Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Leslea Wahl's The Ultimate Blindside introduces Olympic snowboarding medalist Jake Taylor and aspiring journalist Sophie Metcalf as they watch actors recreate their lives on a Colorado movie set. When Jake dives into a pond to rescue Abby Milford and her toddler, Lila, the footage from the incident puts Jake in the spotlight, creating the fame he does not want. It also puts Abby's and Lila’s lives in danger. They are running away from a dangerous, powerful man. Jake and Sophie give shelter to the pair while unraveling Abby's story. A lot happens in the meantime, with the hacking of Sophie’s computer, which sabotages her article and scholarship, a reunion with Jake’s teammates, and actor Dante Foxx. But what connection does Abby have with Amanda Bowers and a criminal that was once put behind bars, thanks to Jake and Sophie?

Leslea Wahl's use of the first-person narrative voice, alternating between Jake and Sophie, creates intimacy while doubling the angles of mystery in the story. The chapters ending on cliffhangers keep the pacing brisk. The author skillfully weaves plotlines with the movie production, the computer hacking, the blackmail, and a fugitive wife, each blindside earning the title. The setting is well-drawn, with details of abandoned gold mines and the eerie ghost town of Sagebrush Hollow. The Ultimate Blindside examines how forgiveness anchors everything: Jake's painful reconciliation with Jon and Rick, Sophie's advice that transforms Amanda, and Sophie's own grace toward Mallory. This book can be read as a story of faith, exemplified through prayers and chapel visits. The dialogue sparkles on every page, the characters are well-developed, and the storytelling is interesting, making this book perfect for fans of YA mystery.

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

The Goodness of Unicorns by Kayla E. Green follows Rowan Tritonia on her Naming Anniversary, which was supposed to be a joyful turning point but instead of celebration, she’s met with a haunting transformation: a strange headache, magenta eyes, and the chilling discovery that she can now see the light and shadow of people’s souls. This strange transformation leads to many questions, the main one being: why was she gifted with this ability when all she had ever asked for was for her sister to be healed?

The Goodness of Unicorns by Kayla E. Green is a unique story that touches on a variety of themes. What also sets this book apart is its dual narrative and how the sisters cope and make the best of their situations. While Rowan is thrust into court politics and ancient prophecy, Blythe’s quieter journey is just as powerful. Living with chronic pain and often overlooked, Blythe’s voice is a tender and raw mirror to so many who feel unseen. Her storyline is a brilliant counterbalance, showing that bravery doesn’t always look like riding into battle. Sometimes, it looks like holding on when everything hurts. With beautifully written characters, a richly imagined world, and emotionally grounded stakes, this story is a must-read for fans of fantasy. It speaks not just to young adults, but to anyone who’s ever wondered if their pain or imperfections disqualify them from making a difference. The story is immersive and impactful, and you can’t help but love each of the characters. This book was a pleasure to read, and I applaud Green for writing such a wonderful story.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Path To Heaven by Emily Minjun Chung follows Lucas Moreau, a Parisian driver who chooses to remain near the grave of his wife, Manon, seven years after her death. As his health quietly declines, Lucas continues working, transporting visitors from around the world through the city and beyond. Each assignment places him in sustained conversations with people from all over the world, with differing points of view on just about everything. A sampling includes a Russian veteran, an environmental advocate, and a Japanese scholar. Through these, Lucas measures his lifelong faith and the promise he made to Manon. When circumstances take a turn, and his daughter Georgia intervenes, Lucas’s private search begins to reach beyond Paris and into a wider public sphere.

The Path To Heaven by Emily Minjun Chung has the benefit of one of the best settings on the planet, contemporary Paris, and she breathes life into it through cemeteries, winter streets, and the quiet intervals of a working day. Lucas Moreau is an interesting character who is really just a vessel for the conversations through the rotating stream of passengers that turn up with massive ranges in their cultures and belief systems. The point of view is third-person, giving readers a comfortable fly-on-the-wall vantage point. What I liked most about the formatting is its episodic design. Sometimes the pacing can be a little slow, but it still firmly supports the character-driven arc. Chung’s prose is simple and straightforward, favoring substance over style, and, overall, I found the book thoughtful and beautifully composed. Recommended.

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite

In Outsiders by C. L. Richardson, the story follows Robin Winters, a young Legion officer whose life unravels after one mistake turns her into a target of the very system she once served. Cast out of the fortified city of New Manhattan, she has to figure out how to stay alive among abandoned highways, ruined charging stations, and scattered settlements outside clear government control. Her journey brings her to an isolated community with looser social rules, which cause her to rethink her concept of reality. But safety never lasts long in this world. The story moves between her experiences in exile and her present situation as a prisoner awaiting execution, as officials try to wear her down and force her to reveal crucial information. It is a tense setup that keeps you guessing about her next move.

