Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
Off Season by Clive Fleury (Book Review #1862)
“Off Season” by Clive Fleury is a gripping crime thriller that transports readers from the bustling streets of Sydney to the deceptive tranquillity of Barton, a small Australian beach town. Central to the story is Detective Ramesh Ryan, who, after a high-profile courtroom defeat against a notorious Sydney drug lord, finds his promising career in shambles. His reassignment to Barton marks a significant shift from the intense organized crime scene to what initially appears to be a sleepy town enjoying its off-season.
However, Barton’s facade of calm is quickly shattered. The town, under its quiet surface, seethes with hidden crimes and long-buried secrets, all of which begin to surface shortly after Ryan’s arrival. The discovery of two drug overdose victims and a mysterious foot washed ashore rekindles the unresolved mystery of a teenager who vanished fifteen years prior. These events turn the off season into a high-stakes period of danger and intrigue for Ryan.
Fleury masterfully crafts a narrative full of unexpected twists and turns, where the lines between truth and lies blur, keeping readers on their toes. The story’s pace accelerates with each chapter, fueled by action-packed scenes and a series of life-threatening challenges that Ryan must navigate. His character is well-drawn: a determined detective whose professional downfall becomes a catalyst for uncovering dark truths in an unlikely setting.
Adding depth to the thriller are the elements of romance and personal danger that Fleury intertwines with the main plot. Ryan’s budding relationship amidst escalating threats against his life adds a personal stake to the unfolding drama, enriching the reader’s investment in his character and fate.
“Off Season” excels not only as a crime novel but also as an exploration of how a place’s serene exterior can mask a turbulent undercurrent. Fleury’s vivid storytelling, coupled with keen attention to the dynamics of small-town secrecy and crime, makes this book a compelling read for anyone who enjoys thrillers with richly textured settings and complex, evolving mysteries.
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Stone Feather Fang by A.G. Rodriguez (Book Review #1861)
“Stone Feather Fang” by A.G. Rodriguez is a riveting fantasy novel that delves into the rich, mythical culture of the Andoli, a people inspired by the Taino of the Caribbean and modern-day Puerto Ricans. At the heart of the narrative is Hildy Rios, a young priestess-in-training whose quiet life is upturned by a daunting challenge: to perform the Telling, an honored tradition of oral history, despite her crippling speech impediment.
Rodriguez weaves a tapestry of familial duty and personal destiny against the backdrop of impending cultural erasure as Hildy’s sister, Luisa, the ruling Cacique, seeks to abolish their ancestral religion. The conflict escalates when Hildy, losing her prepared notes, spontaneously narrates the exploits of her ancestor Jenaro, a legendary figure whose life story embodies the spiritual essence of the Andoli.
The narrative is beautifully segmented into “caves” — stages of existence in Andoli belief — beginning with the “cave of creation,” where Jenaro’s divine encounters and youthful adventures lay the groundwork for his mythic status. The second segment, the “cave of life itself,” vividly recounts Jenaro’s most famous deeds, challenging both earthly and divine adversaries and striking at the core of Andoli spirituality.
Rodriguez’s portrayal of Hildy is particularly compelling. Her internal struggle with her identity and duty resonates deeply, culminating in a powerful display of defiance and self-assurance on the second night of the Telling. The author skillfully uses the Areíto celebration and the Telling as potent symbols of cultural preservation and resistance.
The climax is chaotic and transformative, with Hildy’s decision to embrace her destiny leading to societal upheaval and her own forced exodus. The novel’s abrupt but intriguing conclusion with Maboya, the cemi of death, hints at further complexities in Hildy’s journey, suggesting a sequel filled with adventure and spiritual exploration.
“Stone Feather Fang” is not only an enthralling story but also a profound commentary on the struggles of maintaining one’s cultural heritage in the face of authoritarianism. Rodriguez’s fluid prose and deep understanding of Caribbean folklore make this a must-read for fans of fantasy that intertwines with real-world cultural themes.
