Book Reviews
Explore thoughtfully curated book reviews that help you discover your next favorite read.
Codon, by Arreshy Young—Book Review
In “CODON,” Arreshy Young crafts a kaleidoscopic collection that defies easy categorization, blending elements of speculative fiction, philosophical meditation, and experimental prose into a dazzling if sometimes bewildering whole. Published in January 2025, this work pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling while…
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Running From Herself, by April Tompkins—Book Review
“Running From Herself” by April Tompkins follows a singer’s emotional journey as she navigates the ups and downs of the music industry while discovering what truly matters to her. The novel follows Leah Branch, a jaded country musician who abandons her struggling…
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John Cleese Saved My Life!, by Scott Berndt—Book Review
In “John Cleese Saved My Life!: …And Other True Tales of Pop, Politics, and Prayer,” Scott Berndt pens a personal memoir that explores how the cultural touchstones of the 1980s shaped his spiritual journey and worldview. Through a unique blend of historical…
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I, No Other, by Yarrow Paisley—Book Review
“I, No Other” by Yarrow Paisley is a haunting collection that plumbs the depths of consciousness, identity, and embodiment through ten interconnected stories. Like a fever dream rendered in baroque prose, the collection challenges and disorients while rewarding careful readers with moments…
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The Secretary, by Deborah Lawrenson—Book Review
“The Secretary” is a sophisticated and gripping Cold War spy novel that admirably blends historical fiction with personal background, drawing from the real-life experiences of the author’s mother in 1950s Moscow. At its heart is Lois Vale, a deceptively capable young woman…
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Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire, by Scarlet Ibis James—Book Review
Scarlet Ibis James’s “Scarlet Yearnings” accomplishes something surprisingly rare in contemporary short fiction – it makes us feel the full impact of love’s complexities without relying on melodrama or easy sentiment. Through twelve readable stories exploring relationships across cultural and generational divides,…
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Reaper’s Dice, by V. J. Madsen—Book Review
In a genre increasingly cluttered with the same old tropes, V.J. Madsen’s “Reaper’s Dice” deals a fresh hand. This genre-bending fantasy debut novel follows Arno, a wood elf bounty hunter whose thousand-year quest to restore his lost homeland collides with the gritty…
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Charlotte’s Ghosts: The Mystery of the Vanishing Boy, by L. P. Simone—Book Review
“Charlotte’s Ghost” breathes fresh life into the middle-grade ghost story by grounding its supernatural elements in real history. L.P. Simone’s novel follows thirteen-year-old Charlotte Cross, who moves to Manassas, Virginia after her father’s death in Afghanistan. During runs on the historic battlefield…
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Of Godlike Men, by Molly Colton—Book Review
Molly Colton’s “Of Godlike Men” marks a bold entry into Southern Gothic literature, intertwining supernatural elements with the historical fabric of 1900s Florida. The novel centers on Griffin Quade’s return to his family’s tobacco plantation – a prodigal son with uncanny abilities…
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At the Risk of Recovery, by Finn Adair Morgan—Book Review
“At the Risk of Recovery” by Finn Adair Morgan hits hard from its first pages, when Aran Moreau wakes up at a wharf with no memory of how he got there. What follows is a thrilling exploration of memory, guilt and violence…
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