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Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest
Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest is the second book in a fantastical middle-grade series that continues the story of Dylan, a twelve-year-old warlock who finds himself part of an ancient prophecy tied to the fate of an immortal realm. In this sequel, Dylan and his twin Remy, along with their friend Thea and newly found sibling Seth, try to uncover the mystery of their origins and the powerful forces seeking to control them. It’s a high-stakes magical adventure filled with secret societies, time rifts, magical creatures, and the looming threat of a vampire named Baltazar who’s bent on domination. The story blends the mundane human world with a richly imagined supernatural dimension, making for a fast-paced and emotionally engaging ride.
What I liked was the smooth way Lynne Howard mixes heart and suspense. The opening chapter had me hooked—Reus trembling in front of Baltazar, trapped in a cage, hopeless, and yet somehow clinging to the idea of redemption. It’s grim, but not overly dark. Howard knows her audience. Her writing walks that fine line between magical fantasy and grounded emotion.
Howard also shines in how she handles character dynamics. Dylan, Remy, Seth, and Thea each have distinct voices and believable relationships. One of my favorite parts was when the kids return to Dylan’s old neighborhood.
There’s a lot of dialogue unpacking backstory and prophecy details. It doesn’t drag exactly, but I found myself wanting more action or surprises in those parts. That said, the scene where the kids build an invisible cabin in the forest was very cool. Also, Dylan conjuring up a warm coat and diamond-studded boots for his cat was adorable and imaginative. I loved how the magic was practical, emotional, and at times, pretty funny too.
Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest is a blast. It’s clever, warm, and packed with both heart and high fantasy. It’s perfect for middle-grade readers who love Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, or Keeper of the Lost Cities. I’d even recommend it to grown-up fantasy fans looking for something sweet, mysterious, and a little nostalgic. If you like magical prophecies, talking animals, and the power of found family, this one’s for you.
Pages: 336 | ISBN : 978-1916966673
The World is Their Oyster
Looking for Unicorns on Safari follows a mom and her two children who go on a safari adventure through Africa and her daughter spends the trip looking all over for a real-life unicorn. What was the inspiration for your story?
Very simple, the inspiration is quite simple, I went on safari with my kids in beautiful Kenya. My daughter loves unicorns and of course, we were discussing our favorite animals and looking for them – including unicorns. I love how kids live in their own version of reality and everything seems possible. The world is their oyster. I noticed in the museums and books stores that there was a limited selection of children’s books, so I wanted to write one and add some Swahili, to hopefully make the book more attractive to visiting foreigners like us, but also to locals.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
All families have their own little nicknames and stories, I want to encourage children and parents to embrace their stories and discover the world from their own perpsective, and enjoy the wonder they discover.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I like the scene with the line ‘I see the grand gazelle with their bow ties and dow eyes’. This is my daughter’s favorite animal from the safari – besides unicorns of course.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a story I am working on focusing on the fun and silly interactions between young children. There is a lot of humor in these ones. I think it will be available later this year.
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The Cost of Reconciliation
The Dog Roses: Resolution follows twin sisters who rule the land with tyranny and chaos, causing their parents to send in their twin brothers to restore order to the land. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Book 1: The Dog Roses, the sisters, Danu and Brighid, overcame many physical, spiritual and supernatural barriers and scaled the heights of success. They were hailed as heroes by the people. Their weakness or vulnerability was their personalities. Could they adjust from battle queens to reigning in peaceful times? The answer was no. They had not learned to develop harmonies or that their abilities could augment and reinforce each other. Thus, the strap line became “Sisters squabble. Queens go to war.” The kingdom was torn in two as each queen fought for ascendency. Their personalities dictated the path each would take. Still, do not judge them too harshly. They were human and subject to human frailties and passions. The Dog Roses: Resolution poses the questions: Can the twins be reconciled? What will be the cost? And are they prepared to pay that cost?
The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
I will cheat here and say two characters were my favorite for very different reasons. First, Aoife: we first came across an exuberant Aoife as a seven year-old watching Danu and Brighid’s arrival on warships in Eriu. At that time I based Aoife’s personality on my granddaughter, Sasha, whose optimistic outlook and bravery in the face of challenging health issues is a shining light to all who meet her. No matter what was thrown at them Aoife and Sasha refused to let it crush them. The difficulty, however, came in Book 2: The Dog Roses: Resolution when I had to envisage Aoife/Sasha as a fierce eighteen year-old warrior determined to bring justice to evildoers. I think I managed to advance both their personalities quite successfully. That said, I will only truly know in five years when Sasha is at an age to read my books!
