John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll and Macy Grove

A vividly rendered rendition of a whimsical epic, The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Macy Grove, is a masterful update to a beloved classic.

When a fellowship of unlikely allies embarks on a quest to catch a mythical beast named the Snark, none expect their odyssey to be quite so surreal. Led by Bellman, these nine B-named companions (Banker, Barrister, Butcher, Baker, etc.) are a motley crew following a completely blank map across the sea in the hopes of capturing the legendary creature.

Through the poem’s eight “fits,” or chapters, these eccentric characters encounter numerous misadventures […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-10-22T17:31:25+02:00September 15th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Comics & Graphic Novel Reviews, Poetry Book Reviews|

Blood Families by Jerome MacEvoy

A gritty tale of rebellion and rebirth, Blood Families: The Veins of Truth by Jerome MacEvoy is a multifaceted work of vampire fantasy that is entertaining and insightful in equal measure.

In a world where a vampire class rules over the poor, mortal, and easily exsanguinated, Lord Yuri Khashevin pushes back on the undead status quo after two innocent peasants are murdered in cold blood. His quest for retribution uncovers the conspiracy and cruelty underpinning the vampiric power structure, forcing him to choose between an eternity of injustice or an improbable rebellion against a bloody world order.

Layered with allegory […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-09-14T12:21:16+02:00September 14th, 2026|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Vampires Book Reviews|

Love and Lies Along the Language Barrier by M. Faraday

Turning a kaleidoscopic lens on the worlds of power, desire, and connection, Love and Lies Along the Language Barrier: Memoir of a Gay Journalist by M. Faraday is an enthralling confessional of a fearless truth-teller. Spanning a lifetime of lascivious affairs and unbelievable entanglements from Havana and Sri Lanka to Kabul and Joburg, this narrative collage of recollection is far more than a travelogue of sexual escapades. With raw, fluid language and a discerning eye for cultural nuance, Faraday explores themes both taboo and timeless, from sex workers and slavery to queer identity, cultural subjugation, and the journalistic onus to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-09-09T13:58:18+02:00September 9th, 2026|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Woven in Time by Ron Theel

An affectingly reflective collection of autobiographical stories, Woven in Time by Ron Theel offers a kaleidoscope of perspectives on life’s biggest and smallest moments.

From nostalgia-heavy road trips through the dusty West to the heartbreaking reality of seeing your heroes falter, these anecdotal snapshots are intimate insights into the author’s life and mind. Whether he is curiously musing on the bizarre power of fingers, witnessing unseen details of the natural world, or reflecting on the struggles of artists and creatives, there is an earnest simplicity to the writing that is both endearing and compelling. The pieces are accompanied by atmospheric […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-09-08T17:06:21+02:00September 8th, 2026|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: Bitter Honey by Yona Katz

A raw and incisive piece of contemporary romance, Bitter Honey by Yona Katz examines the shame we hide, the wounds we bury, and our quiet desires for closure that may never come.

Christopher is a hardworking Deputy District Attorney with an Adonis-like boyfriend, Julian, but something sour is simmering beneath the surface of their bond. Periods of intense connection and intimacy are followed by bitter fights, punitive behavior, and withheld affection, creating a destabilizing cycle that leaves Christopher confused, desperate, and endlessly apologetic.

On top of this domestic disturbance is the resurrection of Mathew Wexler, a long-lost connection from Christopher’s […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-10-22T12:00:01+02:00August 31st, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: LGBTQI+ Book Reviews, Romance Book Reviews|

Review: Relic Reborn by Iain Ralston

A dark fantasy bloodbath of noble knights and vengeful demons, Relic Reborn by Iain Ralston is an explosive, action-filled first installment of a new high-fantasy series.

Thousands of years ago, a demonic army from the plane of Shkigal was defeated and sent back to their realm, but not before their god and creator, Azzazul, sacrificed himself in a world-rending explosion to enable their retreat. Millennia have passed, the world has changed, and the names of the demon lords are barely remembered by the few human mages with the power to summon them.

On the mortal plane, the Syl ‘Van Knights […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-08-25T11:24:25+02:00August 24th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Play Like He Would by Heath Hamrick

Tragedy and triumph collide beneath the Friday night lights in Play Like He Would by Heath Hamrick, a gritty true story of perseverance, honor, and the lasting impact of loss.

After a tough string of losing seasons and discouraging setbacks, “Slugger” Hamrick eagerly takes over as the head coach of the Bremond Tigers – a small and scrappy football team from East Texas. The town still remembers what vicarious victory and gridiron glory feel like, fueling dreams of young players and the excited hopes of a community. After a modest start at Bremond, Hamrick needs to deliver a playoff run […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-08-21T11:03:01+02:00August 20th, 2026|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Sports Book Reviews|

Echoes from the River by Kathryn Lane

A slow-boiling drama of youth, connection, and liberation, Echoes from the River by Kathryn Lane tells an emotive story of empowerment against all odds. After her arranged marriage to a well-connected rancher, young Francesca de la Garza struggles to find her place and purpose at a remote cattle station in the 1970s Australian outback. With the help of a kindred spirit, Francesca discovers unexpected community and the sacred beauty around her, even as the foundations of her new life begin to crumble. Immersing readers in the majesty of Australia’s wild corners, while exploring the depths of loneliness in love, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2026-08-17T10:23:19+02:00August 17th, 2026|Categories: Editorial Reviews|