John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

The split second before a bullet strikes expands into a generation-spanning novel in The Moment Before Dying by Marek Záhorec. This fictional memoir deals with childhood instability, wrong turns in life, the redefinition of family and the sacrifices everyone is forced to make on our spiral of survival. Boasting a narrative voice reminiscent of the “Goodfellas” voiceover, with a confident matter-of-factness that sells this gangster drama from start to finish, Tony Castello is a riveting protagonist, and far more complex than a collection of old-school mafia stereotypes. Though some of the language choices feel awkward, particularly in the dialogue, […]

Sri Lankan poet Joy Joseph Antony releases a powerful poetic debut in A Dream, An Imagination – Unfolded, a soft-spoken collection that speaks volumes. Drawing on his experiences as a refugee, these verses are saturated with visceral emotion and powerful dreams. His delicate musings expand into personal connection, finding common ground, exploring love after loss, and the search for gratitude, all addressed with playful grace and vulnerability. While some poems are structured, or rely on rhyme, many of the free-flowing pieces are brief streams of thought, or mood-soaked snapshots, creating a unique mosaic of expressive poetry.

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The trials and tribulations of high school and heartache take center stage in April’s Heart by Shilah Ferr. An intense look at the repetitive rise and fall of two seemingly star-crossed lovers, this novel will tickle notes of memory for anyone who has had, lost, or managed to hold on to their great love in life. Ferr doesn’t romanticize the tale into something unrealistic – she explores complex emotions with delicacy and grace, without diminishing her characters’ experience. Despite the choppy prose, unembellished language, and occasional reliance on romantic cliches, this is a book with strong lessons for young people […]

Janice Boekhoff kicks off her savage and exotic Jurassic Judgment series with Extinction Island, an adrenaline-fueled adventure thriller. Boosted by a wild premise that blends “Survivor,” “Jurassic Park,” and a dash of “The Hunger Games,” this first installment is gripping from the start and doesn’t let go. Driven by an unlikely heroine, the prose is snappy and the descriptions are lush, while the secondary characters shine with mystery and malice. While some of the plot points feel slightly forced or overly convenient, the pace is addictive and the story is a wickedly fun puzzle to unravel.

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A powerful book with a controversial title, Stuck in F*ck is a brutally honest take on the fate of modern parents written by Michael A. Brown. Unafraid to look at the dark side of parenting, and the emotional turmoil it can wreak, this is an unconventional story, but a relatable message for many struggling parents. The subject matter is blunt, as is the language used throughout, asterisks and all, but the format makes the book’s message more immediate, and so more visceral. Some may take issue with some of these issues being conveyed in such a childlike format, but the […]

An unlikely group of teenagers discover powers beyond their imagination, and are plunged into a battle for the fate of the world in The Last Alignment: Cry of the Scorpions by Nathaniel Stewart, the first book of what promises to be an exciting series. A slow-burning adventure heavily reliant on its diverse characters, this short novel feels like a careful setup for a long-game thrill, exploring intertwined histories, dangerous family legacies, and the tension that only raging hormones can provide. The dialogue is snappy and believable, but the narration is less lively and sometimes overly procedural. As a whole, despite […]