Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“It had all started with my blood and this necklace, and now I would end it.” In Something New by Andrea Murray, 17-year-old Miriam ‘Ria’ Gabriel receives a pendant from a mysterious old woman at an estate sale. From that point on, her normal, orderly and studious life changes. Strange things start to happen; her old music box starts working again and the family dog, Cain, seems to be agitated with her. Worst, Ria dreams about a girl with haunting blue eyes and a painful past, begging to be set free. But is the girl truly a tormented, lost soul? As Ria gradually loses control, her health and grades suffer, and her relationships with her best friend and her family are affected. What will she do?

Andrea Murray's Something New is highly engaging from start to finish. The prose and characterization are solid. Ria is easy to root for as her strange predicament begins from the moment the mysterious pendant is clasped around her neck. Her confusion, fear, and anger easily resonate through the pages. The teen’s determination to take back control of her life and solve the problem herself is admirable although unwise and dangerous. Luckily, she literally comes to her senses and accepts help from her friend Rachel and big brother Jake. The messages of family, trust, friendship, bravery, persistence, and faith are deftly incorporated and readers can easily identify with these. Even though there's no obvious hint, the epilogue shows that the story could continue. This a great paranormal tale from Murray and I look forward to reading more of her work in this genre.

Reviewed By Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Narrated from the first-person perspective, The Archfiend Artifact by Selena IR Drake is a beguiling read. Cybil Starr is stuck with her horrible grandmother ever since her parents were murdered in a bizarre way. Unhappy and feeling like she doesn't belong to this world, Cybil tries to escape when she nears her fifteenth birthday. Plagued by visions, she learns from Duncan, who has stalked her, that she is a high born, her father being a parathrope, a mystical creature with inhuman powers. Brought to a mysterious place, she realizes she has powers that are starting to manifest and it is out of her control. Accused of stealing a hideous mirror, Cybil's life is in danger and she only has three days to solve the case. Will her unique power and vision save the day?

The Archfiend Artifact by Selena IR Drake is an enchanting trip into the world of the unknown. As we accompany Cybil Starr in her escape from her grandmother's home to her incarceration in a most unusual place, we come to know an enchanted world that could actually exist in our midst. A world populated by parathropes, psychics, witches, pure-blooded demons and many more. Selena IR Drake's imagination knows no bounds as she comes up with various characters that are both interesting and unique. And as the narrative continues, the reader has no choice but to completely immerse himself or herself in a new reality that is a product of a very rich and unique mind. This gem of a book is a truly fascinating read!

Reviewed By Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

When her friend places a dream catcher over her bed to bring an end to her nightly terrors, an eighteen-year-old girl and her friends are pulled into a world where bad dreams are confined in the thrilling young adult novel, Screamcatcher: Webworld by Christy J. Breedlove. Every night since Jory's parents died, she experiences nightmares relating to their accident. Attempting to help her, Jory's friend Choice buys an ancient dream catcher and arranges it over her bed. Darcy and Lander join Choice at Jory's for a night of games and movies. Because of over drinking and the onslaught of a storm, Lander and Choice sleep over on the bedroom floor. During the intensity of the storm, they are all jolted awake by a bolt of light searing through the room and exploding the dream catcher. Strangely, the brilliant light created an electromagnetic pulse, damaging the city's electricity, batteries, and vehicles. When the teens step outside, they are shocked to find all the buildings boarded up, and the town deserted. There is no one else around, other than a group of vigilantes wanting to kill them. Horrified to discover they are in some kind of altered reality, Jory and Choice lead them through terrifying landscapes and monsters, including werewolves, thunderbirds, and dinosaurs to find an exit back to their world. Will Darcy, Lander, Choice, and Jory ever find their way out of the web? Or will they spend the rest of their lives in the nightmare realm?

