Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

David - Savakerrva, Vol 1 by Lawrence Brown is an awesome novel. It takes a trope as old as time and does something new and refreshing with it. At every stage, I wondered what would happen next, and at every stage Lawrence Brown surprised me. I have been waiting for this novel since the 1970s or '80s when I saw a movie called Star Man with Jeff Bridges. David – Savakerrva, Vol 1 is so much better than that movie. It is better from the very first page. When the King meets Ana, it could have gone badly in so many ways, but the story unfolds exactly as I hoped it would. This is exactly the tale that I wanted, even though I didn’t know it at the time. It is a beautiful story, full of mystery, suspense, close calls, and action. It is a tale of destiny and how finding your purpose can make all the difference in the world.

There's no doubt about it; Lawrence Brown’s writing and his ability at laying out a plot are the strongest features of this novel. Don’t get me wrong, the characters are good. I was especially impressed with David’s mother, Ana. She is a strong independent woman with a fierce spirit and a good heart. She is a romantic in a practical way that the best female characters are. To tell the truth, I didn’t like her son at first. I didn’t see anything special about him. I saw nothing worthy of her. But he grows into his role and that is a delight to behold. The setting is done well and contributes to the overall mood of the story. I found it reminiscent of reading a Norse saga. In short, I loved David – Savakerrva, Vol 1. It is a great book, especially for young people who might feel a little lost in this world.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“Sharing thoughts with fifteen other people sometimes makes me forget which one I am, which name is mine, whose hands are attached to my wrists, whose face looks back at me from the mirror. We stream thoughts for progress and we stream thoughts for punishment. Thought sharing is our reward and our chastisement because it is both exciting and terrifying, especially depending on how long it lasts.” In Mind Of Mine by C. F. E. Black, Valeria is one of the 16 members of the Fifth Order, a group of intelligent and genetically-modified human beings linking their brain together for continuous research to benefit humankind in every way. She's proud of her capability and the work she has done so far, but deep down her desire for individuality keeps getting stronger.

Mind of Mine is an intriguing sci-fi novel set in a hypothetical yet quite plausible future. The premise and world-building are impressive and thought-provoking. I instantly gravitated to the bold protagonist Valeria－V to her Order members－who seeks to retain her personal identity in the Center where the ‘products’ of genetic engineering are expected to obey the Codex without question. It’s a future with marvelous progress in science and technology, but human tendencies are grossly manipulated and suppressed. Valeria, Marcus, Prudentia, Julius and many other characters are written with substantial depth and memorable traits to carry the plot forward. Their choices lead to compelling consequences. Engaging with interesting twists and turns, Mind of Mine by C. F. E. Black is a great read for YA and adult readers alike.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Seventeen (Seventeen Series Book 1) is a work of post-apocalyptic and science fiction drama written for young adults by author Suzanne Lowe. As the opening novel to the series of the same name, Seventeen takes us to Australia and the famous outback in a world like none we’ve ever seen before. When a global virus kills every member of the population above the age of seventeen, the rules for life are obliterated. Desperate to survive this new children-led world and its many disasters, sisters Lexi and Hadley seek survival by shifting from the big city to a small town called Jasper’s Bay. But here the danger mounts in new, even more terrifying forms, putting the town and its residents in danger.

I was caught up right from the first moment by the fantastic concept and possibilities of Seventeen, and author Suzanne Lowe has only just touched the tip of the iceberg in this excellent and intriguing series opener. Lexi and Hadley provide a foil for one another with their often opposite personalities but they come together at just the right times to make the emotional power of the survival elements come through. In places, the novel is superbly tense and exciting, and at others, we have room to breathe and explore the interesting new social, economic and criminal systems that a world led by kids and teens presents. All of this set against the backdrop of a burnt-out and broken Australia makes Seventeen a unique read, suitable for YA fantasy, dystopia, and sci-fi fans of all ages.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Democracy Inc by Joseph John is a young adult science fiction novel that will make you sit on the edge of your seat and hold your breath as the mystery unfolds. Titus is not living in an ordinary world. As the son of a rich man, this 18-year-old has every luxury known to man. He knows that the poor barely have enough to eat or survive, but he doesn’t care much about it. His perfect existence is shattered when his father is convicted of treason and the responsibility of Roman Biogenics falls into his hands as the oldest child. However, taking over this massive responsibility is not easy. As he prepares himself to take his father’s place, he uncovers a scary truth. Titus uncovers a conspiracy and realizes that nothing is as it seems. He has two options: put his head down and take care of Roman Biogenics or get to the bottom of this conspiracy and become an adult. What will he do?

