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!
THE ANDROBIOTICA FILE: NEARLY HUMAN by David Gittlin is an engaging science-fiction novella that masterfully blends mystery, suspense, and futuristic innovation. Gittlin’s imaginative world-building and exploration of android technology make this story a thrilling ride for fans of speculative fiction and cyber intrigue.
W. Royce Adams’ AS TIME GOES BY offers an insightful and at times wry look at a life lived in twentieth-century America. In easy, conversational prose, Adams leads the reader through anecdotes about growing up, love, work, and illness with a singular sanguinity and wisdom.
HIDDEN GIRLS by Julia MacDonnell is a poignant and deeply personal exploration of secrets, loss, and redemption. Through her evocative storytelling, MacDonnell sheds light on the emotional complexities of adoption and the lifelong impact of hidden pasts, making this a moving and thought-provoking read.
Corey Lynn Fayman’s sixth novel, THE ESMERALDA GOODBYE, is set in circa 1955 Southern California and features idealistic rookie cop Jake Stirling, who is caught up in a web of intrigue and a rising body count filled with mobsters, gamblers, stars like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Lee Marvin, and the infamous J. Edgar Hoover. His missing father’s case notes from his own career complicate matters. Jake learns who he can and can’t trust, often at enormous personal cost. Weaving the famous (and infamous) characters with the fictional ones almost gives the novel a true crime flavor, and it doesn’t flinch from the social and political events of the era. The hardest challenge Jake faces is where to draw his own lines of ethics and duty as those around him bend theirs to suit themselves. THE ESMERALDA GOODBYE will please those readers who like history and movieland glamour mixed with their mysteries.
In L. Ryan Storm’s heartwarming YA novel SLIP, a teenage girl (PJ) tries to figure out her life amid panic attacks that take her nine minutes and fifty-three seconds back in time. This situation worsens when a cute boy in her art class starts showing interest in her, remaining steady and intentional despite her best efforts to dissuade him due to fear. In this must-read for YA fans, serious issues such as mental health and suicide are artfully tackled and balanced with authentic dialogue and loving relationships, such as with PJ and her vivacious best friend, Mariana.
LISTEN TO YOUR ANIMALS by Karen Wickerson offers a heartfelt journey into the world of animal communication and telepathy, revealing how deeply animals understand and connect with their human companions. With touching anecdotes and practical insights, the book invites readers to explore a more intuitive relationship with their pets and the messages they share.
POPE PAUL VI AND HIS QUEST FOR PEACE: 1963-1978, VOLUME ONE: “NEVER AGAIN WAR!” by Rev. John F. Tuohey, PhD, is a richly detailed exploration of the pope’s unwavering commitment to world peace. Through historical insights and personal reflections, the book offers a compelling account of Pope Paul VI’s diplomatic efforts, his pivotal role at the Second Vatican Council, and his profound advocacy for nonviolence and justice, making it an essential read for those interested in global peace movements and Catholic history.
Linda Rӧnn’s memoir of her experience in the culture of rapidly deteriorating reproductive rights, BEHIND BULLETPROOF GLASS, is both powerful and heartbreaking. Born and raised in Sweden, married to an American, she is eager for her second child. Then, a call from the doctor, with prenatal test results, shatters everything. Linda and her husband are faced with a heartbreaking decision, complicated by the judgement and rising anti-abortion fervor in the country. Rӧnn does not shy away from either the physical or emotional pain of the time leading up to the abortion, the abortion itself, the aftermath, and then the time around what would have been the delivery date. She has to juggle her own mental and physical health with her responsibilities to her job, her husband, and her toddler. Additionally, she has to deal with the trauma and stigma around the term “abortion” in the United States. She cites the security measures of the bulletproof glass in the health care organizations in the process, and the way her own profession (health care) shunted her off to a different organization to avoid controversy. She compares the health care system in this country to that of Sweden and the EU, setting out the sharp contrasts. Brave, sad, and relevant, BEHIND BULLETPROOF GLASS is a memoir that goes beyond helping the author heal; it helps anyone who has faced this decision.
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.