IndieReader Discovery Awards 2024 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
THE SOUL CONVEYS ITSELF IN SHADOW (El alma se mueve en la sombra) is an anthology with a powerful and raw expression of poetic identity. Its pattern is kaleidoscopic, woven with vibrant threads of diverse voices, delving into themes of love, loss, and liberation. It is not a book one simply reads; it’s an experience, a communion with the multifaceted soul of language. The translations, while literal in their approach, effectively capture the original voices of the authors. Additionally, the artwork is intricately detailed and visually stunning.
Zaayin Salaam’s WITH LOVE, FROM PLANET B is a beautifully constructed speculative fiction book that follows main characters Zara and Lex as they navigate a dangerous, futuristic world. The book defies singular classification as it intertwines romance, spirituality, and science fiction elements in its suspenseful and emotionally charged narrative while it critically comments on themes ranging from the effects of climate crises to the repercussions of capitalistic corporations and radically different societies. This book will prove enlightening for readers looking to challenge their perspectives on the status quo and humanity’s role in changing the environment for the worse.
In DRAG QUEEN ZOMBIES by Weston King, readers are immersed in the thrilling and gritty world of drag culture, where ambition and rivalry collide in unexpected ways. The vivid portrayal of characters like Lovely Lace and Ecstasy Colorado adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling read for those fascinated by the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of fame. The author’s skillful storytelling will keep readers engaged until the very end.
Donna Berger and Will Searcy write a memoir LIVING THROUGH LOSS is so emotionally anguished and heartbreaking that it will bring readers through the harrowing journey of grief. Through her Christ-centered approach, Berger details the fathomless tragedy of losing her children and husband yet narrowly escaping with her own life. She offers hope and encouragement that life can come to light even after such an inconceivable loss.
RISE OF THE WARRIOR LEADER by Claudio Chiste offers practical guidance for those aiming to become leaders in today’s rapidly changing world. The book contains fresh and unique insights on critical leadership skills, blending in the author’s personal experiences within the military and corporate spheres. The author incorporates realistic advice for building fortitude, earning trust and sharpening a leadership mindset daily. Furthermore, the author references historical figures from many cultures to bolster his advice. The book will prove helpful for readers who want to improve their leadership skills as it is grounded in the modern era, considering aspects such as the impact of social media and the evolving definitions of leadership.
A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO SEARCH AND RESCUE by Mary Carroll Moore weaves the narrative of a tangled web of mysteries and family secrets as a young musician runs from her past, towards attempts at a future with a half-sister she’s never met. The realistically flawed characters are relatable and bring out moments of lightheartedness amidst a story with otherwise heartbreaking topics.
Gripping from page one, Charlotte Zang and Alex Knudsen’s LOST GROVE: Part One is a paranormal thriller that features a group of teens and a grizzled ex-detective as they try to piece together a murder in their small coastal town. The novel mixes classic folk myth with contemporary small-town mystery, and it will leave thriller fans on the edge of their seat till the very last page.
Morgan Rankin’s BUTTERFLIES AND DIMES is the gentle reminder everyone needs to find assurance in the world around them after the loss of a loved one. Sweetly illustrated by Zachery Manza, this gentle introduction to navigating grief through enduring friendship and recognizing heartwarming signs, like finding dimes or seeing butterflies, is a beautiful story and lovely tribute.
Emotions are heightened throughout France when Emperor Napoleon 3 is defeated by the Prussians in L.M. Twist’s LOUIS MIE AND THE TRIAL OF HAUTEFAYE. Anyone, everyone is a spy – and peasants in a small village near Dordogne gang-murder one noble, Alain de Monéys. Along with flashbacks of the real-life incident, the rest of the tale zeroes in on the trial, defense lawyer Louis Mie, and the fate awaiting those charged with the killing. A true moment in time, vividly brought to life (with a few gruesome details).
