150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
Resthaven
Erik Therme
2019 Honorable Mention
219 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Resthaven by Erik Therme begins when Kaylee, a new girl in town, is forced by her mother to attend a classmate's birthday. She doesn't want to be there, and it's rather obvious the other girls don't want her there either. Jamie, a spoiled brat of a teenager, has her own issues, expecting everyone to love her while she treats all her "friends," if you could call them that, like dirt. Jamie organizes a treasure hunt in an old abandoned rest home known as Resthaven. No one wants to go into the old building, but through the use of peer pressure, Jamie gets everyone to participate, but everyone has to be alone.
Mr. Therme then follows Kaylee's experiences which quickly go bad. Every room is like a computer game, some are more or less empty, some have items that could help in the case of an emergency, and still others have clear danger. Then, someone shuts the main doors and locks them so no one can get out. As Kaylee struggles to find a way out, she is met by a cur dog, an old man who appears to want to kill her, and a little deaf boy. With some masterful writing, Mr. Therme weaves these issues through twists that threaten Kaylee's efforts to find a way out of the old abandoned building safely.
Mr. Therme is a talented writer. Honestly, I had a difficult time putting this book down. It had me gripped from the first page to the end. I truly enjoyed reading Resthaven. It kept me glued and I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to everyone. Mr. Therme has a good handle on the English language and his prose and dialogs read true. I won't give a spoiler, but the end is anything but what you would expect. Well done, in my estimation.
Recommend this book:
The Keeping
Rochelle Ransom
2019 Bronze Medal
296 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Sierra was not at home that night and her car wasn't there in the driveway when her mother Laura reached home. Sierra was usually at home when Laura arrived. Her family had planned a family movie night to watch the latest Mission Impossible. Laura tried contacting some of the people she thought would know of Sierra's whereabouts. On the other hand, Sierra Hart had been kidnapped. She woke up in a strange room and there was a note on the door with instructions for her to follow. She tried banging on the door and cried herself to sleep. Sierra wanted to hear her mom's voice. Why would anyone want to kidnap a senior in high school? As the story unfolds, readers see that there is more here than what meets the eye.
The Keeping by Rochelle Ransom is a compelling story filled with suspense and intrigue, and it is also a story of love, courage, and relationships. As the book progresses, readers learn various truths about Sierra, her friends, activities, and relationships. The author manages to keep curiosity alive for readers as they page through the chapters. I like the way the author introduces the main characters, Sierra, her mom Laura, dad Patrick, and ex-boyfriend Dave Braun, to readers and alternates between them as the plot advances. The narration is detailed and gripping, and the fluidity in keeping the story going makes it fast-paced. There is not a boring moment as the layered plot progresses, leaving readers captivated and intrigued.
Recommend this book:
Someone To Kiss My Scars
Brooke Skipstone
2019 Silver Medal
316 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Someone To Kiss My Scars by Brooke Skipstone is a disturbing psychological thriller with young and elaborately developed characters. Hunter is a troubled young man who has experienced unspeakable trauma and at his father's behest, a doctor erased his memories. But now, some of his memories begin to surface with glimpses of the traumas of other people. Graphic images invade his mind, images involving rape, abuse, physical pain and more. His friend Jazz struggles to hide secrets from her past and beneath the veneer of an easy-going and witty young girl lies a darkness that isn't veiled from Hunter. A strong bond develops between the two, but can they help ease each other's pain?
Brooke Skipstone has written a novel that is psychologically strong and emotionally rich, exploring dark themes like sexual abuse and the power of friendship as a tool towards healing. The writing evokes a strong sense of pathos in readers as they follow the two young characters. The prose is impeccably good, laced with vivid descriptions that make the reading experience cinematic. Each page is filled with powerful situations and emotions that will strike a chord in the reader. Someone To Kiss My Scars is a powerful indictment of abuse and portrays with unusual clarity the damage it leaves on a young soul. It is a gripping, dark, and disturbing coming of age story that is deftly handled with characters that readers will root for and themes that are relevant and strong.
