Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Oversight is a work of fiction in the adventure and supernatural subgenres. It is suitable for the young adult reading audience and contains mild scenes of violence but nothing too graphic. In this work penned by author Dennis Batchelder, we join our protagonist Zelly at a tumultuous time in her life. Aged seventeen, Zelly knows she has two more years to survive until she can ascend to power in the ancient order of Soul Identity, an organization that deals with past lives and memories. But when Zelly discovers that her closest friend Ying might be trying to kill her before her ascension, a journey into her own previous lives reveals even more shocking revelations, but her past might just help her survive the future.

Author Dennis Batchelder has crafted a highly original concept for this thrilling contemporary supernatural novel, so much so that the past-life elements blend into the realistic emotional plotline seamlessly. It’s easy to believe in the world Zelly inhabits, and YA readers will find themselves immediately immersed and gripped by her complex relationship with Ying and the pressures and gifts that Soul Identity brings to her life. I for one found that the dialogue was particularly well used, not just in its ease of explaining complex plot hooks without the need for a wall of prose, but also in the relatability and authenticity that it has to the true teen voice. Zelly sounds like any other seventeen-year-old girl tasked with the impossible. Readers of Oversight will find themselves rooting for her and sitting on the edge of their seats as they race to this excellent novel’s startling conclusion. A recommended read indeed.

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

In Blaze Union and the Puddin’ Head Schools by W.T. Kosmos, a teen, impressed by the students' passion for protecting seahorses, runs into some problems. A protester and media frenzy that shows the most absurd behavior and idea makes the teen think that taking a break is a good idea. In search of schools even more absurd, the teen heads to Puddin’ Head Island School to find even stranger ideas like big hands not being as skillful as small hands for offense in soccer. Baking disasters occur when the Bigs make cookies and cakes from outlandish ingredients, and the Smalls still compliment them as they eat the disgusting treats. What absurdity will be found at the next school in the next Region? Will Blaze be expelled from everywhere or be forced to drop out for fighting nonsensical school rules?

Blaze Union and the Puddin’ Head Schools is an absolutely hilarious story that had me laughing at the odd behaviors presented in every chapter. I had a lot of fun reading about Blaze and the rest of the characters that made this funny story the crazy ride it is. I absolutely love the parallels to some of the most ridiculous behaviors that humanity has had to offer in recent years, and I applaud the concept of a student who isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right and try to change the most absurd rules. I recommend Blaze Union and the Puddin’ Head Schools to anyone who is ready to have a good laugh and maybe learn something new along the way. I hope that W.T. Kosmos has many more stories like this one waiting in the wings that will give readers a good laugh.

Reviewed by Joseph Bulimo for Readers' Favorite

Metamorphosis: The Girl with No Face by Ivy Logan is a dark and fractured fantasy about Amelia's quest to uncover the truths beneath past secrets. In Peradora, South America, Siobhan, the queen of the Heichi, is just beginning to discover her self-worth. Pain is as much a part of her existence as anything else. The quest for love is what motivates her. She has a daughter who knows the truth about her mother. Is she a sorceress? You might say! Follow Amelia's journey of how she perceives a world full of suspense. Learn all about what it takes to uncover the true nature of dictatorial regimes in a dystopian society.

Metamorphosis's subtitle reads, "The Past Will Blind You, The Truth Will Set You Free," which is exceptionally appealing. Love stories always carry a deeper meaning. I was impressed by the concept of the storyline. Hatred is what stirs conflict but, simultaneously, is transitional. I also like the contemporary outlook; it gives one a feeling of anticipation regarding the unexpected. The magical element and a foreign language influence are noteworthy, enhancing diversity. As the second book in The Breach Chronicles, Metamorphosis exceeded expectations. Ivy Logan has a vivid sense of imagination in her writing. Her storytelling is admirably profound. This great read will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Reviewed by Steve Leshin for Readers' Favorite

Running For Shelter by Suzette Sheft is the story of the author’s grandmother as a young girl raised in Vienna, Austria in the 1930s. At first young Inga Eisinger lives a sheltered life. Her mother is Stella, who enjoys fine art, and nice things. Inga’s grandmother is around and has a governess who teaches proper manners and ensures Inga behaves. The young girl enjoys her friends in the exciting city of Vienna. All this comes to a halt when her estranged father suddenly appears on their doorstep. He is in trouble and asks for help from Stella. In the background, there is the Nazi invasion of Austria. Soon Inga witnesses her father being brutally beaten and taken away from the house. She does not understand why. Soon things go from bad to worse. Inga’s house is absent of furniture, the servants are gone, and she must leave Vienna with her mother and go to Switzerland. Overnight her whole world changes and Inga must live in poverty and be torn away from her family. Why? There is a family secret that her mother did not reveal to her.

