Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Someone’s Story is a work of fiction in the coming of age and family drama sub-genres and was penned by author B. A. Bellec. Written for mature young adult audiences, the book does feature some more sensitive themes such as abortion, death, bullying, and substance usage. The story focuses on the mental health journey of one young man when he is forced to move and this creates a huge upheaval in his life. As he struggles to find a new footing in a new space, we encounter the many ups and downs of modern teenage life, the difficulties that adjusting to adult feelings bring, and a few tear-jerking surprises along the way.

Author B. A. Bellec has crafted a masterpiece of emotive and well-rounded young adult fiction, one which holds a mirror up to real life and does not over or underplay life’s many dramas for a moment. As an accurate portrayal of mental health issues and insecurities, readers are sure to take comfort in the close, raw narration which explains how the protagonist feels and deals with uncomfortable situations throughout the tale. Though there’s plenty of serious stuff to unpack, the work is also balanced with funny, touching moments and solid life advice. The accompanying soundtrack really gives a new technological dimension to the reading experience as well, making the book a really immersive experience that is truly unmissable. Overall, I would highly recommend Someone’s Story to teen and adult readers alike: an accomplished and fully rounded reading experience.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

Cricket is angry. Her parents lied to her, taking her from her home and friends on their distant, dying planet to live on Earth. She has to go to school like a human teenager and do her best to fit into this strange, desert town where the houses aren’t cylindrical and the world is open to the sky. Cricket gets off to a rough start as she and her family give off the wrong impression to everyone they encounter. Cricket’s new human body attracts the unwanted attentions of the local motorcycle gang, who regularly cause havoc in the area, and soon the mayor is breathing down their necks, convinced there’s something odd about the Sminth family, besides their unusual names.

In A Girl Named Cricket, Peter J. Manos writes convincingly from the alien perspective and the confusion caused by language and cultural differences is often hilarious. The world building incorporated through Watson, Crick, and Cricket’s relationship dynamics, remarks on lifestyle differences and, in particular, Cricket’s nostalgia and longing for home paints a realistic feel of the otherworldly. Although she often comes across as petulant and rash, Cricket is easy to relate to and her insightful observations never fail to entertain. Tom is a darling and I loved the way Manos incorporated the trauma he experienced into his personality, without allowing this to overshadow other facets of his personality. A Girl Named Cricket is an entertaining and imaginative sci-fi novel from beginning to end. Manos’ blend of humour and compellingly alien beings is a winner.

Reviewed by Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite

Eternal Bloodlines by JC Brennan tells the story of Amanda Rain Holston, who, as the book begins, is a young waitress in the Michigan town of Skidway Lake. Amanda is living a typical small-town life when suddenly, after a party, the body of one of her friends is found ripped apart and disemboweled, and the body of two more friends are found drained of blood. Soon, Amanda herself is injured in a motor vehicle accident. While in the hospital, she has vivid dreams of two dark, hooded strangers who are arguing about a “hunt.” Soon, she wakes up — but she’s now in a castle in Romania, the companion of a vampire. And he’s not any vampire — he’s the son of Count Dracula!

JC Brennan’s Eternal Bloodlines is very well written in a way that can appeal to people of the fictional Amanda’s age as well as older adults. In an unusual twist, Dracula, or Vlad Tepes as he’s known in the book, is portrayed as a compassionate, caring “person” who regrets the grisly deeds of his youth. Good mysteries (and this is a mystery as well as a book of paranormal fiction) have many premonitions, and Eternal Bloodlines is no exception — before Amanda’s accident, she’s a fan of Stephen King’s fiction and reads as many vampire books as she can. There were even one or two scenes that made me laugh, such as the “wedding chapel” later in the book whose centerpiece is not a piece of religious art but a painting of a vampire biting a young woman’s neck. All in all, if you like vampires (fictional, that is), paranormal fiction or mysteries, Eternal Bloodlines will be a good book for you.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Starvation by Molly Fennig is a YA novel that addresses realistic issues and presents elaborately developed and compelling characters. Sixteen-year-old Wes McCoy has never been the favorite of the family. His brother, Jason, who is the apple of everyone’s eye, dies in a car accident on his way to the State wrestling championship. Wes’s life gets upended in ways he can’t understand. In his struggle to cope with the tragedy, he turns to food for solace. But food can’t give him the solution to his aching problems and his troubled heart. In fact, he might lose a dear friend forever, and Caila Brennan is a girl whose standards put food out of the equation. As he navigates his painful emotions and learns more about himself and his brother’s tragedy, he will have to make hard choices or see his life winding down an irreversible path.

