Author: Richard French Release Date: 17 November 2025 Series: Convergence Series Genre: Dystopian, Speculative Fiction, Cyberpunk, Metaphysical Sci-Fi Format: E-book Pages: 393 pages Publisher: Indie Pen Press Blurb: In a world where emotions are harvested as hazardous waste, an elite Collector absorbs a child’s love—and awakens. Senior Collector Emma Thorne is the state’s most precise weapon until a four-year-old’s pure love fractures her conditioning. When her collection field fails on an immune stranger, everything she believes crumbles. Emma discovers the brutal truth: emotions aren’t waste—they’re living energy linked to planetary health, and the Council’s “peace” is killing the world. Her mother is the architect of suppression. Project Terminus will permanently sever human feeling within hours. For readers who devoured Delirium and The Giver, but crave the hard science and hope of Nexus. To save humanity, she must sacrifice everything she is to restore the world’s heart. Pre-order your copy now and be one of the first to discover what happens when the weapon learns to love.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Emotion Collector: Awakening by Richard French blends science fiction, philosophy, and pure human emotion into something that defies easy categorization. It is an ambitious, multi-layered exploration of emotion, memory, morality, and what it truly means to feel.
The premise is instantly fascinating: in a world where emotions can be extracted, stored, and traded, one person begins to question whether humanity is losing the very thing that makes it human. But this isn’t just a cyberpunk “what if,” it’s a deeply reflective journey through consciousness, loss, and redemption. French uses his protagonist’s awakening as a mirror for all of us, how much of our inner life is ours to control, and how much is shaped by the systems we live within?
What makes the novel shine is its philosophical and psychological richness. French intertwines emotional introspection with speculative science, blurring the line between technology and spirituality. The world-building is subtle but effective, while the emotional undercurrents remain raw. Each supporting character feels like a fragment of the larger question the novel poses: can emotion exist without consequence, or is pain the price of depth?
Stylistically, The Emotion Collector: Awakening balances poetic introspection with crisp pacing. French’s prose has rhythm, with one moment meditative and the next sharp and cinematic. Thematically, it sits comfortably alongside works like Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro or The Giver by Lois Lowry, but its voice is entirely its own, more speculative and abstract, with a touch of existential wonder.
The Emotion Collector: Awakening is a beautifully written exploration of emotion, consciousness, and control. This book offers both intellectual stimulation and emotional resonance, a rare and rewarding combination.
Author: David Morabito Release Date: 30 September 2025 Series: Genre: Format: E-book Pages: 269 pages Publisher: – Blurb: This novel continues where the Night of the Fisherman left off and is packed with suspense, fantasy, and romance as well as elements of science fiction with shrouded references to quantum physics. The characters are instantly transported between different realms in the cosmos using wormholes where the entry and exit ports are defined by clocks composed of mysterious substances. Each clock is the mirror image of the other, with each working backwards from the other. We follow the exploits of the intriguing dark character known as the Old Clock Peddler, who sells paired clocks to unsuspecting consumers in different worlds causing interesting and unexpected interactions between diverse populations of beings. All the while, the Peddler has mysterious interactions with the characters caught up in his intergalactic web of intrigue, which include Lexicon, the principality of Yore and the land of the Druids
Intrigue continues to follow two of the main characters from Night of the Fisherman, Fish (a.k.a. the Fisherman) and Kara in the 1950’s-1960’s suburban town of Lexicon. They along with other neighbors now have to contend with the power-hungry Surf, the surviving son of Poppa, who previously terrorized the local neighborhood and beyond. All the while, the character known as the dark Entity lurks about ready to do Surf’s bidding. A secret society in Lexicon known as the City Fathers anoints Surf as their new Boss in their quest to amass more power and wealth, after the death of Poppa. A shady slimy lawyer named McAlister Bilge aids Surf in his quest for more power and wealth. Other neighbors such as little Elmo get caught up in the intrigue as well as the old man Mr. Ages, now reunited with his long lost son after several decades, Tommy, who once served as King of Yore under the name of Twede. A host of new characters are introduced, including three college students, one of which believes he understands the physics of instantaneous intergalactic transport, while another desires Kara, the Fisherman’s girlfriend, to be his own. Frank Knightlite, a heroic figure in the small town of Lexicon, is known to shed light within the bowels of darkness. Aisling is a young Irish lass whose family got marooned in the strange world of mutated descendants of the Druids, courtesy of one of the Peddler’s wormholes. She gets rescued by the Fisherman and Frank Knightlite, who use a recently reestablished porthole to bring her back to Lexicon and eventually to that big green island across the sea to be united with her surviving relatives. Frank Knightlite has a clandestine encounter with Leena, the terrified and neglected young wife of Surf, in order to extract needed information from her. In the Kingdom of Yore, an ensuing power struggle is in the works as Renigade a wayward Elder had escaped the palace dungeon and seeks to solidify a power sharing pact with Surf. The small gnomish person Georgos contributes to the drama as he again is put into service by his dethroned king Twede, now known as Tommy Ages. Twede reunites with his love Tarala when the porthole between Lexicon and Yore is reestablished by the Peddler. It is later disclosed that Surf has an estranged brother who covets what Surf has and is determined to claim all that Surf inherited from Poppa as his birthright. Finally, the novel climaxes at the scene of the lake of fire, a huge cauldron-like depression in the planetary surface of Yore. Here, Surf plans to send his prisoners to their demise in the same way his Poppa attempted in the Night of the Fisherman. However, Surf does not count on having to contend with his brother as they confront each other near the precipice of the fiery lake, as the prisoners look on while the drama unfolds in unexpected and suspenseful ways.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
The Old Clock Peddler by David Morabito is an unapologetically ambitious novel that dares to blend genres, timelines, and entire worlds into a single, intricate story. It is a heady mix of fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and myth that asks what happens when the very fabric of time becomes a weapon in the wrong hands. Picking up after Night of the Fisherman, it expands that universe into something grander, stranger, and far more cosmic, where wormholes, quantum portals, and mirrored clocks connect realities that feel both familiar and fantastical.
The brilliance of the story lies in how author Morabito balances the ordinary and the extraordinary. One moment we’re in the 1950s suburbia of Lexicon, with neighbors feuding and secret societies pulling strings; the next, we’re swept into Yore, a world of Druids, monarchs, and celestial intrigue. At the heart of it all is the enigmatic Old Clock Peddler, a merchant of fate who trades in time itself, selling paired clocks that open portals between realms. His motives remain tantalizingly ambiguous, and that ambiguity fuels the novel’s haunting energy. What makes it even more fascinating is the undercurrent of quantum theory, not just as science, but as philosophy, questioning whether actions in one reality can truly be separated from another.
Returning characters like Fish (the Fisherman) and Kara anchor the story emotionally, while newcomers like Frank Knightlite, Aisling, and Leena add texture and momentum. Author Morabito writes with cinematic vision: his worlds shimmer with contrast, from suburban intrigue to interplanetary warfare, yet he never loses sight of the emotional threads laced with loyalty, love, and the eternal struggle for power.
By the time the story barrels toward its climax at the fiery lake of Yore, it feels like watching mythology and physics collide as it gets unpredictable, charged, and strangely moving. The Old Clock Peddler isn’t a light read; it’s sprawling, layered, and packed with ideas. But for readers who love universe-spanning sagas and thoughtful science-fantasy with heart, this book offers a rare kind of satisfaction, the sense of stepping into a world both ancient and ahead of its time.
Author: Melanie Anagnos Release Date: 8 July 2025 Series: The Jamie Palmieri Mystery Genre: Crime Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 320 pages Publisher: High Frequency Press Blurb: Paterson, New Jersey, 1979: Jamie Palmieri is an up-and-coming patrol officer, three years out of the academy and frustrated with his slow rise to detective. That all changes one frigid night in January, when a double homicide at a local bar leaves the owner and a young woman dead. In the wake of the Rubin “Hurricane” Carter proceedings and the city’s lingering distrust for the police, Jamie is told to expect a “no one saw a thing” investigation. But as Jamie traces a series of small leads, he’s sent on a path where the tables turn suddenly – with the still-unknown killer now stalking Jamie and the people he’s closest to. A classic police procedural charged with the social turbulence of the 1970s.
Editorial Reviews
“Anagnos smartly uses the structure of the police procedural to probe the ways in which the 1970s were both an incredibly progressive and sneakily regressive time for women – and the ways men struggled to keep up when things were changing at such a dizzying clip…and brings Paterson, at this juncture, to vivid life.”
– Sarah Weinman, The New York TimesBook Review
“…debut novelist Anagnos sweats so many procedural details of Jamie’s painstaking investigation that you’ll sweat along with him. The real star of this show is Paterson, which feels as menacing, vivid, and multilayered as Walter Mosley’s Watts.” – Kirkus Review
“Nightswimming is my favorite kind of crime novel-rich, character-driven crime that drops me right into the action. Melanie Anagnos beautifully conjures a 1970s Paterson, New Jersey that feels so lived in, I practically teleported. This is just the best kind of noir-a crime as complex and relevant today as it ever was, a world where one good man can still make a difference. I cannot wait to dive back into the world of Jamie Palmieri!” -Halley Sutton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hurricane Blonde
“Contemplative, pacy, and with a setting so vivid you can taste the industrial grit on your tongue. Paterson, New Jersey in the late 1970s is not a place I’ve ever yearned to visit; by the time I reached the propulsive climax of Anagnos’s story, I never wanted to leave.”
