Silman (Secrets and Shadows) highlights the lives of a Jewish couple encountering prejudice in pre- and post-World War II New York in this affecting family saga. Bookkeeper Belle Brand marries salesman Isaac, who arrived in New York from Europe in 1922 as Itzhak Kaplow. The couple lives in Brooklyn while arranging for Isaac’s parents to emigrate to the U.S., and eventually move to Long Island with their daughter Sophy, a bright, inquisitive child who soon becomes a big sister. Through the tragedies and triumphs of their lives, Belle and Isaac instill in their daughters the value of caring for others regardless of social or racial, or ethnic differences, though their commitment to equality will be tested by Vivie, the youngest, in the Civil Rights era.

Silman’s lyrical writing quickly immerses readers into a Depression-era New York marked by people jumping to their deaths and immigrants changing their names to reduce the prejudice against them. The narrative is propelled forward by the inclusion of historical figures. Though Silman vividly depicts the despair of the Depression and the tumult of the years that followed, she contrasts this against the moments of happiness Belle and Isaac discover after their chance encounter at Lindbergh’s takeoff leads to a happy marriage and growing family.

Silman finds engaging drama in the efforts of a Jewish family facing hatred and blame for the involvement of the U.S. in the second World War, while trying to find out what happened to family members left behind, like Isaac’s brother. Silman’s focus on New York’s vivid art scene is a study in contrast against Belle’s conservative upbringing and her acceptance of her acquaintances’ views on sexuality. Yet what will resonate most with readers is Silman’s intensely emotional depiction of the Kaplows’ commitment to family and helping others. Silman portrays the Kaplows as genuine people who manage to instill true integrity in their children.

Takeaway: This touching historical novel finds a Jewish family facing prejudice and embracing equality in 20th century New York.

Great for fans of: Roberta Kagan’s Not in America, Barbara Pressman’s Help Me Hannah.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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In this debut memoir of resilience and survival, Ferguson details her traumatic childhood spent with her mentally ill mother. Roberta, mother to Leslie and William, lives with schizophrenia, and Leslie’s younger years are spent running from a government that her mother increasingly believes is out to get them. The family is perennially on the move to escape perceived threats—everything from TV antennae, dollar bills, and vehicles they pass on the highway—and often spend days on the road and nights in parks that Roberta deems safe. Ferguson’s language is lyrical and evocative as she effectively narrates a little girl’s feelings of confusion and abandonment, her desire for safety and normalcy, and her determination to succeed.

Painful family dynamics make up the core of this story: William readily obeys his mother, but little Leslie is torn between obedience, which she knows might prove lethal, and rebellion, which she thinks of as a sign of disloyalty and lack of love for her mother. With skill and power, Ferguson portrays several heart-rending choices she was forced to make as a young child, including electing to stay behind at her aunt’s home for safety instead of accompanying her mother, in a desperate attempt to stop her family’s deterioration.

Ferguson tells this story in chronological order, starting with events from age six to the present with sensitivity and an eye for arresting detail. Especially striking here is her success at sketching an affecting and persuasive portrait of her mother, that comes across as elegant, intelligent, warm, and loving even through the fog of her illness. The narrative is simple and honest, avoiding sentimentality, and readers will easily relate to Ferguson’s descriptions of her fractured childhood–and find themselves wondering at the complexities of mother-child bonding. This multilayered and nuanced memoir is a stunning account of family love and sacrifice.

Takeaway: A moving, well-written memoir of childhood trauma and a mother’s schizophrenia.

Great for fans of: Marlayna Glynn’s Overlay, Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle .

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about When I Was Her Daughter: A Memoir

Miller (The Tree of Knowledge) crafts a dynamic mystery filled with exciting twists in this quick-paced thriller. Cristina Culebra and her Republic of Enlightenment and Democracy (RED) are poised to take over the United States as a new tyrannical political party, but Albert Puddles and his crew of intellectual friends have an unconventional weapon to stop her: the Tree of Knowledge. With the ability to use mathematical equations to predict the future, Albert must figure out a way to combat Cristina’s nefarious plans. Enter the Cipher, a mysterious figure dropping puzzles only the worthiest can unravel. Now, Albert must solve the Cipher’s clues and take down Cristina before her army reigns over the United States of America.

