Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Sword Fight: A Modern Medieval Adventure by Nathan Van Coops is the first book in the Kingdom of Engines series. Valerie's life was perfect. She was trained with her brother to wield a sword and has a thrill racing cars alongside her best friend. Valerie makes the most of her name and the perks of high society life. Her whole life shatters when her stepmother announces her engagement to a corrupt Lord and that she already gave him the lands that once belonged to Valerie's family. Her brother devises a plan to become the family swordsman in the upcoming tournament, but when someone close to her is murdered, Valerie has her family name stripped away and is tossed out to be a commoner on her own. She's rescued from an attack by a mysterious swordsman and is taken in by the people of a local tavern. With her new friends and the handsome swordsman at her side, she enters the competition with the determination to prove its corruption and to obtain justice for her family.

This unique story breathes new life into the punk genre with an alternative medieval world. Nathan Van Coops spins Arthurian legend and medieval culture into a gripping reality with knights, status, fast cars, and corruption. Several elements from Arthurian legend and medieval history are woven into this fast-paced plot inspired by knights of valor and tournaments. The story perfectly captures the medieval aspects and modernizes them in a gritty way as Coops creates something compelling. At the center of the plot is Valerie's quest for justice against Lord Sterling who murdered someone close to her, took her land, and destroyed her name in his own plot of corruption, power, and greed. The other characters within the story are delightful, charming, and each has an important place within her journey. Fans of steampunk, dieselpunk, and silkpunk won't be able to put this book down. Lovers of medieval and Arthurian legends will be immediately addicted to Sword Fight. It will capture your attention from the first page and take you for a wild ride until the end.

Reviewed by Heather Stockard for Readers' Favorite

It’s only been two months since Anna Gallagher attempted to summit Mt. Rainier and failed, but she’s already training for her next climb. She’s determined to succeed this time with the help of her future husband, Ben Chambers. They are planning a magical Christmas wedding and a return to the mountain the following summer. But not everyone believes a woman should be scaling mountains. Anna invites Ben’s parents to the wedding, but his father disapproves of Anna’s climbing and thinks she should know her place. When Anna’s grandfather’s bookstore becomes the target of vandalism aimed at discouraging her mountaineering adventures, suspicion falls on the elder Mr. Chambers. Meanwhile, Anna’s friend Emily struggles with the sudden loss of her husband and her resurfacing feelings for Levi Gallagher.

In Light of the Summit by Jamie McGillen is a charming sequel to her first novel, In Sight of the Mountain. McGillen’s love for her home state and Mt. Rainier shines through her writing. Her description is vivid and beautiful. Readers will be inspired to climb the mountain themselves. She brings Mt. Rainier and the Pacific Northwest climate to life. Anna is a strong and determined female character, and her husband Ben is always supportive. Their love is believable and sweet. This book is filled with adventure and romance and danger. The mystery is well-plotted, with several great twists. If you are looking for a good, clean novel to curl up in front of a cozy fire with, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Sisters of the Perilous Heart is the first book in The Mortal Heritance by Sandra Vasher. This is a story about two women who had nothing in common, yet when fate decided, they found that they could be exactly what they needed to be to survive. Carina is not your usual young woman; she has magic inside her that she cannot control yet and she has some very powerful and dark people hunting her for it. Trying to control her magic might not have been that difficult if she didn’t have some immortals trying to track her down. But when she comes across Vivian, she finally has some hope. You see, Vivian is not an ordinary person as well; she is the Queen of South Kepler and she doesn’t have long to live. She has been poisoned with the Immortality Virus and the only thing that can keep her alive is more magic, in fact, magic that Carina can share with her. In exchange for her magic, Vivian is going to keep Carina safe. But can they trust each other?

