Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Dotty and the Chimney Thief is a children’s book written by Emma Warner-Reed. Whilst in Skype chat with her best friend, Sylvia, Dotty Parsons is aggrieved to discover that one of her best friends, Joe, has disappeared. In trying to consult with her Great Uncle Winchester (Winny) and Pip – two people who know the Sweep network better than most – Dotty is constantly watched and followed and scrutinized by Winny’s sleazy assistant, Strake, who seems to try to roadblock every move she makes. After it is discovered that the evil Vagabond King is behind Joe’s kidnapping, Dotty realizes that the only person who can lead Dotty to Joe’s whereabouts is an imprisoned chimney thief, Skitter, and he’s not talking until his sister, Sarah, is by his side. Desperate to save her friend, Dotty embarks on a dangerous, yet exciting adventure, with one aim in mind: Find Sarah and convince her to visit Skitter so that he will disclose the Vagabond King’s location. It might all seem simple, but time is not on Dotty's side, as the Sweep’s Council are about to hand down their decision on Skitter’s fate for his crimes.

Emma Warner-Reed’s adventurous tale of young Dotty Parsons is extremely well written, but with so much information to take in, I believe that it is imperative for readers to read the first book in the series, titled Dotty and the Calendar House Key, in order to fully appreciate the story behind all of the characters in the book. Dotty and the Chimney Thief is a story of bravery and strength, with Dotty having to overcome all of her fears and any obstacles which come in the way so that she can save her friend, Joe. With the forces of good working with her, one can easily mistake Dotty’s task as simple. The evil inside the Calendar House, in the form of Strake, however, as well as that within the chimney sweep network, creates obstacles which at times seem insurmountable. I enjoyed the strong message of love and friendship, as Dotty does what she can to bring her friend safely home, and recommend Dotty and the Chimney Thief to readers who love action, humor, dedication and fun in this suspenseful and dramatic adventure.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Koolura and the Mayans by Michael Thal is the third book in the Koolura series, an exciting story that will take readers on a historic ride back into the old Maya civilization. Koolura and her friend, Leila, are just two young teens visiting Mexico. They stumble on a device that allows them to travel back in time. They are thrust into an early Maya civilization, whose people are enslaved by the Aquari. The people hope for a goddess who could set them free. Could Koolura be this goddess?

Although Koolura and the Mayans is written for a pre-teen audience, it was fun to read as an adult. Michael Thal’s characters are awesome and I enjoyed Koolura and Leila, two girls who are smart and very ingenious. They make a great team. Readers will enjoy watching them evolve through the story. The author seems to create a whole new culture around the Maya and the story feels so real, reading about the people and the challenges they face. At the level of style, this book is beautifully accomplished. First off, the reader will notice the gorgeous accessible writing, composed of short and easy-to-understand sentences. The writing also features great descriptions of characters and setting. The descriptive prose creates powerful images in the minds of readers. I enjoyed the well-crafted dialogues which make the characters come to life. Readers will love the adventure, the drama, the conflict, and the entertaining nature of this story. I enjoyed it!

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Doc Christmas and the Magic of Trains by Neil Enock is a wonderful story about how a doctor saved Christmas! An epidemic has invaded the North Pole; all of the elves are sick and are not responding to any known medical cures. Christmas is right around the corner and there is no one to help make and distribute the Christmas presents. Nick and DJ are desperately trying to figure out the cause of the outbreak, but are completely nonplussed. There is only one man that they know of who can save them, but he has lost the magic of Christmas. Dr. Archibald Stevens had been a train enthusiast and with the help of his wife, Marilee, and daughter, Vicki, had built a magnificent train world. After Marilee died, he closed himself off from his family, friends, and the magic of the trains. Nick and DJ have to convince him to remember the magic and help save the elves. Will they be able to do it in time?