The other character is the whore and assassin, Tisiphone. We first came across Tisiphone in Conall V: Retribution. At fifteen, she was a whore working the harbour districts of Massalia (Marseille). Even at that age, Tisiphone was an accomplished spy and assassin who enthralled men with her beauty. In Conall V, I left Tisiphone bleeding out in a back alley of Massalia after defending herself against another assassin but left the reader to judge whether she had died. In the end, I just could not let her go and she appears in The Dog Roses: Resolution as much more complex character, although still an assassin and still a whore!
Are you a fan of the Fantasy genre? What books do you think most influenced your work?
I don’t read as much as I should! Yes, I enjoy fantasy, mostly urban or historical and I’m always in search of a good steampunk novel. Angie Barton is a good friend and I really enjoy her Gothic horror/vampire novels. As to influences, prior to writing historical fantasy I was an avid reader of historical fiction, especially the works of Bernard Cornwell or Conn Iggulden. I’m also a fan of of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. That said, I also read westerns, science fiction and detective novels.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I have been asked this question at several recent author book signings. The honest answer is “I don’t know.” It certainly is possible that The Dog Roses Series will have a third book, probably located in Southern France (Gaul) because Danu and Brighid and their children return “home” to Conall and Morrigan in the closing chapter. It is quite possible that they will join with the characters of The Blood Queen Chronicles who are also homesick for their friends. One intriguing scenario was recently posed to me by a reader who said, since many of the characters were supernatural, then how would they react to being in the 21st Century!
That said, I am already working on my next potential series of at least five books: The Tuatha De Chronicles. The manuscript of Book 1: Dragons, Demons & Demigods has gone through structural editing and will be submitted to my copy editor at the end of the summer. The book will cross historical fantasy with urban fantasy.
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Sisters squabble. Queens go to war.
Ten summers ago, victory brought peace and prosperity to Southern Ériu. Danu and Brighid were celebrated as heroes and saviours. The queens scaled the heights, and there was only one way to go.
One twin became overbearing, the other resentful. Pride dug a pit filled with blackthorns between them. They became tyrants, and the kingdom was sundered. The people were left bitter, divided and afraid, and the lush farmlands fell barren. Stripped of their powers, the Dog Roses were no more. Each blamed the other, and neither took responsibility.
Angry parents gave the twins’ brothers an army and tasked them to bring law to the kingdom. An embittered veteran and a beautiful assassin accompany them. Whose gold is in the assassin’s pouch, and what are her orders?
In the Halls of the Aes Sídhe, Draighean is chastised and commanded to return to her wards. “Guide them, support them, or kill them. Just finish what you started.”
An evil philosophy grows, and another army gathers. Can the sisters be reconciled? The people need the Dog Roses, but can they forgive them? Yet, do Danu and Brighid want the responsibility? Do they want their powers returned? Being normal is very tempting.
The Dog Roses: Resolution contains scenes of sex, violence, and language appropriate to the historical period (400 B.C.) and locations in which the story is set. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
Riddle Quest The Golden Book of Wonders
Riddle Quest is like jumping into a big bowl of magic soup full of fairy tales, sparkles, riddles, and feelings you didn’t know you needed to feel. It kicks off with two kids, Ellie and Max, who are both feeling kind of invisible at home. Their parents are busy, distracted, and totally missing the fact that these kids are kinda struggling. So they go to the library and they find a glowing book that sucks them into this epic riddle adventure through classic storybook worlds like Neverland, Wonderland, Oz, and more. Each world holds a riddle to solve and a life lesson to learn, and it’s not just about finding treasure, it’s about finding themselves.
I loved this book way more than I expected. The writing has that perfect mix of cozy and exciting. You feel safe with Ellie and Max, but also super curious, like what’s gonna happen next?! That scene where they get pulled into the glowing book was straight-up movie magic. And the way they figure out the Peter Pan riddle with the pirate ship and crocodile was adorable and smart. But what really got me was the emotional undercurrent. Like when Max says maybe his mom hasn’t even noticed he’s gone. You feel for these kids, and their growth feels so real. Plus, the rhyming riddles sprinkled throughout are clever.
The Wonderland part was maybe my favorite, bright colors, talking tea sets, and total chaos with a Cheshire Cat who vanishes mid-sentence. The writing in those chapters is playful and weird in the best way. And then it turns around and gets all heartwarming when Ellie says she could try asking more questions at home instead of just being mad. That’s the kind of life tip I wish I had when I was 10. Also, the illustrations are wonderful. Each page pops with color and feels alive, especially the dreamlike scene of them flying with Peter Pan.
This picture book is a total gem. It’s perfect for kids around 7–11 who love adventure, fairy tales, or just need a little magic to feel seen. Grown-ups should read it too, especially the ones who sometimes forget how much their kids need them. This children’s chapter book is like a hug with a flashlight, it warms you up and lights the way.
