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.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Chameleon: The Poacher’s Enemy is a work of fiction in the action, adventure, and animal rights subgenres. It is best suited to mature young adult and adult reading audiences and was penned by author Brandon Kimbrough as the first in a brand new series of heartwarming novels. This insightful work takes us into the origin story of young do-gooder Ben, who experiences a deep tragedy on a family safari vacation when he sees a lion brutally murdered right before his eyes. Determined to raise awareness of illegal poaching and intense animal cruelty, Ben begins a campaign to understand why such atrocities are still happening in today’s world, and to find a way to put a stop to them once and for all.

As a huge fan of animal rights and animal-focused fiction myself, I thought that author Brandon Kimbrough was bang on in his message in this concise and sharply-penned opening novel to this series. The central theme of peaceful cohabitation between humans and animals is never overdone but placed at just the right moments to tug at your heartstrings without anyone becoming desensitized to the cruelty that so many poachers see as commonplace. In terms of character development, Ben is an excellent protagonist with a good heart, a keen mind, and a lot of room to grow, so he’s the perfect figure for us to follow as we too are educated about the illegal poaching world. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Chameleon: The Poacher’s Enemy as an action-packed and socially conscious modern adventure novel for mature YA readers and adults alike.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Tyrant Queen of Mars by F. Rob Dorsey is the final novel in the Barsoom Pentalogy and to say I’m sad that this series has ended would be an understatement. On the other hand, this is the perfect conclusion to a perfect series and it ended on a blisteringly high note. This action packed and fast paced novel takes us years after the last novel ended and we get to see our beloved characters happy in the lives they are leading. Once again, the narrative was so powerful and filled with little anecdotes about the past novels to bring the story full circle and create a huge wave of nostalgia.

After the terrible war ended, Darus and Zurah were enjoying life with their almost 16-year-old son, Carthan, their pride and their joy. They were living a blissful life but, unbeknownst to them, something far more terrible than they had ever anticipated was going to happen. The Jeddara of Helium has gone bad and so has John Carter. The queen is sentencing even the most loyal warriors to jail and the pride of Helium, Darus and Zurah, are among them. With no escape in sight, Darus and Zurah have their hopes on their young son to save them and everyone else from impending doom. However, what no one realizes is that there is something far bigger happening, someone more powerful and crazy is looking to destroy Helium forever. Can Carthan save everyone?

The mystery and suspense was so intense at times, which just made the story even more perfect than expected. The characters were given page space to develop and bring their own personal stories forward and show that they have peaked! I’m in love with Carthan because I got to see little glimpses of Darus and Zurah in him, but at the same time, I saw his own personality as well. What can I say about Darus and Zurah? They are amazing; they bring such life to the whole story and make you wish the story would never end. I hope we get to see these characters some time soon, perhaps in the Carthan-centered novels? Perfect and brilliant as always!

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever read a book that had you so riveted you were shocked to realize you had reached the end of the story? That's what happened to me as I raced through the pages of New America Awakenings by Tyler Davis. Davis had me on the edge of my seat as I read about a world in the not so distant, or not even improbable future. In this future world, America has broken down into civil war and the primary issues are now race and religion with religion trumping everything. Those not in power survive on protein bars and live in run-down or bombed apartment projects. They live in constant fear of saying or doing anything that could be considered blasphemy, and punishments are horrifically cruel. Picture heads, not one but many, dropping into troughs after being guillotined en masse, or a young teen receiving ten skin-shredding lashes for speaking out to save a parent. Worse yet? Imagine sick people, both seniors and infants, being treated with poison during a pandemic. What a hell of a world! It’s a world that conjures up the Inquisition or bloodied bodies in the Colosseum, a world in which it is mandated that citizens watch the cruel purging of society.

This is the world in which teenager Colt Jenkins and his family try to survive under constant fear of being reported by their neighbor across the street, Katherine Shay, the narcissistic and self-appointed messenger from God. Katherine is ever-watchful and ready to pounce on Colt or anyone who displeases her on her way to the top of not just religious, but political power. Despite Katherine, Colt is determined to save himself, his family, and his friends from Katherine’s machinations. Does he do it? This is the point where you turn the last page hoping to find out. But what you find, as has been the case throughout the book, is there’s so much more going on behind the scenes in this novel and it’s going to take the next book to see the full picture. Frustrating? For sure. But so clever you won’t mind waiting to read what happens next. New America Awakenings is based on a unique concept, with a thoroughly engaging plot, lots of dialogue, realistic and relatable characters, and the universal theme of love of family and friends standing in sharp contrast to self-importance and man's inhumanity to man…gripping in every way. Read it!