October 2023 MBR The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle
T. L. Huchu
Tor Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250883063, $29.99, HC, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Dunvegan-Castle-Edinburgh-Nights/dp/1250883067

Synopsis: Everyone's favorite fifteen-year-old ghostalker, Ropa, arrives at the worldwide Society of Skeptical Enquirers' biennial conference just in time to be tied into a mystery -- a locked room mystery, if an entire creepy haunted castle on lockdown counts. One of the magical attendees has stolen a valuable magical scroll.

Caught between Qozmos, the high wizard of Ethiopian magic; the larger-than-life Lord Sashvindu Samarasinghe; England's Sorcerer Royal; and Scotland's own Edmund MacLeod, it's up to Ropa (and Jomo and Priya) to sort through the dangerous secret politics and alliances to figure out what really happened. But she has a special tool -- the many ghosts tied to this ancient, powerful castle.

Critique: "The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle" is the third title in novelist T. L. Huchu's 'Edinburgh Nights' fantasy series that also includes "Library of the Dead" and "Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments". Bringing a feeling of authenticity to a contemporary world of magic made real, "The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle" is an original and entertaining novel that will have a special appeal to fans of Paranormal Urban Fantasy and Ghost Fiction. A fun read from beginning to end, "The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle" is highly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle" is also available in a paperback edition (9781250883087, $18.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: T. L. Huchu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendai_Huchu) has been published previously (as Tendai Huchu) in the adult market, but the Edinburgh Nights series is his genre fiction debut. His previous books (The Hairdresser of Harare and The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician) have been translated into multiple languages and his short fiction has won awards. Tendai grew up in Zimbabwe but has now lived in Edinburgh for most of his adult life.

The Soul of Iuchiban
Evan Dicken
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839082290, $16.95, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Iuchiban-Legend-Rings-Novel/dp/1839082291

Synopsis: The Emerald Empire stands on the brink of destruction. The dark sorcerer Iuchiban has escaped his tomb, and desires dominion over all. Unicorn samurai Iuchi Qadan has been welcomed home and celebrated for her part in destroying the Blood- speaker rebellion. Yet she is not herself... Possessed by Iuchiban, Qadan can do nothing but watch as the undying sorcerer lord draws tight the noose he has wrapped around the throat of an unsuspecting empire. And hope that someone will realize she is not who she seems. But the other survivors of Iuchiban's tomb are few, and made speechless by the horrors they've endured. To stop Iuchiban's evil, new alliances between old enemies must be formed. They will be brittle, untested, and marred by mistrust. Should these alliances fail, there will be no Rokugan.

Critique: A deftly crafted 'Legend of the Five Rings' novel, "The Soul of Iuchiban" will have an immense interest for dedicated fans of Samurai sword & sorcery fantasy novels. Original, memorable, and just plain fun read from cover to cover, "The Soul of Iuchiban" is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted that "The Soul of Iuchiban" is also very readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).

Editorial Note: Evan Dicken (http://www.evandicken.com) studies old Japanese maps and crunches data for research at The Ohio State University. His fiction has most recently appeared in: Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Strange Horizons, and he has stories forthcoming from Black Library and Rampant Loon Press.

The Court of Shadows
Victor Dixen, author
Francoise Bui, translator
Amazon Crossing
Brilliance Audio
https://audiobookstore.com/publishers/brilliance-audio
9781662505690, $28.99, HC, 382pp

https://www.amazon.com/Court-Shadows-Vampyria-Saga/dp/1662505698

Synopsis: Louis XIV transformed from the Sun King into the King of Shadows when he embraced immortality and became the world's first vampire. For the last three centuries, he has been ruling the kingdom from the decadent Court of Shadows in Versailles, demanding the blood of his subjects to sate his nobles' thirst and maintain their loyalty.

In the heart of rural France, commoner Jeanne Froidelac witnesses the king's soldiers murder her family and learns of her parents' role in a brewing rebellion involving the forbidden secrets of alchemy. To seek her revenge, Jeanne disguises herself as an aristocrat and enrolls in a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers. She soon finds herself at the doors of the palace of Versailles.

But Jeanne, of course, is no aristocrat. She dreams not of court but of blood. -- The blood of a king!

Critique: Not since Ann Rice has their been an author whose new take on the Vampire been as original, as seminal, and as fun -- until French author Victor Dix sat down to write "The Court of Shadows". With a very special appeal for readers with an interest in deftly crafted gothic fiction, dark fantasy, and vampire sagas, "The Court of Shadows" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated vampire fans that "The Court of Shadows" is also readingly available in a paperback edition (9781662505706, $16.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, $29.99, MP3-CD).

Editorial Note #1: Victor Dixen (https://www.victordixen.com) is the two-time winner of the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire and stands at the forefront of French fantasy. His acclaimed series include Animale, Phobos, Cogito, Extincta, and Vampyria. A nomadic writer, he has lived in Paris, Dublin, Singapore, New York, and now Washington, DC, drawing inspiration from the promises of the future as much as the ghosts of the past.

Editorial Note #2: Francoise Bui (https://ccfw.calvin.edu/speakers/francoise-bui) spent twenty years as an executive editor at Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, where her list of edited books included numerous novels in translation. Of these, four received the Mildred L. Batchelder Award (for most outstanding children's book initially published in a foreign language), and two were Honor titles. Originally from France, Bui lives in New York City.