Running For Shelter is a coming-of-age tale geared toward young adults. Yet it can be appreciated by readers of all ages. Suzette Shef was only age 13 when she began to write Running For Shelter, the true story of her grandmother’s experience during the Holocaust. It is an incredibly well-researched account of a young girl’s life experience during the horrible events taking place when the Nazis invaded most of Europe. It is written in a style that is engrossing and will engage the reader in a powerful and meaningful way. I was impressed with the writing and the way Shef related the story of her grandmother. In a way, it reminded me of Anne Frank's diary. Shef demonstrates the subtle way the Holocaust affected the lives of those not taken directly to the camps, yet they were still victims. Part of the Holocaust Books for Young Adults series, it is an essential and engaging work. A must-read.

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

Chronicles of MatiLou and PerryAnn by Martha Passel is about two young women who face tragedies, tough decisions, and many questions about their future, as well as what happened in the past. The book is written in four parts and covers 30 years. PerryAnn’s parents had died in a car crash, and she wanted to know exactly what happened, so she and MatiLou looked for the answer. Their quest was complicated by the fact that a boy PerryAnn had a crush on may have been involved. At the same time, MatiLou struggled with her marriage because her husband worked for causes that were in opposition to her beliefs. As they work through their respective issues, the characters mature and eventually find the answers they are looking for. In addition to the two friends, there’s a significant character who’s 83 years old and who teaches a philosophy of forgiveness, acceptance, and responsibility. The book has a strong pro-environment message.

Chronicles of MatiLou and PerryAnn by Martha Passel is a fascinating read. The author grabs her reader’s attention from the beginning and keeps them in suspense throughout. The characters are credible because they show the full gamut of human emotions and frailties. I liked the pro-environment message, which the author is passionate about, although never preachy. Because the characters are young this is particularly important, as young people will identify with them and be encouraged to support the same cause. I also liked the emphasis on relying on your best friends, even though you may sometimes have disagreements. The inclusion of the wise elderly character teaches respect for those who are older and who know more than readers do. The ending wraps up the plot lines well and leaves readers looking for more. Anyone from early teens upward will find it compelling, entertaining, and satisfying. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

In Daphne’s Questionable Bet by Sara Jo Cluff, it’s just 16-year-old Daphne and her mom ever since her dad passed away. After moving back to California, her mom’s old high school rivalry is somehow reignited through Daphne and the rival’s daughter, Sierra Winters. The girls decide to bet on who can get Bentley Anderson to ask them to the prom first. Daphne, in her unique Care Bear and Captain America attire, is pretty confident she can win this bet. But she didn’t expect to fall for a boy who isn’t Bentley. Now what is she supposed to do? She can’t let Sierra win, but she also doesn’t want to miss out on love with a great guy.

This book just warmed my heart. I can’t remember the last time I smiled so much while reading. Daphne became my idol. Her outfits are a reflection of her mood, she constantly has a soundtrack playing in her head that matches the situation and her feelings, and she has a tendency to break out into song and dance wherever she is. She also has panic attacks and bad anxiety. The bottom line is she’s real, she’s unique, and she is a character we can all relate to. Also, the relationships between Daphne and her mom, her friends, and her love interest were both touching and genuine. The romance literally had me crying tears of joy. It was so perfectly written. Sara Jo Cluff is an amazing writer, and Daphne’s Questionable Bet is the proof. Cluff took what could have been just a typical teenage angst-filled story and transformed it into something beautiful and inspiring. This story reminded me of how much I love love, and I am incredibly grateful for finding it.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

Perfectly Accidental (Accidentally Perfect Book 2), a young adult romance for mature readers, is the follow-up to an earlier story by Elizabeth Stevens. Roman has always been perfectly comfortable with living up to his reputation as the bad boy. He smokes, drinks, hooks up with random girls, and gets into fights regularly. He's quite the contrast to his neighbor, the perfect, innocent girl who is completely off limits. When they accidentally start hanging out during the school holidays, Roman realizes how easy it is to open up to someone who doesn't expect anything from him. Their relationship becomes complicated when school starts again, and Roman has to figure out what he wants in life and how to present himself to the world now that his desires are changing.

Set in Australia, Perfectly Accidental follows Roman's view of events in contrast to Piper's version that was told previously. Having a first-person perspective from the bad boy's point of view is a side of the story that we don't often see. Elizabeth Stevens manages to portray Roman as both loveable and annoying with his raunchy and stubborn mind. I love how this story explores the theme of not judging a person based on what they present to the world. I found myself laughing many times throughout the story, which was quite long but flew by quickly due to the easy-to-read, conversational style of writing. I didn't know Piper's story before reading this book, which works wonderfully as a standalone novel, but I am curious to see what was going through Piper's mind now that I understand Roman's viewpoint.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

Rules of Falling by Leslie Tall Manning tells the story of a teenager's unique struggles and how her entire life is defined by the one thing she can't control. Erica is a high school senior, but she hasn't had a normal high school experience ever since her chronic fainting began during freshman year. Since then, her best friend, Lindsay, has always been by her side to catch her when she falls, which is always at the most inconvenient time. When Lindsay suddenly breaks up with her boyfriend, Adam, in order to pursue a married man, Erica finds herself in a precarious position, which could potentially tear apart their friendship. Not only does she disapprove of Lindsay's affair, but Erica might be falling for Adam. On top of that, there seems to be an arsonist in town, and Erica has her suspicions about who could be behind the fires.