– Kat Rosenfield, author of the Edgar Award-nominated thriller, No One Will Miss Her
“… all the intrigue, twists, turns, and danger one would hope for in a great crime novel. Anagnos has written a compassionate, emphatic, sweet and sexy protagonist who I not only like but love…A page turner is an understatement. Nightswimming pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.” -Patricia TM Dunn, author of the award-winning novel, Her Father’s Daughter
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Nightswimming by Melanie Anagnos is a debut that feels both nostalgic and freshly alive, a story rooted in the grit of the past but pulsing with emotional immediacy. It is a taut, character-driven police procedural set in Paterson, New Jersey, 1979, that manages to be both a gripping crime story and a deeply emotional portrait of a man trying to do right in a city and an era where justice rarely runs straight.
The story follows Jamie Palmieri, a young patrol officer desperate to move up the ranks when a double homicide lands on his desk. What begins as a straightforward investigation soon becomes something much darker; a labyrinth of distrust, corruption, and obsession that blurs the line between cop and prey. Author Anagnos captures the tension of the procedural perfectly with the long hours, the frustrating leads, and the constant second-guessing, but it’s Jamie’s emotional exploration that makes the book truly unforgettable. He’s vulnerable, principled, and haunted, the kind of protagonist readers root for not because he’s flawless, but because he’s real.
What impressed me most is how Anagnos balances crime and context. This isn’t just a mystery about two murders; it’s a story about a city in transition, still reeling from the Rubin “Hurricane” Carter trials, simmering with racial tension, gender shifts, and working-class despair. The author’s depiction of 1970s Paterson is vivid and sensory, you can feel the industrial grit on your skin, smell the cigarette smoke in the station house, hear the uneasy quiet between officers who no longer trust each other. The prose is clean and cinematic, the pacing steady and deliberate until it explodes into moments of real danger.
Overall, Nightswimming is astriking debut. It is atmospheric, emotionally intelligent, and perfectly paced. Nightswimming blends the precision of classic noir with the introspection of modern literary crime. Perfect for readers of Dennis Lehane, Tana French, or anyone who loves their mysteries layered with heart and history.
Author: Adam Fike Release Date: 20 March 2025 Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER Genre: Noir, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Format: E-book Pages: 76 pages Publisher: – Blurb: NOIR MYSTERY – A dead escaped convict finds himself, and his redemption, at the hometown robbery where a gunshot began his criminal career. PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor. Reading. Why not do it for fun sometimes? More at AdamFike.com/books All Rights Reserved
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Yardley County by Adam Fike is a slow-burning, deeply atmospheric story that captures the loneliness of rural life and the small, almost imperceptible shifts that change everything. It’s the kind of book that takes its time, inviting you to settle into the rhythms of its world before showing you the fractures beneath its surface.
Set in a fictional southern county, the novel threads together the lives of characters bound by place and silence. Fike has a poet’s ear for dialogue, sparse but loaded, and a painter’s eye for setting. You can almost feel the humidity of late summer, the creak of porch boards, and the oppressive stillness of a town that’s seen too much yet talks too little. What unfolds is part mystery, part psychological portrait, and part elegy: a meditation on guilt, grief, and the tendency to bury what we can’t face.
What I found remarkable is how Fike resists melodrama. His writing is restrained but emotionally sharp; every revelation feels earned. The characters linger long after the final page because they feel real. There’s empathy even in their worst choices, and Fike uses that empathy to build tension in the best of ways. The moral questions the novel raises, about justice, memory, and forgiveness, unfold slowly, like the unspooling of a long-held confession.
Yardley County is a haunting, beautifully crafted work of literary suspense. It’s a story that’s less about what happens and more about how it feels to live with what’s happened. Perfect for readers of Kent Haruf, Celeste Ng, or Where the Crawdads Sing, it’s an unforgettable exploration of a tender heart under pressure.
Author:Richard French Release Date: 8 July 2025 Series: Part of: The Convergence Series (2 books) Genre: Speculative Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 530 pages Publisher: Indie Pen Press Blurb: When reality fractures, love becomes the ultimate weapon. Engineer Samantha Reed’s perfectly ordered world explodes the night golden light erupts from her hands. Across the city, artist Connor Blake watches impossible shadows flow from his sculptures, defying every law of physics. Neither understands that these abilities mark them as living echoes of souls who died 150 years ago—souls who sacrificed themselves to save reality itself. Now reality is breaking again. Cosmic forces write aurora patterns across daylight skies. Reality storms tear through populated sectors. And the zealous Williams organization deploys weapons designed to destroy souls so completely that no form of existence—not even reincarnation—would survive.
But Samantha and Connor are more than just targets. They’re the key to completing a restoration that was interrupted a century and a half ago. As shared dreams and inexplicable compulsions draw them together, they discover their connection transcends this lifetime—and that their growing love might be the only force powerful enough to heal wounds carved into the fabric of existence itself. The hunt is closing in. Reality won’t wait. And some bonds are stronger than death. Margaret Carter, guardian of forbidden historical knowledge, races to reach them before the Williams assassins strike. Emergency coordinator Nina Reyes struggles to protect civilians as magical disasters escalate beyond all containment. And deep in classified archives, evidence emerges that everything the magical authorities believe about unified consciousness—and the couple who wields it—is catastrophically wrong. In this breathtaking sequel to The Convergence: Broken Magic, two souls separated by lifetimes must choose between individual survival and cosmic salvation. Their victory heals the broken reality around them, letting them become guides for a restored world while keeping both their love and their lives.. Perfect for readers who loved The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and The Priory of the Orange Tree. ⭐ Enemies-to-lovers across family bloodlines ⭐ Reincarnated soulmates with preserved memories ⭐ Contemporary fantasy with hidden magical history ⭐ Engineer meets artist in a love story that could heal the universe ⭐ Complex worldbuilding with philosophical depth Some missions transcend individual authority. Some love transcends time itself.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Convergence: Restoration by Richard French is the sequel to The Convergence: Broken Magicand it doesn;t just continue the story, it deepens it, revealing new dimensions that make you see the first book in an entirely new light. Picking up after Broken Magic, it expands the series’ universe in breathtaking ways, weaving together romance, philosophy, and speculative science into a narrative that feels as intimate as it is cosmic.
At its heart are Samantha and Connor, two people drawn together by forces older than memory itself. What begins as a story of survival quickly evolves into something much larger, a meditation on destiny, choice, and the enduring power of connection across lifetimes. Author French balances these high-concept ideas with brilliant emotional balance; the bond between his leads feels real and raw, even as they face realities that bend time, physics, and spiritual law. It’s that balance, between the epic and the personal, that gives Restoration its resonance.
What truly stands out for me is the philosophical depth behind the fantasy. French explores the nature of consciousness and love not as abstractions but as forces capable of reshaping existence itself. The supporting characters serve as lenses through which the reader witnesses the clash between old magic and new understanding. The world-building is rich and intricate, but never overwhelming; it feels like stepping into a grand, hidden architecture of reality that’s slowly being restored, one choice at a time.
By the time the story reaches its climax, The Convergence: Restoration becomes not just a tale of two soulmates but a story about collective healing, about how connection, compassion, and memory can literally rebuild the broken. It’s equal parts thrilling, tender, and thought-provoking, the kind of speculative fiction that stays with you long after you close the book.
The Convergence: Restoration is a sweeping, emotional, and intellectually satisfying sequel that fuses science, magic, and love into something transcendent. it is perfect for readers who adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and for anyone drawn to stories where love isn’t just a feeling but a force of creation.
Author: T.A. Morton Release Date: 23 April 2025 Series: Genre: Philosophycal, Reflective, Asian Literature Format: E-book Pages: 202 pages Publisher: – Blurb: A mysterious mask abandoned in a Hong Kong coffee shop eavesdrops on the lives of those who enter, asking, who are we beneath our masks? The Coffee Shop Masquerade is a captivating exploration of transient lives seeking meaning amid everyday encounters, much like the alluring cup of coffee that unites and intrigues us all. As the enigmatic forces inspired by the Tao Te Ching loom over them, choices must be made, secrets revealed, and unexpected bonds forged—all under the watchful gaze of a mysterious mask.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Coffee Shop Masquerade T.A. Morton feels simple on the surface but ripples with depth the longer you sit with it. Part fable, part philosophical reflection, it is an elegantly written exploration of identity, connection, and the spaces we inhabit between truth and illusion. It begins with something as ordinary as a mask left behind in a Hong Kong café, but what follows is anything but ordinary. Through that mask’s silent observation, Morton unravels a series of intertwined lives, each one searching for meaning in the chaos of modern existence.
What makes this novel so engaging is its sense of calm observation. Much like the Taoist philosophy that threads through the story, The Coffee Shop Masquerade doesn’t rush toward answers; instead, it invites you to sit still and listen. There’s something profound about the way author Morton captures loneliness and belonging, weaving them together with the aroma of coffee and the pulse of a city constantly in motion.
The prose itself feels meditative; lyrical but never indulgent. Every chapter brings a new encounter, a new glimpse into people who, in another story, might have remained background characters. Here, they each step briefly into the light, revealing the masks they wear and the truths they fear. The mysterious presence of the mask becomes both narrator and mirror, reflecting back to the reader their own unspoken longing to be seen for who they truly are.
The Coffee Shop Marquerade is a thoughtful, graceful, and profound literary reflection on identity and interconnectedness. It’s perfect for readers who love reflective fiction like The Little Paris Bookshop or Klara and the Sun, and for anyone drawn to stories that brew philosophy and emotion into something soothing yet stirring.
Author: Adam Fike Release Date: 20 March 2025 Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER Genre: Historical Fiction, Supernatural Intrigue Format: E-book Pages: 97 pages Publisher: – Blurb: HISTORIC DRAMA – The wicked life of a notorious nineteenth-century violinist, who played so beautifully, and broke so many hearts, they thought he was the devil. PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor.Reading. Why not do it for fun sometimes? More at AdamFike.com/books
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Paganini by Adam Fike captures the strange intersection where genius meets madness; where art, ambition, and darkness blur into something hauntingly beautiful. Inspired by the legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini, Fike crafts a rich, atmospheric exploration of obsession and talent, asking the timeless question: what price must one pay for greatness? Told with gothic elegance and a psychological edge, the novel walks the fine line between historical fiction and supernatural intrigue, making it a deeply immersive read.
From the very first page, Fike’s prose hums with tension. It is sharp, rhythmic, and musical in itself. The settings feel tangible, and the narrative mirrors a composition; building in tempo, layering motifs of desire, guilt, and genius until it crescendos into something unsettling.
The novel also thrives on its sense of atmosphere. There’s an undercurrent of the uncanny, the author never lets the supernatural overwhelm the narrative, using it as metaphor, showing how obsession can feel like possession.
Overall, darkly lyrical and psychologically intense, Paganini is both a portrait of genius and a cautionary tale about the hunger for immortality. Perfect for readers who loved The Master and Margarita or The Picture of Dorian Gray, and for anyone fascinated by the thin line between creation and self-destruction.
Author: Adam Williams Release Date: 1 November 2025 Series: Genre: Historical Mystery, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 382 pages Publisher: Earnshaw Books Ltd Blurb: Egypt 1099 CE, Qahira (Cairo) Samuel, a Jewish doctor versed in alchemy, and Gregory, his English apprentice, are investigating a terrifying plague. The Nile has turned red with blood and fish are dying. Near a small island, they wrangle a badly torn body from the jaws of a crocodile — but was this beast the killer? Samuel suspects foul play yet the authorities block his efforts to find the truth at every step. Ignoring the warnings from people in high places, and with nothing more to guide him than his scientific method, Samuel is determined to persist in his quest, especially after a series of gruesome murders seem to confirm his early suspicion.
Little does he know that the secret he will stumble on could shake the empire. Assassins are on the prowl. A child is being hunted. Who finds him first will change the course of history..
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
A River of Blood by Adam Williams is a richly textured historical mystery set in 1099 Egypt, where science, faith, and power collide. Set across Fustat and Qahira (old Cairo), the book opens in a world of scholarship, court intrigue, and gathering dread. Author Williams anchors the story in a striking image: the Nile “turning to blood” and fish dying, a scientific mystery that echoes Exodus while refusing easy mysticism. It’s a hook that blends atmosphere, theology, and empiricism in one sweep, and it pulled me in immediately.
The characterisation is brilliant and the world-building is superb. Author Williams weaves theology and politics into the mystery, so the stakes are never just “whodunnit,” but who gets to define truth: the scholar, the priest, or the state. The prose is clean and vivid; action beats snap, but what really stays with you are the moral compromises people make to survive the empire.
Without spoiling the turns, I will share that the volume closes on an earned pivot toward Jerusalem, with a neat blend of intimate vow and geopolitical fuse. It’s a satisfying end-point for Book 1. I turned the last page both satisfied and hungry for the continuation. A River of Blood is a learned and atmospheric historical crime mystery that mirrors Umberto Eco’s curiosity with Michael Jecks’ momentum. For readers who like their mysteries braided with theology, politics, and human tenderness, this will be a perfect read.
Author: Sloane Mercer Release Date: 2 October 2025 Series: Genre: Psychological Thriller, Political Thriller, Terrorism/Espionage Thriller, Literary Suspense, International Intrigue Format: E-book Pages: 193 pages Publisher: AMEE Publishing Blurb: Everyone’s the hero in their story. Even the monsters. Jake Rossi, a Capitol crewman trying to rebuild his life, isn’t looking for meaning — just a paycheck, a place to belong, maybe someone to talk to. Then he meets Emily, a reserved Belgian chocolatier with a scar on her collarbone and eyes that never blink. Her silence is magnetic. Her past, untouchable.
But the closer Jake gets, the more off-kilter things begin to feel. Curiosity twists into obsession. Obsession curdles into fear. Is Emily a survivor haunted by shadows, or the shadow itself? Every answer Jake uncovers only deepens the riddle, and every step closer drags him toward a truth too dangerous to name. By the time the city gathers under banners and floodlights, it may already be too late. For readers of dark, atmospheric, slow-burning psychological thrillers with flawed heroes and razor-wire tension, Catalyst will keep you turning pages deep into the night.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Catalyst by Sloane Mercer is the kind of slow-burning psychological thriller that creeps under your skin rather than rushing to shock you. Sloane Mercer’s writing carries that rare balance of elegance and unease, drawing you in with the intimacy of character before you even realize you’re standing at the edge of something dark.
The brilliance of this story lies in its tension, not the loud, cinematic kind, but the quiet, suffocating kind that makes you second-guess what’s real. As Jake’s fascination with Emily deepens, the novel turns into an exploration of obsession, perception, and the fragility of sanity. Mercer’s prose is clean and deliberate, every sentence calibrated to tighten the thread of unease. You start to feel as though you’re peering through a fog, seeing outlines of truth but never the whole picture. And that’s precisely what makes Catalyst addictive; it’s less about solving a mystery and more about descending into it.
Jake is written with a refreshing honesty. He is flawed, lonely, and relatable. He’s not a classic hero; he’s someone doing his best to survive the static of his own mind. Emily, on the other hand, is mesmerizing; part riddle, part mirror , and Mercer wisely resists defining her too soon. Through their fractured connection, the book asks a chilling question: what happens when our need to understand someone else exposes the darkness in ourselves? By the time the truth begins to surface, you realize Catalyst isn’t just about the main character, but about the stories we tell to justify the monsters we become.
Catalyst is atmospheric, introspective, and razor-sharp. It’s a dark psychological thriller that trades jump scares for slow, emotional corrosion. It is perfect for readers who loved Gone Girl or You, and crave stories that linger long after the last page.
Author: Chanchal Garg Release Date: 2nd June 2025 Series: Genre: Autobiography Format: E-book Pages: 282 pages Publisher: Blurb: In this searing memoir, Chanchal Garg reveals the spiritual and sexual abuse that shattered her sense of self and forced her to question a life defined by duty and sacrifice. Raised as a devoted Indian daughter, she was taught never to question authority-until a transformative moment during a yoga class, while pregnant with her daughter, awakened a truth she could no longer ignore. That realization set her on a solitary journey, as she lost her faith, community, and the life she had always known. Without the support she had once relied on, she had to learn to trust herself, reclaim her bicultural identity, and redefine what it meant to be both Indian and American-on her own terms
Unearthed is a powerful call to every woman who has ever felt silenced-an invitation to trust your inner voice, reclaim your story, and return to yourself.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Unearthed by Chanchal Garg is a book that doesn not just tell a story but bares a soul. This beautiful memoir is raw and luminous in equal measure. It traces author Garg’s painful yet empowering journey through spiritual and sexual abuse, her loss of faith, and the reclamation of her identity as both Indian and American. The book’s greatest strength lies in its honesty as Garg doesn’t hide behind polished prose or distance herself from the pain. Instead, she invites the reader into her unraveling and rebuilding, offering a voice that feels courageous, vulnerable, and deeply relatable.
Garg’s writing is tender but unflinching. Each chapter feels like a confession whispered into the dark. She shares moments of doubt, grief, awakening, and slow healing stitched together with lyrical precision. What moved me most was her ability to explore trauma without letting it consume the narrative. Unearthed isn’t a story of victimhood; it’s a story of reclamation. Through her awakening during a yoga class, while carrying new life within her, Garg begins to question the doctrines and power structures that once defined her, and in doing so, she creates space for other women to do the same. The narrative feels spiritual, but not in a religious sense, it’s about returning to oneself, trusting that quiet inner knowing that so many of us are taught to suppress.
The memoir also shines in how it navigates bicultural identity. Garg’s experience of being both Indian and American resonates profoundly. Her journey is personal, but her insights are universal. By the end, you’re not just reading about her healing; you’re reminded of your own capacity to listen inwardly and rebuild. Unearthed doesn’t promise easy closure but offers something rarer: authenticity, compassion, and permission to begin again.
Unearthed is a beautifully written, soul-stirring memoir about pain, awakening, and self-trust. Perfect for readers who loved Educated by Tara Westover or When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, and for anyone seeking a reminder that healing is not linear, but always possible.
Author: Richard French Release Date: 1 March 2025 Series: Convergence Series Genre: Dystopian, Speculative Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 184 pages Publisher: Indie Pen Press Blurb: Federation Enforcer Samantha Reed has orders to kill Connor Blake—the one person whose soul was torn from hers when the Federation shattered magic itself. Reality is fracturing across the galaxy as the Convergence approaches, a cosmic force trying to heal what was broken. The Federation claims Connor’s rebellion is causing the breakdown, but when Samantha confronts him, stolen memories surface: their connection isn’t coincidence—it’s the echo of a bond artificially severed centuries ago.
Their unified magic doesn’t combine separate powers—it remembers what they were before the Federation broke everything apart. But every moment they spend reconnected awakens the truth the Federation desperately hides: the artificial separation is failing, and only their restored unity can stabilize reality’s collapse. As the cosmos continues to unravel, the Federation’s leader plans to use the Convergence’s healing energy as a weapon to make the separation permanent—even if it destroys existence in the process. The choice isn’t between order and chaos, but between artificial control and natural wholeness. For readers who devoured Shadow and Bone and The Ten Thousand Doors of January, this is forbidden unity with the fate of reality hanging in the balance. When remembering their true connection means choosing between Federation loyalty and cosmic healing, will Samantha embrace what was stolen from them—or let the universe fracture forever to preserve a lie? Get your copy now and discover why some bonds refuse to stay broken.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Every once in a while, I stumble on a sci-fantasy that feels both classic and new, and The Convergence: Broken Magic did exactly that for me. Richard French builds a world where magic has been split (politically, philosophically, and literally) and the cost of that fracture touches everything. What I loved most is how the book stays emotional even while juggling heady ideas; the opening teases the cosmic stakes with “shadow and light” patterns that feel sentient, immediately hinting this isn’t just good-vs-evil but a deeper question of how things were broken, and whether they can be made whole again.
The chapters (especially in the middle) blend brisk action with chewy ideas about power, control, and institutional memory without drowning you in exposition. I especially enjoyed how the story frames “unified” magic as something natural and healing, while forced control breaks people and worlds; a theme that gives the battles real emotional stakes.
Author French’s prose is clean and unfussy, letting the math-meets-myth logic of the magic system carry the wonder. The antagonist’s motivation, born from trauma and fear, adds dimension to the conflict and avoids mustache-twirling; policy, paranoia, and grief entwine into a believable agenda that feels tragically real. This nuance makes the late-book confrontations land harder because the “villain” isn’t simply wrong; he’s convincingly afraid of what ungoverned power can do.
The finale pays off the promise of the title, with sacrifice, restoration, and an earned sense of hope. Without spoiling anything: the book argues that wholeness requires consent and cost, not coercion, which is a beautiful take for a series opener. I closed the book feeling satisfied yet curious about where this universe goes next, which is always my favorite way to end the first in a series. If you like high-stakes magic systems grounded in character and consequence, this belongs on your TBR.
Author: Thomas C. HoseyDPM Release Date: 31 July 2025 Series: Genre: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 260 pages Publisher: Pegasus Publishers Blurb: Ian thought his quiet life was safe-until the night his uncle was brutally murdered. Narrowly escaping the same fate, Ian finds himself relentlessly pursued by a shadowy organization determined to silence him. Desperate and alone, he reconnects with Nicki, his former college love, a brilliant hacker, and someone with a knack for uncovering secrets.
Together, they dive into the dark web, unearthing a horrifying secret: a human trafficking cult known as the Church of Redemption, led by the ruthless Supreme Pastor Rick-the man responsible for Ian’s uncle’s death. As Ian and Nicki work to expose the cult, they uncover a web of corruption and terror that runs deeper than they imagined. Packed with suspense, danger, and moral dilemmas, “The Supreme Pastor” is a high-stakes thriller that will keep you on the edge until the final explosive twist.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Supreme Pastor by Thomas C. Hosey DPM is an intense, unsettling thriller that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Thomas Hosey builds his story around a terrifying cult hidden deep in rural America, a community ruled by manipulation, fear, and blind devotion. What begins as a quiet introduction to a mysterious world quickly spirals into a gripping tale of control, violence, and survival. Author Hosey’s pacing is taut, his atmosphere charged with paranoia, and his storytelling filled with moments that make your pulse quicken.
What impressed me most was how emotional the story feels, even in its darkest moments. The novel explores the kind of psychological and emotional control that allows people to surrender their will, not just out of fear, but sometimes out of desperate faith. The titular Supreme Pastor is a chilling antagonist, both charismatic and monstrous, and the world he commands feels disturbingly real.
Yet, beneath all the tension and violence, there’s a thread of emotionality that grounds the book. The characters, those trapped inside the cult and those trying to save them, are not just pawns in a thriller plot; they’re flawed, hopeful, and painfully realistic. Their choices carry emotional weight, and the moments of courage, even the smallest ones, shine all the brighter against the darkness surrounding them.
The Supreme Pastor is not an easy read as it’s raw, sometimes brutal, and emotionally charged, but it’s also powerful and deeply thought-provoking. It exposes the danger of blind faith, the seduction of power, and the resilience of those who dare to resist. Author Hosey has written a thriller that’s not just about escaping a cult; it’s about reclaiming one’s will and voice. It is perfect for fans of fast-paced thrillers with high-stakes action and thrills.
Author: G H Mosson Release Date: 22 April 2025 Series: Genre: Poetry Format: E-book Pages: 90 pages Publisher: David Robert Books Blurb: Singing the Forge explores the singing of what’s shaped us and what we’ve shaped for ourselves. Through poems at times personal, plus vignettes from men and women of the past two centuries in the book’s middle section, these poems offer mirrors of becomings. Readers encounter melodies from diverse lives. Across free verse, meter, and poems of organic form, you might just see yourself.
G. H. Mosson is the author of five prior books and chapbooks of poetry, including Questions of Fire (Plain View Press), Season of Flowers and Dust (Goose River Press), and Family Snapshot as a Poem in Time (Finishing Line Press). Two of the chapbooks are collaborative, Heart X-rays & Simultaneous Revolutions (PM Press). His poetry has appeared in The Tampa Review, California Quarterly, The Hollins Critic, The Potomac Review, Smartish Pace, Lines & Stars, Free State Review, SurVision of Ireland, and across the U.S.
“Through a series of beautiful meditative lyrics, Mosson links childhood and adulthood, journey and reckoning, memory and wonder. A humane and earnest poet, Mosson is as much attuned to ‘songless streets of Baltimore’ as to ‘trees’ unnamed relation to the world.’ He captures this attunement with carefully measured language and impressive precision. Many poems are probing observations of places and people, rendered in verbal landscapes revealing his debt to visual artists. Hans Hofman, Philip Guston, Henry Moore are three invoked in this volume. The poems in Singing the Forge create a philosophy of life centered around the idea of harmony with the universe – even if harmony’s always at the verge of disintegration. They should be paid attention to and cherished for this reason.” -Piotr Gwiazda, Professor of English, Univ. of Pittsburgh
“Mosson’s poems are magical, memorable and meticulous, speaking to the powerful pull of locales and weathers and loves, yet get pinned to the memories of a reader with lines like these, spoken by a physician in his old age: ‘The nursing home is out there like a shark/ that has swallowed so many of my patients one by one.’ Give a copy to someone you love but be sure to keep one for yourself.”-Clarinda Harris, Professor Emeritus, Towson University -Piotr Gwiazda, Professor of English, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
G.H. Mosson’sSinging the Forge is a contemplative and richly textured poetry collection that meditates on creation and the shaping forces of time, memory, and place. It’s a book that doesn’t simply present poems; it invites readers into a dialogue about how we are formed by what we build, love, and lose. The collection moves fluidly between the personal and the historical, exploring the idea of “forging” as an act of both endurance and transformation.
What I found most compelling about Mosson’s work is his ability to weave lyrical introspection with a painter’s eye for detail. Each poem feels sculpted, deliberate, and yet brimming with emotion. His imagery, whether drawn from the “songless streets of Baltimore” or from the elemental beauty of nature, transforms the ordinary into something almost sacred. There’s a rhythm to his lines that mirrors the forge itself: heat, strike, cool, and shape again. It’s poetry that asks you to slow down and feel the subtle music of thought.
Throughout the book, Mosson balances philosophy and tenderness. The poems meditate on memory, childhood, work, and the constant tension between chaos and harmony. You sense an awareness that life itself is a form of art, ever unfinished, ever reshaped by our hands and hearts. This awareness gives the collection its emotional pulse, turning each piece into an intimate act of reckoning and renewal.
Singing the Forge is a beautifully crafted, powerful collection that rewards patience and reflection. It’s for readers who find comfort in language that hums with meaning and for those who believe poetry still has the power to make sense of our shared becoming.
