Editorial Reviews

A rapturous, mystical dive into a clan of sacred protectors of an Irish legacy, Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel expands the sprawling lore of the Tuatha de Danann. Across the Emerald Isle, a disturbing pattern of disappearances around Mabon – the autumnal equinox – becomes a critical clue in the latest supernatural threat to the Quinn family and its magical mothers. The sinister echo of Brigit’s grandfather, Malachi, continues to haunt them, forcing them to seek out the fickle and dangerous deities in the Otherworld, which could be their salvation or cement their ultimate doom. […]

A hilarious, incisive, and socially critical work of speculative fantasy, The Fool (The Austellus Saga Book 1) by Laura J. Fitzwilson is a masterwork of allegorical wit and whimsy. Begrudgingly taking the throne of a fictional kingdom that mirrors Australia in both demographics and oppressive history, Leo is ill-prepared for the burden of leadership, especially since his enemies are multiplying, his family members are dwindling, and the court jester is driving him crazy. Combining elements of fantasy, romance, satire, and LGBT fiction, this is a spectacularly sarcastic adventure from an irrefutably savage writer. Magical hierarchy, double-edged riddles, and royal machinations […]

A supercharged origin story for an innovative new hero, Swanblade: Year Zero by D.K. Kristof is a dark but brilliant addition to the pantheon of superhero graphic novels. Following a merciless attack in the wake of a villainous prison break, Kayla McAllister steps out from the shadow of her legendary father, reborn and re-armed as a living weapon. As supervillains and mobsters wreak havoc across New Radion Bay, the city’s latest protector overcomes her grief to unleash a brutal brand of justice and honor her family legacy. Written in long-form prose, rather than short bursts of dialogue, the story is […]

Haunting and raw in its exploration of grief, The End by Adam Cosco is an enigmatic spiral of heartbreak, memory, and one man’s desperate search for closure. Following the devastating loss of his brilliant girlfriend, Eli seeks answers from a secretive group of philosophers and thanatologists bizarrely linked to Selene’s death. The deeper he digs, the more mysteries emerge, including a family legacy of occult belief that blurs the line between sacred, prophetic and profane. Laced with potent language, ontological themes, and the looming weight of Big Tech’s bleeding edge, this utterly unique novel is a chilling portrait of mortality […]

A female-focused guide to building a resilient, profitable business, and an uncensored critique of inequality, UnF*ck Your Business Finances: Unlearn the Shame, Reclaim the Power and Change the Game by Laura Linden is a bluntly expressed but critical guide, which effectively straddles the line between business manual and self-help. Beginning by defining the broad pathways for self-made success in a tough environment, as well as the financial essentials that many entrepreneurs miss, Linden goes on to reveal myriad strategies for expanding capital, engaging investors, and ultimately securing one’s financial autonomy. From streamlining business operations and mastering a balance sheet […]

Offering a stabilizing framework for overcoming addiction and sustaining recovery, The Three Steps to Freedom: A Simple Path to Recovery by Alice J is a down-to-earth manual for effective renewal. Rather than offering vague inspirational language, the book clearly defines the elements of successful recovery, outlines the necessary commitments for success, and unpacks the complex notion of relapse, including how to mitigate the risk, manage the fallout, and formulate a Relapse Recovery Map. Capped off with a strong list of real-world recovery resources for those in acute need, this is a concise but comprehensive tool for long-term wellness, which is […]

The specter of guilt comes calling in The General’s Wife by Suzanne Dana, a well-paced drama giving an intimate glimpse into the hardships and stoicism of military spouses. When the wife of a celebrated general becomes the victim of a blackmail plot, she must wade into the battle of drowning the secrets of her past once and for all. From burnt-out San Diego surfers to elite squadrons of Navy Seals, this neatly woven narrative touches on the tragic turning points and life-altering decisions that shape our paths. Celebrating patriotism and service, while also hinting at the potential for a darker […]

A horrifying hate crime sends a puzzling but grisly message, bringing DCI Jonathan Walker to the historic heart of Lancaster in The Castle (DCI Walker Crime Thrillers Book 5) by J.J. Richards, a timely and intense detective thriller. As Walker and Briggs pound the storied pavement in pursuit of a murderer with a flair for the theatrical, the meticulous killer is already far ahead of them, shadowing and stalking every investigative move they make. As more gruesome tableaus appear, the pressure to solve the case mounts, forcing the duo into a deadly corner. Integrating burning contemporary issues with the frenetic […]