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Lalibela
Lalibela is a book of poems that wander through memory, love, pain, Blackness, faith, and survival. The pieces move like snapshots. One moment you are in a kitchen full of noise and life, then suddenly you are in protest lines, then in the quiet of a bedroom at dawn. The writing drifts between tenderness and ache. It lifts up children, calls out to lovers, mourns wounds, and still finds space for hope. The book feels like a long conversation with a friend who has lived deeply.
The voice here is raw in a way that feels familiar. The plain language makes the emotion hit harder. I could hear the author’s breath in the short lines and the pauses. Some poems read like whispered confessions. Others feel like a shout in the street. I found myself thinking of certain imagery long after I turned the page. The children who glow under the sun. The exhausted women who work three jobs. The hearts that learn to love with both hands. The neighborhoods full of cracked paint and stubborn joy. These moments made me sit back for a second and just feel.
I also loved the way the author writes about Black life. There is pride and rage and humor and longing. The poems praise Black boys and girls with a kind of awe. They honor Black mothers with reverence. They admit to fear and sorrow. They insist on dreaming even when the world tries to shut the dreams away. I felt a kind of warmth in those pages. I felt seen. The writing leans into common objects and everyday scenes.
I would recommend Lalibela to readers who want poetry that talks straight and loves hard. People who care about community, identity, and the quiet bravery of getting through each day will find something here. It is a book for anyone who wants to feel close to another human being for a little while.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0FG147WCC
VALOR: A Magical Historical Romance (The Evensong Enchantments Book 2)
Valor continues the story of Ena, a young woman of Druidic blood who is swept into a dangerous world of prophecy, ancient magic, and political turmoil. The book follows her as she flees her old life, confronts both human threat and supernatural horror, and discovers the depth of her own power. We watch her wrestle with grief, her lineage, her unborn child, and the complicated web of loyalty and love surrounding her. The story gathers tightly around themes of sacrifice, rebirth, and the heavy cost of destiny, pulling together threads of family, faith, and the lingering shadow of Philip’s death.
I found myself unexpectedly swept up in the book’s emotional weight. The writing carries a kind of earnest intensity. Scenes of violence or magic arrive suddenly, hitting hard, and then soften into quiet reflections or tender moments. I felt especially moved by the contrast between Ena’s fragility and the raw force emerging within her. Author Helyn Dunn’s descriptions often lean mystical or dreamlike, and while that sometimes made me pause to catch my bearings, it also filled the story with a sense of secrecy and wonder. I kept feeling a tug in my chest during scenes where Ena faces danger she is not ready for, and again when she discovers just how much strength she truly has.
I also found myself reacting strongly to the characters orbiting Ena. The monks who help her after she fears losing her unborn child offer a warmth and gentleness I didn’t expect. Their presence creates an almost sacred pause in the narrative, and I felt grateful for it alongside her. Later, the emotional shift in her relationship with Bernard surprised me with its sincerity and ache. Their connection is written with a kind of quiet yearning that feels grounded and mature, especially in scenes where Bernard drops his usual stoicism and speaks from a wounded but hopeful heart . The book leans into love, romantic, familial, spiritual, in all the ways it can save or break a person.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I felt a sense of completion and forward motion. The story opens a door toward a larger quest, and I closed the book with the impression that Ena has stepped into a fuller version of herself. There is a feeling of promise, shaped not just by magic but by courage and heartbreak and the people who have stood by her, even after losing Philip. I would recommend Valor to readers who enjoy emotional fantasy, rich inner journeys, and stories rooted in mythic symbolism. Anyone drawn to mystical historical fiction or tales of spiritual transformation will likely find this book deeply rewarding.
Pages: 471 | ASIN: B0F7S8SZXC
The Magical Farm Mysteries: Bubble Gum Rocks
Bubble Gum Rocks follows three sisters spending a summer at their grandparents’ Kansas farm, where they stumble into the long-forgotten magic of bubble gum rocks. A single wish tossed into the old oak tree sparks something wild, leading to glowing storms, piles of magical rocks spilling from the tree, and even a mysterious old key that hints at deeper secrets beneath the farm. It’s a cozy little adventure wrapped in family love, wide open fields, and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages.
The writing is warm and sweet. The author leans into nostalgia, and that really resonated with me. I loved how the girls each had such different personalities, and the farm felt alive in a simple, magical way. Some moments made me grin like an absolute goof, especially Ainsley’s little kid comments. Other parts gave me that warm feeling, the kind you get from stories about believing in something even when it seems silly.
I also liked how the story didn’t try to be complicated. It felt honest and heartfelt, and that made the magic feel even more real. I caught myself slowing down just to soak in the little details, like the glowing storm, the cracked oak tree, and all the colorful rocks pouring out in the morning sun. And the ending with the key in Avianna’s pocket left me smiling and kind of excited for whatever comes next. It has that “there’s more out there” feeling, and I’m a total sucker for that.
