Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Grimdark: Tales of Exile by Kyle Fox

A dauntless fallen knight cuts a bloody trail through a blackened world of demonic horror in Grimdark by Kyle Fox, a hellish, sword-swinging work of dark fantasy. Reading like a vivid transcript of an epic RPG dungeon raid, Fox establishes his Tales of Exile series with a savage tone – visceral descriptions that writhe to life in the imagination, coupled with relentless struggle of both the body and mind.

With the progress of each chapter, Jacobus draws closer to the evil that has conquered and ravished his realm, a desperate attempt to eviscerate the plague of demons that has burned […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-27T06:14:51+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy, Kyle Fox|

Review: Starmap: An Introductory Pictorial Tour of the Universe by Edward A Ridgill, M.D.

A vibrant and mind-boggling adventure through the cosmos, Starmap: An Introductory Pictorial Tour of the Universe by Edward A Ridgill, M.D. is overflowing with accessible information and unforgettable images. For anyone with even a basic interest in astronomy or the workings of the universe, this coffee table book will provide endless moments of reflection.

The designation as a coffee table book is not meant to slight the very real and fascinating chapters of well-penned information in this astronomical offering. Beginning with a generalized big picture – the universe and our place within it – and scaling all the way up […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-27T06:16:47+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science|

Review: Furrow and Slice by Richard Snodgrass

A remarkably gentle and probing look at seemingly simple, but deeply complex lives in Upper Appalachia, Furrow and Slice by Richard Snodgrass is a brilliantly penned collection of stories.

A fearless kaleidoscope of pastoral life, this collection is special for its unflinching honesty in the face of our collectively unspoken fears. With straightforward language and casual colloquial speech, the collection feels quite pared down at first glance, with the two- or three-page tales reading like parables. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the rich inner lives of each narrative voice are worth slowing down to enjoy every word.

“The Hill […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-12T02:35:55+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Richard Snodgrass, Short Stories|

Review: The Hunter’s Rede (Chronicles of Ealiron Book 1) by F.T. McKinstry

A lethal warrior without banner or cause rises to heights of heroism he never sought in The Hunter’s Rede by F.T. McKinstry, a dark and thoroughly fun new fantasy saga.

Tapping into the best elements of high-genre writing, with cryptic wizards, dark powers, and jaw-dropping plot twists, this character-driven knockout is a thrilling pleasure to read. The sprawling new realm of Ealiron is ripe for storytelling, and newly hooked fans will be pleased to know this is only the first in a four-part series.

Lorth is one of the most compelling new fantasy characters in recent memory, summoning shades of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-10T06:38:05+02:00July 25th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: F.T. McKinstry, Fantasy|

Review: The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds

A whirlwind of an adventure set in the eternally mysterious city of London, The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds is a bold and meticulously penned thriller. William Wells only wanted a special gift for his girlfriend Abigayle, but his thoughtfulness may be something he comes to regret, in this clever masterwork of time travel fiction.

After Will witnesses the brutal shooting of the kindly shop owner who sold him the titular watch, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that something much more dangerous is happening on the streets of London. The ornate watch […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-09T01:22:43+02:00July 20th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction, Time Travel|

Review: CLass by Vid Lazer Hardt

A quirky commentary on small-town life and the epic dramas that play out on Main Street, CLass by Vid Lazer Hardt is a whip-smart novel like few others. Loosely set in Acton, Vermont, where the biggest news in years is that a big film production is coming to town, this patient community drama is unassuming, but deeply entertaining.

Hollywood hotshot Loudon Golden is in town to film “Hobohemia,” and is using regular townspeople to fill in the extra gaps, giving the production a meta sense of realism. Fiona is a young woman just trying to survive, and manage a growing […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-06T09:57:08+02:00July 19th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction|

Review: Historical Accuracy by Steve Campbell

Utilizing a remarkably wide range of references, author Steve Campbell has gathered a lengthy aggregation of historical facts to explore the biblical accounts of the life of Jesus in Historical Accuracy.

As Campbell makes plain, there is ample reason to question one’s ordinary assumptions about Jesus, as it is limited to biblical text and standard accepted lore. This is especially the case when examining the notion of the promised land, the afterlife, and the oft-cited apocalypse. His goal is to uncover the real fact upon which such issues are based.

Beginning with Old Testament history, the author catalogs and […]

SPR2021-08-04T03:19:23+02:00July 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: History, Religion|

Review: At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke

At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke is a second fantastic dive into the realm of Ostamp, following on from the sprawling adventure of Book 1, When Darkness Descends.

An already epic quest takes an unexpected turn, a la Game of Thrones, and casts the core characters in different directions, where their own destinies will find space to develop on their own. The Relevation Trilogy is curiously but aptly named, as the depth of this series’ plot continues to spiral and expand in this middle chapter. Tom is forced to navigate new depths of grief, alienation from […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-03T07:55:34+02:00July 16th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy|