Everything Else

Review of Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind

Award-winning author Beka Gremikova has written many short stories that have been published online and in anthologies. In Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories, she collects several of her stories into one offering. A reader who enjoys a variety of speculative fiction will certainly appreciate this gem of a book.

Inside, the reader will find offerings of science fiction to high fantasy, urban fantasy to fairy tales. What sets this apart from most collections is the wide variety of cultures Gremikova has tackled. Usually, when people speak of diversity, they are talking about different people’s cultures coming together in one country, often North America. This book travels the world and embeds the reader into cultures other than America. While countries are often not named, “A Spoonful of Spice” reads like a Chinese fable, “The Grave Dancers” has a European flair, and “No Man’s Jungle” feels very African. This is a strong point of the collection as the author adapts her style to each culture.

Variety continues in the tone of each of the stories. Some are sentimental, comforting, uplifting. Others are stark, message-driven, detached from the plight of its characters. The reader is never sure of the ending. One story of an abduction has both a hopeful and uncertain tone.

A person’s taste in the stories will vary in their interests. Those entries I enjoyed yet didn’t think were the best in the collection, others might rate as their favorites. I sense most readers will differ from my tastes.

Too little fairytale-inspired stories exist in modern collections, so I welcomed both “A Taste of Grace” and “Prince of Bees.” These two stories were both entertaining and cautionary, essential elements of a good fairy tale. “Mer-Child” is so honestly raw in emotion that its narrative should touch even the hardest of hearts. The Eastern-inspired “A Spoonful of Spice” is witty and clever. In “Tiger Bright,” you have the closest to an E.C.-inspired comic book, including an unexpected ending. Many light-hearted stories populate these pages, but I was drawn to “The Screwtech Letters,” in particular.

Two stories in this collection stood out. This book could have presented only tales that offer hope and acceptance to the downtrodden. But, to rise above, offerings like this must dare, must challenge, must experiment. I found two that do precisely that. First, the excellent “Change of Heart” tells its story in second person, pulling the reader into the narrative. This raises the stakes of a story where the reader drags their heels with the main character of the inevitable conclusion. Some may find the conclusion comforting; others, horrific. And another tale that dares to defy the rest is “Sea Claim.” After many other stories in this novel, the reader expects this to be in a similar vein. When The End comes, the finale works like the clattering of fallen dishes in a restaurant. The reader realizes they are in the hands of an author who wants you to feel, not simply enjoy.

In Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories, author Gremikova takes us on a journey. To cultures we don’t often read about, to emotions of levity and sorrow, to souls lighting up with comfort…and dark corners of our heart where no light shines. If you enjoy a variety in your fantasy and science fiction, take a closer look at what this book has to offer.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK3HKTG1

Everything Else

Review Don’t Go in the Water

Full disclosure that I’m a contributor in this anthology. This review focuses on the other stories in the collection except mine.

Don’t Go in the Water is the third in the Classic Monster Series from Ye Olde Dragon Press. After tackling the wolfman and the Frankenstein monster, the publishers have turned their attention to the Creature from the Black Lagoon. This anthology offers thirteen tales of water-drenched horror, humor, fantasy, and drama. Don’t Go in the Water represents the entire spectrum of speculative fiction.

Mirroring the Universal Monster films of yore, this series isn’t necessarily meant to exclusively frighten its readers. Though some of its offerings are scary, many focus their attention on what it would mean if a watery creature lived on our world (or some other world) and how that “monster” would integrate into society. At times, the creature represents loneliness or isolation. Other plots have him as a valuable ally. Naturally, in several of the stories, he’s the adversary, a killing terror.

The Creature is not often associated with gothic castles or dark forests, so curling up with Don’t Go in the Water may be read anytime, not just in autumn. Do you want a humorous story of the classic Gill Man? Look no further than “Classic Monsters Anonymous: The Gill Guy Walks Among Us,” “A Fish Story,” or “Cure for the Creature.” How about something more poignant but not classically frightening? Then try “The Secret,” a girl and her fish story. Some readers, though, will demand a tale of terror. “Neher, Demon of the River” and “Bessie’s Revenge” fit that bill nicely.

One story of the thirteen touches multiple genres and packs a lot of emotion in a short story. “Siren Song” by C. S. Watcher really encapsulates the idea of a creature among us in a surprising way. Without giving away the twist, it wins the award of “not the story you were looking for but the story you enjoyed finding.”

