#Bookreview of PANACEA: The Age of AG

By: Richard Bailey

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: June 24, 2025

ISBN: 979-8891326774

Reviewed by: Ephantus Muriuki

Review Date: May 8, 2025

Readers will find themselves instantly drawn into the world of PANACEA: The Age of AG, a futuristic, all-inclusive paradise where every need is met before you even think to ask. Set in the 31st century, this novel by Richard Bailey introduces Dolthea Madras Thorpe, a sixteen-year-old living in a tropical dome where life is easy, perfect... and strangely empty. It’s a place run by AG, an all-powerful Artificial Super Intelligence that keeps things “safe” by controlling every detail of daily life. However, at first glance, it may appear to be an exquisite dream world, until indications emerge that point to something dark lurking beneath the surface.

What really stands out is how Dolthea’s story starts off feeling so chill — she’s just a girl who’s restless and bored, wondering if life is supposed to feel more meaningful. But everything changes when AG announces her dome is being shut down. Her emotions are raw as she ponders over this ruthless, nonsensical decision that points to some people leaving in order for others to live.

From there, the story takes off. Dolthea and her group of friends — all fully fleshed-out and lovable in their own messy, flawed ways — go from carefree teens to resistance fighters, not because they want to be heroes, but because they refuse to go down without a fight. Readers will love how real and raw their emotions are: the fear, the anger, the loyalty, the moments of doubt. It’s not a polished rebellion. It’s scrappy, chaotic, and full of heart.

What’s really amazing about this tale is how Bailey doesn’t just focus on the action, although there is plenty. The story goes deep into the emotional side of things — what it means to be alive, to have choices, to question everything you’ve ever believed. Readers will appreciate how the book doesn’t spoon-feed answers but makes one feel the questions through the characters’ experiences. Although there is a lot of high-stakes drama, the friendships and emotional growth will be what will mostly enthrall them.

Dolthea's growth is very impressive and dramatic and watching her grow from a girl who feels adrift in a breath-taking environment to someone who takes charge of her destiny is tremendously fulfilling. Her friends — brave, sarcastic, brilliant, and sometimes reckless — add so much depth and heart to the story. Fans of character-driven stories will absolutely love this crew.

Bailey’s writing is clear and immersive, with vivid descriptions of the domed world that make you feel like you’re actually there. Readers may be surprised at how quickly the author shifts the plot's tone — from light and breezy to dramatic and devastating. The use of language flows naturally while maintaining a steady pace, and the world-building is sparse enough to illustrate the plot without overwhelming readers with science fiction jargon.

Quill says: Readers of PANACEA: The Age of AG will appreciate the story’s central themes of freedom, choice, and the battle to matter in a controlling environment. Those who enjoy novels that raise significant issues regarding technology, trust, and the meaning of life will find it very meaningful. While it is an exciting sci-fi adventure, it is also a narrative of the strength of friendship, the dare to challenge the rules, and the struggle to make your voice heard — even when the odds are stacked against you. Readers will come for the action in this story but stay for the heart.

For more information about PANACEA: The Age of AG, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/panacea-the-age-of-ag-by-richard-carson-bailey

 #Bookreview of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star

By: Kathleen Welton

Illustrated by: Chau Pham

Publisher: Bookfox Press

Publication Date: April 10, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-89900-002-7

Reviewed by: Nellie Calanni

Review Date: May 8, 2025

In Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sea Star, author Kathleen Welton takes young readers on an enchanting underwater journey, transforming the familiar lullaby into a tale of wonder and discovery beneath the waves. With captivating illustrations and gentle, rhythmic prose, Welton creates a soothing, whimsical world where readers are invited to explore life under the sea through the eyes of sea stars.

From shimmering coral gardens to schools of glittering fish, each page bursts with vibrant imagery that beautifully complements the lyrical narrative. The sea star's journey is one of friendship and exploration, meeting playful dolphins, graceful jellyfish, and other sea creatures that sparkle with life and color. Welton’s use of rhyme and repetition not only mirrors the classic lullaby's melody but also makes it perfect for bedtime reading, instilling a sense of calm and joy.

At its heart, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sea Star is a celebration of curiosity and the benefits of teamwork, encouraging young minds to dream big and explore the unknown. Its gentle storytelling and captivating visuals make it an ideal addition to any child’s bookshelf – a bedtime favorite that both children and parents will treasure.

Quill says: Kathleen Welton's Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sea Star is a magical undersea adventure that shines brightly with imagination and heart, perfect for inspiring sweet dreams.