Witches of Bone Hill
Ava Morgyn
Griffin Books
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250835437, $18.00, PB, 416pp

https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Bone-Hill-Novel/dp/1250835437

Synopsis: Cordelia Bone's meticulously crafted life and career in Dallas is crashing down around her thanks to a philandering husband with criminal debts. When her older, carefree sister, Eustace (a cannabis grower in Boulder) calls to inform her that the great aunt they never met has died and they must now travel to a small town in Connecticut to deal with the estate, she sees an opportunity to unload the house and save herself.

But once there, the sisters learn they are getting much more than they bargained for. The Victorian mansion they stand to inherit is bound in a dynasty trust controlled by their late aunt's aging attorney, who insists they retain and inhabit the house but keeps them in the dark about the peculiar rituals of their ancestors.

And there is also that sexy, tattooed groundskeeper with a shrouded past who refuses to leave the carriage house and a crypt full of dead relatives looming at the property line.

As both women grapple with their current predicament, they come face to face with a haunting family secret, the truth of what happened to their mother, and the enemy that's been stalking them from the shadows for generations.

In a twisting torrent of terror and blood, the sisters must uncover the power within them to heal their fractured relationship, reverse their mysteriously declining health, and claim the lineage they wanted to escape but now must embrace if they are to survive at Bone Hill.

Critique: A simply riveting read brought vividly to life by the exceptional narrative driven storytelling skills of author Ava Morgyn, "The Witches of Bone Hill" is an impressively original and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Paranormal/Romantic Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Witches of Bone Hill" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Ava Morgyn (https://www.avamorgyn.com) grew up falling in love with all the wrong characters in all the wrong stories, then studied English Writing & Rhetoric at St. Edward's University. She is a fan of witchcraft, tarot, and powerful women with bad reputations. When not at her laptop spinning darkly hypnotic tales, she writes for her blog on child loss, hunts for vintage treasures, and reads the darkest books she can find. She is also the author of YA novels Resurrection Girls and The Salt in Our Blood.

House of Rough Diamonds
Jane Lindskold
Baen Books
www.baen.com
9781982192891, $18.00

https://www.amazon.com/House-Rough-Diamonds-Over-Where/dp/1982192895

Book 3 of the 'Over Where' series provides a sword-and-sorcery adventure in which a book wraith has all the books in the Library of the Sapphire Wind worried. This challenges the new House of Rough Diamonds, which faces internal battles over ownership of the Library, enemies which revolve around such control, and new groups of friends and secrets that permeate the Over Where world. The result is a rollicking series of escapades that is especially recommended for prior Over Where readers who will find these latest engagements expand the dilemmas and challenges of this special universe.

Baen Books
www.baen.com

https://www.amazon.com/Very-Important-Corpses-Simon-Green-ebook/dp/B0BZQTL43G

Simon R. Green's Very Important Corpses (9781982192730, $18.00) is an Ishmael Jones novel that incorporates a murder mystery with sci-fi elements. Here, the investigator is an alien living among humans, so his strengths and identity blend with a gothic-style mystery to lend unexpected developments and appeal to an intriguing plot. Throw in a Loch Ness locale for the added value of a supercharged story of investigative challenges and surprises.

https://www.amazon.com/Theyre-Here-Hank-Davis/dp/1982192747

The anthology They're Here! There Goes the Neighborhood, edited by Hank Davis and Sean CW Korsgaard (9781982192747, $18.00) provides a collection of stories about different types of aliens who may have moved in under the unsuspecting noses of humanity. Stories by such sci-fi greats as Larry Niven, Robert Silverberg, and Neil Gaiman presents a satisfying diversity of approaches to the subject which will attract readers who look for more original approaches to the traditional alien invasion theme. Both are attractive library acquisitions for their unpredictable stories and surprising characters.

Treasure of the Umbrunna: Meleena's Adventures
Fred Rayworth
NewLink Publishing
c/o Mystic Publishers
https://www.mysticpublishersinc.com
9781934051863, $17.95, PB, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Umbrunna-Fred-Rayworth/dp/1934051861

Synopsis: All Meleena wanted was to get rich, but in the end, she sacrificed all to help another. If she isn't careful, people may start to think she's a decent person. Meleena goes through life one picked pocket at a time. With a wild heart, she spends each night with a different man, and often wakes up in a strange place.

When she goes after a valuable pearl hidden in a lost city called Slab, she figures this is the way to the easy life. An old magick user named Grel may hold the key to finding this pearl, and he insists she not go alone if she hopes to survive. Despite second thoughts and an aversion to working with others, she gathers a team and heads for the lost city.

However, she isn't the only one after the pearl, and Meleena finds herself in a race to get there first.

Critique: As much a fun read as it is an original action/adventure fantasy,"Treasure of the Umbrunna" launches "Meleena's Adventures", a new series by novelist Fred Rayworth that has more unexpected plot twists and turns than an Oklahoma tornado. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy adventure fans that "Treasure of the Umbrunna" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Fred Rayworth (www.fredrayworth.com) found his passion for writing in 1995. He's so far completed thirteen full-length novels in genres that include science fiction, icky bug (horror), adventure/thriller and fantasy. He has also published numerous non-fiction articles on amateur astronomy including co-founding and editing the original Observer's Challenge for the Las Vegas Astronomical Society.

