2027 ENTRANTS
Added as our first-round reviewers read them, find the latest verdict blurbs for the 2027 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June 2028!
Dan Gold’s GAME CHANGERS takes legendary athletes’ triumphs and trials—from Tom Brady’s underdog rise to Serena Williams’s record-shattering poise—and turns them into a dynamic playbook for teens learning to overcome doubt and push past “no.” With concise, engaging storytelling and end-of-chapter reflections, Dan Gold not only inspires but also equips readers with the mindset and tools to build resilience, set ambitious goals, and lead with character. Whether you are a young athlete or just trying to find your path, this book pushes you to believe in yourself, rise from setbacks, and become a force for good in the world.
Joan M. Kop’s THE SPY FROM BEIJING is a riveting, high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into the murky world of covert operations and global power struggles. With a sharp lens on US-China tensions and the dark potential of biotech espionage, the novel follows FBI agent Jenny as she confronts not only a cunning traitor but also a shattering revelation about her own origins. Fast-paced and thought-provoking, this story captivates with sharp twists while highlighting the precarious balance of modern global power struggles.
Emmanuel M. Arriaga’s FIRST ELITE delivers a gripping sci-fi saga where intense action meets profound emotional struggle, as Neven Kenk’s relentless quest for justice unfolds across a richly imagined galaxy. With complex characters, immersive world-building, and a narrative that balances thrilling battles with moments of heartfelt reflection, this installment elevates the Foundra series to a powerful conclusion. Fans of thoughtful space operas will appreciate the seamless blend of loyalty, loss, and resilience woven into a high-stakes adventure.
With DEADLY VISION, T.D. Severin catapults readers into a razor-tight medical-tech thriller where Dr. Taylor Abrahms’s Virtual Heart Project—an AI-driven, VR microsurgery breakthrough—becomes a lightning rod for corporate and political sabotage. With vivid detail and emotional intensity, Severin crafts a world where innovation becomes a deadly gamble and one doctor’s fight for progress puts him in the crosshairs of powerful enemies. Packed with ethical dilemmas, betrayals, and nonstop twists, this electrifying tale proves that groundbreaking innovation can be as deadly as the diseases it seeks to cure.
Ray Blackburn’s A DOZEN PALMS is a finely interwoven depiction of one family’s past recounted in thirteen linked chapters that read like retrieved recollections. Blackburn grasps the strange, sensitive rhythm of growing up and growing older with warmth, humor, and profound emotional clarity. It’s a quiet, resonant book, but that only adds to its force.
HEAD FAKE, the first Dan Travers novel by Jason Rexell, is a contemporary techno thriller covering the blurred lines of corrupted so-called “intelligence” agencies and cartels. Dan Travers is a cyber ethics professor. He experiments on himself with nano particles, and built an AI partner named Athena to hack information worldwide. Chris Sanders is a gifted science graduate student, mistakenly kidnapped by an intelligence agency trying to regain a missing asset. To cover the mistake, she is disappeared into a web of intelligence labs until she’s sold to a human trafficking cartel. The book does not skimp on the action or the brutality or on the intelligence community’s position that everyone is expendable. The ethics (or lack thereof) of the various factions are one of the strong themes in the piece. There’s a hint at the end of the book of where the second book in the series is headed, to whet the reader’s appetite. HEAD FAKE is a modern thriller that disturbs and engages.
THE REAL DREAMWALKER PRESENTS: EL NIÑO by Ashlyn Jacobs transforms the quiet Tucson neighborhood of SOMEWHERE into a furnace of fear, where a communal nightmare grips the residents and a sinister being known as the Real Dreamwalker preys on their deepest insecurities. What begins as a strange shared dream among young boys soon spirals into a bloody subversive game where nightmares and reality blur and survival hinges on choices no child should have to make. With its haunting imagery and relentless suspense, Jacobs crafts a bone-chilling horror tale that will keep you awake long after the last page.
BLACK GLOVE by M.A.N. is a gripping superhero thriller that fuses raw emotion with relentless action. The story centers on Leroy Black, a man whose life is shattered after witnessing the murders of his father and brother. Fueled by grief and a thirst for justice, he embraces a vigilante persona powered by cutting-edge gear provided by genius scientist Tamara Jones. The novel excels in pacing and suspense, with fight scenes rendered in vivid, cinematic detail and a rhythm that keeps readers hooked from one pulse-pounding moment to the next. The villains are equally well-defined, adding real stakes and tension. M.A.N. strikes a compelling balance between comic-book flair and gritty realism, tackling the ethical grey zone of vigilantism without glorifying violence. Black Glove is a fierce, fast-paced read with heart and a strong recommendation for fans of superhero narratives that don’t shy away from complexity.
