I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young middle school kid struggling both academically and at home finds himself a new family when he is asked to join the high school marching band, and discovers more about himself than he thought possible in author Patrick R.F. Blakley’s “Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music”.
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The Synopsis
Drummond is tasked with joining his high school marching band’s drumline and needs to find himself to succeed. You, like Drummond, might find yourself overthinking your life, or sometimes struggle to understand what you want to do with your future. The book is about figuring out who we are inside, then learning how to fit in. Drummond grapples and second-guesses himself throughout the book, but dealing with outside factors isn’t easy! Finding some unexpected help along the way guides him into his role in the band, and in life. When family life outside of the band gets dark, Drummond needs to fit into his new family within the marching band!
The Review
This was such a brilliantly written and captivating YA Genre Fiction read! The author expertly crafted a relatable and genuine narrative that felt alive on the page, and the imagery and tone the author captured ranged from the desolate to the passionate depending on the protagonist’s environment and mood. The themes of finding a community to belong to, nurturing one’s gift, and seeking family in the face of chaotic home life all played a central role in the protagonist’s narrative.
The character growth was the heart and passion of the story in this book. The balance the author struck between Drummond’s turbulent and struggle of home life with the newfound passion and inspiration he finds, (as well as a new family), in his life in the marching band. The attention to detail the author puts into the actual percussions of the book and Drummond’s lessons in the marching band will ring a special note with music enthusiasts, and the nuanced way the author explores family dynamics will be widely felt in this reading.
The Verdict
Engaging, thought-provoking, and a special rhythm all its own, author Patrick R.F. Blakley’s “Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music” is a must-read YA Genre Fiction novel! The author’s own personal background in percussions and the origins of this story resting in the author’s previous children’s book make this story shine so much more brightly, and the personal touches the author puts on the narrative, as well as the emotional connection readers will form with Drummond, make this such an incredibly moving read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Patrick R. F. Blakley is a SAMMY award-winning percussionist from Syracuse, New York. He is a music judge for the New York State Field Band Conference and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018! Patrick has written two technical marching percussion books and also a children’s book called Drummy Drum Joins Marchy Band. The children’s book inspired his Drummond novel, which explores the question of why a drum would join the marching band in the first place. As it turns out, the drum was just a projection of his inner-self and Drummond had to find out who he really was inside! Drummond then uses that newfound information to try to fit in and connect with his new family!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man goes in search of answers to seek the answers to how the brain and consciousness are connected in this unique blend of fiction and non-fiction elements in author Arnon Levy’s “The Mindful Brain”.
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The Synopsis
The Mindful Brain is a meeting place between professional basic issues of psychology, positive psychology, psychotherapy, mind and brain, and human life, from the 21st -century perspective, together with a futuristic fictional story.
Norman, the main protagonist of the story, is an international press correspondent who came to Israel a few years ago. After his girlfriend Tal hits the road on a voyage of self-exploration to the famous Ashram on the island of Lesbos, Norman decides to leave on his own lifetime journey to look for answers to existential dilemmas that have preoccupied him since long ago. After a brief but staggering visit to an old friend who found his safe haven in a small village in Brittany, France, Norman left for Paris, where he met the enigmatic amazing old Kim.
Kim presents Norman with bewildering existential Koan riddles and unveils before him a new conception of psychopathology and psychotherapy and their relations to the riddle of the brain-consciousness relationships. These pointed Norman to a new way of thinking which went beyond the common conceptual paradigms and opened the gate to his in-depth understanding of his inner world and the world in which we live. The last chapters describe the sermon on the mountain in which Norman integrates all the groundbreaking insights that emerged during his journey, into a whole unified view of the meaning of the human story.
The Review
This was an absolutely thought-provoking and engaging story! The author struck such an incredible balance between fictional storytelling and real-world applications to psychology and the study of the mind overall. The way the author challenges the reader to answer questions about themselves throughout the book and examines how our brains are able to tie into the greater concept of consciousness overall was so mind-bending and had me really enraptured with the author’s words. The practices and techniques discussed and spoken about will also benefit readers who are searching for methods of searching inward for answers to their more existential questions about life.
The fictional aspect of the narrative was also quite captivating. The characters felt very fleshed out and realistic, while the narrative took on a great idea of blending futuristic settings and elements into a more “magical” quality of storytelling. For me, the blend of fiction and nonfiction ties greatly into my interests in the point in which science, magic, and reality all intersect, for I do believe that there is a point that exists like that, and this book really captured that heart and theme quite well.
The Verdict
Memorable, captivating, and wildly entertaining, author and Prof. Arnon Levy, Ph.D.’s “The Mindful Brain” is a must-read novel and an absolutely engaging read. The exploration of psychology and the mind overall within this fictional setting is so unique and creative and does a great job of attracting a wider audience as a result that will devour this book instantly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Prof. Arnon Levy Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and psycho-anthropologist. His book “The Mindful Brain” results from his 40 years of clinical experience in psychology, psychotherapy, psychopathology, and coaching psychology. In his previous books, arnon established the basis for the concept of Dynamic Positive Coaching Psychology discussed in “The Mindful Brain”. Arnon founded and directed Coaching Psychology programs at Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Universities and supervised his graduate students to a Ph.D. degree in coaching psychology in collaboration with Middlesex University UK. Arnon was the chairman of The Israeli Association for psychotherapy(IAP) and is today Vice President of the International Society for Coaching Psychology (ISCP).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
After his father passes away, a struggling writer who spent his life in his successful father’s shadow finds his late dad’s unpublished work, and must struggle with whether to use it to launch his own career while learning more about his father’s past in author Joe Pace’s “Moss”.
