John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A Bullied Reunion by Chris Ponici

In A Bullied Reunion by Chris Ponici, readers are brought into the tragic narrative of Cristiano Leuca, a young boy who was mercilessly teased throughout the entirety of his high school years. Ponici tells the story of Cristiano in graphic, awkward detail, making it impossible not to sympathize as the character stumbles through cliques, lost love, embarrassment, abuse and self-doubt.

For people whose high school memories are distant and fading, this book is a striking reminder of the cruelty that some children still experience at the hands of their peers, and the mental fortitude required to simply survive the school […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T05:54:17+02:00October 19th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|

Review: The Awakening: Fate in Motion by Suzanne Boisvert

For anyone who loves a conspiracy-laced sci-fi thriller, The Awakening: Fate in Motion by Suzanne Boisvert is a standout new novel that will keep you satisfied from start to finish. A decidedly dark read, this book combines real-world fears, far-fetched conspiracy theories, ancient religious sects, invading aliens and government coverups in a masterful, unpredictable page-turner.

The main premise of the novel is that an ancient, evil force, Sar, long banished from Earth and awaiting a return to rule, has finally reawakened. Infiltrating the planet through the very highest halls of power, his takeover seems unobstructed, given the petty squabbles and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T10:32:04+02:00October 19th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Twilight’s Last Glory by Stephen C. Perkins

If you have ever suspected that professional sports may be slightly more engineered than people understand, Twilight’s Last Glory by Stephen Perkins is a perfect, conspiracy-laden read.

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, the shadowy powers behind American football launch a scheme to capture an even larger portion of the world’s attention. Blending organized crime, corrupt head honchos and even a touch of sci-fi and fantasy, this futuristic thriller will appeal to a wide range of readers.

The Octagonal is a secret society based in London, composed of an elite group of bankers, financiers and mystics with bizarre powers. As is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-16T05:34:47+02:00October 18th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Speculative Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: The Outlandish and the Ego by O. Ryan Hussain

In these days of political turmoil and uncertain global peace, it can be hard to find a reason to laugh, but O. Ryan Hussain’s new novel, The Outlandish and the Ego, provides an uproarious release. In a new genre of literature the author calls “political erotica,” this novel discusses serious topics and trends in the world…without ever taking itself too seriously.

The book is cleanly divided between the sarcastic and the surreal, beginning with the Aide, a ruthless and ambitious wretch who has wriggled his way near the highest halls of power. In his endless bid to increase his own […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-30T15:36:10+02:00October 18th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Political Thriller Book Reviews, Satire Book Reviews|

Review: Julia’s Memories and The Interflow of Things (Amor Mundi Books 1 & 2) by Dave Dröge

Reading a novel doesn’t always mean one should trust the narrator, and in Julia’s Memories and The Interflow of Things, an omnibus of the Amor Mundi series, this complex challenge comes to the forefront. Set in the somewhat distant future, the world has changed in many ways, but the true depth of that shift doesn’t become apparent until the critical turn of this double-stacked book.

The book begins with a long, detailed account of Julia’s life – in memoir form – from her youngest years until her present-day success as an artist in the year 2050. This section of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T10:33:17+02:00October 17th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Speculative Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Folly of Sweeney by Brian J. O’Sullivan

The machinations of a fractured mind can make for great literature, and in The Folly of Sweeney by Brian J. O’Sullivan, readers get a raw glimpse into a truly unusual brain. Touching on elements of the immigrant experience, mental health, alcoholism, family and self-preservation, this book may be erratic and unpredictable, but there are powerful messages lying beneath the surface of this drunken New York fairytale from a true seanchaí.

The central character of the novel, Liam, is an Irishman who now calls New York home, but he hasn’t lost the stereotypical penchant for alcohol. He is a difficult character […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T10:33:47+02:00October 16th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Daemon Rising by John William

From the opening lines of this engrossing novel, it is clear that Daemon Rising by John William is going to be a meticulously penned and immersive adventure. Relying on some classic fantasy tropes, but carving out a corner of the genre all his own, William delivers a thrilling new world in Books 1 and 2.

As is so often found in fantasy novels, two unlikely heroes find their destinies and paths intertwined, despite the seeming impossibility of any connection or kinship between them. This deep fantasy dive centers on two primary characters, Dragan and Imlod, who are being controlled by […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-12-05T10:52:37+02:00October 11th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Farewell to Follies by Xingu Fawcett

Farewell to Follies establishes Xingu Fawcett as a formidable short story writer with a firm finger on the pulse of human nature, as well as the natural world.

These stories vary wildly in their subject matter, but the underlying themes are universal – wrestling with death, balancing nature and the city, exploring unknown places, and the long-term impact of trauma. With an artful, yet sensitive approach to these issues, the stories are both harrowing and heart-warming. Fawcett understands the dynamic nature of life, and seamlessly presents complex characters from different times, social backgrounds, and life paths.

Whether writing about Parisian […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-10-15T06:38:57+02:00October 8th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|