Operation Medusa – a high stakes geopolitical suspense novel by Jake Greco. Photo: Amazon
Book Spotlight: Operation Medusa (Book 1)
By Jake Greco
Synopsis
History’s wounds never fully heal — and in the wrong hands, they can start a war.
From the creator of the Specters of Athena universe comes a gripping new military thriller saga that blends real-world history, relentless action, and the razor’s edge of modern geopolitics. (Amazon, 2026)
When Greece and Turkey collide in a dangerous dance of brinkmanship, the conflict is fought not only in contested waters and borderlands, but also in intelligence rooms, diplomatic corridors, and the shadows where truth is the first casualty.
At the heart of the series is Nikolas “Strix” Andros — a battle-tested Greek operative whose past in black operations and NATO counterterrorism leaves him uniquely suited for the high-stakes games being played in the Aegean. Alongside Command Sergeant Major Yakovos Rousso, Strix faces provocations by air, land, and sea, each one threatening to ignite a wider war neither side can fully control.
Told through multiple perspectives — Greek, Turkish, and NATO — Operation Medusa combines the adrenaline of modern special operations with the deep resonance of generational history. Inspired in part by the author’s own Greek heritage and the stories of family members who lived through siege, hunger, and occupation, the series honors the resilience of a people while delivering page-turning suspense.
If you crave military thrillers with authentic action, layered political stakes, and characters forged in the crucible of history, Operation Medusa will keep you reading deep into the night.
Jake Greco grew up in Arizona and is a desert rat at heart. His father, a WWII veteran, taught him to shoot at a young age and fueled his lifelong passion for firearms and adventure. These early life experiences have molded him into a versatile storyteller whose works span the full spectrum of thriller and suspense genres.
A lifelong admirer of the Southwest’s rugged beauty, Jake weaves the stark landscapes and complex characters of the region into his novels. His stories often feature heroes and antiheroes grappling with morality, loyalty, and the unpredictable twists of fate. From shadowy desert hideouts to the tense corridors of power, his tales explore the human condition under extraordinary pressure, reflecting both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
‘Soul or Keep’ is Chad Taylor’s debut novel. Photo: Amazon
Book Review: Soul or Keep by Chad Taylor
Genre: Dark Speculative Fiction / Occult Thriller
Publisher: Alien Buddha Press
Synopsis
Nathaniel “Nate” Simpson is a truck driver trapped between unexplained blackouts, sleepwalking episodes, and the lingering effects of a spell cast long ago during Hurricane Susan to pull him out of a coma. To manage his memory loss, Nate relies on meticulous note-taking, especially around his home life with his girlfriend, Rebecca, and her grandmother, Evelyn, who recently moved in. Routine tasks come easy, but any new, non-repetitive information slips through his fingers.
The slight memory loss soon spirals into something far darker, stranger, and deeply addictive.
Nate’s uneasy reality shatters completely when he receives a cryptic, threatening message from a woman named Tammie:
“Meet me at Doug’s Waffles 143 Maple Court. We have some catching up to do. Unless you want me to call your girlfriend’s business phone instead. Rebecca’s Wedding Planning isn’t it?”
Cornered, Nate has no choice but to meet her to find answers. He is thrust into a world of fog-dense streets, hypnotized employees, and power-hungry mystics seeking to ascend to warlock status. At the center of it all is a game called Soul or Keep that lingers like a curse in the bloodstream. As Nate struggles to separate truth from illusion, he must free himself from spiritual bondage to save Rebecca and their unborn child before their souls are claimed.
If you’re searching for a supernatural thriller that seamlessly blends psychological horror, dark fantasy, and occult mystery, Chad Taylor’s debut novel Soul or Keep is a compelling read. Packed with eerie atmosphere and emotionally grounded stakes, it keeps readers questioning reality from start to finish.
Unreliable Narrators & Character Dynamics
Nate is a deeply sympathetic and well-developed protagonist. His fear, determination, and unwavering love for his family make him instantly relatable. However, his internal battle with memory loss creates a fascinating layer of psychological suspense—his untrustworthy perceptions make him an inherently unreliable narrator.
