CJDaley author
C. J. Daley lives in New York. He has written a full-length debut novel, as well as a full accompanying short story collection. BestGhost is his first sampler on the road to releasing the novel. He hopes this won’t be the last you hear from him!
https://linktr.ee/ConnorJDaley
Stories
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BestGhost: A Novelette by C. J. Daley The world's best ghost hunters, the town's most haunted mansion, what could go wrong? A debut sample from the forthcoming Tales From Cemetery, this novelette is a FREE SAMPLE from the author's site! The Old Mayor’s Mansion sits just a few miles outside the town of Cemetery. When best friends Sean and Devon want to increase views on their ghost investigation channel, they know the mansion is the perfect spot to film. Armed with a slew of new equipment, the buddies set out to capture the paranormal hotspot that will make them famous—just maybe not in the way they were hoping. |
Reviews
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Fragmented Fates by Nancy Foster
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This is a multiple POV fantasy that features different races and ages. Full blood elves, harlequins, half bloods, and humans (mostly just mentioned). |
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A Killer and A King by Tom Dumbrell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This was so good! |
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The Black Sun (Tales of Askalon #1) by Sebastian P. Melang
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well While the opening is huge, the climax of the story is much more about the culmination of threads from earlier and the alleviation of the mystery, than any set of action beats. With that there is additional mystery, as well as room for so much more. |
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Cutting Your Teeth by Caylan MacRae
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story The ending had stakes, the emotional connect was well made, and the somewhat supernatural explosion at the end read as warranted. This is not a typical read for me, but boy did I enjoy it. It was refreshing and different. |
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The Tickle Monster by David Washburn
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I really love horrors that take childhood fears/monsters and turn them into real, flesh and blood nightmares. My main gripe with this one (while small) is that it didn’t actually do that, not entirely. |
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The Naughty Corner by Mark Towse
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Personally a 4/5*, the first was definitely a favorite. But this is a great showcase of the author’s skills, as there are three very different stories on display. |
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When the Devil by Emma E. Murray
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This novelette is short, a little sweet, and kind of a lotta dark. A tale of abuse, both from a husband and grandfather, this story showcases some of the horror stories women face daily. |
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Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I loved Wu’s obvious research and dedication to historical accuracy. Several of the characters even being real themselves. |
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Someone Else’s Horror Story by Rebecca Crunden
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story This is a 26 page short story, and somehow it packed in a solid and unique plot! Although this isn’t for children, it did have kind of Goosebumps vibes to it! That could be because of its bite-sized format though, making it feel like a TV episode. |
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The Fall Is All There Is by C.M. Caplan
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well So let’s get the obvious out of the way. This is one of the most unique novels and genre blends I’ve ever read. It mixes science fiction aspects with a fantasy world, dialogue that feels more modern, and horror elements too. |
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Head Like a Hole by Andrew Van Wey
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well A story of mistrust, mistreatment, jealousy, and deceit, Head Like a Hole, is a powerhouse of revenge and regret. |
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We Are the Origin (Wrath of the Gods Book 1) by C.M. Lockhart
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This one features great representation as well. Black fantasy with lush character designs and cultures. Dreads and braids as well as great descriptors on the variety of skin tones really sells the world as diverse and rich. |
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We’re All Monsters Here by Amy Marsden
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well For me, I would say this is horror first, with its graphic violence and descriptions. And honestly this just read as really grounded for a huge chunk of it. Anna’s choices in dinner felt kind of like Dexter meets vampirism. |
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The Choice of Weapons by Alex Valdiers
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story There is a setting with carriages that does feel very fantasy western, but with the samurai references, and katana fights, I feel like mentally I leaned more into that aspect. |
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Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I believe this was a well done examination on the loss of hope, and what happens when those that have lost it see a spark of it returning. It is quite bleak, but there are glimpses of warmth and happiness that carry the reader through. |
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From the Ashes by B. S. H. Garcia
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is the prequel to The Heart of Quinaria series, and in my opinion, it does operate quite well on its own. It’s a little sparse of descriptors, but it is very focused on the story it’s centering on, so it still works. |
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Don’t Bloody the Black Flag (Malitu #0.5) by James Lloyd Dulin