The setting of Democracy Inc, the background, and the premise are all very well put together. The idea of cloning a person and restarting their life at 18 is genius and Joseph John handles it well. Titus is conceited and full of himself in the beginning, but responsibility changes him. His development arc is credible and paced just right to make it believable. His connection with Ryo is entertaining and heartwarming. The mystery behind the Mars mission and his mother’s involvement in the process set the right tone for Titus to take responsibility and get to the bottom of it. Titus is the kind of character that grows on you as the story progresses. He is such a deceptively human character that you cannot help but feel connected to him. The descriptions are out of this world, the setting is believable and the future the author has depicted is scarily compelling. A must-read, fast-paced, and incredibly well-written novel for readers of science fiction and dystopian literature.

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

Spex were not just a trend, they were a way of life. The world was yours and with a thought, knowledge was at your fingertips. Thanks to Marco's app, you never had to worry about forgetting a name again. Of course, there are some people who relish obscurity, who have found a hack not just for this high tech equipment, but for the brain itself. Unfortunately for him, Lucy, one of the few people not wearing Spex, has seen his face. Nick had spent a long time erasing himself from the memories of others, keeping his work secret, but now there was someone he couldn't hack, and he had no choice to find her. But first, he must make sure no one is looking for her, that no one notices she is missing. Removed from the memories of her loved ones, Lucy finds herself on the run, trying to save her memories, and her new relationship with Marco, someone who doesn't remember her yet desperately wants to. Can she stay one step ahead of technology when her hunter has eyes literally everywhere, or will she lose who she is, her memories, or worse? Find out in Ruth Mitchell's Deleted.

Deleted by Ruth Mitchell is a fearful rollercoaster of a tale highlighting the dangers of technological dependence and its devastating potential to change how the world is viewed. With philosophical undertones woven into an intense and gripping plot, you will not only find yourself whisked away on Lucy's desperate plight to preserve all she holds dear but will question what it is that makes a person and if events that cannot be recalled are destined to repeat themselves when the lesson was learned but forgotten. Lucy's character was well-developed, and I loved watching her grow and alter through the tragic relationship between her and Marco. You can't help but root for these star-crossed lovers as they find and lose each other, but never quite forget. A beautiful tale filled with action, romance, adventure, danger, and manipulation, perfect for readers who like to become invested in the characters they come to know and love.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

A Gleam of Light by T.J. Wolf is the first book in The Survival Trilogy. No one could have predicted what they were going to see during what was supposed to be a simple plane ride. The time was 1995 and it was an experience that stays with Una Waters as she becomes an adult. Now in 2016, Una is drawn back to her childhood home on the Hopi Reservation after being away for a decade. Her trip back home quickly devolves into chaos after a cave discovery catches the army's attention and the cave is put under protection. As Una demands answers, she soon learns that the discovery could be linked to her experience on that plane so long ago. She turns to allies for help and stands her ground against a general who seems to have a different agenda.

T.J. Wolf brings life to this exciting science fiction adventure which is broken into various parts full of action and suspense. The first part takes place in 1995 and details the bizarre encounter the passengers have which is quickly swept under the rug as they're told their eyes simply played tricks on them. By opening in 1995, Wolf sets the stage for every event that follows once Una returns to the reservation. The whole encounter is ominous with a mysterious dark object and various other setups like a woman who dreamed of being on a plane during a storm. Every moment that follows can be tied back to the plane with each moment building up the suspense and discovery through each twist and turn. By seeing Una as a child, you see the basis of the person she ends up becoming through the fantastic description of her as a child that wants to read about the real world and one that isn't afraid of the truth. This directly ties into her development as an adult with opinions she's not afraid to share, as a person unafraid to stand her ground and someone that doesn't back down even against the U.S. Army. These qualities make her an astounding character and make her perfectly suited to lead a science fiction adventure.

Wolf weaves in several classic elements of science fiction with the signs of aliens, presence of the military, and a mysterious discovery which leaves one boy dead and another with a sudden awareness he didn't have before. Each moment builds and draws Una closer and closer to the truth until she uncovers a startling discovery. A Gleam of Light is an exciting adventure with mysterious encounters, strange discoveries, action, and secrets ready to be thrown open.

Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

March of the Gnomes by Erinn Price is a fantasy novel you cannot put down. Alexis Dumont finds herself alone in her sister’s house while Morgan cares for their parents after an accident. Alexis is the athletic one of the family, but a broken leg leaves her restless. Her sister is a developer of organic bio-nanotechnology and her testing equipment allows Alexis freedom to move around without damaging her leg further. So begins her adventure in ArcOn, an AI video game. The game fits the character with the personality of the player. She gets a gnome, and for some unknown reason other characters bully and troll them. But she has a plan and she will not back down on her promise to help the one person she thought she would never get along with. Her commitment drives her to motivate the other gnomes, but their activity will not go unnoticed.

