Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Culver City

Brant Vickers (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro

Cassady and Kyle are best friends living in the shadow of movie magic. They live in Culver City, where MGM Studios is headquartered. They learn about the studio backlot, where various shows and films were shot. They trespass onto the lot and are floored by the treasures they find. One particular night, a late-night visit leaves them mesmerized by the lot. The boys spy on a captivating girl floating in a vivid light, but they flee, in a state of fear. The backlot has a special pull on Cassady and Kyle, so they return. They are greete...

In the Heart of the Linden Wood

Ekta R. Garg (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

King Christopher has not been brought up by his evil father, King Vincent, to be a confident leader. But he has the wood with trees that have magical properties — one of the best things he inherited from the king. Christopher doesn't have what it takes to lead the Kingdom of Linden, and while many don't believe in him, he has kept going, thanks to Queen Lily's trust in him. So, when the Queen and their only child suddenly die, Christopher's life is upended. Drowning in his grief, he learns that the magical trees are dying, too. Christopher meet...

Sunrays Among Shadows

H. Dawn Hunter (H. Dawn Hunter)

| Reviewed by Matthew Novak

Jasper Behrtram successfully completes his assignment of abducting children from another world. His has been to obey and never ask questions. While he can put himself in grave danger and be in for the worst form of punishment if he failed, Jasper has never thought about the reason behind the abductions. That is until he met Lily, twenty years ago. Lily and Liam Howell were abducted and made to forget the experience. They have avoided speaking about it until Lily remembers something that stirs her memory and her heart. Can Jasper risk everything...

The Gate to Htrae

Kerry Gough (BookBaby)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

It starts with a gate — a mysterious gate that leads nowhere. The well-wrought gate to Raz’s house, a gate built many years ago and one that has always attracted the curiosity of everyone — including young Alex. In vain, children have tried to open the gate and even the line from an old song won't do the trick. Ignoring his brother's repeated ask to go home, Alex refuses to leave without having the gate opened. But a riddle gets into his head and as he recites it, a wonderful symphony fills the air, and a golden key floats through the air and l...

Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard

J W Nelson (Michael Terrence Publishing)

| Reviewed by Morgan Amos

Lord of The Rings meets Matilda in this intricately woven and adventurous tale, Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of The Orchard by J.W. Nelson. Aime and Oro Snave attend the School of Fruit Teaching (S.O.F.T.) summer camp for six weeks. It's supposed to be memorable and entertaining. Unfortunately for Aime, Oro, and their friends Gramon, Semia, and Violer, it's full of unwarranted and distressing moments.  Readers are taken along on their journey as they work to uncover hidden school secrets involving the head...

Imperious Realm (Reign of the North Forest Book 1)

Athene Z. Adam (Athene Z. Adam Publishing Inc.)

| Reviewed by Matthew Novak

Imperious Realm is the first book in the Reign of the North Forest series by Athene Z. Adam, a compelling meld of fantasy and science fiction introducing the world of Eiyesa. The population is confronted with a distressing conundrum — adults age faster while the young don't age anymore and can't reproduce. The future of the planet looks bleak and if things were just possible, Sergen, the son of a powerful politician should be gone from home with his mother. But he and his mother are held hostage at home by Erik, his father. The planet is facing...

Viila and the Doomsday Affair

Roger Danchik (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by David Reyes

Viila and the Doomsday Affair by Roger Danchik is both quirky and pulsating. The world as we know it faces a new threat and a ragtag set out to save it. The group is composed of a rabbi, an alluring vampire, a demon called Barnabas, a teraphim, Queen Pharaoh the original cat, and Jasper the belly crawler. They have little time left as eternity looms ahead and before them are riddles to solve and challenges to lift. The Sacred Mount holds the key to saving the world, but getting there will involve defeating the acolytes of the Master of Death, t...

The Fall of Immortals (Shogun of the Heavens, Book One)

I.D.G. Curry (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by James Farlow

Shogun of The Heavens: The Fall of Immortals by I.D.G. Curry transports readers into the world of mythology when gods and monsters engaged in phenomenal conflict. A powerful threat moves towards Gaia, and even Zeus feels threatened as he recalls the forewarning of the Sisters of Fate: “The son of a hurricane will disrupt the world’s balance and spread chaos across the heavens.” In the chaos that ensures, the gods as well as powerful beings find themselves enmeshed in conflict, a Fallen Immortal is dogged by mercenaries and he finds himself purs...

Blood of The Hunted

Marc R. Micciola (Centaury Lilium Publishing)

| Reviewed by Michael Rothrock

The Torain people are second-class citizens in Kosavros. Nowhere are they more marginalized than in the kingdom of Fleuris. A resistance movement has been fighting for equality; the resistance is led by a Lycan named Weylyn. However, the ascension of the tyrannical General Rosspier only serves to make things worse for his people. In an effort to help the Torain, Weylyn travels to the kingdom of Tudrose seeking an alliance with the benevolent Queen Sophia. She agrees to aid the resistance if Weylyn is successful in establishing pockets of r...

Over

Sean P. Curley (Wasteland Press)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

Over by Sean P. Curley is a compelling novel with a prophetic message and a dystopian setting that hints at the divisiveness that is already noticeable in contemporary society. In the future, technology has grown with astonishing inventions. A privileged few, less than 30,000 of the world's population, are known as the Overs, those gifted with immortality. The rest, comprising billions of people, are known as the Unders—they are the poor, ordinary people who are lorded over by the Overs.  The Overs have control of everything — the economy,...

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