Susan Knecht’s debut novel, THE ART COLLECTOR’S WIFE weaves multiple elements into a fascinating story about protection, survival, cruelty, and both physical and emotional displacement. The novel unfolds like peeling layers off an onion, with aspects of family saga, displacement, mystery, and thriller all skillfully woven into it. Choices have consequences and Knecht doesn’t allow easy answers or let her characters off the hook. How they face constantly mounting obstacles and betrayals is one of the core elements of the book. THE ART COLLECTOR’S WIFE is a nuanced page turner, with a cast of deeply realized characters and constant surprises.
THE END OF PRIM by Michelle Tocher is a fearless and richly imaginative exploration of reinvention, aging, and mother-daughter ties. Told with humor, vulnerability, and poetic depth, the story follows Prim’s quiet unraveling as she sheds the layers of a life defined by restraint and embraces the wild unknown of becoming. Tocher’s voice is bold and tender, crafting a journey that is both intimate and universal in its search for meaning beyond the familiar.
C.B. Heinemann’s FORTRESS OF DREAMS is a razor-sharp political thriller that fuses historical mystery, dark humor, and edge-of-your-seat suspense into an unforgettable ride across a destabilized Europe. Amnesiac Ian Sinclair awakens bloodied in rural France—unwittingly caught between a power-hungry Swiss regime and an underground resistance desperate to harness his life-upending secret, racing against closed borders, a smallpox outbreak, and a newly armed dictator. Ian must lean on the unlikeliest ally, a resourceful trucker named Claude Monet, to navigate betrayals, recover buried memories, and avert a looming nuclear showdown in this literary fiction that entertains as much as it challenges.
BEING BROKEN: by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a searingly intimate look at the scars of growing up under the weight of family dysfunction and substance abuse. By piecing together letters, emails, and memories, Jonas exposes how childhood trauma can spiral into cycles of substance dependence and mental illness and how confronting these truths becomes the first step toward healing. While often wrenching, Jonas’s raw honesty and determination to heal make this a profoundly moving testament to resilience and the possibility of breaking the cycle.
SPINNAKER by Sabato diVincenti is a riveting World War II historical romance that beautifully combines espionage, suspense, and forbidden love. The narrative centers on Karl Schellenberg, a young American pilot whose mission over Nazi Germany ends in disaster when his aircraft malfunctions, leading to a perilous descent into enemy territory. Gravely injured, Karl is rescued by Katarina, a compassionate German farm girl whose father opposes the Nazi regime. As Katarina nurses him back to health, their bond deepens into a passionate romance, set against the backdrop of war and the looming threat posed by Katarina’s brother, a high-ranking officer determined to capture Karl. DiVincenti’s storytelling is rich with historical detail and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of love and loyalty in a time of widespread turmoil. The novel’s blend of factual events and imaginative fiction creates a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Memorable characters and unexpected narratives bring this adventurous journey together in a refreshing way. THE TALE OF THE ORPHAN MAGICIAN by Dr. Bill Senyard meshes maritime history and basic themes of good versus evil with faith, drama, and ultimate redemption. THE TALE OF THE ORPHAN MAGICIAN is noted for ages 9 to 16, but ages beyond these may get caught up in the action, too.
SEVENTEEN PARCELS by MIC LOWTHER is a sharp and original mystery that blends intrigue with humor, following an unassuming delivery driver on a secretive, cross-country mission to hide packages for an unknown client. The novel excels in its rich character development—especially the quietly compelling protagonist Austin—and in its clever premise, which unfolds with deliberate suspense and understated wit.
WHY BELIZE? by Rodney Nelsestuen is a vividly depicted portrait of a woman who is redefining her life in a location that is as intricate and unexpected as she is. The novel captures the quiet turmoil of midlife reinvention through Lennie Solo’s quest for meaning, freedom, and belonging in Belize, using vivid prose and emotional depth. It’s a thoughtful and beautifully written meditation on change, memory, and the courage it takes to start again.
365 SONNETS by Paul Buchheit is a lyrical and imaginative celebration of the calendar year, offering one original sonnet per day tied to obscure and familiar holidays alike. Buchheit examines a wide range of topics using conventional sonnet patterns, including politics, nature, family, history, and literature in a book full of surprising moments and creative takes on the world around us.
CATCHING QAT by K.T. Pike follows estranged twins, Qrodin and Qat, whose lives diverge after a tragic childhood event, only to collide years later in a world full of magic, mysterious travelers, and hidden legacies. In this fast-paced adventure, they navigate danger, uncover family secrets, and discover their shared destiny while forming bonds with a colorful group of companions. Pike’s vivid world-building, engaging characters, and blend of action and heartfelt moments make this story an immersive and exciting start to a new fantasy series.
BAD DREAMS by Jenny Noa is a raw and witty memoir that traces her journey through childhood insecurities, complicated family ties, the loss of her husband, and the struggle to build an acting career. What makes it shine is the mix of honesty and sharp humor that turns even painful experiences into something deeply relatable.
