Reviews in Brief

A richly creative and dramatic installment of Eric Lewis’ fantasy series, The Heron Kings Rampant leaps forward in time once again. The titular rebellious rangers are little more than storybook legends by now, but when a devastating weapon is set loose, and the band of heroes is framed for the destruction, one man’s quest for vengeance will uncover a new generation of honorable antiheroes. Weaving in timely themes of technological disruption, political division, and violent terrorism, this story hits closer to home than it may initially appear. Delicately balanced on the edge of alchemical fantasy, this third piece of the Heron Kings saga has a few rough corners in storytelling execution, but the Robin Hood atmosphere and steampunk world-crafting are relentlessly inventive and immersive.

A monstrously good reimagining of mythology in the modern world, Where Madness Lies by Heidi K. Allen is a psychological and mystical thrill for fans of the darker side of fantasy. When an oblivious oracle meets a desperate undercover goddess in a psych ward, their unlikely pairing may be just what the dwindling pantheon needs to survive annihilation. Visceral prose, powerful character bonds, and a deeply original plot make this female-driven adventure a contemporary standout. Wielding a patient storytelling pen that perfectly balances the whimsical and the macabre, Allen knows precisely how to hook a reader from the start with engaging characters and inventive detail, for a superb work of mythological fantasy.

A philosophical and political thriller on the contemporary cutting edge, Set Apart by K.J. McCall is a slow-burning, character-driven case for a shift in socialized thinking. Examining the healthcare system through a number of intertwined lenses, a dark conspiracy comes to light – one that may discourage more progressive readers, as it takes less than a chapter for the political perspective of the novel to become clear. However, nationalized healthcare is a perennial hot-button issue, and McCall explores the subject with nuance, creativity, and a confidently informed tone. The storytelling is declarative and the dialogue can be loaded with exposition, which sometimes overshadows the characters’ personalities, but the author manages to merge romance, scandal, family drama, social analysis, and existential quandaries into an entertaining escape.

An inimitably strange plunge into the lives of an odd quartet in Nashville, Apothecary: A Tale of Two Cities (Mas o Menos) by Josh Long is genre-bending, baffling, and refreshingly original. Breaking traditional literary rules, as well as the fourth wall, this novel is experimental and ambitious, overflowing with insightful observations about the human condition, sharply witty dialogue, and effortless thematic weaving. While the structure would be a challenge for any author, the stories within stories make the reading experience an addictive pleasure. Fierce, bizarre, and intimate all at once, Apothecary is a richly crafted and thoroughly unique offering from a strong contemporary voice.

The cruelty of fate clashes with the power of resilience in Nowhere to Hide by Neil Turner, the latest gripping read in the Tony Valenti Mystery series. The relationships between Kevin, Pat, and Tony are crafted beautifully, while the antagonists of the novel are immediately evident, making it easy for readers to choose their side and stay there. With timely themes, compelling characters both familiar and fresh, and relatable storytelling about the dynamics within a family, Turner has delivered another thought-provoking gem of a thriller.

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.