The supporting cast amplifies the novel’s mounting paranoia and supernatural danger:
Rebecca: A loving, supportive partner who carries trust issues from a troubled past, making Nate’s erratic behavior a constant strain on their relationship.
Donnie: Nate’s brother, whose desperate attempt to help with the sleepwalking—literally strapping Nate to his bed—fails when Nate mysteriously breaks free.
Vivid Prose & Central Themes
Taylor’s descriptive prose brings the uncanny world to life with precise, vivid imagery:
“He then popped out of the window with a look of concern while the yellow light blanketed his mocha colored skin which appeared almost like clay.”
At its core, Soul or Keep tackles heavy thematic ground:
Fate vs. Free Will & Destiny: The mysterious game Soul or Keep serves as both the central conflict and a dark metaphor for human agency, questioning whether destiny is preordained or something to be reclaimed.
Fractured Identity & Memory: Exploring how memory shapes who we are, and what happens when those foundations crumble.
Sacrifice & Love: Positioning love as the ultimate form of resistance against supernatural control.
Final Verdict
Soul or Keep is a haunting, moody debut that establishes Chad Taylor as an exciting new voice in dark speculative fiction. Fans of supernatural horror, atmospheric thrillers, and occult mysteries will be captivated by its memorable characters and lingering, haunting conclusion.
“In the game of life, every action has a ripple effect.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
About the Author
Chad Taylor is a writer and artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied Writing Studies at Northern Kentucky University and has published indie comics such as The 5ivefooter and Drips under his Uni5icomics banner. Soul or Keep is his debut novel.
** Thank you to Chad Taylor for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
‘Artemis’ by Andy Weir is a sci-fi crime story set on the Moon. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Review: Artemis by Andy Weir
Synopsis
Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara lives in humanity’s first lunar colony, Artemis. She never signed up to be a hero—she just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to Artemis, but rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
When a chance at a lucrative heist presents itself, Jazz can’t say no. But engineering the perfect crime is just the start of her problems, because that little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens the future of Artemis itself.
Trapped between competing forces, pursued by a killer and the law alike, she’ll have to hatch a truly spectacular scheme to have a chance at staying alive and saving her city. Jazz is no hero, but she is a very good criminal.
Review
Artemis begins with Jazz reeling from failing her EVA exam, which she needs to join the EVA Guild. Members of the guild lead groups of tourists across the lunar surface and earn a significantly better living. She tries to talk her way into passing, but Bob Lewis, former US Marine and head trainer, doesn’t budge. He tells her to try again and focus on the quality of her equipment.
The story centers around Jazz, a clever, sarcastic porter and small-time smuggler who dreams of escaping poverty. She’s an engaging protagonist whose intelligence, resilience, and moral ambiguity make her both flawed and relatable. Unlike the idealistic heroes often found in science fiction, she survives through quick thinking, technical expertise, and sheer determination. Her growth from a self-serving opportunist to someone willing to risk everything for others forms the emotional core of the story.
“How dare you call me lazy? I’d come up with a scathing retort but, meh, I’m just not motivated.”
Weir once again showcases his talent for making complex engineering and scientific concepts accessible without slowing down the narrative pace. Themes of survival, greed, class inequality, and redemption are woven throughout the novel, highlighting the real-world challenges of building a human society beyond Earth.
Lunar Economics: The realistic financial friction between tourists, workers, and corporations.
Life-Support Mechanics: Detailed systems keeping the dome breathable and safe.
Industrial Realism: Meticulously researched aluminum-smelting processes that anchor the plot.
The fast-paced plot keeps the tension high as Jazz relies on her sharp technical instincts and criminal ingenuity to pull off a spectacular multi-stage scheme.
However, Jazz’s dialogue and internal monologue can feel somewhat forced and juvenile at times, occasionally undermining the tension. While it doesn’t quite match the sheer survivalist charm of Mark Watney’s journey in The Martian, Artemis still delivers a fun, fast-moving sci-fi crime caper.