Utilizing vividly graphic descriptions, a richly innovative world-building system, and undertones of rebellious mystery to craft a story that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking, A WORLD WITHOUT TREES by Joseph Blackhurst presents a brutal vision of a dystopian future where individuals bearing certain traits are degraded into animal-like slaves.
Rebecca Lake-Bonenfant’s BEYOND THE SHIMMER delivers a thrilling fantasy adventure centered on Princess Arinna’s fight against a dark curse and an unwanted political marriage. The story shines with vivid world-building, compelling characters, and a perfect balance of magic that enhances rather than overwhelms the plot. Fast-paced and full of surprising twists, this book is ideal for readers who crave strong heroines, mysterious kingdoms, and high-stakes intrigue.
THE TAO OF MAYBE by Shelli Wright and Dr. Katherine Boutry presents how embracing uncertainty and rewiring your brain can dissolve the overwhelm of daily stress and open you to life’s possibilities. Through relatable stories, simple exercises, and a breezy, conversational style, Shelli and Kathy guide you toward a mindset of “maybe”—where letting go of rigid expectations becomes a powerful tool for peace and resilience. Lightweight yet deeply transformative, this book is the perfect companion for anyone seeking calm, curiosity, and a fresh perspective on navigating an unpredictable world.
Tara Sanders Brooks delivers a gripping story in IT WILL LAST LONGER about Viv Klein, a photographer whose career and conscience collide after a controversial photo catapults her into both fame and infamy. The novel explores the dark intersections of art, ambition, and morality, presenting how quickly the line between creation and exploitation can blur. With its vivid setting in Los Angeles and its sharp commentary on social media and cancel culture, this is a powerful and thought-provoking thriller.
Leonce Gaiter’s I DREAMT I WAS IN HEAVEN – THE RAMPAGE OF THE RUFUS BUCK GANG is a brutal, uncompromising portrait of outlaw justice on the American frontier. The gritty retelling plunges readers into the gang’s violent two-week crime spree in the summer of 1895, which was driven by a fierce desire for revenge against the white settlers they saw encroaching on Indian lands and aimed to spark an uprising to reclaim the territory. Gaiter captures with unflinching realism the chaos, violence, and desperation of the gang’s short but bloody reign, making it as unsettling as it is unforgettable.
Gaiter writes with sharp eloquence and intellectual sophistication as he unfolds his bold, involving narrative set in mid-nineties Los Angeles. Driven by a well-depicted, diverse set of characters and exploring profound themes through the lens of a gripping whodunnit, I AM THE WHORE AND THE HOLY ONE is an ambitious, intense, and provocative novel that proves difficult to put down.
SWAN SONG by Katy Regnery reimagines the Ugly Duckling tale in a sweeping romance that tells the story of Vaughn Cigno—once Ivan Stepanov, kidnapped as a child and raised in obscurity—whose chance friendship with Washington Ballet’s Sasha Collins sparks a profound journey of self-worth and belonging. As their tender romance flourishes, the revelation of Vaughn’s true heritage forces them into a globe-spanning journey to hold onto the love that saved him. Richly drawn and deeply moving, this story of rediscovered love and second chances unfolds into an unforgettable tale of hearts determined to find their way home.
TAB’S TERRIBLE THIRD EYE by Isaac Thorne is a haunting and emotionally charged Southern Gothic horror novel that explores the psyche of a troubled child grappling with supernatural forces and familial secrets. The story follows nine-year-old Tab, an imaginative artist who, after a harrowing encounter with an otherworldly creature, develops a painful bump on his temple—his so-called “third eye.” This mysterious affliction not only causes him physical agony but also unleashes a torrent of paranormal events, including the emergence of a ghost named Roy, a sinister figure with hollow eye sockets. As Tab’s drawings begin to predict real-life tragedies, including his father’s death, he becomes convinced that his third eye is the catalyst for these calamities. Thorne masterfully weaves themes of childhood trauma, mental health, and the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural, creating a narrative that is both chilling and thought-provoking. The novel’s vivid prose and relentless pacing keep readers on edge, while its exploration of OCD and psychological distress adds depth and authenticity to Tab’s character. TAB’S TERRIBLE THIRD EYE is a standout in the horror genre, offering a compelling blend of psychological terror and supernatural intrigue that will linger with readers long after the final page.
John Chirillo’s SILENT INTRUSIONS is a high-stakes thriller that blends technology, medicine, and suspense in a heart-pounding race against time. As a hospital falls victim to a cyberattack, Dr. Kristi Chiro must battle against a quantum-powered hacker and a web of sinister forces, while a group of unwitting teenagers stumbles onto a deadly conspiracy. Smart, thought-provoking, and deeply immersive, this book is one of two in the Silent Intrusions series, a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrillers where every second counts.
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