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!
Set against the dynamic background of New York’s tech and social scenes, Eve M. Riley’s book THE PHOTOGRAPH dives deeper into the investigation of relationships, identity, and personal development. Riley’s skill in creating clever, multidimensional characters ensures that readers are completely engrossed in a story that blends humor, heartbreak, and self-discovery. This book provides a unique take on modern romance and the difficulty of navigating love in a constantly changing environment.
CHRONICLES OF THE ENCHANTED VANGUARD: SERAPHINA AND THE DIVINE MANDATE by Luminescence Goh transports readers into an enthralling adventure through a world on the brink of collapse. Seraphina and her companions, a diverse group of heroes, journey through breathtaking yet perilous landscapes—from ancient forests to volcanic islands and abandoned ruins—on a mission to confront the forces of evil and restore balance. With its intricate storytelling, nuanced characters, and meaningful exploration of sacrifice, courage, and hope, this first installment promises to captivate lovers of imaginative and thought-provoking fantasy.
A MIRROR FOR THE BLIND provides a stark, disturbing commentary on the relentless pressure placed upon young Koreans to pursue the Korean ideal of success. This near-unattainable goal is driven by rampant materialism, ruthless competitiveness, and a relentless online addiction that strives for perfection and validation. Author Jeong Mu explores these unrealistic expectations through the moving experiences of three rival friends in Seoul as they desperately attempt to climb the corporate ladder whilst navigating overwhelming societal assumptions. A MIRROR FOR THE BLIND is an insightful story that shines an uncomfortable light on the soul-destroying socio-cultural complexities in modern-day Seoul.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT 2: DESTROY ALL MONSTERS delivers a thrilling continuation of John DeGuire’s gothic fantasy saga, filled with dark humor, emotional depth, and non-stop action. The iconic antiheroes—Dracula, Aoife, Frankenstein, and the Invisible Man—navigate chaotic adventures in Paris and London, facing new villains, personal struggles, and unexpected moments of love. With stunning illustrations by Bill Sienkiewicz and a masterful blend of gothic romance and supernatural intrigue, this sequel is an unforgettable ride that will leave readers eagerly waiting for more.
Told in clear, vivid prose, Jerome Bourgault’s DAY OF EPIPHANY is an unflinching look at the systemic abuse of children through the collusion of Canada’s church and state. Though these histories are no longer as surprising to readers as they once were, DAY OF EPIPHANY remains a gripping tale of moral horror – in which true believers must reconcile their vows to God with the evidence of their eyes and the gravity of their silence.
In the face of increasing pressure on the school system to adapt to a frequently chaotic society, TEACHING IN THE NEW CRAZY offers ideas for a fresh approach to education. Calling on his years of experience in the classroom, author Glen Coleman provides practical strategies to inspire teachers and shows how they, in turn, can inspire their students. This slim book will prove invaluable for educators both young and old.
Growing up in an Amish community is vastly different from the everyday life of the “English” way of life. PLAIN ENGLISH by Susie E. Fisher gives readers a glimpse at the Amish way of life and how her life changed when, at age 20, she left the church. Well-written chapters tell the story of Fisher’s life and uncertainty as she moves through adulthood.
In this eye-opening, and occasionally mind-bending, investigation of quantum theory author I A Gill blends science, philosophy, and spirituality as he seeks to reveal a dynamic, interconnected universe. A BRIEF GUIDE TO LIFE, CONSCIOUSNESS AND OTHER QUANTUM WACKINESS benefits from Gill’s easy style and his ability to explain a complicated subject in clear, witty prose.
Full of intricately descriptive details that vividly immerse readers into a mythical, futuristic realm, Jason Leigh Smith’s THE EXILED is a fantasy tale abounding with political intrigue when the arrival of humans threatens the Elven reign, leading eccentric characters with imaginative magic abilities to unravel secrets long buried.
TIP OF THE SPEAR by Rodney Magallan is an inspirational exploration of resilience and leadership, combining authentic Navy SEAL experiences with life lessons for personal and professional development. With its genuine storytelling and practical ideas, the book provides a fascinating roadmap for anybody looking to realize their full potential. A motivating read that encourages readers to push their limitations and strive for greatness.
