Young Adult | Self-Publishing Review

An Echo Through Time by Nicholas Licalsi

A mind-bending, perspective-shifting novel about self-knowledge, fate, and the tragic nature of young love, An Echo Through Time by Nicholas Licalsi is a thrilling and original read.

Todd has moved through a thousand lifetimes across countless universes, but when this unassuming “time lord” chooses a peaceful finale to his endless journey, he realizes that some answers still elude him. After sharing his secret powers with his high-school sweetheart, Gretchen, she dies in a horrible accident, driving Todd to find some universal timeline where her compassion and understanding survive beyond March 21st. When thousands of accidental deaths escalate into murder, Todd […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-12-20T09:33:27+02:00December 17th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Time Travel, YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: Valley Fliers by David Boito

Mystery and amateur sleuthing take to the unconquered skies in Valley Fliers by David Boito, a new standout YA thriller with a spiraling, well-crafted plot. Mysteries abound in this acrobatic novel, replete with drone-toting hitmen and a conspiracy too rich not to be investigated by some would-be sleuths.

With dreams of attending a prestigious aeronautical school, Jay is on the cusp of adulthood, but his head has always been in the clouds, as he navigates model airplanes with expert precision. Turning a hobby into a career means a lot of practice at the local miniature airfield, where there are some […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-12-02T06:07:39+02:00October 22nd, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Coming Of Age, Young Adult|

The Night Sky by C.A. Cordova

A delightful and heartwarming adventure into a bitter winter world of precious narwhals, evil antagonists, missing grandfathers, and sacred duties, The Night Sky by C.A. Cordova is an innovative work of YA visionary fiction.

In a dystopian future, one young girl embarks on a journey to discover her birthright as she searches for someone she loves after he mysteriously disappeared in a vicious blizzard. However, she won’t be alone in her search – not after learning that her grandmother was once a legendary protector of the narwhals, just like her missing grandfather. As Nadia’s heroic young eyes are opened to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-11T05:56:54+02:00October 11th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Starlight Legend by Alana Lee

An emotional allegory with flairs of Greek mythology, romance, and sci-fi, Starlight Legend by Alana Lee is a heartfelt novel about growing up, finding love, and staying true to yourself.

Elliana is just a high school senior trying to end her romantic drought with a dreamy date to the spring formal, but destiny has other plans for this heartbroken heroine. Born as an “old soul in a new world,” it isn’t long before Elliana summons herself to the fantasy realm that has filled her dreams.

After passing through the Tree Portal into the Seeking Realm, she embarks on an existential […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-09-27T08:20:40+02:00September 27th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey

A tireless and tremendously creative adventure, Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey is a strong sequel in a deeply fascinating realm.

The trio of young heroes from the first book is summoned back to the magical land of Meridia after receiving a dire warning from The Creator – the “other side” of the Sovereign they defeated to stop The Fading. He cryptically warns them that three evil beings plague the lands they had all risked their lives to protect, and that they must return. Even though the adolescent trials of the real world are forefront […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-03T03:04:54+02:00September 27th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: A.J. Massey, Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: Kelly is Unbreakable by Jackson Keller

A surprisingly deep musing on trust, power, truth, and friendship, Kelly is Unbreakable by Jackson Keller is a unique and suspenseful YA thrill. Exploring personal boundaries, and perhaps even finding the edge, this super-powered debut novel takes adolescent exploration to an inventive new level.

Kelly has grown up in the shadow of what’s “wrong” with her, and while age has taught her discretion, her superhuman strength is starting to show, just as it did a decade earlier, when her only friend Chris discovered her dangerous secret. After a lifetime of hiding, Kelly may finally be forced to come into the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-09-29T02:51:26+02:00August 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: “B” is for Baylee by Kay M. Bates

Author Kay M. Bates has crafted a hard but hopeful YA novel in “B” is for Baylee, a story that shines a light on life’s unpredictability and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.

After taking a line drive head-on during her softball game, young Baylee Harker’s life is changed forever, as there is no promise that her vision will ever return to normal. Beginning a new year at Stoutland Middle School as a legally blind student means a constant cycle of struggles to adapt and persevere, while also managing the emotional and psychological turmoil of being an “official […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-29T08:42:21+02:00July 15th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Young Adult|

Review: The Lost Princess of Story by Suzanne de Planque

Author Suzanne de Planque weaves a marvelous new world for fairy tale and high-fantasy lovers alike in The Lost Princess of Story (The Chronicles of Story: Volume One). Blurring the lines between the hard and charming streets of Brooklyn and the mythology of Story, the place where all our fairy tales are true, this endlessly creative novel is an immersive new chapter to the tales we’ve known for generations.

Following a youthful band of unsuspecting heroes as they discover what a true adventure means, the Doors to Story begin to open, and these unsuspecting children are pulled back into […]