Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

You Again, written by author Helen MacArthur, is a novel aimed at young adults. The central female character of the tale is skateboarding tearaway Angie Anderson, orphaned as a baby and constantly a worry to those around her. At fifteen, Angie presents a tough façade, but she’s naïve to many of the true horrors in the world. This is where Lennox Jones enters the action, also aged fifteen, and recently relocated to London from San Francisco. Struggling to fit in at a new school is hard enough without falling hard in an instant for a certain skateboarding teen, but Angie and Lennox will face plenty of greater trials before their relationship really has a chance to take off.

Helen MacArthur uses down to earth dialogue and realistic narration to tell this split-perspective story of drama and teenage life. Her locations are vivid and full of action (though I’m not sure what London school realistically has lockers) and though You Again appears at first to be a love story, there are plenty more interesting twists to the tale than the simple boy meets girl approach. I found Angie to be a likeable heroine, trying hard to act cool despite her inner feelings, and I think the YA audience at which the book is aimed will certainly empathize with her. The benefits of the split narrative give us a great insight into Lennox’s head, which helps to unpick his 'been there done that' behaviour. Overall, a well written and deeply character based novel, highly suitable for its intended readership.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

With an interesting twist on the legend of Camelot, Cloak of Shadows (The Netherwalker Series, Book 1) by C.K. Dawn is where Camelot did exist but was destroyed to keep its secrets. The descendants of the Knights of the Round Table live on and defend people from the creatures that lurk within the shadows – the Netherwalkers. Readers are introduced to Lourdes ‘Lourdie’ Reese, a strong, fiercely independent seasoned hunter in the King's Court, and her spunky apprentice, 14-year-old Abigail ‘Abbey’ Thorne. These two are easily likable characters and the quintessence of strong female protagonists, a definite boon for me.

The beginning pace of the story is moderate compared to most YA fiction that I’ve read before. However, when Lourdie and Abbey go to Porthleven, England, the tempo of the pace starts to feel irrelevant as the storyline builds with suspense and becomes much more intriguing. The plot is solid; it is conscientiously written, well thought out and executed. Admittedly, I didn’t expect any less after the excellent prologue. At some point when you think you know what is going on, something else appears to derail your expectations. This holds good right up to and including the end.

Dawn’s writing style is well-targeted for YA fans and the story contains enough action, adventure, humor and emotion to draw readers in. With an ending that promises answers in the next book, Cloak of Shadows kicks off The Netherwalker series well. It will provide great entertainment for YA fans and may well recruit many more.

Reviewed by Molly Edwards for Readers' Favorite

I love reading and learning about new authors and this was a perfect new author and new book! I loved most everything about this novel. The words, the characters, the plot. All of it was unique and really drew me into the story. I have never read a book quite like this before, but I will say that I hope to read more work like this in the future.

Bappa is a rich cattle herder in Africa with two wives, two sets of children. His wife Demmo, along with Ribaldo and Halimah are abandoned by Bappa and left to live a poor life. While Bappa is looking after his more favored family of his second wife, his young children, Ribaldo and Halimah go against everything in Africa and fight to become educated. They want nothing more than to become better than what they were and live a life of comfort. Little did they know that their father, Bappa, the man who denied and abandoned them, has lost his fortune and home and wants nothing more than to be accepted by his children. His children are torn between doing what is right and the anger they have toward their father.

This is a moving, emotional story that will pull you in, grip you, and take you to the African setting of Nigeria, amongst these African Fulani cattle herders, African Cowboys, and set you down in an unexpected place. You will see the importance of knowledge, the effect that greed and attitude can have on a person. If you have never read a book like this before, then I encourage you to read this 5 star novel. Twists, turns, and compelling characters will surround you and keep you turning the pages until the very last page is reached.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

"Glimpse" by Steven Whibley introduces us to Dean Curse, an almost fourteen year old who finds himself witnessing a crime, and becoming an unlikely hero one morning while going to school. When the victim whispers the word "Glimpse" to him just before passing out Dean has no idea what the world it means. When he starts having hair-raising visions of people of course he is terrified. When he tells his best friends Lisa and Colin what is going on they help him figure out that the visions he is seeing are of people that have twenty-four hours to live, and that Dean's job is to try and save them which is no easy task! When he has as a "Glimpse" of someone close to him he is determined to intervene and save them or die trying!

