Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
First Command by Michael Simon
Combine a passion for writing with an endless universe of ideas and one quickly realizes there are simply not enough hours in the day. That’s the position I found myself in for years; trying to juggle a full-time job and the urge to squeeze in a few minutes of frantic scribbling whenever possible.
Read MoreWords Across Places and Times by Alnoor Alnoor
As a child, the sky held mysteries beyond comprehension. With age, the girl next door became one too, along with the perplexing reasons behind laughter, anger, and the fine line between right and wrong. What wasn’t a mystery? Nearly nothing.
Read MoreRemnant by Katie Sweeting (Book Review #1976)
Katie Sweeting’s Remnant is an evocative and deeply moving historical novel that captures the resilience, courage, and unbreakable ties of family in the face of unimaginable adversity. This dual narrative spans continents and decades, weaving together the lives of two remarkable women—Olu and Joanna Vassa—whose stories are inextricably linked by the brutal legacy of slavery. Through their journeys, Sweeting crafts a poignant tale that is as much about survival as it is about the enduring power of hope.
Read MoreGreenwich Connection by Richard Natale (Book Review #1975)
Richard Natale’s Greenwich Connection is a masterful tapestry of LGBTQ life, told through a poignant blend of historical insight and compelling character-driven narratives. The book begins with a heart-wrenching novella set in the aftermath of World War II, capturing the emotional weight of a time when queer individuals were forced into the shadows. Natale skillfully evokes the tension between societal expectations and personal authenticity, creating a vivid portrait of mid-20th-century life.
Read MoreThe Owlbear and the Omens (Collected Edition)Â by Aengie Scevity (Book Review #1974)
Aengie Scevity’s The Owlbear and the Omens is a sprawling epic of political intrigue, power struggles, and self-discovery set against the richly imagined backdrop of Great Leven. This fantasy tale combines nuanced world-building, morally complex characters, and a compelling narrative of survival and leadership, creating an immersive experience for readers who enjoy high-stakes drama with emotional depth.
The story centers on Princess Phosphoria, a young woman desperate to escape her grim fate in her father’s harem by securing her place as heir to her brother’s throne. Scevity expertly portrays Phosphoria’s journey as she faces challenges that force her to balance diplomacy, deception, and personal sacrifice. Her trials for marriage—a blend of political necessity and personal strategy—serve as the narrative’s heartbeat, weaving in romance, danger, and betrayal.
Paralleling her journey is Osbeorn, the lost prince turned gladiator, whose quest for redemption and purpose adds emotional weight to the narrative. His character arc, from a broken man haunted by violence to a king reclaiming his legacy, is both poignant and empowering. The chemistry and evolving relationship between Phosphoria and Osbeorn drive the story’s emotional core, offering a delicate exploration of trust and shared ambition amidst the chaos.
The inclusion of magick—most notably the omens—and the divine presence of the Owlbear injects an intriguing mystical layer to the story. Phosphoria’s struggle with her “blessing” underscores her growth, as she learns that wisdom and truth must be earned through hardship and introspection. This theme resonates deeply, lending the tale a philosophical dimension that elevates it beyond a traditional fantasy epic.
Scevity’s world-building is meticulous, from the treacherous politics of harems to the fractured alliances between realms. Each trial, marriage, and betrayal is laden with consequences that ripple through the plot. The secondary characters, such as Leonhard and Aleksandre, add richness to the narrative, though their betrayals and motives occasionally threaten to overshadow the central conflict.
At 657 pages, the novel’s length is both a strength and a potential challenge for some readers. While the detailed storytelling enriches the world and its characters, it also demands patience as the intricate web of alliances and deceptions unfolds.
Ultimately, The Owlbear and the Omens is an ambitious tale that rewards its readers with a gripping narrative filled with twists, layered characters, and a satisfying conclusion. Scevity deftly ties personal growth to political survival, delivering a story that feels as intimate as it is epic. Fans of courtly intrigue, morally ambiguous protagonists, and richly developed fantasy worlds will find much to enjoy in this masterful work.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Made of Iron by Adam Knight (Book Review #1973)
The Unyielding Spirit of Dina Jacobson in Made of Iron
In Made of Iron: The Dina Jacobson Story, Adam Knight presents a moving account of resilience and hope against the backdrop of one of history’s darkest periods. Set in 1939 Southern Poland, the story introduces Dina, a young Jewish woman whose dreams of marriage and family are shattered by the outbreak of war. As the realities of conflict close in, Dina’s life takes a harrowing turn that leads her to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.
Read MoreTestament by Eli Felix (Book Review #1972)
Divine Struggles in Testament: A Battle Between Light and Darkness
In Testament, Eli Felix crafts a thought-provoking narrative that explores the relationship between humanity and the divine, delving into the very purpose of existence. The premise is striking: God created humanity to experience life and enrich their souls, but as the story unfolds, the need for representation in Heaven becomes paramount. The narrative asserts that feminine voices demand recognition, prompting a significant shift in the heavenly order.
Read MoreReview of The Hate Game: Screaming in the Silence – A Memoir (Book Review #1971)
In The Hate Game, Gary Trew takes readers on a harrowing journey through his tumultuous childhood, exploring the depths of bullying, familial dysfunction, and the search for identity against the backdrop of 1960s and 70s Britain. Trew’s candid storytelling immerses the reader in his world, where the notorious Knoll School for Boys becomes a battleground for his innocence, rife with violent initiation rituals and relentless cruelty from peers.
Read MoreRemnant by Katie Sweeting (Book Review #1970)
“A Journey of Hope and Resilience in Remnant”
In Katie Sweeting’s powerful novel Remnant, readers are thrust into the harrowing world of Olu, a young girl whose life is forever altered at the age of eleven when she is kidnapped alongside her brother, Ledu, known historically as Olaudah Equiano. The story begins in Nigeria, where the innocence of childhood is shattered as Olu is torn from her family and thrust into the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade.
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