The Bottom Line
Artemis by Andy Weir is a fast-paced science fiction thriller that blends suspense, humor, and real-world science into an entertaining lunar adventure. If you enjoy hard science paired with high-stakes action, it is well worth the trip to the moon.
“People will trust a reliable criminal more readily than a shady businessman.”
Andy Weirbuilt a career as a software engineer until the success of his first published novel, The Martian, allowed him to live out his dream of writing full-time. He is a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of subjects such as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight.
Bonus
If you enjoyed the fast-paced survival, witty problem-solving, and high-stakes criminal plots of Andy Weir’s Artemis, these sci-fi heist and mystery novels offer a similar blend of technical intrigue and fast-paced schemes.
High-Stakes Sci-Fi Heists
The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi features post-human master criminal Jean le Flambeur breaking out of prison to pull off an impossible heist across a high-tech moving city on Mars. Chasm Cityby Alastair Reynolds follows a security operative hunting a ruthless killer through a bizarre, virus-corrupted sci-fi metropolis while navigating high-stakes crime networks.
Space-Bound Sci-Fi Mysteries
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty combines a locked-room murder mystery with cloning technology as a spaceship crew wakes up to find their previous bodies murdered and their recent memories wiped. Leviathan Wakes by S.A. Corey pairs a hard-boiled detective on an asteroid belt with an ice-miner captain as they unravel a system-wide conspiracy triggered by a missing girl.
Which Should You Pick?
For an intricate, mind-bending criminal heist set in a futuristic solar system, go with The Quantum Thief. For a claustrophobic, locked-room whodunit packed with survival tension, start with Six Wakes. For a grounded space-noir investigation with vast geopolitical stakes, choose Leviathan Wakes.
Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon, a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a romantic relationship. She’s getting ready to publish a breakthrough book that contains explosive scientific discoveries about the nature of human consciousness, revelations that threaten to disrupt centuries of established belief. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
When a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, Katherine suddenly goes missing and her manuscript disappears. Desperate to find the woman he loves, Langdon embarks on a thrilling race through the mystical landscape of Prague, ruthlessly hunted by a powerful organization and a chilling assailant sprung from the city’s ancient mythology.
As the action expands to London and New York, Langdon plunges into the dual worlds of futuristic science and historical lore, navigating a labyrinth of codes and symbols, and finally uncovering a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.
📝The Review
Dan Brown returns with another intellectually charged thriller in The Secret of Secrets, a breathless, high-stakes story that seamlessly combines ancient lore with cutting-edge science. Set against the atmospheric backdrops of Prague, London, and New York, it delivers the classic, fast-paced puzzle-solving fans expect while raising provocative questions about human potential.
🔍Character Dynamics
The story centers around Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, whose usual intellectual detachment is challenged by personal dangers. His romance with Katherine Solomon grounds the narrative, significantly raising the emotional tension. Langdon remains a compelling protagonist, balancing academic brilliance with humility and determination, and his personal tie to Katherine adds welcome depth to his character.
Katherine is equally engaging, portrayed as an intelligent and courageous scientist whose research into human consciousness challenges long-held religious and philosophical beliefs. She is far more than a simple damsel in distress; their partnership creates a refreshing dynamic, with both characters contributing equally to the unfolding mystery.
🧠Core Themes
Science vs. Belief: The narrative continuously pits revolutionary neuroscience against rigid, established dogmas.
The Nature of Human Consciousness: Solomon’s findings explore whether the human mind holds untapped power capable of altering reality itself.
Mythology as Historical Truth: The story weaves Prague’s rich lore—including dark mythological guardians like the Golem—into modern technological secrets, suggesting that ancient myths often mask advanced truths.
“Brown has written a thought-provoking ride that will leave readers questioning the untapped boundaries of their own minds.”
As expected, Brown fills the narrative with cryptic symbols, historical references, and unexpected twists that keep readers hooked. While some plot developments stretch credibility, the intricate puzzles and cinematic pacing make them easy to forgive. With relentless momentum and a haunting antagonist, it’s a deeply compelling read.
🎧Final Thoughts
Overall, The Secret of Secrets is an entertaining blend of history, philosophy, and speculative science that will satisfy longtime Dan Brown fans while offering newcomers an exciting introduction to Robert Langdon’s world.