There are many more wonderful tales within. For Halloween, or any time of the year, pick up Don’t Go in the Water for a wide range of entertaining and waterlogged tales.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJN8ZMWJ

Everything Else

Review of The Shadow Realm

Abigail Manning writes fairytale and nursery rhyme retellings set in many realms: the Emerald Realm, the Ruby Realm, etc. In this story, she weaves a tale out of not only fairy tales but Halloween, including monster archetypes. Welcome to The Shadow Realm.

The full title is The Shadow Realm: A Collection of Retold Halloween Tales (The Realm Collection). While I haven’t read many of Ms. Manning’s novels, I’ve finished enough to know she takes famous fairytale characters, puts them in a more realistic world, and imbues them with modern characteristics and problems. The Shadow Realm follows this outline with a Halloween twist. Take one fairytale character and two classic monsters, place them in a world that celebrates spookiness, and add a curse to mirror a horror archetype. That twist makes this offering stand out.

Two high society ladies and a princess (Aethera, Ebony, and Garnet) are out on a stroll near the time of the esteemed Shadow Ball. Overall, these three think themselves above nearly all other people in the kingdom of Umbria. When the princess turns down an invitation from a commoner, the man gets his revenge. He’s a mage, so he curses all three in unique ways.

Aethera becomes invisible, and no one may admire her beauty any longer. Small pieces of Ebony’s skin turn to wood when she lies. And the princess, Garnet? She can no longer walk in daylight and must siphon off energy from those around her. The story picks up three years later with the three young ladies dealing with their curses in their own ways. They no longer associate with each other; in fact, one has hidden away from her family and her home. And now, on the third anniversary of their curses, everyone is preparing for the Shadow Ball once again.

The author has stated that this novel is not scary nor should anyone pick it up hoping for a fright. This is a cozy romance story with supernatural undertones that celebrates the glee of Halloween. If you like a Halloween setting, but you aren’t wild about horror or the gore that may come with it, then this novel is for you. I’m reviewing it as a fairytale/monster retelling, not as a horror novel.

The novel is entertaining. Making an Invisible Woman and a Dracula figure a fairytale princess was inspired. Even the Pinocchio character felt more “monstrous” than fairytale in this setting. The chapters alternate between the three female characters. They each have their own narrative that weaves through the story leading up to the night of the Shadow Ball. This keeps the novel moving as each chapter gives you just enough to want to find out more about one character’s narrative, and then you’re onto the next.

The entire idea of a fairytale realm in a “cozy shadow” is fascinating, and the description of the town and the ball itself really lent to the atmosphere. Some sharp writing here really brought out the details (e.g. the dew hanging on the spiderwebs). Callbacks and in-jokes also round out the story in an engaging way. If you don’t know why a man named Griffin shows up at a pub with an invisible person, then you don’t know your monster lore.

I would’ve enjoyed more background on our three ladies before they were cursed, and potentially a deeper characterization of each. It would’ve lengthened the novel, true, but I found this a quick read. Nonetheless, wanting more from a novel is always better than wanting less.

The Shadow Realm has many elements I hoped it would have when I bought it: an enchanting Halloween storyline and setting, references to the original stories, humor, and heart. If Ms. Manning continues this series, I honestly hope she doesn’t change much. It’s a winning combination.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9L7NQ44

Everything Else

Review of Potion

Potion is the first in a set of planned novels by Dorlana Vann in the Witchy Fairy Tale series. The narrative was assembled from a Kindle Vella offering into a novel for consumers who binge watch an entire series rather than week by week (raises hand).

Melrose is a loner girl in high school who suddenly receives attention from three popular girls—Phoenix, Violet, Star—known as The Bitches. Star befriends her briefly after an argument with the other two in the clique. When someone comes between Star and Melrose, mostly Melrose’s brother Lucas, the other two Bitches swoop in on Melrose to help her become popular. Lucas expects ulterior motives because of horrific events he shared with his sister when they were younger.

Lost memories, disguised enemies, and parental relationships combine to form a witches-among-us narrative that owes to fairy tales, the movie Bell, Book, and Candle, and The Craft. The pacing and writing are solid, pulling the reader along chapter after chapter with one revelation after another. Note that the point-of-view changes in each chapter among three of the main characters, one of which knows more but isn’t telling.

The characters go beyond the stock archetypes you’d expect. I thoroughly enjoyed the shifting alliances, especially when one, at great cost, decides to lie to throw off the others. This character turned out to be one of my favorites at the end of the novel. The brother and sister relationship also struck a genuine chord. At first, Lucas seems like a typical older brother, but then as more is revealed, his loyalty toward his sister becomes more evident.

