" Schmidt has tapped into the real world of high school relationships and narrated the novel in a language her readers will understand—even crave. In doing so, she has transformed what might have been a trite story into something utterly fresh and original."
"Poignant, quirky, cleverly humorous and infinitely relatable, Now That We’re Adults could easily be a big-screen ”dramedy” appreciated by the generation it portrays and still thoroughly enjoyed by others."
"Scarred’s pace is nearly cinematic, every action scene ripping with desperate man-to-man violence...Historical fiction and Civil War buffs will wish Scarred were closer to the epic length of Gone with the Wind, simply because the subject never grows tiresome."
"The Body on the Lido Deck will keep readers guessing until the action-packed end. And when it’s all over, the story’s satisfying solution will leave them eager to explore Toni Day’s other adventures."
"Readers’ enjoyment of Slippery When Wet will depend largely on their tolerance for lowbrow humor. The novel features a great many slapstick pratfalls, most of them sexual or scatological in nature. Mike’s randy attempt to flirt with a dinner companion, which results in his genitals being mauled by a dog, is a salient example."
"The appeal of Michael Benzehabe’s debut novel—featuring Zoe Mousa, an Israeli-born software engineer raised in a small town in Iran—is in its unconventionality. In a genre category inundated by androcentric and Americanocentric storylines, Mousa’s unique perspective is like a breath of fresh air."
"An extraordinarily entertaining fusion of speculative fiction, adventure fantasy, post-apocalyptic fiction, and regional folklore....A storytelling tour de force, Flatlander should appeal to fantasy fans and anyone with ties to Vermont. Maple syrup and a sturdy pair of boots not included."
" Macindoe succeeds in creating a lively comedy. Short, action-packed chapters populated with quirky characters propel the story forward. Aussies may further glean political innuendoes from references to Bert’s goldfish that are named after prime ministers."
"Larkin’s linear writing style, interesting premise, and satisfying conclusion will appeal to detail-oriented readers intrigued by a worst-case scenario threatening the nation. With buckled roads, collapsed buildings, injured people, and no way to reach others, this is an eye-opening cautionary tale."
"Her writing style is fluid and at times lyrical, her description of northern Germany meticulous and fully immersive, and her knowledge of folklore extensive. But it’s her characters that make this novel so readable. Interesting and emotionally compelling, they are certain to resonate with readers."
"A wise and penetrating novel about intertwining lives in a small town...With unexpected flashes of both humor and pathos, the novel is told with considerable verve and, despite its complexity, never loses its focus as a rich evocation of a small town and, finally most memorably, of the human condition."
"Equal parts post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, Houghton’s mind-blowing epic tale of humankind’s struggle to survive in a critically overpopulated world stripped of all its resources is nothing short of a science fiction masterwork."
"Schrader, a career diplomat with a PhD in history, delivers a meticulous historical drama full of telling details and dialogue that’s contemporary-feeling without compromising its historical authenticity... readers are sure to find the author’s enthusiasm for Crusade-era history infectious."
"At more than 500 pages, the book fails to justify its considerable length, conveying a rambling feel that detracts from the heart of the story. Still, the story can be engaging. Readers willing to persevere through some unnecessary stretches of text and overlook the grammar issues will find some rewards here."
"The book’s warning that “pride comes before a fall”– literally and figuratively – has merit. With lively vocabulary and a memorable, if uncommon, cast of characters, this book will appeal to many young readers."
"The characters are the lifeblood of this story. The quick, witty exchanges and actions of Star Team Seven skillfully illustrate the crew members’ deep concern for each other, and although the idea of a renegade crew is certainly not new in the science fiction world, this iteration feels fresh"
"Lemoncella Cocktail is unnecessarily long and could use an astute editor to trim it significantly, eliminate many of the characters, and remove mundane details, such as descriptions of meals."
"The story’s end has a twist that’s sure to raise a final goosebump. With some editing and ample illustrations, it could prove to be an exciting read for young zombie lovers."
"Does the indefatigible Mr. Dixon need an editor with a cruel blue pencil? Absolutely. But when we at last reach the final page and Kathleen once more beseeches her dark benefactor (“It’s me again, Old Scratch. Help me. Please help me.”), we’ve had a pretty good time getting there."
"There is a lot to like about L.S. Wood’s book, including learning about the existence of the Abnaki Indians. However, the Abnakis are too generically drawn to satisfy readers’ curiosity about this little-known tribe."