Native American myths and legends come alive in the extraordinary shiver-inducing upper YA adventure, Screamcatcher: Webworld by Christy J. Breedlove. The journey the characters experience is captivating, and it is inspiring to witness the conflicts they face and how each of them grows and matures. The Native American elements of the story are intriguing, and I was impressed with how well they were woven into the plot. I enjoyed every aspect of the book, and am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Breedlove's Screamcatcher novels. I highly recommend it to everyone who loves science fiction novels with plucky characters and mythical creatures based on legend. Because there is some strong language and a bit of alcohol use, the book is probably more suitable for young adult readers and above.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Dhampir Dimension: Stigmata is a work of dark paranormal fiction by author Viktoria Alukard. Set in the erotic horror vampire genre, this tale takes place in Bucharest after central character Regina seeks a new start in her troubled life. Before she can even settle, strange prophecies come to her about the presence of a new man in her life, the police detective Enttu Tepes. But Enttu is more than just a handsome, blond stranger. He is one of the dhampir, a vampire who has lost a great deal in his long life, including a wife who resembles Regina. Enter Narciso on the scene, another vampire with a taste for vengeance, and what follows is a tense and thrilling adventure bursting with blood.

For fans of this particular genre, Viktoria Alukard has created a lavish and visceral world for her readers to delve into and enjoy. Though the graphic nature of the book won’t be for everyone, for those who appreciate accurate violence, terrifying demons and gruesome murders, The Dhampir Dimension: Stigmata offers a truly thrilling experience. Enttu begins as an enjoyably typical tortured soul, but when his relationship with Regina develops we get to see much more of a true characterization, which was really satisfying. I particularly enjoyed Narciso’s brand of pure evil violence, and the atmospheric settings that Alukard crafts are beautifully dark but also elegant. I also really appreciated the fact that the story unfolded in Bucharest rather than the shiny city streets of America. Overall, a highly enjoyable read.

Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

A beautifully written fantasy with an international setting, King of the Nine Hells by Dean Klein is a riveting story that will find a comfortable home with readers who enjoy well-crafted stories of dark magic and fascinating characters. It begins in the Dark Ages, with a grave-digger who works on the moors late at night to assemble a grotesque book. His work done, he uses the cursed book to establish himself as head of one of the strongest families known in Scotland. Fifteen hundred years later, a merchant steals this book, without knowing what it really contains, and the book eventually finds itself in the hands of an Oxford University professor who has a deep knowledge of occult practices. It takes little time for Dr. Peter Ashford to realize that the book is deadly. Making a firm resolution to destroy it, he discovers, to his utter stupefaction, that the book is missing. Follow him in a dangerous adventure in search of a possessed book that has the power to destroy the whole of humankind, a book that is linked to Hell.

The story is deftly written and as well as the sophisticated characters, readers encounter a powerful character in the ancient book itself, a book from Hell with wonderful powers. It can hear those who speak in a room, knows who speaks, and has the power to grant the wishes of anyone. Ancient castles, elements of the Dark Ages, quirky characters, and unspeakable horrors are what readers will find in these pages. It is dark and gripping, yet you won’t be able to let go. King of the Nine Hells cast a spell on me and I found myself reading from page to page. Peter Ashford is a great character and the reader wants to know what happens to him from the moment the book gets into his hands. I kept on wondering if he will retrieve it, if he can stay alive long enough to destroy it, and what would he need to destroy the book. King of the Nine Hells by Dean Klein is a great achievement, pulsating and utterly engrossing.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Castle is the third book in the Bud Hutchins series by JB Michaels, a supernatural thriller with wonderful characters, a unique technology, and villains that move the narrative in unexpected directions. Bud is the inventor of the teleportation technology, a device that has been used to kill monks. Maeve, a monk who lost an uncle thanks to the technology, Ivy, and Bud’s robot friend are up against the most vicious and powerful vampire, the FBI and the police. Each move, every minute, is dire and fraught with danger. Can they beat the enemy this time or meet their worst yet?

The author has a great gift for making readers “see” the story. The author also has a unique way of introducing characters or unveiling new layers of their personalities. Talking about a vampire, the character is put in a situation and some of his traits are exhibited: “Vincentas didn’t need the light. His hands caressed her where they had touched many other women in his long life. He loved discovering the slight variations of the female physique. The curves, the hips, the muscles both hard and soft, the flesh. His particular favorite: the length of the neck.” The writing is filled with this kind of character development.