What really caught my attention was how the book explores the mechanics of control without turning it into dry exposition. Banishment papers signed by citizens, executions treated like public gatherings, and a ranking system that decides who gets medical care all make this society feel surprisingly real. The chapters in the Wildlands are all about physical survival, while the prison scenes focus on her mental strength as she clings to pieces of her past. Simple world-building moments, like strangers treating wounds with raw honey and the loose rules that exist in some zones, add depth to the setting. All these little elements made the book hard to put down. There is also a strong thread about propaganda versus what people actually experience on the ground, giving the story more emotional impact in each chapter. From beginning to end, I felt like I was right there with Robin, rooting for her to make it through. I highly recommend C. L. Richardson's Outsiders to readers who enjoy faith-based young adult novels that blend action and adventure into the story.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Etienne Gayneau, Alsoomse, and Abraham are back in At the Mercy of the Sea by Amanda M. Cetas. It is September of 1963, and things appeared to calm down in the lives of these three, at least for a while. Past debts of Etienne’s father are due, and Etienne decides to head back to the sea to make money for his family. A run-in with an old rival, Jacob Janssen Van den Burg, and his pirate ship has Etienne making some life-changing decisions that will either take him down a hard path or on one to redemption. Alsoomse must decide if she will continue to fight the traditional role of a woman or find her rightful place among her people. Abraham fights the demons and anger he has built up inside while finding himself among his own and the English people and when trying to prove himself to his father and become a better man.

At the Mercy of the Sea by Amanda M. Cetas is the third book in this incredibly detailed and beautifully written series. The author has extensively researched this book and the other two in the series. All the historical aspects are documented with sources named. Her knowledge and passion for the 1600s in North America are incredible and inspiring. The storyline and characters are a mix of actual people and fictional ones. With its aspects of adventure, diverse cultures, love, betrayal, and historical elements, At the Mercy of the Sea is a fantastic book any reader will not be able to put down. I recommend reading all the books in the series, although each book can be read as a standalone novel.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

An inspiring and beautifully-written Christian novel, Caroline's Purpose by Erica Zaborac is about faith, healing, and finding hope. As her sophomore year of college begins, Caroline Davis finds herself stuck in her past. The events leading to her tragic accident and her broken dreams continue to haunt her. At a young age, Caroline’s future already looked bright as her riding level continued to rise. Like her mother, she had dreamed of becoming a professional three-day eventer, but all her dreams came crashing down after the fateful accident. Her dreams of rebuilding her life had also shattered, leaving Caroline feeling lost. Following her academic advisor’s suggestion, Caroline reluctantly selects Equine Science as her major. In one of her classes, she is paired with Connor, a compassionate young man who also experienced a painful loss in his life.

I loved that Caroline's Purpose discusses difficult topics such as fear and loss and offers hope, showing that it is possible to find strength and purpose again. It also features inspiring main characters. Despite her courage, Caroline struggles to move on when all her attempts of recreating her life after the accident also fail while Connor carries the pain of losing someone close to him. In spite of their pasts, they work on moving forward. The process of healing for both of them is gradual. Caroline is uncertain of her future, but she finds her faith slowly through Connor’s help. Zaborac’s experience and knowledge show as informative details about horses are included. The details also provide a lovely background for the story. Caroline’s Purpose by Erica Zaborac is an uplifting novel about loss and finding purpose.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Gus Busbi by Jim Sono is a heartwarming, hopeful novel about growing up in the inner-cíty ghettos, seen through the eyes of a young black man torn between the friendship and familial love of young gang members and his mother’s desire for him to break free from the hopelessness of the ghetto. Jamiel Russell had grown up without a father in the projects, where violence, drugs, and senseless killing were an everyday occurrence. When Jamiel’s mother saw the opportunity to move her and her talented son away from the gang influence and into a predominantly white, safer neighborhood, she jumped at it. Jamiel, a gifted basketball player, was now attending a local Catholic school where the priest, Father Tom, proved to be a wonderful coach and mentor. Faced with a curmudgeonly landlord, Gus, who lived on the same premises, and who Jamiel thought was just a grumpy old racist, he found himself increasingly drawn back to his gang friends. Slowly but surely he was being sucked into their lifestyle, and, worse, their crimes. It would take bold actions by the surrogate fathers in Jamiel’s life to ensure he found the right road to follow. 