Gods of the Blue Mountains: Meleena's Adventures
Fred Rayworth
NewLink Publishing
c/o Mystic Publishers
https://www.mysticpublishersinc.com
9781941271490, $21.95, PB, 462pp

https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Blue-Mountains-Meleenas-Adventures/dp/1941271499

Synopsis: When a friend in need of a special ingredient to save his life, he asks Meleena for help. She answers his call. But, as it happens when she volunteers, there's always a catch. To find this ingredient, she must risk her life by sneaking into the realm of the Gods Of The Blue Mountains. Nobody has ever done that -- and returned. Can she help her friend even after she hooks up with others who have a more sinister agenda? Will she survive this journey and save her friend?

Critique: Action/adventure at its best, "Gods of the Blue Mountains" by novelist Fred Rayworth (and the sequel to "Treasure Of The Umbrunna", the author's new 'Meleena's Adventures' series) deftly blends suspense and fantasy into a fun read populated by memorable characters and an original storyline. While highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Gods of the Blue Mountains: Meleena's Adventures" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Fred Rayworth (www.fredrayworth.com) found his passion for writing in 1995. He's so far completed thirteen full-length novels in genres that include science fiction, icky bug (horror), adventure/thriller and fantasy. He has also published numerous non-fiction articles on amateur astronomy including co-founding and editing the original Observer's Challenge for the Las Vegas Astronomical Society.

192 Days Missing
Sue Denver
JGF Press
B0BTV5QPL8, $5.99

https://www.amazon.com/Days-Missing-Sara-Flores-Werewolf-ebook/dp/B0BTV5QPL8

In 192 Days Missing, P.I. Sara Flores holds an edge over most other detectives and investigators. She is a werewolf. Her special abilities typically lend her unusual perspectives that enhance her ability to problem-solving and find perps - but not in this case. In fact, the disappearance of Alaska Brown from a parking lot may prove Sara's greatest challenge yet, no matter what form she assumes, because Alaska has invited the anger of a billionaire who holds the purse strings to not only make people vanish, but mask any clues about their demise. Readers need not have prior familiarity with the introductory Werewolf for Hire in order to appreciate Sara's background and special abilities in this unfolding mystery. A succinct recap of Sara's world and its influences is provided in a one-page overview which is easy for prior readers to skip and essential for those new to Sara's circumstances.

Sara's heightened nose for trouble indicates that far more is going on here than one disappearance alone. There's a simmering sense of evil about the entire affair that leads her on a dangerous journey. Her werewolf condition doesn't always give her an advantage: "Better eyesight is not one of my gifts from my wolf. Just the opposite - I think my vision is worse than it was before my transformation." Navigating her new abilities is only one conundrum Sara faces as her case keeps getting bigger and more puzzling. Her adversary not only has the money to evade justice, but the foot soldiers in place to reinforce and protect his position. It turns out that Alaska Brown's disappearance is only the tip of the iceberg of adversity that draws Sara ever deeper into truths she (and her readers) doesn't see coming.

Sue Denver's ability to make Sara's condition a part of the action rather than its central focus will delight readers who enjoy stories with supernatural elements, but really look for the mystery component to be prominent. She develops a fine tension between Sara's skills and the case at hand and keeps evolving in new directions, creating a character whose moves, logic, and reactions are both rational and memorable. Cross Sara and she becomes an animal - literally. But the fine line drawn by her investigation forces her to confront other elements of her personality and deductive abilities which invite readers to become involved in her life. A fine undercurrent of humor also traces lines of special interest as Sara candidly narrates events and her reactions to them: "Mason guided me, unerringly, to the cameras and then to the computer running them. Then he told me to do one thing after another, almost none of which I understood. But, hey, I do know how to follow directions. No matter what some people might say."

Libraries and readers interested in a follow-the-money saga that also follows Sara's heart and her ability to dig out the truth will find the mystery and psychological draw of 192 Days Missing to be impeccable. Its exploration of decisions made for the greater good, romance, and financial entanglements are as riveting as its protagonist's struggle with her inner werewolf and all-too-human reactions and abilities.

The Queen of Pohjola
David Allen Schlaefer
DartFrog Plus
https://dartfrogbooks.com/dartfrog-plus
9781953910813, $4.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Pohjola-David-Allen-Schlaefer-ebook/dp/B0C8BVHCFS

The Queen of Pohjola, the third and final book in the Far Northern Land Saga, is an epic fantasy about wizards, witches, and power struggles set in the semi-mythical world of Iron Age Finland and inspired by Finnish folklore. Familiarity with the prior books (The Mark of the Bear Clan and The Heir of Lemminkainen) would be optimal for a seamless appreciation of the setting and characters David Allen Schlaefer developed previously, although recaps of both books are included to help newcomers enter this latest adventure.

As Ulla's power continues to grow against all odds and oppressors, she and the famous wizard Vainamoinen embark on a spirit journey to hell itself in search of tools to kill the relentless Witch Lohi. This leads them to Pohjola, Lohi's dismal realm, as their quest forces them into impossible circumstances and confrontations not only with good and evil forces, but their own hearts. Schlaefer cultivates a fine blend of psychological depth and action that creates a powerful interplay between nonstop twists and turns that lead the characters to question their choices and outcomes.