Steven Whibley creates a page turning story that is surely going to appeal to young readers and adults alike with "Glimpse!" In addition to the characters being totally easy to relate to they also seem so very realistic. The relationship between Dean and his younger sister Becky was very real and the picking and fighting was totally a brother sister relationship, but when Becky was in trouble Dean didn't hesitate to do what he had to do! The friendship between Dean, Lisa and Colin totally works. While Dean is the shy one, Colin is the jokester and more outspoken, while Lisa seems to be the voice of reason. Instead of a perfect hero that saves everyone, Dean is someone who often fails, but doesn't give up, and when he does fail, his reactions are human. I like the fact that therapy is used in the story, allowing readers, especially teens, to realize that it is okay to need help once in a while. I also find the family feel of the story appealing. Dean's parents are great characters. Mr. Whibley hits the right balance with them, allowing them to be involved, but not overbearing. He creates a very good parental relationship. Mr. Whibley has the uncanny ability to provide tension, but also knows when to throw in a bit of humor to take the edge off! He also knows how to describe scenes allowing the reader to fully understand what is going on without being graphic, making this a great read for anyone who enjoys a story filled with tension, mystery, suspense and a touch of paranormal, where the characters are teens plunged into something that they truly have no idea about! "Glimpse" is a story that is mature enough for adults, but will totally be a hit with the younger set as well.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

In the novel Fall Down Seven, written by C.E. Edmonson, thirteen-year-old Emiko Arrington witnesses the most shocking events of December 7, 1941, through the window: the Japanese attack on the United States base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. While the unexpected attack prompts the US entry into World War II, it also quickly changes the life of Emiko and her Japanese-American family. Emiko recalls: “Within a very few days, less than a week, we’d cease to be Japanese-Americans. Somehow, without any discussion at all, we would become Japanese. We would become the enemy.”

C.E. Edmonson vividly recreates the events of Pearl Harbor through a robust and dramatic historical fiction. The narrative is truly moving and the author tells his story superbly, like a true master of his craft. The book held my interest throughout. In fact, I couldn’t stop reading it. Fall Down Seven is now part of my Can’t-Put-Down List. Emiko tells the story and I was all ears to what she was going to share about her life after the event. It appears that being Japanese is a curse during this time, and Emiko and her family have to face difficulties if they want to go on living. Like her Dad’s favorite Japanese proverb, “Nana korobi, ya oki,” which means “fall down seven times, get up eight”, I also want to tell the poor child to always rise after every fall because life must go on. Edmonson provides us with a war story that does not drag. This is a book that will definitely grip the heart and stir the spirit.

Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite

I just completed one of the most engaging reads of recent months: Long Live the Suicide King by Aaron Michael Ritchey. It opens with 17-year-old JD, who is troubled by an event that transpired just days prior while with his friends and under the influence of drugs. JD decides to leave behind those friends and to go straight. But then, not wanting to face the difficulties of life or the knowledge that death will come to him one day anyway — and probably after a prolonged and painful disease as happened to his grandfather — JD decides he will either commit suicide or instigate an event so that someone will do the deed for him. All JD needs is a plan, time to dispose of his worldly possessions, and a note to leave behind. When others at school learn of his intentions, JD is dubbed “the Suicide King.” But then unexpected things begin to happen.

The beauty of JD’s story is that he discovers more about life and about himself with each passing day. He comes to appreciate that to commit suicide would be to take the life of someone he does not even know yet, someone still in the process of becoming who he will one day be, someone who will continue to change as time moves forward. When JD befriends an old woman and neighbor, Inga Blute, he discovers from one who has experienced extreme violence that every moment of life is one to guard and savor. With insight from friends - Marianne, the “model” Christian girl who has problems of her own, Cathy (nicknamed “1066”) who, though an outcast, is enormously talented and a big dreamer, and Ray, a former drug dealer who decides he can begin his own life anew - JD hovers between the darkness of despair and the light of a new life.

Aaron Michael Ritchey tells JD’s story with compassion and with a unique voice that shows itself most notably through JD’s sarcastic, humorous bent. Indeed, Ritchey’s voice is one this reader most certainly will want to read/hear again. When push comes to shove and JD thinks his life most surely is lost, he discovers all the things worth living for — and they are simple things, like “the way girls smell.” Long Live the Suicide King is an engaging, thought-provoking read, particularly worthy of the attention of anyone who has ever engaged in dark suicidal thoughts and/or of anyone who has ever encountered someone who has done so. Hard to put down, Long Live the Suicide King is thoroughly satisfying.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Twisted (Volume 1) by Brittany Hawes is the first part of the Twisted series which revolves around Lola Phillips, who from a young, smart and homeless kid transforms into a secret agent. Lola Phillips is a spoilt child. One day when Lola wakes up, she finds that her life has changed forever. Her parents have disappeared and when she runs out of utilities, Lola goes to her aunt's house. She lives there until she 16 and then moves out. She is trying to survive and, at that time, find out more about her missing parents when she meets a mystery man. He offers to help her and Lola takes the name of Harlot Rue to become his personal assistant and assassin in a secret organization. In the meantime, Lola meets Retro and falls in love with him. Will she be able to hold back her feelings and, most important of all, will Lola be able to find her parents?

