Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite

Steel Maiden (Divided Realms Book 1) by Kim Richardson is a young adult fantasy and the first book in the Divided Realms series. In a land of banned magic, religious sects, and dark secrets, Elena hides her mysterious healing powers and hand to hand fighting abilities. When Elena is caught attempting to steal a valuable jewel, she is given one alternative to death. So she becomes the high priest's champion in The Great Race, throwing herself into the deadliest race in the realm. As Elena discovers more about her own secrets, she realizes the race's mysterious truth. It is up to her to stop the evil that looms over her homeland before it becomes too strong and consumes them all.

This story is chock full of adventure, action, and sizzling romance. But it can also be creepy, with demons and monsters and evil priests vying for each other's souls. This story isn't for the faint of heart, but it is written with such richness that readers who give it a try will not be disappointed. The characters are strong and very well written, especially Elena and Mad Jack. Elena has a grim determination that readers will respect. She never gives up, even when she worries that she can't win. Everything she does is for her love of other characters, and that love is inspiring and contagious. Mad Jack is a complex character who keeps his story a little closer to his chest, but as readers begin to peel back layers, they will discover his wonderful complexity as well.

Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite

Broken Dreams by Cassidy K. O'Connor is an emotional young adult coming of age story about the possibility of reclaiming second chances. Isabelle and her twin brother Ian are excited to finally graduate high school. Isabelle wants to dance at Julliard and Ian has soccer scholarships to the colleges of his choice. But Isabelle knows a secret about her twin brother. His plans aren't to go to college and play soccer. He wants to join the Army and make a difference in the world.

When tragedy strikes, it is up to Isabelle to carry on the memory of her brother through the legacy he meant to leave behind. She is determined to put her own dreams aside so that she can fulfill the dreams her brother had of honor and service and dedication. But when tragedy strikes a second time, Isabelle isn't sure she's strong enough to continue. All she wants is a second chance to reach for her dreams. And she'll need the love and support that she finds in an unexpected relationship to carry her through this emotional journey.

This is a very beautiful and emotional story that will threaten even the most hardened reader with tears. It is part romance and part coming of age story, but mostly it is about life and loss and what makes a person endure when they just want to give up. What is important to some people is hard for others to to understand, and that is some of the exploration of grief that readers can expect in this story.

Reviewed by Suzanne Cowles for Readers' Favorite

Snooze by Sol Luckman is an unusual story that combines a vivid fictional alter world with real-life drama and captivating science. Follow a young Max, nicknamed “Snooze” in Part 1 into his special dreamland where flying is king and he can escape life’s pressures. His precocious friend Tuesday helps him be a nonconformist in school, while he explores an adventurous world of metaphysics. The inciting incident occurs when his well-respected father goes missing in a work-related accident. In Part 2, Max is in college years, later circumventing the usual foray of fake IDs, bros and a quarrel with Tuesday. A weird scientist tests his psychic abilities as the Universe unfolds. Part 3 is where the real adventure starts in the alternate world with danger, reverse actions, a Sasquatch and time-space between realities. Part 4 is about the Great Spirit, pseudo-science and completing his mission in an emotional journey that culminates in triumph.

Luckman’s dazzling abilities as a novelist abound with lyrical prose well written in third person. Although this book chronicles a boy’s transition into manhood, I would not consider it young adult. The provocative subject matter of science and spirituality is very mature. This magical tale is entertaining and fun, yet it offers heavy moral themes and the synchronicity of the conscious/subconscious. Learning to let go and believe in the fantastical is easy to do in Sol Luckman’s Snooze. If you enjoy colorful characters, a fast-paced plot and stories that tug at your heart, this novel in eighty-four chapters is anything but a yawn.

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

A Beholden Heart by M.L. Steinbrunn is a fresh and captivating YA story that gives credence to the old adage, “all is not as it seems.” About to head into her senior year in what’s been a somewhat sheltered life for reasons that aren’t immediately obvious, Gwen puts her foot down and refuses to go when her parents announce that they’ll be moving to London, England, thanks to a work promotion her father has received. While her popular younger sister, Meg, embraces the opportunity, Gwen simply wants the normalcy of a senior year in high school and it’s with some trepidation that her father arranges for her to stay with her eccentric grandmother, Marnie Parks, in Middleton. On her first day of school, Gwen meets Sam, a girl existing on the social fringes, and they quickly become fast friends. Her encounter with Matt Rhodes, Middleton High’s football phenomenon, comes a short time later, and their encounter is nothing if not memorable. Matt’s friend, Spencer, soon rounds out the friendship quartet.