Recommend this book:
ISAN
International Sensory Assassin Network
Mary Ting
2019 Gold Medal
331 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
When Ava is given the chance to escape her life in a juvenile detention centre and become a trained assassin for ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network, along with other troubled teenage girls, she accepts and looks forward to her new start in life. Ava embarks on a harsh training regime led by friend and training director Russ and tough, emotionless field operative Mitch. All the female assassins are injected with Helix serum which increases all of their senses, making them a deadly force to be reckoned with. Ava receives strange messages from a person called Sniper, who seems to know about her past. Whilst Ava is on a mission with her team, Sniper - aka Rhett - and his gang kidnap her and reveal the reality behind ISAN’s work. Ava is left devastated by the discovery and as ISAN recaptures her, she is left wondering if she can trust anyone.
ISAN - International Sensory Assassin Network by Mary Ting is a gripping novel that caught my attention from the first sentence when Ava leads her team in a training exercise. The plot is fast-moving and filled with three dimensional and realistic personalities. I especially found the relationship between Ava and Mitch interesting, as they fought a battle of wills throughout. As Mitch relentlessly tried to get into Ava’s mind, she had to constantly fight him psychologically. I loved the character of Ava; she was strong and had a gritty determination. It is refreshing to see a novel filled with so many great female characters. I found the creation of ISAN and the description of their work, and treatment of those who decided to leave, quite chilling. My favourite line has to be: ‘Memories can be erased, but you never forget emotions’. I feel this summed up the story perfectly. There is plenty of action and suspense throughout and the ending surely made way for another novel and the continuation of Ava’s adventures. I hope so.
Recommend this book:
Blood of Toma
Lauren Lee Merewether
2018 Finalist
310 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Blood of Toma by Lauren Lee Merewether is a historical event/era fiction book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy stories about ancient Mexico during the time of the Aztecs and who do not mind violence. High Priestess Tomantzin is the daughter of the Tlatoani and the New Fire sacrifice, meaning that in the coming months she would die for her people. Yet, High Priestess Tomantzin’s life took a drastic turn when she witnessed her father being murdered before her eyes and chose to flee from what could be her own death into the jungle. Her decision to flee forever changes her life as she is forced to choose between vengeance, her own life, and her people.
Blood of Toma by Lauren Lee Merewether is a well-written book that stayed true to the time period while still weaving an intricate story filled with suspense, mystery, sacrifice, and adventure. High Priestess Tomantzin quickly became my favorite character due to the amount of compassion she felt towards her people to the extent that she was willing to sacrifice her own life and happiness for them. When Tomantzin was forced to flee from her home, I rejoiced at the idea that she might not have to sacrifice her life, and I felt for her when she started to feel love even though her position and his very identity made their love forbidden. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and when I finished it I was left hoping that the author would write more historical fiction from this time period!
Recommend this book:
Harmless
Katherine Dell
2018 Honorable Mention
381 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
When you are reading a book and it reminds you of your favorite movie or TV series, or if it takes you to your happy place, you know that you have selected the right one. Harmless by Katherine Dell reminded me of one of my favorite movies (Twilight) and one of my favorite TV series (Bewitched). Rachel Barnes, the leading character, is haunted by the death of her brother, Eric. He died about four years ago in a car accident and she is unable to move on with her life. To cope with the trauma, her mother relocates to a new place, Hazelton, with Rachel. She had trouble befriending people, but here she finally made four new friends (not best friends, but these are the people with whom she hangs out): Mason, Ryan, Chloe, and Julie. One day, when they were all at Rachel's house, they found a box, which her grandmother called a Spirit Box. This box contained carvings of a bear, a deer, a crow, and a wendigo. Although she warned everybody about the possible consequences of wishing over these carvings (aka spirit animals), nobody listened to her, and they all wished anyway. However, as expected, things started going south from that moment on.