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The Synopsis
Isaiah Moss was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. His illegitimate son Oscar Kendall wasn’t. Living in Isaiah’s inescapable shadow, Oscar has become an inveterate quitter who hides his own literary work from the world rather than suffer the pain of failure or rejection.
But when Isaiah suddenly dies, Oscar inherits the old man’s lakefront writing cabin in New Hampshire. There he finds his father’s typewriter, a full liquor cabinet, and an unpublished manuscript of such genius that it could launch Oscar’s career if he claims it as his own.
But as Oscar wrestles with his own twisted inspirations, he meets the women in Isaiah’s life and begins to learn the depths of his father’s secrets…and the costs that come with unresolved trauma and romantic delusion.
The Review
This was a truly profound and moving read. The author did an incredible job of crafting a character-driven narrative that excelled in the most personal and intimate of ways. The emotional pull of the narrative and the honesty in which the author crafted these characters was both relatable and yet mesmerizing to behold, especially with main characters Oscar and May, who each hold a past of hardships and struggles in their own right.
There were quite a lot of truly memorable themes in this story, but two of the ones that stood out the most were the complexity of loss and the legacy of war. These themes were profound as they reflected Oscar and May’s individual journeys perfectly. The heartbreaking reality of Oscar’s non-existent relationship with his late father and the path he must walk to find empathy and understanding for others who are suffering is felt strongly, while May’s experiences with the war and how it has impacted her not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well are greatly explored and keep an honest dialogue going within the reader throughout the narrative.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, poetic, and engaging, author Joe Pace’s “Moss” is a must-read novel. The intense and layered struggles that we as humans face and the way in which we relate to one another are thoroughly explored in this narrative, and the heart of the narrative focuses on connections and how we engage with one another despite past experiences or traumas made this such a moving read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Joe Pace is a writer of literary and science fiction. He studied political science and history at the University of New Hampshire, and his writing reflects his ongoing academic and practical interest in both.
Joe has also served in elective office, taught American history, and worked in business banking. His assorted interests include comic books, pickup basketball, Greek mythology, and the occasional marathon. He was elected student body president as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire and then served nine years on the Select Board in Exeter. After coming up short in a bid for New Hampshire’s Executive Council, he returned to municipal governance as a Selectman in his new hometown of Kensington.
As a storyteller, he seeks to weave memorable characters and places with unforgettable stories that speak to the human condition. His literary inspirations include John Irving, Lloyd Alexander, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Patrick O’Brian. He’s also an unapologetic Star Trek, Marvel, and West Wing guy.
Joe was born and raised in seacoast New Hampshire and still calls it home with his wife, Sarah, their sons Bobby and Xavier, and their dopey dogs Sam and Joy.
The foundations for a family legacy that will withstand the test of time take center stage in author J. Traveler Pelton’s “The Oberllyn Origins: Prequel to the Oberllyn Generations Series”.
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The Synopsis
In the beginning, the kidnapped ancestors of the Oberllyn’s had to rescue themselves from slavery in a strange land. How does someone travel from the freedom of tribal lands to Scotland and back again generations later with their integrity unblemished? Who were the true barbarians, the colonists or the native peoples? Travel back with us to the time when trees were tall, the settled country was being invaded by refugees from a failed civilization, and two young people made the best of a terrible situation. They founded a dynasty. However, their first task was survival.
The Review
This was a truly compelling historical fiction/drama. The author really drew the reader in, capturing the raw and visceral nature of early life in the Americas and how the Native American people were treated so cruelly by the settlers. Yet the action and history moved quite quickly, allowing brief yet impactful glimpses at the multitude of events throughout the 18th and 19th centuries through the eyes of this vastly growing family.
The way the author was able to connect the larger story of the Oberllyn Family from the original trilogies to this prequel was so engaging. The descriptive nature and wide cast of characters the author employed into the narrative was magnificent to behold, and really made the settings come to life in a very real way. The attention to detail the author utilized to the language and actions of the people back in those eras was so precise and made the characters feel alive on the pages.
The Verdict
Memorable, engaging, and awe-inspiring, author J. Traveler Pelton’s “The Oberllyn Origins: Prequel to the Oberllyn Generations Series” is a must-read novel. The history, the culture, and the examination of several generations of what would become a prominent family in the author’s other series made this such an entertaining read. The story was heartfelt and emotional, and the characters were so vibrant on the page that readers won’t be able to put down this book until the very end. If you haven’t yet, download or purchase your copy of this amazing story today!
J. Traveler Pelton was born in West Virginia in the last century. She is active in her home church and was the Nation’s Mother for her tribe for several years. She is still wife to Dan after 47 years (He is so long-suffering!), mother of six adults, a grandmother of nine, a Clinically Licensed Independent Social worker in private practice, a retired adjunct professor of social work at her local university, and an avid reader. She lives on a mini-farm with her husband, seven alpaca, a flock of spoiled chickens, five Siamese cats, four Pomeranians, a talkative Amazon parrot named Gizmo, and her aviary of canaries. Traveler enjoys the intersection of fantasy, possibility, creativity, and speculation. Join her on the other side of the imagination tree. She’ll be sitting there waiting for your visit.