Fans of the first book in the series will quickly settle in with familiar friends while those new to Albert’s adventures will find this to be a satisfying standalone with all the relevant background information peppered into the plot. Overall, the characters build on their previously laid foundation for more depth and complexity: Albert is still snacking away at protein bars, although he does experience some growth, becoming more adaptable to new situations. Ying’s enthusiasm pairs well with Albert’s more reserved nature as they show off their imaginative code-solving skills while cracking away at the Cipher’s clues, and Cristina’s thirst for unquenchable power leads to several fun twists and makes her a thrilling villain.

Themes of loyalty, friendship, and political oppression beat at the heart of Albert’s mission. The ending ties up some loose ends but leaves the perfect hint of uncertainty. A plot-twist involving costumes and a comic convention is fun but far-fetched, and some readers might find themselves a step ahead at times. Still, with pulsating over-the-top action–described with power and crisp clarity–plus twisted betrayals, and a bit of romance, Miller crafts a wildly entertaining ride for thriller fans.

Takeaway: Perfect for thriller fans who enjoy teams solving imaginative clues in the midst of gripping danger.

Great for fans of: Dan Brown, Alan Jacobson.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Irvine’s concise, no-nonsense guide to effective leadership acknowledges the truth that, for managers and workers alike, time is often in short supply—and that a “pressured and anxious” manager, untrained in the fundamentals of leadership, can often without meaning to stir stress and anxiety in others. Enter workplace trainer Irvine’s highly practical book, featuring quick and clear lessons and models drawn from issues faced by real workers and designed to be read, in total, in about an hour. Within those parameters, The Hour Guide to Management packs significant knowledge, advice, and inspiration, with chapters like “How to Get People to Do Things” living up to their titles.

“The way we deal with our team directly relates to the results that are achieved,” Irvine notes, arguing that management should take care of staff, who takes care of customers, who in turn, satisfied with the service they’re receiving, take care of the shareholders. Irvine lays out different types of managers and workplace cultures, arguing the benefits of a “performance management” system of leadership that treats team members like customers, emphasizes a vision and clear procedures, emphasizes accurate, consistent, fact-based feedback, and calls upon management to model behavior and establish boundaries and consequences.

Despite this volume’s concision, Irvine still offers multiple methods of offering feedback and evaluations to workers, designed to encourage positive performance and, when necessary, address and correct problems. Quick introductions to delegating and time management (including the “80/20 rule”) may spark lightbulbs in some readers, though the brevity of these sections—and a dearth of real-world examples—may limit their utility, though even here Irvine’s emphasis is on the immediately actionable, offering steps to break cycles of becoming overwhelmed due to a lack of trust or time or other factors. Irvine’s time-efficient guide stands as a helpful, engaging read that offers more wisdom than books demanding many more hours.

Takeaway: Concise and actionable advice for managing teams, demanding just an hour of readers’ time.

Great for fans of: Julie Zhou’s The Making of a Manager, Brad Jackson and Ken Parry’s A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Leadership.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Hour Guide to management

A teen with unique powers urges kindness and compassion in this YA melodrama with a paranormal edge. In the decade since his parents’ death in a car accident, Chace Peters, now sixteen, has received visions of other people’s heartbreaks. His friend, fellow orphan James, realizes that Chace is Letters, a mysterious New York City celebrity known for leaving encouraging notes for people on the brink of tragic decisions, when he spies Chace leaving a note for Sarah Crosse, a teenaged volunteer at the group home where they live. Chace explains his past, how the visions and others’ pain can leave him catatonic. As the local news–as well as Sarah, who is struggling with guilt over an accident involving her sister–increases its efforts to unmask Letters, Chace outs himself to Sarah’s father and makes a drastic choice that puts him in grave danger.

Wolfe’s story tugs on heartstrings while endowing its characters with convincing motivations and evincing welcome concern for people who need help. Emotions run high, with constant crises testing Chace and the rest of the cast. Between the bullying of Chace and James by another resident of the children’s home and moments of real physical danger, the troubles range from minor to life-ending. In between these tense moments, Sarah and Chace’s urging of kindness to solve problems bears fruit without being too pat.