As trials of mortals, survivors, healing, and spectacles of death confront the sojourners, readers receive an engaging, heartfelt saga that builds on previous books with new action and conundrums and represents a rare instance where the trilogy's final installment is as compelling as its first.

Schlaefer is at his most powerful when crafting descriptions that embed poetic drama and life into their words: "The old man could feel the change happening everywhere in the Far Northern Land. It ran through the cold rivers as they rushed down to the lakes and sea. It ran through the forests as green leaves opened beneath the gentle sun. The wind sang a new song, a song the Vanhalaiset prepared for the newcomers. Ulla would sing that song, and little Egan when he came to manhood, but not old Vainamoinen. A new age had come to the North, an age that the Erilaiset could never fully know."

While The Queen of Pohjola may be considered by libraries that don't have the previous books and new readers who haven't read them, it's best consumed as part of the entire trilogy. Fantasy fans will find the ongoing epic quest, intricately-detailed world building, and Finnish-based mythology to be compellingly hard to put down. This audience will especially appreciate the special blend of classic mythology and traditional characters with new original characters like Ulla that bring this story to life.

The Zone
Stu Jones
www.stujonesfiction.com
Dropship Publishing
c/o Vesuvian Media Group
https://vesuvianmedia.com
9781954386099, $14.99

https://www.amazon.com/Zone-Cyberpunk-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C7DQ18TW

The Zone is a cyberpunk thriller that incorporates sci-fi and elements of military engagement in its story of the future. It revolves around tech addiction and law enforcement in the city of Neo Terminus, where nano-boosted gladiators (Enforcers) fight to the death in the Conglomerate-controlled event known as The Zone.

Chance Griffin has become an Enforcer for the Conglomerate, driven by the health needs of his child. He rises quickly to professional success, then is invited to compete in a coveted Zone event that promises further wealth and an end to all his problems. It's anything but. In fact, it portends a revised and new form of oppression which will result in the complete enslavement of the citizens of Neo Terminus, and which also will cement his own reliance on the Conglomerate without its promise of solution and redemption. As Chance trains for his big event, he becomes immersed in the underlying motivations, politics, and scenarios the Conglomerate has struggled to keep hidden. Stu Jones peppers these realizations with the step-by-step training process that keeps Chance on his toes and learning new skills that he'll eventually apply in unexpected ways.

The action-packed descriptions simply sizzle with exciting "you are here" impact. Chance's search for answers leads readers into scenarios filled with confrontation. The surprise realizations will prove delightful challenges even to seasoned cyberpunk and thriller readers who usually see patterns unfold and scenarios unwinding far in advance. Not here. As The Glom's real purpose comes to light, readers will find many thought-provoking moments keep them immersed in a story of political influence, confrontation, and manipulation that continually reinvents who the bad guys really are, in this scenario. The result is a cyberpunk production that holds the ability to reach beyond its roots in sci-fi and into thriller audiences seeking edgy, action-packed descriptions and delightful twists they won't see coming.

Shards of Light Bundle
William Hahn
Independent Bookworm
9783956811418, $14.99 Paper/$7.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Shards-Light-Bundle-William-Hahn/dp/3956811410

Shards of Light Bundle is an epic fantasy collection that embraces four books and the evolution of a world rich in political strife, secret missions, and the impact of hidden lives and choices that simmer to the surface to confront a world's threat. This gathering includes the books of its four component titles: "The Ring and the Flag," "Fencing Reputation," "Perilous Embraces," and "Shards of Light." As such, it's the first and last place to go to absorb the breadth and depth of a four-volume story that holds a disparate cast of characters, from elves and humans to halflings, demons, and horses. Reading this collection back-to-back allows for a journey that moves smoothly from individual to world-confronting circumstances. The heroes featured within don't fall into a predictable pattern; for each is flawed in some intrinsic manner, forced to operate outside their comfort zones and familiar patterns of action and reaction. They take on decisions and new perceptions of the world that ultimately affect not only their place in it, but the ways in which it is challenged or preserved.

Justin, a new imperial officer, is on the cusp of entering a new time in his life, but ironically sees no future in his pursuits. Living legend Stealthic, Feldspar, is a master of every disguise but the greatest challenge - presenting himself. Church leader W'starrah Altieri also perceives no set course in her future. Being a visionary, all she sees coming is either heartbreak or death. These three forces clash, interact, and intersect in unpredictable ways as their stories unfold, bringing with them the disparate forces that reflect rich sources of confrontation and change.

William Hahn's bundled stories are not light reads. They demand from their readers an attention to detail, disparate paths and perceptions, and absorbing the entwined lives of individuals who view their worlds and place in them in very different ways. The choice of descriptions written in the second person offers readers a "you are here" experience to place them in the center of a maelstrom of social and political events that swirl around the characters and their concerns. The people of this time and place are both recognizable and intrinsically flawed, both in their perceptions of their places in the scheme of events and in their reactions to set courses of action which are, in fact, fluid and ever-changing. The three main characters come to their realizations about the evil growing under their noses in different ways, with parallel timelines introducing a complexity which takes time to absorb. This effort is rewarded with an exceptionally rich scenario that places the reader in the position of being audience, judge, and participant as they walk alongside each character and consider courses of action that are both in keeping with and outside of their usual choices. There is not just one problem buffeting the city and its characters; not just one hero who faces transformation and growth; and not just one outcome to their different lives.