Author J. Traveler Pelton takes promises and messages from the Bible to help those seeing council or help throughout Lent to find the peace and help that God has promised everyone in the book, “Living the Promises of God, Devotions of Discovery”.
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The Synopsis
Lent is all about reflection, change, grace, and promises, and this devotional brings them all to you. Living the Promises of God, A Devotional of Discovery will take you on a journey into God’s realm of promises. You might not want to come back! If you need a change in your life, a release from boredom, and real adventure and growth, this is your spiritual emphasis book!
The Review
The educational yet personable way the author relays the information in this devotional was well done. The way the author is able to not only relay the faith-based knowledge of the book to the reader but connect with a wider audience over the struggles and strengths that we all hold within ourselves was widely felt in this book.
This was the perfect read for those who enjoy faith-based devotional work and self-help/self-care. The author made sure to craft a short yet powerful read that was able to tap into the emotions and thought-processes of those who read the book and built a strong foundation for which those who seek to learn more about this subject can grow and learn to impart these practices and verses into their own lives.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and educational, author J. Traveler Pelton’s “Living the Promises of God, Devotions of Discovery” is a must-read book for Christian and faith-based readers. The heart and passion for which the author connects with their readers and the thought-provoking details the author provides from the Bible itself and the stud of how this relates to our lives was a fantastic study of faith overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
J. Traveler Pelton was born in West Virginia in the last century. She is active in her home church and was the Nation’s Mother for her tribe for several years. She is still wife to Dan after 47 years (He is so long-suffering!), mother of six adults, a grandmother of nine, a Clinically Licensed Independent Social worker in private practice, a retired adjunct professor of social work at her local university, and an avid reader. She lives on a mini-farm with her husband, seven alpaca, a flock of spoiled chickens, five Siamese cats, four Pomeranians, a talkative Amazon parrot named Gizmo, and her aviary of canaries. Traveler enjoys the intersection of fantasy, possibility, creativity, and speculation. Join her on the other side of the imagination tree. She’ll be sitting there waiting for your visit.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four students who had hoped to change the world with mathematically based dynamics find their world instead of on the brink of war, as violent protestors rise and a series of hangings around the city grips them all in author Lee Hunt’s “Knight in Retrograde”, the third and final chapter in the Dynamicist Trilogy.
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The Synopsis
Would you trade uncertainty for stagnation, chance for god, invention for inertia, thought for dogma?.
Four years have passed since the events of Dynamicist and war is on the horizon. Robert, Koria, Eloise and Gregory went to the New School, hoping to change the world. They thought that mathematically based dynamics, the enlightened age’s answer to wizardry, would give them the power to make everything better.Their hopes were naive.
Protestors are condemning the creation of a new vaccine. The city is seeing a series of hangings; is it murder or sacrament? The cloaked man is back stalking students. The long-absent demons Skoll and Hati reappear and begin slaughtering whoever they meet. But the real question is, will Nimrheal return? If he does, who will die first?
Uncertainty is inspiring fear, and inventions are not making the world better, only more complicated. The terrified civilians don’t want dynamics and reason. They want the word of Elysium and the return of the Methueyn Knights.Koria fears the world faces an awful conundrum: that if the Knights return, Nimrheal will stay.
Will Robert, Koria, Eloise and Gregory choose to transform into angelic knights or, at the cost of such heavenly communion, instead banish Nimrheal? What price will be paid? If a new Methueyn Knight rises, will the age of invention disappear forever?
The Review
What a dynamic and fast-paced final chapter in this gripping epic fantasy! As a relative newcomer to the series, I was highly impressed with the amount of world-building and magical realism the author poured into the narrative. The unique twist of using mathematics as a means of finding control of the magical system this world is governed by was so brilliant and spoke to me as a way to explore how modern science treats our ancient culture’s viewpoints on magic itself, and how the world would look if the two could both exist together.
The captivating characters were such a powerful force of nature in the narrative, fleshing out the story and keying into the emotional depths that the reader feels towards this series. The reader should be prepared for some shocking twists and turns that will rock the fandom of this growing series, and the way the author wasn’t shying away from the brutality and visceral nature of this world’s events, as well as the fast-paced action the narrative has become known for, made this a gripping story to behold.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartbreaking, and entertaining, author Lee Hunt’s “Knight in Retrograde” is a must-read narrative and the best way to end such a powerful dark fantasy horror and magical realism series. The engaging way the author brought these characters to life both on the page and in the audiobook’s narration was well complimented by narrator Craig A. Hart really elevated the main story overall, and the haunting final chapter in this series will have readers on the edge of their seats. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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Lee Hunt’s epic fantasy book Knight in Retrograde is now available in audiobook format, in addition to eBook and paperback. And there’s a giveaway!
Would you trade uncertainty for stagnation, chance for god, invention for inertia, thought for dogma?
Four years have passed since the events of Dynamicist and war is on the horizon.