Some elements might distract from the verisimilitude. Wolfe’s teenage characters often speak like world-weary adults, and the depiction of the child welfare system is quaintly archaic. Readers will need to suspend disbelief to accept Chace’s Christ-like open forgiveness while being able to take on physical traumas for others in order to heal them. Still, the writing is polished, the story is thoughtful, and the emotions charged and engaging. Readers open to those big feelings will appreciate this sensitive story and its touching message.

Takeaway: This intensely emotional story of orphans, visions, and compassion is a call for treating each other well.

Great for fans of: R. J. Palacio’s Wonder, Erin Stewart’s Scars Like Wings.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about Letters

Haunting characterizations and evocative settings distinguish this mystery set among interconnected families in rural Arkansas in 1960. Big Ray Elmore, chief of a two-man police force, investigates when a skeleton turns up at a construction site. As flashbacks to 1946 hint at the victim's history, Elmore strives to get justice for the unknown girl. His sleuthing involves a pair of reclusive brothers and a neighboring family with whom Elmore has a dark history, even as he copes with his own family issues. As Elmore gets closer to the truth, he must address his own past and doubts to resolve his personal and professional mysteries.

Holland (Their Feet Run to Evil) has populated the mystery with an exceptionally large cast, but has given every character such a rich personality that none of them disappear into the woodwork. Best of all is the deeply introspective Elmore, a World War II navy corpsman who harbors no illusions about war: "Watchin’ young men die doesn’t make anyone a hero." His wife has apparent depressive issues, but the tenderness in how they cope with it together is heartbreaking. At the same time, Elmore's infatuation with an old girlfriend, as he attempts to recapture his youth, comes across as deeply poignant. The plot gets a little tangled, and over-relies on coincidence, but the engaging characters carry the story well.

Nor do these characters exist in a vacuum. Holland, an Arkansas native himself, has a good ear and eye for the time and place. For example, his description of the importance of the church in that milieu comes across perfectly, and integrates deftly into the mystery, as pies and sweet tea smooth the subtle interrogations. He also understands the nuances of race relations: what could get you shunned in 1960 could get you killed in 1946. Absorbed into this complex and engaging universe, readers will be rapidly turning pages to see if Elmore can save the town—and himself.

Takeaway: An offbeat sleuth and a lively cast of suspects make for a true page-turner.

Great for fans of: Allen Eskens’s The Stolen Hours, Ace Atkins.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Grind Slowly, Grind Small

In the inspiring first installment of her A Saga of the Ancient Steppe series, historian Barnes invests welcome warmth and heart into a dramatic imagining of the story of the first horse ever tamed, some 6,000 years ago on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe. Fourteen year old Naya, the daughter of her tribe’s chief, is shunned for her unusual flaming red hair. With her wandering spirit and love of animals, the tomboy sees the wild horses of the steppe as more than a source of meat and hides. When she bonds with a local herd, she forges an especially strong relationship with a copper red filly she names Réhda, which means “little red one.”

With an audacious yearning to connect to Réhda, Naya declares “I wish…to ride upon your back.” Immediately, the two enter a mystical communion that her intuitive grandmother, Awija, calls a soul journey. “The two of you are connected now. Your destinies are entwined,” Awija says. Barnes skillfully creates an atmosphere of rugged life among the steppes, as Naya and her tribe hunt, heal, and navigate a nomadic life. Naya’s father believes taming the horses will provide a ready source of meat, and he encourages her to bond with the herd–leading them to follow her when the tribe moves to new grazing lands. But Naya stays tethered to her goal of one day riding the horses, and after a tragic accident threatens her life, she meets a young man, Aytal, who believes in her quest.

In simple, clear prose Barnes brings life to a cast of smart, fully realized characters who possess the insight to do what no one else has done. Barnes also, most memorably, captures the beauty and gentleness of the horses. Rich descriptions of the era and the determination of the young adult characters, along with prudent encouragement of the adults, make this adventure a must-read for lovers of horses and historical fiction.