Prolific poet Thomas Kudla’s latest volume, WAKING UP AT THE GATES, explores ways of being and healing in hauntingly beautiful ways. Broken down into sections such as “Working”, “Living”, “Writing”, “Thinking”, and “Being”, each section has a series of poems that both stand on their own and build to a cohesive whole, with each section building on the previous one. It’s a tour de force of both the power of the individual poems and how they build into the whole book, supporting a theme of healing to wholeness. It explores ways to ground when one flails, sitting with grief, and building into hope. “Caged Singalong”, “One of Those Long-Lost Puzzle Pieces”, “That Poet’s Likely Story” and “Thoughts at Midnight as Another Year Passes into the Next” are especially resonant. In all the poems and prose poems, the crisp imagery and precision of language give the reader a sensory, visceral experience. WAKING UP AT THE GATES is a book to read through, then go back and dip into frequently, because each re-reading reveals another layer of beauty and meaning.
BETWEEN LIES AND REVENGE by Hannah D. Sharpe is a compelling story of loyalty, grief and personal redemption.The novel’s savvy writing and captivating characters transport readers to a world of intricate relationships and long-buried truths while the plot’s unexpected twists will keep fans of gripping drama on the edge of their seats.
Barbara Black’s second collection of flash fiction, LITTLE FORTIFIED STORIES, is a delightful, fanciful collection of dozens of pieces. Some are grouped under sections of liquor, such as “Gin” or “Bourbon” or “Tequila.” Others fit under “Ancestral Fabrications” or “Visual Provocations.” Each one takes less than five minutes to read, but pack a punch that stays far beyond closing the book. Sensory details are chosen with gossamer delicacy. Visual details taps deeply into emotions, and visual collages provoke the reader as they transition from section to section. Characters are defined in as little as a breath. The writing is extraordinary, specific, and multi-faceted. Some stories are laugh out-loud funny; others have the quality of more painful laughter; still others are more poignant. Each piece, no matter how short, is gratifying, diverting, and ultimately satisfying. The reader may choose to dip in and out of the book, rather than reading it straight through, in order to savor each individual story experientially. No matter how it’s read, LITTLE FORTIFIED STORIES stays with the reader far past the actual reading.
IN THE FULLNESS OF TION by J.C. Gemmell is a captivating exploration of societal constructs and individuality within a futuristic realm. The vivid world-building, combined with themes of identity and camaraderie, ensures readers are engrossed in Nacho Yat’s complex journey. Its intricate narrative and thought-provoking societal parallels make it a compelling read.
THE GAME by Eve M. Riley is a dazzling blend of romance, ambition, and personal growth set against the thrilling backdrop of professional tennis and tech innovation. With its dynamic characters and engaging narrative, the story masterfully captures the intersection of love and the pursuit of success, making it an unforgettable journey for fans of heartfelt and contemporary storytelling.
Alex Abraham’s TRAUMA AND ECSTASY is a harrowing, devastating, and deeply affecting read. In his minute examination of his use of psychedelic drugs to reveal terrible abuses visited on him by a teacher during childhood, Abraham goes through trials in healthcare, discovers new possibilities, and seeks to understand the effects of trauma on his life, all of it rendered in urgent, elegant prose.
The re-release of prolific author Linda Lappin’s first novel, THE ETRUSCAN, introduces a new audience to this atmospheric tale, set in Italy. American photographer Harriet Sackett travels to Italy in 1922 in order to research and photograph tombs and artifacts. When her letters back to her girlhood friend Sarah (married to Harriet’s cousin Stephen) become erratic, Stephen sends their housekeeper Mrs. Parsons to Italy, who discovers Harriet ill and near death. In an effort to piece together what happened, they find Harriet’s strange diary, which tells of an obsessive romance with a man who doesn’t seem to exist, and hints at old magic, while bringing to light old family secrets. Lappin’s writing is sensory and often beautiful and the deft gothic renderings pay homage to Bram Stoker and Daphne du Maurier. The perfect fireside read for a blustery winter’s night.
HOLDING IT TOGETHER by Robert MacNeil Christie, PhD, offers a timely and deeply analytical exploration of the systemic challenges facing our world as it transitions from industrial to ecological civilization. With a strong foundation in social psychology and decades of research, Christie examines the intersection of social control, environmental crises, and human agency, providing a thought-provoking blueprint for societal transformation. This book is a compelling read for those seeking a profound understanding of our era’s critical issues and potential pathways forward.