So what sets Potion apart from other teenage, witch-inspired stories? The way the story incorporates its fairytale roots, for one. The callbacks to popular fairy tales were a great addition. All the characters have a backstory, and it’s not the one you think it is. Their histories played an entertaining part in a major revelation at the end of the book. And the intertwining of witches and teenage life is always fascinating to compare and contrast.

Potion promises more at the end of the novel. With this delightful series, I’m keen to go back to this world and see the further adventures of these characters.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2ZRR7L7

Everything Else

Review of Proxima War for Peace

Cover for Proxima War for Peace

The third entry in the Proxima series, Proxima: War for Peace, picks up eighteen years later than the end of the second novel. In the first two novels, humans discovered the evil Othauls when landing on a distant planet, Hyera (or Proxima b), inhabited by a race called Proximinians. The Othauls are like the King John’s of the universe, flying around and collecting heavy taxes from other worlds. Fortunately, they haven’t found Earth yet. Liam and Ann Donovan are quietly persuading different alien races to join an alliance, and one day, stand up to the Othauls.

The book continues the narratives of many other characters introduced in the first two novels. In separate threads, a trio of law officers chase a terrorist who wants to rid our galaxy of non-humans, and Liam and Ann’s son, Mason, debates the moral implications of starting a war. But with the arrival of a wife of a long-lost character, and a desperate rescue mission on Proxima b, Liam and Ann separate. They decide it’s time to confront the Othauls, but where and how will they do it? With an interesting twist in the second act, the novel rushes toward its climatic ending.

This is equal parts science fiction and action-adventure. Many different characters and species come together to show off their powers and heroism. This book owes more to Starship Troopers than Star Wars, though it’s as fast paced as any space opera. The second book had Liam and Ann visit multiple planets. This one has less exploration of new worlds but manages to include many alien landscapes. There’s much here to thrill the science fiction reader.

When the conflict arrives, the scenes are well-thought out. I especially liked Mason’s thread and his personal journey, mostly in the middle of the novel. The group of characters he was a part of separate at one point, and it was interesting to see what happens to each one.

I appreciated the questions raised about war at the start of the novel, and the effect of those questions later on the Donovan family. Not one, but multiple rescue missions occur. One rescue mission showed the solid bonds of family and friendship even in the face of war. Though I thought this particular rescue mission’s timing was a stretch to believe, I found it a nice counterpart to the other sequences occurring at the same time. The battles had real consequences for some of the characters—it’s not only red shirts who were being killed.

Proxima: War for Peace ends a trilogy about man’s desire to continue its existence, its interactions with species outside of its own, and the eventual conflict between them. Broad in scope and brought to a satisfying conclusion, Proxima: War for Peace is an exciting science fiction novel.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B8TLRY5

Everything Else

Which Kingdom Queen do you prefer?

I have five Kingdom queens who rule equally in my series of Kingdom Fantasy (portraits below).

All pay tribute to their namesake and honor their title as fairytale queens. Yet even these queens have shortcomings. The residents of Kingdom, though ruled by all five, see the queens as we see celebrities on Earth. And like us, they prefer one to the others (and sometimes make themselves up like them). Who would you prefer if you lived in Kingdom?

Penta

The queen of queens. The “rule equally” thing wouldn’t work without her guidance.

Source Fairy Tales: Penta (Italian), The Maiden Without Hands (Grimm)

Pro: Takes on the “oldest sibling burden.” Sacrifices everything for her people and her sisters.

Con: Her temper can get the best of her at the worst of times.

Helga

Do Not Save the Princess – Lauren Nalepa

The warrior queen. She fights how she loves – with everything she has. 

Source Fairy Tales: The Marsh King’s Daughter (Andersen), Helga (Icelandic)

Pro: Don’t let her stony exterior fool you, she has as much a fairytale princess heart as any of the rest.

Con: She’s the hardest on herself and that can limit her effectiveness.

Valencia

The humble queen. In the gutters, Valencia sold her matches and befriended the poorest of the poor.

Source Fairy Tale: The Little Match Girl (Andersen)

Pro: She never forgets her downtrodden beginnings and shares with those less fortunate.

Con: Sometimes she’s a bit stubborn in her point-of-view.

Cinderella

The joyous queen. Want a good party? Attend one of Cinderella’s. 