Takeaway: Horse lovers will relish this historical adventure about a young woman who becomes the first person to ride a horse.

Great for fans of: Elizabeth George Speare’s The Sign of the Beaver, Melody Huttinger’s Arrow the Sky Horse.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about She Who Rides Horses

Wally, the walking figure on a crosswalk sign, is excited for his sign’s first day at the corner of Main Street and Pine, but on his trip there, the truck carrying the sign hits a bump and Wally falls off–and into the street. Lost and unsure of how to reunite with his sign, Wally journeys through town, asking other signs along the way for guidance–but they’re all busy with their own jobs and can’t offer him much help. Paired with Pat Giles’s lively, cartoon-like illustrations, Shea’s debut picture book effectively engages younger readers in Wally’s quest while simultaneously teaching them pedestrian safety.

For a short story with a simple concept, the pacing is quick and unhurried, with a narrative well-suited to street safety education and approachable prose that launches into rhyme when appropriate. Readers will be exposed to an abundance of road signs, some of which may be familiar and others that will feel brand new: Shea includes region-specific signage for animal crossings and offers a slew of more common roadside pointers and warnings, from stop signs to bus stops to “Do Not Enter.” Giles’s lively illustrations will also give kids some opportunities to look for signs they can recognize during their own travels.

Crosswalk Wally’s effectiveness lies in its approachability for even the youngest of readers and future pedestrians. Flat, striding Wally is a fun and effective main character to teach audiences the importance of safe street crossing, a topic that doesn’t always lend itself to such imaginative treatment. And just when he is about to give up and believes he “will never get across the street,” Wally stumbles onto a sign that looks just like him–and wisely brings home the lesson about crossing streets wisely. Kids will root for Wally throughout his entertaining journey, and he will be easy to recall when they, too, are crossing streets.

Takeaway: This unique adventure teaches young kids to be good pedestrians and recognize road signs.

Great for fans of: Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?, Jean E. Pendziwol’s No Dragons for Tea.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Crosswalk Wally

A business partnership turns into a sexual awakening for masseuse Darby Daxton Deel in this romantic thriller. Darby is instantly attracted to the rich and arrogant CEO of Park-Slate Industries, Brett Slade, but as the two of them become sexually entangled, dangerous men from Brett’s past seem to be coming for them. Before Darby can begin operations of her new joint venture, a masseuse breaks into her house to escape unforeseen danger, and a bodyguard sent by Brett shows up to take Darby into hiding, kicking off a series of shootings, chases, explosions, and escapes, presumably at the hands of a man with a business-related grudge against Brett.

Brett runs hot and cold, first insisting that he doesn’t mix business with pleasure, then breaking into Darby’s house and all but kidnapping her in order to make out. Though the nature of the business partnership with Slade’s company is often unclear, to the point of vagueness, it’s strongly hinted that the day spa will be turned into a front for some sort of sex parlor, as he sends a team of masseuses, a business partner named Abby, and a truckload of sex toys to be set up for “special clientele.”

Some euphemistic language and a disinclination to meet genre expectations position this novel somewhere between romance and erotica. As the characters struggle valiantly through Ferguson’s byzantine plot, Brett and Darby declare their love despite having very few conversations or interactions beyond general comments about business and their mutual physical attraction. They spend much of the novel apart, facing assorted dangers separately, thus making it difficult for readers to feel their chemistry or compatibility. Several sex scenes between Darby and other people, including a hot tub orgy with the new day spa staff, also contribute to making her feelings about the central relationship obscure. Still, readers open to genre-defying erotic suspense may find pleasures here.

Takeaway: A spa owner gets tangled up in a heated romance that leads to dangerous complications in this eccentric thriller.

Great for fans of: Emma Slate’s Wreck & Ruin, Joanna Blake’s Cuffed.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: C
Marketing copy: B

Click here for more about Allure

Jones’ study of the establishment and dilution of a community of German residents in Charleston, South Carolina, up through the mid-war period of the 20th century stands as a notable contribution to the history of Charleston and the “Lowcountry,” the history of Germans in America, and the complexities of American assimilation and acculturation. Noting that it’s possible to “grow to adulthood in a Charleston family of pure German heritage without being cognizant” of much of that heritage and lineage, or feeling a connection to that cultural identity, Jones digs into 19th century German immigration, breaking down the factors that led to “little Germanies” springing up in American cities, and examining the Charleston enclave’s experiences with the Civil War and a South in transition, and—in the 20th century—nativist anger following the sinking of the Lusitania in 1917.

