Reviewed by Amanda Rofe for Readers' Favorite

Evergreen by Matthew S. Cox is a young adult science fiction novel about a seventeen-year-old girl called Harper Cody who has been plunged into an apocalyptic scenario caused by a nuclear flash. Her life changes irrevocably. She spends two months, together with her parents and younger sister, hiding out in the basement of the family house in a town called Lakewood. They live on canned food that her father scavenges from nearby. Passing evacuees tell of a haven in the mountains but her father refuses to leave the ostensible safety of their house. Eventually, a dangerous gang of looters finds them and, after a fight, Harper's parents are killed. Despite Harper's prowess in competition shooting, she realizes it has not prepared her for pulling a gun on a real person. The sisters are forced to flee the house with nothing but the clothes they have on.

The unpredictable nature of life in this desolate new world provides an edgy background to the familiar 'the end of the world as we know it' story line. The realistic description of the breakdown of society is explored from Harper's point of view and teenagers will have no trouble identifying with her. In fact, Matthew Cox serves up a great selection of strong and interesting characters in this novel. I couldn't wait to see how Harper and her sister dealt with the loss of their parents and was not disappointed with the way the plot developed. Evergreen is a great introduction to a science fiction dystopian first novel for young adults. Anyone interested in this genre should definitely have this book on their reading list.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Circle: Taken by Sage Sask is an exciting dystopian adventure about survival. Alexia was found on the beach when she was just eleven years old with no memory of anything that came before. She's spent her life since then living under a name given to her by the government and doing what she can to help care for the younger kids at the orphanage. Upon turning sixteen, she goes to get evaluated the way everyone else her age does and that's when everything goes south. She's quickly carted off to train among other teens like herself and gets the opportunity to have a place among them. That is if she can survive their test. And she'll only be able to do that if she can keep her ability to read people's pasts and futures with a single touch from being revealed. The more she trains under the Circle's guidance, the more about her past is revealed but she doesn't know how much is true or who she can trust. Soon her loyalty is tested when she has the chance to have everything she's ever wanted, but only if she's willing to betray those who trust her.

The story is full of action and challenges with training and tests that are about endurance and survival. The mystery is an important aspect of the plot as the enigma of her lost memories and the Circle is what drives Alexia forward. The Circle has its secrets and the more she digs, the more uncertainty she has if she can trust anyone there. Her life before is a blank which her time with the Circle begins to fill in for her but she has to learn if she can trust the ties she's forming or a life she's been told she had. This explores an intriguing mystery that's bigger than Alexia's past and opens up other aspects of a conspiracy that runs deep between two sides. She doesn't get to be a normal teenager, spending every second apprehensive or just surviving, but Sask incorporates a few gentler moments such as dancing. These moments give calmness to Alexia and allow for her to build connections with the others and with agents while also letting you see the characters as teenagers and allowing you to bond with them. The Circle: Taken is a brilliant read with an addictive plot, well-rounded characters, a gritty world, and a journey of survival.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

People’s obsession with what’s on TV takes on a new level in Losing Normal by Francis Moss. Huge TV screens are installed everywhere in public spaces and everyone is getting one of the new TVs that promises the best and most personalized shows people could wish for. Schools also get screens in every room to help with education and even make the presence of a teacher unnecessary. The majority of the population does not notice that there is something very wrong with the broadcasts from these screens. Alex, however, does. He is autistic and for some reason his brain is able to see something bad coming from the screens. He is also able to influence the broadcast and shut it down – which turns him and people like him into enemy number one of the artificial intelligence behind the broadcasts.

I picked up Losing Normal by Francis Moss because seeing an autistic boy as the hero of a novel in which a supercomputer tries to take over control of the human mind seemed like a very interesting concept. Books that have protagonists with special needs are usually of a completely different type and more focused on “real life”, so it was very nice to see something different, something that shows how autistic kids can indeed be heroes in truly exciting stories. The world needs more books like this, especially when they are well written and engaging like Losing Normal. I know a few autistic people from my work with a charity, so it was nice to see them represented in a positive and realistic light. I had a lot of fun reading this novel and found the pacing of the plot well done.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Wolf Pack by Joshua C. Chadd is the third entry in The Brother's Creed series, a tightly plotted, twist-filled, post-apocalyptic story with mesmerizing characters. The Wolf Pack is finally reunited but they don’t have much time to celebrate their reunion as they quickly discover that they have fallen into a dangerous trap. And there may be no way out. Jezz has Ana and Alexis captured and they are bound in their captivity by unbreakable chains. Can even Uncle Zeke’s training be of any use in a situation as hopeless as theirs? The story is an action-packed tale of brotherhood, courage, and war.

Joshua C. Chadd’s narrative begins in the heart of conflict and in a very intriguing way, leaving readers with questions they want answered. The narrative voice is powerful and the prose tantalizing. I love it when an author has a gift for economy of word and this author doesn’t waste words. The descriptions are apt and cinematic and there is an enjoyable way of getting into the consciousness of the characters. The setting is beautifully written with apocalyptic elements that are vividly captured in the prose. The story is dynamic, if overly descriptive at times, but the attention to detail and the focus will satisfy readers. Wolf Pack has a lot of what readers look for in science fiction — a vividly created world, grit, unusually complex characters, and a setting filled with surprising elements. The conflict moves the plot ahead steadily and the character building is elaborately done. Wolf Pack surely gives the satisfaction and the entertainment value readers want.

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.