Author: Ni Wencai Release Date: 29 July 2025 Series: Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 229 pages Publisher: Earnshaw Books Blurb: For more than three decades into the early 21st Century, China’s effort to curb population growth through the “one-child policy” created a wave of abandoned Chinese infants, most of them girls. Around 160,000 of these Chinese children found homes abroad, with more than half of them joining American families. International adoptions should be a beautiful story of familial love transcending national boundaries. However, when the unintended fallout from the one-child policy came to light, it captured Western media attention, making China’s international adoption program a controversial subject.
This book offers a unique blend of Chinese and Western perspectives. The author, a Chinese civil servant who also oversaw a local orphanage, is a scholar with an international outlook. The book explores human relationships: familial bonds that transcend biological links, the continuing connection of the adoptees and their families with their homeland in China, and the special relationship that developed between the author and families who adopted daughters from his jurisdiction. In an era of unprecedented geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, this book highlights an overwhelmingly positive aspect of the relationship between citizens of these two great nations, offering much-needed inspiration and hope.,
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Love Without Borders by Ni Wencai is a heartfelt and deeply moving story that explores the universal longing for connection across cultures, distances, and emotional boundaries. What begins as a seemingly simple narrative of two people brought together by chance gradually unfolds into something more profound; a meditation on love, identity, and the courage it takes to open oneself up to another person in an unfamiliar world. The author writes with tenderness and sincerity, allowing readers to feel the push and pull of emotion that defines cross-cultural relationships.
What I found particularly moving about this book is how grounded it is in real emotion. It doesn’t romanticize difference or distance but instead portrays love as a complex, evolving force that is beautiful, frustrating, and transformative. The characters feel authentic, their flaws and hopes interwoven with the settings they inhabit. From moments of introspection to scenes of cultural discovery, every page captures the vulnerability of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone for the sake of connection.
The prose flows with warmth and restraint, striking a delicate balance between passion and reflection. The pacing allows readers to breathe, to feel the weight of each emotional beat, and to witness how love reshapes the individuals at its center. There’s a sense of maturity in the storytelling that makes it stick with you after the story is over.
In essence, Love Without Borders is not just a story about romance; it’s about empathy, transformation, and the shared emotional connection that transcends geography. It’s a reminder that while love may begin between two people, it ultimately bridges entire worlds.
Author: Diane Schaffer Release Date: 4 March 2025 Series: A Mortal Zin Mystery (Book #1) Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Humour Format: E-book Pages: 408 pages Publisher: Sibylline Press Blurb: A crusading attorney’s death. Sabotage at a family winery. Secrets buried in California’s past…When corporate attorney Noli Cooper visits her godparents’ Santa Cruz Mountain winery, she’s hoping for a few quiet days to consider her future. But the future will have to wait. The body of her childhood mentor, a crusading social justice lawyer and local hero, is discovered in a rocky ocean cove. The sheriff is quick to call it suicide. Noli knows he’s wrong. Teaming up with PI Luz Alvarado, Noli dives into a world where nothing is as it seems.
As threats mount and the winery teeters on the brink of ruin, Noli and Luz must navigate a treacherous landscape of greed, revenge, and long-buried secrets. Their investigation weaves through the rich tapestry of California’s vineyard history, the mystery of zinfandel grapes, and the haunting legacy of the Vietnam War. With a murderer on the loose, predatory neighbors circling, and Noli’s godfather framed for murder, the clock is ticking. Can two fearless women from different worlds unravel the truth before it’s too late?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Mortal Zin is a lively, character-driven novel that blends crime, suspense, and a touch of dark humor into a story that feels gritty as well as entertaining. From the opening chapters, the book throws readers into a world of ambition, temptation, and danger, where choices are rarely clean and every action carries weight. It’s the kind of story that keeps you engaged with its mix of sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and a cast of flawed, unforgettable characters.
What stands out most is how the author builds atmosphere. The settings feel vivid as bars, back alleys, and quiet corners all carry an undercurrent of tension, making the reader feel like something is always about to happen. The tone shifts seamlessly between high-stakes tension and wry humor, offering moments of relief without ever letting go of the suspense. This balance gives the book an energy that pulls you along while still allowing space to appreciate its layered characters.
At its heart, Mortal Zin is a story about choices and consequences. It digs into how people justify their actions, whether driven by greed, survival, or loyalty, and what happens when those justifications unravel. The protagonist’s arc is particularly compelling, as he is constantly walking the line between control and chaos, morality and survival.
Overall, Mortal Zin is a smart, engaging read for anyone who enjoys crime fiction with depth. It isn’t just about the mechanics of the plot, but about the people who inhabit it, their flaws, ambitions, and the shadows they carry. Suspenseful, atmospheric, and at times darkly funny, it’s a book that will resonate with fans of noir and contemporary thrillers alike.
Author: Adam Fike Release Date: 19 March, 2021 Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER Genre: Crime Fiction, Western Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 69 pages Publisher: – Blurb: MUSCLE CAR WESTERN – Hanner only wants to tinker in his desert junk yard, fish for wrecks on the highway and forget his family legacy. A rotten Sheriff, fate and a vault full of organized crime loot have another idea. Free samples at adamfike.com/books. PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor. All told in the present tense. Like reading a movie.
“What a HOOT… recommended to me by a friend… High Desert is a clean shot at life and crime in the mid-twentieth century… I haven’t laughed so much in years. I plan to start on The Quiet Ones and work my way through them all.”
– BookBub Review
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
High Desert by Adam Fike is a gritty, cinematic slice of crime fiction that perfectly captures the raw, unpredictable energy of the American West. Adam Fike doesn’t just tell a story about a botched heist and the violent, eccentric characters surrounding it, he creates a living, breathing desert landscape where danger lurks behind every gas station, junkyard, and stretch of empty highway. The atmosphere is heavy with heat, dust, and tension, giving the story a visual quality that feels ready-made for the screen.
What makes this tale so compelling is the cast of flawed but unforgettable characters. From Hanner, the hardened junkyard owner with his own rules of survival, to small-time hustlers, con men, and corrupt lawmen, every interaction is laced with suspicion, wit, and the constant threat of betrayal. The dialogue is sharp and often darkly humorous, while the pacing keeps the narrative moving with the same relentlessness as a car engine roaring across desert roads.
Overall, High Desert is a meditation on survival, morality, and the blurred lines between law, outlaw, and everything in between. It’s grim, fast-paced, and at times unexpectedly funny, making it a standout entry in the People Making Danger collection.
Author: Adam Fike Release Date: 19 March, 2021 Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER Genre: Science-Fiction, Satire Format: E-book Pages: 78 pages Publisher: – Blurb: MID-CENTURY SCI-FI SATIRE – Early one morning at the end of the 1950s, an impressive, highly coordinated Army training exercise goes off without a hitch. Until frightened town folk decide to fight back. Based on a true story. PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor. All told in the present tense. Like reading a movie.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Operation Dragonhead by Adam Fike is a wildly inventive, satirical tale that blurs the line between Cold War paranoia, small-town Americana, and comic-book absurdity. Based on a real-life Army exercise in the 1950s, the story reimagines the chaos through the eyes of farmers, townsfolk, and overzealous generals who mistake, or encourage others to mistake, routine maneuvers for a full-blown alien invasion. What unfolds is a sharp, humorous critique of fear, authority, and the fragile trust between citizens and institutions.
What I loved most about this story is its tonal balance. Author Adam Fike layers sharp political commentary beneath a playful, almost cinematic surface. The exaggerated characters, the blustering General Hammertree, the wide-eyed townsfolk, the opportunistic local elites feel like archetypes, yet they capture something essential about human behavior in times of confusion. The dialogue brims with wit, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged, moving seamlessly between tense military briefings and farcical encounters with “aliens.”
Overall, Operation Dragonhead is more than a quirky historical fiction piece, it’s a mirror held up to both the absurdity and the danger of orchestrated fear. Readers who enjoy a mix of satire, history, and speculative playfulness will find this story as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
Author: MJ Walker Release Date: 25 July, 2025 Series: Genre: Memoir, Women’s Literature Format: E-book Pages: 283 pages Publisher: – Blurb: AN ADOPTION REUNION – based on a true story – Meet Polly, her Italian husband Joe and his identical twin brother Cicero. Polly is adopted and wants to find her heritage, but the twins’ passion for Italy dominates her life. She gets more style than Gucci, more opera than Verdi and more pasta than she can eat. If this isn’t bad enough, Polly’s friends insist that she belongs where she is loved – safe and secure in her wealthy Sydney suburb. What should Polly do? She has met her birth mother, but not only will that lady refuse to discuss the past, she has barred Polly from ever meeting her siblings. Then one day Polly reads in the newspaper that her mother has been murdered. Or has she? Polly’s longed-for adoption reunion finally happens but not in the way she expects.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Every once in a while, I come across a book that feels less like a neatly packaged story and more like an intimate glimpse into someone’s life experience. Italian by Default by M.J. Walker is very much that kind of book. It reads like a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and cultural duality, written with honesty and warmth. From the very first pages, the narrative establishes itself as personal and genuine, inviting readers to not just observe, but to sit with the author’s reflections and journey.
