The Wayward Reader

Book reviews

My Final Breath by Paige Dearth

I received this book from Netgalley. Childhood illness is sad. Seeing a child ill brings out compassion in even the hardest of hearts. What kind of person would cause illness in a child? Paige Dearth has written an emotional, moving story of a young girl who is the victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Molly […]

Follow Him by Craig Stewart

I received this book from the publisher, HellBound Books. This is simple tale…simply gruesome! I have stayed up at night reading since I was a child but there are only two books that I’ve read that kept me from sleeping. The first one is Salem’s Lot by Stephen King and this is the second one. […]

The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham

I received this book from Harper Collins. World War II books seem to be flooding the market. There are books about the Nazis, the prisoners, the German people, the Jewish people, etc. This book is unusual in that it is the viewpoint of a young Italian girl living in Venice and the part she plays […]

Black Annis: Demon Hunter by Aubrey Law

I received this book from BookTasters for a honest review. This book is one of fantasy. Witches, demons, angels, blood-eaters, dark cherubs, etc. are the inhabitants of this dark story where a black witch Queen Amelia rules. Her misguided belief is that no rules apply to her. As such, she mates with a human and […]

The Ghost Factory by Jenny McCartney

I received this book from Harper Collins. Northern Ireland seems synonymous with uprisings and trouble. In this book, Jack faces The Troubles while growing up in Belfast. How he manages to overcome and survive in such a toxic environment is admirable. He and his father Big Jacky have a modest life in Belfast. Jack’s father […]

The Safe Place by Anna Downes

I received the book from Minotaur Books. The Safe Place is a surprising psychological thriller. Set in the French countryside, the Dennys have a two-house property. Mrs. Denny, Nina, is restoring one of the homes to become an artist’s retreat or guesthouse. She stays with her daughter and could use a helper and companion. Emily […]

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

What starts as a simple book about family is so much more. In 1934 the Adler family is expecting an exciting summer. Their daughter, Fannie, is expecting her second child. Their other daughter Florence has been training to swim the English channel. In the midst of all this excitement, Joseph Adler opens the Adler home […]

Into The Unbounded Night by Mitchell James Kaplan

I received this book from the author, Mitchell James Kaplan. After the death of Christ, Romans continued to spread its influence throughout Europe. An ambitious general named Vespasian was tasked with claiming Albion (later Britain). In one village a fierce warrior named Muirgheal attempts to reason with Vespasian, hoping to avoid a massacre. Vespasian doesn’t […]

Eagle Station by Dale Brown

When America decides to begin mining Helium-3 on the moon, China and Russia decide they must band together to stop American dominance. The China/Russian coalition doesn’t want to tip their hand so they move manpower and supplies to the dark side of the moon where their efforts are not easily discovered. Private sector defense companies […]

The Incredible Find by Katy Ant

I received this book directly from the author. This is a children’s chapter book with nine chapters. David Peterson wants to be just like his dad when he grows up. His father is a scientist. David loves spending time with him and when he finds out that his father is leaving on a trip to […]