Robert, Koria, Eloise and Gregory went to the New School, hoping to change the world. They thought that mathematically based dynamics, the enlightened age’s answer to wizardry, would give them the power to make everything better. Their hopes were naïve.
Protestors are condemning the creation of a new vaccine. The city is seeing a series of hangings; is it murder or sacrament? The cloaked man is back stalking students. The long-absent demons Skoll and Hati reappear and begin slaughtering whoever they meet. But the real question is, will Nimrheal return? If he does, who will die first?
Uncertainty is inspiring fear, and inventions are not making the world better, only more complicated. The terrified civilians don’t want dynamics and reason. They want the word of Elysium and the return of the Methueyn Knights.
Koria fears the world faces an awful conundrum: that if the Knights return, Nimrheal will stay.
Will Robert, Koria, Eloise and Gregory choose to transform into angelic knights or, at the cost of such heavenly communion, instead banish Nimrheal? What price will be paid? If a new Methueyn Knight rises, will the age of invention disappear forever?
About the Series:
The Dynamicist Trilogy examines the difficulties of change in a fantasy setting. This challenge manifests itself through a rigorous magic system where thermodynamic cost is accounted for, and an inventor killing god. Most realistically, the challenge of creating a better world is illustrated by the many mistakes and miss-steps of the well-meaning and intelligent characters. The power and importance of memory, love and hope are ever present.
As their eyes met, Heylor found himself abruptly pulled away from the handshake and whirled around by the strong hands of his mother on his shoulder. “What in Leylah’s long night happened to your face, Heylor?”
This again.
“It looks like he got trampled across the gizzard by a team of oxen,” said Herevor in a deadpan voice, rubbing his long narrow jaw with his right hand. His fingernails were black with dirt.
“He wouldn’t tell me what happened!” Shelley yelled from the kitchen table.
I don’t want to talk about it.
“Who’s there?” came a new voice from the couch. It was grandma’s broken, warbly twitter. Heylor peered into the den again and saw her slouched low on the half-collapsed couch. Beside her, perched primly with a straight back, sat Constable Lynwen, hands on lap. Heylor had not seen the young woman cross the room and sit down. He had forgotten about her completely, and now there she was beside his grandma.
“It’s me, Grandma. Heylor.”
The old lady squinted at him. She seemed little more than a bundle of thin, wrinkled skin, looking as if she had lost another two inches of height in the months since Heylor last saw her. Looking at her, spine hunched like a question mark and eyes rheumy and clouded with cataracts, felt like a stab in the gut.
“I thought you were out there across the line.”
“I was.” Heylor looked at Lynwen again, sitting beside his grandma. What is she thinking? “I’m back. Where are Heyden, Scrandeyn, and Helloise?”
Jesteyn crossed her arms. “They’re out farm-handing, Heylor. We told you that at the beginning of the season.”
“Sorry, I forgot about the farm work,” Heylor mumbled. “It’s probably a good thing they’re not here.”
“Why’s that?” Jesteyn asked, eyes narrowing. “They’d love to see you. You know that.”
“Why would they?” Heylor spread his arms wide in a surge of frustration. “They must be glad to be away from here. I can’t believe all the junk you have here.”
Herevor flinched for a microsecond before breaking into a mad grin that exposed every one of his missing teeth. “One knight’s junk is another knight’s armor.”
“Oh, for knights’ sake,” Heylor exclaimed, “why is there a wheelbarrow full of cats in the fireplace? What knight is going to make plate out of that? The cat would be better armor! And isn’t that Shelley’s sextant on the bookshelf? She lives in the orchid now. I do remember that. And isn’t that my old cooper’s kit spread out on the shelf yonder? And why do we have three busted telescopes? I’m sure I threw away the bronze one after second year. What isall this stuff doing here?”
“I needed a place to store my spare things,” Shelley replied evenly. “My room in the Orchid isn’t big enough.”
“Those rooms are huge!”
“Nope.” Shelley was not flustered in the least.
Heylor clenched both fists so hard his face hurt where Skoll had gripped it. “What about the cooper’s kit?”
“Heygard thought we should hold on to it for him until harvest is done,” his father answered nonchalantly
“Oh, of course,” Heylor whispered. “What about the telescope I know I threw away?”
“I think I can fix that,” Grandma piped up.
You? You can barely stand up!
“Well, that accounts for one telescope. How about the other two?”
“That’s me,” jumped in Herevor. “I thought I would see if I could make a small version of an Eindarch Eye.”
Heylor blinked. “Did you succeed?”
“Nope.”
Heylor shook his head. Of course you didn’t. “How about the old wheelbarrow?”
Herevor rubbed his jaw again. “Scrandeyn didn’t want it anymore. I figured it could come in handy. Someday.”
