IndieReader Discovery Awards 2025 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
SHADOW LEGACY, Colleen Mitchell’s gripping debut novel, is a dark and thrilling tale of power, forbidden love, and destiny—where Rowan is rescued from cruelty by the ancient vampire Casimir and they embark on a perilous journey to uncover her past. As their growing attraction deepens into a passionate love, Rowan discovers her unsettling ability to control vampires, leading them to unravel the shocking truth of her powers and a dangerous master vampire’s ruthless plot to take over the kingdom. With heart-pounding action, rich world-building, and an electrifying romance, Mitchell delivers a captivating story that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
D R Berlin’s THE THIRD ESTATE: SECRETS OF THE MANOR delivers action-packed intrigue through a storyline teeming with spy-craft and witty dialogue that builds affinity to the engaging protagonist, a young woman vying to exceed expectations while maintaining her moral compass as family secrets come to light.
SEEK THE RISK by Adam Darrow is a candid and thought-provoking memoir that explores the author’s unconventional journey into non-monogamy. With vivid storytelling and raw introspection, Darrow intertwines his love for extreme sports with the emotional highs and challenges of open relationships. His experiences push boundaries, offering a compelling look at the intersection of risk, desire, and personal growth.
DRUMS OF A DISTANT TRIBE by David H. Hutton offers an intimate glimpse into a life shaped by personal trials, cultural shifts, and spiritual awakenings. With keen insight and raw honesty, Hutton captures the essence of resilience and the pursuit of meaning, making it a deeply reflective and memorable read.
DON’T LET CHACHA DIE by Carrie Herthwell is a compelling dystopian novel that explores themes of identity, conformity, and resistance. Set in the oppressive regime of the God-King, the story follows Chacha, a teenager grappling with their illegal ‘bent’ gender identity in a society where deviation is punishable by death. Herthwell masterfully portrays Chacha’s internal struggle and the psychological torment of forced conformity, while highlighting the transformative power of genuine human connection through Chacha’s relationship with Setha. The novel’s rich world-building and well-developed characters immerse readers in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
Canadian YouTuber Murielle Gagné’s THE INNOVATIVE GUIDE TO FASHION AND BEAUTY features interviews with prominent Canadian fashion designers and jewelry designers, as well as industry figures working in leather, care products, and cosmetics. This lavishly illustrated book contains fascinating insights into the world of Canadian fashion, rendered in the designers’ own words.
Taking readers on a hauntingly graphic stroll through a long-forgotten town left to urban decay, James Fouty’s THE COAL MINE is brimming with striking descriptions and uses meticulous detail to portray the malignant darkness surrounding every inch of this decrepit city. The journey of the main character to rid the town of its mysterious evil forces, articulately parallels his tragic home life that he hides away from in the very woods most people fear.
ADJACENT TO HISTORY by John J. Rilli is an intricate and heartfelt journey through genealogy, historical events, and personal discovery. By weaving his family’s immigrant saga with larger historical contexts, Rilli creates a rich tapestry of resilience, identity, and cultural preservation. This book is a treasure for history enthusiasts and anyone curious about uncovering the hidden stories of their lineage.
SOMETHING BETTER by Diane Parrish is a heartfelt debut that masterfully weaves themes of grief, forgiveness, and redemption into an engaging narrative. Through its authentic characters and evocative prose, the book offers a poignant reflection on love and the human spirit, leaving readers deeply moved and inspired.
A. T. Balsara’s THE GREAT & THE SMALL features beautiful illustrations and thought-provoking themes of loyalty, courage, and the consequences of hate, creating a rich, compelling world. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Fin—a young, conflicted rat caught between loyalty to his tyrannical uncle who seeks revenge against the humans who have tormented their kind and a newfound empathy toward humans—and Ananda, a human teenager navigating trauma and a strained relationship with her father. Blending the worlds of a war-torn underground rat society and Ananda’s emotional journey, the novel delves into political intrigue, emotional depth, and coming-of-age moments.