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I really appreciate the juxtaposition between Isála’s sort of idealized naivety and Rione’s steadfast jaded heart. Her brusque attitude is presented as knowing better, but she’s just haunted in a different way. Teshun was of course the perfect middle man as well, turning to humor |
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Christmas Night of the Scurry Furry by E. Reyes
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Great creature feature |
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A Christmas Truce by Emma Bennet
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I read approximately one romance a year, and only if they are Christmas based. Romance isn’t really my thing, but it’s the season of love, so I let it slide. I enjoy the cover art, so I grabbed a copy. |
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Merry Fuckin’ Christmas: And Other Yuletide Shit by Kevin J. Kennedy
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This is a gruesome and no holds barred collection. The author takes you through a murder-fueled nightmare and does not slow down for a second. As the blurb claims, this really is a multi-sub genre horror collection, with varying lengths that made it go by pretty easily. |
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Death of a Christmas Tree Salesman by Patricia Meredith
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I’m really not sure how, but this is somehow like a warm blanket, a cup of warm coco, and a hug. All while investigating murder. It’s cozy, and feels kind of safe even though it’s mysterious at the same time. It also didn’t read as ‘cozy’ in the kind of corny sense |
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Dust and Deliverance by Benjamin DeHaan
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Content Warnings: Drugs, drug abuse, violence This examination of grief, the loss of a loved one, and the lack thereof that follows, were really the pieces that glued this together for me. The author’s grasp on human nature is showed off really well. |
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Christmas Creepers: A Flash Fiction Horror Story Collection by Justin Schenker
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Found this amongst my kindle while putting together a folder of Christmas related reads and decided to give this a go as it fits the horror holiday kick I’m on. |
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A Tricker-Treater Christmas by Briana Morgan
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story The Tricker-Treater as a character was terrifying and his description had me thinking of him speaking with a proper Englishman’s accent (that might just be the top hat) with a skeletal demonic visage. |
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Candy Cain Kills by Brian McAuley
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well A Christmas from the past has shocking repercussions on one in the future. The same house, two different families, one hell of a Christmas stay. I enjoyed that the story linked back to the Christian side of Christmas, as that is somewhat absent at times, and can be creepy |
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I Found Christmas Lights Slithering Up My Street by Ben Farthing
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well As soon as I saw this cover, I immediately grabbed a copy and started reading it. Christmas horror is 100% my style this year. |
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It Haunts the Mind and Other Stories by Nick Roberts
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This collection features 15 short stories, some of which have been published elsewhere before, but were entirely new to me. One of the cool things about them being from other anthologies is that you are getting a slew of locales and types of horror in this single collection |
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Santa Claus: The Beginning by Terry Broxson
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a reimagining of the story of Santa Claus. It starts with an immigrant toy maker and his toy shop. He eventually adopts two orphans that have good carving skills, and makes them his apprentices. One of the children ends up being Santa. |
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Mark’s Merry Mayhem by Mark Tufo
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story The first story opens up with the author writing his family and home into a zombie apocalypse. As he is an apocalyptic writer, it makes sense, but I also thought it was a really cool idea too. They barricade themselves upstairs and fight to keep the hoard at bay. |
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With a Blighted Touch by J. Todd Kingrea
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The town of Black Rock was always referred to as cursed, but what if it actually was, genuinely? This is a horror novel that features a dark, ancient entity plaguing the town with disappearances, surprising deaths, and bad luck. |
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The World-Maker Parable by Luke Tarzian
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Perhaps just not my style, writing taste, or the wrong story for me, as I actually highlighted quite a bit that I thought was fantastic. Quotes and odds and ends that hit me as profound. As I received this to review, it wasn’t an actual kindle version, so I couldn’t upload them |
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KJK Presents: Vampires by Kevin J. Kennedy, Graham Masterton, Greg F. Gifune, Lee Mountford, Nick Roberts, Richard Chizmar, Michael Bray, Simon Clark
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This collection features a take on the vampire by each author listed above. Some are straight forward, while some of the others sought a new approach to the horror favorite. Perhaps it’s my fault, not only because of the cover, but I was expecting something gothic |
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Blades of the Ice: Age of Rekindling: A Prequel by Luis Falcao De Magalhaes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This novella features a gritty fantasy world and focuses on a group of assassins. They moonlight as s*x workers, blacksmiths, medical stall workers, all with the aim of collecting information on their marks and raising a little funds. |
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The Hunt of the Pumpkin King by Rowena Andrews
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I wish this had been available for my spooky season reads, but it was good nonetheless. This felt like it had the same vibe as Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge, while being entirely different. Maybe it’s just the pumpkin heads. |
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The Revenge of Thousands by Michael Roberti
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well It opens right into a very morally grey set of characters, and as with all wars, they are on both sides. I enjoyed all of the perspectives and the ways in which they were different. And the author definitely has a deft hand with written intrigue. |
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Cthulhu's Car Park by D.S. Ritter
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This was an interesting mix of kind of slice-of-life styled mundane work and then urban fantasy-ish blended cosmic horror and action. A car park. Creepy lights and darkness. The car park workers. Discovering a cistern that’s slowly churning out multi-dimensional monsters. |
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Of Darkness and Light by Ryan Cahill
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This sequel does a fantastic job of amping up everything that started in the first. It opens directly following the events of the first and continues straight through. There is next to no dull moments |
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The Dragon’s Reign: Heart of the Depths by Tim Mullins
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is an action-packed, gut-punching novella. Written simply, but written well, and it’s one hell of a good ride! Also, even though it’s only 100 pages, the author somehow makes a crazy twist work??? |
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One Road In by Hannah R. Palmer
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I will say this is a very supernatural/paranormal mystery. Think of a ghost-like mystery. Parts of the ending made me think of the Fear Street Netflix trilogy. Hopefully that will narrow it down for you in terms of taste |
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Embers We Struck by Jeremy Martin
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Gods, devils, demons, ferals. When the stakes are godly, what exactly can humans do? Do they even deserve to do something? To change? This sequel shows us some political intrigue, unbeatable violence and war, betrayal, paranoia, and pain. Perhaps a small sliver of hope? |
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Foreign to You by Jeremy Martin
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Honestly, I was sold on this novel in like the first five pages. Actually, the author and I had previously talked about how much I loved the watercolor-style cover art, so I was kind of sold on it before even starting it. |
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The Exorcist’s House by Nick Roberts
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author does some cool references/Easter eggs. For the new family he kept saying the Hill’s house, which I took as a possible ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ nod. There’s also the obvious name for the exorcist, Merle Blatty, which is a nod to the author of ‘The Exorcist’ William |
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Blanky by Kealan Patrick Burke
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I also enjoyed how the author gives us a supernatural/paranormal story, but with the stages of grief on display, the level of alcohol being consumed, and the character being in the bowels of despair, it could also be entirely imagined…maybe even personally caused? Enjoyable |
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Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well |
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The Ghosts of Thorwald Place by Helen Power
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Author does a great job subverting a lot of the expectations around paranormal activity—what a ghost can do, and can not do, may surprise you a lot. It is much more along the lines of someone normal trapped in the in between of life and death, than it is like a malignant spirit |
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The Queen Protocol by Gregory Benson
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This book definitely has a lot of the things I wanted from the first book in it. The pace is fast, the characters have better growth, the Tolagon-orb power is explained and shown more. We get new enemies, further explanations of the old ones, and new crisis |
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Legacy (Scion Book 1) by Jay Reace
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I feel like this book had a lot of heart and it has the guts to be even expounded upon into a full novel if he wanted to. All of the preliminary work is there to be bulked up, but it also functioned well as an action packed novella just the same. |
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Foundations by Richard Holliday
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a prequel novella to Nightmare Tenant, and although you could totally read it separately, I believe it’s best enjoyed together. Also, you can support and read for free by signing up for the author’s newsletter (which is how I got it)! |
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Nightmare Tenant by Richard Holliday
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well What would you do if the place you called home turned against you, hostile? Wouldn’t let you leave? Wanted you to stay…forever? |
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Broken Wings and Buried Secrets: A Short Story Collection by Bethany Votaw
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is 25 short stories. Some are a few hundred words, while others are a few thousand. The important thing here with each, is that they’re all good! A year or two ago I wasn’t really a fan of short stories, my complaint was usually that they were too short, but not these! |
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Elendil by Andrea Rose Washington
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Elendil is a scifi/fantasy coming of age story. Along with some great Tolkien-inspired names, it’s unbelievably action packed and it has a lot of heart. As a first entry into a new world, it’s definitely short (I would gladly have read twice as much!) with an incredibly fast pace |
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Legends of Andolin: Rising Tides by A.M. Portman
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Adella is a fierce main character that is still the bleeding heart of the story. Her actions have consequences that carry over into this second novel, and she processes them in real time. Some of the things she survives though have me feeling like she’s almost Lara Croft-level |
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Legends of Andolin: Adella of the Campos by A.M. Portman
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author writes believable and enjoyable characters that had me following along and rooting for them (and their survival) the entire time. They are dynamic, with ups and downs, and every single one progresses as people throughout the story. A personal favorite for me was Arman |
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When Stars Become Shadows by Emmie Hamilton
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a pirate-y based dark fantasy. The author does a good job of leading right off with a content warning, I’ve said before that I don’t see this very often, but I like it every time I see it. This novel goes pretty deeply into things, plus there is strong sexual content. |
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The Invisible Tether by JP McDonald
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well In a perhaps near future world where cloning humans has not only become a possibility, but a truth, where would you go? What would you do? Beings that are as strong as us, smart as us, look just like us, probably won’t take lightly to being a lesser science experiment for long… |
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The Headsman by Christina Mîrzoi
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a short story collection that is interwoven to tell a somewhat singular tale. The gloomy village is filled with people, all carrying their own secrets. The author weaves them so that we get the bigger picture through the eyes of each strange character |
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Duckett & Dyer: St. Nicks For Hire by G.M. Nair
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This was fun, unexpected, and absolutely unhinged. The story features a blizzard, amateur sleuths turned Santas-for-hire, a police sanctioned Santa Claus Killer investigation, the multiverse, oh, and THE Santa Claus. It’s like a holiday scifi mystery action explosion. And quick! |
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Scribbles and Scrawls: A Short Story Collection by Bethany Votaw
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I’m really impressed, especially with my struggle with short fiction, that the author was able to keep me hanging on with every page. |
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The Long Lost War by Jeff Walker
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well When wanting more is a death sentence, John might just find out that there really is more to life than what he’s been offered, but will he live to get it? |
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Sleeping Celeste by Alana K. Drex
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is a story of desire, loss, grief, guilt, obsession, and sacrifice. This was a bit bone chilling honestly. It’s short and to the point, but manages to be elegant and eerie at the same time? The writing is great and pulled me right in. |
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Gold, Lock and Key by E J Doble
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The world is dark and gritty and I really enjoyed the set up, as it appears the mini-series will all take place within the confines of what the author has already created with this one. |
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The Crescent Moon by E J Doble
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I’ll be honest with you, if you’re not prepared for an emotional rollercoaster, this book is going to knock you on your ass. Actually, it will anyway, and it’s not really sorry. |
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A Pale Box on the Distant Shore by P.J. Nwosu
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Gripping, horrifying, and strong throughout. I enjoyed every page. And I still have so many questions! I can’t wait to get into the novel next. |
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The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I requested this from NetGalley for a seasonal read, and because I saw that it was an indie release. As usual, I was not disappointed. |
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The Yuletide Butcher by Mike Duke
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I definitely think there was enough here to make a full length novel, but there’s nothing wrong with novellas. Short, easy to read, and devilish. |
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The Faded Dragon by Cameron Michaels
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well One thing in particular that stuck out to me was the ending battle scenes. Each perspective gives it a wider scope, making the battles feel large, epic, and terrible. The largest of which gave me Pelennor Fields vibes with siege towers and mayhem. |
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3 by T.P. Theyson
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is a thriller novella with a strong concept and great execution of the plot twist. What I thought was an obvious twist actually wasn’t the twist at all, and that’s how you know it’s good. I didn’t see it coming and neither will you. |
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Stag by Lane Oliver
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story Well written, and well executed, and also not without real horrors too. This is a quick read that is worth checking out and supporting. |
