Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Melinda Richards is just finishing her junior year in high school and, like so many teens, has questions about what she wants to do with her life. She discovers a place where she really feels at home as her father restores Sotheby House, an old mansion deep in the woods in what turns out to be the magical bubble known as Pleasantwick. The barrier between the common world and that of the magical people is thinned and Melinda discovers a secret access. Pleasantwick by M.L. Stoughton follows the adventure Melinda is drawn into as an evil that threatens the protected land targets her as well. Melinda tries to enjoy the prom, but the evil begins to infect people around her, turning what should be a happy time into a nightmare. Feeling secure at Sotheby House, Melinda becomes more and more involved with a handsome young man, Luke, and learns an amazing secret. Will Melinda be able to explore her relationship with Luke or will the age-old issue between the magical families destroy it before it gets a chance to start?

For wonderful paranormal action and a great look at growing pains, Pleasantwick by M.L. Stoughton is the perfect book. The characters are easy to relate to and the action is intense as the real and supernatural worlds collide. With a combination of history and present day, you develop a strong feeling for the problems affecting the magical families and how it could possibly relate to Melinda. Great story! I loved the characters as well as the action - perfect pace and intensity. I certainly hope there is more since the author seems to have left that door open. This is an extremely entertaining story with the hint that there could be more to come.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

When Hunter, the young male protagonist of In the Heart of a Mustang by M.J. Evans, learns that his father is neither dead nor a noble hero, his world collapses. His mother had lied to him all those years, and his father is nothing but a useless alcoholic with a violent streak that made him spend some years in prison. Hunter decides that he should not disappoint his mother. After all, she always wanted him to become just like his father. Hunter starts a downward spiral and eventually ends up on a ranch for troubled boys. Initially, he wants nothing to do with the people and the horses. After all, cars are better than horses. But then he meets a female mustang from a recently rounded up herd. The mustang and Hunter are both in need of trust, love, friendship, and time - especially after Hunter receives some additional shocking news that turns his life upside down once more.

I picked up In the Heart of a Mustang by M.J. Evans because I have just started working in a place that has some horses and felt like reading a story involving horses (as the place here also uses animals for therapy purposes). I ended up enjoying the story very much as the characters, their issues, and behaviors were rather believable, i.e. close to how things could play out in real life (though I doubt the taming of an absolutely wild horse would really happen within such a short time - I had issues with being allowed to touch a "normal" horse's hair for seven weeks!). I liked how there were different side characters, too, and how each of them played an important role when it came to moving the plot on another step. It also helped that the writing flowed smoothly and was very well done. It was a joy to read!

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“'You’re adopted,' she said, quick as you like, and slapped her hands over her mouth. The words had barely reached my ears when everything went north of normal. Mam erupted into a shaking mess of tears. Dad recoiled with a feverish look to him; his ruddy face deepening to purple and his eyes enlarging to the size of cue balls.” The Origins of Benjamin Hackett by Gerald M. O'Connor is a refreshing coming of age story that is sentimental, bold and hilarious at the same time. Set in Ireland in the summer of '96, 18-year-old Benjamin Hackett finds out that he was adopted. He decides to look for his birth parents and drags his friend JJ with him, traveling all over Cork city while facing unexpected problems along the way.

If you think you’ll find another typical coming of age tale among the pages of The Origins of Benjamin Hackett, it’s best to leave your expectations at the door. O'Connor can definitely make readers feel the heavy past of the Irish land which doesn’t just serve as a mere background for the story. That said, despite the episodic heaviness and contemplation, the story isn’t without its heartwarming, funny and respectable moments, making it fascinating and enjoyable to read. O’Connor’s vivid prose is perhaps even more perceptive in quirky moments, and the plot has solid and unpredictable twists. All in all, this is an unforeseen and profoundly moving tale from O’Connor, a satisfying read where the story concludes with a fitting ending.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

TigerFish: A Memoir of a South Vietnamese Colonel’s Daughter and Her Coming of Age in America by Ms. Hoang Chi T Truong is a compelling memoir that follows a young woman’s journey through the turbulent years of the Vietnam War to finding refuge in the US, and the challenges that came along the way, a story that is well captured in lyrical prose and in an irresistible voice. The memoirist takes readers on a delightful journey through her childhood, growing up as the daughter of a South Vietnamese colonel, and how the war changed everything. Readers are introduced to the life of the protagonist and what the war meant for them. The decision to seek asylum in the US wasn’t an easy one to make and the author introduces readers to the challenges the protagonist had to face to immerse herself into a new setting and culture.

