Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Mars Away by Jeff Christopher Leonard is a science fiction story that has a strong appeal to young adult readers. Set in 2050, the story follows Devin Xyear, the youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion of all time. He loves Earth and has no intention of leaving it, but Earth is dying, and plans to start the migration to Mars are underway. Losing his family tragically is a blow that Devin is having a hard time dealing with, and when he runs afoul the law, he is tasked to travel to Mars on a special mission. He is the one person with the driving skills and the speed required to navigate Olympus Mons and set off a bomb that will trigger a geologic reaction needed to make Mars habitable for humans. Can Devin complete this mission and become humanity’s hero or will he get stuck on Mars?

This is an exhilarating ride with a young protagonist that I fell in love with from the very beginning. Mars Away is fast-paced, and I loved the idea behind this novel. It is original and the plot has realistic points, from a dying Earth — a reality that is unfolding before the eyes of contemporary humans — to the inhospitable Mars. The story is written in such a way that I found myself rooting for the protagonist. Jeff Christopher Leonard is a great storyteller and he writes in beautiful prose, bringing alive a world that readers want to navigate. The pacing is fast, the conflict a global one, and the setting skillfully written. While this is an entertaining novel, it is filled with reality and provokes conversation on the survival of the human race.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Crossroads and the Dominion of Four by C. Toni Graham is a delightful story that will appeal to both young and adult readers with a love for fantasy and stories with magic. We are introduced to four young characters who are destined to defend the “Otherworld” and rise as the Dominion of Four spoken of in the prophecies. They have to overcome untold challenges and fight deadly enemies and magical creatures to fulfill their destiny. But one powerful druid and her underlings could impede their mission to battle evil and restore harmony to the magical world. The future looks grim, but Jake, Conner, Seneca, and Shayna must rely on their magical gifts and the power of teamwork if they hope to defeat what stands against them and fulfill their destiny.

I was blown away by this story and I loved how the author makes readers develop a great liking for the characters. I love it when characters have to be tested in ways they never expected, and then there is this sense of uncertainty that permeates the narrative, making readers feel like something awful could happen at any moment. C. Toni Graham has successfully created a sense of urgency and uncertainty in the story and they are great elements that enhance the suspense. Crossroads and the Dominion of Four is character-driven and skillfully plotted, a story that also showcases the theme of teamwork in a brilliant way. It is balanced and deft, beautifully paced, and filled with elements that give readers superb entertainment. A great story!

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Elevator Quest by Emmanuel M Arriaga is an interesting fantasy tale for young adult readers and fans of adventure. The elevator cable snaps and everyone in it is frightened, thinking they will end up dead. But something unusual happens: Tasha and the others who survive the accident find themselves in an alternate, strange world. The group composed of office workers finds themselves catapulted into an adventure no one asked for, discovering new weapons and facing vicious and dangerous creatures. Do they have what it takes to survive these challenges and ultimately return to their own world? Or, could it be that they are actually dead and on the path to another form of life? That is for the reader to find out.

I loved this book right from its very opening. Readers are introduced to characters who are going through their normal day until something suddenly goes wrong with the elevator. The humor is injected into the narrative right off the bat and I couldn’t help smiling and laughing at characters like Tasha and Arnold. Right in the heart of danger, instead of thinking about survival, Tasha shouts: “Oh Lord, I’m going to die a virgin.” The chapters are short and well-crafted with endings that literally compel the reader to turn to the next page. Emmanuel M Arriaga is good with dialogues and the writing features a compelling blend of well-crafted prose and intelligently written dialogues. The setting is the work of a great imagination. Elevator Quest is well-plotted and beautifully written, a fast-paced, pulsating story that is as suspenseful as it is entertaining.

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

DragonFly by Charles A Cornell is a riveting read! Pilot Officer Veronica “Ronnie” Somerset’s duty calls her to a fortress on the Cornish coastline of England. The castle of Enysfarne stands regal and immovable, seemingly untouched by time. Enysfarne has become a remote military outpost for the Royal Navy. Leaving behind her past and regret, Ronnie knows it is time to prove herself. But, she never dreamed she would be flying a “thoroughbred plane” powered by ancient mysterious crystals and fueled by water. Reunited with her childhood friends, Ronnie and a bizarre crew of misfits become the DragonFly Squadron. They ready themselves for Hitler’s diabolical army. For the DragonFly Squadron, the anthem of “Victory or Death” rings loud and clear. It is their time, it’s their duty. It is time to shine or die trying.

“The events are now in the past, but they leave us with so many lessons for the future.” Charles A Cornell’s DragonFly is an extremely inventive science fiction fantasy portraying World War II. Cornell takes the stories told to him as a child and weaves a fantastic futuristic twist into them, creating a mind-boggling “what if” tale. Imagination takes a front row seat in this tale depicting female RAF pilots, advanced aircraft, Nazi cyborgs and the power of the ancient crystals. The plot magnifies Hitler’s obsession with the occult and the scientific experimentation of the Third Reich. The plot’s action is enhanced by vivid metaphorical illustrations and exciting air combat descriptions. The characterization is top-notch! The heroine’s character development intensifies with every turn of the page. The inclusion of the photography is icing on the cake in this extraordinary narrative. Insightful, creative and unique – be ready to be shocked and awed by DragonFly!

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

When Ava is given the chance to escape her life in a juvenile detention centre and become a trained assassin for ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network, along with other troubled teenage girls, she accepts and looks forward to her new start in life. Ava embarks on a harsh training regime led by friend and training director Russ and tough, emotionless field operative Mitch. All the female assassins are injected with Helix serum which increases all of their senses, making them a deadly force to be reckoned with. Ava receives strange messages from a person called Sniper, who seems to know about her past. Whilst Ava is on a mission with her team, Sniper - aka Rhett - and his gang kidnap her and reveal the reality behind ISAN’s work. Ava is left devastated by the discovery and as ISAN recaptures her, she is left wondering if she can trust anyone.

ISAN - International Sensory Assassin Network by Mary Ting is a gripping novel that caught my attention from the first sentence when Ava leads her team in a training exercise. The plot is fast-moving and filled with three dimensional and realistic personalities. I especially found the relationship between Ava and Mitch interesting, as they fought a battle of wills throughout. As Mitch relentlessly tried to get into Ava’s mind, she had to constantly fight him psychologically. I loved the character of Ava; she was strong and had a gritty determination. It is refreshing to see a novel filled with so many great female characters. I found the creation of ISAN and the description of their work, and treatment of those who decided to leave, quite chilling. My favourite line has to be: ‘Memories can be erased, but you never forget emotions’. I feel this summed up the story perfectly. There is plenty of action and suspense throughout and the ending surely made way for another novel and the continuation of Ava’s adventures. I hope so.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus: Orville Wellington Mouse, Book 2 is a young adult metaphysical adventure fantasy written by Tom Hoffman. Orville's dream seemed so real. He was deep in the Symocan jungle, trying to enjoy the warm sun and luxuriant foliage, but Sophia seemed obsessed with counting the minutes and even seconds until something or other would happen. He just didn't understand why she was unable to dissociate for a while and relax, but, finally, he gave in to her prodding and challenged her to a race to the top of the volcano. He felt awful gazing into that bubbling liquid heat, the hot air all distorted and wavy as he peered into the volcano. And Sophia was actually determined that they should leave their precarious, yet relatively safe, perch on the rim, and jump into that fiery maelstrom. Sophia reminded him that it was only a dream, and she assured him that it wouldn't hurt, but it took the staunchest adventurer's leap of faith to allow him to clutch Sophia's paw and jump. Waking, Orville was relieved to see that it was, indeed, a dream, but was puzzled by the thick coating of snow that covered his night table. The chilly mess seemed particularly odd considering the jungles and volcano he had just experienced. There had to be a reason, he figured, for these two disparate, yet obviously connected, events. He'd have to discuss it with Sophia.

Tom Hoffman's metaphysical adventure fantasy for young adults, Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus, follows now veteran adventurers Orville and Sophie as they take on their newest assignment as a Metaphysical Adventuring team. Yes, it's the second book in Hoffman's series, and, yes, again, you can read this book on its own, but don't. Seriously. Each of Tom Hoffman's books is a gem, and they fit together to make an astonishingly good literary tapestry of metaphysical adventure, fantasy, science fiction and just a bit of quantum physics. Well, maybe a little more than just a bit, but don't let your lack of mastery of such matters keep you from diving head first, or jumping feet first as Sophie and Orville do, into Hoffman's quirky and most marvelous universe. Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus lets the reader travel to distant planets, solve mysteries, and study the remnants of long-gone civilizations, and you'll be doing it in the finest of companies.

I love seeing how well Orville and Sophia's strengths complement each other. Their banter and laughingly begrudging appreciation of each other's growing gifts is a treat, as is the way each keeps the other from taking themselves too seriously. Watching as the daredevil in Sophia is constantly tugging along the not so sure Orville has to be one of my favorite humorous aspects of this series. Proto, the Rabbiton and the newest addition to Orville’s family, with his love of adventure and rather odd appetite for encountering strange and horrible beasties, is a hoot and a half, especially when one considers his other avocation for baking little frosted cakes while wearing Orville's mom's aprons.

Hoffman's fictional universe, which seemed so limitless in the Bartholomew the Adventurer Series, just keeps on expanding. Each new volume promises metaphysical delights, strange horizons, wormholes and hidden doors into far-off places, and ever more opportunities to learn, grow and experience alongside the adventurers. I'm so pleased with this book -- the characters are first-rate and the plot is marvelous. Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus: Orville Wellington Mouse, Book 2 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I liked The Sorcerer’s Quest by Rain Oxford. As the title implies, it is a traditional quest adventure with magic and all the fantastic beasts and other elements you can expect in this kind of tale. I am a big fan of magical stories so I am always looking for a new writer with a fresh angle on this genre. Rain Oxford is such a writer. I am also on the lookout for new takes on Merlin and the Arthurian legends. Merlin as a wolf certainly qualifies as new. Though this story is not strictly speaking an Arthurian tale, Merlin looms large in a fresh and interesting representation. I liked the contrast between an older and wiser Merlin, and the young and very naive Ayden. They make a pretty good team.