Source Fairy Tales: Cinderella (Grimm, not Perault)

Pro: A glass half-full girl with a head full of romantic ideals, especially trying to play matchmaker to her sisters.

Con: Her attention may be diverted from what’s really important.

Snow White

The friendship queen. When you meet her, you meet your new best friend..

Source Fairy Tale: Snow White (Grimm), Snow-White and Red-Rose (Grimm)

Pro: She gives everyone, rich and poor alive, her full attention.

Con: In a mirror, she often lingers and gives herself her full attention.

Everything Else

Review of Havok Vice and Virtue

Havok publishes an anthology two times a year with a variety of genres (fantasy, science fiction, thriller, comedy, mystery) and theme (vice and virtue). Anthology series are hard to review unless a system is in place. For Vice and Virtue, I returned to my system where I rate each offering on a scale from 1-10 in the following categories: story, mechanics, and theme. Story is simply how much I enjoyed the entry. Mechanics is not only grammar (often excellent thanks to Havok editors), but the use of language and the author’s stylistic choices. The theme rating is how well authors incorporated the theme into their stories.

This anthology’s theme was interesting. Vice and Virtue proposed many sub-categories to focus on: cowardice, courage, pride, humility, etc. Yet, I had a difficult time teasing out the theme for some of these stories. If I couldn’t discern it, I found my focus slightly diverted from the plot.

The following all deserve recognition for adherence to story, mechanics, and theme. Thirteen Minutes to Kill (excitingly provided by Taylor Rae), Fear of Furniture (creatively supplied by James Scott Bell), One More Time Around (hauntingly written by K.M. Hasling), A Broken Spirit (movingly served up by Andrew Winch), Incendiary (intriguingly offered by Maia Rebekah), Sweets and Soured (delightfully recorded by Emily Barnett), Storing Up Treasures (grippingly described by Ryan Bush), and A Christmas Equation (festively plotted by Hannah Carter).

The Reader’s Choice Award, Dragons are not Heroes by Emily Barnett, was also high on my list. The dragon’s point-of-view and the arc that occurs in this very short tale is striking and deserves the award it received. A Matter of Pride by Hannah Carter nails the theme of pride—it received a top rating—but also explores this vice’s “other” side as well. And Caleb A Robinson’s The Proxy with its selfless main character grabbed my attention, exploring a new twist on what is a usually disturbing concept in science fiction.

Finally, Cadenza by Hailey Huntington, is an accomplishment of flash fiction. An offbeat tale of a pianist haunted by her past is deeply moving. The incorporation of musical terms as nouns and adjectives is clever and effective. And the character’s arc from a stifled life to making peace with her past nailed the theme.

When I read it, I thought Cadenza was a bit of an anomaly for Havok’s genres. Havok specializes in urban fantasy, high fantasy, and science fiction. The publication also offers a mystery, thriller and a comedy category, yet fantasy and sci-fi elements dominate these genres as well. As readers consume fantasy after scifi after fantasy, they expect the next story to have some form of unnatural element to it. Cadenza does not. It’s a tightly written, one-scene, engaging story. And I noticed many more stories in this particular anthology were similar.

For the first time, I decided to record and count the genres of each story. I was surprised at the results. Clearly, urban fantasy (followed closely by sci-fi) was what I’d described most of these offerings, but many were non-magical, non-sci-fi stories. I counted nine that I would classify as either a true mystery, historical fiction, or contemporary. I would encourage Havok to continue to even out the selections in their anthology in this way. The variety keeps the readers wanting more.

Overall, in general, the anthology seems stronger in the second half than the first—though a few examples contradict that assertion. The mix-up of speculative to non-speculative fiction was welcome. I was slightly disappointed in how few horror pieces were included—thrillers were mostly of the action variety. Everything was polished and well-written, a Havok staple. I believe most people will easily find several stories that they’ll love. Stories that will stick with them long after they embark on their (hopefully) virtuous endeavors of the day.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2RSC3R8

Everything Else

Will Be Done – Behind the Scenes

If you’ve come across this page, a warning. I plan on revealing secrets about my novel, Will Be Done. Be ye forewarned that spoilers a-plenty are ahead. If you’d rather not know some fun facts about the novel, stop reading now.

Cover Daniel Johnson

The cover of Will Be Done depicts various elements of the novel. Will Be Done is a travel adventure meaning the main characters traverse across Kingdom to restore the queens. This is why the compass design is prominent on the cover with a version of the map behind it.