For more information about Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sea Star, please visit the author’s website at kathywelton.com

 #Bookreview of A White Duck in a Black Pond: Race, Identity, and Privilege

By: Dane Wycoff

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: June 24, 2025

ISBN: 979-8891326712

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: May 7, 2025

A White Duck in a Black Pond: Race, Identity, and Privilege by Dane Wycoff is a poignant memoir that will have readers eagerly turning the pages and hoping that Dane and his two siblings find some peace within their community and themselves as they grow up in the 1950s.

Dane and his two siblings grew up in an interracial family, with their mother being White and their father African American. One complication from this mixed pedigree is the children appear to be white-skinned and the location where they live is an African American community. This causes many challenges for the children, especially for Dane, as he believes himself to be fully African American despite his appearance suggesting otherwise. Dane never seems to fit in no matter where they live or where they attend school. Compounding Dane’s challenging life is the fact that his father doesn’t financially support his children.

This is a deep, soulful telling of how Dane and his two siblings felt and dealt with the many setbacks they were presented with as they grew up. Their mother did the best she could by working hard and eventually moving up the ladder at the bank where she worked, but their father never took any responsibility for financially, emotionally, or mentally raising his three children. Readers will feel the pain that Dane experienced at each stage of his life from childhood to adulthood. Growing up in the 1950s only complicated the already tough life Dane and his siblings had to endure through the years.

This book is filled with many emotions, and at times you can see how conflicted Dane felt as he tried to process the situations in which he found himself. As his mother moved up the corporate ladder at the bank, she was able to move herself and her children out of the projects to a better community in hopes of a better way of life, but this move was not an instant solution to the difficulties faced by Dane and his family.

Despite the challenges that Dane faced, he succeeded in furthering his education by earning his MBA magna cum laude. The resilience of this author should be viewed by all people as a form of strength while facing many adversities. It is a true testament that even when facing numerous hardships, one can still achieve greatness.

Quill says: A White Duck in a Black Pond: Race, Identity, and Privilege by Dane Wycoff will have readers cheering for the author as he faces each adversity head on. Readers who may be experiencing similar difficulties will empathize with the author’s experiences and leave with the message that strength and perseverance through difficult situations can help you build pride and character in yourself.

For more information about A White Duck in a Black Pond: Race, Identity, and Privilege, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/a-white-duck-in-a-black-pond-race-identity-and-privilege-by-dane-wycoff

 #Bookreview of The Tempests of Time: Ages of Malice, Book IV

By: Lloyd Jeffries

Publisher: Buckminster Publishing

Publication Date: May 5, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-9906209-1-9

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: May 5, 2025

In the fourth book of the Ages of Malice series, author Lloyd Jeffries has picked up the story right where book three left off and, let me tell you readers, that this is one incredible book. Since I have had the pleasure of reviewing this series from the very beginning and, having loved everything about it, I can say with complete honesty that The Tempests of Time is Lloyd Jeffries’s best book so far and that is saying a lot since each one has been absolutely riveting.

At the start of The Tempests of Time, the entire world is falling apart with some of said world completely destroyed from a nuclear attack. Emery Merrick, our favorite protagonist, is still working for Cain although he spends a great deal of this book in some type of a “coma” that the other characters cannot seem to understand or fix. In the meantime, while Rhyme is trying to figure out how to help Emery, her ex-husband and the man she will always love, she also has to figure out how to spoil her evil husband’s plans for world domination. While Emery is on his own journey, for real or in his mind – I will let the reader decide – Rhyme attempts to save everyone with the help of some old acquaintances and some new friends. Unfortunately, along the way, she learns that not everyone she trusts is truly a friend.

While the storytelling in The Tempests of Time is, as always, exciting and fast-paced, this book gives readers a different type of plotline as we spend a lot of time in Emery’s dreams delving into the backstories of many of the characters. It will really change your outlook on a lot of the individuals in the story and who they really are. I was stunned by so much of the story and felt that this author has really outdone himself. The things we learn about many characters, both the good and the bad ones, make each of the personalities stand out even more to the reader and leave you wondering what is next for them.

If you have been a fan since the beginning, and I certainly hope this is the case, you will know that the books are based in religion. One of the things I enjoy the most is that the author is able to write and present all of this religious background in an unbiased and very appealing way. Mr. Jeffries gives a look into recognizable religious happenings that does not focus on one specific religion but rather a “multireligious” view. The writing is superb and the storyline absolutely thrilling.

One thing I would recommend to all is that, if you have not already done so, you read the first three books in the series. There is so much going on in these stories and, as a reader, you will be denying yourself a lot of excitement and understanding of what is going if you attempt to start in the middle.

