Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Free Passage is an historical coming of age novel for young adults written by J.R. McRae and illustrated by Terry Hand. His commanding officers were stunned when Dane Maguire abandoned his post during combat and later handed in his commission. The heroic soldier was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him, which made his subsequent court martial and mandatory death sentence that much harder for all concerned. Dane stood there in front of the court and offered no excuse or justification. Despite his distinguished service and leadership, they had no option. Dane didn’t care. Something had happened on that field of battle which tore at everything that he held dear. He had no choice but to lay down his arms and surrender to the harsh field justice. McRae’s historical tale follows the lives of young adults whose lives were forever changed by the Civil War. Dane Maguire is one of them. Girl, a deaf-mute slave, who was never given a name, but found love in the least expected place, is another.

J.R. McRae’s historical coming of age novel, Free Passage, is a spellbinding and gripping story about young survivors of the Civil War. While I enjoy history and historical fiction, my focus has always been more on the first and second World Wars rather than on the American Civil War, and I was totally blown away by the power and intensity of these young adult tales. Each story radiates from that tale of the two brothers, Dane and Paul Maguire, yet each of the characters the reader meets assumes center stage at some point in the story. McRae’s heroes pop up in the least likely places in the hostile and frightening terrain of the post-Civil War years.

My favorite character would have to be Herr Adolphus Schmidt, an itinerant tinker who helps Girl, who reminds him of his own missing daughter, find Dane’s Uncle Pelletier. But there are so many unforgettable characters and stories in this superb and moving novel. Terry Hand’s illustrations are masterful, from that first grim court martial scene to the portrait of a shivering Mina after she escapes from the steamboat; each panel fleshes out the characters and their stories beautifully. Free Passage brings history to life brilliantly. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

The Rise of the Dawnstar by Farah Oomerbhoy is the second spellbinding installment in The Avalonia Chronicles, a delightful epic fantasy read for young adult readers. In this latest installment in the series, the stakes are raised even higher. The seven kingdoms of Avalonia are plagued by a new form of darkness and are on the verge of collapse. Queen Morgana is poised to access a magical power that would allow her to enslave the entire world. She is about to find a way to open The Book of Abraxas and, if she does, no one can stop her if she uses the power trapped in its pages. Meanwhile, Aurora must travel through the war-torn lands into the fairy kingdom of Elfi in search of a legendary weapon that still contains the ancient magic of the realm. She once survived a battle against Morgana, but can she still be a match for the evil queen?

The story starts in the midst of action and, from the very first page, the reader moves from one dramatic incident to another — betrayals, intrigue, battles, and a conflict that escalates at the speed of light. Both the heroine and the villain are deftly crafted, each playing a role that enhances the plot and keeps the tension high. Farah Oomerbhoy’s writing is gorgeous and it features great passages and intelligently written dialogues. I enjoyed the way the author weaves mythology into the story. This is fantasy at its best, riveting and utterly enjoyable. The Rise of the Dawnstar will transport readers into a land of magic where nothing is as it seems and where surprises happen at every turn of the road.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.

Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?

Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia tells the gripping story of Hualiama, the half-daughter of a king, who grows from a young, timid girl to a self-confident warrior taking up arms against the usurper of the Onyx Throne; a girl who will stop at nothing to see justice served to her enemies and those of her world. She will be beaten up, sliced, and even thrown into the Dragonship to die, but she’ll survive. It’s interesting to interact with this brave survivor and her endearing friends from a world that is as strange as it is charming, a world in which readers would most certainly like to live.

Marc Secchia has an amazing imagination that not only creates an enchanting universe and compelling characters, but also invents names that will soon become legendary in the minds of both young and adult readers. Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia is a page-turner. It’s a marvel to see how the author combines vivid descriptions with roller coaster-like action to create a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Marc Secchia is a master story-teller in the world of fantasy, gifted with a gorgeous style of writing that grabs at the reader’s heart from the very first page. Dragonfriend reminds me of the world of Eragon by Christopher Paolini and I can’t wait to watch well-developed characters like Hualiama and her mythical friends in a motion picture. Secchia brilliantly combines a tale of determination and courage with a dangerous love story that readers will always remember.

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

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.