Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Rose is dying, and especially Rose herself knows this. The events of the novel Aaru by David Meredith begin with Rose being in hospital, and a mysterious man who is neither a doctor nor a priest offers Rose a chance to be saved. While Rose does not believe in being saved in any way, she gives it a go - for her sister, Koren. When Rose dies, her last thoughts are about how another treatment has let her down. But then she wakes up in a new world: the world after. It is called Aaru, and Rose is one of the first people to have the good fortune to be part of it. When Koren is connected to Aaru via a screen for the first time to talk to Rose, it is the beginning of her time as a celebrity. Aaru's makers had chosen Rose because of Koren. They wanted Koren as the face for their marketing campaign. After all, who would be more appealing than a suffering, attractive young girl? Koren agrees to become the face of Aaru, as she thinks it's great that people will never truly have to die any longer. But her new fame comes with a high price. Not everyone thinks eternal life is something good, especially not the ones who believe that God should have the final word.

When I picked up Aaru by David Meredith, I was worried that it would be a sentimental, soppy story - like many stories about dying people are, so I usually avoid books about the topic "sister/brother/father/etc. die of cancer and someone is left behind." However, I was intrigued by the idea of brain scans and a person being transformed into a computer system. So I hoped this would be good. Fortunately, it was good indeed! I finished the book in only one and a half days because it was hard to put down (and it is not really a short book). I found the pace of the book very well done: you didn't spend too long on one plot point, but the story was always moving forward in a way.

The villain who eventually - to my surprise - turns up is fairly creepy, so that was quite a feat to achieve, too. I didn't expect the story to develop that way, and the additional challenge for Koren and Rose was a welcome surprise which made the reading even more exciting. Rose's disease and passing, of course, play a vital part in the novel. It's what sets everything in motion, but everything surrounding that issue isn't soppy in any way. It's well done, and fairly realistic with all the raw emotions the reader sees Koren go through. I'd recommend this book to everyone who is fascinated by ideas that surround the brain and its compatibility with computers. But it's also a story about how fame affects a young girl who has just lost one of the most important people in her life.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The League of Governors: Chronicle Two – Jason by Wendy Terrien is an Adventures of Jason Lex novel. Jason saved the world, but he wasn't able to save his mom. He's trying to get his life back together now that he knows a secret world of cryptids exists, but his little sister only seems to be getting worse. After his dad takes Della to London to see the League of Governors, they stop responding to Jason's phone calls. Add to that a mysterious coin that glows, and Jason knows there's more going on than meets the eye. When he and his Uncle Alexander travel to London for answers, they find a deeper conspiracy. Suddenly Jason's been rescued and held captive by the League. Everyone around him behaves strangely and no one will give him clear answers. Even his dad has a personality change. As he digs into the League's motives, he uncovers a plan to take over the world and a shocking family secret.

Jason's adventures are far from over after seemingly stopping his mother's plans. Some might say his troubles have only just begun. Most of the focus is on the conspiracy within the League, as they pose the greatest threat to Jason and his family. When Jason's drawn into the League, he's not sure who to trust so everyone around him looks suspicious, which makes him feel trapped and alone. He has a realistic outlook on everything happening around him as he goes through quite an emotional journey, filled with anger and despair but also strength and hope. His hero's journey has only just started as he continues to fight back, even in small ways, while also having to consistently pick himself up and keep moving forward.

The League is presented in an interesting way, with a chilling appearance of an Utopia with Jason directly in the middle of it, alone and confused, trying to figure out who to trust and how to get out. On the surface it seems almost perfect and merry, with everything - even punishments - being viewed as a good thing. With every turn Jason uncovers a bit more that deepens the conspiracy in dark and twisted ways. Wendy Terrien creates a faux Utopia in a perfectly creepy way that ups the danger the further Jason unravels and continues to work in Terrien's twist on cryptids. Family is at the heart of Jason's journey as he struggles to protect those he loves and everything he knew is threatened. The League of Governors is a nerve-wracking, suspenseful read from beginning to end, a hero's journey with twists on cryptids and a dark conspiracy.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Raptor by B.A. Bostick is a delightful fantasy story for young adult readers, a story that features the proverbial battle between good and evil. To be able to dominate humankind, demons have resorted to a more subtle kind of deception. They are disguising themselves as humans and infiltrating human society, taking key positions in governments and organizations. The good news is that there is also a secret society of Guardians, invested with the power to detect and thwart the plans of these demons. They have used highly skilled beings called the Raptors to do the incredible job of protecting humankind. Unknown to humans, raptors live amongst them and protect them.

Ariel is a raptor in one of the big mid-western cities, and when Detective Frank Bishop is in grave danger of being killed by a demon, she has no choice but to come to Frank's rescue, hence revealing her true nature to Frank. Now, as the pair works tirelessly to uncover the reason behind the disappearances of children and the homeless in the city, Frank is irrevocably drawn into the raptor’s world, understanding that she isn’t an ordinary woman. Now Frank is immersed in a world where light encounters the worst forms of darkness.