Doc Christmas and the Magic of Trains by Neil Enock is an enchanting story about one man's journey and how it affected the world. Doc had an amazing friend and family support system that he couldn't even acknowledge through his own pain. Vicki, Jeanette and Helga were warm-hearted and caring characters and I loved how they lovingly and subtly coerced Doc back into believing in magic and living again. With their belief and love behind him, Doc was able to break through the unbelief and try to help Nick with the crisis. I was so caught up in the story that it never occurred to me that not everybody believes in magic. Neil Enock has created a story that extends beyond Christmas and brings magic to every single day. This book will be a much-loved part of my Christmas library from now on. I recommend it to all those who love a good Christmas North Pole story and to those who love trains.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

‘Where is everyone?’ Telly, the bus driver, always took pride in being on time to pick up the school kids. That particular day he realizes that something is out of place. In Children of the Future by Jane Suen, readers learn that all the children in the school are missing, except Billy who is frightened and has hidden himself in the cabinet. Everyone in the little town of Rocky Flats is worried. Nothing of this sort has happened before and they must find the missing children. Telly, with Billy's help, tries to find out what has happened to the twenty-five children and three teachers and their mysterious disappearance. What has happened to the children and teachers of the school? Will Telly be able to find the missing children?

The book conveys a good message to readers through the story and children will enjoy the twists and turns, and suspense and mystery. The story is refreshingly original and the detailed narration will take readers right there where it is happening. The author manages to build up the suspense in the plot as the story progresses, and comes up with an unexpected ending. The book is good for bedtime story-telling. The storyline is interesting and the characters are well developed and the story will interest young adults too. The author does a great job of capturing the fears and frustrations of the people of the town of Rocky Flats and she manages to hold the attention of readers till the very end.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Come on a meditation adventure with Lolli in Lolli & The Lollipop: Meditation Adventures For Kids by Elena Paige. Are you feeling sad, misunderstood, or angry? Did you have a bad day? Lolli understands. She doesn't want you to feel bad, so she has invited you to visit her home. She is certain that she can help you feel better. Take Lolli's hand and travel to the amazing Land of Color. Don't worry, you won't get lost in the Land of Color, but you will see some spectacular sights and meet some interesting characters. In the Land of Color, you may even learn a few things. Do you need cheering up? Did you know that some birds may even wear polka-dotted undies? Well, they do in the Land of Silly! Lolli will gladly take you there if you want to go. She is sure that you will feel so much better when you get back home. You never know what you will do when you take an adventure with Lolli, only that you will come home smiling.

Children have bad days too. Lolli & The Lollipop by Elena Paige is a cute meditation book for children. The reader is given step-by-step instructions on how to breathe, relax, and send love before going into each meditation. As the child is transported through various "meditation adventures," they are gently instructed to release old habits and beliefs that no longer serve them, and are reminded that they are fun and creative, and so much more. The meditations are written in such a way that the child will be able to cultivate these important habits and values without triggering ego and causing over-thinking. The adventures are fun and help to calm the child while guiding the use of their active imaginations.

Since it is clear that the author knows how to meditate properly, I would highly recommend this book to parents that are serious about teaching their young children to meditate. I would suggest this book to parents and children ages 4-7. I found my horrible week just melted away after reading the first few paragraphs, so I am confident it could be helpful to an overly stressed parent of young children as it can be used as a nightly meditation or a calming book for storytime.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

In The Benighted, the first book in The Benighted Saga by A.M. Dunnewin, twenty-three-year-old Skylar Mandolyn finds herself named heir after the tragic death of her brother. As the final heir, her existence is both an asset to the kingdom and a threat to those hoping to see its destruction. When her father is found murdered by assassins not long after her brother, instead of becoming queen, Skylar is imprisoned for helping her knight Harlin, who has been framed for the murder, escape. With her only hope being the knight who has gone missing, Skylar refuses to yield to the enemy, both foreign and those lurking in her own court, and must find the strength to oppose those determined to break her spirit through torture.