In inviting prose of welcome clarity, Jones considers the economic and social challenges of German life in “a patriarchal planter society that ruled over an economy based to a unique degree on an enormous slave population,” offering compelling portraits of pioneering North German settlers, starting in the 1830s. He introduces boot- and shoe-makers, tobacco importers, the proprietor of the Teetotal Restaurant (established 1859), and reveals, through wrenching correspondence, the plight of a mother whose circumstances were so dire that she petitioned the Charleston Orphan House to admit—and then return— a pair of her sons.

The vivid storytelling, often drawing on contemporary press accounts, persists into the 20th century, with accounts of discord at the German-American Trust and Savings bank, as Charlestown’s regional power diminishes—and as Germany wages war in Europe. Anti-German sentiment, Jones argues, may not have been as fervent in Charleston as in other American cities, but in it Jones sees the start of an accelerated process of assimilation. This highly readable history makes the case with insight and persuasive power.

Takeaway: An engaging history of Germans in Charleston, South Carolina, and the fading of a cultural identity.

Great for fans of: Roots in the Rhineland, Alison Clark Efford’s German Immigrants, Race, and Citizenship in the Civil War Era.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Charleston's Germans: An Enduring Legacy

Technical communications expert Ament (Indexing: A Nuts-and-Bolts Guide for Technical Writers) offers a clear-eyed, practical, and adaptable guide for technical writers, editors, and publishers and their teams to “to define and use edit types and levels to systematically ratchet up the quality of their user documentation.” That means establishing a process, defining roles and terms, and developing and approving the guidelines that can ensure that the team responsible for the development of technical documents remains focused, connected, and achieves consistent quality. Chief among Ament’s insights: That a team that formally establishes (and updates) its own guidelines is more likely to implement them consistently, taking the documents it produces “to the next level.”

His 12 steps call for clarity on the many different types and levels of edits that user documentation requires, the assigning and scheduling of those different edits, and what editors should offer the team in their reports. Implementing changes, in Ament’s process, doesn’t just come down to an editor’s fiat. Instead, he lays out a process in which writers evaluate and prioritize editors’ suggestions, noting that “If suggestions simply reflect the personal preferences of a particular editor, writers can—and should—ignore them.” Throughout, Ament emphasizes clear communication and evaluation of the process itself. The goal isn’t just the creation of quality documentation; it’s the creation and maintenance of a system that, with care and leadership, can make quality “automatic.”

Ament leads by example by presenting his material in the clearest, most approachable manner, a step-by-step approach laid out with an organizational clarity too often lacking in technical guides, and written in crisp, illuminating prose that on every page exemplifies the results of the process. While targeted to technical writers, Ament’s concise, inviting guide will prove helpful to anyone who leads an editorial team, especially in its scrupulous advice on establishing types of edits and team-specific guidelines.

Takeaway: An illuminating, highly practical guide to establishing an editing process for user documentation.

Great for fans of: Edmond H. Weiss, Marc Achtelig’s Technical Documentation Best Practices.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Dysfunctional Documents

Linking the realm of the mind to the concept of a universal soul and the ancient yet still provocative notion that consciousness itself is something of the Prime Move of existence, Hauck’s impassioned treatise draws deeply on the histories of philosophy, religion, and physics to argue “The focused awareness you feel right now reading this page—that spark of consciousness you take for granted—is more mysterious and powerful than anything you will ever read in any book.” That’s the first chapter’s grabber of a first line, an arresting introduction to concepts that are quite literally heady—Hauck links, with passion and some persuasive power, the elusive truth of what happens in our minds to the Pythagorean concept of the “monad,” the “single, indivisible source” that creates reality—or, as Ibn Sina posited a millenium ago, “the infinite mind” that creates “intellect and self-awareness in individuals.”