Hahn embraces military clashes, social inspection, and psychological revelation at many levels as he unfolds a story exceptionally rich in its world-building paradigms. Libraries and readers seeking the epitome of epic fantasy, holding the complexity of Lord of the Rings and the psychological depth that can only come from a detailed contrast between characters and forces that operate at different levels of realization and self-interest, will find the Shards of Light Bundle thoroughly engrossing, satisfyingly rich, and hard to put down.

The Cyborg's Crusade
Benoit Lanteigne
Self-Published
https://thecyborgscrusade.com
9781777900250, $3.99 ebook/$12.99 print

https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Crusade-Benoit-Lanteigne/dp/1738752690

The Cyborg's Crusade features an unusual format in a six-book series of novels designed to mimic a television series. It consists of some seventeen episodes following the adventures of an ordinary man transported to extraordinary circumstances involving aliens, angels, and a guardian overseer who may not bring him the support he thinks he needs. In Book 1, James Hunter mysteriously teleports to another universe, where he finds himself in the country of Nirnivia, which is embroiled in a cold war with another country called Ostark. The people in this new world hate him for an unknown reason. Luckily, a winged woman named Rose helps him adapt. James Hunter was just an average man on his way to a date. But something extraordinary changes the trajectory of his life when he's teleported to another world and must navigate the land of Nirnivia, whose inhabitants are familiar with humans, but don't especially like them. James has survived through honest work, although he hated his job. He's long felt like a failure. Even though his successes were many, these were small achievements that didn't meet the bigger-picture expectations others had for him. Is it possible to disappoint an angel? If so, James believes he's well on the path to failing her expectations of him, too. With expanded choices come added responsibilities he's not sure he's prepared to face.

Benoit Lanteigne injects the first-person thoughts of James into the story line, which leads to better understanding and deeper reflections as the adventure unfolds. Angel Rose's perspective, the religious dilemmas that evolve, and her role as Melkar, who charges others with not harming James, makes for an intriguing examination that operates on both spiritual and psychological levels. It's unusual to find a story that moves through monsters and Scripture alike, juxtaposing reincarnation and priestesses with prophets and angels who are anything but predictable. All these elements (and the length of the episodes) combine to create a series of multifaceted, complex stories of an extraordinary journey that one man undertakes. Soldier Janice Ricdeau and a cast of supporting characters each hold their own special interests and influences, adding depth to the plots.

Book 2 ups the stakes as the president of Ostark, the titular cyborg, contacts James to warn him he can't trust Rose. This causes major panic, as it implies a security breach for the military complex that both James and Rose live in for Rose's safety. This book releases in November of 2023. In Book 3, the cyborg contacts James again about how Rose is lying to him. This leads James to investigate his benefactor, with questionable results. This tale releases in January of 2024. Book 4 sees Nirnivia preparing a secret mission to assassinate the cyborg. Chances of success are low - survival, even less so. Readers will learn more on the book's release in June of 2024. In Book 5, the cyborg reveals his real identity to James. This sparks a devastating chain of events, leading to a dangerous choice by Rose. Book 5 releases in January of 2025. Finally, Book 6 explores the consequences of Rose's decision and serves as a conclusion to previous events while also hinting at possible future stories. It releases in 2025.

It's hard to neatly peg the audience for The Cyborg's Crusade. Elements of spiritual investigation, wry irony, decisions and their consequences, and confronting human connections with the earth create a multifaceted story that will appeal to sci-fi, fiction, and literary readers alike with a format and evolution that is at once complex and unpredictable. Readers invited into this tale of truth, illusions, connections, and adversity will find The Cyborg's Crusade a thought-provoking episodic novel that creates mini-series scenes with different characters, and then links them all in unexpected, enlightening ways. This story of transformation and confrontation will appeal to any thinking audience interested in tales that hold compelling structures and unusual, interrelated characters whose lives are transformed. The Cyborg's Crusade is especially highly recommended for metaphysical and spiritual readers, who will find its premises compelling.

River to the Multiverse
David Gittlin
www.davidgittlin.com
Entelligent Entertainment, LLC
9798985860535, $3.79 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9G6XCS6

David Gittlin's latest addition to the Silver Spheres series offers prior fans a happy surprise, because the original books were billed as a trilogy, and River to the Multiverse is the fourth book. The space adventure opens with an alien coming to earth with a peace plan in mind, to help humanity avoid the destruction that eliminated her world in an intragalactic war. Because the story picks up where the third novella, Promise of the Visitor, left off, this continuation will especially be appreciated by prior fans who wanted more (though newcomers will find it equally accessible and compelling). Successful mystery author Jacob Cassel, his new bride astronomer Amy, and the telepathic AI Arcon return in a story that centers around the arrival of Aneleyan scientist visitor Silenna, whose vested interest in helping Earth is quickly thwarted by a distress call from the last survivors of her race.