Jumping between Skylar's present day situation and the past events leading up to it, Dunnewin manages to find the perfect balance in telling a story through flashbacks. It doesn't feel gimmicky nor does it bog the story down. I did wish the romance between Skylar and Harlin was emphasized a little more, but it has a subtle sweetness to it and I thought seeing Skylar grow and mature from a reluctant queen to a determined ruler was a satisfying alternative. Dunnewin crafts a fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable tale that has a slight steam punk bent thrown into the fantasy. It makes the setting of knights and princesses somewhat unique and is sure to grab readers' attention. The Benighted, the first book in a new fantasy series by A.M. Dunnewin, is great for fantasy fans looking for a quick read.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I liked The Sorcerer’s Quest by Rain Oxford. As the title implies, it is a traditional quest adventure with magic and all the fantastic beasts and other elements you can expect in this kind of tale. I am a big fan of magical stories so I am always looking for a new writer with a fresh angle on this genre. Rain Oxford is such a writer. I am also on the lookout for new takes on Merlin and the Arthurian legends. Merlin as a wolf certainly qualifies as new. Though this story is not strictly speaking an Arthurian tale, Merlin looms large in a fresh and interesting representation. I liked the contrast between an older and wiser Merlin, and the young and very naive Ayden. They make a pretty good team.

The Sorcerer’s Quest is the first book in a series called The Sorcerer’s Saga. Rain Oxford lays out a very unique world with its own rules and labels concerning magic, and how magic works. I found the tone of The Sorcerer’s Quest refreshing. Though the situation and the plot are serious, there is a strong element of light hearted comedy and irony throughout the book. The characters were done well. The plot keeps the story moving along and the conclusion is not as predictable as you might at first think. Rain Oxford has a light, deft touch, and the writing flows along at a pace perfect for this kind of story. The Sorcerer’s Quest is fresh, and I look forward to following this exciting new series.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus: Orville Wellington Mouse, Book 2 is a young adult metaphysical adventure fantasy written by Tom Hoffman. Orville's dream seemed so real. He was deep in the Symocan jungle, trying to enjoy the warm sun and luxuriant foliage, but Sophia seemed obsessed with counting the minutes and even seconds until something or other would happen. He just didn't understand why she was unable to dissociate for a while and relax, but, finally, he gave in to her prodding and challenged her to a race to the top of the volcano. He felt awful gazing into that bubbling liquid heat, the hot air all distorted and wavy as he peered into the volcano. And Sophia was actually determined that they should leave their precarious, yet relatively safe, perch on the rim, and jump into that fiery maelstrom. Sophia reminded him that it was only a dream, and she assured him that it wouldn't hurt, but it took the staunchest adventurer's leap of faith to allow him to clutch Sophia's paw and jump. Waking, Orville was relieved to see that it was, indeed, a dream, but was puzzled by the thick coating of snow that covered his night table. The chilly mess seemed particularly odd considering the jungles and volcano he had just experienced. There had to be a reason, he figured, for these two disparate, yet obviously connected, events. He'd have to discuss it with Sophia.

Tom Hoffman's metaphysical adventure fantasy for young adults, Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus, follows now veteran adventurers Orville and Sophie as they take on their newest assignment as a Metaphysical Adventuring team. Yes, it's the second book in Hoffman's series, and, yes, again, you can read this book on its own, but don't. Seriously. Each of Tom Hoffman's books is a gem, and they fit together to make an astonishingly good literary tapestry of metaphysical adventure, fantasy, science fiction and just a bit of quantum physics. Well, maybe a little more than just a bit, but don't let your lack of mastery of such matters keep you from diving head first, or jumping feet first as Sophie and Orville do, into Hoffman's quirky and most marvelous universe. Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus lets the reader travel to distant planets, solve mysteries, and study the remnants of long-gone civilizations, and you'll be doing it in the finest of companies.