The compass points depict the four symbols of the original four queens, lacking only Snow White’s apple now that she is no longer royalty. Clockwise from top, you’ll notice Cinderella’s slipper, Helga’s frog, Valencia’s “little match,” and Penta’s gloves. The four quadrants in the compass illustrate elements from the story, notably, the Pipes of Perringon, the dagger Hero controls, Penta’s necklace with a soda can charm—her “ring,” and our newest princess, Rapunzel.

Speaking of Rapunzel, her tower sits on the bottom of the cover. It is in the middle of its Towers of Hanoi transformation as executed by Sanders midway through the book.

Some fun Easter eggs in the novel and back story.

The third chapter takes place in the 100-acre wood. When it came to introducing a new world, I wanted to avoid common fantasy environments like Neverland and Narnia.  I knew instantly I wanted the 100-acre wood once I thought of it, but wouldn’t my adult readers think it silly? You may judge, but I’m rather proud of Sondra’s final comments in that chapter. Our society has lost a lot of its innocence and not for the better.

Speaking of the 100-acre wood, I originally wrote Will Be Done in 2017. To avoid infringing on Milne’s copyright, I described it vaguely. My early readers didn’t connect it to the Winnie-the-Pooh setting, and it became just a vague, innocent world. Wondering what I could do, I searched references to Milne for inspiration. To my surprise, the copyright ended in 2023, allowing me to use the setting, Winnie-the-Pooh, and Christopher Robbin from the original story.

Many of the chapter titles are musical terms, relating to both the music-centered plot and the mood or events of the chapter. So Scherzando is a music term for “playful.” Perfect for the 100-acre wood. Berceuse is a lullaby for Valencia’s baby. Teneramente means play with tenderness, and it headlines both Beauty’s lovely farewell to Grr and Cinderella’s reunion with her prince, Roger.

People ask me if characters will return in later novels. Many characters return from the first three novels in the Kingdom series. The queens and others from the first novel are represented here. Sylvia first appeared in the second novel, On Earth, As It Is. I didn’t expect her to turn into Snow White when I first wrote about her, but her progression has worked out rather well. Sanders disguises herself as many characters from that novel; for example, Charlie and Paisley. Alice also is from the second novel. From the third novel, we have Lenore and Julia. While not described in this novel, Lenore is Poe’s The Raven, transplanted to a fairytale world. Julia, is an amalgam of characters, but named after the main female character of 1984. Even characters from my short stories in Kingdom’s Ascension appear in the text. Gilbert Grossenroid, a failed writer from Kingdom’s Ascension, is featured at the Ghael Inn when the queens visit. Will characters introduced in Will Be Done appear in future novels? Of course!

The Towers of Hanoi is a real puzzle that you can play online. Yes, not a leap to see how I put together Rapunzel’s “tower” and the “towers” of Hanoi, but I had fun writing that passage.

What’s in a name? I always make up silly names for my characters, but in this novel “Big Mac” is a clue. My hope as a writer is that you read it thinking Jim was being silly again and didn’t connect it to Joseph McQuin, a character Alice mentions in the second chapter. But the other names are mostly played for laughs. Wysdel is an almost-anagram of Disney. Mr. Silly Putty was a fun one to make up. I’m not sure where Sinope came from; it just felt right for a sprite. And Pollytheenpam? Well if you have Pennilane (Penny Lane), doesn’t Pollytheenpam (Pollythene Pam) make sense? And if you remember a lyric from Pollythene Pam, the Beatles sing “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” And then in Polyphony chapter, you have this exchange.

Wysdel broke away and grimaced. “But Polytheenpam?”

Cinderella waved at her. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

I originally envisioned the cover of the book to be Radiance’s Retreat, the illustration in the same named chapter. Dan did a fantastic job on it, and you can view it in full color elsewhere on this blog, but I was wrong to think that was the cover. When I asked Dan to change and collaborated more with him, we came up with one of the best covers in the series, in my opinion. I really learned something in this series about how a vision may turn into tunnel vision until you invite others express their creativity.

Lastly, some statistics that some may find interesting. Most of the first draft for Will Be Done was written in 2017, the year after I published the first in the Kingdom series. The second revision finished in July 2022. My early readers finished in March 2023. My editor worked on it in May 2023. My illustrator and I have been talking about it since the end of 2022. Finally, I published this novel on July 4, 2023.

