Editorial Reviews

Priscilla by Jenny Knipfer is an earnest and heartwarming historical novel set in early 20^th century rural America, part of the Apron Strings series of historical Christian fiction, with each installment written by a different author. Priscilla joins a cooking class as she dreams of being the perfect woman and wife like her mother used to be. However, she comes to realize that love, marriage, and family mean much more than a well-cooked meal. Written in an easy-going, intimate language, this is a romantic and tender story that will immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the time, even including actual recipes, for a fully-rounded read that is gentle in its outlook, but quietly profound about what it means to be a wife and mother in the modern age.

Weaving an allegorical warning within a dystopian parable, Don’t Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen takes a poignant jab at contemporary life and the missteps of our current social and economic progress. Eskild the Brotherhood Bear, ostracized from his community for promoting a timeless philosophy, must reunite with his siblings and find a righteous path to societal compromise, with the soul of the world hanging in the balance. The lyrical, somewhat fairy tale tone is sharply juxtaposed with the intense subject matter: xenophobia, wealth inequality, loss of faith, moral compromise, and the corrupting impact of capitalism. A philosophical fable and a blunt portrait of dystopia, this novel probes deeply into modern crises with a compelling cast of characters who are alternately disturbing and insightful.

A far-reaching manifesto about the transformative language of God, Paramorphing: The Secret Ancient Science of Transforming Physical Reality by Hari R. Mira is a deep dive into an ancient belief system – one the author argues has shaped the course of human history. Brimming with philosophical and religious explorations concerning the nature of existence, subjective reality, and personal control over those abstract paradigms, this text is a radical take on visualization techniques and more mainstream ideas of manifestation. Using extended metaphors and anecdotal parables to support the thesis of faith-based surrender, the author touches on everything from neuroscience and cognitive therapy to miracles and mind control. While the veracity of Mira’s theory must be taken on faith, it doesn’t negate the energized beliefs and intriguing proposals found within these pages, which could potentially be life-altering for dedicated readers.

Humanity survives in a philosophical cage at the edge of annihilation in The Devoured Sons by Seth Daniel Parker, a work of neo-mythological apocalyptic fiction that defies classification or comparison. The profoundly intelligent and deeply depressed narrator, Slevin, details in spectacular prose his academic and existential journey towards the fabled peaks of power, his brushes with unexpected immortality, and the ultimate discoveries in his quest for truth. Blurring the lines between memoir, allegory, and sci-fi prophecy, Parker’s writing is infused with subtle wit and classical wisdom. Emboldening contemporary readers who may embrace their gnawing curiosity about life after apocalypse, this epically penned novel is an ambitious and impeccably crafted piece of dystopian fiction.

A kaleidoscopic collision of poetry, imagery, and thoughtful critique, Artwords by Beatriz M. Robles is an edgy and experimental collection of words and art. Blackout poetry and visual entendres explore the intimacy of linguistics and the multiple layers of meaning imbued in even the simplest objects or lines of prose. Aesthetically rubbing shoulders with Dadaism and radical post-modernism, this is an eclectic explosion from an original visual and literary artist. As Robles pushes into controversial realms with wry wit, colorful metaphors, and inventive wordplay, her cross-disciplinary practice comes into clearer focus, challenging readers to redefine their own boundaries of artistic expression.

A heartwarming testament to embracing age with grace, curiosity, and whimsy, The Ladies of Eyesore Towers by Janet Hutcheon is a charming read in an oft-overlooked genre niche. Dorothy, Evie, and Sue make an investment together when they co-buy a mysterious house with an intriguing and illicit history – anything to avoid the fate of a dreaded care home. Exploring the undeniable truths of mortality, morality, loss, and resilience in the face of time’s inexorable march, this touching story of friendship amidst life’s hard changes will resonate across generations. While the prose would benefit from a light editorial touch to trim the length of sentences, Hutcheon has crafted a comforting tale populated with recognizable and endearing characters.