Biographies and Memoirs

The Faraway Mountains

Radu Guiasu | Biographies and Memoirs

Radu Guiașu’s The Faraway Mountains melds the themes of friendship, freedom, and the haunting shadows of life under a repressive regime to deliver a spellbinding experience for readers. Set against the backdrop of Romania's communist past, the narrative hinges on a hiking expedition that unfolds as both an adventure and a philosophical exploration. The plot centers on three friends—Alex, Victor, and Dan—embarking on a challenging trek in the mountainous wilderness. Their camaraderie and personal struggles emerge vividly as they traverse the rugged terrain, revealing underlying tensions and past traumas. The journey to summit the enigmatic Bandits' Mountain becomes a metaphor for confronting...

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Most Recent Reviews

Echo

Kenneth James Allen (Independently published (October 1, 2024))

| Reviewed by Sarah Harkness

Kenneth James Allen’s Echo is a gritty thriller that follows Eli Cruz, a man whose life unravels in the wake of a tragic incident that claims the lives of his friends, Tyler and Dylan. He is a gifted hacker whose activity pits two powerful crime syndicates against each other. His curiosity and daring bring in more than he could ever have imagined, and it is not long before he is fighting for his life and those he loves. The plot is ingeniously conceived and skillfully executed, with a quick pacing that compels readers through Eli's journey's ha...

Captain Moretti's Daughter

Sally Dipaula (Defiance Press & Publishing)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

In Captain Moretti’s Daughter, Sally E. DiPaula delivers a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of a 1960s cargo ship, creating a rich setting that intertwines with themes of identity, fear, and resilience. 15-year-old Francesca Moretti (Frankie) finds herself in the tumultuous waters of life after her mother's death and her father's absence, leading her into a world of danger and mystery. The plot centers around Frankie’s search for the murder of a crew member, the wiper named Kristian, aboard the ship Il Destino, captained by her fat...

The Assays of Ata

K.I.S. (K. Schultz)

| Reviewed by Brenda Baiocchi

K. I. S.'s The Assays of Ata is a spellbinding fantasy tale brimming with intrigue, political machinations, and the struggle for survival against the backdrop of a nightmarish setting and formidable foes. Set in the richly imagined world of Áitarbith, the story follows Ata—a Pandial spy masquerading as a maid in the Cinnaen royal household. The setting—a glass-encased palace highlighted by its fragility and vulnerability amid a winter storm—acts as both a luxurious home and a precarious haven fraught with danger. Ata's covert operations reveal...

Lookin' for Love: A Novel

Susen Edwards (She Writes Press)

| Reviewed by George Buehlman

Susen Edwards’ Lookin' for Love delivers a deeply moving tale that spans decades. It chronicles the tumultuous life of Ava Novak, a character shaped by a painful childhood, multiple tumultuous relationships, and the search for self-worth and stability amidst chaos. The novel's depth lies in its rich character development, intricate conflicts, plot twists, and a setting that evolves alongside Ava's journey. It is 1963, and nineteen-year-old Ava is trapped in a cycle of violence and despair after marrying an alcoholic and being cast aside by...

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