Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw by D.A. Mucci is the first book in the Ignatius series. The Kingdom of Skye has a curse hanging over it and barren land where nothing grows. A prophecy haunts the current emperor's throne that could bring the kingdom back to its former glory but bringing it back to life will require uncovering the truth. Ignatius' strengths have always been rooted in clever comebacks and how effectively he could avoid a confrontation. When bullies challenge him to a fight, Iggy does the only logical thing and runs away. When he's saved from a Death Knight by a mysterious stranger, he's given the gift of two swords and is drawn into the Kingdom of Skye. He's spent his life running away from his problems, so he couldn't possibly be the hero that has been prophesied but as a threat emerges he learns just what he's capable of achieving.

The Kingdom of Skye is described as a place containing too much evil for anything to grow, which creates a vivid visual of the state of these lands. D.A. Mucci weaves in details that bring the kingdom to life and create a setting with a backstory as rich as the plot. This delivers the ideal background for Iggy's arc from the boy that runs away to the hero of the kingdom. The details that have gone into each setting are much appreciated and each peels back layers to Iggy and foreshadows his hero's journey. Mucci incorporates enjoyable and vivid descriptions of Iggy through other characters that describe him as a scared rabbit and as a witless child of no courage. The plot focuses on how he discovers his own bravery in the face of his fear and learns how to go against his instinct to run away.

The writing is fast-paced and never loses sight of the journey that Iggy is on which is woven from the various characters that he encounters throughout the kingdom. Among the most significant are Lecque and Raraesa who take him in and teach him how to blend in with society while serving as his protectors and as catalysts for him taking a chance at becoming a hero. His time in the kingdom and in Pennsylvania are mirrors of each other with him running away from confrontation in one world and challenging a curse in the other world. Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw is an epic adventure ideal for young adults with a rich fantasy setting, a hero's journey, a self-discovery of courage, and action-packed moments.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Rise of the Raidin by Susan L. Markloff is the first book in the Human-Born Era series. Just over a year ago, Jennifer Monroe was an average teenage girl. Now she's living a secret life as a hybrid with abilities that allow her to slay dragons alongside her newfound allies. During the day, she puts on the act of a normal teenager where she focuses on school, worries about test scores, and hangs out with her friends, but at night she trains under her new friends to hunt dragons. She's managed to keep her two lives separate until a dragon crashes into her normal life with an army bent on finding her. Jennifer soon uncovers a secret behind her own origins that comes with a surprising revelation.

The crashing of one world into the other pushes her to explore who she is when both sides of herself merge. The blending of her two lives also delivers drama, humor, and action as it allows Jennifer to discover what life she's willing to fight for and creates tension in her relationships with her friends as they see this new side of her. The clash of her two lives provides chaos that makes her want to go back to being a normal, boring girl but also allows her to see the power and strength this new life offers. The aesthetic that Susan L. Markloff has created stems from a vivid assortment of characters which includes two grovix creatures, a werewolf, two strong personalities, and comic relief. The characters are uniquely fitted to the world such as Archer who has a canine structure to his face with big ears and weight that rivals a lion's, and Blaze who has a pristine white coat, a picture-perfect mane, and a presence that commands attention. Markloff captures these unique characters through their appearances, attitudes, and interactions with Jennifer. The dragon sketches add to the reality of the world and the general feel of the story. The Rise of the Raidin delivers an original take on dragons and dragon slayers with a secret world, a double life, coming-of-age discovery, and action-packed fight scenes.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

“Is time an illusion?” If so, can you slow it down? No, you can’t slow down an illusion. So, how does that define life itself, since life is woven within the fabric of time? Complex questions – but life is like that and we never really do get all the answers. We can philosophize and look at times in our past, our present, and wonder about the future. We can explain our lives in the power of language: metaphors and similes. It might make sense then. But, what doesn’t make sense is what we’ve done to our planet: “If the ocean could speak,/ …The pain of the water wailing/ would awaken every creature throughout the seven seas.” Words spoke with true clarity as the poet goes on to list the evil it must endure, suggesting that we humans should dive into its “insides/ and sift/ the plastic out.” It’s like “a clogged artery” and it “won’t heal.” How do we right the wrongs of centuries of careless humanity?