“Of course! Of course it could. Someday,” Heylor almost shouted, angrier than ever. Everything about his family reminded him of himself, of his own failings, of killing his friends. In that moment, he despised them like he despised himself. “It’s come in handy for the cat at least. Whose cat is that anyway? No, don’t answer, I know it came from a cousin or was thrown away by someone somewhere. Everything is useful, everything comes back. From everyone. Nothing is trash. It’s all worth something. My hand-me-down clothes probably got handed back and used for another cat’s nest.” He whirled around. “You know what this family is? Sick, crazy hoarders. It’s an illness. You’re so bad that, even when one of you finally throws something out, it gets thrown back by some other member of the family. When they throw something out, you take it. It’s a circle, a circle of junk, a knights-damned hoarding circle! We should study it in the New School. It’s a mathematical singularity for trash. Nothing ever leaves that doesn’t re-enter. There’s no escape from the entropic pull of the Style family’s hoarding circle vortex! No junk is abandoned, no mistakes are left behind, nothing is forgotten or moved on from.” Heylor held his hands up and whirled slowly around. “This might be a big new house, but we’re still just the same old peasants.”
Smack!
Heylor’s jaw rung for the second time that day, this time from the big hand of his own mother.
“My face already hurts, Mom! Don’t hit me.”
“I love you, boy, but I know that hurts less than what you’re carrying.” Jesteyn had hit him, but she did not look angry. Her liquid eyes betrayed a different emotion. “What mistakes aren’t you leaving behind? What pain are youhoarding? What happened to your face? It’s your family here. The only way yer gonna get rid of whatever it is, is to share it.”
Heylor started laughing. “That’s so clever, Mom.” He kept laughing and didn’t stop until his nose started running because he was actually crying. Through blurry eyes, he looked over at Lynwen, sitting silently, watching. “I’m sure you want to leave now, Constable.”
“Nope.” Lynwen smiled.
Author Bio
Ever try to do things you were really not well suited to? Lee Hunt understands. He was born with only one working lung, but has gone on to be an Ironman triathlete, a sport rock climber, and a professional geophysicist. The poor lung function has been an excellent excuse for his unimpressive triathlon performance—he is among the worst of those able to complete the Ironman under his own power—and is of some service in eliciting a modicum of sympathy for his average at-best skills as a climber. Actually no one on a rock wall really cares about excuses. It’s a climb-or-fall kind of thing.
His marginal ability to breathe is of no use whatsoever in explaining his career as a geophysicist. He was good at that. Lee published close to fifty journal papers, articles or expanded abstracts, has been awarded numerous best paper awards, and was even sent on a national speaking tour to Canadian universities by the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists. He was born on a farm but grew up near the giant oil sand mines of Fort McMurray and is interested in discussing the environment and the amorality of science. He is also useful at parties in explaining the physics around why, or why not, fracture stimulation might be a risk to manmade structures and the fuzzy cuddly things of nature. Lee’s career helped him appreciate the difficulty in predicting outcomes, the dangers of arrogance—such as thinking you can predict even the smallest thing—and the exigent need to try anyway. He was comfortable and happy being a geophysicist, so after twenty-eight years, he quit to go do the things he was less well suited to.
If you want to hang out with Lee, look for him hiking, cycling, floundering in a lake, clinging desperately to a wall, or at his desk trying to write an entertaining story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In author Valeri Stanoevich’s “Fancy Shop”, the author takes readers on a journey through the lives of a wide cast of characters as each seeks something personal, whether it is the pursuit of a dream, redemption, or paradise.
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The Synopsis
Short Story Collection.
The stories contain features of fantasy, urban legends, mystery, magical realism, penetration in the deepness of the human soul.
The characters are different: knights, anonymous people, dreamers, outsiders, crazy ones, technocrats, cockroaches, holders of secret knowledge. They crave for another world of dreams come true, inexpressible truths and oases of redemption of past guilt. On the way to their new identities, they move freely between reality and fantasy. They are in constant conflict with themselves, and the front line is the line dividing the two hemispheres of their brains. The stories are very short but each has a complex plot, provocative suggestions and a surprising end. Without in any way denying the traditional concepts of good-evil, simple-profound, they lead the reader into worlds in which paradox is a synonym of universal meaning.
The Review
This was such an engaging and creative collection of short stories. Told in a very abstract tone, the author really captured the theme of change that we all seek in our lives through a very wide range of different genres. From Gothic and magical realism to pure fantasy, the author highlighted the sometimes painful path to change.
What stood out was the wide array of characters each story used. Not only were many of the characters relatable and complex, but the theme of change with this rotating cast of characters really shows that no matter who a person is or what their place in the world is, we all dream of change, and for a wide variety of reasons as well.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Valeri Stanoevich’s “Fancy Shop” is a must-read collection of short stories. The breathtaking imagery, intense situations, and gripping tales of magic and wonder that accompanied these very personal and thoughtful character developments that explored the heart of all change in life made this a collection that readers will not soon forget. Be sure to grab your own copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Valeri’s is a moody and particularly well written book. His prose is eloquent and artistic, as he shares his intriguing tales of mystery, melancholy and perhaps macabre. Despite a wide variety of genres, which seem to range from horror to sci-fi to historical fantasy, there is a common style throughout, and at times, as he moves from one narrative to the next, it becomes a little difficult to discern between them. That said, each of these little anecdotes is a distinct work of art and character.
He is a gifted author, with a talent for atmosphere. This collection of short stories is best read of an evening, ideally by candlelight, while fully immersed; in any other setting, the metaphorical and philosophical feel of it may be a touch more difficult to engage. They deserve no less than to be absorbed and indulged, and to do that you really need to get onto the author’s wavelength, which can best be described on occasion as abstract. I realized very quickly into the first tale that there was concentration and commitment required to optimize the full experience of this wonderful piece of work.
