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!

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Starting a new school is hard enough, but being the new kids at a middle school in a new town where no one knows you makes it even more difficult. Especially when you look a little different. Too tall, too small, too smart – those are characteristics that make you stand out and the bullies always know who to pick on. Atlas was too tall for his age, so he managed to attract considerable unwanted attention. His siblings, Lilou and Nico, were also unique in their own ways. All three were adopted, but they bonded well. It was this move to a small town in Idaho that set them all on edge. Then, a few questions to his adoptive mother, the increasing ferocity of Atlas’s headaches, the voice in his head, and a box of random items left behind by his natural mother put Atlas and his siblings on the verge of an adventure. It will take them into another realm in the multiverse, another dimension where danger lurks everywhere, making the schoolyard bullies seem like mere fleas of annoyance. There are battles to be fought, evil to be expunged, and time is running out to save their own realm and the adoptive mother they left behind.

Chandon Siman’s middle-grade novel, Atlas and the Multiverse: Seeking Courage, is a spellbinding adventure of mammoth proportions. The adventure begins on the first page and doesn’t let up until the very end. Readers will instantly be drawn to these characters as they weave a path through multi-dimensional realms, fighting battles and trying to save more than just one world before the evil, all-consuming powers of P.O.R.T.A.L. destroy everything in their path. P.O.R.T.A.L. wants Atlas and, more importantly, they want his father. The descriptive narrative is compelling and engaging and thoroughly wraps the reader in the complex web of the story. The plot progresses quickly with growing energy and adventure. Dialogue and character development are well used and readers will instantly relate to the characters as if they were kids in their own school. This is a powerful, action-driven story that will attract young readers of all ages.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

The Vault is the first book in The Hybrian Series by L. Wood. Harper has spent the last five years of her life as a subject of experiments down in the Vault with no memory of her life before that. Other subjects have joined her, and she has formed friendships with several of them. But recently, some of the subjects have started disappearing, following spells of anger and aggression. Harper begins to notice behavioral changes in her closest friends, and she can even feel something changing within herself. She suspects that the experimental injections are changing them, but something about her injections is different. When an escape plan emerges, Harper makes it out of the Vault, but not before everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. Learning to trust is just one of many problems that Harper must now face in her new world.

With a touch of romance and a whole lot of action, adventure, and mystery, The Vault is perfect for teen readers who enjoy a fast-paced read filled with unpredictable twists and turns. L. Woods has managed to piece together a multi-genre tale with a distinct setting and then pushed past all expectations. I can’t stress enough how much I loved the unique setting and direction in which the characters found themselves moving. Harper continually found herself facing one problem after another. She had to learn how to trust herself and others. I will definitely be reading the next book within this series, and I can’t wait to see how Harper’s dramatic adventures continue.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Dark Days is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author D. W. Saur. Recommended for readers at the mature end of the young adult spectrum and upwards, this is a gritty book with realistic violence appropriate to the struggles of the protagonist Maya. As darkness looms and threatens her homeland, Maya begins preparation to take up her mantle as the chosen one and save her people. She knows that she is skilled and unique amongst her kind, but it will take true self-knowledge and belief as she is put to the test by the dangers of war and the power she must find within herself to stop it.

Author D. W. Saur has crafted an excellent fantasy novel that delivers on so many fronts and is unique to the genre in giving its female protagonist a powerful mission with no romantic subplots or distractions. What results is a compelling tale of independence, fighting spirit, and self-discovery, which is only enhanced by the author’s excellent commitment to character and worldbuilding. I found Sori to be exceedingly well described and I fell in love with the beliefs and culture of the unique people there. The speech and thought presentation in the novel gives us a great view of Maya, her outer power, and her inner struggles, endearing her to us as the novel progresses and the plot rockets towards its exciting conclusions. Overall, I would highly recommend Dark Days for mature YA fans and adults seeking compelling fantasy fiction at its best.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

The British government is abducting teens from school and sending them to training camps to prepare them for military use in the thrilling dystopian novel, Battle Ground (Book One of the Battle Ground Series) by Rachel Churcher. Due to family circumstances, Bex Ellman's school grades suffer, threatening her dream of becoming a doctor. So when her parents place her in a boarding school, Bex is thrilled. Unfortunately, soon the lives of her and her schoolmates take a drastic turn when the military removes them from school and marches them to a combat training camp. It doesn't take long for Bex to realize that something is not right within the camp's command. When she uncovers a deadly government secret that threatens their country, she wonders if the world will ever be right again. Can she and her friends escape the confinement of the camp? If they do, what will happen to them?

