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!
A MEMORY OF FICTIONS (OR) JUST TIDDY-BOOM by Leonce Gaiter offers a deeply nuanced exploration of identity, race, and personal ambition, with a raw and lyrical narrative that delves into the life of Jessie Grandier III. Gaiter’s evocative prose captures the struggle of a Black, gay artist in 1980s America, while seamlessly weaving in Jessie’s complex relationships with his family, particularly the haunting shadow of his father. This novel is a powerful, introspective journey that challenges the reader with its rich character study and striking sociocultural insights.
A South Carolina farm is the setting for a multi-generational, two-volume story of the Hamiltons. Starting in 1937, Mark A Gibson’s A SONG THAT NEVER ENDS introduces brothers Mack Lee and Jimmy – the first, a ‘bad’ boy who drinks his way to lameness; the second, suffering through a tragedy that, eventually, tears him away from home, to college and then Vietnam. A good picture of the world and its views at that time, populated with both sympathetic and disagreeable characters in a literal ‘cliffhanger’ – leaving readers ready for Book II.
EDGAR’S NEW FRIEND by Charleen G. Briggs is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of friendship and acceptance, despite differences. The story’s positive message of finding common ground and embracing diversity makes it an enjoyable read for young readers.
In a nod to mythic Gilgamesh’s journeys for the fountain of youth elixir, author Michael Drakich has a flair for characters both human and alien in antagonistic complex relationships, in a futuristic space setting that leaves earth as the remnant layover. THE GILGAMESH PATH entertains with dazzling sci-fi fights whether by phasers or hand-to-hand combat as several factions on the brink of all-out war keep each other in check from total annihilation while searching for the secret immortal gift.
Kika Emers exceptionally crafts an immortal beings YA fantasy, intertwining a secret supernatural world within actual world history in REMEMBER POMPEII. Far different from the typical YA “chosen one” trope, the first in the Wanshiqi Trilogy introduces forced multiple reincarnations as a prison sentence, which would be hell for any teenager to live over again. Fragile humans are at the whim of power-hungry supernatural beings, yet it is the theme of family redemption, compassion and sacrifice for loved ones; showing love is not a weakness in this must-read series.
Paula Manto’s promising world crashes when the gifted 18-year-old falls pregnant. It’s New Jersey, 1968, and her Italian family turns their back on her. Carson Pepe always knew he was adopted but as the fifty-four-year-old lawyer searches for meaning to his life, he realizes it can only come from one person, his birth mother. Told through Paula and Carson’s parallel narratives, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN is an absorbing and touching study of adoption, choices, and consequences. Paula’s vibrant, free-spirited story set against the Jersey Shore music scene contrasts movingly with Carson’s present-day introspection in this captivatingly good novel.
Homeowners living in “communities” are bound to LOL when reading UP YOUR HOA HOLE by B.J. Irons. When the first openly gay couple moves into a neighborhood that seems like a perfect setting for acceptance and friendship, the homeowners’ association rears its ugly head of bias and homophobia in the name of a “perfect” lifestyle. Still, this fictional look at HOA life has all the humorous elements of smoldering gossip, nosiness, and social dynamics.
THE OTHERS by Evette Davis is a captivating paranormal romance that weaves together intricate storylines, well-developed characters, and a richly detailed world. The author’s ability to balance political intrigue, social issues, and supernatural elements creates a thrilling narrative that keeps readers engaged.
FAYTHE OF NORTH HINKAPEE by James T. Hogg is a captivating tale that intricately weaves a young woman’s quest for justice and love in Colonial America. The book’s vivid characters and engaging story line make it a compelling read, drawing readers into a world filled with adventure and emotion.
FIRE HORSE by Pat Olney delves deeply into themes of grief, loss, and the intricate connection between humanity and the natural world. Olney’s rich descriptions paint a powerful picture of a man struggling to cope with a heartbreaking loss. The book challenges readers to contemplate the human experience and the strength needed to overcome life’s most difficult challenges.
REMAKING THE SPACE BETWEEN US by Diana McLain Smith is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of how citizens can work together to build a better future for all, offering practical advice and real-world examples of people bridging divides to create positive change.
ARE YOU MY MENTOR? by Markeith and Irma Porter, beautifully illustrated by Sabrina Arciniega, cleverly conveys the significance of mentorship through an imaginative journey. With its endearing characters and playful narrative, the book encourages young readers to recognize the value of seeking guidance and wisdom from others. It’s positive message about the transformative power of mentorship makes it an essential read for children navigating their path to success.
DEMON’S SONG ( by Julie Boglisch immerses readers in a unique and fascinating world where Alex, a slave in the Underlands, embarks on a perilous journey to find freedom after being framed for murder. Along the way, he faces both allies and adversaries, including a relentless demon hunter and an ambitious witch, as he navigates the treacherous beauty of the Underlands. This gripping tale, filled with humor, danger, and mystery, makes for a compelling fantasy adventure.
When twenty-five-year-old unemployed Rudy Hodgens is evicted from his step-parent’s house, he takes one of his stepfather’s firearms in a fit of temper. The stolen pistol begins to create serious consequences which Rudy, having got his life on track, desperately tries to avoid. However, when his world comes crashing down, the theft of the gun is not the only startling revelation. THE REVENGE PARADOX starts as a tense domestic drama that evolves into a highly readable thriller eventually ending in a rush of cinematic violence. Author Regina Buttner unfolds her narrative through alternating first-person perspectives that connect and collide in this fast-paced, fluent, and suspenseful novel.
Everrette Hall’s GNATS, HUMIDITY AND MURDER immerses readers into 1970s Southern Georgia with its vivid descriptions of scenery and idiosyncratic personalities as a young lawyer charged with defending an accused widow must parse through the small town gossip to discover the truth behind the husband’s murder.
INSPIRATIONAL LOVE is a set of heartfelt vignettes penned by Vernon John Sinnott, with themes related to lasting affection, lost adoration, emotions connected to love, and the love for family. Composed with wisdom, the poetic entries muse through various situations and experiences, evoking a keen awareness and emotional response in their audience through discourse. The intimacy with which the poems are written feels like readers are leafing through the poet’s journal, an aspect that many poetry fans are likely to welcome with relish.
In HEMINGWAY, Nate Cleveland intricately weaves together multiple character perspectives and seemingly unconnected stories within an overarching emotional tale about a high school whose students are forever changed by the suicide of a troubled, loner student; prompting deep self-reflection that transcends the pages.
Douglas A. Burton’s THE HEROINE’S LABYRINTH offers a groundbreaking perspective on storytelling, unveiling the hidden treasures of the female Hero’s Journey. The book’s deep dive into the nature of the soul through archetypal wisdom and its innovative framework for understanding heroine-centric narratives make it a valuable read for writers seeking to explore the feminine perspective in storytelling.