Everything Else

Review of Bearly Free

Cover of Bearly Free

The Emerald Realm Series continues with Bearly Free by Abigail Manning. A minor character in the first novel of the series, Aurelia Lockly takes center stage in this novel about a young woman whose parents arrange her marriage without informing her of her upcoming nuptials until the day she meets her suitor. When Ms. Lockly’s parents reveal their wedding plans the morning of her coming-of-age party later, sixteen-year-old Aurelia hightails it away. But being a young lady, our heroine isn’t used to living on her own. Soon, she realizes she’s in over her head and discovers a deserted mansion to rest in. However, the house she found isn’t deserted for long.

Elsewhere in the Reviews section, I’ve listed quite a few Snow White retellings, but a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is rare. It’s a delight to read a book that retells a fairytale that is harder to adapt. Here, Goldilocks/Aurelia is aged up, and the bears are a bit different than one might expect. The narrative follows the main plot points of the short fairy tale, but the author also cleverly weaves a tale uniquely her own. To the novel’s advantage, the original story elements don’t overwhelm the new plot.

In this version, Aurelia finds herself snooping around the mansion while the owners of the residence inhabit it. The chapters dealing with her trying to stay hidden make for some engrossing scenes. Additionally, there are some delightfully funny moments of Aurelia being unladylike and sharply criticizing high society. The story doesn’t end when Aurelia steals away from the house either, continuing an engaging plot that is sure to keep the reader’s attention.

Aurelia is an enjoyable character. She yearns to be free and make her own decisions, the desire of everyone. Unlike Goldilocks, however, she doesn’t want to stay for long in the bear’s residence. The story revolves around her antics there, whether she’s physically present in the mansion or not. All supporting characters are properly heroic or villainous. And while I’d hoped Aurelia had more control at the climax of the novel, the ending of the book is action-packed and creatively designed.

A wonderful idea, an exciting ending, and some callbacks to the original fairytale make Bearly Free a terrific retelling. The first two books of the Emerald Realm series are both winners.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QBFNJMK

Everything Else

Review of Haven

In Haven, author Ashley Nicole establishes a future that could well have been our own. The Mors Certa Virus, or MCV20, has infected a large segment of the population of Earth. This disease is so dangerous that those without the virus, called the Pure, have erected walls around cities, keeping out the infected. Within the boundary of the city lives Lyric.

Lyric is trapped within multiple walls. She’s not allowed to leave the city, the apartment building she lives in or her room on her own. She’s escorted everywhere by a guard. This protection is all due to the fact that she’s the mayor’s daughter.

Lyric longs for the freedom to explore the outside city and even dares to one day to experience the world beyond the walls. For now, she’s stuck inside with her father who works tirelessly with scientists and doctors on a cure. But she has friends. Her protective guard Miles and a helper in the building, Julia, do their best to make Lyric’s captivity comfortable. Even Clang, the robot dog, brings some joy to her secluded life. Eventually, Lyric is allowed to go on one excursion into the city, and this is when everything changes for her.

Haven is an upbeat novel despite being set in a dystopia. This book is not the oppressive noir you may expect—even the cover is filled with bright colors. In the city, the reader experiences delightful encounters with the technology along with Lyric. Not to say the novel has no darkness, as a place called Lantern Alley holds some truly evil dealings.

Characters have more going on than meets the eye. Miles plays the part of Lyric’s steadfast soldier, but he aspires to be more than a Guard. Another character, Charlie, has a tortured past, and no matter what Lyric says and does, she can’t penetrate his grudges. One character reveals their true intentions in the epilogue, and that confession is an eyebrow-raising twist. The novel starts off seeming like a typical YA dystopia with a standard cast, but the characters’ depth and their motivations elevate it.

The writing is straightforward with an emphasis on sensual detail—this works when seen through Lyric’s eyes. The length is on the shorter side, so the narrative flows well, each chapter advancing the story appropriately. Lyric is a likable hero. That said, this book might have benefitted from Lyric being a bit more dismissive of the people outside the walls at first, perhaps resenting their freedom while she’s in a cage. This would’ve given her a moral quandary for what she wanted (to be free and outside) and what prevents it (the infected). Nevertheless, she grows as a person before the end of the novel.

This novel is subtitled Beyond the Wall – Book One. Though this offering comes to a satisfying conclusion, I hope Lyric’s adventures continue in future installments. The worldbuilding, the tension between the Pure and the infected, and the lessons Lyric still needs to learn would make for a fascinating sequel.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V89944H

Signed Copies: https://www.ashleynicolewrites.com/books