A unique technology, characters that metamorphose, artificial intelligence, and mysticism are just a few of the things that readers will encounter in this gripping narrative that blends fantasy, thriller, and science fiction to create a rollicking and enjoyable read. The writing is atmospheric and filled with powerful imagery. The intriguing and complex plot is exciting, the gorgeous prose is delightful, and the reader's satisfaction is complete. The Castle is a great literary achievement, original and unpredictable.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Beneath the Lighthouse by Julieanne Lynch is a horror tale featuring death, ghosts, and coming of age. After the death of Emer, there has been an unsettling emptiness in the house and no matter how hard Jamie and his siblings pretended or prayed, that reality haunted everyone in the home. Jamie McGuiness can’t help frequenting the lighthouse where the body of his sister was found, but he isn’t the only one who lurks around the place. There are ominous ghosts whose presence can only mean evil. An encounter with a spirit will set Jamie on a dangerous path to uncover family secrets and old grudges as he fights to reconcile old feuds. Will he be drawn into the darkness of the dead or can he survive and make things right?

Julieanne Lynch is a master storyteller and I enjoyed the way she pulls the different elements of the story together. I was hooked by the beauty of the prose. The power of the prose — descriptive, and loaded with vivid imagery — is one of the strong appeals of this story. The author makes the reader feel the story by evoking emotions with clarity of expression and aptness of diction. Each sentence evokes a strong feeling and the author uses this style to allow readers to understand the dynamics in the McGuiness family, the emotions of the protagonist, and the pervading sense of horror that permeates the narrative.

The writing style, including the formatting, the unique phraseology, the paragraph breaks, creates an enjoyable reading experience. This is a beautiful story with a tricky plot, compelling characters, and awesome dialogues. I enjoyed the way the author allows the accent in some of the characters to come out in dialogues — a great example is Lenny, who reflects an uncouth personality. The story is also fast-paced and a great work of entertainment. Beneath the Lighthouse has great world building, relatable characters, and an exciting plot in a story that is deft and balanced.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Jinxed is a horror novel for young and new adults written by Thommy Hutson. The Trask Academy of Performing Arts was the ultimate in elite academic institutions dedicated to perfecting the already prodigious skills of the young men and women whose parents were able to afford the exorbitant tuition fees. The institution was as steeped in the lure of the unknown as the island upon which it was perched and the man for whom it was named. Cadogan’s reclusive nature was perfectly suited for the remote island located twenty-two miles out at sea from the mainland. His home, which became The Trask Academy, was accessible through only one gate, and the island did not have cellphone coverage. And while the grounds and the buildings were indescribably beautiful, there was the pervading sense of some danger looming, breeding within the burnt-out shell of the theatre that still squatted forlornly on the grounds some twenty years after the fiery conflagration that took the life of a promising young actor. Layna, her boyfriend Max, and their friends were fascinated by that theatre, which seemed a fertile spot for the spooky games and pranks they liked to play on each other. While they all considered it an eyesore and wondered why it was left there so tarnished in such an elite institution, Layna sensed something deeper, darker and more chilling in the remnants of those fire-scorched seats and dusty construction materials. There was something infinitely more horrifying lurking in The Trask Academy than any of them realized.