I found March of the Gnomes compelling from the beginning. Erinn Price has developed a complete world within this steampunk fantasy that draws the reader into its realm. I enjoyed the teamwork between the players. Price included stats to give this a video game feel which gamers will appreciate. I learned much about the gaming world as I learned along with Alexis. There is also a mystery concerning the aggressive behavior towards the gnomes and what is causing it. I love how the overseers work to see that the game is fair for all the players, even cheering for the unpopular. I would recommend this well-edited novel to those who love fantasy or gaming.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Light Speed by F. Rob Dorsey is an interesting science fiction novel that covers multiple grounds while doing them justice. The novel begins on a USS Resolute spacecraft that is taking its first journey into the vast and mysterious space. Aboard the ship is a team of humans who may seem ordinary, but appearances can be deceptive. The captain of the ship, Colonel Richard “Rick” Corbett and his first officer have a curious relationship. The first officer, Alice, is a sentient Generation V Artificial Intelligence that becomes his friend, his companion, and then something a little more.

The already complicated life on the ship is further complicated when Dr. Traube, a NASA scientist, creates a human replica of Alice, one that Rick cannot resist. But things get serious when the ship and its occupants make a startling discovery. They discover a humanoid species living thousands of light years away. This is where things start to get a little suspicious. When a tragedy occurs, there is nothing that Rick can do to save the people he loves or find the culprit who caused him pain. How come they happened upon this species? Can they really trust some humanoid species that appear like humans?

Finding love and acceptance in the most unlikely places is among the common themes of the novel. Of course, Artificial Intelligence is another theme that the author, F. Rob Dorsey, explores very deeply. I loved the complexity of the story and how the author gave it time and page space for the characters and the story to flow. The characters are developed well. Rick is given time to grow, expand his horizons and enjoy life. Alice was a real enigma, but that only made the novel more interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A truly exceptional story.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Einstein’s Compass is a work of science fiction written for young adults, penned by author duo Grace Blair and Laren Bright. Taking a figure from real history and fictionalizing around him, the story places the young Albert Einstein as the holder of a mysterious compass which allows him to travel in space and time. From dimension to dimension, to places mythical and real, Albert is able to develop his unique way of thinking about the universe, a skill he will come to use to change the modern world as we know it. But despite this fulfillment of his destiny, there are those who would use the compass for themselves, and for purposes that are far darker.

For a relatively quick read in a young adult context, this novel packs in a huge amount of detail and spans several different genres due to the time-traveling nature of Albert’s compass. The historical elements, in particular, were brought to life with fantastic descriptions and a lot of well-researched detail, even for the smallest of elements, and it’s this attention to detail that makes the story so rich as a whole reading experience. Author duo Grace Blair and Laren Bright weave an intriguing plot that is disparate to begin with but comes together with a fantastic swell of energy towards the end and builds to a startling and brilliant conclusion. Overall, Einstein’s Compass is a highly recommended story for those readers who enjoy an involved plot with plenty of amazing scenery, details and clever connections.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Lights of Time by Paul Ian Cross is the first book in The Chronicles of Engella Rhys. Engella must stay a step ahead of the Hunters so they won't catch her. All she wants is to find answers about what happened to her parents but instead she's wanted by a mysterious corporation. When she meets a stranger named Annys, she finds an ally to help her navigate throughout space-time. Her journey through time leads her to the discovery of a surprising truth about her past. Meanwhile, Eddie investigates an old military base, only to end up in the middle of something bigger. He meets two strangers and when he doesn't heed their cautionary advice, it results in the death of his mother. The next years of his life are spent determined to find the murderer, which puts him back in the path of the strangers who tried to help him before.

Paul Ian Cross weaves through time, dipping into the past as far as 1955 and going into the future of 2066, with journeys to various times in between. Engella's adventures strike a balance between the past and the future with moments bringing significant advancements to how her journey proceeds. The past gives her a surprising connection to her parents and brings her face to face with someone who knew her parents. The future contains various points with advancements made that are at the root of the story through the use of traveling through space-time, which is a form of time travel. The future pinpoints scientific advancements, including GenMod which does genetic modifications, and Clonepetz which has everything from mini elephants to tigers the size of house cats. She's constantly on the run from the Hunters, which gives a thriller element to the story, complete with action and suspense that leave you wondering if she's going to get caught.

Each new place unlocks new clues, slowly delving into certain truths about her past. The perspective of Eddie adds to the mystery through his search for his mother's murderer, which consumes him. He blames himself for not choosing to listen to the warning he was given, leading to his mother's death. This drive is like Engella's desire to also find the truth and the journey for justice pulls him into Engella's path in an interesting way. The Lights of Time weaves through time in an action-packed journey that finds two unlikely allies in a search for answers.