Ms. Hoang Chi T Truong’s memoir is a powerful story of war, family, love, and survival written in a lyrical, absorbing style; it paints the perfect picture of life in war-torn South Vietnam. I enjoyed the masterful use of descriptive prose that gives readers great images of the setting, including the streets, the geography, and the places where the action takes place. The story feels real and the themes are masterfully integrated into the gripping narrative. TigerFish: A Memoir of a South Vietnamese Colonel’s Daughter and Her Coming of Age in America is very entertaining and inspiring, a coming-of-age story that brilliantly handles the theme of survival. The memoir reads like well-crafted fiction with an exciting setting.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

In They Call Me Alexandra Gastone, a young adult thriller by T.A. Maclagan, all seventeen-year-old Alexandra Gastone wants to do is graduate high school, get into Princeton, and work for the CIA like her grandfather. At least that's what her cover as a spy entails. Undercover as "Alexandra" for seven years, Milena has been trained as a sleeper agent by Perun, a rebellious organization in her home country of Olissa. Her life with her grandfather is much different than she expected and Alexandra begins to relax into her ordinary life, expecting to wait years before she's activated, but Perun has speeded up their plans. They've raised the stakes, affecting those she's grown close to and forcing Alexandra to make a difficult choice. Can she stay true to a country she only has vague memories of or will the comfort of her stolen life be too great?

I really enjoyed They Call Me Alexandra Gastone by T.A. Maclagan. It's the type of thriller that grabs the reader from the very beginning and raises the stakes very high. I absolutely loved Alexandra! She's a fierce and determined character, but full of tender moments and vulnerabilities as well. Maclagan does an amazing job weaving together the narrative, creating an evocative tale that's hard to put down once you start. There's definitely a lot of plot twists that I didn't see coming and questions I'm desperate to have answered. Hopefully there's a sequel in the works! They Call Me Alexandra Gastone by T.A. Maclagan is a great young adult novel for any fan of international espionage. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

A Tangled Web is a novella written by M.L. Sparrow. Teenage girl, Hayashi Taiyo, has been best friends with twin boys, Ryuu and Kairi, for most of her life. Although physically identical, the boys’ personalities couldn’t be more different. Kairi is completely no-nonsense, spending almost all of his free time studying, whilst his brother, Ryuu, is a mischief-maker who enjoys having fun, but not at the expense of others. After Taiyo’s friend, Aya, is involved in an accident, she begins dating Ryuu, much to Taiyo’s dismay. When asked on a double-date with Kairi, Ryuu and Aya, Taiyo accepts, but her affection for Ryuu is discovered. The fallout between the small group of friends is massive due to a web of lies woven by Taiyo, which she’d hoped would prevent people being hurt. With friendships frayed and torn, Ryuu and Taiyo decide to play hooky from school, which unwittingly lands them at the epicenter of a major earthquake, before being faced with their worst nightmare, in the form of a 13-meter wave.

With Japanese terminology being used throughout, both in dialogue and descriptions, as well as a highly useful glossary of each of those Japanese words provided at the back of the book, I found I was easily transported to a culturally realistic time and place in Japan. Most of M.L. Sparrow’s tale deals with typical everyday drama in a teenager’s life, inclusive of love, friendship, and respect. The Japanese culture shines through, showing how very different it is to other cultures and mannerisms around the world. What I most loved in this book was how it showed the clear difference between superficial love and true love, while also showing that disabilities do not make anyone less of a person. True love can withstand and overcome any obstacle. I found A Tangled Web to be very entertaining reading. My eyes were opened to the very real and terrifying everyday hazards of life in Japan, such as frequent earthquakes and (thankfully) not-so-frequent tsunamis, as well as the alert system used by those who live permanently in Japan. I recommend A Tangled Web to readers aged 12-18 who enjoy drama, friendship, love, tragedy and romance in their reads, especially when entwined with a different culture.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

I would recommend not starting Novus (The Cresecren Chronicles, Book 1) by Crystal Marcos if you have anything planned for the rest of the day, as you will most likely not want to put the book down! Cayden, the main character, is a Cresecren, similar to humans, but made to serve them. Cayden ended up in a colony of Cresecrens who are either not fit to serve any longer or who have been outcasts for some reason. One day, Cayden's life changes completely. He meets an interesting human girl, and then is involved in a rather unpleasant chain of events (which I can't mention as that would be spoilers!) which lead to him and a group of others being on the run, and finding out that the world out there is full of things that are not as they seem.

