John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Review: American Zeroes by John DiFelice

★★★★½

American Zeroes by John DiFelice is a darkly comic bit of brilliance.

Novels that defy classification make for an entertaining read, and that is precisely what John DiFelice delivers in American Zeroes. Behind the rambling and sometimes confusing storyline is an intelligent and witty author who knows which subtle buttons to push for laughs, tears and thoughtful musing, forcing readers to see the world through his twisted lens.

At times, the book reads like the rambling manifesto of a conspiracy theorist, or a legitimately deluded patriot, which isn’t actually far off the mark. Jeremiah Stumpf is a modern-day […]

Review: Sunspots by Gary Martin

★★★★

Many sci-fi authors focus on unique plot details and extensive exposition to stand out, doing all they can to create a memorable world for their readers. Books like Sunspots, however, show the other side of the sci-fi genre: the banality of space travel when it’s “just a job.” John is a believable character because readers can immediately relate to him; he is a blue-collar worker on a space scow hauling garbage away from Earth. It’s hardly glamorous work, and the entire novel would have seemed disingenuous if the author, Gary Martin, had tried to paint a different picture.[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-07-22T10:00:29+02:00June 13th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Brown Sugar in Minnesota by Joe Field

★★★★

Brown Sugar in Minnesota by Joe Field is a short, thrilling ride fueled by drugs and danger.

By their very definition, thrillers are high-intensity stories, and whether that manifests in the form of action or psychological drama doesn’t actually matter. Readers seek out an author like Joe Field for his ability to create an atmosphere where both types of drama can play, where readers fear what’s around the next page, but can’t help but keep turning. Brown Sugar in Minnesota is a patient, slow-burning book that digs surprisingly deep for being such a short read. It’s perfect for an […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-06-16T04:54:58+02:00June 2nd, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: 602 Brigade: If Honda Betrayed Japan by Musashi Miyamoto

★★★★

602 Brigade: If Honda Betrayed Japan by Musashi Miyamoto is a gritty tale of surviving the horrors of war.

When an epic piece of fiction is set in the real world, within a context that almost seems plausible, it makes for truly unforgettable drama. That is precisely the atmosphere that Musashi Miyamoto creates for 602 Brigade. Not only is the premise of this novel frighteningly close to real-world events, at least in terms of tensions between Japan and the People’s Republic of China, but it’s also packed with exquisite detail and unique characters that immediately draw readers in.[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T06:18:52+02:00June 2nd, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Military Book Reviews|

Review: Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo

★★★★½

Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo is heartfelt and heart-wrenching – an unexpected knockout.

The YA genre often lacks the emotional depth of adult fiction, and with good reason – young adults might be unable to appreciate traditional “adult” themes. In A.G. Russo’s emotional masterpiece, Our Wild and Precious Lives, the boundaries of this genre are bent and even broken in certain places. The mature tone and depth of feeling are impressive, to say the least. The setting of Cold War Germany and the thoroughly developed characters lend the book a great deal of authenticity, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-06-13T09:15:44+02:00May 4th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: In the Valley by Jason Lambright

★★★★½

In the Valley by Jason Lambright is a sci-fi military adventure that hits close to home.

It’s 2333, and Captain Paul Thompson faces terrorism in the Baradna Valley far from home on the planet Juneau 3. The crazy men he serves with in his battalion are wild and brutal – will he manage to hang onto his mind while fighting the enemy, and his companions?

The premise of this future world is unraveled slowly, allowing new tech and post-Earth jargon to slowly become natural and accepted by readers, making the premise far more accessible and enjoyable. Many futuristic or […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T06:19:01+02:00April 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Military Book Reviews, Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Daddy Dearest by Paul Southern

★★★★★

Daddy Dearest by Paul Southern is a sinister thriller with countless twists.

By the time you finish reading Daddy Dearest, you’ll have shivers down your spine and a new appreciation for the dark depths through which an author can drag you. This chilling novel tells the story of a father who is far more than he seems, and the sinister series of events that end up forever changing his life – and the life of his young daughter.

From the outset of this endlessly twisted story, it’s clear that the authorial voice is a unique one, and the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-06-02T04:55:22+02:00April 27th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Abednego by Devanye Hansen

★★★★

Abednego: Book 1 of the Guardians Series by Devanye Hansen is a mythical adventure through forbidden love and the unseen world around us.

The fascinating world of Abednego centers on the drama of the Pegasi, Fae, Guardians, Hunters and keepers engaged in an otherworldly power struggle. This novel is an ambitious and exhilarating ride through a fantastic new realm, replete with action, romance, mind reading, betrayal, suspense, and a fair dose of humor. The depth and complexity of the story is impressive, and the author, Devanye Hansen, has an obvious talent for world building within her deep well of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-04-25T10:20:23+02:00April 25th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|