Indie Scouting Report: October 2018
In this month’s roundup of the best-reviewed BookLife titles, we highlight works of science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance, as well as a parenting book and a writing guide.
★ Viral
Piers Platt
Synopsis: Platt puts a relatable face on the future of human warfare in this sci-fi tale of self-discovery, conflict, and loss.
PW’s Takeaway: Platt brings otherworldly conflict down to Earth in thrilling action sequences, adroitly portrays the bleakness of depression, and crafts a well-rounded cast that’s diverse in sexuality, ethnicity, and gender.
Comparable Title: Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game
Sample Line: “In my first battle, I made fourteen thousand dollars in five minutes.”
★ The Wolf of Oren-yaro
K.S. Villoso
Synopsis: Villoso begins her Annals of the Bitch Queen fantasy series with this remarkable tale of nonstop tension, action, and betrayal.
PW’s Takeaway: The pace is breakneck but never exhausting. This excellent work will appeal to all readers of epic fantasy.
Comparable Titles: Sarah Beth Durst’s Queen of Renthia Series
Sample Line: “They call me ‘bitch,’ the she-wolf, because I murdered a man and made my husband leave the night before they crowned me.”
★ Stones of Dracontias
N.D. Jones
Synopsis: A paranormal romance full of intrigue, with an unusual spin on dragon shapeshifters.
PW’s Takeaway: This is a fascinating, enticing beginning to a very promising series.
Comparable Titles: Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling Series
The Kind of Parent You Are
Brian Vondruska
Synopsis: A father of two presents a wise and thoughtful guide to child rearing.
PW’s Takeaway: This perceptive guide will be useful to readers.
Comparable Title: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish’s How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Writing to Be Understood
Anne Janzer
Synopsis: Janzer uses insights from psychology and science to aid writers gear their work to readers.
PW’s Takeaway: Janzer’s belief that we need effective communicators provides this entry with a compelling reason for being.
Comparable Title: William Zinsser’s On Writing Well