Novus by Crystal Marcos is one of those gems that make you care about the characters within the story, and while you definitely want to know what happens to them, you can't help but also not want to get to the end of the book. It's the kind of book whose characters you miss when you finish the book. There is good news though, it's the first book in a series and if Crystal writes as well in the second book then it will also be a fantastic read. There still is a lot to explore, quite a few issues to be resolved, and I am sure that more interesting characters will be waiting for readers.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Sweet Glory by Lisa Y. Potocar combines elements of adventure, history, and coming of age to offer both young and adult readers great entertainment. Disguised as a man, Jana Brady joins the Union Army to defend her country. With a new identity, she meets a woman like her and other young men. But what awaits them might not be the sweet glory she’s dreamed about. She gets to experience the evils and misery of war at very close quarters and begins to question why she even decided to join the army. Things take a turn for the worse when Jana gets hit by a bullet and when the very man she’s hoped to develop a romance with is captured. Can she make it out of the mess, and can her fate and that of Keeley the Irishman be linked in any way?

Lisa Y. Potocar has a great gift for character and plot. As a debut novel, Sweet Glory is a huge success. The prose is beautiful, peppered with powerful descriptions that allow the reader to have a complete picture of the setting and the characters. I enjoyed the way the author integrated historical elements of the Civil War into this tale. There are many surprising plot points that enhance the already overwhelming sense of suspense, making readers worried about the fate of the protagonist and wondering about the outcome of the story. Jana Brady is a well-crafted character and readers will enjoy her in her friendships with others, but most of all, they will love to watch her face her illusions. The romance that develops within the story adds spice to the intense action. This book is a rewarding read.

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

In Chelsea Creek to Bunker Hill by Terri A. DeMitchell, young Andrew Beckett’s plans to study medicine at Harvard are scuppered when troops take over at Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s 1775 and regions are embroiled in the dangers and battles of that troubled time as colonies and the British troops oppose each other. Then Andrew is sent by his mentor Dr Cutter to take supplies of medicines to troops, and finds himself involved in and witnessing the events that led to the conflicts around Bunker Hill.

Terri A. DeMitchell writes a poignant and informative historical fiction for young adult readers. The writing is clear with explanations of the lead up to events. There is plenty of factual information of the situation of that time and, as fourteen-year-old Andrew’s story unfolds, how these events affected ordinary men, women and children. The fears and hopes of communities, feelings of conflicts of interest, and concerns to protect and find resolutions comes across well through the actions and dialogues of the characters. While there are many characters in the story, many are real historical figures, and the author has mixed fictional people in with these. This results in a very readable, informative and emotionally charged account of a period of American history.

This is a book that brings history alive and provides young readers with plenty of themes and topics for discussion. It is an excellent example of how historical fiction can be used to capture the attention and imagination of younger generations as they discover and learn from the past. Chelsea Creek to Bunker Hill deserves a place in every home and classroom library.

Reviewed by Carol Coetzee for Readers' Favorite

I found Undertow: Death's Twilight an immensely delightful and enjoyable read. This is the second book in the Maura DeLuca Trilogy by Claudette Melanson, and deals with teenage Maura as she reaches the age of transformation from human to vampire. She is one of The Born, a vampire conceived by a human mother and vampire father. Her father returns to help with this transformation and her best friend, Susie, comes to live with Maura and her family at this awkward time. Maura has a lot to deal with between the changes in her body, her friendship with Susie, her love for Ron, her boyfriend, her father in her life for the first time, and her mother's strange behavior. A tumultuous time in any teenager's life becomes a strange and frightening time for Maura.

Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson is a wonderful take on vampirism and very different to any other vampire novel I have read! Myths are turned upside down, and the entire story takes wonderful twists and turns, keeping you glued to the pages. Maxwell is a stunning and mysterious father, overly protective, which leads to some hilarious scenes between them. I laughed as much as I cried. A tale that will grip your heart and squeeze, then suddenly release you into a restful state, to grip you yet again! Maura's desire to keep Susie in her life leads to great tragedy and painful life lessons. Undertow encompassed wonderful humor and also terrible sadness, tragedy, fear; everything you need in a great read! I certainly can't wait for the last book in the trilogy. It is going to be amazing!