Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Praesidium is a work of fiction in the adventure subgenre and serves as the opening installment of the Shadows in the Wind series. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author McKinley Aspen. The book follows college graduate Kathryn Bek as she takes an intelligence job in New York which quickly reveals itself to be something above and beyond her expectations. Thrown into a complex web of intrigue and magic, Kathryn finds herself on a globe-trotting adventure to save the world from the sinister plotting of the Paolucci crime family in a mission that will force her to confront her own murky past in order to save the future.

The characters and story of this book waste no time whatsoever in sinking their hooks deep into readers and keeping them on the edge of their seats as Kathryn delves deeper and deeper into the dangerous and fantastical world that awaits her. Author McKinley Aspen is a deft and clever storyteller, constantly finding new twists and turns to keep the narrative fresh with page after page as the lore designed reveals itself to character and reader alike. I was impressed by how narratively complete the events of the book were, telling a full and satisfying story whilst effectively setting the stage for a larger series to follow. Overall, Praesidium is an excellent adventure that creates a colorful cast of characters and pits them against a deep conspiracy in a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat right from the word go. I’m excited for the future of the series and I cannot recommend this book enough.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

A heart-warming, coming-of-age story, The Girl with 35 Names by DJ Colbert follows Molly, a girl with a kind heart and special gifts. Molly is born in Zhitomir, a small village in Russia, in the cold winter of 1892. Surrounded by relatives and friends, Molly is given thirty-five names of women whose legacies she will carry forward. One day as she works with her parents, Molly discovers her great-grandmother’s special spectacles. As she grows up, Molly becomes curious about what each name given to her means. As she runs errands for her mother, she soon discovers the amazing stories of the women whose names she carries. Life continues beautifully until war comes to Zhitomir. At this point, Molly must escape Russia for America, with her new husband whom she barely knows. But her kindness and courage continue even in the new land.

The Girl with 35 Names by DJ Colbert instills kindness through its main character, Molly, who uses her gifts to help other people. In America, her role in the community is unforgettable as she changes the lives of those around her. Her curiosity to understand the meaning of each name given to her is also encouraging. Molly begins to understand what each name means and learns from the roles of these other women, which serves as a source of strength for Molly in her journey. The story is set in a beautiful, picturesque village as it begins. As the Red Army moves into the village and rumors of another war escalate, the atmosphere changes. Still, the frightening experiences bring out Molly’s courage as she and her husband face terrifying challenges along the way. The work’s language and tone are also accessible to young readers. The Girl with 35 Names is an absorbing story based on true events and whose main character is inspiring.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex: A Superhero High School Adventure by Carole P. Roman is a remarkable young adult novel about kids with special needs overcoming their handicaps and facing simple challenges of everyday life. Grady Whill and his best friend, Aarush Patel, hope they will be both handpicked to attend Templeton Academy, the most exclusive high school in the world. Templeton Academy only chooses kids with special talents. But because he is just an orphan with asthma, Grady doubts he will be selected as he doesn't have any special talent or money. Aarush and his nemesis, Elwood Bledsoe, have all the chances in the world. Aarush comes from a wealthy family and has a brilliant mind, and Elwood is a good athlete. Will Grady be picked?

If I were to give a book to every young adult in this world, I would give them Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman without blinking. I absolutely loved every moment of this uplifting and fascinating story. It's filled with valuable life lessons, adventure, peril, and highly relatable and lovable characters. I was impressed by Aarush's maturity and ability not to give in to his bully. Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex is a must-read as it teaches you to have more confidence in yourself and tells you why failure is good, why size is no indication of strength, how thoughts become things, how looks can be deceiving, and where the ultimate source of power is hidden. Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex is for anyone looking for a true escape into a delightful story.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Cavalier by Israh Azizi is a war fantasy epic and the first book in the new Heroes of the Empire series. The novel is narrated from multiple point of view characters with the main characters being an orphan turned warrior named Velemir and a princess of Karalik named Natassa, each on opposing sides. Velemir has been trained since early childhood at an academy, his education and training directed by the notorious combatant Lord Prolus who Velemir defers to as a father-like figure in his life. As a young man now, Velemir is sent on a mission against the Empire they are at war with and begins having recurring dreams. As the daughter of the bloodthirsty Emperor Malus, Princess Natassa is, like everyone else in the empire, subservient to her father. He has a husband lined up for her who is equally foul, but she knows too much about the prince, her father, and the danger their empire faces to accept this with the unquestioning loyalty demanded of her. Where her loyalty lies is with her people and her course of action is determined by this.