What stood out to me most was the way the prose blends simplicity with depth. There’s an ease to the storytelling, it doesn’t try to dazzle with overly ornate language, yet the sincerity behind the words makes the book resonate on a deeper level. The pacing feels unhurried, almost conversational, giving space for the cultural observations and personal insights to sink in. This style makes the book accessible while still carrying weight in its themes.
Without delving into spoilers, I can say that what I appreciated most about this book is its exploration of identity, not as a fixed, singular concept but as something fluid, shifting with environment, relationships, and perspective. For anyone who has ever lived between cultures or questioned where they truly belong, Italian by Default will feel especially relatable.
Overall, this book is a thoughtful and respectful meditation on selfhood and heritage. It doesn’t seek to give easy answers, nor does it try to universalize the author’s experiences. Instead, it offers a window into one individual’s journey, while leaving enough openness for readers to reflect on their own. In a world where identity is so often boxed and labeled, Italian by Default reminds us of the richness that lies in nuance, complexity, and authenticity.
Author: Debra Liu Release Date: 8 July, 2025 Series: Genre: Nature Writing, Memoir, Philosophical Format: E-book Pages: 232 pages Publisher: Earnshaw Books Ltd Blurb: In a journey of discovery through China’s sacred mountains, traversing the hidden caves of Huashan, freshwater pools where alchemists once lived on Luofushan, and the opulent brilliance of the Gold Palace atop Wudangshan, Debra Liu explores the rich culture and history of the Daoist tradition. The author was ordained as a Daoist in the Qingsong group of temples, part of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate lineage, in Brisbane, Australia. She seamlessly integrates elements of Daoist philosophy and contemporary practice in this fascinating account, where the past is inextricably entwined with the present, where each step up a mountain is punctuated with magnificent vistas, archaic legends and the chants of ancient scriptures echoing across stone stairways. Through this book, the reader can ‘enter the mountains’ to find the heart of the Daoism, as a vibrant, modern practice with deep roots in antiquity.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
From the very first page, Into the Mountains by Debra Liu drew me in with its subtle yet powerful storytelling. It’s a narrative that carries the intimacy of lived experiences and emotions as well as the vastness of the land that shapes those experiences. Author Liu manages to capture the pull of the mountains not only as a physical space but also as a metaphor for solitude, and transformation.
What I particularly appreciated was the way the prose balances descriptive richness with emotional honesty. The mountains come alive not just through visual detail, but through atmosphere. The book is at its strongest when it weaves external journeys with internal ones, showing how isolation, challenge, and beauty leave their mark on the human psyche.
The pacing is deliberate, and I found myself savoring it rather than rushing. Author Liu doesn’t force revelations but allows them to unfold organically, much like a climb itself: one step at a time, with effort and pauses to simply take in the view. By the end, I felt I had walked alongside the narrator, sharing in their solitude, their awe, and their gradual rediscovery of self.
Overall, Into the Mountains is a reflective and evocative read that will especially resonate with readers who, like me, are drawn to stories of solitude, inner transformation, and the healing power of nature. It is less about a plot and more about emotional resonance and atmosphere. And for that very reason, it lingers long after the last page is turned.
Author: Sebastiano Lanza Release Date: September 22, 2025 Series: Burn My Shadow (Book 2) Genre: Graphic Novel Format: E-book Pages: under 100 pages Publisher:Markosia Enterprises Blurb: In Leipzig, Tharmas devises a plan to kidnap Thomas Crowley. To do so, he’ll need assistance from a quite extravagant tech wizz, a rather inhumane amount of patience, and a very light footstep. Even so, plans rarely unfold as first imagined.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Burn My Shadow #2 takes readers deeper into its dystopian, cyberpunk-inspired world, where surveillance and control dictate every aspect of existence. This issue ramps up the tension by placing Tharmas and young K in the thick of shadowy deals, infiltration missions, and encounters with faceless enforcers. At the same time, we see propaganda speeches from the ruling elite, dripping with doublespeak that reframes oppression as progress. The contrast between the cold sterility of those in power and the grim desperation of those in the streets makes for a sharp and unsettling read.
The writing is dense with themes of compliance, resistance, and survival, while the artwork excels at amplifying the mood. Stark whites and clean lines dominate the scenes of propaganda, while the rain-soaked cityscapes and back-alley dealings pulse with grit and urgency. Tharmas, weary yet determined, is fleshed out further as a morally complex anti-hero, while K brings both innocence and moral tension to the story.
Issue #2 successfully balances world-building with forward-moving plot, setting up the confrontation with Crowley that promises bigger stakes ahead. Though some of the political speeches may feel lengthy, they reinforce the chilling reality of this authoritarian future. With its mix of noir tension, political allegory, and cinematic visuals, Burn My Shadow #2 is a gripping continuation that solidifies this series as one to watch out for.
Author: Adam Fike Release Date: 19 March, 2021 Series: PEOPLE MAKING DANGER Genre: Literary Horror, Psychological Horror, Crime-Thriller, Noir, Horror Format: E-book Pages: 66 pages Publisher: – Blurb: SUBURBAN THRILLER. When a young girl goes missing, families fall apart and neighbors grow together with the help of their friendly local serial killer. PEOPLE MAKING DANGER is a collection of quick, fun, three-act, feature-length stories, full of suspense, surprises and dark humor. All told in the present tense. Like reading a movie.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Adam Fike’s The Quiet Ones is a sinister slice of small-town noir with a macabre twist: neighbors who “grow together” under the shadow of a serial killer. Set in the sleepy but unsettling town of Clearfield Falls, the story layers the ordinary things like funerals, lawn services, and office gossip with the grotesque, where bodies double as fertilizer and everyday people reveal darker impulses. The writing blends dark humor with chilling violence, making the mundane (like mowing lawns or family dinners) feel like it’s always one step away from horror.
What stands out most is theinterplay between banality and menace. Characters like Ruth, who hides behind oversized glasses, and Junior, the deceptively gentle gardener, embody the theme that danger doesn’t always roar, sometimes it whispers. Fike’s pacing is cinematic, cutting between suburban kitchens, cemetery burials, and sinister sheds with a rhythm that keeps readers uneasy yet hooked. While the sheer length of descriptive passages and overlapping storylines could overwhelm some readers, the atmosphere is thick, immersive, and undeniably memorable.
Overall, The Quiet Ones succeeds as a dark, satirical portrait of community and complicity. It’s a story that asks unsettling questions about what people are willing to ignore to maintain comfort, and whether monsters are truly outsiders or simply the neighbors we never look at too closely.
Author: E.F. Nordmed Release Date: July 14, 2025 Series: Genre: Cozy Mystery, Science-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 184 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Stout works as a tech by day, saving up money to achieve his dream of leaving the planet. His plans are thrown in disarray when he’s asked to look for a missing college student, Andrew, and he quickly finds himself over his head while looking for answers. He reaches out to his old flame, Yasmeen, who works on the police force for help. Yasmeen is unhappy with the corruption she sees in her job, but is trying to change the force from the inside. When Stout asks her for aid, she’s hesitant to assist his amateur investigation, but when he’s falsely framed for murder and kidnapping knows she has to get involved.
Can they navigate Corporate Security agents, industrial spies, and the criminal underground to rescue the student and clear Stout’s name before it’s too late? Will they be able to stay true to their values in a world that rewards corruption? And will they let their feelings for each other reignite, or will the world get in their way?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
E.F. Nordmed’s Market of the Never Setting Sun is a refreshing entry in the sci-fi mystery space. It’s a novel that blends the grit of corporate corruption and industrial espionage with the charm of a cozy mystery’s slower, character-driven heart. At its center is Stout, a weary but determined tech worker saving every penny for his dream of leaving the planet. That dream is derailed when he’s asked to track down a missing college student, Andrew, a seemingly simple favor that spirals into a dangerous web of intrigue.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The titular market feels vibrant and lived-in, a place where technology, trade, and corruption intersect beneath the glow of a sun that never sets. Nordmed balances worldbuilding with accessibility, never bogging the reader down in jargon but giving enough detail for the setting to feel tangible.
The character dynamics are equally engaging. Stout is a reluctant hero, stumbling into danger out of obligation rather than ambition, which makes his growth believable. His rekindled connection with Yasmeen, the police officer caught between her moral compass and a corrupt system, adds depth both to the plot and to the emotional stakes. Their relationship feels authentic and the tension between their personal bond and the larger mystery keeps the narrative engaging.
Thematically, the novel resonates. Questions of justice, integrity, and survival in a system built on exploitation underpin the mystery. The story doesn’t shy away from pointing out how corruption seeps into institutions meant to protect, but it does so with a cozy tone that makes the critique approachable rather than bleak.
The prose itself is straightforward and effective, but at times leans on exposition when showing would have been more immersive. Still, Nordmed’s clean writing style makes the book highly readable, and the lighter touch aligns well with the cozy sci-fi niche it occupies.
Market of the Never Setting Sun is a thoughtful, atmospheric sci-fi mystery that stands out for its grounded characters, morally resonant themes, and cozy but suspenseful tone. It’s a satisfying, engaging read that will appeal to fans of sci-fi with heart, mystery with conscience, and stories that ask what it means to hold onto your values in a world that rewards corruption.