What makes A Beholden Heart so fresh and captivating are the main protagonists, Gwen and Matt. On the face of it, Gwen is your average teenager who is striving to fit in at a new school while Matt is your basic all-star football jock. However, it’s what’s underneath that makes the two characters so compelling. It quickly becomes apparent that Gwen is not above speaking out and defending the downtrodden, even at the expense of her own social status while Matt, for all of his popularity, has suffered emotional and physical abuse from a father who happens to be the high school football coach, trying to vicariously live his own dreams through his son. Matt and Gwen are drawn together through circumstances but bond because of what they are able to offer to the other: understanding, compassion, humor, friendship and insight. Their friends, Sam and Spencer, bring depth and humor and are the perfect foils to Gwen and Matt. Another all-star in this cast of shining characters is Gwen’s grandmother, Marnie Parks, called Ms. Marnie by everyone. Despite her eccentricities in both decorating and in personal style, she has a wealth of compassion and humor that envelops those around her, not to mention a fierce protective instinct that she doesn’t hesitate to bring to the table when required.

Steinbrunn’s prose is crisp and immediately engaging while her voice is evident from the first page into the story, giving her characters both depth and authenticity. There are many parts of A Beholden Heart that will makes its readers laugh and cry. In fact, it’s very difficult to read this story without giving a piece of your own heart to Gwen and Matt. And while the story goes by quickly, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s a “quick” read. The story and its characters stay with you long after the last page has been read, all hallmarks of a great book. A Beholden Heart is exactly that – and then some.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Identified by prophecy but hidden by strong magic, Christopher grows up unaware of the destiny that awaits him in Bound to Survive: The Magic Within (Book One) by Sharon Gibbs. The land of Solencia struggles under the tyrannical rule of Arnak and his sorceress sister, Athena. Once prosperous, the land and people suffer because of Arnak’s quest for vengeance. The time has come for The One, Christopher, to accept his role as leader of the people. Henry, Christopher’s grandfather, and his old friend, Clarence, the two remaining wizards of the land, have prepared for this day and, with the help of a hopeful population, they all set out to take back control of their land. As Christopher embraces the role of leader, it is clear that the ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled. The only hope is that this newly formed army is in time to defeat the evil forces of Arnak before Christopher loses someone who has become quite important in his life.

While there is certainly an element of the supernatural that directs the course of this story, the true power behind the characters in Bound to Survive is love. It is the intense love of his grandfather and the couple who raised him that has supported Christopher until the right time for him to make his own decision about the future. Powerful emotions drive Christopher, Elle, and their friends to finally band together to rid their land of a tyrant. The captivating plot moves along steadily with plenty of intense action and intrigue. The 'good' characters are refreshing and the 'bad guys' are all the more believable for the background that supports their misguided quest. Sharon Gibbs has masterfully blended past and present, as well as love and hate, into a spellbinding story that is almost impossible to put down.

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

High school graduation is a rite of passage both painful and full of celebration. Billy and his buddies met the challenge head-on, ready to face the unexpected future. Parties were planned, summer jobs lined up, and the finishing touches on the conclusion of childhood stared them in the face. Mark knew what he wanted to do with his life. Charlie was keen to pursue a vocation in law enforcement. Billy was still undecided about what course his college career would take. As he delves into a summer stint at a local animal shelter, an unexpected idea forms; blurring the lines between right and wrong. When tragedy intrudes on an otherwise phenomenal summer, Billy is torn between doing the right thing and keeping his friend’s secret a secret.

The Changing Season by Steven Manchester is a powerful tale of young adult consequences. At an age when we believe we know it all, Billy exhibits the first signs of adulthood while struggling to hang on to the last traces of his childhood. The painful transition into mature attitude is evident in Manchester’s story of spiritual growth. With young adult “boy” themed books a rarity, Manchester brings the reader a story reminiscent of the classics. As Billy mumbles, “They can keep this whole adulthood thing,” I was reminded of such literary greats as Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace. The Changing Season is certain to join the ranks of such classics. Lovely story! I really enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite

The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy is a young adult fantasy about a sixteen-year-old orphan named Aurora who gets kidnapped and taken into the magical world of Avalonia. There is dangerous magic in Avalonia and a wicked queen who has proven she will stop at nothing to rule all seven kingdoms. When Aurora is dumped into this magical mix, she unexpectedly threatens to destroy the queen's plans. Aurora is helped by a wide range of interesting characters including Rafe, a handsome mage, a magical Pegasus, and a young fairy. The group heads across Avalonia to discover Aurora's past and help her understand the wickedness of the queen. Can Aurora stop the queen from leaving the entire kingdom in darkness? Or does she just want to go back to her safe, boring life on Earth and forget that anything magical could ever happen?