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The Last Elf Daughter by Jennifer Shand (Book Review #1891)
Jennifer Shand’s “The Last Elf Daughter” is a novel that intricately blends the enchanting world of elves with the relatable challenges of teenage life. At the heart of the story is thirteen-year-old Evie, who not only grapples with the typical trials of adolescence but also carries the monumental responsibility of being the last hope for the survival of the elf people. This dual burden creates a compelling narrative that explores themes of identity, legacy, and personal growth amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Read MoreTo Be Familiar or Not to Be Familiar: That is the Question by Jennifer Shand
In this article, I will discuss a technique to add to your writing to make it more memorable and enjoyable for your reader. This technique is to add familiarity, whether familiar to the child or the adult purchasing the book. Either way, it is a great choice because familiarity adds nostalgia, which appeals to everyone.
It can also be a teaching device for a child to learn something from the past. When I was young, my piano teacher used to always refer to Looney Tunes cartoons to help me recognize classical music such as Mozart or Beethoven. These cartoons used this to not only introduce children to this music but to also conjure the familiar because people enjoy it and it invokes emotion. If you reference a love story that people know, such as King Arthur and Guinevere, then that creates an emotion that people connect to instantly. I referenced King Arthur and Guinevere in my novel, The Last Elf Daughter, not only to add emotion to the scene but to also create nostalgia in the hopes of hooking readers early in the book. Here is an excerpt from this novel, the speaker at first being Rose, the main character’s mother: “Of course, there were some elves that would fall in love with humans, but it was forbidden. That is, until the marriage of King Arthur to Guinevere, an elf.” “What!?” Evie interjected. “King Arthur is a real story? And Guinevere was an elf?” In that little excerpt, we can see that the familiar story is used to add nostalgia and emotion to a new story. I also used the familiar to put a new spin on the idea of being an elf, which on its own, an elf is also something familiar to readers. My hope is that the familiarity of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Elves will draw in new readers for me. By referencing the familiar, you can also gain new readers if you’re a new author or if readers just aren’t familiar with you but are familiar with and fans of the subject you add to your writing.
Deadpan By Richard Walter (Book Review #1860)
“Deadpan” by Richard Walter is a strikingly original and daring novel that boldly tackles the grave subjects of hate speech and bigotry with an unparalleled blend of humor and wit. At the heart of this comedic odyssey is a West Virginia Buick dealer, embodying a vague antisemitism, who experiences an unimaginable transformation into the world’s most celebrated Jewish comedian. This premise alone sets the stage for a narrative rich in magical realism, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling to explore themes of identity, intolerance, tribalism, and, most prominently, the redemptive power of laughter.
Read MoreUnusual outcomes of divorce by Lita Marson (Book Review #1859)
“Unusual Outcomes of Divorce” by Lita Marson is a thought-provoking novel that creatively explores the profound impact of personal life decisions on a global scale. The narrative centres around Martha, a recently divorced woman who unexpectedly wakes up in an alternate 2024—a world where COVID never happened and military conflicts are absent. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a deeply introspective journey that intertwines elements of romance, psychology, and speculative fiction.
Read MoreBreathe for Me by Donna B. Comeaux (Book Review #1857)
“Breathe for Me” by Donna B. Comeaux is a compelling novel that masterfully weaves themes of redemption, suspense, and romance into a gripping narrative. The story begins with a dramatic and almost tragic encounter between Robert Jaeger and Lilly Radford at the Colorado River, where both are battling their own demons and regrets. This fateful meeting not only saves their lives but sets them on a path of mutual healing and complex emotional entanglements.
Read MoreFOR ROGER by Laura Drake (Book Review #1856)
“FOR ROGER” by Laura Drake is a poignant narrative that delves deep into the complex layers of family, love, and ethical dilemmas. At its core, the novel explores the tumultuous relationship between Joan and her stepdaughter Bee, set against the backdrop of Roger’s terminal illness and consequential choices. The story is beautifully set in Austin, Texas, enriching the narrative with its historical and cultural nuances.
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