Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

STAZR The World of Z is the first book in The Dawn of Athir series by Dr. Anay Ayarovu, and it is an epic fantasy that features Lael, the unusual protagonist who finds himself caught up in a mystery that is about to blow his mind. Lael is an aspiring author. In fact, he has written some short stories and is now contemplating his next big book, a novel that he thinks will become a masterpiece. But how he finds himself at the center of a prophecy is what makes things even more exciting. He lives in a world where class distinction is very strong and where the ruling class takes advantage of those they lord over. Someone has stumbled upon a prophecy from beyond the Roum. The message contains the coordinates of Lael’s residence, which is how he gets embroiled in unraveling the prophecy.

This novel is filled with humor. The narrative voice in the first person captures the sentiments and worldview of Lael in an absorbing manner. When readers encounter the protagonist, they get the impression of someone who is full of himself, confident, and even vain in his knowledge, but from the moment that the shwine messenger delivers a message to him, his world is turned upside-down. He has to put his feet on the ground and shun the delights of reveling in books to avoid the crude realities of life. The adventure is wonderful and the story suspenseful. The reader will want to know what happens to Lael’s world and if the strong and privileged class can use him to acquire a power that has been hidden for ages. It is his transformation and growth that intrigued me. STAZR The World of Z is transporting, featuring well-developed and interesting characters, and is a world that has its unique rules and language.

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

The Witch of Blacklion by Joy Ross Davis is an exquisitely written story that takes place in the village of Blacklion, Northern Ireland during World War I. This wonderfully written tale begins with the introduction of its two guardians, Old Shelly and Mordecai. Mordecai is a Guardian Angel, and Old Shelly is a beautiful shape-shifter who assumes the role of a mysterious old witch accused of being a baby killer. This event happened when a woman brought her infant baby to Old Shelly to cure her ailing child. Old Shelly unsuccessfully tried to tell the mother that there was no hope. So when the mother pleaded desperately for Shelly to help her, Shelly took the terminally ill baby inside and cradled it until the little one passed. When the baby was brought back out, the mother began screaming at Shelly and accusing her of killing her baby. All it took was one witness to the exchange for the mantle of "Baby Killer" to be associated with Old Shelly forever. For the most part, the story is based on the lives of two families. The first one is Rory Dunlavy, his wife, Mazey, and their 5-year-old son, Piglet. The second family is Dr. Richard Haynes and his wife, Laura, to whom Richard proposed immediately upon meeting her.

Ms. Davis does a remarkable job of bringing this story to life. When Laura meets some fashion designers from the United States, they invite her and her mother to come visit. On the return trip, however, after describing the elegance of the luxury cruiser, The Lusitania, all I could think was, "Oh oh! Not good!" Sure enough, when the conversation of the war was brought up, and Laura mentioned safety on board, her mother commented that during war, no one was safe. Right on cue, disaster strikes in the form of two German U-boat torpedoes. Joy Ross Davis's description of the disaster was done flawlessly, as well as the trauma that ensued for the survivors.

The Witch of Blacklion was an amazing read from start to finish. At first I wondered why the author introduced the major characters at the beginning, but was glad that she did because she supplied the background for the story, much like the stage settings for a play. All of the characters were diverse and very real for that time and era. Joy Ross Davis really captured the landscapes, the cultures, and the events of the early 1900s. I highly recommend this wonderful story. It was told so vividly that you could actually visualize everything. All I could say at the end was, "Wow! What a story!" Brava!

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Woeful Wager is the first book in The Race to the Blackened Nevers series by Douglas Bain. What do you think would happen when the worlds of gods, mortals, and fantastic creatures intertwine? Chaos! Everyone wants something, everyone needs something and there isn’t much time. It is a race against time and the competition isn’t fair. In the midst of this, Phae and Chim are trying to stop a terrible beast from waking up and destroying everything they have ever known. But do they have what it takes to fight the odds and come out of it victorious? With so much going on in their world, will they get the chance?

The Woeful Wager is an intricate, action-packed story with a plethora of characters and each of them has their own storyline. The list of characters at the beginning of the story was a great help because otherwise I would have been lost. The author opened the story with a bang and never let the pace go down after that. Every chapter was a new high, a character introduced something new and made sure the reader’s attention was on the book and nowhere else. I am amazed and in awe of the fact that this is Douglas Bain’s debut novel. The story is filled with dark themes and the atmosphere reflects that. The author gives each character a solid background and added excellent subplots. However, he didn’t let any of these detract the attention of the reader from the actual plot. The chemistry between Chim and Phae is exceptional. They understand each other, they motivate each other and, most importantly, they have each other's backs. They are undoubtedly my favorite characters out of all introduced in the story. This is a great start to a series. Plus, the cover of the novel is stunning. There isn’t any aspect of the story that I don’t like.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