I love seeing how well Orville and Sophia's strengths complement each other. Their banter and laughingly begrudging appreciation of each other's growing gifts is a treat, as is the way each keeps the other from taking themselves too seriously. Watching as the daredevil in Sophia is constantly tugging along the not so sure Orville has to be one of my favorite humorous aspects of this series. Proto, the Rabbiton and the newest addition to Orville’s family, with his love of adventure and rather odd appetite for encountering strange and horrible beasties, is a hoot and a half, especially when one considers his other avocation for baking little frosted cakes while wearing Orville's mom's aprons.

Hoffman's fictional universe, which seemed so limitless in the Bartholomew the Adventurer Series, just keeps on expanding. Each new volume promises metaphysical delights, strange horizons, wormholes and hidden doors into far-off places, and ever more opportunities to learn, grow and experience alongside the adventurers. I'm so pleased with this book -- the characters are first-rate and the plot is marvelous. Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Shattered Abacus: Orville Wellington Mouse, Book 2 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite

In The Black River Chronicles (Level One) by David Tallerman and Michael Wills, the Black River Academy of Swordcraft and Spellcraft is a go-to training centre for rangers, wizards, fighters and rogues. Its current newest group of students has been at the academy for three months and, as such, it is time to group them into parties of four - one from each craft - that would henceforth execute their quests together. Durren - a ranger with a big secret - is grouped with Tia - a rogue who thinks she is too good for the group, Arein - a wizard too emotional for her own good - and Hule - a fighter who acts before he thinks. Together they will be sent on various missions for the academy. After their embarrassingly disastrous first quest, the group is spared punishment only after a staff member desiring a challenge offers to take them on as their mentor. The group can barely stand each other, yet they must work together to prove they deserve the second chance they have been given. But when your tasks include capturing a wicked unicorn and stealing from a monastery filled with crazed priests, a lot can go wrong. Noticing something weird about their tasks, they decide to take on a side quest of their own and get to the bottom of it all.

The Black River Chronicles: Level One by David Tallerman and Michael Wills is a captivating YA adventure that combines an amazing setting, a fascinating cast of characters, and flawless narration to give you a thrilling reading experience. The descriptive narration is very vivid and draws you into this world of magic, adventure and action. The entire story could have been set within the boundaries of the academy and still be a winning setting, but then quests, each set in a unique and memorable location, added even more adventure and thrills. David Tallerman and Michael Wills produced one hell of an adventure - a must-read for all who enjoy thrilling, fast-paced YA adventures. The Black River Chronicles: Level One is a brilliant start to what will no doubt be an award winning series and I cannot wait to see what trouble the group gets into at the next level.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Six teenagers have been preparing their entire lives to combat the forces of evil that are determined to take over the world – except they knew nothing about it. Brought together as the Northern and Southern Alliances through amazing guidance from a higher power, Shanti, Helena, Antônio, Nasir, Tadao and Itai represent different cultures and religious backgrounds, but all have one thing in common. They each believe in peace, the preservation of nature, and the rights of all people and animals to live free and safe from harm. In Shanti and the Magic Mandala by F.T. Camargo, these characters are guided by cosmic forces intent on preventing the Children of Satan from exerting their evil influence over the entire world. With the help of sacred objects, archangels, guardians and animal guides, they use their knowledge, interests, past experiences and deep faith to follow the signs leading them to the center of the Cosmos by beautiful Lake Titicaca, high in the mountains of Peru. In spite of their connection in past lives and all the help from the forces of good, will these teens be able to stop those who have sought power and domination for countless millennia?

For readers seeking an amazing adventure, this book by F.T. Camargo is an absolute must. With tremendous insight, Camargo animates these diverse characters with intelligence, spirit and dedication - qualities to be praised and emulated. Shanti and the Magic Mandala is also a detailed and entertaining travelogue that brings different areas of the world to vivid life through not only detailed descriptions, but also typical local action. The key to this wonderful story, though, is the power of light and love that is clearly demonstrated by these teens who never expected they would be the ones to save the world. With a depth worthy of Dan Brown’s novels, this is the perfect introduction to mystical elements that affect us in a format perfect for younger readers. Fantastic story! Just reading it makes me believe that the world can be a better place!