Author: David Finley Release Date: 3 November, 2021 Series: Genre: YA Dystopian Satire, YA Humor, YA Adventure, YA Science Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 204 pages Publisher: FINWORKS Blurb: Like Orwell’s 1984 — but even funnier! In a grim School-centred dystopia where humour is outlawed and laughter—even a single HA!—is met with an excruciating electric shock to the neck, Billy 9F is the ultimate threat: he’s a Class Clown. When he’s labeled a menace for his extremely convincing and sublimely funny fake snot, barf and turd pranks, Billy joins a underground comedic resistance movement with a mysterious new student, Jamie 9F, her mysterious grandfather, the Major, an ultra-mysterious revolutionary leader named Poopoo the Clown, and Billy’s not-at-all
mysterious but highly malfunctioning android mentor, Uncle Mike. To free his imprisoned parents, save his little sister’s life and liberate the joyless populace, Billy must fully realize his own natural-born gifts and harness the awesome power of laughter. Darkly funny, fast, and surprisingly hopeful, BILLY 9F is perfect for readers 12 years of age to infinity who love page-turners with big ideas—and lots of laughs.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
David Finley’s Billy 9F is a wildly inventive YA dystopian satire that blends absurdist humor with biting social commentary. The novel follows Billy, a schoolboy living in a rigid system where laughter is outlawed, rules are enforced with demerits and “Pain Collars,” and conformity is the highest value. His life takes a strange turn when his parents gift him “Uncle Mike,” a 57-year-old man who becomes both an irritating companion and an unlikely ally. From there, Billy stumbles into secret wars with clowns, underground resistance movements, and surreal teachers who bulldoze into dining rooms mid-meal.
What makes the book compelling is its sharp use of comedy as rebellion. Whether it’s fart jokes elevated to acts of protest, or the way “outside laughter” becomes a weapon against authoritarian control, author Finley underscores the importance of humor as survival. The recurring presence of Uncle Mike, bumbling, exasperating, yet oddly endearing, adds both comic relief and thematic depth. Jamie and the Major, resistance figures who guide Billy, give the narrative more emotional resonance and direction.
From an editorial perspective, the book occasionally overindulges in repetition. Uncle Mike’s constant chatter and some extended slapstick routines could have been trimmed without losing impact. Still, the playful prose, the creativity of its dystopian world, and the rhythm of dialogue keep the pages turning.
Overall, Billy 9F is equal parts absurd, satirical, and heartfelt. It asks readers, young and old alike, to remember the radical power of laughter in a world that insists on taking itself too seriously.
Author: Josh Martin Release Date: 13 April, 2025 Series: B&G Mystery: We Can’t Tell You (Book #3) Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological Thriller Format: E-book Pages: 119 pages Publisher: – Blurb: The terrifying mystery has taken yet another turn. The stakes are higher than ever. Grayson’s running out of time… It’s a frenetic race to an ending you won’t see coming! The exciting conclusion is finally here. Buckle up!
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
With Part III, B&G Mystery pushes the series into even darker, more labyrinthine territory, tying together threads of family trauma, supernatural manipulation, and the relentless questioning of what is real. Grayson remains at the center, but the narrative expands to test his endurance (emotionally, physically, and spiritually) as he faces deeper betrayals and revelations.
The atmosphere continues to be the series’ greatest strength. The imagery is often chillingly cinematic: houses that appear and vanish, the eerie pendants that tie characters to forces beyond comprehension, and the grotesque presence of Replicas, which hint at an apocalyptic design far larger than Grayson’s personal struggles. The recurring motifs of rain, sigils, masks, and mirrors take on even heavier symbolic weight, layering the story with mythic resonance.
As with the previous installments, the book does occasionally stumble under its own weight. The dialogue can still feel circular, with characters volleying cryptic half-truths that slow pacing rather than sharpen tension. Some middle chapters linger too long on Grayson’s inner turmoil, repeating questions the reader has already internalized. That said, Part III raises the stakes in ways that make the payoff worthwhile. The climactic confrontations are both grotesque and heartbreaking, a reminder of how personal loss lies at the center of this sprawling supernatural puzzle.
We Can’t Tell You, Part III by Josh Martin delivers a darker, more ambitious continuation of the saga. While it inherits some of the repetition issues from earlier volumes, its atmosphere, symbolism, and devastating emotional core make it a gripping addition. For readers who have followed from Parts I and II, this installment deepens the nightmare in ways that will both unsettle and haunt.
Author: Susan Wan Dolling Release Date: 5 August, 2025 Series: Song Dynasty Poets Genre: Earnshaw Books Format: E-book Pages: 283 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Volume I, Hundred Tongues, enters the world of Nothern Song Dynasty poets. It begins with a romantic warlord followed by “A Short, Short History of Song China”. Then comes a serious scholar-warrior, and a popular poet-songwriter whom some considered “vulgar”. Following them is a pair of good friends who were exiled and separated from each other. Two poets, one called “heroic and unrestrained” and the other, “delicate and elusive,” concludes this selection from the first part of the Song dynasty.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Susan Wan Dolling’s Hundred Tongues is both a doorway and a companion to the lyric world of the Song Dynasty. This first volume, devoted to the Northern Song poets, sets the stage with translations that feel alive while also providing readers with enough context to understand the cultural, historical, and literary forces at play. From Li Yu’s haunting captivity poems to the bold voices of Su Shi and Qin Guan, author Dolling ensures that each poet is introduced as a strong voice with personality, context, and resonance.
What impressed me most is author Dolling’s balance between scholarship and accessibility. The book explains the difference between shi and ci, the intricacies of tune-patterns, and the cultural symbols woven into the lyrics (from wutong trees to migrating geese) but never in a way that alienates a newcomer. Instead, she offers these notes conversationally, as if guiding the reader through a gallery of poems, pointing out details they might have otherwise missed. This makes the translations not only comprehensible but deeply enjoyable, carrying both the music of the originals and the intimacy of personal reflection.
The translations themselves lean toward clarity and lyricism rather than ornament. They are readable aloud, and this simplicity allows the imagery to shine. At times, the commentary repeats information already offered, and some readers may wish for a stronger map or timeline to situate the poets within the dynasty. Still, these are minor quibbles when weighed against the richness the book provides.
On the whole, Hundred Tongues succeeds in what so many poetry collections fail to do, it makes the poems feel urgent and present rather than relics of a distant age. For readers familiar with Tang poetry who wonder what came after, or for anyone curious about the depth and subtlety of Chinese lyric, this book is an illuminating, thoughtful, and highly readable introduction. It is a project that feels both scholarly and personal, and that combination makes it linger. Its a beautiful entry point into Song Dynasty poetry, with translations that are clear, evocative, and anchored by commentary that both informs and invites.
Author: Geoffrey M Cooper Release Date: October 7, 2025 Series: Brad Parker and Karen Richmond Medical Thrillers Genre: Medical Thriller, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 229 pages Publisher: Captain Thomas Publishing Blurb: Who’s killing the cancer researchers? A leading clinical investigator is butchered in his hotel room hours after receiving a prestigious award for cancer research. Weeks later, a second researcher is the victim of an apparently random mugging in a parking garage. Unexpectedly, crime scene DNA establishes that the two men were killed by the same woman. But her identity remains unknown, her motive is mysterious, and the connections between the victims are scant—except that they were both collaborating with Professor Brad Parker at the Maine Translational Research Institute. When the killer strikes close to home, Brad and his fiancée—state police lieutenant Karen Richmond—are drawn into a nightmare of maniacal revenge. Until Brad sets a trap for the killer…or falls prey to a trap the killer has set for him.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Geoffrey M. Cooper’s Betrayal of Trust sets its sights on the shadowy intersections of science, power, and morality, delivering a story that is as intellectually gripping as it is emotionally charged. It opens with a fiery hook and from that moment, the novel grips you with a potent mix of scientific intrigue, psychological drama, and the high stakes of justice gone personal.
The novel dives into the murky underbelly of academic medicine, exposing how power, reputation, and predation intertwine. As the story progresses, the author does a great job of raising the stakes from personal revenge to systemic rot. Author Cooper’s background in science lends the novel a razor-sharp authenticity. From clinical trial data to DNA evidence, the details never feel forced, but rather elevate the story’s stakes.
Brad Parker is an excellent protagonist and Shirley makes for a fascinating antagonist; she is morally complex, technically skilled, and driven by both revenge and justice. The interplay between Brad Parker and Karen Richmond is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Their combined expertise, science and law enforcement, creates a dynamic that’s both intellectual and emotional.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there are moments where the narrative could have been tighter. Surveillance details and hacking logistics, while realistic, occasionally slowed the pace. Additionally, some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more deeply to add layers of emotional resonance. These are, however, just minor issues compared to the overall experience of reading this book.
