Sinomia: The World of Dreams is a lovely middle age story about a young boy trying to cope with the idea that his parents are getting a divorce, and the mysterious dream world that he finds himself in while she dreams and the people within that help him come to terms with his reality. 

The story of Sinomia is one that is relatable to anyone who comes from a home with parents who have separated, and we all know those numbers are higher than many of them wish they were. I found myself able to relate to the issues of little Scott, though my own parents separated decades ago. And while I do not recall having any nightly adventures, children find interesting ways to cope.

The world of Sinomia is a colorful and creative fantasy world that the author clearly put quite a bit of work in to. The map at the start of the book is a finely detailed creation of world-building excellence, though still simple enough for the middle grade reader to comprehend. Alongside the world, the characters of Sinomia are colorful and creative people and creatures ranging from pirates to dragons.

Sinomia: The World of Dreams is an excellent adventure for any middle grade reader, particularly fitting for those who have come from homes that have divorced parents now. I would suggest picking up this book for your child it is an great read.

The Girl in the Corn by Jason Offutt if a curious combination of fantasy and horror. The story leads two boys through their lives. One a boy who grows in to a man just trying to get by even though he knows there is some strange magic in the world and a monster wants to eat the world. And another boy who is quickly turned in to a demented murderer by the monster and goes through his life murdering in different ways after spending much of his life in a mental hospital.

This is a dark tale, bringing out some of the darker aspects of fae and other folklore. Showing their mischievous and murderous ways and not focusing on the popular, sweet, helpful magical aspects that many people seem to think of. The fae in this story are certainly no Tinker Bell fairies.

The story is exciting and ranges most of the two boys’ lives, showing you how they have interacted with the monster and each other from the time they are small children until their adulthood. The characters are realistic, and their reactions to what goes on around them makes sense. And quiet a bit seems to be going on around them.

Over all The Girl in the Corn is a great book, and I would strongly recommend it to fans of dark fantasy.

The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a hauntingly (yes, pun entirely intended) fantastic novel about a woman who is mysteriously killed and forced to haunt the building she was living in. However, she soon finds that she is not the only ghost in the area, and there may be much worse than the person who ended her life looming around Thorwald Place. What is that? Well, you will have to read the novel to find out.

The main character’s ghostly adventures display the ghosts housed in the expensive apartment building are far more than just the obvious. The twisted and dark pasts of the various tenants are put on display for the ghostly wanderer as she tries to figure out who killed her, and how she can prove that. Betrayal, anger and nearly every other dark emotion can be found in the various homes of Thorwald Place.

The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is told from two points of view. One being that of the deceased main character as she tried to figure out who killed her, along side other people reading her journal. The two storylines come together to show you how things really happened, summing up the story in a satisfying ending.

If you are a fan of mystery, horror, or just looking for a good ghost tale, make sure you pick up this novel!

The Man with the Golden Mind is another fantastic novel Detective Maier series by Tom Vater, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Maier is on another case, dragged in by a woman who comes seeking his help. Despite still recovering from the issues brought on by his previous case, he ends up taking in. In the process he runs in to old friends, and family he never expected to ever see.

Like the previous Maier book, The Man with the Golden Mind is a thrilling adventure taking place in Asia. This second book, at least in my not so humble opinion, is better than the first. Maier feels more fleshed out, and he was already a great character and the traumatic things he goes through make you feel even more for the protagonist of this series.

As with all of his work, Vater paints us the rough uncomfortable aspects of the lands his characters visit and the beauty of the areas, giving us a colorful and exciting view of the world he writes so passionately about.

Another fantastic Vater book, that any fan of fiction should pick up and add to their collection.

I have always enjoyed a good dystopian book. There is something relatable about reading how people have systematically voted their own rights away or had them ripped from them. How every horrible aspect of history that we believe we have learned from shown to be nothing. I am now adding Enemy to my collection of dystopian novels that I will reread when I feel as though I need to escape what I tell myself is a stressful reality. Someone certainly has it worse.

Enemy follower several characters as they attempt to plot and kill their way to the top, or to assume freedom. They kill, they steal, they like and they sneak. Both the clear bad guys and the assumed good guys. People will do what they need to survive in the horrible world that they now live in. 

Enemy jumped between various characters, telling you their stories as it goes. The characters are realistic. They fit well in the dystopian world, and are so well written that you want to learn about them, even the ones who appear the villains. Each one has their reasons for doing what they do, selfish, or assumed greater good.

The story itself is a classic dystopian post ‘end of war’ setting that while done multiple times by other novels is handled well, my the author and does not feel like a tired cliche but a well formed and built dystopian world.

Pick up this novel, you will not regret it.