Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Ronel and the Best Gift Ever by Ronel D. Pierre is based on the true story of young Ronel who lives in the orphanage and longs to find his real parents. Through his imagination, he befriends Tootie the parrot and Sofy the spotted dog, who both agree to help him in his search. He puts posters of his lost family up in the forest. The other children at the orphanage laugh at his ideas, and when Kat, a kind woman, visits the home with gifts for all, Ronel misses out on a present and sits alone and lonely. But then Kat has a wonderful surprise for the little boy and Ronel finds happiness and a home of his own after all.

Ronel and the Best Gift Ever is one of those special stories that are part story and part concept book. Pierre’s account of the sadness and loneliness of an orphaned child is touching and heart-breaking. Ronel experiences what many children in such a situation experience: a longing and hopefulness that their parents are somewhere and that things will change for them. I love the way his imagination provides him with motivation and further hope, and his boldness in asking for what he wants. What a perceptive child too, to see that the unkind words and laughter of the other children at the orphanage are just projections of their own feelings of rejection and longing.

This book has a few special messages for young readers: about appreciating our homes and loved ones, understanding others, and doing what we can where we can to make a difference. We can’t have everything we long for in life, but it is good to believe situations can and do change in time. And it is always better to allow what happens to us in life to help us develop compassion and appreciation, and to use that to understand others. A gentle, poignant and well-written story that is accompanied by colorful and detailed illustrations on every page. A special book to share with a child or group of children which can prompt discussions about the issues raised by the story. So, a very worthy addition to any child’s home or class library.

Reviewed by Ryan Jordan for Readers' Favorite

Lexicon Chase and the Riddle Song by Jonathan Fore is a fast-paced fantasy novel with a lot of strong and evocative characters. We are introduced to Lexicon Chase, the princess, at the beginning of the story as she recounts her companions from previous adventures and, now that she is returned, her life seems completely different. She is overwhelmed and inundated with daily problems, but we start to get an introduction to her as a character as she interacts with people, standing up to bullies and introducing herself to people, but insisting she's nothing more than an ordinary girl. Everything changes, however, when there is an attempt made on her life and she is nearly killed. Terrors are sent after her, and she is forced to flee from her own home as it's the only chance she has to save her own life.

This is a well-written story with a lot of interesting moving parts. There is intrigue and many exciting moments. The action is described with eloquent detail and there are enough fantasy elements and tropes to keep anyone who is a fan of the genre more than pleased. I liked the way the author was able to tie in previous details and cleanly wrap up loose ends, and I really enjoyed the character of the princess. I thought Lexicon was well-written and very heroic, but without being made too unbelievable. Lexicon Chase and the Riddle Song by Jonathan Fore is a real winner, and fans of the genre will be thrilled to have stumbled upon this gem.

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

Whoa! Can you say epic read? Well, I can, and the title of that read is The Threat Below, Volume One of A Brathius History by author Jason Latshaw. Follow the story of 17–year-old Icelyn Brathius, part of a small group still alive, living at the top of a mountain above the clouds and away from the nameless threat down below that threatens their very survival. When the group realizes that their water supply is in danger, and the poison is coming from Down Below, they have no choice but to send an expedition there to face whatever danger they might find, the very danger that wiped out their ancestors, for their very survival. But when Icelyn finds that the stories she’s always accepted as truth might have more to them than she thought, she realizes she might need to uncover more than just the source of the poisoned water, in order to truly make it possible for her and those she cares about to go on living.