There is a sense of the very old and the yet to come in this anthology; future and past combine, feeling like they converge continuously – of course, that observation is a subjective feeling, rather than a statement of fact relating to any particular aspect of Valeri’s writing; it is just how this book made me feel.
A routine mining expedition turns deadly and the fight for survival turns friends into foes in author Elliot Wink’s sci-fi novel, “After Io”, the first in the Far Light series!
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The Synopsis
Bryn Michaels is a pilot on the spaceship Persika and she has just killed her captain.
The crew of the Persika was hired to mine platinum ore on Io, but the simple job becomes complicated when their drill malfunctions. Although the crew agrees to head back to the space station with the job unfinished, they don’t make it far before something greater threatens the safety of the ship and its crew.
Bryn is determined to survive, but as she takes steps to ensure her rescue, she begins to wonder if the cost of survival is too great.
After Io is the first book in The Far Light Series by Elliott Wink.
The Review
The suspense and intrigue are felt immediately with the author’s very first sentence. The tension and haunting quality of the character development are prevalent as the opening chapter sets the stage for the direction the novel is going. The character growth was crucial to this novel’s narrative, as the closeness and emotional bond the captain has for her crew elevates the danger and sadness of the ship’s situation, while the fear and chilling nature of isolation in space and the need to survive make Bryn a tragic figure.
The way the author leaned so heavily into the sci-fi genre was not only entertaining but was well-balanced with characters that were relatable and themes of survival that readers could become invested in. Forgoing any alien themes or more heavy AI-style sci-fi for well-developed characters and a narrative that could fit in any genre actually made the setting and tone of the sci-fi-themed story feel more vibrant and engaging to the reader.
The Verdict
Emotional, haunting, and captivating, author Elliot Wink’s “After Io” is a must-read sci-fi novel! The twists and turns in the novel that bring Bryn to the breaking point of killing her captain will have readers entranced, while the heartfelt bond the captain had with the crew will keep readers invested as the final pages play out. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
I’m a science fiction and fantasy writer with a day job. I’ve been teaching English for nearly a decade, so I spend my days analyzing writing with my students and my nights putting my own pen to paper.
I have a master’s in psychology and I find people fascinating, so I usually spend a lot of time in my characters’ heads. Whether that character is drifting through outer space, navigating through a dystopian future, or in another universe entirely, they are unlikely to escape the nature of the human condition when it comes to my stories. We are human, even when we are forging through the unknown.
I live with my very supportive husband and tri-color collie-pit mix in Northern California. When I’m not writing or watching movies, you might find me on the golf course or cooking elaborate, celiac-friendly meals.
Dr. Harleen Quinzel has a theory: mental illness is a survival mechanism. As she seeks to help the broken souls of Gotham City piece together their sanity she will become the one thing she fears the most: one of them. A bold new retelling of the tragic origin of Harley Quinn told through the eyes of the only person who knows her better than anyone: Harleen.
A young psychiatrist with a potential cure for the madness that haunts Gotham City, Dr. Harleen Quinzel must prove her revolutionary theory to a skeptical establishment by delving into the disturbed minds of Arkham Asylum’s deadliest inmates. But the more time she spends with her criminally insane subjects, the closer she is drawn to one patient in particular–and the further she falls away from reality. The birth of legendary antihero Harley Quinn and the shocking origins of her twisted romance with the Joker are revealed in Harleen, a stunning new tale of love and obsession written and illustrated by renowned comics storyteller Stjepan Sejic (Aquaman: Underworld, Sunstone).
Collects:Harleen #1-3.
The Verdict
A brilliant and visceral look into the woman who became Harley Quinn. Before the madness and before the haze lifted and she ended her toxic relationship with The Joker, there was a brilliant young woman who sought to end the cycle of violence infecting particular mental health cases. The heart and emotional depths of this story are well balanced with the striking imagery and thriller elements of this more mature and heart-pounding narrative.
Fan-favorite writer Dan Jurgens continues his popular run starring the world’s most powerful teenagers!
Paranoia rules the streets while crime-fighting couple Hawk and Dove lead ordinary citizens in an uprising against the rich–but former Doom Patrol member Mento is pulling their strings! It’s up to the Titans to try and uncover his sinister purpose and keep peace before someone gets killed!
Collects issues #1-5 of TITANS: BURNING RAGE from DC’s popular Titans Giant.
The Verdict
A fantastic look into the heart of the Teen Titans, the author did a brilliant job of crafting a narrative that redefined what family truly means and the dangers of what the feelings of being an outsider and having a crisis identity can do to a person. With great action and showing the power the team has on their own without the Justice League backing them up, this was a promising read.
From Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, the visionary producers of Batman: The Animated Series, comes a collection of all-new stories and adventures that turn Batman’s world upside down!
Starting off with an attack on S.T.A.R. Labs in Gotham City by a giant robot that steals an entire room of the laboratory! Batman is going to have to stop it before it can cause more harm… and with Lex Luthor freshly back in Gotham, he knows where to start his search. Will Batman be able to topple the billionaire before he leaves Gotham?
Collects Batman: The Adventures Continue #1-8.