Gittlin incorporates a wry sense of humor from the start, which adds value to the story by expanding its characters and injecting comic relief into many serious moments. Moral and ethical dilemmas in solving problems, prioritizing the survival of a mission of mercy over a rescue attempt, and interacting with aliens, AIs, and adversity permeate a tale that excels in not only vivid descriptions of extraordinary encounters, but equally vivid color illustrations that provide visual embellishment. The humor continues as AIs and humans attempt a series of impossible problem-solving beyond their experience or imaginations. Admittedly, the science portion of the sci-fi tale is a stretch. But, no more than many other sci-fi writings whose intrinsic value lies not in sterling scientific concepts, but in the interactions between characters who each find their values and perceptions challenged ... even the AI bigger-thinker.

Gittlin provides a fast-paced story based on the premise of an alien's goodwill and legacy and the events that accompany her initiatives to change the world. As a companion to the Silver Spheres stories, it further expands the actions and relationship of Amy, Jacob, and Arcon, but adds the value of a new mission that challenges each character to change course for the greater good and survival of the world. Action-packed and thought-provoking, River to the Multiverse represents a journey that should not only be in any library seeing popularity with Gittlin's other books, but in sci-fi circles seeking stories suitable for book club debate and discussion.

The Covenant Sacrifice
Lee Allen Howard
https://leeallenhoward.com
Three First Names
9781733700948, $19.99 (trade paperback), $4.99 (ebook)

https://leeallenhoward.com/book/the-covenant-sacrifice

https://a.co/d/5gwuVzp

The Covenant Sacrifice is a novel of horror that covers death, rebirth, and an ages-old curse that returns to life. There are many 'trigger' moments to this story as it unfolds in disparate, satisfyingly unpredictable directions, from blood and bullying to addiction, abuse, and occult operations. Readers who are sensitive to these themes may wish to look elsewhere; but those able to accept their injection into the plot as part of what keeps its developments rich and involving will find The Covenant Sacrifice a powerful novel of faith, sacrifice, and endurance. "You were brought here, together, for a bigger reason than finding a little girl." Jarod Huntington's return to his rural roots in the town of Annastasic Creek leads to not just personal growth, but new revelations about missing persons and the mandate of a defrocked pastor who has gone astray in more than one way.

As homophobia and horror dovetail, Jarod's mission becomes one of not only self-discovery, but redemption and rescue as he and Scott interact, fulfill their destinies, and find in each other both promise and threat. As The Covenant Sacrifice unfolds, it reveals new possibilities between the "man who never came home" and he who wants to settle down and start a family, couching personal interactions and revelations within the larger picture of community involvement, straight and gay relationships, and family struggles. "Who are you living for?" This becomes the central question in Jarod's world as he considers alternative possibilities for his life's course, coming to realize that alternate realities exist under the veneer of everyday life.

Replete with strong characters whose interactions reflect social pressures, mores, and choices, The Covenant Sacrifice couches its horror component in a strong sense of social inspection. The plot demands from its characters a newfound vigilance as ancient curses are evoked and modern dilemmas unfold from them. Whether readers choose The Covenant Sacrifice for its paranormal promise or its social inspections, one thing is certain: its draw and thought-provoking scenarios are powerfully rendered attractions. They are designed to appeal to a wide audience, surprising those who expect formula products with bigger-picture thinking that goes beyond supernatural or horror realms to delve into matters of the human heart and soul.

Libraries and readers seeking a story that holds disparate threads of attraction will find The Covenant Sacrifice a winner.

Neverscape
Kevin Cox
authorkevincox.com
Silvettica
9798986636849, $13.99 Paper/$3.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C52BTHQB

As the third book in the Bewilderness series, the fantasy Neverscape continues both building and shattering worlds and paradigms as thief Malidora escapes the shadow realm, only to find the Shadows present and threatening the end of the world on the planet Kandom. This time there is no escape, because the universe-gobbling Shadows plan on an invasion and consumption of all energy, giving them access to all dimensions and realms. The darkness isn't just all around her and everywhere in the universe, either. It's also within. Thus, Malidora becomes a target as well as an adversary in more than one way, forced to assume the unlikely role of a hero as she confronts both her self and the darkness bewitching and consuming everything around her.

As she confronts an affliction of the mind that pits Brightlanders against each other as well as the forces that would manipulate everything, Malidora becomes both a beacon of hope and a threat that represents challenges to beliefs, changes, and peoples struggling for survival on many levels. For some, the threat contains a dreadful opportunity for power beyond conventional thinking. To others, it's a force to be reckoned with. Malidora's task becomes that of both acknowledging and turning side personal desires in favor of achieving a greater purpose in her life. Newcomers to Kevin Cox's Bewilderness series would do well to imbibe of the prior books to gain a fuller feel for the setting and milieu of this universe, but they will also find that starting with Neverscape is not an impossible task. The story opens with a compelling bang, the characters and confrontations that evolve are presented in a logically understandable manner, and Malidora's pursuit of something greater than her own desires is both thought-provoking and compelling.

The action is nicely tempered by a focus on what drives individuals to rise above their circumstances and training to walk improbable paths of personal and political empowerment, with characters such as Malidora holding the torch of revelation and growth alongside battles that test their moxy and motives. The result is a powerful, action-packed bend of personal and paradigm clashes and struggles that will appeal beyond young adult readers. Neverscape reaches out to all ages interested in epic journeys that embrace a touch of romance, growth, and the dreams and nightmares of ordinary individuals who step up to become leaders against all odds.

