Reviews in Brief

Star-crossed travelers discover an unexpected connection that catapults them into an entrancing cosmic quest in The Stellar Wanderer: Journey Beyond the Stars by John B. Dalomba. Stranded on the desert planet Xerathia, Nova the explorer encounters the titular adventurer in a surreal oasis, marking the start of their mental trials and epic travels as unlikely partners. Embarking on a philosophical and emotional journey into themselves and across the realms of existence, from kingdoms in the clouds to the swirling mists of time, this enigmatic duo may be the ideal saviors for a universe in peril. Mystical and metaphysical in its scope, this creative sci-fi novel tackles big questions about the universe and the self, for a uniquely thought-provoking work of visionary science fiction.

A collection of penetrating and open-form poetry designed to help readers reconnect with their intuitive energy and power, Inner Hero: The Missing State of You by Alina Kina is a refreshing salve of encouragement and support. In this reflective collection, direct and clear-spoken koans are mixed with long streams of introspective musing, probing into deep questions of identity, purpose, and one’s sense of belonging. Accompanied by striking visuals and tasks for interactive journaling, Kina’s poetry is filled with straightforward yet sage packets of wisdom and practical advice for spiritual centering and personal reinvention.

A single ant moving against the grain of his colony threatens the fabric of an entire dystopia in Mr. Average and the 12th Stone by Ben Run, a thought-provoking masterclass in allegorical fiction. Despite being named the most average ant in the entire Ant Nest, Ave has a secret buried in his mind, as well as a plan to finally reunite with the one he loves. However, a free-thinking ant is much harder to control, especially by a false god, and despite his destiny, Ave’s truth-telling and curiosity may end his new life before it ever begins. In the midst of the author’s whimsically gymnastic prose and overlapping themes of liberation, it’s easy to forget that this multilayered parable is, in fact, about ants, meaning the author was doubtlessly successful in his aim, creating a thoroughly imaginative mix of incisive social commentary and creative fantasy.

A warning for our age of digitally addicted consumers looking for the newest life hack, Synthetica: The Dystopian Future of Digital Existence by Sophia M. is a prescient work of sci-fi, with a shrewd take on the current moment. A few decades in the future, free will has been seized by the titular megacorporation and its domineering Algorithm, allowing them to restructure society and mind control the vast majority of the population. However, there are those who resist the oppressive reign of these digital overlords, and seek to free society from this collective nightmare. Heavy on dystopian exposition, but comparatively brief in plot crafting and character development, this stark novella offers a grim glimpse into a potential future that seems all too possible.

A blisteringly fast-paced military novel, Operation Cavolo by E.S. Benton will satisfy any reader of action fiction, unloading like a film while never skimping on intense detail. After months of imprisonment and torture, Captain Kale knows that his one and only mission now is revenge, with poison as his weapon of choice, and if Alpha team doesn’t rise to his challenge and find the antidote, many innocent people will die. Benton excels at pacing and dialogue, conveying the action through precise details of character behavior and movement that never weigh down the narrative. Fluidly written and gripping from the start, this second installment of The Silent Codename series manages to be a fun page-turner, even with the dark events and daunting stakes.

A thought-provoking stew of odd tales and lingering lessons, The Man Who Buried Chickens (and Other Stories) by A.I. Johnson is a rewarding foray into the eccentric side of storytelling. From the horrific shock of being replaced in your own life to the madness brought on by a plumbing system with a penchant for psychological torture, these off-kilter stories play gracefully at the edge of the bizarre and inexplicable. Each story is fronted by distinct yet consistently neurotic narrators, and the vivid prose is grittily detailed, showcasing a talented pen gleefully fluctuating from satirical and clever to sinister and chilling. Taking subtle and profound jabs at social ills such as bigotry, dehumanization, untrustworthiness, inequality, extractive labor, and common indecency, this strange collection is in turns meaningful and perplexing, but always original.