Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
When History Had Other Plans (Book Review #2098)
When History Had Other Plans is a compelling, sharply written exploration of the 20th and 21st centuries through a refreshingly counter-intuitive lens. Blending historical fact, political insight, and a touch of revisionist boldness, this non-fiction title is designed to challenge assumptions and provoke thought — and it delivers on both counts.
Read MoreThe First in History by John McKie (Book Review #2097)
John McKie’s The First in History is a masterful compendium of humanity’s most significant “firsts” — from the first crewed hot air balloon flight to the first woman in space, and from early technological feats to transformative political milestones. Organized with clarity and a keen eye for both detail and context, this nonfiction collection is a treasure trove for history lovers, educators, and curious readers alike.
Read MoreShadow of the Eternal Watcher by Josh Mendoza (Book Review #2096)
Josh Mendoza’s Shadow of the Eternal Watcher is a genre-blending thrill ride that fuses sci-fi, noir, political intrigue, and metaphysical mystery into one high-octane narrative. With razor-sharp prose, cinematic pacing, and a protagonist who feels like he walked straight out of a Bogart film—and into a time fracture—this is a debut that doesn’t just entertain, it demands attention.
Read MoreThe Cobbler’s Crusaders by Rick Steigelman (Book Review #2095)
Rick Steigelman’s The Cobbler’s Crusaders is a charming, witty, and delightfully unpredictable tale of childhood mischief and cultural collision, set against the postcard-perfect backdrop of Paris. But don’t let the premise of “three rascally nine-year-old girls” fool you — this novel is written for adults, filled with clever dialogue, layered characters, and a sly, literary humor that often borders on the profound.
Read MoreOld Macdonald’s Farm by Andrew Hunter (Book Review #2094)
Old Macdonald’s Farm is a brilliantly funny and refreshingly modern twist on a classic that delivers laugh-out-loud moments from start to finish. Written and illustrated by debut author Andrew Hunter, this bedtime romp turns a familiar nursery rhyme into a wildly unpredictable tale of disappearing animals, unexpected interruptions, and one very dramatic horse.
Read MoreTHE MERCILESS DUO RETURNS by George Milare (Book Review #2098)
George Milare’s The Merciless Duo Returns is not your average crime thriller—it’s a gritty, psychological deep-dive into terror, trauma, and twisted justice. As Book 1 in the Most Wanted series, it sets the stage with chilling confidence and unrelenting suspense.
Read MoreCosmic American Rhapsody by Ray Sweatman (Book Review #2097)
Cosmic American Rhapsody by Ray Sweatman is an eccentric and imaginative tribute to the life and legacy of Gram Parsons, the country-rock icon whose pioneering influence still resonates. Set in the Joshua Desert, the novel follows Gram as he hovers between life and death after an overdose, shifting in and out of reality to relive formative moments. Guided by a guardian cow who reveals herself as the transcendentalist Margaret Fuller, Gram’s journey is punctuated by bizarre and surreal encounters with figures like Henry David Thoreau, Vincent Van Gogh, and even Elvis Presley.
Read MoreClimbers by Alexander Julian III (Book Review #2095)
In Climbers, Alexander Julian III delivers a gripping, atmospheric plunge into a dystopian world where survival hangs—literally and figuratively—by a thread. Set generations after the collapse of civilization, the novel opens atop a crumbling Eiffel Tower, now home to a rigid tribe whose survival depends on brutal tradition and fearful suspicion of mutation. From this breathtakingly imaginative premise, Julian spins a narrative that is as visually cinematic as it is emotionally rich.
Read MoreThe Department of Adventuring: Into the Deep by Three Kobold in a Trench Coat (Book Review #2094)
Blending epic fantasy, urban adventure, and laugh-out-loud absurdity, The Department of Adventuring: Into the Deep is an unforgettable debut that feels like Dungeons & Dragons was tossed into a blender with The X-Files, Good Omens, and just a dash of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
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