Betrayal of Trust is a tense and timely thriller that explores what happens when power, science, and exploitation collide. Author Cooper balances ethical questions with a strong, suspenseful narrative, making this one of the more thought-provoking medical thrillers I’ve read recently. If you enjoy Robin Cook or Michael Palmer, this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
Author: Robb Watson Release Date: August 8, 2025 Series: Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Psychological Fantasy, Surreal Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 77 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Ever had the exact same nightmare every night. Miles was beginning junior high and trying out for the basketball team. While trying to fit in and excel on the court, he started to have nightmares he couldn’t get rid of. In Dreamland, the court he once loved twists into a living nightmare. Monsters whisper his name. Shadows chase his every move. And at the center of it all stands Selim—a sinister, red-eyed creature that seems to know Miles’s deepest regrets. Miles must navigate a haunting dream world that mirrors his own mistakes. With the help of friends—both real and imagined—he sets out to uncover the truth behind the dreams. A fantasy about the monsters we create when we forget who we are.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Robb Watson’s Dreamland: Selim’s Echo is a darkly imaginative middle-grade/YA crossover that blends the pulse of sports fiction with the shadows of psychological horror and the tenderness of coming-of-age. Author Watson excels at crafting horror imagery that is both surreal and psychologically resonant. Selim, as the literal embodiment of Miles’s self-doubt and fear, is a masterstroke of symbolism. The dream sequences are cinematic, often evoking Neil Gaiman’s Coraline or the darker tones of Stranger Things.
At its core, this isn’t just a story about nightmares, but about guilt, regret, and ultimately redemption. Miles’s arc feels emotionally honest and hopeful. The second half of the book, where Miles becomes a guide within Dreamland to help Mia confront her own anxieties, expands the novel’s scope beautifully. It reframes Dreamland as not just a personal battleground but a shared space for healing.
Over all, Dreamland: Selim’s Echo is a vivid, unsettling, and heartfelt novel that balances horror with hope. Though it occasionally lingers too long in its dream cycles and could sharpen its supporting cast, it stands out for its inventive symbolism, strong emotional core, and its message: that the scariest monsters are often the ones we carry inside ourselves, and the only way to defeat them is to face them.
Author: Josh Martin Release Date: December 26, 2024 Series: B&G Mystery: We Can’t Tell You (Book #2) Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological Thriller Format: E-book Pages: 115 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Grayson’s night isn’t over! Can he finally unravel the terrifying mystery that’s taken hold of his small town?
…or will he be another victim?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The second installment of We Can’t Tell You wastes no time plunging us back into the eerie, shifting landscape where Grayson, Jane, Michael, Sophia, and Brooks remain entangled in a web of rules, betrayals, and realities that seem to fold in on themselves. The narrative opens with disorientation, Michael collapsing, Jane half-explaining, half-withholding, and Grayson struggling against the endless cycle of questions with no answers. From the very first pages, the book continues the claustrophobic dread established in Part I, and amplifies it with a sense of inevitability: the sense that Grayson is not just walking into danger but being deliberately shepherded towards it.
The author excels at atmosphere. The scenes are written with a cinematic eye for horror. The recurring symbols create a thread of mythology that grows darker and more complex as the story unfolds. The introduction of the Superior Entity and the horrifying suggestion of Replicas expands the scope, moving the tale from small-town occult mystery into apocalyptic cosmic horror.
Though I must point out the book’s two persistent weaknesses. First, the dialogue. While the constant volley of questions and evasive non-answers fits the theme of rules and manipulation, the repetition sometimes dulls its impact. Second, the pacing suffers in the middle stretch. While the buildup of symbols, diary clues, and shifting allegiances is fascinating, the narrative occasionally lingers too long on Grayson’s inner monologues, replaying realizations multiple times.
That said, the final act more than redeems the slower middle and, on the whole, We Can’t Tell You, Part II is unsettling, ambitious, and at times overwhelming, but it delivers a rare kind of dread that lingers. It is a compelling, nightmarish descent that fans of psychological and cosmic horror will find both rewarding and unforgettable.
Author: Veronica Preston Release Date: August 27, 2025 Series: Book #1 Genre: Spiritual Fantasy, Mythic Fiction, Speculative Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 201 pages Publisher: – Blurb: This isn’t a tale of horns and pitchforks. It’s a tale of questions, echoes, and exile. Book of the Devil: Genesis reimagines the Devil as Iblis—a being of fire, loyalty, and impossible choices. Born into a world of smokeless flame, Iblis is chosen to serve God, but he begins to question the nature of obedience, justice, and divine will. His rebellion is not out of vanity, but love, sorrow, and a desire to understand. As he rises through the celestial order, Iblis walks the line between sacred and profane, setting the stage for a fall that may be more holy than it seems.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Few books dare to give the Devil his own voice, and fewer still manage to do it with the lyrical weight and mythic imagination that Veronica Preston brings to Book of the Devil: Genesis.
Author Preston roots her tale in an expansive cosmology. The Devil here is not a caricature of evil, but a Jinn, born of smokeless fire, whose origins precede mankind itself. Through his eyes, we witness the birth of Nahar, a planet of singing trees, plasma-blooded beings, and a civilization bound by free will and consequence. The refusal to bow to Adam is rendered not as arrogance, but as clarity. In this reframing, the author invites readers to question centuries of dogma: what if the Devil is not our corrupter, but our tester, our liberator, the one who insists humanity use its mind rather than bask in blind innocence?
Thematically, the novel is a meditation on choice, identity, and the necessity of shadow. It threads together Quranic references, Biblical echoes, and speculative cosmology, creating a narrative that is both reverent and rebellious. The chapters read like a blend of scripture and epic fantasy, making the book feel at once timeless and startlingly modern.
As an editor, I must note that author Preston’s greatest strength, her lush, almost operatic prose, can also be the book’s stumbling block. Sentences often run long, heavy with imagery and metaphor. While this lends grandeur, it occasionally slows the pacing and risks overwhelming readers who crave more narrative momentum. There are places, especially in the middle chapters, where the philosophical musings could have been pared back in favor of tighter dramatic action.
That said, Book of the Devil: Genesis succeeds in something rare: it makes the reader pause and reconsider a story they thought they knew. It is provocative without being blasphemous, imaginative without losing its theological moorings. It dares to ask what if the Devil’s fall was not rebellion, but part of the Architect’s design?
Author: Eva Barber Release Date: December 9, 2024 Series: Dark World (Book 1 of 2) Genre: Speculative Fiction, Sci-Fi, Surreal Format: E-book Pages: 458 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Olesya was not born like other people but was found in the Siberian Forest by a couple unable to have children. Plagued by mysterious visions and dreams, she struggles to fit into a society both as a socially inept but brilliant child and as she becomes part of a research team to discover the nature of dark matter. The findings of this discovery never make it to the scientific community as the project leader goes missing and the physics lab blows up, destroyed by a powerful foe with seemingly noble intentions. Seattle detectives question Olesya in connection with the explosion and the disappearance of her boss. She becomes a person of interest until she herself goes missing. From her kidnappers, she learns that her parents, knowing she lacked a belly button, suspected she was created by the Russian government as part of a scientific
experiment, and emigrated to the USA to hide and protect her. She also learns she possesses powers related to dark matter and of the existence of a brother held captive since his discovery by the Russian government. Even though she suspects her kidnappers’ interest in her and their motivations aren’t so noble, she joins them in rescuing her brother. Catastrophic world events following the successful rescue force her to continue working with her foes to save the world from destruction. While working to save the world, Olesya experiences a moral dilemma and becomes someone she never thought she’d be—a mother. Olesya learns of mysterious chambers scattered around the world, and her visions return to haunt her, until she opens the chambers and learns their secrets, wishing she hadn’t. Now she faces the heart-wrenching realization that she must travel into a dark dimension to save the world from self-destruction. Worse yet, her daughter, Emery, is the key to humanity’s salvation and must follow her mother once she becomes an adult because she is the only being who can travel where no one else can to restore balance to the universe and return with an extraordinary gift for humanity. But powerful entities have reasons to keep the gift away from humanity and will do anything to stop her.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Eva Barber’s Unborn is a sprawling, multi-layered tale that weaves together mythology, science, political intrigue, and the raw intimacy of family bonds. At its heart lies Olesya, a young woman whose very existence straddles two worlds: the ordinary and the extraordinary. Discovered as a mysterious child in a Russian forest, she grows up to find her life intertwined with secrets of origin, otherworldly shadows, and a destiny that is as heavy as it is unavoidable.
What author Barber achieves brilliantly is the atmosphere. The shadow realm, where the unborn linger in darkness yearning to be born, is chilling and original. Some scenes are haunting and eerie, layered with sorrow and wonder.
Thematically, Unborn is preoccupied with identity, destiny, and the burden of choice. Olesya’s journey constantly tests the boundaries between science and the supernatural, fate and free will. The novel is ambitious, drawing on mythology, speculative science, and fears of loss and love.
That said, as an editor I must point out where the novel falters. At over 80 chapters, the pacing suffers under the weight of its own ambition. Some sections, particularly Olesya’s inner reflections, repeat ideas already conveyed, slowing momentum. And sometimes, the secondary characters and subplots dilute the focus.
Still, Unborn succeeds in leaving its reader with a lingering unease; the sense that destiny is both irresistible and cruel, and that love, even across impossible boundaries, may not be enough to undo what has been set in motion. Overall, Unborn is ambitious, atmospheric, and thematically rich, and it stands out for its originality and emotional depth.
The Reading Bud 