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!
FLIRTING WITH EXTINCTION by Joanna Kadish is a raw and poignant memoir that delves into the author’s personal journey of survival, loss, and profound grief. Through a series of stories, Kadish reflects on her thrilling, often dangerous experiences, from taming wild horses to navigating the devastating consequences of addiction within her family. With emotional honesty and insightful empathy, Kadish not only shares her heart-wrenching tragedies but also illuminates the resilience and wisdom she gained from them, making this book a compelling read that will resonate deeply with anyone confronting the complexities of life, love, and loss.
Peter Eliott’s A CHASM OF NIGHT concludes the Shadow Bidder trilogy with a visceral and unflinching descent into the heart of Hell’s Labyrinth, a city teetering on the edge of ruin and rebirth. The narrative follows Vazeer the Lash, a morally complex assassin, as he assembles a volatile alliance of criminals—including former enemies and lovers—to confront the sadistic warlord known as the Raving Blade. Eliott’s prose is both lyrical and brutal, immersing readers in a world rife with betrayal, obsession, and dark humor. The richly detailed setting serves not merely as a backdrop but as a character in its own right, reflecting the inner turmoil of its inhabitants. While the plot is relentless in its pacing, the story allows moments of introspection, exploring themes of redemption and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. The novel’s conclusion is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression.
Family businesses can be complicated, with dynamics that involve emotional entanglements, as well as practical money-making blueprints. IT’S YOUR COMPANY by Jeromy Metz and Kathryn A. Bolinske spells out methods to build a “shared vision” and balance in a family-versus- business-versus-non-family climate. With specific and strategic steps and real-world examples, the book provides readers with useful advice and a layout for their own businesses.
GLOSSOLALIA AND OTHER STORIES is an excellently-observed meditation on the possibility of contact with alien lifeforms. In clinical, incisive prose, John Lazarus explores the human condition in a collection of five stories that are sometimes witty, occasionally elegiac, but always compelling.
WORLD OF SHE by G.W. Darcie is a deeply introspective novel that explores themes of gender, identity, and the quiet resistance of those who take the path that defies societal constraints. Darcie’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, creating an immersive world that feels both intimate and universal. The novel truly shines in its psychological depth, offering a protagonist whose internal struggles and external conflicts resonate with raw authenticity. While the book’s narrative structure is unconventional and often shifts between stream-of-consciousness reflections and more traditional storytelling, this stylistic choice adds to its emotional weight. Some readers may find certain passages dense or abstract, but those willing to engage with its complexities will be rewarded with a deeply affecting and thought-provoking experience.
Elaine Stock’s book THE LAST SECRET KEPT deftly creates a dual-timeline story examining love, family secrets, and how historical events impact personal lives. The book offers an emotionally gripping journey of resilience and truth by means of the interconnected experiences of Fanny, a 1961 lawyer, and Helene, a grandma with a secret past from World War II. The strong character development combined with a mix of historical intrigue and legal conflict makes this book an engaging and emotional one.
SCAR SONGS: STORIES is a collection of nine brilliantly composed short stories by author W. Royce Adams which focus on family, ethics, fear, sorrow, and confusion. Easy to read chapters give each tale a fulfilling beginning, middle, and end which draws the reader deep into the world of characters who are hurt, imperfect and fully human.
Jim Shankman’s TALES OF THE PATRIARCHS is set in old Hollywood, the time of silent movies and casting couches. The patriarchs? Judah Ben (JB) Mayer and Jacob Lasky. Their entourage, primarily Nina Michaels and Sidney ThrallStern, carry the story, about the make it/break it mentality in the business and the rise and fall of stars. These key characters stand out sharply, with memorable short scenes and sharp, crisp dialogue.
ARES by Jayson Adams is a gripping science fiction thriller that intertwines mystery, political intrigue, and survival elements. The narrative follows Commander Kate Holman, who, on the brink of leading humanity’s first manned mission to Mars, is abruptly relieved of command in favor of the mission’s security officer, Julian Grimes. This sudden shift reveals a covert military objective leading to the unearthing of a mysterious artifact. As the crew grapples with unexplained deaths and system failures—rumored to be the result of a Martian curse—Holman must confront her own past traumas while uncovering a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power. Adams’ storytelling is both fast-paced and thought-provoking, with well-developed characters and a plot rich in tension and unexpected twists. The novel’s fresh perspective and intricate plotting make it a standout in contemporary science fiction.