The Verdict
I grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series. The impact that had on me would influence my love of comic books and all things DC Comics for the rest of my life. From the stoic heroism of Kevin Conroy’s Batman to the sinister and chillingly captivating villainy of Mark Hamill’s Joker, this world was rife with comic book goodness. The continuation of this series was perfect and captured the tone and noir atmosphere of the show as well as the campy superhero adventuring. The artwork was stunning and the incorporation of larger DCAU elements was great to see here. A definite must-read for die-hard Batman fans.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BestsellerInspired by Charles Dickens’ immortal classic A Christmas Carol, BATMAN: NOEL features different interpretations of The Dark Knight, along with his enemies and allies, in different eras.
Along the way, Batman must come to terms with his past, present and future as he battles villains from the campy 1960s to dark and brooding menaces of today, while exploring what it means to be the hero that he is. Members of Batman’s supporting cast enact roles analogous to those from A Christmas Carol, with Robin, Catwoman, Superman, The Joker and more playing roles that will be familiar to anyone who knows Dickens’ original holiday tale.
The Verdict
As a longtime fan of both Batman comics and the classic Christmas Carol story, I thought this gritty and Dickinson-esque story to be quite entertaining. The perfect read for fans of iconic ghost stories meeting equally iconic comic book characters, the narrative was matched by the equally cold yet emotionally-driven artwork. For years fans of the comics have known the stoic and at first glance stone-cold demeanor of Batman, but watching the story peel back the layers of this man’s determination and cynicism was amazing to behold. A definite must-read during the holidays!
Arkham Asylum has been attacked and all eyes are on the Joker. A mysterious benefactor hires former Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon to go on a global manhunt to catch…and possibly kill…the Clown Prince of Crime!
But nothing with the Joker is ever as easy as it seems. What Gordon finds and what the Joker wants him to see…will change his perspective on the world forever. And he’s not the only one who wants the Joker found…
Who are the wicked Sampson family? And who is Vengeance, daughter of Bane, striking fear into the world’s heart?!
Brought to you by the all-star creative team behind Batman: Their Dark Designs, James Tynion IV and Guillem March, this volume includes a special Year One flashback issue co-written with Matthew Rosenberg (Legends of the Dark Knight) and Francesco Francavilla (Batman: The Black Mirror).
Collects:The Joker #1-5, plus Joker stories from Batman #100 and Batman: The Joker War Zone.
The Verdict
As a longtime fan of stories involving the Joker, whom I consider to be one of literature’s greatest and most complex villains, it was amazing to see the approach the authors took to a series dedicated to the Joker. The man’s legacy for heinous crimes defines the narrative, focusing on those who have been pushed too far by his actions as they seek to end his life, while alluding to a deeper mystery and showing off the never-ending depths of the man’s evil. The most fascinating aspects of this series have been the close examination of whether or not the Joker is truly “insane”, or just pure evil, as well as the personal examination of Jim Gordon as a person and not just the personal link between Batman and the Police. It was an incredible story.
From legendary writer Frank Miller comes a groundbreaking, definitive treatment of Superman’s classic origin story, with art by John Romita Jr.
From the collapsing spires of Krypton to the bucolic fields of Kansas, from the submerged splendors of Atlantis to the chaotic energy of the Daily Planet, the story of Clark Kent, last son of the House of El, is the stuff of legend. Now, two of comics’ greatest creators join forces to bring a bold new vision of the Man of Steel’s origin to life.
With Superman: Year One, writer Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Ronin, Sin City), and artist, John Romita Jr. (Iron Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, Kick-Ass) bring their renowned storytelling talents to bear as they reimagine the formative trials that young Clark must undergo to claim his place I our world.
As he learns to balance the grave responsibilities of his powers against their limitless possibilities, Clark must also build his humanity just like everybody else-one relationship at a time. Greater than a super-powered adventure, more powerful than a coming-of-age tale, Superman: Year One is a visceral exploration of the fundamental importance of choice in this American icon’s journey into heroism.
The Verdict
The balance of light, hope, and heroism with the mature and gritty world-building that Frank Miller has become known for over the years was felt deeply in this story. The exploration of Superman’s earliest years, from his flight from a dying Krypton to a high school experience standing up to bullies, finding young love, and more, was truly captivating. The unique changes to Superman’s origins, from his decision to join the military and train like a soldier to his experiences with an underwater society and his introduction to Batman, Wonder Woman, and the larger DC Universe, really were balanced out with the warm artwork that draws the reader into the narrative further.
The prince is now a king. All Asgard lies before Thor, the God of Thunder. And after many months of war, the Ten Realms are finally at peace. But the skies above the Realm Eternal are never clear for long. The Black Winter is coming. And the God of the Storm will be powerless before it. Before him lies the Black Winter; behind, a trail of death wrought by his own hand. The God of Thunder hurtles through the cosmos, searching for the power to save Asgard and all existence. But no power in the heavens can save a god – a king – from his bloody duty. COLLECTING: THOR (2020) 1-5
The Verdict
A brave new world emerges out of the War of the Realms! Thor is now king of Asgard, and the exploration of his psyche and his responsibilities now in the face of that new role is so fantastic to read and watch unfold. The decision-making of the hero and the awe-inspiring power he wields is matched by the much grander threats he must now face. The artwork makes readers feel drawn into an Old Norse mythological tale, while the events themselves are very cosmic and multiversal in nature (a great little nod to showing how Marvel and DC’s omniverses could be connected). A gripping and awesome must-read tale for fans of Thor!