I loved this book. Loved. It. Young adult or no, The Threat Below is simply a delightful read for anyone who has an interest in fantasy, action, adventure, dystopian stories or just a unique and inventive piece of fiction. I also appreciated the fact that this story could easily be enjoyed by both young men or women equally. Author Jason Latshaw has done a fantastic job in creating characters that the reader will easily connect with and care about, and his world creation abilities are second to none. I highly recommend The Threat Below, Volume One of A Brathius History. I will certainly be watching to see what Jason Latshaw offers his reader next, and will be first in line to pick it up!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Ritual of the Four is a young adult paranormal fantasy written by Carla Trueheart. Shaw Huntley is on the run -- literally. He and his mother have so far remained just a few steps ahead of the scarred man and Shaw’s cousin, Alexander; the men who killed Shaw’s father and who will stop at nothing to get Shaw’s dagger. Each time they catch up with Shaw, he and his mom are packed and ready to go, once again, to yet another town, a different school, and with a new set of names. Shaw, Alexander, and the scarred man have a peculiar set of skills that runs in Shaw’s family lineage; they can slash and cut their victims using the power of their minds. Shaw’s powers are unusually strong and hard for him to control; once he has visualized that dagger in his mind, the object of his anger is cut. When they move to Rockpoint, New York, a quiet little upstate New York town, Shaw is prepared for yet another short stay before they have to leave, but the welcoming committee at his new high school, in the form of a game-playing girl named Melody, gives him just a few reasons to want to somehow make this stay last a little longer.

Carla Trueheart’s young adult paranormal fantasy, The Ritual of the Four, is exciting and action-packed. The author has written a spellbinding and highly imaginative story based around an ancient ritual that had created binding powers passed down through the family lineages of its participants. Shaw and Melody are authentic and compelling characters who work together to decipher the clues and puzzles that are all that’s left to help them stop the relentless and deadly pursuit by Alexander and the scarred man. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading The Ritual of the Four and had a marvelous time teasing out the coded message and other clues along with the two protagonists. This is a fast-paced story that’s filled with adventure, suspense, and just a bit of romance. The Ritual of the Four is wickedly good, and it’s most highly recommended for contemporary fantasy fans of all ages.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Gender Experiment by L.J. Sellers is a thriller that left on me the kind of powerful impression I had when I first read Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. Taylor Lopez is doing her internship in the morgue and she couldn’t complain about the work until something unusual catches her attention. She discovers people with similar traits are dying and her curiosity is piqued. Could it be a coincidence? Taylor is the kind of character with a driving curiosity and a stubbornness that can border on recklessness, but she is also the kind of character that readers will root for. She begins to check out profiles of the dead persons sharing the same medical traits and what she discovers is shocking: all these people were born in the same hospital and around the same time, but her startling discovery is just a clue pointing to an evil that can have nefarious consequences for humanity. Taylor has come too far to withdraw, and now, with a bounty on her life and the help of FBI agent Andra Bailey, she has to get to the truth before the enemy gets to her.

You’ll curse; you’ll open your mouth in utter wonder, and will grip the edge of your chair as you read this riveting tale of a young woman’s fight to expose one of the military’s deadly schemes. The Gender Experiment is a rare find, a treasure that will delight thriller lovers. It’s fast-paced, with a cast of well-developed characters and a setting that is hard to forget. L.J. Sellers is a master entertainer and knows just how to get readers turning the pages. The masterful use of suspense will make your heart ache as you turn the pages, but you’ll have to turn them until you are done. It’s undoubtedly one of the best thrillers of the year.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Clockwork Glowbirds: An Orville Wellington Mouse Adventure is a young adult adventure fantasy novel written by Tom Hoffman. Orville was enjoying one of his strangely realistic dreams when he suddenly woke up in his own bedroom. He had been wandering through the most wonderful grove of orange trees which gave off an intoxicatingly sweet scent and enjoying the summer heat, but, best of all, he had Sophia, his best friend, by his side. She drew his attention to a massive tree with perfectly circular, sky-blue leaves, and as they stood beneath it, Sophia suddenly conjured up a ripe and juicy orange. After the warmth of that dream world, the frigid air in his bedroom was even harder to adjust to, but he did have only one more day of school left. As he looked around, however, he was stunned to see that the orange had also somehow materialized in his room. And this wasn't the first time something from his dream had entered his waking world; there had been the glowbird feathers and the round, sky-blue leaves. Needing to convince himself of its reality, Orville peeled the orange and savored the sweet juice as he ate the segments. Yes, it could not be denied or thought a fiction if he was actually eating it. This was something he would definitely have to discuss with Sophia on their way to school.

