Editorial Reviews

A bizarre cast of characters with a healthy dose of paranoia are forced to face an apparent apocalypse together in Surviving Crazy by Frank Crimi. With a long, character-building fuse and a whip-smart pen behind the imagery-rich writing, this novel hums with tension and possibility from the start. From doomsday preppers, moody fry cooks, and might-be Russian assassins, to mysterious damsels and an old ballplayer looking for one last shot at glory or purpose, Crimi does a remarkable job of weaving backstory into every strange scene. With secondary plot lines adding to the suspense, but never giving away the twist, […]

Author Jeffrey W. Tenney plunges readers into an unforgiving wilderness in Real Enough, a reality TV-inspired novel with more than enough alliances, betrayals, and frayed tempers to go around. The multi-perspective narrative follows the life-and-death decisions of twenty island-bound competitors, which inevitably provides a visceral peek into the darkness and desperation of human nature. Tenney writes with an almost journalistic distance, at times, so emotional descriptions and internal nuance is limited, but he still captures the tension and drama that readers may expect from a literary version of “Survivor.” Despite the occasional repetition between the narrative points of view, […]

A dark and edgy Gothic thriller that skips the cliches and hits all the right dark notes, The Empty Space is a stellar addition to author Linda Watkins’ Kate Pomeroy series. Deftly building suspense with unexpected cutaways and reflections, this plot is far from typical, blending sinister moods and deadly relationships within a linguistic dance – one that is a sincere pleasure to read. Though the dialogue is occasionally brief, giving only a slice of a scene within a swirl of narration, Watkins has a confident voice that can grip a reader’s attention, both heart and mind. With a heroine […]

Author George Morningstar puts a new spin on a classic sci-fi fantasy in The Traveler, sending readers on a nostalgic trip to San Francisco in the late 1960s. Though the novel starts a bit slow, the pace kicks up with mind-bending dives into quantum mechanics, brushes with cultural legends, and emotionally complex moments of connection and loss. Some of the narration and exposition feels redundant or unnecessary, but the storytelling is strong throughout. From ecstatic experiences to challenging moments of self-reflection and discovery, this novel has far more depth than your average time travel yarn, for a surprisingly rich […]

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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