Gus Busbi is a wonderfully insightful and meaningful novel. Author Jim Sano uses the narrative to pose and attempt to answer some critical questions faced by youth in our cities today, especially African-American youth. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the author explores each one in some depth. I particularly appreciated the remarkable synchronicities the author injected into the story that ultimately brought Jamiel and Gus together in the same environment. Jamiel does some deep thinking about his relationships, especially expressing gratitude for the wonderful men who stepped into the void in his life. Jamiel felt the “black” experience was infinitely harsher than those experienced by immigrants through the years. He also was intelligent enough to realize that this wasn’t the only group to experience discrimination and hatred based on skin color or ethnicity. For me, the character who stood out the most was Father Tom, the quintessential caring priest. I have known a Father Tom whose heart was bigger than most and whose patience was endless. It reinforces the underlying themes of love, role models, and forgiveness that run seamlessly through the narrative. Novels with a great story that impart fundamental truths are priceless and this one certainly falls into that category. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

The Young Samaritan by J. Schuyler Sprowles is a well-crafted Christian historical fiction novel that takes readers on an unforgettable journey inspired by the Gospel of Mark. The story centers on Joshua, a young Samaritan boy whose life is upended, forcing him to flee his familiar surroundings and face both a harsh and a heartwarming world. Sprowles’ vivid prose transports readers to a time and place where the past feels palpably alive, and every encounter holds a deeper meaning.

Joshua’s journey is full of unexpected allies and challenges. The mysterious woman who shares a haunting vision, the faithful wild dog who stays by his side, and a reclusive uncle whose presence offers shelter and riddles all add intrigue and depth to the tale. As Joshua joins a band of travelers led by a man called Rabbi, believed by many to be the Messiah, his path takes on a profound spiritual dimension. The story beautifully weaves together hope, faith, and redemption themes, inviting readers to reflect on the meaning of transformation and divine purpose. The narrative flows seamlessly, capturing the essence of a time filled with danger and wonder. The Young Samaritan isn’t just a journey to the cross but a journey to the heart, and readers will find themselves immersed in Joshua's trials and triumphs, feeling every moment of his growth. It is an emotional read as Joshua questions if God is real, given all the events he’s experiencing, especially his father’s death. It is a tug-at-the-heartstrings remarkable read and J. Schuyler Sprowles is a literary master. This is an incredible read.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Charting the Course is a YA mystery and adventure novel by Leslea Wahl. Liz Kennedy is tired of shuttling between her parents' homes in Minnesota and Illinois after their divorce. When her father takes her on a cruise for his high school reunion, Liz is convinced it will be ten long days. Liz has a strained relationship with her father, which manifests itself in some self-destructive behavior. She strikes up a burgeoning friendship with a boy her age named Cole. Meanwhile, she continues to follow the clues of a scavenger hunt. When called upon to save the job of one of the ship's staff who's been wrongfully accused of theft, Liz feels guilty and falls back on her faith. However, someone else has the stolen items, and Liz must now get to the bottom of the mystery.

With a touch of mystery, romance, and intrigue, Leslea Wahl delivers the perfect sleuth adventure yarn for young adults. Charting the Course is a captivating tale of a young woman's journey of self-discovery. Wahl masterfully incorporates themes of faith and forgiveness into the story, showing how making amends for past mistakes and forgiving oneself can help a person turn their life around. The plot has a couple of unexpected twists that I never saw coming. However, the main highlight of the book is the characters. Wahl's characters have depth and layers to them, and this makes them so compelling to read. The relationship between Liz and her father feels genuine and realistic. I also enjoyed the blooming romance between Liz and Cole. Overall, this is a riveting novel I highly recommend to young adult readers.

Reviewed by Parul Sood for Readers' Favorite

Dan E. Hendrickson's Magi Apprentice transports readers to a historical epoch expertly, breathing new life into a familiar tale. Unfolding in 7 BC, the narrative revolves around Rassan, a Parthian cavalry cadet and the progeny of General Surena. His mission is to thwart a rogue Magi headmaster from infiltrating Judea without authorization. What he stumbles upon is a scene of devastation – a dying Magi and a shattered caravan. This encounter upends Rassan's journey, leading him down an unforeseen path. As an angel relates a prophecy to the dying Magi, Rassan is chosen to continue the quest for the prophesied savior. Armed with sacred star charts, his expedition unfolds with Emperor Phraates IV's blessing. Skillfully intertwined is Rassan's apprenticeship with the Magi, guided by headmaster Daraya-Vous into a tapestry of intrigue and significance.

Dan E. Hendrickson's narrative prowess shines brilliantly in Magi Apprentice, immersing readers in the bustling streets of Babylon and the intricate political and religious web of the Parthian Empire. The meticulous historical groundwork creates a rich canvas for the unfolding narrative. By interweaving Zoroastrian tenets, ancient Egyptian wisdom, and biblical prophecies into the era, the story gains a multi-dimensional texture, enhancing the reading experience. Rassan's evolution from a cadet to an apprentice Magi entrusted with decoding astronomical enigmas illustrates his growth and resolve. The intricate interplay between diverse religious orders and the simmering power dynamics contribute layers of complexity, heightened by Dvandas' schemes that introduce imminent danger. Hendrickson's exploration of enduring themes, such as the struggle between temptation and righteousness, echoes both Rassan's journey and the overarching biblical narrative. An ode to transformation, destiny, and the timeless call to the extraordinary, this work captivates and resonates, etching itself into the reader's memory.