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Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant by Christopher Russell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well To reference my comments from my review of book one, this book definitely delivers on character development. It does still take about another 400ish pages to get there, but it delivers in spades. Lots of it. The characters grow and groan in believable and rewarding changes. |
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Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth by Christopher Russell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is one of the best fantasy and science fiction blends I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The prologue starts with swords, shields, axes, and the remainder of the novel progresses further with firearms, ships, and futuristic technologies. |
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Megalodon: Bloodbath by Michael Cole
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I first came across these ocean horror books a while back, and I think my brother might actually have gotten this for me off my wishlist. I might not have shared this before, but I love shark stuff of any kind. So naturally that includes shark horrors. (Especially). |
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Hotel Fen by Meri Benson, Marie Sinadjan
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This book meshes hotel horror with Norse mythology. It starts with Victor arriving at the hotel after receiving a free trip from a radio show he can’t seem to remember participating in. |
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The Training Grounds: Mystery of the Immortals by Jason Clark
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This book is honestly a wild ride. It’s long, but it doesn’t end up feeling long enough. It starts in a somewhat grounded fantasy world. There is magic, but it comes with the landscape of the world. Then however, it turns into a full on science fiction / fantasy mix |
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Harvest Nights by Ahmed H. Alameen
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This novel starts off at a pace that’s 100% right from the first sentence. At only 81 pages, this novella packs in horror, both bodily and monstrous, a masterful twist, action, and heart. It is both retelling the mythology for a new age, and also still tackling the race issues |
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Arcranium by Mark Towse, Daemon Manx
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well With this being a novella, it reads like one giant climax. Going in and out of their stories is the only short reprieve, but each is high intensity from the get go. I absolutely loved this factor |
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Nana by Mark Towse
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This novella has virtually ruined my view of elderly people for the rest of my life, irrevocably. It is gross, gruesome, horrifying. The worse part being that my grandmother goes by Nana too. Now I’m not sure if I can ever view her the same…what has this world become. |
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The Sun Prince by L. R. Schulz
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well The climax is huge, the combat is written clearly and beautifully. Yet it’s gritty and horrifying as blood and guts tend to be. The illustrations peppered throughout give life to the words in the page, and each one is uniquely wonderful. |
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Worse Than Dying by Brett Van Valkenburg
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well To me, this novella is exactly what I loved about the early The Walking Dead, the anxiety of learning the world and understanding that it only takes one single zombie to end your life. That the more comfortable and adept you get, it still only takes one mistake, one slip up |
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A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This book is very elegantly written, with flowing prose, beautiful vocabulary, and wonderful imagery. It can be a shock to get into, because most books are not written in this style, but it’s very worth it! |
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Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This journey originally started with me pretty much spamming the author’s page with likes because of how much I loved this cover. I was then very graciously offered an e-ARC, so how do you like them apples. Still love the cover, now I get to love the novel. |
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A Sea of Cinders by Adam R. Bishop
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author sets up a world where humans and elves haven’t really ever been able to get along. The humans would much rather eradicate them instead. The elves, who are the more peaceful of the two, are still brutal warriors. I’ve been waiting for this kind of story |
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The Soul's Aspect by Mark Holloway
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This novel is like a more-adult version of a coming of age story, with all the typical nostalgia you’d want to feel from one. It still gives you new romance, and the prospect of love and growing up, but to me the heartbreak and death just rang as more real than some others. |
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Starbinder: An Eye of Eternity Novella (The Eye of Eternity) by Mark Timmony
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well So per the author’s note at the back of this prequel novella, this story takes place approximately 2000 years before the events of book one. After seeing that I’m rather impressed at the author’s ability to write such a poised, concise story that has action, heart, emotion, |
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Lipstick Covered Magnet by Amber Herbert
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This is a daring and heartfelt debut from an author that’s not afraid to share some of their past on the page. This is heartwarming, sickening, and not without hope all at once. Grow through what you go through, as a friend of mine likes to say, and this is definitely a testament |
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Cold from the North by D W Ross