The illustrations feel warm and homey. The soft, sketch–style lines and gentle shading give everything a nostalgic, storybook charm. The attention to detail makes the scenes feel lived-in and loved, adding to the book’s overall sense of family, comfort, and simple magic.
This children’s book would be perfect for kids who love gentle mysteries, magical adventures, and stories that celebrate family. It’s also great for adults who want a cozy read that makes them feel like a kid again. If you enjoy warmhearted magic with a whole lot of charm, this children’s chapter book is a sweet pick.
Pages: 76 | ASIN : B0FSQ7C34J
The Illuminated
The Illuminated tells the story of a lone survivor crossing a poisoned and broken world with his dog, Toko. The narrator moves from a desert wasteland to strange canyons, dangerous forests, and the ocean. Along the way, he faces mutated beasts, starvation, grief, and moments of rare hope. The book follows his physical journey, but it also dives into his emotional struggle with memory, loneliness, and the faint belief that something good might still exist.
The descriptions of the ruined world are stark. They feel honest without trying too hard. I kept thinking about how tired he was, and the book made me feel that same exhaustion. The writing is simple in a way that makes the emotion hit harder. I found myself pausing when the narrator talked to Toko, because those moments felt tender and raw. The pacing, though slow at times, added to the heavy atmosphere and made the rare hopeful scenes shine brighter.
I also liked the way the story leaned into small, ordinary joys. A berry. A cup of clean water. The way the dog leans against him. Those moments landed with real weight. The ideas beneath the story stayed with me. The book made me think about what people hold on to when everything else falls apart. I appreciated how the author handled grief in such a grounded way. It never felt forced. The emotional beats felt natural, even when they hurt. And they did hurt. The parts with Stella and May stayed with me after I finished reading.
I walked away feeling that this book is meant for readers who like quiet stories that rely more on feeling than spectacle. It is a post-apocalyptic novel, but it is really a story about what it means to keep going when life keeps taking. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reflective survival stories, or anyone who wants something that sinks in slowly and leaves a mark.
Pages: 169 | ASIN: B0FH8FS27J
Angus Sliders – A Max Calder Spy-Fi Mystery
Angus Sliders drops you straight into a foggy world of spies, memory loss, and shadowy doubles, and it wastes no time setting the stakes. Max Calder is living quietly in Lisbon when a strange broadcast pulls him back toward old secrets, and a long-buried threat named the Mirror starts to stir again. What follows is a chain of chases, coded messages, old flames returning at the wrong time, and a slow unravelling of Max’s own mind. The story moves from Lisbon’s rainy streets to steamers cutting through gray water to intelligence offices and old wartime wounds. It feels like a personal fight as much as a global one, and that tension powers the whole book.
I caught myself getting wrapped up in the atmosphere. The writing has this rich, moody quality that made me see the wet stones and dim cafes and flickering lamps. I had a real fondness for how the book blends real historical detail with fiction. It adds weight without dragging things down, and it gave the world a texture that felt lived in. I did feel a little overwhelmed during a couple of the denser spycraft moments. The pace surged forward anyway, so the confusion never lasted long. Even so, I kept reading because Max’s voice added so much color. His wit made even the bleak moments feel sharp instead of heavy.
The emotional core of the book worked for me more than I expected. Max’s slipping memory is more than a plot device. It hits like a crack that spreads through everything he touches. Every time he forgot something important, I felt a small sting as if the loss were personal. His scenes with Alicia had that same effect. Their dynamic has this messy, bittersweet edge that kept tugging at me. They know too much about each other and not enough at the same time, and their shared history hangs over every conversation. I liked that the book never tried to make their relationship tidy. It leaned into the chaos of it, and that honesty made it hit harder.
This book builds a world that kept pulling me forward, and I enjoyed being lost in it. If you like spy stories that mix real history with strange tech, or if you enjoy mysteries that twist around memory and identity, this one will be a great fit. Readers who want both grit and style in the same breath will probably have as much fun with it as I did.
Pages: 337 | ASIN : B0G26J24T2
The Broken Coil: Thomas Berenford Chronicles
The Broken Coil follows Thomas Berenford, a gruff wanderer who calls himself a humble agent of “pest control,” though his problems involve far more than vermin. The story opens with a brutal prison warden, a terrified magian girl, and the whispered threat of a man who once escaped her torment. From that point on, the novel winds through desert canyons, strange pilgrim camps, dangerous raiders, and the looming legends of the Noman. Thomas ends up pulled into rescuing a girl named Chloe, dealing with religious wanderers, and confronting echoes of his own past, all while dragging around a magical broadsword with a temper of its own.
Reading this book felt like sliding into a world that was equal parts dust, danger, and strange kindness. Schwartz writes in a way that hits the senses first. I could almost taste the grit and smell the smoke of campfires as Thomas trudged across the land. His voice is rough but warm, and I found myself trusting him even when he appeared one bad night of drinking away from total collapse. I liked how the dialogue crackled with personality. Chloe’s eerie calmness and odd humor weirded me out in the best way. Mother Endelyn’s scenes caught me off guard. They were tender and sad, and they made Thomas look smaller and more human than his reputation suggests.