Calling this novel fast-paced and action-packed would not be enough. In a genre that is riddled with the same hero/heroine fighting for a cause and then falling in love in the meantime, Sisters of the Perilous Heart by Sandra Vasher is like a breath of fresh air. Carina and Vivian are two equally powerful and exceptionally well-crafted characters. While Carina is unsure of herself, Vivian is the one to help her find the confidence she needs to become the character she must become. Vivian is her mentor and her guide who helps her understand her magic and how to let her power be strong. The chemistry between these two was amazing; you can feel their kinship. You will root for them, you will cheer for them and you will want them to succeed. Amazing and entertaining! I cannot wait for the next novel in the series!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Hidden City of Alchemy is a work of fiction in the action, adventure, and steampunk sub-genres and was penned by author Melissa H. Coleman. Accessible to both young adult and adult audiences with its combination of alternative history, romance, science fiction concepts and plenty of thrills, this truly charming tale takes the unconventional Lizzie Peters for its heroine. Lizzie would rather be an inventor than follow the path towards housewives and family that is expected of her, so when her mother goes missing and it turns out she’s been kidnapped, Lizzie steps up as her would-be rescuer. So begins an incredible journey to France and a terrifying plot of chemical warfare that could destroy the whole world.

Author Melissa H. Coleman weaves an excellent tale amid the cogs and gears of the galvanized world of steampunk, and her atmosphere is spot-on for fans of the genre. Lizzie’s inventive ways give us ample opportunity to engage with a sharp and intelligent heroine who still has flaws and things to learn on her incredible journey. The emotional heart of the tale lies with the rescue of her mother and her own growth, although there is a delightful little romance element too, and it’s that inner strength and empowerment of Lizzie which makes the novel truly special for its genre and type. Overall, when you read Hidden City of Alchemy you can expect witty dialogue, well-described steampunk hi-jinks and gadgetry, and a thrilling plot that all adventure fans are sure to adore.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Translucent Boy and the Cat Who Ran Out of Time is an epic fantasy for young and new adults written by Tom Hoffman. Veteran explorers and best friends, Odo Whitley and Sephie Crumb, are about to set off on a rescue mission to a sodden world where it always rains. This time, they’re accompanied by a new friend, Silas Ward, who can also see Odo, and the ghost cat they found. Having read each of the books in Hoffman’s previous series as well as the first Translucent Boy book, I opened the first page, expecting wonder, excitement, and adventure, and as with those past reading experiences, I soon discovered that Tom Hoffman had done it yet again. This wise and irreverently humorous man had created a whole new world, teaming up with his two irrepressible partners-in-crime, Sephie, and Odo Whitley, as they keep moving forward past all manner of obstacles, intent on the rescue mission which means so much to their new friend, Silas.

Hoffman’s characters fairly leap off the page, even as Odo’s room somehow transforms itself into a haunted wood. Sephie and Odo complement each other so well, and seeing their friendship progress throughout their adventures is marvelous. The plot is ingenious and mind-expanding, and the author’s skill at building visionary worlds of wonder seems unbounded. After falling in love with Hoffman’s previous Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse series, I had wondered how the author, Odo Whitley, and Sephie Crumb would be able to take up the mantle and implicit challenge of those excellent works. I’m delighted to say they do so with consummate grace and ease. And while there are no shrieking ghosts in the story except in Odo’s Saturday movie selection, I was thrilled to encounter shrieking frogs instead. Shrieking frogs..not such a bad thing, right? Hoffman loves his characters and his affection for them shines forth in every nuance and conversation. The Translucent Boy and the Cat Who Ran Out of Time is easily the best book I’ve read so far this year. Yeah, it’s that good -- heck, it’s even better than that. It's most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Wizard's Key by Mitch Reinhardt is the first book in The Darkwolf Saga. Geoff was used to being an outsider and bullied, but all that changes when he embarks on an epic quest in a new world with one of his bullies. If that wasn't strange enough, Geoff discovers a mysterious key when he and Sawyer go through his father's belongings. After Jane arrives at his door collecting money for charity, she and Sawyer are swept away with Geoff to another world after the key opens a mysterious portal. There they discover that everything they thought was make-believe is real. They soon encounter dangerous orcs and trolls while the journey introduces them to enchanting elves, stunning unicorns, and a reluctant ally that help them in their struggle to find their way home. All the while they must stay a step ahead of the deadly werewolf stalking them.