At almost 700 pages (or nearly 23 hours on audiobook), it’s one of Brown’s longest books to date. The experience of reading the physical tome versus listening to the immersive narration will likely feel vastly different, but either way, it’s an adventure worth taking.
“Religions had learned long ago that a human mind facing the terrifying prospect of eternal nothingness would believe almost anything. Timor mortis est pater religionis, Langdon mused, recalling the ancient saying made famous by Upton Sinclair. Fear of death is the father of religion.”
DAN BROWN is the author of several #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, one of the bestselling books of all time, as well as Origin, Inferno, The Lost Symbol, and Angels & Demons. His thrillers have captivated readers worldwide and sparked global intellectual debate. He is also the author of the bestselling children’s book Wild Symphony. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages internationally, with over 250 million copies in print.
‘Famous Men’ is the new literary fiction novel by Julie Buntin. Photo: Penguin Random House.
Book Review: Famous Men by Julie Buntin
From the acclaimed author of Marlena comes a “magnificent” (The New York Times) novel about a young woman looking for a father and finding herself. (Penguin Random House, 2026)
“The right book at the right time can change your life.”
Quick Details
Title:Famous Men
Author: Julie Buntin
Genre: Literary Fiction / Coming-of-Age
Themes: Ambition, Identity, Power Dynamics, Mentorship
Synopsis
Will Miles is trapped in the suffocatingly tiny town of Greening, Michigan, having never known who her father is. Haunted by a toxic rumor that turned her into a social exile, the teenage Will yearns for escape. At fourteen, she discovers the poetry of literary giant Nathaniel Fellow, a man four decades her senior who shares her hometown. A passing comment from her mother only adds to Will’s fascination: Is Nathaniel the father she’s never known? She becomes convinced that he may hold the answers to her literary aspirations and her family history.
Her obsession drives her to New York City, drawing her into Nathaniel’s orbit and sparking a deeply complex, years-long entanglement that offers a seductive doorway to intellectual life, mentorship, and security, at a devastatingly ambiguous cost. When information about his past threatens not just her life with Nathaniel, but the story she tells herself about him, Will is faced with a choice that will change everything.
Review
Famous Menis an emotionally rich novel that explores identity, ambition, and the complicated power dynamics between young women and influential men.
Buntin challenges typical coming-of-age narratives, refusing easy moral clarity or simplified stories of victimhood. Will’s journey from small-town outsider to New York’s literary circles is both inspiring and unsettling, revealing how easily dreams can become entangled with manipulation and self-deception. Her relationship with Nathaniel begins as admiration, but eventually evolves into a complicated bond that forces her to question the true cost of chasing success and validation.
Through a first-person narrative, Buntin captures:
The desperate craving to be seen by our idols.
The quiet concessions women make to build a life.
The painful reckoning when the truth about a mentor finally surfaces.
Buntin writes with empathy and passion, making Will’s search for belonging feel authentic and deeply relatable. The beautiful, razor-precise prose draws readers directly into Will’s complicated life:
“Watery sunlight fell across the spines, landing in a warmish puddle on the floor where I sat, cross-legged, to begin at the beginning.”
Ultimately, Julie Buntin delivers a beautifully written novel filled with emotionally layered characters, sharp observations about fame and influence, and an honest exploration of how women often bear the consequences of men’s mistakes. The story balances literary depth with emotional tension, making it difficult to put down.
Final Thoughts
Famous Men is a compelling exploration of ambition and the intoxicating danger of artistic idolatry.
Recommended for:
Readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction and stories of self-discovery.
Fans of introspective fiction, literary intrigue, and emotionally complex relationships.
“New York wasn’t an island of skyscrapers, tethered by bridges, its heart the gentle hills of Central Park-it was a million tiny rooms and the people inside, their desire mixing with the wishes of everyone who had once passed through. I could have stood there with my head outside the window forever, just watching.”
Julie Buntin‘s debut novel, Marlena, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize, released in ten territories worldwide, and named a best book of the year by over a dozen outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews.