This is the first book I have read in which an author explores a young character struggling with grief and finding himself plunged into a world where eating disorders become the norm. Themes of depression and suicide are diligently written and in a realistic manner. Molly Fennig has written the young characters intelligently and I enjoyed the way the relationship between Caila and Wes is developed from the moment they first meet each other at the fountain; their text messaging conversations add to the realism of the story and capture an aspect of life that young readers will definitely relate to. The family dynamics at the McCoys and how this affects the young protagonist are also well-written. Starvation is suspenseful, and I found myself mulling over the death of Jason, wondering — like the mother — if he had actually committed suicide. Starvation is emotionally rich, at times disturbing, but it plumbs the psyche of a young protagonist and explores realities that young people experience, especially when faced with a crisis. It is a fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

M.S.P. Williams writes about his life growing up in Listen Mama. Manny writes letters in his journal that are directed at his mother. At 6 months of age, Manny was burned by a medical error that caused him to be disfigured. His mother settled the lawsuit for a mere $24,000 and then wrote to a news reporter who paid for Manny’s reconstructive surgeries. As Manny grows up, his mother had “episodes” that eventually led to her diagnosis of schizophrenia. Manny was taught by his grandmother that he needed to take care of his siblings, and thus he started working to take care of his mother and five younger siblings. He vowed he would provide a better life for them.

Every entry that Williams entered into his journal was his reflection on how he felt he would never be able to escape from the mental prison he was trapped in. Listen Mama shows how much emotional turmoil children actually feel and what cultivates their self-worth as adults. I could see the evolution of Manny’s insecurities. As a child that did not understand his mother’s mental illness, his entries were filled with excuses to defend his mother. As he grew older, his inability to deal with the amount of stress was exhibited in angry entries on how his mother’s refusal to take her medications cost him and his siblings. I was able to connect with Manny and could empathize with his mental anguish. This is a 5-star book that I recommend to high school-age readers and adults. M.S.P. Williams' book is a tale of what the public tries to turn a blind eye to - living in poverty where children are left to raise their younger siblings while their parent is in and out of mental health clinics. I found Manny finally deciding to follow “can’t change yesterday, but you can definitely alter tomorrow” was the start of his true life.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

An unknown entity that goes by the moniker The Marked Queen has been digging up dirt about the students of Johnson Prep. The Marked Queen offers them a chance to save face in exchange for someone else's deep, dark secret. The elite class of this high school has quite dramatic secrets that they just can't risk getting out. Danielle, the most popular girl in the class, has gone from riches to rags after her mom decided to divorce her dad. Danielle could not bear the thought of her poverty becoming common knowledge to her peers and friends, so she decided to keep her financial status a secret. Similarly, her best friend Delilah had her own secrets to guard. Just like the girls, the hottest guy in the school, Calvin, could not let his sexual orientation be the talk of the town, erm, high school. Even if he chose to reveal his secret, his boyfriend, Aman, had no intention of coming out of the closet. Amid these hotshots, the new guy, Andrew, who wanted to keep a low profile, unknowingly attracted The Marked Queen's attention. High School Queens (The High School Queens Trilogy) by Zachary Ryan raises the age-old dilemma of how far would you go to guard the skeletons in your closet.

High School Queens by Zachary Ryan appears to have been inspired by Pretty Little Liars, an American drama series. Although the tough lives of the characters elicit sympathy from the audience, the narrator made it clear that there was no room for delicate emotions. So, when Delilah's hopes were being crushed, the storyteller's desire that she "learned this lesson the hard way, because we loved a Titanic ending, not a High School Musical one" uncloaked a sadistic narrator. Beneath all the mind games, the plot embodies the sensitive issues, dreams, and aspirations of the "pawns." When people look at Jasmine, they see a fat girl who used to be one of the popular ones. Instead of comprehending the underlying cause of the change, a majority body-shames her. Despite the ruthless voice of the narrator, High School Queens by Zachary Ryan is a very insightful story. Fans of teenage drama and suspense will appreciate the engaging storytelling.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Life Is Big is a work of fiction written in the literary style by author Kiki Denis. Focusing on primary themes such as death and illness, conceptual thinking, and historical progressive thinkers, this accessible read is suitable for audiences of all sensitivities. We find ourselves exploring many concepts of magical realism as the journey takes on a life of its own, sprouting from the imminent death of happy little Alma-Jane. When her brother Ayrton takes up the mantle to put a stopper in her death, a surreal and emotive exploration of life ensues, featuring figures such as Albert Einstein and those around him, and many original and surprising characters who help along the way.