Mitch Reinhardt delivers a coming-of-age adventure about friendship and self-discovery. The three teenagers have journeys that intertwine as they learn how to work together as a team. They face a variety of dangers, meet new allies, and a dangerous werewolf. These situations help them go from three individuals that clashed to becoming three friends, forming a bond based on their experiences, forgiveness, and personal growth. The first impressions of these characters show them in specific roles with each slowly explored throughout as each of them is challenged, thanks to a quest that pushes them to their limits. Sawyer's journey is rooted in his understanding of what it means to be heroic and his struggle as he initially rejects the role. Geoff's journey is one about power as he goes from being a bullied outsider to discovering his role in this grand role where he learns of the extent of his true power. Jane is a stubborn and compassionate person that delves into her affinity for woodland magic and understanding the importance of druids while learning from a mentor that doesn't think humans are capable of handling magic. Wizard's Key is the journey of three teenagers as they search for a way home and in the process discover what it means to be a hero, uncover the truth of the power they have within, and learn the value of friendship.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Two Like Me and You is a young adult coming of age/adventure novel written by Chad Alan Gibbs. Edwin Green’s junior year at J.P. Hornby High School did not hold any special promise or allure for the somewhat nerdy young man. He was still reeling from Black Saturday, that momentous day a year earlier when his girlfriend, Sadie Evans, now a superstar, unceremoniously cut him off from her life. Little did he know that his junior year would be extraordinary, and in ways no one might have envisioned, except perhaps a retired World War II veteran living in the dementia ward of a nursing home .

It all started with Mr. Graham’s history class. Mr. Graham had this quirk about seating students in alphabetical order. While it helped him begin to associate the names of his students with their corporeal presences, the arrangement meant that Edwin was sandwiched between the unkempt and frankly disgusting Tyler Godfrey and the formidable Parker Haddaway, the new girl who had made it quite clear that she didn’t suffer fools gladly, or for that matter at all. Then why did she suddenly decide that Edwin should be her partner in Mr. Graham’s history project? Edwin had no idea, but from that moment on his life had started changing dramatically.

Two Like Me and You is one of those all-too-rare reading experiences that make you smile as you begin reading and then hold you blissfully entranced all the way through to the last page. I’ve long had an interest in the Second World War, and I loved seeing that conflict and its aftermath through Garland Lenox’s eyes. Books such as this make the reader remember, or realize, that WWII heroes and heroines can still be found in retirement villages and assisted living facilities, their stories still clear in their memories, waiting to be told. Gibbs’ plot is ingenious, skirting on the realm of the possible and skating into absurdity in some delicious and unpredictable ways. His characters are complex and quite real, and his smooth and assured style of writing makes this romp of a coming of age adventure work quite well. Two Like Me and You is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him is an epic fantasy novel for young adults written by Tom Hoffman. Being the translucent boy was all Odo Whitley had ever known. A seemingly random gift of perfume sent to his mother, Petunia, when she was pregnant sixteen years earlier, had come with the warning about the side effects possible with use during pregnancy. But the scent was her favorite of all, and the perfume’s name, Little Dove, was the pet name her father had given her. Surely it was a gift from him from beyond? Neither Petunia nor her husband, Albert, knew what Translucent Child Syndrome was, but Odo came to know what it was rather well. Being translucent meant being invisible, standing in the school bus rather than risk having a burly football player mistake your presence for an empty seat. That had happened once years before, and Odo had learned from that experience. No one could see him, and no one seemed concerned about that fact. His life consisted of being ignored and having to let people know that, yes, he was right there in front of them. His teachers were all too accomplished at making believe his desk in their classes was empty. No challenges were set before him, no one ever called on him for an answer.