Tom Hoffman's young adult coming of age fantasy, Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Clockwork Glowbirds: An Orville Wellington Mouse Adventure is magical, exciting, witty and wise. It has marvelous characters and a smashing plot, and the story ties in quite nicely with the author's Bartholomew the Adventurer trilogy. As I began reading this rather remarkable steampunk fantasy, I soon felt a magical glow overwhelming me and a most pleasant alteration of my mood. This book made me smile. Of course, there was danger to be realized and not a little suspense as I read of Orville and Sophia's encounters with some rather terrifying off-world creatures, but the sterling company I was privileged to be a part of made even the most gigantic centipede with gnashing teeth seem manageable somehow. I am a huge fan of Bartholomew the Adventurer and the other unforgettable personalities inhabiting Hoffman's first trilogy and was thrilled to discover that the Orville Wellington Mouse Adventures were set in much the same universe. Orville Wellington Mouse is a Metaphysical Adventurer Extraordinaire, and I'm anxiously awaiting news of his and Sophia's next adventure. Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Clockwork Glowbirds: An Orville Wellington Mouse Adventure is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

The empty feeling of not belonging to a group is timeless, as Orfeo demonstrates clearly in The Sword of Telemon: The Orfeo Saga Book 1 by Murray Lee Eiland, Jr. Born as the second son of King Kiros, Orfeo was sent to the foreign city of Pylos as a hostage when he was roughly 5 or 6 years old to guarantee peace for his nomadic tribe. While in Pylos, Orfeo studied alongside the prince with a renowned scholar and that knowledge would prove quite useful many years later. After escaping Pylos and returning to the hillsides and sheep of his Achian heritage, Orfeo is not accepted by the people who now view him suspiciously. When his older brother and heir to the king, Herron, is captured and feared enslaved by the Therans, Orfeo is among the group that will attempt a rescue. Instead of simply minding sheep, Orfeo is now responsible for learning to fight with a sword and use his cunning to face and survive many adventures. From an isolated teenage boy, Orfeo turns into a wise young man who uses his many talents to help his people defeat a tireless enemy. Will he learn enough to succeed?

The Sword of Telemon: The Orfeo Saga Book 1 by Murray Lee Eiland, Jr. provides an amazing look at ancient Greek life from roughly 1,600 years ago. Against this historic backdrop, the story of Orfeo is compelling. The characters come alive and the thoughtful emotion Eiland fills them with truly lets you feel as though you are toiling along with them. The action is intense and really gives you an idea about ancient beliefs, many of which are still with us today, such as loyalty, personal choice, responsibility, and duty to others. This book is amazing and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to read it. The strong characters and realistic emotions truly provide lessons about assuming responsibility and looking at the different aspects of every issue. The Sword of Telemon offers a great look at ancient history as well as the modern quest for a sense of purpose and belonging.

Reviewed by Maria Stoica for Readers' Favorite

Hugh the Southern Flame by R.J. Tolson is the second book in the young adult fantasy series, Chaos Chronicles. In the world of Evos, the Nios Crystal is said to be the most powerful weapon of all since it granted control over fear itself. Espers are people with supernatural powers who are ranked on five levels, based on their power and ability to control it. Burst City is the most technologically advanced settlement in this world and its prosperity is assured by the agents. These are highly powerful people who go on missions into the dangerous lands beyond the walls of Burst and who make sure their city stays on top of the others. Aodhfin, the most powerful of the Burst agents, managed to find the Nios Crystal, but lost it and he was banished for this terrible mistake.

Presently, Hugh, Aodhfin's seventeen-year-old son, an untrained, level one pyrokinesis Esper who discovered his abilities while being bullied at the orphanage, is sent into Burst City to study. Having lived all his life in his father’s shadow and been abused for his predecessor’s failures, Hugh is delighted to learn that he had been selected to enter the three phased trial of becoming an agent of Burst. But, the reputation of the trial is fierce, having claimed lives in the past. To free himself from his father’s mistakes and find friendship, Hugh is willing to risk everything.