Harmless by Katherine Dell is a magnificently written book. The subtle merging of several genres, while keeping the central genre as paranormal, is a tactic expertly applied by the author to hold the attention of readers. The words in which Rachel expressed her attraction towards Mason are so beautifully chosen that they reminded me of Bella Swan's fascination with Edward in Twilight. The magnetic pull that she felt towards Mason was conveyed very delicately yet powerfully. I applaud the author for using just the right amount of words to make their attraction for each other elegant and not cheesy. Other than romance, another emotion that the author incorporated into the plot is the grief of losing a sibling. I could just feel Rachel's pain due to the loss of her brother, Eric. She was grieving the loss and was unable to move on. To deal with the pain, she delayed unpacking her boxes, as if it would help her turn back the clock. Her agony was expressed with an appreciable sensitivity.
Since the central genre is paranormal, it had to be a major aspect of the plot and it really was. There are enough strange occurrences to keep readers both engaged and intrigued. I could not put down the book before knowing what turn their lives would take once the spirit animals came into action. It was interesting to wonder whether they would survive the consequences or would succumb to the tragedy that followed from the moment they decided to overlook the warning. The conversations are extremely engaging and realistic. The lives of the four friends are written as realistically as possible. They talk, behave, and act like the majority of teenagers. The author has done an incredible job in writing a fictional story based on the paranormal genre and yet it seems as life-like as non-fiction.
Recommend this book:
Zeeka Chronicles
Revenge of Zeeka Science Fiction
Brenda Mohammed
2018 Bronze Medal
406 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka by Brenda Mohammed opens with Zeeka and the Zombies. On the island of Gosh in January 2036, Raynor Sharpe is woken by rattling to find a beach full of small robots. Is he still dreaming? Raynor is a hospital doctor and so is the woman he secretly loves, but Janet is engaged to another man. Gosh’s carnival is turned from an exotic native spectacle to tragedy by a troop of entertainers: zombies who shoot into the audience, killing and injuring hundreds. How can these monsters disintegrate into a heap of dust? Why is one false head found? Who is Zeeka, and does he control the zombies? Why does Janet cancel her wedding? Can the Chief of Police be trusted, or is he as corrupt as others in the force? Read on: Zeeka's Child; Zeeka Returns, Zeeka's Ghost and Resurrection hold the un-guessable answers.
Zeeka Chronicles comprises five books from the Revenge of Zeeka series in which 2036 is shown as a technically advanced world by gadgets like watches that act much like today’s smartphones, plus visual contact, robots, and much more. The story is built on the premise that a doctor discovers a cure for a disease, but is prevented from using it. However, the plot becomes more entangled the farther you read, with police corruption, suicide, kidnapping, and a very active ghost. Brenda Mohammed’s writing style is evocative of the future and she handles the science in her fiction brilliantly: reading is believing! I loved Zeeka Chronicles; it has worldwide appeal for anyone looking for an entertaining story that is different.
Recommend this book:
Diamond Rain
Quantum Breakthrough Weapon System Mossad Thriller (The Kefira Mossad Series Book 2)
Michael Gallagher
2018 Silver Medal
222 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
The takeover of the world by the Chinese has begun, but not with destructive weapons, as such, but by simple weight of numbers. All over the world, Chinese men have been mobilized to march into foreign countries by their millions, taking over the financial resources of the countries and transferring that wealth to China. Protected from attack by new nano-technology suits, it appears not even atomic weapons can stop the relentless surge of Chinese domination. In Diamond Rain, Michael Gallagher presents the world with just one hope of resisting this invasion. Deep within the Israeli Mossad is technology vastly superior to the carbon-based nano-suits used by the Chinese – a diamond based nano-suit. When Al-Jazeera cameraman Thomas is surprisingly handed this technology as he films the Chinese invasion from high atop a ridge, he is set on a path of technology and subterfuge that will see him and the Mossad agents try to defeat the evil Chinese warlord intent on world domination.