Pages: 67 | ISBN : 9798992825008
A Fistful of Feathers
This book hooked me fast. A Fistful of Feathers is a gripping YA fantasy that blends suspense, mystery, and a slow-burning sci-fi twist. It follows Jo Ranson, a kid in a care system that’s more sinister than supportive. Jo is stuck in a brutal cycle of neglect, pain, and confusion, all while dealing with a weird swelling on his neck and he’s not the only one. As the story unfolds, Jo discovers he’s part of something much bigger, and definitely more dangerous, than he ever imagined. With an unrelenting pace and a heavy dose of heart, this first installment of the Fraser Chronicles throws you into a world that feels just a little too close to reality.
The writing is sharp and gutsy without being flashy. The dialogue feels natural, especially between Jo and Dan, his best friend and ride-or-die. There’s a solid rhythm to how the scenes build, each chapter ending just edgy enough to keep you turning pages. I loved the way Jones captures Jo’s voice—sarcastic, wary, and raw. In Chapter One, the way Jo describes the Clinic’s tiles (“eight-hundred-and-twenty-three dingy grey tiles… Seven of them were broken”) instantly shows you he’s observant, stuck, and a little obsessive. It’s those little details that make him feel real. Also, the first interaction with Amy, where they bond over their shared condition, is subtle, sad, and full of the kind of resilience that sneaks up on you.
Without spoiling too much, there’s something growing inside Jo. Something literally. And the scenes where his back shifts and the pain surges, it’s not just body horror, it’s metaphor. You feel the panic. One of the standout moments for me was when Jo, after fleeing the Clinic and hiding in a cave, wakes up to find something fluttering under his skin. It’s terrifying and kind of beautiful, which is a weird combo that Jones pulls off well. And then there’s Dan, the friend we all wish we had. Funny, smart, and fiercely loyal. His plan to disguise Jo as an old woman to escape was ridiculous but genius.
If you like fast-paced reads with a gritty edge and a beating heart, this one’s for you. It’s perfect for teens who love stories that flirt with dystopia but stay grounded in human connection. Think Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children meets The Maze Runner with a pinch of British grit. Adults who like YA with real stakes and emotional depth will enjoy it too. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0DCSFQXVP
By Dawn’s Early Light
By Dawn’s Early Light opens with a shipping container marked with harmless cargo—kitty litter, hazelnuts, and bananas—and spirals into a jaw-dropping apocalyptic thriller. A nuclear attack levels America’s major cities in a matter of minutes, and from there, chaos reigns. Through the eyes of Jack, Mohammad, Sasha, and Jake, readers are dragged into a gritty, horrifying world where society crumbles fast and quietly, and the line between survival and humanity fades just as quickly.
Jenny Ahmed’s writing is intense. The buildup in the prologue is deceptively calm: Jack’s container pickup feels routine, almost boring until this gnawing unease sets in. That feeling never really leaves. Mohammad’s moment with the button, the memory of his daughter Leila, and his final “Forgive me, Leila” just gutted me. It’s brutal, heartbreaking, and somehow still grounded in something deeply human. The whole detonation scene was visceral. Every paragraph punches you in the gut with imagery so vivid it borders on cinematic.
But what really surprised me was how the tone shifts post-blast. The pacing slows down a bit and becomes almost eerily quiet, just like the abandoned cities Sasha and Jake find themselves in. The creeping dread of walking through empty buildings, the discovery of the almost zombie-like infected people, the weird stillness of Albany—that got under my skin. Sasha’s logical, methodical background as an FBI forensic pathologist clashes beautifully with the utter irrationality of what’s unfolding. The horror isn’t just in the destruction, it’s in what’s left behind. Ahmed makes the reader sit with the silence, the unknown, the rot. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about understanding what kind of world you’re surviving in now.
By Dawn’s Early Light isn’t simply a disaster novel. It’s about fear, helplessness, and the slow unraveling of reality. The writing is raw, the characters feel like real people making terrible decisions under impossible pressure, and the tension never lets go. I’d recommend this sci-fi book to fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers, especially those who like The Road or Station Eleven but want a little more fire.
Pages: 229 | ASIN : B0DPLKXNYY
The Tydareus Kingdom, Alliance of Nations
J.E. London’s The Tydareus Kingdom is an ambitious epic that plunges the reader into a richly woven tapestry of royal intrigue, betrayal, and political ambition across a sprawling, multi-regional empire. The story traces the legacy of the Tydareus lineage, beginning with the wreckage and rise of Quintus Tydareus and evolving into the tangled fates of his descendants—particularly the twin princes Stavros and Kratos. The narrative winds through a maze of kingdoms, love affairs, family secrets, and brutal power struggles, culminating in a saga that is both grand in scale and intimate in its emotional complexity.