The second book can be read without knowledge of the first volume; however, the latter’s readers will be delighted to see certain symbols and patterns repeat themselves as R.J. Tolson prepares the ground for the bigger picture - the four demigods chosen to stop Chaos. Hugh the Southern Flame is the tale of the second chosen one. Throughout the story, we follow Hugh’s point of view as he describes the places he visits, the wonders he witnesses, and gives rich details on his training and fighting. There isn’t any shocking violence, but there is a constant stress as the whole world seems to be against Hugh, and he struggles to find friends and the truth about himself and his father. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this novel from Chaos Chronicles and await its sequel. I would recommend it to readers who want a vivid taste of the warrior’s journey in conquering fear. It is an inner journey as much as it is an outer one.

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

The Drummer’s Call by Patricia Leppo is an exploration into posterity. Josh is a California bred ninth grader, who loves video games and playing drums in his band. Recently, the loss of his father has rocked his world. Sandy, Josh’s mom, feels the burden of loneliness, grief and responsibility. Hoping the change of scenery will get them through the winter break, Sandy decides to take her kids, Evie and Josh, to visit her aunt and uncle in Tennessee. Josh is not thrilled about the idea. He would like nothing more than to have a break from his family. Upon their arrival at the Osprey Inn, all Josh sees is a run-down old building. He couldn't care less about the family history that ties him to this historical landmark. Trying to sleep, Josh is mysteriously stirred by the rat-a-tat rhythm of a drum. It is as if the drumming is calling to him. After a few days, boredom takes over and Josh begins to explore. With curiosity as his guide, Josh discovers the basement. Looking around, he notices an old drum hanging on the wall. Suddenly, the atmosphere of the forgotten room changes and Josh finds himself time warped into the Civil War era. Far away from his family, Josh is alone, “so many miles, so many years from home.” Or, maybe this is the journey of his lifetime, the pathway home. Stepping into history, Josh follows the beckoning sound of “The Drummer’s Call.”

Josh and his sidekick, Toby, are a delightful combination. They have a rare and unforgettable bond created through timeless escapades. They are much like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, or Frodo and Sam, portraying the reality that boys will be boys, regardless of the era. The deprivation of the time and the fortitude to survive is visualized through the eyes of the young hero. The young protagonist, Josh, travels the path of his heritage; he literally descends into the world of his descendants. Josh experiences the overwhelming loss and hardship of a country divided by war. Hard work for the young and the old, issues of slavery, lack of sanitation and brother set against brother on the battlefield are revealed throughout the story.

Patricia Leppo pens a tale of adventure in The Drummer’s Call. In a story based on real life events, Leppo definitely did her homework. This fictional narrative is easy to read, making it a desirable book for her target audience. Yet, it is full of historical accuracy, taking the reader into the world of the Civil War, creating a story for all ages. Leppo depicts her time setting with sensory perception. The action flows, peaks, and ebbs smoothly. The denouement unfolds with sad and promising outcomes, giving way to a satisfying conclusion ... leaving the lasting reminder to be careful what you wish for because you never know where it will take you.

Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite

It all began with what sounded like the ramblings of an inventive, 10-year-old girl. Colin knew his little sister always came up with the most weird stories, but even for her this was a little too creative. While the two were admiring the clouds, Addy commented, “That one is the hummingbird that dropped the coin.” Of course, Colin brushed it off as just another of her super imaginative moments. Little did he know that Addy's statement about the hummingbird and their missing family dog would be the beginning of a journey that would shake the very core of life as he knew it. Soon the two siblings find themselves at the center of a mystery involving legends, magic, a witch, a lonesome man in a castle, a fairy, an alternative world, and deep and powerful secrets. So how much trouble can two curious kids stuck in the middle of it all get into? You have no idea!

Every now and then you are fortunate enough to come across a story that speaks to you from the first page and you know right away that you are going to have an exciting ride all the way to the final page. The Gatekeeper's Forbidden Secret by Penelope A. Brown is one of those stories. Brilliant writing, memorable characters in every form and age, an enchanting setting, and just the right mix of magic and sci-fi - the perfect making of an adventure of a lifetime. The Gatekeeper's Forbidden Secret is a thrilling story that will give its readers, both young and old, an amazing and memorable ride across realms. Fans of fiction fantasy with a touch of science fiction are definitely going to love this one.