Book Reviews
Explore thoughtfully curated book reviews that help you discover your next favorite read.
Editor's Pick
Special Proper Magic, by Michael McAdam—Book Review
In “Special Proper Magic,” Michael McAdam introduces readers to a world where supernatural abilities exist alongside everyday life. This charming first installment in a potential series introduces readers to two unforgettable protagonists, whose discovery of their unique abilities leads them into a…
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Dark Place, by Christopher Kell—Book Review
Christopher Kell’s novella “Dark Place” offers an in equal parts haunting and intellectually stimulating exploration of humanity’s future through the eyes of three idealistic students who deliberately get themselves “dispossessed” to uncover the truth about their society’s darkest secret. What begins as…
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Editor's Pick
No Ordinary Love, by BB Gabriel—Book Review
Although not for the faint of heart, BB Gabriel’s debut novel “No Ordinary Love” is a powerful and unflinching exploration of intimate partner violence that shines with authenticity and emotional honesty. Drawing from her own experiences as a survivor, Gabriel delivers a…
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Cinnamon Soul, by Quinn Lawrence—Book Review
Few debut books manage to capture both the intricate world-building and nuanced character development that mark a truly memorable fantasy series. Nonetheless, Quinn Lawrence’s debut novel “Cinnamon Soul” introduces readers to a richly textured fantasy world where magic lingers in the margins…
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Editor's Pick
Blood Ex Libris, by Raven Belasco—Book Review
In a literary landscape saturated with vampire stories, “Blood Ex Libris” by Raven Belasco emerges as a breathtaking exception—a thrilling yet thoughtful novel that transcends genre boundaries. This work offers a sophisticated vampire romance and deconstruction of vampire mythology that is simultaneously…
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Deren Falls, by Justin Burton—Book Review
In “Deren Falls,” Justin Burton crafts a riveting small-town noir that explores how wealth, power, and familial ties intersect in a community where everyone has something to hide. Set in the fictional mountain town of Deren Falls, North Carolina, this taut thriller…
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Candle in the Wind, by Kim Baccellia—Book Review
“Candle in the Wind” is a haunting, thought-provoking dystopian novel that follows Esperanza (Espie) Hernandez, a seventeen-year-old girl caught in the tightening grip of religious authoritarianism. Set in a post-apocalyptic America where survival often hinges on submission, Baccellia tells a first-person narrated…
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The Mathews Family, by Trana Mathews—Book Review
Trana Mathews’ historical novel “The Mathews Family” offers readers an immersive journey into late 18th-century America through the eyes of Dr. Increase Mathews, a multifaceted protagonist whose life spans pivotal moments in the nation’s early history. The story begins with young Increase’s…
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City of the Damned, by Kay Marrie—Book Review
Life after the Rapture Kay Marrie’s debut novel “City of the Damned”—the first of a duology—delivers a relentlessly dark yet ultimately hopeful tale, set in a post-apocalyptic world where demons rule and humanity’s remnants struggle under brutal oppression. Set one hundred years…
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The Borealis Queen, by Henry Guard—Book Review
Henry Guard’s “The Borealis Queen” emerges as a tour de force of speculative fiction, weaving prehistoric brutality and mythic imagination into a story that defies literary convention. In his new book, Guard chronicles the remarkable journey of a young woman whose story…
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