The Sorcerer’s Quest is the first book in a series called The Sorcerer’s Saga. Rain Oxford lays out a very unique world with its own rules and labels concerning magic, and how magic works. I found the tone of The Sorcerer’s Quest refreshing. Though the situation and the plot are serious, there is a strong element of light hearted comedy and irony throughout the book. The characters were done well. The plot keeps the story moving along and the conclusion is not as predictable as you might at first think. Rain Oxford has a light, deft touch, and the writing flows along at a pace perfect for this kind of story. The Sorcerer’s Quest is fresh, and I look forward to following this exciting new series.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

In The Benighted, the first book in The Benighted Saga by A.M. Dunnewin, twenty-three-year-old Skylar Mandolyn finds herself named heir after the tragic death of her brother. As the final heir, her existence is both an asset to the kingdom and a threat to those hoping to see its destruction. When her father is found murdered by assassins not long after her brother, instead of becoming queen, Skylar is imprisoned for helping her knight Harlin, who has been framed for the murder, escape. With her only hope being the knight who has gone missing, Skylar refuses to yield to the enemy, both foreign and those lurking in her own court, and must find the strength to oppose those determined to break her spirit through torture.

Jumping between Skylar's present day situation and the past events leading up to it, Dunnewin manages to find the perfect balance in telling a story through flashbacks. It doesn't feel gimmicky nor does it bog the story down. I did wish the romance between Skylar and Harlin was emphasized a little more, but it has a subtle sweetness to it and I thought seeing Skylar grow and mature from a reluctant queen to a determined ruler was a satisfying alternative. Dunnewin crafts a fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable tale that has a slight steam punk bent thrown into the fantasy. It makes the setting of knights and princesses somewhat unique and is sure to grab readers' attention. The Benighted, the first book in a new fantasy series by A.M. Dunnewin, is great for fantasy fans looking for a quick read.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Many people think that Madison Rosewood has it all – a free ride to college, a great best friend, and the chance to make something of herself. For Madison, though, that isn’t important because, now that she is turning 18, she can finally begin the search for her birth parents. In Everly: Volume 1 by Meg Bonney, Madison defies the aunt who has raised her and plans to find out why her parents left her. Unfortunately, that is not an easy question to answer because the reality lies in a different dimension. Already known for her exceptional speed, Madison discovers many other talents when she and Jason, her best friend, follow a stranger through the portal in an old oak tree in Aunt Ruth’s back yard after Ruth is abducted by hooded characters. Now in the land of Everly, the stakes are high as Madison learns the truth about her birth, her parents and why she was taken from this magical, mystical place by Ruth as a young child. Still intent on her quest to find her parents, Madison and her small group of friends become entangled in the very real challenges in Everly – the attempted destruction of all magical beings. It will take something extraordinary to resolve this problem!

Everly is an ideal YA book on many levels, even if you are only interested in a fast-paced, easy to read fantasy adventure. Beyond the brilliant descriptions of an alternate dimension and its inhabitants, and the depiction of a great relationship between two friends, Meg Bonney has loaded the story with many of the issues that confront most YA readers – the question of belonging, loyalty, family ties and purpose in life. The characters are highly developed, demonstrating deep emotional ties and concerns, and the lessons they learn come naturally, some with a high price. Another significant element this book contains is that not everything works out the way you want it to and that is also an important lesson for today’s readers. There is tremendous value placed on dedication and making personal choices that have lasting impact. Everly: Volume 1 is well worth reading and certainly a great start for the rest of the Everly Series. Well done with great characters, challenges to be overcome, and a clear look at the need to have determination and drive. I look forward to future volumes to see what happens!

Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

Wow! Just, wow! How's that for a review? Well, it's definitely how I felt about the new book by author Jay J. Falconer, Shadow Games: Time Jumper Series Volume One. This story is a real roller coaster of a ride of action, adventure and excitement, all wrapped up in the paranormal environment, and was a book that I had a hard time putting down once I started it. The story of lead character Emily Heart begins, a fifteen-year-old girl who has realized that she has changed, and not just in the ways that any young person changes in adolescence. Someone or something has turned her into a time jumper, and she isn't sure how or why. What she does know is that her best bet is to keep herself and her ability hidden, and to find the entity that altered her so that she can demand to know why. Will Emily be able to control her unique abilities enough to do just that or will she be found first? That is the question!

I loved Shadow Games. Loved. It. How's that for a review. I was sucked into this story almost from the very first page and I could not put the book down until it was done. Author Jay J. Falconer has a true gift in writing in the paranormal genre and has provided his readers with a creative and unique story that is unlike any they have read before. His characterizations are vivid, his world creation skills are simply second to none, and his ability to write a suspenseful, edge of your seat kind of tale is fantastic! It's easy for me to give this book my highest recommendation, and I very much look forward to reading more in this incredibly promising series by author Jay J. Falconer in the near future.