Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
THE 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.
Read MoreA Song at Dead Man’s Cove by Ana Yudin (Book Review #2093)
Haunting, atmospheric, and emotionally rich, A Song at Dead Man’s Cove is a masterfully woven tale of myth, memory, and the ghosts we carry—both literal and metaphorical.
Read MoreSO YOU WANT TO WRITE ALTERATE HISTORY By Louis Latzer
A proper Alternate History story is predicated on a single change to “reality” which leads organically to many other changes. Sometimes Alternate History fiction is/was more wishful thinking than an actual attempt to speculate in a realistic manner. It’s better, and harder, to keep your world as close to “actual” as possible.
Read MoreMy Sixth Book Journey by Kathryn Starke
Twenty years ago, I wrote and published my first children’s book, Amy’s Travels. I was a second-grade teacher at the time and wanted to create a resource to help fellow educators teach the seven continents. A few years later, I wrote my first contemporary women’s fiction novel for an adult audience. The years that followed included the publication of two educational resources for fellow teachers and my first adult romance novel. While I’m fortunate to have published a variety of genres for a number of readers, I only sit down to write when I am feeling inspired.
Read MoreAfrican Queens by Kristan Hypolite, M. Ed. (Book Review #2091)
African Queens by Kristan Hypolite, M. Ed. is a vibrant tribute to the many influential women who shaped Africa’s history and cultural legacy. Through concise portraits of warrior queens, political leaders, and visionary rulers, the book offers an accessible introduction to notable figures—such as Queen Amanirenas of Kush, who held her ground against Roman invasion, and Queen Nzinga of Ndongo, whose strategic prowess defied Portuguese colonial power. Each profile offers just enough historical context for readers to understand the queen’s impact, underscoring that these women were central to nation-building, social reform, and war efforts across the African continent.
Read MoreThe Skyman’s Legacy by Pete Kramer (Book Review #2090)
Pete Kramer’s The Skyman’s Legacy launches readers into a richly conceived world of soaring “cloud-reachers,” labyrinthine espionage, and warring superpowers. From the very first chapter, it’s clear that Kramer delights in plunging his characters into tense, high-flying exploits—both literally and figuratively. The result is a dynamic mix of steampunk-like technology, political machinations, and personal stakes that never stop escalating.
Read More
Review Tales 