Reviews in Brief

The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem by Kurt Brouwer is an ambitious work of Christian historical fiction, outlining the years after the crucifixion and resurrection, as John is tasked with protecting Mary and spreading the good word, opening himself up to danger from the Roman legions and violent power struggles in Jerusalem. Drawing inspiration from the Bible and other religious texts, the novel opens with the violent execution of James and its consequences on Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem, and the rest of the novel follows suit – vivid in its historical detail, and breathing a whole new life into biblical figures such as John, Bartholomew, Emmaus, Rachel, and Deborah. With Brouwer’s rich, captivating prose, the novel deftly fuses together a blend of real history and fictional world-building that is recommended for both believers and avid readers of historical fiction.

For any avid fisherman with a passion for history and an appreciation of natural beauty, Fish Culture in Yellowstone National Park: The Early Years: 1901-1930 by Frank H. Tainter, Ph.D. will be a riveting read. Calling attention to the unique approaches that Yellowstone National Park originally adopted to cultivate its now rich ecosystem of fish, this plunge into the past is stirring and comprehensive, acting as a tribute to hardworking people generations ago who dedicated themselves to a monumental collaborative effort. Informative and inspiring, the book highlights man’s delicate relationship with nature, and how beautiful it can be when that connection is protected.

The Boy With The Witch’s Nails by Shannon Shim is a wildly creative work of middle grade fantasy set in the stunning Tuscan countryside, teeming with myths and legends about witches, and inventing new myths along the way. Lucio, the son of a winemaker in Montalcino, finds a witch’s remains in the infamous Witch’s Forest near the village and steals her all-powerful nails. Will the magic nails be enough to keep him safe from the witch’s wrath, and has he unearthed something foreboding for the people of the village? Compulsively readable and impressive in its imaginative scope, this fantasy book will delight young readers in search of an adventure steeped in old stories, alá Harry Potter – matching that series’ ambition with a darker twist.

A young girl’s life spins into mystery and self-discovery after she is given a magical book in The Spectacular Life of Benito Martin del Canto, an impressively multilayered work of YA fiction by David Towner. Interwoven with the surreal 16th-century memoir, ostensibly written by Miguel Cervantes, is Taryn’s own adventurous life, and this mirroring of heroic tales is done artfully by the author – just like young Benito, Taryn is precocious, rebellious, and independent-minded. While the book within a book approach can be challenging for an author to make each half equally engaging, Towner pulls off the execution exceptionally well and keeps both storylines engrossing in their own right. The dialogue is overly spare, and suspension of disbelief is essential, but Towner’s pared-down style certainly works for YA fiction. All told, this is a charming, thought-provoking, and inspiring read for young readers, with crossover appeal for adults.

A middle grade adventure with an original twist and a cast of endearing young heroes, Time for PsyQ by Marti Ward is a phenomenally fun read. Certain schoolchildren who live near the Large Hadron Collider develop psionic abilities, leading to some very clever mystery-solving, in a kind of mash-up of Scooby Doo and Harry Potter. Like other young fellowship series, the key is the strong relationship dynamics, which are especially strong here, specifically between Airlie and her parents, as well as Yan and Kate, two of her eccentric powered-up pals. The story is marred somewhat by formatting mistakes, grammatical errors, misused words, and other linguistic details, but the heart of the story is strong, and the premise is enchanting from the start.

A romance-fueled family drama that spirals quickly into the realm of international thriller, Cobra Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is a relentlessly entertaining installment of the Yoga Mat Mysteries series. Ric and Elaina investigate a scheme to destabilize and defraud some of the most powerful forces in Australia, while navigating their fresh and irresistible connection to each other. Using cutting-edge spy tech and a laundry list of specialist skills, not to mention razor-sharp wit, this odd couple is quite an addictive pair to front a thriller series. Some flat descriptions undercut the suspense, but the technical details are immersive, the story is fast-paced, and the two inimitable lead characters are a captivating duo at the center of this wholly original thriller.