Thommy Hutson’s contemporary horror novel, Jinxed, is a taut and suspenseful tale about a deadly masked killer and the elite performing arts academy that has been turned into its hunting grounds. Hutson’s plot twists and turns as much as the manicured grounds and intricate library of The Trask Academy, and his characters are well-defined and credible. I especially appreciated the mystery element that is woven throughout the tale; the concept of the secrets and lies that have subtly insinuated themselves throughout the fabric of the buildings and grounds, and the theatrical appearance of the killer who seems preternatural in its brutal powers and deadliness. Hutson’s tale had me pleasurably remembering Agatha Christie mysteries, such as And Then There Were None where the victims were held incommunicado on an island along with a crazed killer. I loved watching as Layna and her friends work to identify the killer while they try to stay alive. Jinxed does admirable double-duty as horror and homage to classic mystery; and it does so brilliantly. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Dead Scared: The Mortsafeman Trilogy, Book One is a horror novel for young adults written by Ivan Blake. Being the new kid in school is problematic at best, especially when it’s high school, and the town is a small and insular mill town in Maine. Everyone knew everyone else in Bemishstock, Maine, a once thriving industrial center that now had only one manufacturer still operating a plant there, Allied Paper Products of Wisconsin. And while no one could actually say that they enjoyed the stink and air pollution that went along with a paper production plant, the fact that Chris Chandler was the son of the man who was spearheading Allied Paper’s move to shut the plant down made him even more despised in school. Chris’s very presence symbolized the death of Bemishstock, and the other students, and their parents, were not at all circumspect in their desire to strike back at him. Finding his locker dripping with pig’s blood was commonplace, but being hauled up before the sheriff for things he didn’t do was driving Chris to a feeling of desperation he would never have imagined before. He still couldn’t understand why his father had taken this position with the company; why they moved to this awful town; and why his mom didn’t laugh and smile as she used to. Then, the richest, cutest and most popular girl in his class suddenly seemed to notice him, and while he knew her bully boyfriend would probably make him regret it, he couldn’t resist the feeling, finally, of being accepted.

Ivan Blake’s young adult dark fantasy novel, Dead Scared: The Mortsafeman Trilogy, Book One, is an intense and brooding tale that delivers. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as getting wrapped up in a good, old fashioned horror story, and Blake’s plot had me instantly hooked. I loved the gloomy New England atmosphere, and was suitably spooked by the creepy defrocked British chiropractor who had a goat farm and a very dark secret. Chris is a grand main character; he’s strong, resourceful and someone I’d want on my side in a tough situation. Blake’s plot is cunning and dark and has a fascinating historical background, and his characters are believable and complex. His writing is often lyrically lovely, but this never gets in the way of the action and horror that this book is steeped in. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in Blake’s The Mortsafeman Trilogy and most highly recommend Dead Scared.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Rise of Howlers by Bob Bannon is a dystopian young adult novel set on the high seas. Around ten years previously a massive meteor shower struck the earth and, along with almost wiping out civilization, much of the earth’s land mass was forever altered and inundated with sea water. Seven-year-old Nick Moran was one of the lucky ones who survived the initial meteor shower, and the subsequent virulent infection, by sheltering in a purpose-built bunker with his family and their friends. Now seventeen, Nick has lost his family to the infected humans, colloquially called “Howlers” (similar to zombies in many ways) and lives with other survivors, aboard a cruise ship that sails up and down the American west coast, calling into towns and villages from time to time, to refuel and stock up on whatever they can scavenge; always on the lookout though, for the vicious and deadly howlers. When Nick meets and saves young Harper Chin from an attack by howlers, the attraction between the youngsters is immediate and a friendship, with the beginnings of a romance, starts to flourish aboard the Swan of the Seas.

Although Rise of Howlers is targeted as a young adult novel, I found it readable and enjoyable as very much not a young adult. The universal themes of friendship, love, family, self-discipline, and cooperation are applicable to readers of all ages. Author Bob Bannon’s writing style is relaxed and simple, making the book extremely enjoyable, effectively read in just a single sitting by me. The pace is naturally fast, given that much of the action revolves around battling zombie-like creatures, but what I particularly enjoyed was that Bannon took the time to develop the inter-personal relationships of some of the characters on board the ship. The highlight of the story, for me anyway, was the sweet, developing relationship between Nick and Harper. Both of them had suffered great losses and serious pain in their short seventeen years, but they had finally found each other and were slowly opening up and sharing their innermost thoughts, which was excellent. I think Bannon did a wonderful job of balancing the action with the softer, sweeter moments of the story. Although this is a standalone novel, the author did leave the door open to a sequel, which I sincerely hope is in the works. This is an excellent story for all lovers of the horror/dystopian genre, with a hint of romance thrown in for good measure.