Loki is…Earth’s Mightiest Hero?! After dying a grisly death in WAR OF THE REALMS, the reborn Trickster learned a valuable lesson in warmongering: Don’t get caught. But now Loki has a whole new set of responsibilities – and his brother Thor isn’t about to let him walk away from them. Restless with his new duties, Loki seeks out the advice of the closest thing Midgard has to a king – Tony Stark, the Invincible Iron Man! Close enough, right? But it turns out that Shell-head isn’t too happy to see Loki, on account of all that stuff he did in the past. Now the God of Mischief/Stories/Evil/Chaos has to outsmart the cleverest man on Earth – or die (again) trying. Meanwhile, could Thor be hatching a mischievous plot of his own? COLLECTING: LOKI (2019) 1-5, MATERIAL FROM WAR OF THE REALMS: OMEGA (2019) 1
The Verdict
Loki’s heroic journey is what Marvel fans have been dying to read. The most beloved and engaging villain in Marvel’s long history, the trickster is no more, and the storyteller has arrived. Seeking his own story, readers have treated to a fantastic and fresh take on a new hero’s emergence and the journey it takes to reach that role. Pitting Loki against a powerful cosmic foe and seeing his interactions with Tony Stark were both humorous and captivating, and the rich mythos blended with the colorful artwork so well.
Hidden deep beneath Area 13 lies the clandestine headquarters of S.T.A.K.E. – a top secret division of S.H.I.E.L.D. that houses aliens, mythical beasts and all manner of extra-normals. Now, under the command of legendary soldier – and newly resurrected Life Model Decoy – Dum Dum Dugan, these monsters step out of the shadows and defend the world against threats too dangerous for normal men as the All-New, All-Different, all-too-literal Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.! COLLECTING: HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. 1-5, MATERIAL FROM S.H.I.E.L.D. 9
The Verdict
A fantastic look into the supernatural and horror aspects of the Marvel Universe and how it impacts the broader Marvel Universe overall! The more muted and haunted artwork compliments the mythos-heavy storyline and exploring what it means to be a “monster” in the Marvel universe was so fascinating to read. The deep-cut villains that are explored here really make this an unusual yet powerful story to dive into.
Buckle up, tiger! Get ready for the most action-packed, pulse-pounding, adrenaline-pumping comic of all time! Once you read page one, panel one, Spider-Man just does not stop! A mystery at Empire State University thrusts the webslinger into a thrilling adventure that starts in uptown Manhattan and takes him around the world — pitting Spidey against Marvel villains old and new and giving you a Spider-Man adventure (and a Spider-Man) the likes of which you’ve never seen! Something terrible is happening to ESU’s students — some of New York’s brightest young minds — and to save the day this time is going to take a side of Peter Parker that neither you nor Peter thought existed. And the clock is ticking! This book is not for the faint of heart, so check with your doctor before reading!
COLLECTING: Non-Stop Spider-Man (2021) 1-5
The Verdict
A much more intimate and unique story for longtime fans of Spider-Man, the look into life for Peter as a college student and getting to see how the pressures of school or university life can impact students while paired with a superhero world and advanced tech made this such a captivating story. The bright and colorful artwork blended well with the fast-paced action, and made for a truly memorable experience, especially with the shocking villains Spidey had to face.
The next amazing chapter in Nick Spencer’s shocking saga of Spider-Man — is guaranteed to get your Spidey senses tingling! We literally can’t say any more without ruining it all!
The Verdict
A truly incredible deep-dive into all things Spider-Man. The depths of Peter Parker’s heroism and strength are pushed to the limits as almost every Spider-Man foe and iteration of the Sinister Six collides in an attempt to take his life. The hunt takes an even more personal note with the final act of the villainous Kindred, as shocking revelations lead to emotional ends and new beginnings. The gripping story matched the brutal yet artful imagery used in the narrative and made for a brilliant story.
The “IT” book of the early 2000s with the original cast is back–Nico! Karolina! Molly! Chase! Old Lace! And, could it be…GERT?!
The heart of the Runaways died years ago, but you won’t believe how she returns! Superstar author Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park, Carry On) makes her Marvel debut with fan-favorite artist Kris Anka (ALL-NEW X-MEN, CAPTAIN MARVEL) in the series that will shock you and break your heart! Did Chase and Gert’s love survive their time apart? Have Karolina and Nico’s feelings made their friendship impossible? What emotional landmines lie in wait to DESTROY the Runaways?!
COLLECTING: RUNAWAYS 1-6
The Verdict
I was uniquely drawn to this series because out of all of Marvel’s properties, the Runaways was one of the teams I was the least familiar with. Aside from Nico, I was not familiar with the team members, and getting to see the team’s dynamic in a follow-up series was so fascinating to read. The shocking return of a long-thought-dead member packs a punch with its suddenness and heart, and the impact of her return on both her and the people she calls family is so engaging. The lighthearted dynamics between them are paired equally with their drama, and the exploration of everything from family and romance to their place in the Marvel Universe made this an incredible story to behold.