Gripping spy thriller CULT STALKER by Ephraim Clark deftly combines high-stakes political maneuvering, espionage, and cult intrigue. The novel is set in Paris during the 1970s and follows undercover agent Brad James as he navigates a complex web of covert organizations, drug cartels, and terrorism. Clark provides a suspenseful and immersive read that keeps readers on the edge, with its intricate plot, intense action sequences, and historical depth.
THE LEMON GOLF DIARY by Christine Foster is a beautifully written and deeply poignant story about a girl who struggles to fit into a world that constantly tells her to be someone she’s not. Rory’s vivid imagination becomes both a refuge and a source of trouble as her friendship with Paige—born from a shared desire for adventure—takes a dark turn when Paige’s expectations spiral beyond her control. Written with honesty, warmth, and a touch of humor, this novel masterfully captures the loneliness, wonder, and unintended consequences of a child’s search for belonging, making it an unforgettable read for both young adults and parents alike.
Christopher McKeon’s THE BIG HEALING is a unique blend of spirituality and personal transformation, delivering an uncommon yet thought-provoking narrative. McKeon delves into serious issues like healing, energy testing, and spiritual awakening, combining real-life experiences with philosophical musings. Through captivating storytelling and a deeply introspective approach, the book questions traditional beliefs while urging readers to embrace self-discovery and liberty.
Steve Kenney’s GLITCHING SOULS catapults readers into a near-future world where telepathy and sentient AIs collide, challenging everything we know about mind and machine. Neil, Pam (his telepathic ally), and Justin (a bereaved husband reunited with his late wife’s AI avatar) must navigate collapsing layers of simulated realities, each choice forcing them to confront the fragile boundary between memory, love, and true consciousness. Fast-paced, darkly humorous, and philosophically charged, this technothriller unfolds like a feature‑length episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror.
LYING DOWN WITH DOGS by Linda Caradine is a heartfelt memoir comprising interrelated essays that chronicle her journey in establishing and managing Other Mothers Animal Rescue. Caradine offers readers an intimate glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of animal rescue, sharing vivid anecdotes ranging from rescuing kittens beneath houses to securing sanctuary for pigs. Her narrative comes across as effortless, intertwining personal experiences, including overcoming childhood trauma and navigating life’s adversities, highlighting the profound impact animals have had on her path to redemption.
SUNDRI AND MUNDRI’S LOHRI ADVENTURE by Reenita Malhotra Hora is a charming blend of history, culture, and magic that transports readers on an unforgettable journey. With inventive problem-solving, a daring rescue, and delightful references to Lohri traditions, the story is a perfect celebration of bravery, family, and heritage.
The fantasy novel DESULTI, by Ross Hightower and Deb Heim, is one of the prequel novels to Hightower’s Spirit Songs Saga. The Desulti are women who escaped from the Empire and established themselves on their own terms. Tove, who has worked with the resistance since realm walker Alar rescued her, agrees to go with the murtair (warrior) Brie to seek sanctuary with the Desulti. The prospect of belonging to a community of women who support each other is intoxicating. The worldbuilding in the story is strong and the characters engaging while the machinations, plots, and counterplots are well-detailed and distinct. DESULTI is a page-turning, well-written fantasy novel, part of the Spirit Song Saga, but capable of standing proudly and independently.
THE CHOSEN ONE by Andrés Álvarez is a compelling fable that intertwines historical fiction with self-improvement principles. Inspired by the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the book offers twelve universal ideas for pleasure, fulfillment, and personal transformation. Rich in historic detail and fascinating storytelling, it provides readers with both an immersive tale and significant life lessons, making it a thought-provoking read.
Abby Reilly’s riveting mystery BLOOD PROMISES combines familial ties, legal conflict, and a persistent search of justice. As Detective Trish Malone and her colleagues work through a complicated investigation with high stakes for each character, the author keeps readers interested with its incisive conversation and captivating characters. This edition in the Promises Mystery Series is a gripping read due to the deft blending of suspense and its emotional depth.