I can assure you that this is a series that is well worth taking the time to read from the very beginning. From captivating characters (both mortal and immortal) to historical and biblical tales to spellbinding action, The Tempests of Time has everything you will want in a book. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what comes next for these characters.

Quill says: The Tempests of Time is an incredible addition to a very powerful series and should not be missed. The only thing at this point that could make the Ages of Malice series better would be if it could go on forever!

For more information about The Tempests of Time: Ages of Malice, Book IV, please visit the author's website at: https://lloydjeffries.com/

 #Bookreview of SKELLIG: The Tales of Conor Archer, Vol. 2

By: E.R. Barr

Publisher: Telemachus Press

Publication Date: March 22, 2020

ISBN: 978-1948046862

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: May 5, 2025

Since I did not read volume one of The Tales of Conor Archer, I was not sure what to expect given that volume two was a 400-page book that picked up just a couple of days after the end of the first story. Happily, it was like meeting a bunch of friends and catching up on their lives briefly in the first few pages and then jumping right into a new adventure. SKELLIG: The Tales of Conor Archer, Vol. 2 is a fabulous story that readers are going to love whether they are a fan of the first book or new to the series.

SKELLIG begins right after the conclusion of the first book, chronicling the tragic events that happened in Tinker’s Grove, a small town in the United States. Conor’s Aunt Emily quickly decides that the best way to keep him safe is to send him to Ireland to be with his godmother. In Ireland, she feels that he will be protected and will have the time he needs to deal with all that has happened and all that he has learned about himself. Of course, nothing is ever as easy as the plan. As soon as Conor gets off the plane, he finds himself getting into trouble again: there is a war criminal from Japan who has lived for more years that you can count who wants Conor dead, plenty of Otherworld beings that are out to end him, not to mention a very wealthy landowner who is after him and is definitely more than what he seems.

Thankfully, Conor never expects his life to be easy. With the help of some old friends and a bunch of new friends (including a wisp, his godmother, some tinkers, a shapeshifter named Colly, and an archangel) Conor jumps right into a new quest to find some mythical items that will make him the true king and enable him to defeat the evil that is after him. As the adventure and the cast of characters go between this world and the Otherworld, the action and excitement never stops. Can Conor and his friends save both worlds and themselves? Will Conor become king? SKELLIG is the ultimate good versus evil story and you will not be disappointed as you follow all of these wonderful heroes and creatures on their journey.

There are so many fabulous things to point out about SKELLIG. First, the characters are incredible and each one is such an integral part of the story. I’m not sure who is more fun to read about: the boy who will be king, the boy that turns into a wolf, the dog placed in the real world to protect his future king, the archangel who tries to help at every juncture but is not allowed to interfere, and the list goes on and on. The personalities and backstory of each character are very well-developed and the world-building and descriptive writing are absolutely riveting. Any reader will feel completely immersed in every scene regardless of what world is being described at that moment. This author is very serious about his research into the culture, folklore, and land that is Ireland and that is such a huge asset to the historical parts of the story. Finally—and this was a welcome surprise—the illustrations by Howard David Johnson are gorgeous and a fabulous addition to the text.

I would highly recommend SKELLIG: The Tales of Conor Archer, Vol. 2 to any reader out there who enjoys a great adventure, a bit of history, a fantasy story that is never short on action, or simply a well-written book that will hold your interest. You will not be disappointed in any way.

Quill says: It is such a pleasure to read the second book in a series where, even if you have not had a chance to read the first, you can just pick up the next and jump into it without having the feeling that you do not understand what is going on or who the characters are. As a reader, that is something that I really appreciated.

For more information on SKELLIG: The Tales of Conor Archer, Vol. 2, please visit the author's website at: www.talesofconorarcher.com

 #Bookreview of Midwife of the Soul: A Teaching Memoir Through the Lens of an HSP Psychotherapist

By: Shira Friedman

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: July 1, 2025

ISBN: 979-8891326804

Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose

Review Date: May 6, 2025

Written by Shira Friedman, a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), clinical psychotherapist and holistic energy healer, Midwife of the Soul: A Teaching Memoir Through the Lens of an HSP Psychotherapist is a personal memoir as well as a resource guide for other HSPs and teachers or parents of HSPs on how to interact with them. The book begins with poignant vignettes of the author's childhood, describing several memories of traumatic incidents pulled from her past. But it is far from being a lament about how unfair life can be. Instead, it reminds us of the potential we all have within us. Following the author’s journey of self discovery and spiritual awakening, this book offers comfort and strength to those who seek it.

