John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Genesis II by Allen Ling & Christian Boe

Graphic novels may have spent decades in the shadow of comic books, but the genre continues to expand and progress, as shown in the electric new graphic novel, Genesis II, by Allan Ling and Christian Boe, a stunning artistic and storytelling achievement.

The core of the story is the friendship between two young boys who grow up to be incredible scientists in a strange, dystopian future. Joining forces to battle for freedom, they draw on their lifelong friendship and the strength that has brought to both of them, taking on a monster who would see the world’s population eliminated.

In […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T06:31:55+02:00June 28th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Comics & Graphic Novel Reviews, Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story by Ray Keating

Although frequent readers of the Pastor Grant series by Ray Keating have gotten used to the fearless protagonist battling evil on a slightly larger scale, Heroes and Villains is an equally entertaining read that boldly demonstrates the author’s versatility.

Taking a more whimsical approach to Pastor Grant’s skill set, this story lands him in the thick of a comic book convention, surrounded by disguises, secret identities, and a penchant for the strange and mysterious. Within this amusing backdrop, he must uncover a new conspiracy to protect a comic book legend, and enlist the help of some unexpected heroes along the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-11-28T11:16:03+02:00June 28th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Heirs of Nimeya (Conquerors of Nimeya Book 2) by Kelvin S. Douglas

In Heirs of Nimeya, Book 2 in the Conquerors of Nimeya series by Kelvin S. Douglas, readers are welcomed into a fantasy universe, but there are strange parallels between this fictional land and the world we know, adding a fascinating layer of reality to this work of fantasy fiction.

Captain Duncan Shay is the focal point around which this story spins, and despite being a ship’s captain that must often bend the rules – or break them entirely – to keep his crew happy and fed, he is ultimately a good man and a hard worker. His normalcy is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-08-01T07:26:02+02:00June 26th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: If I Came Back from Hell by Bernie Donnelly

The books of Bernie Donnelly are always thoughtful, and often include spiritual elements that leave readers with hard questions at the end of the story. In If I Came Back from Hell, the author takes another leap forward into the realm of philosophical narrative with a powerful tale that will give you shivers. Looking back on your life is something we often associated with the moments before death, when it flashes by in a mere second, but this story leans to the opposite extreme, making for an unforgettable novel.

Frank McGovern has not lived a traditionally “good” life, being […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-28T10:12:04+02:00June 22nd, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Reagan Country (A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel) by Ray Keating

If political intrigue and expansive narrative threads fit neatly in your wheelhouse, then the writing of Ray Keating never fails to disappoint. In his new novel, Reagan Country, Pastor Stephen Grant returns in another exceptional story in which he finds himself in yet another international mystery, one that stretches to the highest seats of America’s capitol, as well as the shadowy halls of the Kremlin.

Underpinning this entire novel is a strong political bent, so those readers who remember (and potentially adore) the Reagan years in American history will appreciate the heavy leaning in favor of that president’s policies […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T04:33:04+02:00June 20th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Christian Fiction Book Reviews, Religious Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Beyond Vengeance by Larry Igbon

For anyone who can’t get enough British thrillers, Beyond Vengeance by Larry Igbon is an absolute must-read. As only a true master of action can deliver, this book careens from one wild scene to the next, from brutal murder scenes and vicious gangsters to the relentless hounding of the London coppers. With mystery and suspense tied up beautifully within this fascinating knot of a plot, Igbon has solidified his place among top writers of the genre.

A powerful crime family in England is all but wiped out, and yet someone is coming to exact justice and make those responsible pay […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-07-06T05:50:51+02:00June 18th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Luni327: The Journey Begins by Dan Eaton

Life on Earth is inevitably going to change in the coming decades, and in Dan Eaton’s Luni327: The Journey Begins, one of the more popular ideas of a lunar colony takes center stage in this suspense-filled YA novel.

Couched within the perspective of a 13-year-old boy, the story comes with a natural innocence to it, but Bryce also grows immensely over the course of the novel, and the adventures he experiences on his journey effortlessly drive this exciting tale. Additionally, the novel’s futuristic vision of the moon doesn’t stretch too far into the realm of science fiction, considering that […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-06-18T05:42:30+02:00June 17th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Escape the Future by T. Schneider

The powerful effects that dystopian realities can have on young people is a common element in post-apocalyptic fiction. In Escape the Future, the gritty new novel from Tom Schneider, this youthful perspective is highlighted, and in the horrors of a world where all the lights have gone out, three young protagonists must find a way to survive and protect those they love most.

In this raw depiction of the future, Schneider masterfully depicts Eva, Layla and Henry, three distinct and uniquely motivated young characters that infuse this story with authenticity. The family dynamic makes this story as powerful as […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-02-10T06:01:16+02:00June 13th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Apocalyptic Fiction Book Reviews, Post-Apocalyptic Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|