2025 INDIE BOOK REVIEW NOMINEES, ROUND 5

We're now moving on to the new candidates for the September 2025 book review. In case you missed it, here is the link for the August 2025 book review selection as well as the five candidates that will carry forward into September's review selection pool. 

INDIE BOOK REVIEW CANDIDATE #020

TITLE: Crew of Exiles
PUBLISHER: Haste Publishing (Small Indie Press)
AUTHOR: Neal Holtschulte
GENRE(S): Science Fiction (multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: October 2, 2022
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 46/4.4 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #1,710,647 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
The X algorithm served this one up to me from an author account I did not follow. It was two easy clicks from the post to the Amazon product page. The cover didn't get my attention, but the well written blurb did. This sci-fi novel's premise sounded original, so I went to the sample. The first few pages were entertaining, mildly humorous and  well-written. This is the kind of story I could get into. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 7 July 2025
​STATUS: Active

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INDIE BOOK REVIEW CANDIDATE #021

TITLE: All the King's Bastards
PUBLISHER: None
AUTHOR: G. Lawrence
GENRE(S): Speculative Historical Fiction.(multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: June 11, 2025​
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 19/4.4 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #79,105 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
Once again, the X algorithm served me a book post from an author account I did not follow. This one appeals directly to history buffs and sets its hooks into the reader's like me fast and hard. The cover is outstanding! It sets a mood that that reflects the book's content and vibe. The pitch is solid, but the sample really pulled me in. I was hit by some great lines in just the first few paragraphs to include this gem: "She supposed this was what they meant by pale as death, for nothing in life was this shade of white, this shade of white with a touch of grey." In only a few pages I came the conclusion this is a highly promising novel. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST:7 July 2025
​STATUS: Scheduled for January 2026 Review

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INDIE BOOK REVIEW CANDIDATE #022

TITLE: West of Santillane
PUBLISHER: Dawg House Books (Small Indie Press)
AUTHOR: Brook Allen
GENRE(S): Speculative Historical Fiction.(multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: March 8, 2024​
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 51/4.8 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #291,729 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
This novel completes the trio of books this week  by authors I didn't follow on X, yet the algorithm thought it in my best interest to show them to me. Maybe the algorithm knows  I am a sucker for good speculative history. ​ The cover was fine, but I am seeing a lot of this "woman with back to the viewer" covers lately and they kind of get lost in the noise. The blurb did a good job of setting up the plot as well and appealed to the historical fiction audience. The sample was written in first person. I'm seeing a lot of that lately in indies. The sample did a fine job of setting up the character and the book's setting. However, in my opinion first person is easier to write but more difficult to write well. Yet, the sample appeared to do an adequate job with this and drew me in. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST:6 July 2025
​STATUS: Inactive

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