The plot is compelling with a lot of twists and turns which will glue readers to the story. Lola's character is complex with many shades to it and the author has handled this well. Her character from that of an 8-year-old kid to that of Harlot Rue is an amazing transformation which will fascinate readers. I found the plot very gripping and the characterization real and believable. The story has all the ingredients - excitement, futuristic gadgets, love interest and much more - for readers to enjoy.

Reviewed by Tania Staley for Readers' Favorite

My Name is Rapunzel, by K.C. Hilton, is an entertaining twist on the classic fairy tale. It is a story that has been told hundreds of times and in many different ways, but one thing has always remained true: the lonely young girl with the enchanted hair trapped in her tower. In Hilton’s tale, Rapunzel finally gets a chance to set the record straight. 250 years is too long to be trapped without the comfort of love or companionship. With only Gretta, the witch who cursed her, for company, Rapunzel longs to tell her story and stop hiding from the world she is afraid will not understand her and will fear her. Little does she know that telling her story may be just the thing that could lead to finding love once more and breaking the curse that has plagued her all these years.

K.C. Hilton’s new telling of the Rapunzel tale is quite fun and entertaining. Fairy tales, while obviously compelling due to their never-ending recreation, are often one-dimensional and flat, and Rapunzel’s tale is often one that gets lost, because of the success of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White. So, it is quite fun to see a re-imagining and reawakening of the Rapunzel tale. Hilton’s Rapunzel is intelligent and strong. Her plight depresses her, but it does not halt her life or keep her from planning for a life outside her confines. She is a character that other women can look up to. Hilton’s romance and definition of love within the novel is quite wonderful as well; it explores the multiple facets of love and highlights the struggle of choosing between loving someone new or remaining loyal to a past love. There is nothing one-dimensional about this Rapunzel’s tale, and it will have readers guessing about the outcome until the very end. I highly recommend this new fairy tale, and I hope to read more from K.C. Hilton.

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

The Sect: The Windgate, Book 1 of The School of Minsitry Series by Braxton A. Cosby is a tantalizing tale of the ongoing battle of Good versus Evil in the supernatural realm. Three men are essentially kidnapped and brought to the School of Ministry, where they are informed that each of them has important spiritual gifts of great value to The Way, a secret society of Christian warriors, and they will be trained as a team to fight demons and evil spirits. The three are each put through excruciating training, where they are developed physically, mentally, and spiritually. They are taught to trust and be trustworthy. They are taught to respond quickly and correctly to any situation without wasting even a split second to “think” about their response. They are faced with all seemingly unacceptable choices, from which they must choose the most correct one immediately, before the choice is taken out of their hands. They struggle most of all with learning to trust each other, rely on each other, and know what each other is capable of and likely to do in a crucial fight.

The School of Ministry is not a religious “beat-them-over-the-head-with-the-Bible” kind of story. There is a great deal of praying, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and facing down demons and other evil spirits, but at no time does Braxton Cosby attempt to convince the reader to follow any particular religious sect or dogma. Indeed, I know of no such sect as the one featured in this engrossing tale. Cosby presents a fictional account of a very real ongoing battle, which takes place outside the normal reach of human senses. He presents this battle in a way that is tantalizing, as I noted above; I can think of no better word to describe this tale, not even by using my thesaurus.

The team of three new recruits faces many trials and tribulations, individually as well as together. The spiritual gifts they possess are extraordinarily helpful and effective as they work together toward common goals. Ultimately, they are sent to protect “the Windgate” from an extremely wicked man and a host of demons which he controls. The Windgate is a portal from Heaven to Earth through which the Holy Spirit travels; if the Windgate is destroyed, the Holy Spirit will cease to be a factor in the war of Good versus Evil. Consequently, the team’s mission is as critical as any mission could conceivably be. This story is fascinating, and will be appreciated by virtually all who read it. I highly recommend this engaging adventure.

Reviewed by Jean Hall for Readers' Favorite

I have to admit that I shed a few happy tears when reading "Hating Heidi Foster" by Jeffrey Blount. Not that being moved at a story about life, death and an intense friendship between two high school girls is something to hide. I was involved in the story from the very beginning. Mae is the main character, a 14-year-old who has an avalanche of emotions after the death of her father in a fire. The fire takes his life and fuels anger in the tender-hearted Mae. You see her best friend Heidi is saved in the blaze thanks to the heroic action of her father. She plays volleyball, looks at a poster of the Hobbit's Bilbo Baggins and tries to comfort her bereft mother. One friend tells her to use her anger on the helpless volleyball and she shines for a minute or two playing the game.

This is a story of dealing with anger and a story of relationships. The lettering format of the story fits the plot to a tee. The broken and bold lettering reminds me of Mae's broken heart. And the chapters have a simple number to introduce a new part of the simple but masterful plot. Mae's internal thoughts are peppered by timely dialogue and an interplay of instant messages. The tragic yet hopeful tale is all about the girls' friendship and the mystery surrounding the circumstances of the fire. Let's just say that Mae's heart heals just a little.