My summary of Rules of Falling does not do it justice. Leslie Tall Manning has pieced together a web of events and characters with a perfectly elegant flow. What seems to be a modern coming-of-age tale, mixed with a slight bit of romance, quickly turns into a suspenseful mystery filled with betrayal and deceit. Seemingly minor details come back later on to play an important role in the overall plot, and I was amazed at how smoothly everything wove together by the end. Erica is easy to love and understand, even if we can't personally relate to her experiences. I especially loved seeing a leading character with a medical condition that is rarely, if ever, represented within pop culture. I highly recommend Rules of Falling to lovers of young adult fiction, and I look forward to reading more from Leslie Tall Manning.

Reviewed by Jennifer Donovan for Readers' Favorite

In the Heart of Paradise is the third book in the Rainier Series by Jamie McGillen. While it could be enjoyed on its own, In the Heart of Paradise builds upon the story told in the previous two installments, so it is best read after In Sight of the Mountain and In Light of the Summit. In this third book, Anna is now pregnant, and while she feels she should be elated, she is filled with doubt. How will a baby impact her ability to climb Mount Rainier? Is she ready to be a mother? While Anna struggles internally with this unplanned surprise, Elizabeth, twice rejected and struggling with obsessive tendencies, fights for control of her mind. Her lifelong dream is to follow in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, but after a disaster, she finds herself crippled by a new phobia that may put her aspirations in jeopardy. When a new man enters her life, she is compelled to push him away, convinced that her mental illness will lead to a life of solitude.

In the Heart of Paradise maintains the overarching theme of the series by empowering its female characters to break the norm and challenge those who seek to stifle them. Set in the 1890s, the book addresses Anna's and Elizabeth’s challenges with mental health when societal expectations of women further complicate these matters. Readers who are pregnant or who have been pregnant will be able to empathize with Anna’s anxiety and doubts. She is stricken with a fear of causing harm to the baby growing inside her through overexertion, but she feels she cannot waste away at home without losing a part of herself. Furthermore, readers will feel Elizabeth’s mental illness almost physically, experiencing the tingling in her extremities and the panic that consumes her. With characters so admirable yet raw, I have come to love each of them in my time spent reading the series, and I hope that I can raise my own daughter to be as independent and true to herself as the unbreakable women Jamie McGillen has created.

Reviewed by Leonard William Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The tragic events of the past can make an indelible imprint on our lives, often returning to haunt us in later years. Through A Study in Terminal, Kara Linaburg takes a searching look at those aspects of life and death. This gripping tale follows the life of nineteen-year-old Sean Brogan from his troubled childhood, through his parent’s divorce, to the suicide of his caring mother when he was just ten years old. The trauma remained unresolved. His unhappiness is compounded by the poor relationship with his hard-working father. Equally disturbed, his father must also deal with deep emotions – for the moment drowned in alcohol and remorse. Sean struggles with his demons throughout his school years and joins a teen gang, where he finds a home and recognition of a sort. He is also a budding author and a distant relative of a famous detective. He is elevated to hero status after he discovers the body of a murdered woman and leads the police to her killer. As the tenth anniversary of his mother’s suicide approaches, Sean returns to their old family home to find closure – even if this means following her tortured path to its untimely end. He encounters some of his childhood friends and finally confronts his feelings of anger and guilt, still troubled by the same dark secrets as they are. The truth is finally revealed, but not before a gang member arrives to seek revenge.

The complex issues of life, love, alienation, guilt and ultimately death intertwine in this compelling novel. The characters are unusual and fascinating while the action is riveting. Through well-integrated flashbacks to Sean’s early life, Kara Linaburg builds a vivid picture of a troubled soul who has to come to grips with his feelings or reach his own point of termination. Then there is the age-old clash of right versus wrong and issues of conscience to be resolved. Sean ponders whether there is a God and whether God actually cares. He must decide whether he, in turn, can care for somebody again. I particularly liked the handwritten notes from Sean to his deceased mother that introduce some of the chapters. They are an inspired touch, a poignant reminder of Sean’s inner turmoil, while cleverly setting the scene as the story unfolds. Ultimately we must not fight the things that heal us, such as forgiveness and letting go of the past. A Study in Terminal is filled with profound insights into the human condition. While exploring the depths of despair, it provides hope for reconciliation. It is an outstanding novel and highly recommended.