She is the co-editor of Notes to New Mothers, a collection of dispatches from postpartum life by sixty writers and artists. Previously, Buntin was an editor and director of writing programs at Catapult. Now, she writes and teaches in Ann Arbor, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.
**Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
The best-selling novel is now a limited series on Peacock. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book to Series: Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Five-Star Weekend” Hits Peacock
Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved summer read is officially jumping from the page to the screen, The highly anticipated adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend has officially arrived as an eight-episode limited series on Peacock.
Whether you are a longtime resident of Hilderbrand’s fictionalized Nantucket or a newcomer looking for your next dramatic binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the book’s premise and the star-studded new series.
📖The Book Synopsis
Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is tragically killed in a car accident. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
In the wake of the tragedy, the cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—including a strained marriage and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.
Seeking comfort and a fresh start, Hollis decides to host her own “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket. The concept? One woman organizes a trip inviting one best friend from each distinct phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife.
But this getaway doesn’t turn out to be a joyful, breezy Hallmark movie…
🎬Meet the Cast & Characters
The Peacock adaptation features a powerhouse ensemble cast to bring Hollis’s inner circle to life. Here is who is playing who in the eight-episode series:
Character
Phase of Life
Played By
The Drama They Bring
Hollis Shaw
The Host
Jennifer Garner(also Executive Producer)
A grieving food influencer trying to piece her life back together six months after her husband’s death.
Tatum
Teenage Years
Chloë Sevigny
Hollis’s childhood best friend. Her husband stirs the pot by inviting Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to the island.
Dru-Ann
The Twenties
Regina Hall
Hollis’s UNC Chapel Hill college roommate. Now a prominent Chicago sports agent, her career is on the line after a major social media misunderstanding.
Brooke
The Thirties
D’Arcy Carden
Hollis’s adulthood pal who has just discovered her husband is having yet another inappropriate workplace relationship.
Gigi
Midlife / Present
Gemma Chan
A mysterious internet stranger who connected with Hollis through her blog. She embodies unusual grace but harbors major secrets.
📺From Page to Screen
The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. It promises to be a weekend like no other.
Fans of the book can expect plenty of beautiful Nantucket backdrops, delicious food blog aesthetics, and juicy, decades-spanning secrets.
Book Review: I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours
By: Nat Cassidy
Featuring an Introduction by: Stephen King
The first collection from author Nat Cassidy features his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction, including the hit novella Rest Stop.
“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them.” — Stephen King, from his introduction
Synopsis
There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.
These locations and more are your destination, and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories—some of which have never been published before—I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes and teeth.
Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.
The Table of Contents (Stories):
Rest Stop
Meet-Cute #1: The Unluckiest Girl
Generation
Nice
The Art of What You Want
The Lunar Eclipse
Laughlines
Run for Your Life
Jubilee
Juncture
Come Into the Life of Things
Meet-Cute #2: The Scariest Thing
A Fruiting Body
My Review: Creeping Dread in Everyday Places
Nat Cassidy is a Stephen King fan, and his influence absolutely shows. King has a keen gift for turning ordinary situations into absolute nightmares, and this collection proves that Cassidy has that exact same superpower.
I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a chilling collection that proves horror doesn’t need haunted castles or isolated mansions to unsettle readers. Instead, Cassidy transforms the mundane—a lonely highway rest stop, a doctor’s office, a cramped apartment, even a modern kitchen—into landscapes of creeping dread where something always feels just a little wrong.
Anchored by Rest Stop, which absolutely lives up to its award-nominated reputation, the book delivers relentless tension and a growing sense of unease. Throughout the collection, Cassidy expertly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and deep human emotion. His characters feel completely authentic, making their encounters with the bizarre all the more impactful.
Standout Highlights
Rest Stop – Abe is in a band that has a gig coming up, but for now, he’s on the road in the middle of the night to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He has a complicated relationship with her, but she’s the only grandparent he has ever known. When he sees a sign for a gas station, he takes the next exit for a much-needed break. What could possibly go wrong? Next time you stop at an isolated gas station in the middle of the night, try not to think about this story.