COMPASS POINTS by Jillian Witt set in an artfully sketched fantasy world centred around elemental magic, following the main characters Rose and Luc on their journey. Rose is a gifted weapons maker with magical powers from a remote village – she is forced to make hard choices when Luc, a representative from faraway lands, seeks her out. Rose and Luc’s romantic relationship blooms beautifully along with the plot, keeping readers invested with a slow-burn trope. Furthermore, the writing style is accessible and light-hearted, with shorter chapters and moving dialogues, rendering the book perfect for readers looking for a romantic yet riveting fantasy.
SAGE AND THE CRYSTAL BOT: Turamali Life is the perfect example of a text that makes a reader want fiction to be real. Author S. Sky envisions a solution to Earth’s problems with a TURAMALI crystal that heals all plant and animal life. Unfortunately, human selfishness, greed, and desire for power are immune to its mystical properties, but the changes TURAMALI brings also bring hope for a better future.
In SAGE AND THE CRYSTAL BOT: TELEPATHY TIDE, S. Sky unfolds another gripping sci-fi adventure as Sage and her friends navigate the aftermath of the desert’s transformation into a thriving forest. With the forest’s seeds causing mysterious effects on the population, Sage is thrust back into action, facing the daunting task of saving the world once again.
Join Sage on a daring quest to save the desert alongside a telepathic companion in the first installment of SAGE AND THE CRYSTAL BOT by S. Sky. DESERT SURGE is not just an electrifying sci-fi adventure but also a narrative with relatable characters and crucial insights into climate change and ecology. Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of bravery and environmental consciousness!
When wealthy Isabela Soto defies her strict father and marries impoverished yet fiercely ambitious Marco Rios, she believes them to be ideological soulmates, uniting to provide better conditions for poverty-stricken Puerto Ricans. But her expectations are short-lived as Marco’s business successes alter his sympathies and spirited Isabela struggles to find fulfillment, leading her to make some reckless decisions. Margarita Barresi’s A DELICATE MARRIAGE is a beautifully written, involving and absorbing story, richly detailed with the vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture and set against the fascinating backdrop of the political unrest that dominated the Island in the early/mid-twentieth century. Through Marco and Isabela’s ideals, experiences, and relationships, Barresi also explores class prejudice and colonialism in this sumptuously good debut novel.
LOOPHOLE by Alex Hugie is set in a world where getting away with wrongdoing is impossible. Here, a young woman gets embroiled in a murky labyrinth while trying to save a disgraced section of society whose past misdeeds have condemned them to a life of suffering. Great characterization and disposition make this a compelling and relevant urban fantasy text with an impressive view of societal issues such as liberty and social balance.
WHERE TWO WORLDS MEET by River Faire is a memoir that beautifully combines elements from lyrical poetry, romance and travel writing, touching on spirituality, nature and self-reflection on the human psyche. The book details the author’s return to England to care for his ex-partner, Robert and is brimming with sensory details–from scenes of pastoral England to domestic acts such as cooking. The relationship between River and Robert blooms quietly, touching the reader in the novel’s shifting landscapes. Fans of experimental storytelling and captivating use of language will enjoy this book.
These days only a minor percentage of adults haven’t heard of or interacted with a person with Alzheimer’s (or other forms of dementia). Author Nicole J. Smith’s story–told in her memoir DIAGNOSIS DEMENTIA is sad, filled with pain and anger as well as determination to ensure her mother landed in a safe place. Smith intersperses her personal tale with good recommendations for tools, emotional support, advisors/counselors – and lots of reading/viewing lists. Start here for first steps.
Author James A. Humphrey, inspired by his documented ancestors, writes about the lamentable journey on the Trail of Tears in CHEROKEE ROSE, part two of his historical fiction trilogy. His writing brings to life to modern readers the tragedy, the injustice, and the cruelty of this unforgivable time in U.S. history. Respectfully written, this absorbing story keeps the reader captivated until a bitter-sweet end.