The Cavalier by Israh Azizi is a monster of a book and takes some time to unpack. It is an ambitious undertaking as the start of a series even by fantasy standards and, for the most part, Israh Azizi did well in keeping all the plates spinning. I like the perspective a reader is given with the narrative coming from opposing sides. Velemir is the primary protagonist and we spend a large amount of time in his camp, which I found to be a plus given that his ride-or-die crew adds to his likeability and authenticity of character. However, his arc is slower to build than Natassa's and, ultimately, getting to know her and her situation sooner had me leaning toward her plight and made her the most intriguing of the two. Having both Velemir and Natassa struggle with varied degrees of father issues makes this book a psychologist's dream fantasy and both manage in their own ways. Velemir is pretty dutiful and Natassa has been playing the long game to get far away from Malus' grip. Their coming of age in a war does wonders for providing options. The book ends on a cliffhanger and, no, an epilogue doesn't make that more palatable. Overall, though, this is a promising series and one I'd keep an eye on.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

Dragon Twins: The Awakening is the first book in a new series by Chriss Bury that tells the story of orphaned Ambrose. He is already an outcast due to his belief that a dragon was responsible for the car accident that killed his parents, and his obsession with dragons and his persistence that dragons are real has further isolated him from everyone except his pet gecko. On his thirteenth birthday, Ambrose notices a big change in himself: super strength and visions as if he were seeing the world through the eyes of someone else. A dragon attack sends Ambrose fleeing for his life on an adventure to meet a long-lost twin sister and discover the truth about where he came from and what he is destined to do next.

Perfect for middle-grade readers and preteens who enjoy fantasy and the mythology of dragons, Dragon Twins tells the coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and believing in yourself. Chriss Bury has created realistic characters within a modern fantasy setting that everyone is sure to love. Preteens and young teenagers can easily relate to Ambrose's feelings of isolation and the desire to be free and find a place to fit in. His travels and discoveries across continents are also great for adventure lovers and those just wanting to escape the mundane world. With a fast-paced plot and lots of twists and turns around every corner, it is almost impossible to put this book down. I look forward to reading more of Ambrose's adventures and his newly discovered world of dragons.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a work of fiction in the fantasy and adventures subgenres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience and was penned by author Tom Hoffman. Written as the third novel in the Translucent Boy Series, we find ourselves back with titular protagonist Odo Whitley and his newfound friends for another magical adventure. This time, an old woman being held against her will in a retirement home reveals an incredible secret, one which leads the team to discover an otherworldly quest filled with mysticism and danger. It won’t be easy, but together, they might just recover the fabled Spike of Odysseus from the hands of deadly thieves.

Author Tom Hoffman never fails to delight with this superb series, which perfectly packages a magical and mythical adventure alongside highly relatable teen characters with all the emotional drama that comes with their age group. I’ve always enjoyed reading this series, but this third installment really amps up the creep factor with some truly spine-tingling atmospheric touches and allies who are often as frightening and chaotic as the enemies of the story. There’s plenty for YA readers and adults alike to appreciate in the heartfelt characters, amusing dialogue, and the wonderful blend of original material and reworkings of ancient tales. The ending had me both in tears and on the edge of my seat. Overall, I would highly recommend The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Dreamed She Could Fly and the series in general to fans of accomplished YA fantasy.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

For eighteen years, Clover’s life has been close to perfect. Nothing ever goes wrong for this girl; it’s as if she’s a living good luck charm, like the four-leafed clover after which she was named. But, everything changes on her eighteenth birthday; everything she believed in and cared for suddenly takes a drastic turn, not necessarily for the better. As she grapples with this new, troubling reality, she has to come to terms with a faerie leprechaun, Finn, who has looked after her all these eighteen years. If what he says is true, a rogue faerie bent on jealous revenge is making her life almost forfeit to his treacherous plans of domination. Mix in a little bit of love and a whole lot of magic, and Clover’s life is a coming-of-age story from which legends are born.

