging read. The author has also added an image of a bird throughout. I liked this detail because it is unique and eye-catching. The characters are the driving force of the story. It did not matter whether they were heroes or villains; they all had intriguing personalities. The main character, Willow, is determined and selfless, willing to risk it all for her loved ones. But now, I do not trust anyone around her because this installment contains a sneak peek into the next in the series, Rise of Falcons, and it revealed plot twists that left me wishing for more. I cannot wait to read more from this author and series. Brilliant story.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Boy Behind The Door: How Salomon Kool Escaped the Nazis by David Tabatsky is inspired by a true story. Salomon Kool was celebrating his Bar Mitzvah with family and friends when they learned that Amsterdam had been invaded. The life they knew was slowly but surely changing. Each day, new rules were added that restricted the movements of Jews. Salomon’s father and siblings were taken away, and he never heard from them again. Only he and his mother remained. His mother sent him to his room to hide when the soldiers knocked on their door. He watched through the window as the soldiers took his mother as well. He was now alone and looking for shelter and a place to stay. With the help of a few courageous Christians, he was able to avoid the concentration camps and survived the war.

The Boy Behind The Door by David Tabatsky is a powerful story and the writing style holds your attention throughout. He tells Salomon's story as if it is his own and brings Salomon’s loneliness and fears to life. I could not help but hold my breath with Salomon when the soldiers approached. The characters were well-developed, and the interaction between them was always overshadowed by fear. Many of the situations are based on real-life experiences. It is sobering to learn about the horrors that the survivors endured. This story is both moving and frightening. It offers a different perspective on the lives of those who suffered the Nazi occupation of their country during World War II.