Faytte
Tim Rayborn
Armin Lear Press
https://arminlear.com
9781956450767 , $22.95 Paper/$9.95 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Faytte-Qwyrk-Tales-Tim-Rayborn/dp/1956450769

The fourth and final book in the Qwyrk Tales world, Faytte, is highly recommended reading for prior enthusiasts of Tim Rayborn's special form of urban fantasy. Here, a peculiar encounter begins with a key. Qwyrk, Holly, and other characters from prior adventures return to face a new situation in this story of mystical surveying and the residual magic which could come from imagination, but probably represents yet another sea change in experience and outcomes. Tim Rayborn excels in crafting a fitting conclusion to his series that follows the ongoing magical and real-world encounters between and among a group of young misfits whose special abilities come to represent a positive force in the world. This latest saga continues the relationships fostered in previous books while expanding elements of magic and intrigue that permeate the characters' lives.

From goblins and talking animals to efforts to reclaim the world from humans that involve small mortals in grand schemes and roles, Rayborn crafts an involving, riveting fantasy powered by shockwaves of love and change, all tempered by an undercurrent of humor: "Just stay by the obel-, obli-, the big rock thingie, all right?" Qwykk ordered as she continued her uneasy orbit around said thingie." As Qwyrk and her companions confront not only world-changing forces but the reasons why they are ineffective and Qwyrk's group is so successful, readers of all ages gain an appreciation for the power of friendship, magic, and proactive thinking that lead an unlikely, ragtag group of participants to tap their humanity and strength.

Rayborn is particularly adept at evolving further challenges to friendships and growth which keep all the characters learning more about themselves, each other, and their revised positions in life. What they ultimately will choose to keep their lives and roles relevant is a subject that lends particularly well to young reader book club discussions. The action is fun and unpredictable, the characters multifaceted, flawed and powerful all in one, and the plot evolves some satisfyingly unexpected twists that will keep prior fans and newcomers engrossed and wondering at the ultimate outcome. Libraries and those who have enjoyed the prior Qwyrk Tales adventures will find all the elements of the previous books (magic, adventure, friendship, and warmth) present and powerful in this final event, which involves the end of one world and the evolution of something better in its place.

Darkness to Light
David H. Maring
dmaring.com
BookBaby
9798350908534 Paperback: $17.95/ E-reader: $8.99

https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Light-David-H-Maring/dp/B0C8CC1G1L

Readers of dystopian sci-fi have an ever-expanding list of books in the genre to enjoy, but David H. Maring's Darkness to Light is perhaps the most appealing over many, offering a unique perspective and social and cultural inspections of the long-term aftermath of a nuclear war that destroys civilization. Where most dystopian sagas present a relatively simplistic view of barbarian versus civilized remnants of survivors struggling for control, Maring chooses to view the revitalization and evolutionary process from disparate sides. These include a young female Wo archaeologist who discovers the cryogenically frozen John in a basement, revives him, and introduces him to this strange new world and Messianic Jews who control a portion of the former U.S. and have built their own force in the Northern Zone, staving off barbarians who would destroy their achievement. These different perspectives and experiences enter into the bigger picture of social control, forbidden actions, and efforts to accept the results of two rogue nations who introduced physical and mental breakdown on a world-wide level.

Beth 20A lives After Great Catastrophe and works at uncovering remnants of the past and indicators of light that she might use to dispel the dark age which evolved after the world-changing conflict ended. The efforts of these new orders to control their environments and prevent the chaos that altered their world forever are thought-provokingly presented. Raised both with the history of destructive choices and the possibility of becoming an unorthodox force in an overly ordered, regimented world, Beth 20A has long learned to keep her insights to herself. Neither mental illness nor aberration is tolerated in her world, and yet the creative force that stems from diversity cannot be denied. Beth 20A is a survivor who harbors secrets. And in a world of order and control, this is a dangerous habit indeed; especially when her work uncovers new potentials for revising humankind's future yet again.

Maring captures the perhaps-predictable clashes between these forces, but the real meat of his story lies in the examinations of social and political interplays that evolve from a newly structured world still struggling out of its self-imposed darkness: "...martial law was hardly noticeable in a society already operating under such a regimented lifestyle. In fact, it only brought more focus on the current leadership and its inability to wield the reins of power effectively." From conspiracies and rescues to managing survivors without sparking rebellion, Maring interplays characters and disparate interests with a strong eye to revealing and contrasting different forms of darkness and enlightenment processes.

Readers interested in dystopian scenarios that incorporate but move beyond conflict into moral and ethical realms of managing survival and growth opportunities will find plenty of discussion topics throughout the social strata in Darkness to Light. As moments are seized and changes instigated, the story becomes a thought-provoking series of insights into many facets of civilization and survival tactics that will motivate libraries to include Darkness to Light in their collections not only for its dystopian attractions, but for its opportunities to reflect on how societies rise, fall, and achieve balance between control and creative evolution. All these elements make for a gripping saga that is unpredictable, action-packed, and hard to put down.