Nice – Mitchell is a six-year-old boy obsessed with Santa, much to his parents’ chagrin. When Twinklebottom the Elf visits him in the middle of the night to ask for his help in easing the elves’ workload by not being too nice, he’s unprepared for how far Mitchell will go.
The Lunar Eclipse – A woman waiting for an eclipse looks back at her life and the man she met when they were six years old. They eventually became romantically involved but have since moved on. He has passed away, but she can’t help but remember the promise they made 50 years ago while witnessing another eclipse: no matter what happened, they’d be together for the next one. No matter what…
The Verdict
Each story explores different shades of fear, from grief and guilt to obsession and isolation, while maintaining a distinctive voice that is equal parts unsettling and compassionate. Cassidy’s vivid prose creates immersive settings where darkness seems to seep through every crack.
“This parking lot has gotten too dark and it feels like that van, with its impenetrable windows, is swelling in size, blotting out what little light there is.”
He takes places we all instinctively distrust, like an empty midnight gas station littered with googly eyes, and injects them with a creeping, visceral malice. The atmosphere throughout the anthology is thick and heavy; no matter how well-lit these venues claim to be, the shadows always fight back with teeth.
Cassidy’s writing is remarkably adaptable. He bounces effortlessly between psychological unease and sharp, bloody terror, ensuring that each detour feels uniquely dangerous. It’s a sharp, terrifying read that reminds us exactly why we look over our shoulders in empty rooms.
For those brave enough to step off the main highway, I Know a Place is a brilliant, dark journey that’s well worth taking. Just be prepared for the nightmares that may follow. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and unsettling short fiction, this exceptional collection showcases Nat Cassidy’s remarkable imagination and storytelling skill.
“It was a joke, more or less. He had to have known that.”
According to Deadline, Gary Dauberman’s Coin Operated has secured the rights to Rest Stop for a future feature film. Cassidy will adapt the screenplay with Dauberman and Mia Maniscalco as producers.
** Thank you to Eve Bailey and Flo Communications for my gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden
Synopsis
Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.
The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.
The Backstory
The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.
The Present Day
In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.
But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.
They are in for a rude awakening.
Welcome to the Abomination Games
Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.
Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.
Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice
Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.
Character Dynamics & Perspectives
Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:
Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.
World-Building and Prose
Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.
What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:
“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”
Core Themes
Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.
The Verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)
Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.
This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!
“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”
Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:
Strong language and frequent profanity
Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
On-page and ritualistic killing
** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
‘Voyagers’ is Meg Charlton’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Review: Voyagers by Meg Charlton
The Story
Years ago, when Alex and Ana were six years old, they vanished for thirty-six hours during a sleepover while on vacation near Palm Springs. When they returned, dazed but unharmed, their account had all the traits of an alien abduction. The media frenzy that followed made them famous, and the long months of child stardom—of talk shows and sitcom cameos—created a seemingly unbreakable bond between them, until the mystery behind their disappearance began to tear them apart.
In the present, “the Signal,” a mysterious transmission pulsing from the edge of the solar system, arrives, changing the world overnight. Planes are grounded, satellites fail, and speculation abounds. While humanity holds its breath for first contact, the Signal feels deeply personal to Alex, now a thirtysomething lawyer who has spent years distancing himself from the unexplainable. It is the opening of an old wound.
With the world on edge and the Signal growing stronger, Alex is drawn back to the one person who might have answers. Ana, now a professional advocate for experiencers of extraterrestrial contact, is leading a retreat near Palm Springs, close to the site of their childhood disappearance. As the former best friends tentatively reunite, what starts as a quest to confront the reality of their original experience becomes a larger reckoning with friendship, faith, family, and truth itself.
Review
Voyagers by Meg Charlton reframes a popular sci-fi premise—a world-altering cosmic transmission—into a profoundly intimate character study. While humanity holds its breath over potential first contact, Alex is forced to confront a childhood trauma he spent decades burying.