Palmer Smith’s book, The Butterfly Bruises, is a collection of poetry and stories that discuss and unravel some of the mysteries of life: humanity, childhood, miscommunication, love and abuse, imagination, the power of the oceans and the overwhelming addiction of culture, family, and technology. The author/poet explores the incongruous dilemma of where humanity fits into this complex equation. With vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, the author/poet demonstrates a strong command of the language and a succinct ability to share the message. There are stories and poems of deep thought, as well as others full of magic, fantasy, mystery, and the paranormal. This book will need several reads to contemplate its full intensity.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Shifter is a work of fiction in the horror, thriller, and paranormal fiction subgenres, and it serves as the second installment in the Healer Chronicles series. The novel is intended for the mature young adult readership owing to some moderate explicit language and violent horror situations and was written by Michael J Bowler. The story of wheelchair-bound healer Alex continues as he tries to bond with his twin brother Andy, even under the most trying circumstances when the lads are captured by the U.S. military. As their unique supernatural talents grow into something with devastating capabilities, they also find a dark conspiracy lurking in a Nevada Air Force base that could change the world as they know it.

One of the key factors for any young adult book is holding onto readers and keeping them racing through your tale, chapter after chapter, and Michael J Bowler certainly knows how to keep readers on the hook. The pacing of this novel is cleverly arranged so that there’s always a surprise around the corner and a mystery you’ll keep wondering about if you put the book down. Beyond this, the horror elements are well balanced for the target age range and suitably scary, with several tense moments that make you root for the characters to survive. I also really enjoyed the diverse representation of differently-abled characters who approach problems in unique but relatable ways. Shifter is a fresh take on YA horror that will surprise and delight anyone who reads it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Underground Moon is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy and adventure subgenres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience but does come with a content warning for suicide and some moderate explicit language. It was penned by author Melissa K. Magner. Set in Tennessee, we find ourselves with protagonist Rosella Gill, a fifteen-year-old who is new to the area and living with her aunt after a family trauma. Looking after her younger sister Hettie and adjusting to life in a new state is hard enough, but when the girls discover a chilling forest and a dark secret at work, life becomes all the more sinister.

It can be challenging to hit the mark between suspenseful and shocking for the YA market, but author Melissa K. Magner has crafted a superb balance in this novel that will satisfy both teen and adult readers at once. I loved how the heavier subject matter was dealt with delicately but clearly, and an ethereal dark fantasy atmosphere placed around it softens the blow of some of the more terrifying aspects nicely. The work was also beautifully penned and emotionally resonant in terms of its characters and craftsmanship, with realistic dialogue and unique voices for the central players that made them so relatable. Rosella embodies a realistically mature coming of age under extraordinary dark circumstances and readers are sure to feel deeply for her and her sister as the story unfolds. Overall, The Underground Moon is a triumph in dark, thrilling fantasy, and a must-read whether you’re a YA reader or not.

Reviewed by Nicholus Schroeder for Readers' Favorite

The House of Tongues is a horror story by James Dashner. David Player and his family of four kids made their annual trip to his parents' house in South Carolina. They were enjoying a meal when they heard the doorbell. The family assumed that an aunt had come to visit yet once they opened the door, they found no relative bearing gifts, only a strange man. The stranger was shaking and was visibly distressed so the family tried to find out if he was okay but his words made no sense - he would go from rational to insane like the flip of a switch. David was starting to get freaked out when the stranger shocked everyone by choking on his tongue. The bizarre events that transpired that fateful night turned David's life upside down and made him remember things better left forgotten. Once again, David must confront an unearthly evil to save the ones he loves.

I knew this book was going to be an amazing work of horror, given how talented an author James Dashner is, but I must say he went above and beyond my expectations for The House of Tongues. The uniqueness of the plot kept me glued to the pages and wanting more after each chapter. The many mysteries also fed my curiosity, and I can't believe the amount of creativity that was on display. Another huge positive for me was the chills this book could give me. The hair-raising, goosebump-inducing scares were pure gold. To instill such fear in a reader with words as the only medium to convey a scene is nothing short of extraordinary. James Dashner was able to really convey urgency and suspense using the pacing to great effect and this allowed him to keep the scenes grounded in reality. I prefer horror books that are rooted in reality to a certain degree as they are a lot more terrifying in my opinion. I'm glad to have read such an incredible book and recommend it to fans of the horror genre.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Are you a fan of action-packed fantasy stories based on Chinese lore and mythology? If the answer is yes, grab a copy of M in the Demon Realm: Book 1 by Mark William Hammond. Separated at a tender age from her twin during a vicious demon attack, Emma Ricci, an orphan of Asian origin, was adopted by an Italian American couple who raised her as their own in New York City. Now an aspiring fashion designer, Emma finds herself thrust into an ancient war when she is attacked by demons from hell, resulting in the death of her boyfriend and a stint in the ICU. After two Chinese masters reveal her to be a demon killer, Emma, now known as M, must embrace her destiny to fight the monsters from hell and close its gates before all is lost.