I enjoyed the intensity of the prose. London doesn’t ease you in; she drops you into a storm of evocative language and raw human drama. The writing is rich, even poetic at times, and while that style can be beautiful, it occasionally teeters on excess. Still, there’s no denying its power. There’s a sense of fatalism baked into the world, and London’s vivid imagery makes you feel every betrayal, every oath, every secret.
What I truly enjoyed was the relationship between the twin princes. Stavros and Kratos are magnetic in their contrast. Stavros is a tyrant-in-the-making, all ego and rage, while Kratos is introspective and torn by duty. Their first scene together in the vineyard set the tone—raw, physical, tense with unspoken history. I found myself siding with Kratos often, especially as Stavros descended further into cruelty. The tension between them is Shakespearean, and that dynamic carries much of the novel’s emotional weight. There were moments when the dialogue veered into melodrama, and the frequent physical and verbal brutality was almost too much. But maybe that’s the point—this kingdom is built on blood and silence.
Then there’s the character of Avana, the queen. Her story gutted me. She’s caught between the title of royalty and the reality of being stripped of agency in a patriarchal, violent court. Her scenes with King Arius are some of the most difficult to read, especially when he asserts dominance not just politically but physically. The abuse and the gaslighting is brutal. I felt genuine anger, and sadness, and helplessness for her. London doesn’t shy away from depicting the consequences of power in the hands of those who abuse it, and while it’s hard to stomach, it’s also honest. She’s trying to survive in a world that constantly tells her she’s expendable.
The Tydareus Kingdom is a harrowing and layered portrait of human ambition and moral collapse. It’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a fairy tale, this isn’t it. But if you’re drawn to political drama, moral gray zones, and character-driven epics where no one is safe and every choice has weight, then this book delivers. I’d recommend it to fans of Game of Thrones or The Witcher—people who don’t mind getting dirty in the trenches of family legacy, loyalty, and betrayal.
Pages: 825 | ASIN : B0DXWKC4JQ
Thomas Edison and the Magi Solution
If you ever wondered what would happen if Indiana Jones met Thomas Edison, crossed paths with Groucho Marx, and then all three went on a mission to save the world from Hitler—with a dash of sci-fi and the occult thrown in—you’re in for one wild ride. Thomas Edison and the Magi Solution is the final book in David Church’s “Edison Trilogy,” and it doesn’t hold back. It’s historical fiction dialed up to eleven, a kind of high-octane alt-history caper where real figures from history go head-to-head with evil in ways you absolutely never saw in your high school textbooks.
The writing is a mixed bag in the best way. Sometimes it’s poetic and rich with mood—like the eerie prologue with Rudolf Hess making his jaw-dropping escape, or the haunting scene where U.S. troops discover the horrors of Ohrdruf. It’s rare for pulp-style fiction to pause and really make you feel the gravity of history, but Church pulls it off. Then, right after, he swerves into pure madcap adventure with moments like John Dawkins and his wife Sophie fighting off Nazi agents in their farmhouse, or a midair showdown involving fuel tanks as weapons. The whiplash is real, but I didn’t mind. It felt like switching channels between a war drama and a Saturday matinee. Somehow it works.
The book’s full of big personalities and colorful dialogue, but it’s the quieter moments that stayed with me. Like when Edison’s old radio interview plays in the background and Josh, the young protagonist, listens in awe. And that’s the weird magic of this book—it throws so much at you, but every now and then, it hits something honest and true.
The dialogue can be a little over-the-top, and the action can sometimes teeter into full-on absurdity. But I’ll be honest: I didn’t care. I was in it for the fun, and it delivers. This is the kind of book that knows exactly what it is—wildly ambitious, borderline ridiculous, but full of heart. There’s a real affection for history under all the chaos. Churchill isn’t a prop—he’s got gravitas. Same goes for Roosevelt and even the fictionalized Edison, who somehow manages to be both a wizard and an inventor without ever feeling like a caricature.
Thomas Edison and the Magi Solution is for readers who love genre-blending, who don’t mind their fiction a little messy if it means it’s got momentum and flair. If you like your history with a side of “what if,” and you don’t mind Thomas Edison being treated like a Marvel hero with a lab coat, then you’ll enjoy this book. It’s for the dreamers, the sci-fi nerds, the WWII buffs, and anyone who loves a bold swing.
Pages: 275 | ASIN : B0DPRDZL4G
LITERARY TITAN 