Call it God, the Big Bang, the universal soul, or whatever else. The Monad Manifesto argues not that it’s any one thing that we can comprehend, but that it’s something we can sense, and feel an intimate connection with, especially as we come to understand “the fundamental role consciousness plays in the creation of cosmic reality”—that consciousness is more fundamental even “than matter, energy, space, or time.”

Hauck grounds these searching, complex arguments in the cogent examinations of the Monad-related thought from Ancient Greece and Egypt, in Gnostic teachings, the Tao Te Ching, Jainist spiritualism, Buddhism, and the work of philosophers and scientists up to the age of relativity and beyond. But his message, for all that, is practical, a call for humanity to shine “with inner light.” He pleads, “Stop ignoring the subtleties of existence because they are beyond your comprehension!” Chapters on mediation and Monadic experiences are richly detailed and inviting.

Takeaway: A call to embrace the cosmic consciousness, steeped in philosophy, science, and literature.

Great for fans of: Mark Solms’s The Hidden Spring, Charles Webster Leadbeater’s The Monad.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Monad Manifesto

According to the dandelion child theory, there are three types of children–orchid children, who are highly sensitive and need a particular environment to survive; tulip children, who fall in the middle and require only the basics to grow; and then dandelion children, who grow anywhere, even if uncared for. In Dandelion Child, Mehlman-Orozco (Big Bad and the Bored Canary) and Lowery-Keith aim their focus on those young people who are ignored, abused, or generally mistreated, offering a book to lift them up and remind them of their resilience and strength as well as the beauty life offers amidst the darkness, as evidenced by Ana Rodic’s evocative watercolor illustrations.

The intended audience is both the dandelion children themselves, and any young people interested in learning about the theory, a hybrid approach that means less than half of the book is actually dedicated to lifting up those children. Instead, the theory and the lived reality of these neglected children is painstakingly laid out in details that illustrate the concept to kids who aren’t living that life, but could remind dandelion readers of all the troubles and trauma they have and may still currently be living through, such as “no one tucked you in at night,” “no one was there” to celebrate a winning goal, and “no one seemed to care” about a toothache.

Even so, the care that’s put into Dandelion Child by both the authors and illustrator clearly demonstrates–and makes the case for–their belief in the strength and value of these overlooked children. Regardless of the reader’s life circumstances, this exploration has the potential to uplift those children and teach others on the complexities of life as well as the lesson that not everyone is raised in an environment that’s supportive and loving. Mehlman-Orozco and Lowery-Keith ultimately tackle a tough topic while respecting the children they’re advocating for.

Takeaway: Children of all kinds will take heart from the uplifting message about the resilience of dandelion children.

Great for fans of: W. Thomas Boyce’s The Orchid and the Dandelion, Lisa Lanners Lewis’s Jayne's Story.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Dandelion Child

In Caldon, the world of this accomplished and inventive fantasy epic, women rule, peasants suffer, and the “noblesse” enforce the class order with every power available to them, including magic. The story focuses on a pair of young people whose lives reflect—and entwine—with each other’s. Rill Larkin, the commoner apprentice to archmage Deuth Estati dreams of establishing himself as a mage, vowing “I can become someone important … I can become noblesse.” Secrets surround him, though, both involving his lineage and the intentions of his master. Meanwhile, 15 year-old Alyse Dejun faces the dire fate so many young women have, throughout history and literature: seeing her own gifts languish ignored as she’s impressed into a marriage she doesn’t want, for political benefit.

“You’ll learn to love me,” the young archmage Troy warns Alyse, “because your family’s survival depends on it.” Lutts invigorates these somewhat familiar premises with much heart, invention, and attention to lived-in character detail, demonstrating an awareness of reader expectations and a welcome willingness to upend them. The novel is hefty, even by fantasy standards, but the cast (especially the strong-willed Alyse) is appealing, the magic lively, and the conflicts—cutting across lines of class, gender, politics, and magical aptitude—compelling, especially as alliances get upended, and Rill and Alyse’s stories thread together.