Mark William Hammond blends fantasy horror elements with Asian martial arts-inspired action sequences to create an entertaining odyssey you don't want to end. M in the Demon Realm is an adrenaline-fueled ride full of non-stop action and thrills that you can't put down until you've finished reading. The characters have well-defined traits and distinct personalities. This is primarily a plot-driven story where our heroine reluctantly embraces the responsibility to save the world as everything surrounding her seems to devolve into chaos. M is a likable protagonist who you will find easy to root for. I enjoyed this adventure and recommend it to fans of action-packed fantasy stories.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses is a work of fiction in the action and adventure subgenres. It is aimed at young adult readers and was penned by author K. N. Smith. The book follows a group of five friends who have their senses enhanced by a mysterious power, only to then be thrust into a fight for the future of the world. As they struggle to understand their new powers, they are forced to deal with mysterious creatures whose grand plans for mankind may be too big for them to stop, their whole worldview is challenged by their new powers.

Discovery of the Five Senses was an exciting and dynamic coming of age story which expertly uses the premise of enhanced senses to underpin the traditional mechanics of such tales with the boys' perception of the world literally expanding throughout the story. The cleverness of the premise is fully utilized by K. N. Smith whose gorgeous prose and descriptive writing sees the scenes in which their senses reach out into the world to tell them something new turn into an enchanting description of the familiar through new eyes. The craftsmanship of the storytelling is excellent and not an ounce of potential goes to waste, with the villainous Druth creating a perfect threat for the protagonists as they learn to fight together. The plot is a veritable rollercoaster of adventure, the characters are wonderfully realized, the world of the story is pitch-perfect in its conception and description, and at the end of the tale, you’ll be looking at your own world with fresh eyes.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Russian spies, cover-up stories, alien visits, alien artifacts, a teenage romance, and tarot cards are only some of the elements in The Tale of the Tarot by DJ Schneider. Mel, the protagonist, is only 15 years old and already had to deal with more than other teenagers. Not only has her dad been killed by a Russian spy because Russia wants to get their hands on some alien debris in her dad's possession, but she now is the one who needs to keep the material out of the wrong hands. In addition, a letter from her dad talks about another mystery. Mel makes a new friend, but also a new enemy. She learns that her own life is somehow connected to the stars. She and her friends want to find answers, but what can teenagers possibly do against the power of Russia and its government? It does not help that Mel's mother seems to lose her sanity, and her new caretaker seems to have more than just 'caring' in mind.

The Tale of the Tarot is book one in the Melanie Simpson Mystery Series by DJ Schneider and I am glad to know book one is not the end because the last few pages leave you with quite the cliffhanger! I found it quite interesting how characters were changing their attitudes within the story, i.e. how one went from some sort of friend to betrayer and then to a helper (can't say much more to avoid spoilers). You could never be sure who would be on which side and this added to the excitement factor. I also loved that the story takes place in an era of toll calls and letters. Mel's story would be so very different if it was set in a more modern time. All the characters were interesting and believable. The story felt authentic, by which I mean that it all made sense and you could imagine something like it happening. There were so many little details that all came together to create a fantastic story.

Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

In the Kingdom of Uladmond, only the Empyrean Cavalry has the exclusive honor of flying on winged horses. Aluma, the daughter of the famous rider Hearn Banks, has always dreamed of becoming an Empyrean Rider, a dream her father never condoned. Instead, she has to resort to covert, night-time flying adventures on Hearn’s winged horse. Aluma attends the Autumn festival to cheer for Thayer, her best friend and aspirant for this year’s Empyrean Cavalry. However, when her father suffers a strange, near-fatal accident during a flight demonstration, his last instruction for Aluma is to compete in the trials. Can she fulfill her long-cherished dream? What secrets lie behind her father’s cryptic comments? Find out in Shina Reynold’s novel, A Light in the Sky, the first book of the Clashing Skies series.

In her debut novel, Shina Reynolds creates a new world full of lavish capitals, deserted cities, ruined kingdoms, and unexplored forests. It was astounding to find mentions of modern-day inventions, such as cameras, biometric systems, and solar power-enabled vehicles. Yet, in a stroke of genius, she merged them seamlessly into the narrative that also speaks of winged steeds and blood oaths. The novel, sporting a dystopian theme, features a strong female lead who must utilize her hidden powers to save humanity. Reynolds creates tension and conflicts at every step, especially when Aluma felt a strange pull toward two heroes equally worthy of her affection. Reynolds portrays the eternal battle between light and darkness in this tale of love, betrayal, and magic. A Light in the Sky teaches us to hold onto the light even when everything seems bleak.