Author Kiki Denis has crafted a literary work that takes science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism concepts in its stride as it tells a deep-reaching tale about our greatest fears and highest hopes regarding death and the afterlife. One of the most impressive things for me as a reader was the control and clarity that Denis displays in handling more than ten characters with major plotlines and perspectives, a feat which results is a richer novel that offers a lot for those who want to think hard on a book and learn from it long after it’s been put down. Taking on the Destroyer of Life requires courage, inspiration, and a hopeful atmosphere, and this book delivers that in spades. Overall, I would highly recommend Life Is Big for those seeking a cerebral read with plenty of content, emotion, and intelligence.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In The Declaration, the Sword and the Spy by Jenny L. Cote, in Boston 1774, the Sons of Liberty have sworn an oath of secrecy to overthrow the British occupation. Tensions are already high due to the infamous tyrannical Stamp Act of 1765 by King George III and the massacre of many Boston people by British soldiers. Follow the events of the American Revolution between March 1775 to July 1776 where George Washington is determined to oust the British from Boston and Thomas Jefferson fights for his Declaration of Independence. Meanwhile, King George III fights to hold onto power, not only in Boston but in Britain, where his people are becoming sympathetic to the rebels. As the Founding Fathers prepare to fight for their country's freedom, they discover a spy could be feeding their enemy information. With the battle at Breed Hill between the rebels and the British soldiers looming, the Sons of Liberty must oust the spy. To aid them in their mission is the Order of the Seven, an intelligent and gifted team of animals who specialize in espionage and defeating their enemies.

As I read this magnificent epic of a novel, I wish that the author could have been around when I struggled with history at school. She brings so much life to an important event in history. The characters are many but I felt I knew each one so well; their determination and bravery to fight for their cause was humbling. I loved the use of correspondence, maps and newspaper articles as this brought even more realism to the story. This is not just a well-written account of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, but a story that details the personal reasons the Founding Fathers took up arms. There are some very brutal battle scenes and psychological games of cat and mouse, which enhanced the plot perfectly. There are also some very emotional scenes that are quite heartbreaking.

The Order of the Seven was a fantastic addition to the story; even the animals had strong characteristics. Nigel's superb intelligence and my absolute favorite, Liz, whose huge heart and bravery were admirable. The Declaration, the Sword and the Spy by Jenny L. Cote ticks every box for me with tension, strong plots, amazing areas of conflict and heartwarming relationships. This is one line from the book which I feel sums up the whole message of the novel for me: “If you study men, and you know the history of mankind, predicting the future is not that difficult." The bibliography at the end is a testament to the amount of research the author has done to write this superb book.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Ecrivain by Elizabeth Dunlap is book 1 in the Ecrivain Academy series. We are introduced to Calliope, who secretly enjoys writing, but has little belief in her own talent. After she enters a short story competition to officially be told she has no talent, she tells her family about it (under less than perfect circumstances), and as a punishment for being so silly – after all, writing is a waste of precious time – Calliope is sent to a boarding school in France of all places. Much to the delight of her bratty brother! At first, Calliope is distraught. She has to leave her only friend behind and doesn’t speak French. When she arrives, however, she learns that the Ecrivain Academy is not what her parents thought it would be: it’s a school for writers, and the head of it is Calliope’s favorite author. She can’t believe her luck but soon finds out that life with that many other wannabe writers can be anything but pleasant. It can even be deadly!

It has been a while since I was drawn into a book’s world as quickly as with Ecrivain by Elizabeth Dunlap. A great idea that was written by someone who knew how to tell it. Of course, boarding school plots are nothing new, but the idea of a boarding school for future writers with different houses, according to the genre, was a nice twist. I only would have liked a Tolkien house, for a proper fantasy representation. The characters were well written and represented the wide variety of what an author can be like. After all, writers – be it novelists or poets – are all just people, all very different, with their own attitudes, ideals, and ideas. Of course, there are some stereotypes, but poets deserve it (sorry, not sorry). This novel was a truly enjoyable read, and I finished it within two nights of reading. I’m looking forward to the next volume in the series. I usually hate cliffhangers, but this one wasn’t executed in a way that makes you want to throw the book at the author. I wish a school like that would truly exist, and not just for kids, minus all the rather disturbing developments, and with a Tolkien house for fantasy writers, obviously.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Time's Up is book three in the Time Zero Trilogy by Carolyn J. Cohagan and a terrific conclusion to an intriguing dystopian story. Mina and Juda are forced to return back home to Manhattan and they don’t want to. They spend days trying to find a way out of it, but Ram won’t have any of it. They know they are wanted by the authorities and that Mrs. Asher is also looking for them after the death of her son. But there is something even more sinister: Ram has a dangerous technology and he’s ordered them to kill their Divine Leader, Uncle Ruho. Otherwise, Ram will bomb the Island. Mina has a very difficult choice to make: kill one man to save every other person she loves or find a way to kill her nemesis. Either way, it is a challenging and arduous task, and is she up for it?

I was pulled into Time's Up right from the first page. The dialogues open the narrative and they are amazing, unveiling layers of the characters slowly and introducing the conflict. The author knows the “showing” technique of storytelling and she uses it well to engage the reader. The premise is very strong and it is introduced immediately: Ruho claims to be a descendant of God and Ram thinks he is blasphemous and wants him taken out in order to trigger the Ascension. But the consequences of such an act are frightening. The tension starts building from the first page and grows more intense as the story progresses. Carolyn J. Cohagan’s characters are wonderfully written, multidimensional, and believable. There is so much to love in this story, from the strong plot, the beautiful prose, to the powerful characters. Time's Up doesn’t disappoint. A delightful read!