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 Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is a young adult adventure novel written by Brady Stefani. Courtney is about to turn 15 years old and it’s the night before her birthday. Her mother has planned a big party for the event, but Courtney is not at all interested in playing at being happy and excited by having all those people there in her house. Courtney has bigger problems, much bigger problems. Her dreams are filled with the visitations of strange alien beings and, that evening, with the rain pouring down and the wind gusting, she finds herself running away in fear of those strange beings that she believes are coming after her. It’s not something she could really feel safe explaining to anyone, except maybe Astra, her imaginary friend, whom she hadn’t seen in about two years now.

It all seemed to stem back to that last night she spent with her grandfather, when she was seven years old. Her mom and dad thought her grandfather was a bit crazy, and he did have all sorts of ideas about aliens, but they were going to visit some old law school friends and dropped Courtney off to stay with Grandpa. After a strange day that included her getting a tattoo she hadn’t wanted, Grandpa made her dinner, burning the hamburgers, and suddenly there was a pounding on the door and some of Grandpa’s old friends from the university rushed in. One of the men said that ‘they’ were coming. She could hear them talking from the other room, and then she heard someone say that she wasn’t safe. Courtney still remembered that night as vividly as though it were just yesterday. But the strangest thing of all about that night was the fact that her beloved Grandpa had tried to drown her in the bathtub.

Brady Stefani's young adult adventure novel, The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman, is a grand read that kept me enthralled for hours. One can't help but feel for the young woman who seems to have no one she can trust -- especially not her lawyer mother and her mother's doctor boyfriend. But Courtney is bigger and braver than anyone expects, and her coming of age is a spectacular thing requiring resilience, self-sacrifice, and imagination. Stefani's heroine is unforgettable, and his plot is inspired. This novel has a breakneck pace and Stefani's writing is fluid and perfectly suited to this most extraordinary tale that blends the coming of age, adventure, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic genres -- and it all works beautifully. The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is a thriller of a ride, and it’s most highly recommended.

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!

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 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 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 Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

Authors Erik Daniel Shein and Theresa A. Gates continue to delight readers with Sanctuary, Book II of The Monsterjunkies, An American Odyssey series. A year has passed since the Monsterjunkies welcomed several trusted souls to their estate. Crow is now 15 years old and enjoying his friendship with his Schnoggin Knockers gang; Larry, Todd, and Edgar. Despite the joy of camaraderie, the challenges of cruelty and harassment remain, including other issues that Crow and his sister Indigo have to face.

Having read the first book, Being Normal is a State of Mind, the continuation of the story did not disappoint me. The development of the plot and the characters are well-written. Book two continues to depict the personal and social issues that teenagers have to deal with today. The bullying problem in school is still being highlighted where Crow still has to endure the harassment from Grimes and his gang. Worst, Ruth Grimes’s father, Grimes Sr., is determined to get rid of the Monsterjunkies for good – out of the area, or better, out of the country. He would love to get his hand on the Monsterjunkies’ estate.

Beau, the lovable and articulate Sasquatch, also receives an interesting development to his character. Although living with the Monsterjunkies is peaceful and safe, Beau longs to be free in the wilderness. Beau must choose whether to stay happy and protected with the Monsterjunkies or brave the outside world to search for his parents and his own species. Simply put, I find myself growing to love the Monsterjunkies and their extended family members more and more. The great mix of reality, powerful messages on social issues and macabre fantasy in the storytelling make it a worthwhile series to follow.

Reviewed by Savannah Edelen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

Truth: The Geneva Project Book 1 by Christina Benjamin is a new and inventive kind of story. Long ago, an island was torn apart by a flood and only one city survived. A village right outside the city also survived, along with a few people around the island, but mostly orphaned children whose parents were killed in the flood. Jane 65 is one of these children. Not given names so that they would not have to deal with being called something different if they were adopted, all children are assigned a number. Jane 65 is not a normal orphan. She is the youngest and, as she discovers with the help of Nova, another orphan who knows his name, she has magical powers. There are people who want to hurt Jane 65 and it is up to her and her friends to stop it before it happens. Oh, and they have to save the island while they are at it.

I loved Truth: The Geneva Project Book 1 by Christina Benjamin. It was a wonderful book. I especially love Tippy AKA Jane 65. I really connected with her and it is easy to see why. She has such a strong love for her friends. Plus she has this insecure humble side I believe that many people had. I loved feeling the excitement Tippy felt as she discovered each of her new powers. It was as exciting as it was fun to read. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the pages. Who can forget the subtle budding love between Nova and Tippy. Nothing could possible ruin it, not even Jemma who has always hated Tippy. With no reason for it at all either. Together with her friends, you feel as though Tippy can accomplish anything she wants to. I loved Tippy and you will too.

Reviewed by Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite

D’mok Revival: Descension by Michael Zummo, the third volume in a trilogy, continues the story of Rhysus Mencari and his fight, along with the Human Coalition, against the violent and sadistic Nukari. As the book begins, Mencari finds himself stranded and falls through a space rift into a world that has been isolated from the rest of the universe. Once there, Mencari finds that he shares a common ancestry with the inhabitants of this world — the ancestry of the D’mar. Mencari seems to fit in, but one powerful individual won’t accept him. Eventually, he flees, taking along Speru, a young man who, like Mencari, has superhuman abilities. They rejoin Mencari’s crew and go from one planet to another, always at odds with the Nukari — and their fearsome Beasts!

I found D’mok Revival: Descension by Michael Zummo to be an entertaining science fiction novel on a grand scale. If you like Star Wars, you’ll also like D’mok Revival. The characters are well-drawn and entertaining; they range from humans to artificial-intelligence entities like "Mini-T" to a robotic dog. The Nukari are absolutely villainous, and as for their Beasts, let’s just say you wouldn’t want to meet one of them in a dark alley. While some of the elements of the book are frightening, others are humorous, such as the discovery of a space hub where all the mechanical junk from the spaceway seems to collect. The fact that the action takes place on many worlds, not just in one place, gives a variety to D’mok Revival: Descension that will keep readers’ attention. D’mok Revival: Descension is a well-written space adventure novel, one that will definitely be appreciated by sci-fi fans.

Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite

Wildflower by Janine Carbone is a story about Faith, a young college student who is haunted by traumatic events in her past. Her way of dealing with her troubled past is to withdraw from society and shut herself away from those who would befriend her because of a fear of trusting anyone. She has one friend, however, Casey, whose easy-going attitude to life is in stark contrast to her own. Faith is fearful of relationships, but Jason is determined and the two form a somewhat restrictive relationship. As Faith struggles to cope with college life, it becomes apparent that her repressed memories from the past are having a significant effect on her ability to move on with her life. It is only when she faces a tormentor that she draws the strength to deal with the past.

Janine Carbone has created a tense and emotional thriller that left me unable to put it down. The writing is descriptive and emotive and the characters are well-developed and believable. The reader is taken on a journey of despair and hope, of fear and regression, all cleverly crafted into a superb story. The writing style is effortless and I was swept along by the intensity of feeling and the skillful weaving of the relationships that Faith tried to both resist and maintain at the same time, together with her inner turmoil as she struggled to deal with the memories of the past that occur as flashbacks throughout the story. The storyline was not predictable and it is one that will stay with me for some time.