Black Wing Sky
Kaylin McFarren
Independently Published
9798372293366, $13.95 Paper/$3.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-WING-SKY-Kaylin-McFarren/dp/B0C9KMB8MC

Prior fans of Kaylin McFarren's Gehenna series will find her epic story expands and blossoms in Black Wing Sky, the fourth book in the series, which follows Samara Daemonium's ongoing struggles between Lucifer's battles and the peaceful life she so desires. Indeed, she seems on the cusp of achieving her goal. Lucifer's soldiers have captured his brother, the Seven-Star General of the Archangel Army of Heaven, leading Samara to predict that the outcome will be a revised, peaceful life with her uncommon soul-mate Damian Hunter. When a different army of fire-breathing dragons led by Vetis Kidadl ("The Black Dragon") threatens the newfound peace and future of Earth's sister planet Nexus, Samara is tapped for her warrior abilities and likely ability to fight this threat. Given this new mission, will Samara ever see Middle Earth again?

Kaylin McFarren crafts a powerful story in which Samara once again is charged with rising into her powers and applying them to yet another conflict. At stake are kingdoms and peace for all - but how often can she arise from the ashes like a phoenix to relive her destiny when the only future she wants to walk into is one devoid of adversity? Prior fans of Samara's world will find Black Wing Sky not just a story of new threats and the charge to rise above personal ambition to address them, but a supercharged, action-packed drama that probes just as deeply into matters of influences on relationships that fall to the lure of evil-inspired temptation. The juxtaposition of relationship-building with world-building changes promise surprises, revised purposes, and challenged perceptions as Samara and Damian struggle with Lucifer, one another, family influences, and the tides of political and planetary change. The graphic sexual scenes that pepper the story as Samara and Damian fulfill both their love and destinies are nicely crafted to prove both titillating and revealing as an angel bares herself emotionally and physically.

McFarren keeps her story fast-paced, her characters appealingly human in their desires and anticipations, and the overall tension in their disparate lives, influences, and missions thoroughly engrossing. Damien faces Lucifer's daughter, the warmongering Lucinda, and the monsters she's created even as he also faces the impossibilities of his relationship with Samara. As the "wiley queen" of Lucifer gone astray, Samara should be forbidden territory; especially since Lucifer has a vested interest in rejoining his family and has a seemingly ironclad plan to do so: "It was the best way to bring his son back to Hell and his unconventional family together again." Even the plans and plots of demons and angels can go awry, as this story proves as unexpected twists keep Lucifer, Damien, and Samara on their toes and further embroiled in matters beyond even their special abilities and ken. The family ties that link Samara, Crighton, Arial, and sons and daughters are also nicely explored in a story that doesn't just unfold. It explodes with action and simmers with psychological interplays and unpredictable revelations on all sides.

McFarren's ability to build character tension based on surprises, transformations, and shifting alliances keeps the action swift and the predictability of the outcome satisfyingly mercurial. Fantasy libraries and readers who have appreciated the previous three books in McFarren's Gehenna world will find the same astute attention to detail and character development evolves a companion story that is riveting and hard to put down.

Baen Books
www.baen.com

https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Shattered-Land-Chronicles-Hanuvar/dp/1982192720

Lord of a Shattered Land by Howard Andrew Jones (9781982192723, $25.00) opens the Chronicles of Hanuvar with the first book, about a conquered land's rising hero, Hanuvar, the sole surviving general of Volanus, whose interstellar empire fell to the Dervan Empire. Hanuvar is driven to bring his scattered people together and give them freedom, but how can one aging man fight a powerful empire? A vivid, action-packed story of reunification and redemption will please sci-fi readers who seek world-building stories.

https://www.amazon.com/Endangered-Species-6-Caine-Riordan/dp/1982192712

Charles E. Gannon's Endangered Species (9781982192716, $25.00) returns Caine Riordan to the limelight as he and twelve of his crew find themselves adrift in deep space, far from any familiar signposts to home. They have on 48 hours before the decaying alien ship they are stranded on burns up in a planet's atmosphere. Even if they manage to free themselves, the planet holds further threats to survival which makes their mission seem impossible. Or, is it? Both books represent vivid writing filled with unexpected twists and turns that make them highly recommended to a wide audience of sci-fi readers.

Baen Books
www.baen.com

Baen Books is a premier publisher of fantasy and science fiction.

https://www.amazon.com/My-Brothers-Keeper-Tim-Powers/dp/1982192860

My Brother's Keeper by Tim Powers (9781982192860, $28.00) comes steeped in supernatural forces, from ghosts and werewolves, and provides an engrossing story of the Bronte Sisters, whose world becomes entwined with demons and possession. When Emily helps a wounded stranger on the Yorkshire moors, she finds her life, romance, and world dangerously entwined with a confrontation that takes them both across the demon-laden world. The powerful blend of literary allusion, supernatural encounters, and imaginative drama will engage readers who enjoy stories that are hard to easily categorize or predict.

https://www.amazon.com/1638-Sovereign-States-Ring-Fire/dp/1982192879

Eric Flint, Gorg Huff and Paula Goodlett's 1638: The Sovereign States (9781982192877, $26.00) continues expanding the alternate history series by offering a focus on how the United Sovereign States of Russia struggles to find its place as a bizarre blend of monarchy and democratic opportunity. From its internal civil war battles to the making of a repressive form of control that threatens this vastly revised Russia, the politics and nature of this world are compelling and especially interesting for prior 1638 series readers.

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