This is a beautiful story with interesting characters and an intriguing plot. I enjoyed the originality in the concept and in the plot, and there were moments I started believing that there are demons ruling among men, disguised as men, like some dictators this century has known. B.A. Bostick makes readers care about the characters and sells the idea of fighting for what is good in a brilliant way. The novel features great writing, a fast-paced plot, a huge conflict, and a setting that feels like some place readers already know. It was an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Rampart Guards by Wendy Terrien is Chronicle One in the Adventures of Jason Lex. After Jason Lex's mom disappears one night, his dad decides to move him and his siblings closer to their grandma and the uncle their mom never wanted them to meet. When he starts seeing flying creatures, he turns to his uncle for answers and discovers a family secret. The flying creatures are called skyfish, and exist unseen with several other cryptids, including the Mongolian Death Worm. Not sure who he can trust, Jason has to fight against a surprising enemy in order to save his family and find his destiny.

Wendy Terrien brings to life a world where cryptids are real, and connects to well-known history with fun twists. The skyfish are fascinating creatures that are said to be playful and are unable to be seen by the human eye, yet Jason's destiny begins when he sees them. This is just the beginning of his journey as he overcomes tragedy and danger. The end is just the beginning as it's clear that there's more to come for Jason to fulfill his destiny. Jason's life is flipped upside down when his mom mysteriously vanishes, and he's uprooted to a new town. Sadie gives him a friend, a confidant, and connects him to this new place where she knows everyone. Secrets are everywhere as Jason discovers why his mom didn't want his uncle around, why she left that night, and the startling secret that his brother has been keeping. The Rampart Guards is a brilliant story of a young hero's journey, with family secrets, betrayal, tragedy, and friendship. Aimed at young adults, but perfect for anyone who loves adventure and cryptozoology!

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

Fury Frayed by Melissa Haag is a wonderfully written urban fantasy for young adults that is suitable for any age group. Being the first book in a series, it really sets the tone for what is going be an awesome series. The story begins with Megan Smith getting into trouble at school for fighting. She is always getting into fights, she is always angry. When Megan arrives home, she finds that her mother has told her to pack once again, because they are moving. They get to their new destination, a run-down house with an overgrown yard in a small town in Maine. After they spend the first night there, Megan wakes up alone. She finds a note fromher mother, informing Megan that she is now on her own. The house is hers and she has been left with a hefty sum of money to survive on until she finds a way to earn her own money. She finds out that she has been enrolled in a special academy called Girderon, a school for mythical non-humans to learn how to blend into human society. While waiting to begin school, she meets a few of the main characters in the story, which include werewolves, a griffon, and a succubus that become her best friends. Megan has caught the eye of a certain werewolf named Fenris, who has his own pack of she-wolves. With Aubrey as the rival territorial queen bee, Megan has allies in Oanan the griffon, and Eliane the succubus, her best friends who have her back and can help with her anger issues.

Ms. Haag moves this story along at an amazing pace and it quickly becomes filled with murder mysteries, secrets, as well as fantastical creatures that have existed throughout time, bred out of legends and gods. This story, with its cast of characters, at once reminded me of a cross between Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and the sci-fi channel series Lost Girl that introduces the idea of the Faery world co-existing with humans. Plenty of action, suspense, and even provocative love interests. The characters' personalities are just so well developed, especially Megan. She has a sarcastic sense of humor that is just irresistible, and will make you laugh out loud and often. When she is listed as a suspect for two bodies that were found in her presence, Megan wants answers, and decides to find out her lineage by sneaking into the school after hours. Fury Frayed delivers on all levels from page one, and all the way to the end. It is really hard to put down. All I can say is wow! I cannot wait for the next installment from Melissa Haag. Brava!

Reviewed by Sierra Edelen for Readers' Favorite

Targa is almost like any other teenager about to enter the summer before her senior year in high school except for one thing; she is half siren. Being born of a human father and a siren mother, Targa was destined to become a siren like her mother as the gene is passed through the female line. But Targa turned out to be a dud, and as such, since her father died when she was only eight, her mother, Mira, was forced to stay on land and get a job as a diver, searching the Atlantic and recovering lost items from wrecks. When Mira’s company is offered a job in Poland for the summer to recover items from a ship that sank 150 years ago, Targa gets the opportunity of a lifetime, and one that will change hers forever.

Born of Water by A.L. Knorr is only the first in a number of titles in The Elemental Origins Series. It aims to capture the attention of young adults, as it has themes of fantasy, mythology and teenage love. It is beautifully composed and encourages readers to continue reading more books even after this story is finished. It also does well to keep things in perspective, showing not only the particular struggles that Targa is going through due to her siren heritage, but that she is also a teenage girl with normal teenage confusions and that makes her all the more relatable. This book was a joy to read. It is filled with mystery and intrigue and I look forward to finding other books in the series and reading them as well.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

The Lost Clan is a new paranormal series by Olivia Wildenstein and begins with Rose Petal Graves. It is aimed at young adults, but can basically be read by anybody who likes well written paranormal stories. Catori, the female protagonist of the novel, has left home to study in a more exciting place. However, after the sudden, unexpected death of her mother, she has to return home to attend the funeral and take care of things. Her family runs the local undertaking business, so her mom is stored in their basement. The examiner ruled her death natural, but Catori immediately sees and feels that something is not quite right. Why is there a coffin filled with nothing but rose petals in their basement? Where is the body or the bone dust? And who are those strange, extremely gorgeous people who suddenly turned up in peaceful little Rowan? Soon, Catori finds a book in which she learns more about her ancestry - and it involves beings that rest in coffins with rose petals. It seems like someone is waking them up. And each time one rises, another being has to die.