OMEGA I: THE CREATION is a gripping thriller that dives into the dark world of child sex trafficking and the failures of the legal system, following a group of ordinary citizens who take justice into their own hands by forming the Omega Group. David J. Story crafts a morally complex narrative with sharp, direct writing that immerses readers in both the victims’ suffering and the relentless pursuit of justice by the Omega Group. With fast-paced storytelling, vividly drawn characters, and a thought-provoking exploration of justice versus vengeance, this gripping novel combines emotional depth, high-stakes action, and an unflinching look at real-world horrors, making it a must-read for crime thriller fans seeking both intensity and substance.
Clarinetist David Singer’s biography, FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is a delightful mix of musical detail and life experience. As a young Jewish boy in the 1950’s, with parents and family members who escaped the horrors or World War II, he suffers from their trauma which often turns abusive. At the same time, his aptitude for music, especially the clarinet, opens new doors. He fell in love, married, made tough decisions in favor of his family, and cobbled together jobs to pay the bills while working on his music. That paved the way for performing for Presidents Carter and Clinton, and working with pianist Rudolf Serkin. Singer’s style is conversational and engaging. While he doesn’t shy away from the more disturbing incidents in his life, neither does he define himself by them. The love of music shines through, and the daily details of rehearsals, individual practice, performance, and building a life both in and out of the musical world are beautifully rendered. The details of his international adventures and his expressive curiosity shine, and the behind-the-scenes anecdotes are fascinating. The memoir FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is energetic, clever, and informative.
Scott Parrish’s BILOXI: A STORY OF HOPE is a stirring historical fiction novel set during the civil rights movement that resulted in school desegregation. Through ambivalent characters, such as Charlie, who loses a leg in a farm accident and is forced to move his family down south, where things are very different, the tense racially divided atmosphere is captured with blacks and whites refusing to mix in the recently desegregated school. However, when his son boldly decides to befriend their black neighbors, he and his wife must ask themselves whether it is enough to simply avoid cruelty or if they need to do more.
Jessica Levine’s third novel in the THREE COUSINS series takes place in the 1970’s, prior to the events in THE GEOMETRY OF LOVE and NOTHING FORGOTTEN. Julia, Robin, and Anna are all bright young college women, eager to define themselves and build lives of worth, art, and love. To do so, they have to navigate the misogyny put on them by their families and even, at times, by the men who claim to love them. Along the way, they learn about generational trauma, and how to unlearn the harmful lessons their mothers taught them out of lack of their own choices. The three central protagonists are engaging, smart, and funny. Their love and loyalty for each other, and the way they unite to help each other grow and change into the best they can be, makes for a terrific journey. Levine renders the obstacles, current events, joys, sorrows, and daily details of the time with a clear eye and a loving heart. A coming-of-age novel that makes the reader eager to know the rest of these characters’ lives, Jessica Levine’s THREE COUSINS will keep the reader’s light on well into the night for the best possible reasons.
Raising children is a different experience for most people, but because making parental mistakes is a part of the game, sharing the wisdom learned can be a valuable outcome. FIRESIDE REFLECTIONS: A PAPA’S LESSONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE by Alan Dahl gives readers a glimpse of life’s ups and downs and how building a strong family and personal character leads to a solid platform, generation after generation. With stories, lessons, and personal insight, the author lays out the realities of life.
THE LIFE AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF NO ONE by R.J. Fidalgo is a profound and deeply personal narrative that blends raw life experiences with spiritual awakening. Through vivid storytelling and introspection, the author takes readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery, offering insights into balance, resilience, and the pursuit of inner peace.
IMMORTAL GIFTS, the first book in the IMMORTAL VAMPIRES series by Katherine Villyard, reimagines the vampire tale through the eyes of Abraham, a Jewish violinist in 19th-century Prussia who becomes a vampire after a well-intentioned patron turns him. As he flees from an ancient enemy driven by intense hatred, Abraham’s journey spans centuries and continents—ultimately finding him in modern-day New Jersey, where he hopes for peace, only to discover that danger still lurks. A unique mix of historical depth, emotional complexity, and supernatural suspense, this novel explores the harsh realities of prejudice and survival, making it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and character-driven stories.
It’s not so easy to believe in what someone thinks is a fairy tale, but in THE BALLAD OF WALKER OWENS by Greg M. Dodd, the the story brings a father and son closer together. Easy-to-read chapters and an underlying theme of faith bring the story of time travel to an almost believable ending. Or is it really true? A fun, realistic fantasy that opens the door to “anything is possible” dimensions.