The broader plot centers on the decline of magic in the land and the hunt for powerful mage’s “charms,” but what will grab readers of YA fantasy is the sharply delineated characters, who face tough choices and exhibit rich inner lives. The matriarchal society and the general worldbuilding prove engaging, revealed through action and dialogue without Lutts bogging down the storytelling for explanations. It all builds to a promise of more adventure, and while the late turns and revelations satisfy, readers not accustomed to brick-thick fantasy may wonder why more hasn’t been wrapped up after so many pages.

Takeaway: A memorable character-driven fantasy of shifting alliances, surprising magic, and two bold young mages.

Great for fans of: Garth Nix, Claire LeGrand’s Furyborn.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Charm Wars

Byrd’s accomplished debut novel fuses fantasy and mystery into a zany but heartfelt adventure. Abandoned at the town dump by her parents, fourteen-year-old Haven bands together with the other homeless children she meets among the garbage. They find a beautiful indigo ring and soon discover that it brings both magic and danger into their lives. When three strange men attempt to take the ring, the children escape to the world of the Time Servers, beings who stop time to help people by averting accidents and returning lost things). Haven must balance the growing power of the ring and the opportunities it presents with her need to keep her found family together.

The Time Servers’ realm is fantastically innovative and richly detailed. Byrd creates a colorful, alluring setting brimming with magical places and objects. Time Server City is populated by familiar fantasy creatures distinguished with inventive twists: unicorns are beautiful but snobby, fairies wear pin-striped suits and are known for their fairness rather than their magic, and giants, far from being threatening or slow-witted, are brilliant inventors who create ingenious tools. But despite its welcoming whimsy, the Time Servers’ society is surprisingly nuanced, with problems and prejudices that add to its realism.

The book is brimming with characters, enough that readers may find it challenging to keep track of them through the story’s complex twists and turns. However, each is carefully crafted with unique characteristics, like Time Server Eutychus’s kindness and silly sense of humor and Haven’s deep desire to do the right thing–and her relatable fight to keep from giggling when awed by the Museum of Time. Her struggles to choose the correct path add moral complexity into this action-filled story. The vibrant world Byrd has created will no doubt appeal to fantasy readers of any age, and its thought-provoking conflicts add deeper dimensions to this imaginative tale.

Takeaway: Fun and full of heart, this offbeat fantasy finds action, mystery, and a hidden realm–in the junkyard.

Great for fans of: Tara Sims’s Timekeeper, Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Shah and the End of Time.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Haven's Indigo

Syndicated humor columnist Zezima (Every Day Is Saturday) pokes fun at life as a senior in this playful offering. Styled with self-deprecating humor—Zezima refers to himself as “an out-of-shape geezer who drinks red wine to avoid heart trouble and believes that exercise and health food will kill you”—and highlighting the easy banter between the author and his wife, Sue, this lighthearted read covers (and lobs jokes at) topics from aging health concerns to quality time with grandkids. Zezima shares the unique way he navigated the coronavirus pandemic, including the painful absence of family visits and vaccination challenges in his home state of New York, all through a comedic lens that brings welcome levity to even the most difficult subjects.

Fans of humorous essays about real life will be thoroughly entertained by Zezima’s quips and insights. He states his ninety-seven year old mother is sharper than he is, announcing “this isn’t such a great accomplishment because the same could be said for cucumbers,” and he proudly declares to his personal gym trainer that his overall fitness goal is “to stay alive.” Zezima is a devoted family man, recounting his many outings with grandchildren who challenge him to dance contests and paint his fingernails, and his closeness with Sue is evident throughout as he describes their lively antics, including a police stakeout for Sue’s stolen phone and learning how to handle couples grocery shopping.

Although rich with laughs, Zezima’s writing addresses weightier material along the way: he touches on Sue’s heart attack and recovery as well as how they managed days without electricity during Tropical Storm Isaias. Some of his stories elicit fond memories of the past, particularly his success at creating a prized pasta dish for Paul Newman’s Own and Good Housekeeping Recipe Contest. Readers keen on fun-loving stories sprinkled with substance will enjoy this selection.

Takeaway: A lighthearted take on the ups and downs of growing old, rich with humor and entertaining stories.

Great for fans of: Lawrence G. Doyle’s Adventures in Retirement, Steven Petrow’s Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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