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This novel does a lot of exposition and dialogue throughout. The author does a good job with it though, because the characters are really important. The characters shine here. |
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An Ocean of Others by Joshua Scott Edwards
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well First and foremost, I’m honestly just super impressed. The author’s writing is fantastic, his world is rich, the characters are believable and real, the pacing is perfect, and the action is top notch. Instead of just giving us his version of worlds we’ve seen before |
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Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I have seen this all over bookstagram of course, and many of my friends have sent it to me as a phenomenal indie. After giving the audible audio a sample, I decided to go with it, and Derek Perkins did a good job with it. |
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Stones of Light by Zack Argyle
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well No smack talking, but I did find the sequel to be leaps and bounds better than the first! There was amped up action, dialogue, and emotion. The writing was a nice step up as well. Certainly an improvement on what was already a great start. The author did a great job of continuing |
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Voice of War (Threadlight Book 1) by Zack Argyle
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a multi-perspective debut in the fantasy word. It definitely teeters between epic and high fantasy. It is absolutely character driven, but the weight of nations/worlds is most definitely in the balance |
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Dream of Death City: A chilling fantasy mystery (Red Kingdom Book 1 by Pj Nwosu
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Let me start by saying that this is one of the most original fantasies I’ve ever read. |
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Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The cast of characters is incredibly diverse, and the narration doesn’t miss a beat with accents and personalities. There’s everything from Irish to Middle Eastern, and they’re all done well. I was super impressed and it was very enjoyable. |
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Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Good vs evil here, as most stories are, but with love and loss, grief and guilt, friendship and hardship, all mixed in. I was pleasantly surprised by the light tone and voice in the writing. Personally a 4/5* for me. Would gladly continue on with more! |
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The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story The setting is a cool/silly take on the idea that everyone is somewhere, therefore the town is called Somewhere, while other places are Somewhere-Else. The children go to the Academy, and at this academy they are overseen by the headmaster. He’s a little off |
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Eleventh Cycle by Kian N. Ardalan
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This is book one of the dark epic fantasy series ‘Mistland’ and it’s a chonky one. The author definitely smacks you right in the middle of a very diverse and deep world. Minethria is suffering from darkness and rot. The Elders remain silent, the eleventh seed may be too late |
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Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story This novel is about the battle of two sides of the desert. Those that want freedom to do as they please, and those that want to unite and control everything. It’s less about good and evil than other stories, as both sides have things that they’ve done that are far from perfect. |
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Wistful Ascending by JCM Berne
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy with some real grit like Watchmen or The Boys. These ‘superheroes’ will save the galaxy, but they will also snap your neck for looking at them wrong. |
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Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well The author’s Twitter says, “Books on Amazon. They’ll break your heart,” and I don’t know for sure if she meant her own, but she’s certainly still right. This is one of the most heartfelt, and heartrending stories I have ever read. Every sentence is like a gut punch. Destroying. |
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The Price of Power by Michael Michel
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well So good: “Belara straightened. “Peace is what happens when enemies fear each other enough to avoid the uncertain results of attempted conquest.”” |
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Isla's Reach by Francisca Liliana
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author is possibly best known as WitchKingReads for great reviews, and I was so excited when I saw she was writing! This is book 1 of The Breaths and Depths and there’s definitely more to come. Not sure how they can top this cover though! |
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Down Below Beyond by T. A. Bruno
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is my first read from this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. This is a scifi fantasy novel that heavily features found family and friends. It really is at its core about choosing your people and making the best of things. |
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The Briar Crown by Helen Rygh-Pedersen
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Now there is a bit of spice…the author teases it several times without going there, but then it finally does. Spice is not for me, but I thought the use of it was in the correct places for sure. And great author narration!!!! |
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The Fear of Moncroix by Bryan Asher
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is a vampire-led dark fantasy that is scifi-linked to the author’s other works via the Intercontinents. Regardless of that, on its own, this is one of the most unique novels I’ve read in years |