As they say, “…and now for something completely different.” That is exactly what The Persistence of Memory by Karen Janowsky brought me. This book took me completely by surprise with both its premise and its development. Major Daniel Hecht was somewhat of an enigma. A sickly, weak, American Jew who was captured by the Nazis in 1938, Daniel was subjected to horrific experiments by the Nazi overlords who were working on a formula to make the “perfect” soldier. When Daniel was finally freed by a group of partisans, he was used and abused by the American armed services for his special abilities. Then, right in the middle of the war, something odd happened and Daniel was thrust through time to 2012 where he was again recruited by an organization that wanted to use his special talents along with some other “superheroes” to keep the forces of evil at bay. When Daniel, an awkward introvert, meets Nina, a new recruit, both instantly know there is something special between them. Despite neither having memories of the event, they are sure they have always known each other, and that there is a special bond between them. Daniel, Nina, and the rest of the rag-tag superheroes set about trying to stop the collection of ancient artifacts that together could create a superweapon for the forces of evil.

I absolutely loved this book. The premise was so outlandish and the story so personal and real that you, as a reader, can't help being drawn into the jumbled world of Daniel and Nina. The Persistence of Memory is an enigma in itself. Somehow author Karen Janowsky has managed to combine an action-packed narrative of superheroes with a sweet, beautiful love story that plays out between Daniel and Nina. Both characters are so incredibly naïve as to the ways of the world that at times you really want to shout at them… “for God’s sake, just do it.” The writing style is relaxed and comfortable. I was able to read this book in a single sitting. It is one of those stories you just simply cannot put down because you are always searching for the next step, the next move in the relationship. The erotic writing in the book is a very small part, but an extremely powerful part. I felt the author handled these scenes with such tenderness and care that it was an absolute pleasure to read. If you love good science fiction or fantasy with plenty of twists and turns, or if you just love a ripping good adventure yarn with plenty of romance, you will love this book. I did and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

"And then it shrieked at me, the agony of centuries piercing my ears till I thought my skull would burst, electric shocks searing through my fingers, hand, arm, ripping through my whole body, gripping my lungs and squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. I flung the rock away, covering my ears and dropping to the floor, shaking, gasping for air, while still it screamed, on and on and on..." In Debriefing the Dead (The Dead Series, Book 1) by Kerry Blaisdell, Hyacinth Finch and her sister, Lily, were murdered by demons, leaving her 7-year-old nephew Geordi behind with no one except his father’s Sicilian mob family. Archangel Michael offers her a deal; retrieve a powerful stone from the demons before they give it to Satan. In return, Hyacinth can remain on earth long enough to find Geordi a better home.

The battle between good and evil is endless, and a resurrected art dealer has no choice but to be involved. The story premise and its narrative hook got my attention right away. Despite playing a role in the 'shady' part of her business, protagonist Hyacinth is a kind-hearted person who wants the best possible life for her sister and her adorable nephew. The supernatural mystery and suspense elements drive the fast-paced plot forward, combined with enough romance to add sentimental flair between the characters. Balanced with a sense of fun and quirky situations, Debriefing the Dead is excellently imaginative and hard to put down. So what's next for Geordi's devoted and fearless "Tata Hyhy"? I'm eager to find out how the story will continue. Overall, an exciting supernatural thriller from Kerry Blaisdell for fans of the genre.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors by Marc Grossberg is a spellbinding thriller with exceptional characters. The first thing that gripped me and kept me turning the pages is the way the author uses the subplot to create suspense. The narrative builds on two distinct and compelling characters. Paddy Moran is a thirty-six-year-old former cop from Brooklyn, a street-smart and a newly licensed divorce lawyer hankering to create a great reputation in the courtroom. As the narrative begins, he is fired up after witnessing a great win in the courtroom. But after few successes, he faces a moment of choice and must determine if fame is everything about the legal game or if there could be more. Pilar Galt is a smart and beautiful single mother who has had her share of success and pain. Now her path intersects with Paddy. The outcome builds the climax that will have readers savoring every page.

Marc Grossberg has written a captivating story and it feels real as the reader navigates the emotions and the hearts of the characters. The characters are genuinely flawed and easy to identify with. Paddy’s quest for success as an attorney reflects the struggle that many people experience in order to get into the limelight but what is even more interesting about the narrative is how the author unveils the pitfalls in the path of the protagonist. The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors is written in beautiful prose, well-plotted, and balanced; a compelling story that invites the reader to reflect on their choices.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Destiny is Book III of The Prophecy by Jerena Tobiasen, a historical tale featuring compelling characters and strong themes. The story begins with the birth of Miriam in post-war Amsterdam in 1952, and all that Mina Kota and her mother want is to protect the child and preserve her innocence. But as she grows up, she wants her grandmother, Punita, to teach her how to read tarot cards. The grandmother obliges. Miriam soon meets Hart Lange, born into a family of soldiers; a young man who has learned resilience and the value of loyalty from his family. Hart wants a child and Miriam sees a future with him, so she gives in. Mina has warned Hart never to leave Miriam idle but he quickly forgets. Too late, he remembers the warning when Miriam disappears with the child, Matthew. Can Hart find his wife and son?