I found the idea behind Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein quite fascinating. It was an interesting mix of native legends and stories with some well known supernatural plot ideas. I enjoyed getting to know the various characters, and I felt the story had a great balance between drama, some comedy, fantasy, adventure and fairy tale. And I am a sucker for books in which old books hold (some of) the answers the heroes need to find out what is happening to them and why. The book also had a satisfying length for a book in a series. Often the first volumes are so flimsy that you don't hold out much hope for the following books, but this one is appropriate (at least to me). Of course, with entertaining books you always wish they were longer, but fans of volume 1 can look forward to the rest of the series.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Marker of Hope: Creatura #3 by Nely Cab is a well-developed and blood-pumping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Although I have not read the previous novels in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The story follows Isis, a young girl who is quickly changing into Creatura. She has just returned from Greece after the devastating loss of her boyfriend, David. She has a raging desire to eat human flesh, but she has other things to worry about.

The Turpis are not leaving her and they have tracked her down. They are after her and they will not rest until they have her life. To survive, she must accept help from the deities that she does not trust, but she has no other choice. A battle is upon her and if she does not do something fast, she will not be able to survive. Her hunger for human flesh is getting out of control and she needs to do something about this as well. If she does not take any action soon, the Turpis will be upon her and there won’t be much that she can do.

What can I say about this novel? It is intense, sharp witted and very well-written. I loved Isis and I simply wanted to know more about the Turpis. These demons are intriguing, powerful, and I wanted to see even deeper into their psyche. The writing style is perfect for this story; author Nely Cab kept the momentum going with her intelligent dialogues and very imaginative descriptions. This is definitely one of my favorite novels of the year so far. Brilliant!

Reviewed by Beth Katherine for Readers' Favorite

Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles is a dark take on the Lewis Carroll classic. Follow Alice Carroll as she leaves the safety of the Sector to find a cure for the (un)deadly Momerath Virus to save her sister, who has begun to show signs of infection. As Alice wanders through territory swarming with Momerath, she makes unlikely allies along the way—Chess, a mysterious young man who comes and goes unexpectedly; Bug, a surveillance expert with theories about the Momerath Virus and its origins; and Nate, a knight who works for the Red Queen. In a perilous dystopian world, where perhaps nothing is as it seems, Alice discovers that the Momerath aren’t the only things she has to be afraid of.

Author J.M. Sullivan’s debut novel ensnared me from the very first line and kept me captivated throughout. Alice reads like a film, in large part due to Sullivan’s uncanny writing ability. As you join Alice on her adventure, you cannot help but feel like you are there battling the Momerath with her! It is obvious that Sullivan put a great deal of love and thought into each character (even the baddies), as they all have their own fully developed backstory that unfolds as the story progresses. A novelty in the YA genre, Alice is a strong female protagonist who is human, flawed, and relatable. You will find yourself fully invested in Alice’s journey from start to finish.

I loved this book so much that I would have been remiss if I rated it any less than 5 stars. I would recommend Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles to readers who enjoy re-tellings, books with strong female protagonists, and those who like Easter eggs! (Sullivan artfully hid a secret message in the body of her work.) J.M. Sullivan is a talented up-and-coming author and is one to keep your eye on!

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

The Never Paradox is the second book in the Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs by T. Ellery Hodges. Gone is Jonathan Tibbs, the college student. In his place stands Jonathan Tibbs, the superhero who is constantly on call to fight the forces of evil. Backed up by a cast of memorable friends and enemies, Jonathan must also overcome memory loss before it is too late. And who is this Rylee woman, anyway?

By chance, I just finished the first book of the Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, The Never Hero, a few weeks ago, so I had the established storyline fresh in my mind for reading The Never Paradox. I was excited to once again be entertained by the trials of Jonathan and his friends, and I was even more excited to see more of the philosophy and action movie plots dissected and discussed. I was not as excited to have Jonathan's storyline interrupted with frequent shifts in point of view between chapters, but the hard hitting action scenes more than made up for my disappointment.

I recommend The Never Paradox to anyone who likes a superhero story wrought with dark undertones, out-of-this-world supervillains, and a solid mix of drama, humor, compassion, and despair. Hodges is never at a loss for developing interesting characters. Nor does he take the safe road when he delves into political intrigue, religious beliefs, or dynamic world building. I can't wait to see what the next book in this series brings to the table.