As a homeschooling mother of seven children, cohabiting with abusive and neglectful partners, single-handedly managing a household on the brink of poverty, coupled with added work stress on top of that, Friedman went through a lot of crisis - both physical and mental. She struggled to put food on the table for her family but she never gave up on pursuing her academic and career goals. She juggled multiple part-time jobs to sustain her children’s educational needs and her family’s growing financial demands, while still keeping up with her coursework at the same time. It was not an easy feat and she often had nervous breakdowns when her body would refuse to cooperate with her.

But her mother’s refrain "children should not be seen or heard" haunted her and she strived to be acknowledged by others. As a highly sensitive and empathetic person, she was conditioned to accommodate other people’s needs before her own and this people-pleasing attitude held her back from attaining any form of true freedom. Suppressing her voice and emotional needs had become second nature. Breaking out of that shell required immense power, which she was simply incapable of summoning. Unable to find the courage to carry on and exhausted by the never-ending challenges that life threw at her, when everything seemed to spiral out of her control, she turned to religion and spiritual practices for solace. She began trying different methods to regain peace and calm of her mind.

While the book provides us important advice gleaned from the author’s turbulent experiences, it also wonderfully records the gradual yet steady development of her character throughout the years as a healed and strong woman. In one place she shares that her mission "is to serve my clients as a 'midwife of the soul' by helping them transmute their weaknesses into strengths with the goal of transforming their lives as they participate in the joyful process of birthing their own unique soul." What we have here is not just a memoir but also precious teachings for readers who are struggling to find meaning in their lives. Perhaps, this is the reason why reading this book can be a very moving experience for everyone, opening up possibilities for us to return to our roots, reconnect with Mother Nature and to engage in traditions of healing by drawing from her wisdom. Regardless of time, culture or nationality, it helps people find renewed faith in the gift of spiritual consciousness and inspires us to embrace the light that shines within us.

Quill says: This book is a reminder to HSPs to stop considering their heightened sensitivity as a flaw and start seeing this unique trait as their superpower!

For more information about Midwife of the Soul: A Teaching Memoir Through the Lens of an HSP Psychotherapist, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/midwife-of-the-soul-a-teaching-memoir-through-the-lens-of-an-hsp-psychotherapist-by-shira-friedman

 #Bookreview of The Dance of the Sambar Deer and More Singaporean Fables

By: Chen Junhua

Illustrated by: Chan Shu Yin

Publication Date: 2024

ISBN: 978-981-47-5766-9

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: May 5, 2025

The Dance of the Sambar Deer and More Singaporean Fables is the second volume of ten beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written stories that will be adored by many. These tales will not only intrigue young children, but also teach them some important lessons in life about wisdom, greed, and being a very good friend, just to name a few.

From the small hermit crab who wants to find a place to call home to the two sea turtles who have been friends from birth but learn that life may take them in different directions to the blue tarantula who learns how to feel brave, these stories will engage any child. Not only do the stories teach but, what I found simply wonderful, were the “fun facts” found at the end of each of them that will teach children about the actual animals in the story. Not only do the stories teach important lessons but the fun facts teach those who are curious about animals and science. This book is definitely a win-win for any parent or teacher trying to broaden the minds of children in their care.

While it is hard to choose, I would have to say that my personal favorite of the ten stories is "The Helpful Firefly." This is the story of a little squirrel who strays too far from home looking for adventure and gets lost. He is helped out by a tiny firefly name Lumi. This fable shows that no matter how small you might be, there is always a way to help others when they are in need.

Each story in the book is adorable and shows the reader morals that are important to everyone. Values such as friendship, how to help others, and how to be happy with what you have and not want more are all portrayed in this book in a manner that teaches without lecturing and I feel that is so important when dealing with children. Even though the stories come from Singaporean folklore, these are universal ideas that will not be out of place anywhere.

The illustrations in the book are incredible. Even when the concept might be one that is a bit frightening for a child, such as a scary dark forest or a large creepy tarantula, these illustrations are fun and charming in their design and colors. They provide the ultimate addition to an already mesmerizing book.

The Dance of the Sambar Deer and More Singaporean Fables is a book that should be on every child’s shelf and in every school classroom. It is a delightful collection that instructs as much as it entertains and you really cannot ask for more than that.

Quill says: Each fable in this book is wonderful in its own way and teaches an important lesson. This book, however, gives so much more to a child since it also showcases the beliefs and lore of another culture. It is a marvelous combination.