This is a nice fantasy story with some traditional elements that fantasy fans will recognize and appreciate. It is a good damsel in distress story, how an ordinary girl discovers that she might have the power within her to change the world. The world building is beautiful and I like the fact that there are human characters and fairy and fae characters. That really made the book more complex for me and I think other readers will enjoy learning more about these magical creatures. In fact, it is the journey of discovery for Aurora and the reader that makes this an interesting story.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Wind Catcher: A Chosen Novel is a young adult fantasy novel written by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef. Juliet Stone feels like she's being torn in two different directions. Her mother, a successful Native American lawyer, has enrolled her in an exclusive preparatory academy, Bartens. Juliet misses the friends she's always gone to school with, and the girls at Bartens haven't been very welcoming. Her mom is going on a business trip for a few days, and Juliet's irritated that her grandfather, Sicheii, will be coming to stay with her. She has always been very close to her grandfather but not so much lately. Juliet decides to play hooky for the day and calls her best friend, Troy, to see if he'll come along.

Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef's young adult, coming of age fantasy, Wind Catcher: A Chosen Novel, is well-written and highly entertaining. Juliet is a strong and fearless character who just wants to be a normal kid, but her destiny is something entirely different. I particularly enjoyed her interactions with her grandfather, Sicheii, who is a Native American medicine man, and Troy, her childhood friend and companion. Wind Catcher is also filled with action and adventure as Juliet and Troy try to find out the mystery behind an old photo Juliet found. This very unique and refreshingly original contemporary fantasy has elements of high epic fantasy woven throughout it, and it will surprise and delight even the most jaded fantasy readers. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in The Chosen series. Wind Catcher: A Chosen Novel is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Jamaal's Journey by John McCormack has a story line that must be vaguely familiar to anyone who has gone through the joys and pains of high school life. An African American student and a likable senior student, Jamaal is in his final two months at Spring Valley High School when Taneeka, the new girl in class, captures his heart. What follows is a roller coaster ride of friendship, hope, intimacy, love, rejection, frustration and revelation together with Jamaal, his school friends and their speech teacher, whose influence on his students will stay with them for the rest of their lives. What makes Jamaal’s Journey highly entertaining is the collection of interesting characters interacting with each other in one of the most difficult and exciting times of their lives - adolescence.

Winner of the Finalist Award for African-American Fiction in the 2015 Beverly Hills International Book Awards, Jamaal’s Journey certainly does not disappoint readers. There are many coming of age novels dealing with adolescence and high school life, but few are as insightful and entertaining as this one. Reading the book is like listening to Jamaal himself intimately talking to you about his innermost thoughts and feelings. Fast paced and moving from one scene to the next in quick succession, it draws the reader into the lives of the other kids in Jamaal’s social circle. And, as if without meaning to do so, the story exposes a number of social issues that sadly plague our society today and affect the lives of most young people. Jamaal’s Journey ends on an optimistic and realistic note, and this is just one of the reasons why this story will certainly capture your heart!

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The See-Through Leopard by Sibel Hodge is the story of Jazz who meets with an accident and loses her mother. The accident leaves some facial scars which make her conscious of her looks. She falls into a kind of depression. It is at that phase in her life that her father decides to move to a game sanctuary in Kenya. She finds an orphaned leopard cub there and her association with that animal takes her on a path of healing and love.

I found the book beautiful with lovely moments. The book has a purpose and a moral that is highly motivational. A percentage of the proceeds of the sales of this book goes to Panthera, an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the wild cats of the world. The book teaches you how to love and heal yourself. It is the journey of a girl who finds love, discovers herself, and finally embarks on a journey of mental and spiritual healing.

The See-Through Leopard touches you on many levels. The love and compassion Jazz feels for the leopard is worth mentioning. The book has an educational theme which speaks about the extinction of animals, poaching, and endangered species. The story has a circular effect. The emotions are raw and it calls out to humans to rise and protect these wild cats before all of them disappear from the earth. The backdrop of the African jungle makes the story and narrative scenic.