Compelling and captivating, Battle Ground (Book One of the Battle Ground Series) by Rachel Churcher is a sensational dystopian novel with a provocative plot and a suspenseful storyline. Set in the UK, the background gives the story a realism that is disturbing and haunting. Skillfully written, the characters are engaging and well-developed, the plot is breathtakingly intense, enthralling the reader from the first page until the last. Brimming with drama, suspense, and action, the story flows at a brisk pace, building to a stunning conclusion. With the elements of violence and murder coloring the plot, this gripping post-apocalyptic novel will captivate readers from the ages of twelve to eighteen and everyone else who relishes thrilling dystopian action thrillers.

Reviewed by Scott Cahan for Readers' Favorite

Flat Earth by Brent Golembiewski is an action-packed science fiction adventure. The story opens like an episode of Twilight Zone but turns into something more akin to the first Star Wars movie. Eighteen-year-old James lives a quiet, happy life in a 1950s era town that is surrounded by a giant wall. No one has ever gone beyond the wall and if anyone gets too close they will be “switched off”. Things get really interesting when our hero, James, is drawn to the wall and eventually goes beyond it. The story kicks into gear at that point as James finds himself whisked away to a futuristic world where life is anything but quiet and simple. Before he knows what’s happening, James is being shot at by robots and a beautiful girl named Ariel comes to his rescue. The two of them end up running for their lives while trying to prevent the destruction of Earth.

Flat Earth by Brent Golembiewski is lots of fun, reminding me of a roller coaster that carries the reader up and down endless steep hills and twists and turns, never slowing down until the end. The roller coaster in my analogy is the plot. This book is never boring. It also has several strong characters that make the reader want to tag along for the ride to see what will happen to them. The story is very imaginative and fresh. Sure, I compared it to a couple of popular titles at the beginning of this review, but that was only for reference. Flat Earth felt completely original to me and kept me guessing about where the story was going till the very end. Flat Earth is good clean fun and a book that I highly recommend.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Never Army by T. Ellery Hodges is the incredibly highly anticipated third and final book in the Chronicles Of Jonathan Tibbs sci-fi fantasy superhero trilogy, preceded by book one, The Never Hero, and book two, The Never Paradox. Jonathan Tibbs has transformed over three books from the unassuming college student thrust into an inter-dimensional war, the “never hero” in every sense. By the second book, he is a supercharged Jonathan, a warrior worth his salt and one who has no recollection of really important events. His memory has been wiped when the stakes are critical. In this book, Jonathan is all-in. He’s got his wits. He’s got his army. And he’s got the Excali-bar. It’s time to finish it.

I got into the Chronicles Of Jonathan Tibbs late in the game. So I really only had to wait about five or six months before T. Ellery Hodges finally slapped The Never Army onto the bookshelf. Thank goodness. I seriously do not know how his legions of fans could wait this out for years. This series is in a league of its own. The character arc of Jonathan is the best I have come across in a long time. The suspense and intelligence of the writing are fantastic. So much trust is required when a reader commits to a new series where we have to start from scratch, but the nearly 3,000 pages that bring Jonathan Tibbs to the end game—that payoff is gold. I love the time-paradox elements and the cleverly surprising answers to questions that have nagged at me for ages, and the final thread-tying that wraps almost everything up with a bow. I wish I could go back and read it all again immediately.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In The Good Samaritan by Ellen Boyd, Toby Garrison is still suffering from disturbing nightmares since losing both his parents. As his future seems to be looking brighter with the arrival of his Uncle Jake, who promises to take care of him, Jake is sent on a Special Forces mission to rescue his friend. While Jake is away trying to free his friend from the clutches of a notorious war criminal, Dominic Havosi, Toby is sent to live with his mother's sister, Aunt Amy, her husband and their 13-year-old son Asher. Toby discovers that his aunt harbors a deep hatred for him. As family secrets are revealed, Toby believes he is to blame for his parents' deaths. To make Toby's life even more unbearable, he discovers Jake has been reported missing. Toby sets out to find his uncle in Central America, with the help of his computer genius cousin, Asher. However, their mission doesn't go to plan and Toby finds himself in mortal danger.

This coming of age action-adventure story is explosive from the outset. The characters jump out of the pages. I loved Toby; he has been betrayed by everyone, either intentionally or unintentionally, but he remained loyal, brave, and strong-willed. The relationship between Toby and his cousin Asher was amazing. You just wanted them both to find a safe place to call home with someone they could rely on. Uncle Jake and Tucker were formidable characters too. Although they were soldiers, they had a softer side to them which made my heart melt. There are some really funny moments throughout which were a welcome relief from the heart-stopping suspense. I thought the twists and turns in the plot were executed brilliantly and caught me off guard many times. The ending was a complete tear-jerker for me; the final line about the ice-cream spoke volumes. I look forward with anticipation to the next book in this series because I really need to know what happens next.