Diamond Rain is a fast-paced thriller that will have you turning the pages rapidly to discover where it all leads next. Author Gallagher has projected technology slightly into the future, but given today’s advancements in quantum physics, it is easy to understand and believe the possibility of the action described. Although some of the concepts were a little advanced for my dim-witted brain to understand, it didn’t detract at all from the excitement of the story. Michael Gallagher’s characters could be described as a little stereotypical, but nonetheless they were easy enough to identify and empathise with. The romance he wove into the story certainly helped to soften the edges of what is essentially an out and out spy thriller. There were enough twists and turns, although most were fairly predictable, throughout the story. I note that this is book two in a series. I was intrigued enough by the character of Kefira to want to read more of the story. A good, solid, thriller and one to recommend.
Recommend this book:
IA
Union
John Darryl Winston
2018 Gold Medal
433 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
IA: Union, Book 3 is a paranormal science fiction/coming of age novel for young adults, written by John Darryl Winston. While the author does give sufficient background information to enable this book to be read on its own, I would advise working through this series in order to get the full impact of the continuing story.
Naz and Harvis had a plan to get themselves kicked out of the International Academy and sent back to the Exclave -- a move that would have many scratching their heads in confusion. It was indeed a reversal from when Naz and his little sister, Meri, sat for the exams that would enable them to leave the Exclave behind. Now, however, Naz wanted answers. He needed to know why Meri had to die and whether the rumors that his father was still alive were true. Even more importantly, he wanted to remember what happened four years ago, that time frame which was so frustratingly blank. The realization that the other people in his life, like Dr. Gwen, Harvis, and Coach Fears probably had some of the answers to his questions was likewise infuriating. Their plan was simple, though the execution of it would be abhorrent to everything the two fourteen-year-olds believed in.
John Darryl Winston’s paranormal science fiction/coming of age novel for young adults, IA: Union, Book 3, is an intense and absorbing story that explores the uncharted potential of the human brain as a young orphan with startlingly powerful abilities learns to channel them and tries to differentiate between those he can and cannot trust. The friendship of Harvis and Naz is marvelously portrayed in this tale as the two friends look out for each other and work so well as a synergistic team. Winston’s descriptions of their sparring practices rank up there with the some of the best of martial arts writing. Naz comes of age in this powerful third book of the series, and the challenges he faces are formidable indeed. IA: Union, Book 3 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Confessions of a Neighbor
A Mystery in Switzerland
Heather Nadine Lenz
2017 Finalist
320 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
How many young women can cope with tremendous loss and disappointment on their own with no family or friends? Ella has spent her life on the run, supposedly from the Russian Mafia, and is now living in an attic apartment after the recent deaths of first her mother and then her grandmother in Confessions of a Neighbor: A Mystery in Switzerland by Heather Nadine Lenz. Trying hard to become part of a ballet troupe, Ella suffers rejection after rejection until an unexpected opportunity comes her way. In the meantime, having no social life of her own, Ella has developed an unhealthy attachment to a neighbor she observes regularly from her window. Seeing him abused by his wife, Ella becomes protective of Owen and falls for his lines about caring for her. Ella’s co-workers warn her to avoid him, but circumstances take a shocking turn, forcing her to feel even more insecure. Only dancing eases her emotional pain, but given the events that have been set in motion, will that even be an option anymore?
Amazing scenery, vivid descriptions and intense emotions are just part of the appeal of Confessions of a Neighbor: A Mystery in Switzerland by Heather Nadine Lenz. In this hard to put down story, you develop a real attachment to Ella and suffer along with her as she deals with issues from her past, her insecurities about the future, and the everyday struggles of trying to live while following her dreams. Wonderful descriptions of setting and ballet add a lot to the realism of the story. Well done! Psychological manipulation plays a large part in the story and Lenz sets the scene slowly and deliberately, then shocks you when the trap is sprung. This is a book that is well worth reading on many levels.