Nicole Kilpatrick’s young adult novel, Clover, is all a fantasy novel promises. There is magic, fantastical spells (both good and evil), battles of good against evil, and a little bit of romance. The story follows two threads: Clover’s life as she turns eighteen and comes into her inheritance (such as it is), learning who she really is and what she wants out of life; and Alistair’s story, the rogue faerie who cast a spell on Clover before she was even born, holding both her and those she loves most captive in a complex, evil spell. As both stories unfold and converge, conflict ensues, and tension mounts. There are battles and adventures mixed with magic and spell-casting. As Clover learns more about herself and who she is, she matures and comes into her own as a strong female figure, one to be reckoned with. The luck of leprechauns, faeries, and pure magic, that’s what Ireland has to offer and so much more. This is a real page-turner and will capture the attention of teen readers and older readers—a very compelling and engaging read.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

When Natalie Morrigan's parents go missing right after a shocking bomb explosion in their backyard, she is left with several unanswered questions. Since her four lifelong friends are in the same condition as her, they seek answers from an estranged uncle, Chris. Apparently, Natalie is biochemically unique and equipped with some supernatural abilities that could save the world from the destructive nature of humans. A forceful encounter with Nautilus—a group that claims to need her power to achieve world peace—places Natalie in a difficult situation. Whom can she trust? Follow Natalie and her friends as she navigates family secrets, her mind-blowing abilities, and life-threatening situations in Sarah Newland's action-packed, suspense-filled sci-fi novel, Extant.

Extant mixes a spine-chilling, exciting set of events that involves kidnappings, bombings, and shootings with a mysterious, multilayered plot that unravels gradually and keeps the audience completely engrossed throughout the course of the story. All the distractions in the world could not stop me from reading the book as I was seriously eager to discover if Natalie and her friends would find their parents and survive the dangers that surrounded them. The book's vivid descriptions transported me into its world, making every event and scene feel surprisingly real. The fast-paced plot leaves no space for boredom as it moves back and forth in time and between different immersive activities—like martial arts and shooting lessons, time travel, a struggle to escape a kidnapping, and much more. If you enjoy reading about supernaturally gifted teenage protagonists who are forced to deal with a series of challenging situations, don't hesitate to read Extant by Sarah Newland.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Seventeen-year-old Willow holds tight to her imagination, the one thing Dominion can’t control, and she holds dear to the stories her Mom and Dad have told her about freedom in America before Dominion took over. Her parents' faction, the Crows, has strongholds across the country and one of these is very close to the Dominion stronghold that has kept her incarcerated for her entire life. An escape plan is in progress and Willow hopes that once her family escapes, her free life will begin in End of Crows.

The comparisons of Willow to Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games fame are clearly evident as Willow's talent as a fighter and her determination to win come to the surface. Without training of any kind, she displays great skill in the use of a variety of weapons as well as her bare hands. But, Willow possesses more than these physical abilities and as the story unfolds, her supernatural gifts become more evident and specific to the plotlines. Also like Collins, R.A. Lingenfelter writes tight, straight-to-the-point sentences and paragraphs that propel the reader through each event and scene without undue and unnecessary detail.

In particular, Lingenfelter's ability to build characters simultaneously to the ever-increasing tension of the primary plotline is evidenced by her multiple appearances at the top of Amazon's bestseller lists. End of Crows, while standing on its own, is also the perfect lead novel in the four-book series. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy fast-paced action/adventure stories with hints of the supernatural and powerful lead characters like Willow!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

A Gallery of Mothers is an atmospheric work of fiction in the dark fantasy and adventure sub-genres and was penned by author J. S. Latshaw. An epic work for young adult audiences, this novel is the follow up to The Threat Below in the Brathius Legacy Series. In this volume, we learn deeper secrets about Sean Brathius’s experiment which doomed the world, and we travel with outcast hero Icelyn Brathius to save the last refuge of humanity from certain destruction. As more hidden truths and darkness unfold, a whole new horror is on the rise, and it becomes a difficult question as to whether survival is even the preferred option in the face of such terror.

Author J. S. Latshaw has crafted a beautifully dark and dangerous apocalyptic world for the characters to walk through, leaving us on the edge of our seats for adventure and horror at every turn. This is a multi-genre tale that weaves together the finest elements from fantasy, horror, dystopia, and beyond to deliver a hero’s quest like no other against impossible odds. This is sure to resonate with the young adult audience, but older readers will also be impressed by the immersive worldbuilding, psychological themes of self-discovery, and the intricate details of the history of darkness which has befallen this land. Overall, I would highly recommend A Gallery of Mothers to readers seeking superbly crafted dark fiction that offers a lot of twists and turns within its epic plot structure, and a promising series with lots more secrets to unveil.