This is a powerful tale that explores themes of war, love, family, parenting, and heartbreak. It features compelling characters. I particularly enjoyed the way the author writes the character of Miriam. Since her birth, there seem to be external circumstances from which the family wants to protect her. Keeping her innocent is all they want but the involvement with tarot cards spells doom. The Destiny is a twisty tale that is emotionally rich with sophisticated characters. The post-war setting is intelligently depicted and I loved how the author writes the backgrounds of the characters, which makes the reader feel as though they are interacting with real people. The writing is strong and the descriptions are arresting. The story is suspenseful with hints of mystery. I am a fan of Jerena Tobiasen’s gift for storytelling and character.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When I was in high school we had to read a short story titled The Most Dangerous Game. The premise of the story, which suggested that man was the most dangerous animal, is somewhat similar to that presented in The Circle by Stephen J. Galgon. Now, decades later, with a different plot and setting but an equally sinister subject, Calgon re-fired my imagination as I feared and panicked for the protagonist, Doug Goodwin. Doug has been unwillingly recruited into a deadly circle of wealthy people who have a unique and horrible way of keeping themselves amused: hunting down and killing other members of the group before one of them kills you. The opening chapter of The Circle grabs you immediately as you witness a wealthy father killed by a sniper’s bullet while he and his daughter enjoy lunch together in a fancy restaurant. Finding out just who the sniper is, why this man was targeted and how his daughter handled the tragedy won’t become clear till very much later in the story when the new, unwanted life Doug has fallen into intersects with that of the daughter. As he learns, once in, there’s no way out except death.

Can you imagine what it must be like living and watching for your potential killer around every corner, behind every bush, in every crowd of people? Terrifying is putting it mildly. Does Doug survive this most dangerous game and if so, how? Who can he turn to for help when disclosure endangers the lives of family and friends? Doug’s panic is real; keeping one's wits ever on alert is essential and a cool head and clear thinking are paramount. Only the best survive. For a first novel, Stephen J. Galgon checks all the boxes when it comes to creating and keeping the suspense at an all-time high. His characters are captivating. Well-rendered dialogue keeps the pace moving quickly to its logical and deadly conclusion. Readers connect emotionally and mentally with Doug Goodwin, even when the entire situation seems utterly bizarre, even unrealistic. But is it truly unrealistic? Read The Circle and decide for yourself. A real gripper with an intricate and refreshing twist on an old theme.

Reviewed by Amanda Rofe for Readers' Favorite

The Nine by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg is a novel about the Webber family and their experiences with an elite boarding school. Hannah and Edward enroll their talented son in the exclusive Dunning Academy despite the exorbitant cost. The difficulty of keeping up with the fees was not to be their most pressing problem. Hannah does not cope well with Sam living away from home. The more she pushes for contact, the more he pulls away and her obsession with him comes at the expense of her marriage. At the academy, Sam is lured into friendships with teenagers from more privileged backgrounds. Their wealth and an unwritten code of conduct, which comes naturally to them, is something that Hannah is unable to compete with. Sam is asked to join a secret society within the school. Revered and steeped in history, it organizes sophisticated pranks. However, rather more sinister goings-on are afoot which Sam unwittingly uncovers.

The Nine is an absorbing novel with a compelling storyline which exposes the frightening way those in positions of power are easily able to sexually exploit vulnerable children. This is more pronounced with boarding schools that can disenfranchise parents and isolate children in their care. There were a number of engaging characters including Hannah who lost her son's teenage years to the live-in aspect of the boarding school system. The emotions she experienced and her subsequent behavior were intimately described and her pain was palpable. Sam was a self-effacing teenager with a satisfying personality and I felt a tremendous amount of empathy with him. Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg seamlessly blends a mix of coming of age school drama with sinister adult conspiracy and intrigue.

Reviewed by Risah Salazar for Readers' Favorite

It was the spring of 1822 and Doctor Aubrey Waycross was called to Lawrenceville, Georgia. The mayor personally wrote to him about a case of rabies and was afraid that it might spread in his town. Waycross spent most of his money just to get there, only to find out that he had been tricked. There wasn't a case of rabies, at least not yet. Aside from this fraud, he gets more upset when he discovers that the people of Lawrenceville believe more in the Winter Sisters, who allegedly practice witchcraft, than in his scientific methods when it comes to curing their ailments. The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover may have been set in the 1800s but with the themes it tackles, I'd say it's still relevant today.

I liked that the book showed us how healing can come in many forms. And what matters most is that people believe in whichever source it came from. I learned from this book that ignorance and laziness are a deadly combination. While it's true that people are resistant to change, this resistance shouldn't stop them from going forward in life. My favorite character is Waycross because instead of hating the Winter sisters, he made an effort to confront them and to understand their ways. I liked how the author kept Effie's and their mother's characters a mystery, but I wish there was a big revelation about them. Until the end, they both remained mysterious. I also liked that this book is argumentative in nature because it makes you wonder if it's really your responsibility to cure people when you can or choose to lead a simple life away from nosy followers. Trigger warnings include blindly following, death by fire, and a surgery mistake. The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover is highly recommended to fans of literary fiction.