Being translucent hadn’t meant being wise, as his father had mistakenly thought. Odo was fortunate at least in that he had intelligence and curiosity. While teachers droned on about subjects far below his capacity, he was able to continue his studies of neurophysiology undisturbed. He was also gifted with extraordinary peripheral vision, which was why in class one day he was stunned to realize that he was being stared at. No one had ever done that before. Sephie Crumb, she of the bright orange hair who had swiftly been dubbed Creepy Crumb by her crueler classmates, was intently studying his head. He figured he must be mistaken, but, then, as she left the classroom, the folded note she tossed on his desk confirmed the impossible -- she could see him.

The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him is a wise and ineffably lovely coming of age tale that comes complete with vast galaxies, alien beings and a tasty helping of metaphysics as dessert. Watching Odo become complete, as it were, on becoming visible to Sephie is moving and unforgettable; following the two as they set off on amazing, terrifying and exhilarating adventures is an unforgettable experience. Odo and Sephie are marvelous characters; their interactions and their coming of age are joys to behold. Hoffman’s story is gorgeously written and a dream to read. Hoffman deftly toys with infinite possibilities and orchestrates the most amazing stories. Once again, he’s surprised and delighted me. The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Jamhuri, Njambi and Fighting Zombies by Ted Neill follows three people who face a series of adventures to overcome certain obstacles in their lives. Jamhuri longs to impress the beautiful and brilliant Latia but his attempts seem to keep backfiring. Njambi's father is dying but hope isn't quite lost as they have a chance to save him by going to the mountain to retrieve the Water of Life. When each of her sisters fails, it's up to her to make the trek and face the dangers presented if she's to save her father's life. Anastasia's life used to be normal. Now her daily life is filled with fear over the growing threat of zombies. When her brother's life is in danger, she tracks down an experienced scientist for help.

Ted Neill weaves together three fascinating adventures, each filled with rich folklore and elements reminiscent of fairy tales. Jamhuri is a character who has high regard about himself with an arrogant attitude and the view of himself as the ultimate warrior. He's immediately introduced as a bragger, followed by the lovely Latia whose attention he hopes to catch. He's a fun start to the book as each of his attempts is met with humor and mishap, but this also provides him with the opportunity to reflect on who he is as a person. Part two focuses on Njambi as she faces trying to save her dying father with multiple moments and the structure featuring a strong fairy tale style. Her story is about compassion and love which is where her strength comes from and why she's the daughter fit to face this hero's journey up the mountain. The third part focuses on Anastasia and is about her dedication to her family as the zombies have become more and more of a danger.

Anastasia is just a normal person but her seemingly ordinary life has a backdrop of a zombie epidemic. Her story links back to the first two parts with a few notable faces which bring all three journeys full circle. Jamhuri, Njambi and Fighting Zombies consists of three adventures linked together for an unforgettable read with stunning magical moments, folklore brought to life, delightful humor, and the dedication of family.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

In Mitch Reinhardt's epic fantasy tale, The Iron Citadel, three friends find themselves compelled to make a choice they never saw coming and it seems the destiny of a nation may depend on them. Geoff, Jane, and Sawyer have a peaceful and normal life until they learn about the invading armies of Shadowlord. Alone, their friend, Ariel, stands no chance of defending the kingdom of Chalon. Now, the three teenagers are embroiled in a war they never bargained for, fighting the worst forms of creatures — ogres and barbarians and a dragon. Can they stop a deadly assassin from sinking their world, and are they truly the three of whom the prophecy spoke?

The Iron Citadel by Mitch Reinhardt is action packed, deftly plotted, and written with intricacies that make it exciting. The characters are young and readers will enjoy how they grow together. This author does a marvelous job in offering lessons in teamwork, and the exhilaration of an adventure. The prose is beautiful and it captures details of the setting and the action taking place in a cinematic way. The premise is strong — a menacing threat to a fractured kingdom. The creation of an elusive and powerful assassin adds to the conflict and enriches the plot. This author has a great sense of setting and skillfully weaves elements of it into the narrative. The Iron Citadel is pure delight, a nonstop kind of adventure that leaves no reader indifferent. I loved the characters, the unpredictable plot, and the tantalizing prose.