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Never Die (Mortal Techniques #1) by Rob J. Hayes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This was amazing. You get sucked right into a world utterly different from ours. It makes you want to know more and more. It’s transformative with action that lights up visually. The world is very Asian inspired. Kind of like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’-esque with the action |
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Spirits of Vengeance by Rob J. Hayes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This one was a bit drawn out for me. The opening felt overlong and towards the middle of the book it still only had a singular plot point. I don’t necessarily think books need a reason to exist though, I just didn’t find the ‘why’ for a while. |
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The Century Blade by Rob J. Hayes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The Century Blade must assemble a team of heroes to withstand the might of Orochi, the king of the dragons. In Orochi’s anger, he has ordered the other dragons to destroy humanity itself. This team of heroes must stop them. |
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Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I received an audible code from the author, and boy am I glad, because the narration by Ryan Haugen is top tier. This story has a unique world. The somewhat nomadic Hunter-gatherer communities definitely made me think of American Indians. But it’s also an incredibly bleak world |
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The Demon's Dagger: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novella (Alexander Southerland, P.I.) P by Douglas Lumsden
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Can be read as a standalone, but probably best ingested along with the rest in the series. Still enjoyable on its own! |
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A King's Radiance by L. R. Schulz
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well This is an epic fantasy novel, and it is just that, EPIC (EPIC EPIC). It has everything you’re used to loving in a fantasy novel, and even better, it’s also done well. The writing is slick and intelligent, I wasn’t bored with a single page. |
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The Legend of Black Jack by A. R. Witham
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author does a phenomenal job of having the reader learn and grow with the character. It’s one of the things that resonated with me the most in the feel-good, middle grade way, even though the writing and content is most definitely young adult. |
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Jack Forest, Soul Collector by E. Reyes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Grabbed the paperback to give a go, as this is perfect for Spooky Season. I love the author’s shared universe of Devil’s Hill, so I always come out and support, as I am doing (trying) similar with ‘Cemetery.’ |
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Devil’s Hill: Stories by E. Reyes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well I grabbed this one during the Velox Books rerelease, but decided to also grab the audio so that I’d have time to get through it for Hispanic Heritage Month. Horror anthologies are my jam and this one didn’t disappoint. |
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Christmas in the Empty Cabin by E. Reyes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author is the self-proclaimed Clark Griswold of Halloween and it shows. All of his work is horror or Halloween related, and he does a great job of it besides. |
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Evening of the Mutated Undead by E. Reyes
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Reyes delivers exactly what his blurb promises. UFOs, a monsoon-style rain, and zombies covered in mutated eyes. The zombies seem to have been created by the UFOs, but they still act, eat, and spread like a normal apocalypse zombie. |
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A Dagger in the Dark by Tom Dumbrell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The author surprise attacked us with this novella’s release, but I ain’t mad at it. This is a prequel novella that takes place 20 years before the events of The Look of a King. It follows a much younger Roscoe, and his journey to being the pirate/semi-King’s man that we know |
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Where Heroes Were Born by Tom Dumbrell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well This is the third and final installment in the Pillars of Peace trilogy. As many of you know I’ve been following along (quite loudly) since book one, and I still firmly believe every person on earth should give these a read! |
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No Place for Peace by Tom Dumbrell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Tom Dumbrell takes every bit of the first book and just amps it up for the full effect in the sequel. This book carries heart, wonder, excitement, surprise. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat from page one. You’ll get to see some characters you know and love, and meet new |
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The Look of a King by Tom Dumbrell
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well When reading the back of the book, I found myself interested right off the bat. I mean, this stuff is right up my alley anyway, but I did wonder how it would stand out from the rest too... To me, this has a very medieval, crusader-style England/Europe feel to it |
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No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well I loved the cover, so I signed right up for the ARC team and I was happy to be approved. Liked it so much I purchased a copy too! Let me start with saying, WOW, that is how you write an ending! The climax is just so incredibly epic and beautiful and dark at the same time. |
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No Safe Haven by James Lloyd Dulin
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well If you’ve seen my review for No Heart for a Thief, than you know this sequel was up against some strong competition. The author has yet again managed to set up an incredible ending—where not only are threads being tied, questions being fu |