THE GREAT FLIP
Genre: History
IR Verdict: Thoroughly researched and supported with numerous citations, THE GREAT FLIP is an incisive, compellingly readable work that offers a welcome refresher on the nuanced, often paradoxical development of American political thought.
THE CELESTIAL FLAME
Genres: Fantasy
IR Verdict: With its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and compelling blend of adventure, mysticism, and political intrigue, S.R. Watts’s THE CELESTIAL FLAME is a promising introduction to the Divine Flame saga that will leave readers eager to discover what lies ahead.
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DAUGHTER OF HADES
Genres: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: With meticulous research balanced by a fine prose style, Mack Little’s DAUGHTER OF HADES is a vibrant historical romance.
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THE HONOLULU SITUATION
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: Mark A. Henry’s THE HONOLULU SITUATION is an action-packed, zany adventure featuring a comic array of misunderstandings, coverups, outright scams, and conflicting motives.
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DIARY OF A MARTIAN: The Discovery
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: The first installment in a fast-paced upper middle-grade adventure that offers a fun, heartfelt sci-fi story with messages of a sustainable future, DIARY OF A MARTIAN: THE DISCOVERY is a gripping debut by Stephen B. Haunts.
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BRAVE WOMEN AT WORK: LESSONS IN CONFIDENCE
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Full of practical tips and personal truths, BRAVE WOMEN AT WORK: LESSONS IN CONFIDENCE is a unique, specific guide for any woman who wants to see her career thrive.
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FOXMAN AND THE CAT BURGLAR
Genre: Humor
IR Verdict: FOXMAN AND THE CAT BURGLAR by Delas Heras is a charming romantic comedy of errors. With its likable protagonists caught in a series of ever-escalating comedic mishaps, this breezy novel is a perfect beach read.
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THE RING ACADEMY: The Trials of Imogene Sol
Genre: New Adult
IR Verdict: In THE TRIALS OF IMOGENE SOL, CL Walters creates an exciting, intriguing science fiction world—one that gives the impression of having been alive and functioning long before the reader crosses paths with its brave but put-upon heroine.
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FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Equal parts coming-of-age comedy and crime thriller, Nathan Pettijohn’s FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH combines high school antics with high-stakes action in a delightful faux-memoir.
BLACK SANDS, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS (Volume 4)
Genre: Graphic Novel
IR Verdict: An imaginative and original comic book anthology written by Manuel Godoy and illustrated by David Lenormand, BLACK SANDS, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS (Volume 4) deftly combines ancient mythology with rich, fantastical world-building that results in an epic, energetic adventure.
LION’S GAME (Volume 1): Masters of Mali
Genre: Graphic Novel
IR Verdict: Written by Kevin W. Brown, LION’S GAME (VOLUME 1): MASTERS OF MALI is an action-packed, beautifully-drawn graphic novel that provides a history lesson in the guise of an adventure, along with well-crafted characters and stunning art by Mạc Thy.
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THESE THINGS HAPPEN
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Less a story and more an experiential tapestry of interwoven lives and indelible emotional scars, Michael Eon’s THESE THINGS HAPPEN explores the inexplicable complexities of human connections with tenderness and profound empathy.
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THE BEAUTIFUL MATH OF CORAL: A NOVEL
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: In E. Ozie’s THE BEAUTIFUL MATH OF CORAL: A Novel, a young woman defies her father’s expectations and heads to college to study STEM in an intriguing coming-of-age novel.
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THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF AN ORDINARY GIRL
Genre: Middle Grade
IR Verdict: E. Grayson’s THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF AN ORDINARY GIRL is honest and relatable; any rough edges are counterbalanced by a whole lot of heart.
FAREWELL TO DUST AND SUN
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: John M. Broadhead’s FAREWELL TO DUST AND SUN infuses elements of the western genre into a fictional post-apocalyptic setting. A heartbreaking, honest allegory of the ongoing climate crisis, the book’s bleak setting and gritty characters paint a brutal picture with captivating relevancy.