At times, I caught myself grinning at the book’s stranger touches. Wilma, the sword with a pulse and an attitude, added charm to moments that could have slipped into gloom. The raiders, the relic, the pilgrims breaking branches, and the nightmarish memories of the rack created a mix of mystery and grit that kept my curiosity buzzing. I will admit I wanted a little more breathing room in some sections. The world bursts with ideas, and I sometimes had trouble keeping track of which belief or threat mattered most. Still, the ride stayed exciting and the characters carried the weight of the story with heart.
I would recommend The Broken Coil to readers who enjoy fantasy with a rough edge and a good sense of humor. Anyone who likes wandering heroes, dusty landscapes, and stories that blend heart with hard choices will find plenty to enjoy here. It is a book for folks who want adventure that refuses to sit still, and for readers who like characters who are wounded yet stubborn enough to keep walking.
Pages: 181 | ASIN: B0DVQFDW5S
Polar Deception
Polar Deception is a tense eco-thriller set in a future shaped by environmental collapse, geopolitical fractures, and the discovery of powerful red crystals hidden beneath the Antarctic ice. The story weaves together the ruthless ambitions of Dr. Carlos Perez, the quiet moral struggle of Dr. Omar Hasson, the grief-stricken journey of Diana Harris, and the covert operations of CIA agents racing to keep the crystals from falling into the wrong hands. What begins as a scientific mystery quickly turns into a globe-spanning battle over technology, survival, and the fragile state of a warming world.
This book never quite let me catch my breath. The writing hit me with sharp images and simple but striking language, and I found myself leaning in, eager for the next twist. I liked how the tension inside the Antarctic station simmered from the first pages. Perez’s obsession unsettled me, and the cold brutality of his choices made my stomach tighten. Then the narrative shifted to Diana, and the tone softened. Her grief carried real weight. I felt that heaviness in her cramped apartment, in the unopened boxes, in the way she talked to her dog like he was holding her together. That contrast between danger and vulnerability gave the whole story a pulse that grabbed me.
There were moments when the ideas themselves hit harder than the plot. The book dives into rare earth scarcity, global power struggles, broken technology, and the desperation that follows. I found myself thinking about how easily science can become a bargaining chip when the world gets shaky. Some scenes made me angry as characters manipulated research for profit or control. Other scenes made me hopeful when people showed loyalty and courage despite everything falling apart around them. I liked how the author slipped in social commentary without making it feel preachy. It felt real. Messy. Relatable.
The story delivered high stakes, a fast pace, and characters who stayed in my head. I’d recommend Polar Deception to readers who enjoy eco-thrillers, survival stories, and science-driven mysteries. It felt like a blend of the high-stakes environmental urgency of The Day After Tomorrow and the globe-spanning intrigue of The Da Vinci Code while carrying the character-driven emotional weight you’d find in The Martian.
Pages: 506 | ASIN : B0FRB6XPYV
At the Foot of the Mountain
At the Foot of the Mountain is a stirring collection of poems that wanders through memory, trauma, heritage, and healing. The book moves between landscapes in the natural world and landscapes within the self, tying the two together in ways that feel tender and raw. Erzinger writes about loss, cultural identity, motherhood, grief, and the slow, patient climb toward recovery. The imagery often returns to mountains, forests, animals, and weather, using the outdoors as both a mirror and a refuge.
I found myself pulled in by the writing’s honesty. The poems feel unguarded, almost conversational, yet they also hit with a kind of quiet force. I caught myself pausing after certain lines, taking a breath, thinking about how plainly the emotions sat on the page. The simplicity of the language made the feelings feel even sharper. Nothing here is dressed up. Nothing hides behind cleverness. I liked that. It made the pain feel real, and it made the small moments of hope feel like little glimmers you want to cup in your hands before they disappear. Some poems made me uneasy in that good way, the way art does when it nudges you to look straight at something you usually avoid.
I also loved the way the natural world acts almost like a character. Animals appear and vanish. Weather shifts. Mountains hold people up or swallow them whole. The poems made me think about how the outside world can reflect our insides without us even noticing. Sometimes I’d read a line and feel a jolt of recognition, like I’d stepped into one of my own memories. Other times I felt the poems drifting far from me, into experiences that aren’t mine. Instead of feeling shut out, though, I felt invited in. The mix of cultures, countries, and family histories gave the collection a restless energy, and that restlessness felt honest. The book breathes in two places at once, maybe more, and I found that tension both sad and beautiful.
I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy poetry that feels lived in. It’s a good fit for anyone who has ever carried invisible hurts or tried to piece themselves back together after breaking apart. People who find comfort in nature writing will enjoy it too, since the landscape shows up in almost every poem. This is the kind of collection you read slowly, maybe outside, maybe with a cup of something warm, letting each poem settle before moving to the next.
Pages: 98 | ISBN: 198911945X
LITERARY TITAN 