Charlton beautifully balances global intrigue with deep character development. The mystery surrounding Alex and Ana’s disappearance keeps the pages turning, while their complicated reunion adds emotional weight to the unfolding narrative. As the tension of the global phenomenon grows, it perfectly mirrors the internal reckoning between the two protagonists. Rather than relying solely on extraterrestrial speculation, the novel uses the themes of memory, belief, and the stories people construct to make sense of their lives.
The pacing is steady, with suspense building naturally as the Signal grows stronger and long-buried questions demand answers. The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, creating a sense of wonder without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Written in a non-linear narrative, the story unfolds beautifully through Alex’s first-person perspective:
“I saw all my younger selves stretched out like skeins of geese across the sky, crisscrossing in the air, the six-year-old Alex still flying away from California, the adult flying back toward it.”
Key Themes & Concepts
Most Intriguing Concept: Is Allen just Alex and Ana’s imaginary friend, or is he a real memory?
Core Themes: Family, Friendship, and Identity.
Genre: Blend of literary fiction and science fiction.
Final Thoughts
Voyagers is thought-provoking and beautifully written. A suspenseful exploration of friendship and family dynamics, it’s rich with science fiction, mystery, and emotional drama. It uses an extraterrestrial backdrop to dissect the fragility of human memory and poses the question: is discovering the truth always worth the cost? Most importantly, it explores the psychological aftermath of early stardom, public scrutiny, and shared childhood trauma.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent speculative fiction with strong, character-driven arcs.
“It is very painful to be called out for believing something that isn’t so. The instinct is not to cut one’s losses and confess to being wrong but to double down, to stay committed to your foolishness for so long that it takes on a kind of power.”
Meg Charlton was born and raised in New York City. She holds an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College, and Voyagers is her brilliant debut novel.
** Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble
From Page to Screen: Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You’ Comes to Netflix
Few authors have mastered the art of suspense like Harlan Coben. His novels captivate readers with intricate plots, unexpected twists, and relatable characters whose ordinary lives are suddenly turned upside down. Each story keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making his books nearly impossible to put down.
That same storytelling brilliance has translated seamlessly to the screen, with numerous Netflix adaptations becoming massive international hits. Series like Fool Me Once, Stay Close, and The Stranger have introduced Coben’s gripping mysteries to an even wider audience. Whether on the page or on the screen, Harlan Coben consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment.
The latest adaptation to join this thriller lineup is I Will Find You, an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2026.
📺 The Series: ‘I Will Find You’
Based on Coben’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, I Will Find Youfollows David Burroughs, an innocent father serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the murder of his own son, Matthew.
Five years into his sentence, David receives shocking word from his sister-in-law, Rachel, that Matthew may actually be alive. To uncover the truth, he must embark on a high-stakes mission that leads him out of prison and into a dangerous world of deceit and despair.
🎭 Meet the Cast
Actor
Role
Sam Worthington
David Burroughs
Britt Lower
Rachel Mills
Milo Ventimiglia
Hayden Payne
Logan Browning
Sarah Greer
Chi McBride
Max Williams
Madeleine Stowe
Gertrude Payne
📖 The Book Synopsis
For those who want to dive into the source material, here is the official setup for this breathtaking thriller:
David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son, Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love. Until one fateful night, David woke to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
Half a decade later, David’s been wrongly accused and convicted of the crime. Grieving and wracked with guilt, he didn’t have the will to fight the system, leaving the world to move on without him.
Then, Cheryl’s younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours. She brings a strange photograph, and in the background—just barely in frame—is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David’s son. David knows it instantly: Matthew is still alive.
Determined to achieve the impossible, David plans a harrowing prison escape to save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can he evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth?
✍️ About the Author
Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in 46 languages and have topped bestseller lists in more than a dozen countries. His celebrated Myron Bolitar series has earned him the prestigious Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards.
Coben is also the creator and executive producer of numerous television shows. Beyond Netflix hits like Missing You, Fool Me Once, The Innocent, and The Woods, he is the creative force behind Amazon Prime’s Shelter and Lazarus. With Run Away and I Will Find You anchoring his latest screen adaptations, Coben has plenty more thrilling projects in the works.
Have you started watching I Will Find You on Netflix yet, or are you planning to read the book first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
SA Examiner 