Blade Rider by Jaime A Sevilla (Book Review #2236)

Blade Rider by Jaime A. Sevilla is an exhilarating journey into a richly imagined future where humans and alien allies coexist across multiple planets. At the heart of the story is Raven, a young dreamer whose aspiration to become an Air Ranger begins at just ten years old, sparked by a simple amusement park flight simulator ride. Despite systemic barriers barring females and aliens from joining the elite pilots, Raven’s determination only intensifies, making her story one of perseverance, courage, and unyielding hope.

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Spider Lily: Six Toxic Tales from Japan by Andrew Innes (Book Review #2235)

Spider Lily: Six Toxic Tales from Japan by Andrew Innes is a masterful and haunting collection that immerses readers in a world where beauty conceals danger, and societal structures often hide cruelty beneath their surface. Across six distinct yet thematically intertwined stories, Innes combines feminist magical realism, social critique, and surrealism to explore patriarchy, misogyny, and the subtle forces that shape people’s lives.

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My Grief Jar: Still Growing After the Loss of My Daughter by Deborah Waffle (Book Review #2234)

My Grief Jar: Still Growing After the Loss of My Daughter by Deborah Waffle is a profoundly moving memoir that captures the raw, unfiltered journey through loss, grief, and eventual hope. Written with honesty and deep emotional resonance, this book invites readers into Debbie’s life as she navigates the sudden and heartbreaking death of her 29-year-old daughter, Kelsey.

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The Blade of Milan by Warren R. Basla (Book Review #2233)

The Blade of Milan by Warren R. Basla is a gripping historical adventure that masterfully blends suspense, strategy, and human drama. Set against the rich, turbulent backdrop of Renaissance Italy, the novel immerses readers in a world of political intrigue, dueling families, and shifting allegiances. Basla’s storytelling is both vivid and meticulously researched, painting a detailed picture of Milanese society while keeping the narrative fast-paced and engaging.

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Leaving Winter for a Desert Sky by Skylar Lyralen Kaye (Book Review #2232)

Leaving Winter for a Desert Sky by Skylar Lyralen Kaye is a profoundly moving debut that explores the tangled web of family, identity, and the long, winding path toward self-forgiveness. From the first page, Kaye draws readers into Erin’s life—a woman who has spent six years abroad teaching English in Europe and Japan, only to return to Maine for the first time in years. Erin’s homecoming is anything but simple: while her mother has left an abusive marriage, her father’s hostility lingers, a shadow that taints Erin’s attempt at reconciliation.

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Never Fire Anyone: A Leader’s Guide on how to Lead People not Companies by Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh (Book Review #2231)

Mark Morgenfruh’s latest book is delightfully direct, as memorable in its bluntness as All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. With razor-sharp Philly wit and no-nonsense insight, Morgenfruh tackles the “stupidly obvious” truths about leadership, business, talent, communication, AI, DEI, forgiveness, slowing down, and even giving up. The brilliance of the book lies in its ability to highlight ideas we often already know—but forget to practice in the chaos of real-world organizations.

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The Crumbling Shield of Defiance by Adan Rhoades (Book Review #2230)

The Crumbling Shield of Defiance by Adan Rhoades is a raw, deeply moving memoir that takes readers on a journey through trauma, resilience, and ultimate redemption. Written chronologically and with vivid anecdotal detail, Rhoades lays bare his early experiences, showing how extreme childhood hardships shaped his perceptions of the world and his place within it. The narrative is unflinching in its honesty, offering an intimate window into the author’s inner life and the struggles that marked his path to self-discovery.

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Dreaming from the trunk of an American Car by Pashko R. Camaj (Book Review #2229)

This remarkable memoir follows one man’s extraordinary journey from the rugged beauty and political turmoil of Montenegro, a region nestled in the former Yugoslavia, to the diverse and dynamic promise of the United States. Told with aching honesty and cultural reverence, this is more than a tale of assimilation—it is a story about belonging, sacrifice, family legacy, and the emotional price of freedom.

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The Bystander by John David (Book Review #2148)

The Bystander by John David is a sharp, compelling debut that skillfully merges the intensity of a modern mystery with the realism of today’s media landscape. Set against the lively backdrop of a Florida college football weekend, the story follows TV reporter Pete Lemaster, who stumbles upon what seems like the biggest break of his career. When a bystander heroically stops an active shooter in front of his camera, Pete captures the moment that instantly goes viral—catapulting both the supposed hero and himself into the national spotlight.

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