Editorial Reviews

Bursting with visionary creativity and ominous warnings, The Festival of Sin and Other Tales of Fantasy by J. M. Unrue is a riveting collection of fantastical tales, some that feel prophetically torn from the near future, and others tapping into ancient existential questions. Whether dissecting the ethical implications of immortality among the stars or musing on the destiny of souls still seeking release from tragedy, the author weaves history, myth, and morality into wildly original stories. With a storytelling style reminiscent of Ursula K. LeGuin, and a profound yet straightforward narrative flow, Unrue’s deft pen is confident, clever, and timely, […]

A classic coming of age novella set in the magical world of The Ember Files, Vizard by Shari Marshall is a fantasy parable with a lovable heroine at its heart. After her magic-wielding parents are killed by a vicious Spellbinder, Juniper Berry must embark on a perilous journey – fortunately, her powers seem to be growing with each narrow escape. Fast-moving and fun for sorcery-loving YA fans, this quick read bounces from prison break-ins and romantic dabbles to fairy magic and soul-smashing battles, woven neatly with focused and animated storytelling. Packing an impressive amount of adventure into a compact […]

Part book of wisdom and part insight into the practice of evangelicalism, Do You Really Love Me? Feed My Sheep: Evangelisation – Stewardship – The Desire for Higher Love-Making by Ken Rolheiser offers the reader advice on a variety of topics so they can lead a good life and find a close relationship with God. Some of the key subjects covered include marriage, raising children, what evangelicalism is, and how best to form a connection with the divine. The author’s focus on finding something positive in all of life’s challenges is particularly inspiring and offers valuable lessons on being an […]

A time-travel adventure packed with mystery and hard lessons, Mysteries of a Middle Schooler: Let the Adventures Begin by Dr. Tonmar Johnson is a thrilling hyper-modern fantasy for middle grade readers. The start of fifth grade for tech-savvy Marcus and warrior-poet Evie Wilkins is exciting, but their ChatGPT-fueled plan to crack time travel takes them where they don’t expect. Redefining the concept of extra credit, Evie’s trip back to 1862 gives her everything she could ever need for their history presentation, but the lessons learned extend far beyond the classroom. Exploring deep concepts of bloodlines, inequality, loyalty, and the uncomfortable […]

A Sip of Magic by Kate Swansea is an enthralling work of romantic fantasy with a delightfully unique premise. Serena is a witch who wants to open a tearoom in Pembrooke, but she doesn’t get the welcome she had hoped – Jared, a handsome but strict member of the Magic Council, is trying to sabotage her in order to protect the secret of magic from the rest of the community. Can Serena and Jared see eye to eye, and can magic ever exist in the open? With effervescent prose, an enchanting backdrop, and an original cast of characters, the novel […]

Marisol, an illegal immigrant living in Washington Heights, New York, hatches a daring plan with her neighbor to marry for a Green Card, in Maria Rivera’s entertaining Christian romance novel, Chasing The Wind. The hapless Marisol attempts to seduce her new husband using an advice column from Cosmopolitan magazine, while her neighbor also needs to get married to keep his inheritance, with predictable but satisfying results, as their marriage of convenience blossoms into something much more. Religion is kept at the forefront of this romantic melodrama, through a regular sprinkling of earnest prayers and quotes from scripture, heightening the […]

Demystifying a revolutionary technology in both the classroom and the broader realm of teaching, ChatGPT Hacks for Teachers: A Comprehensive ChatGPT Guide for Educators for Teaching and Learning with Step-by-Step Instructions, Practical Demonstrations, Examples, Prompts, and Video Outputs by Keshav Jha is a thorough and useful guide for this new paradigm of education. Harnessing the power of AI for better educational outcomes of students and teachers alike is the utopian goal for many fans of ChatGPT, but understanding how to use the program effectively is the important first step. Whether you are seeking to develop more interactive learning modules, multilevel […]

The Moon Behind the Clouds by Vasilis Taouxis is a heartbreaking feminist novel set in Iran after the Islamic Revolution. Since her mother and brother’s sudden death, Azadeh’s father has spiraled down into depression and has stopped caring for her. When Azadeh becomes a victim of rape, the trauma triggers an early onset of her bipolar disorder, and her position in her radicalized community becomes extremely fragile. Inspired by a true story, Taouxis’ novel is a brutal, honest, and vivid account of the horrors and injustices suffered by a young girl believed to be guilty simply because she’s a woman, […]