Indie Reviews

BOOKS IN REVIEW

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SHELF UNBOUND’S Books In Review

Self-Published & Small Press Book Reviews

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Seidon’s Tale.

BY BILL VANPATTEN

PUBLISHER: INDEPENDENTLY PUBLISHED

foster care.

Adult

A stranger with a mythical past changes the course of a modern man’s life in this engaging narrative combining a road-trip bromance with reimagined Greek mythology.

Fleeing his lover’s angry Texas state trooper husband, Jake Hewitt hightails it out of Lubbock and nearly runs down a lost old man at the side of the road. The traveler claims to be Poseidon, Ruler of the Seas, and calls himself “Seidon.”

While Jake evades the husband’s pursuit, he listens with growing amazement to stories of his passenger’s fabled past: being swallowed by his father, Kronos, then rescued by his brother Zeus; taking refuge on Olympus to wage war against Kronos and the Titans; gaining dominion over the oceans in a lottery planned by his cunning sister Hera; and finding and losing his great love, a mortal named Pelops. Seidon’s tales are entertaining, but it’s his calm wisdom, dispensed over the course of their days together, that helps Jake come to terms with his own troubled past as an orphan raised in

The tone of the contemporary chapters, with their taut, swift prose and details like a diner’s red vinyl seats, “some cracked from years of sagging butts squeezing the air out of them,” contrasts palpably and interestingly with the more sonorous polish of Seidon’s alternating fables, as when he describes himself in a dream, riding in “a chariot drawn by large white horses snorting sea salt and pawing at the surface of a tempestuous water.”

Mythology buffs will appreciate VanPatten’s version of familiar tropes like Zeus’s lightning, Hera’s jealousy, the twisted Cyclopes, and the human creation story. Although Jake’s history and struggles are by comparison less enthralling, and the mystery remains of how exactly the sea-god Poseidon became stranded in Texas, the new life VanPatten breathes into old Greek legend carries the story along.

This is an enjoyable tale likely to please fans of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, Mary Renault’s historical novels or similar works. 

It’s Alive!.

BY JULIAN DAVID STONE

Adult

Julian David Stone takes readers behind the scenes with this winning fictional retelling of the filming of the 1931 classic Frankenstein.

It’s days before Universal Pictures’ newest movie, Frankenstein, begins shooting, and the role of the Monster is still uncertain. Since it was Junior Laemmle— with his progressive and cutthroat thinking— who insisted the company produce Dracula, which became highly successful, Junior believes he has proven himself to his father, Universal CEO Carl Laemmle, Jr. and deserves a promotion giving him full reign of production.

Meanwhile, after his success as the titular Dracula character, Bela Lugosi refuses to accept the role of a bumbling creature with minimal lines and redirects his attention to his current project. Secretly, though, he awaits just the right offer to play this Monster. The other potential lead, Boris Karloff, sees the Monster as a lost, baleful character many can identify with. He also believes this role is his chance to finally become a star and provide his family a sustainable income.

As the story evolves and characters intertwine, Junior realizes he’s not getting the expected promotion and takes too many risks trying to prove his father wrong, alienating Frankenstein’s actors, directors, and much of the crew. Things degenerate while theories fly as to why Junior is so determined to get this movie made.

Stone’s story is immediately engaging, jumping right into the heart of the action. The use of multiple viewpoints between Junior, Lugosi, and Karloff add depth and texture to the novel, while the dialogue re-creates 1930’s phrasing and cadence without going overboard. Junior’s charming, witty, external dialogue is especially fun when juxtaposed against the ever-growing anxiety of his inner thoughts.

The narrative is well-balanced, leaning neither too heavily on flashy action to drive its plot nor on ponderous character studies. Thus, it’s easy to binge-read while still offering moments of contemplation and genuine character depth. 

PUBLISHER: GREENLEAF BOOK GROUP

Love and Other Monsters in the Dark: Short Stories.

BY CRIMSON CLOUD MEDIA

Adult

Twists and surprises abound in this wry collection of flash fiction from novelist K.B. Jensen.

Themes of destruction and deliverance work in tandem in these very short pieces. In the opening story, a vacationer excavates a skeleton from the walls of a villa and knits it into a woman, “[m]issing a tooth, far from perfect, but free. In “Killer Blossoms,” Henry repays a childhood slight with an act that has unanticipated consequences, a device that threads throughout the collection.

Many of the metaphors and strange situations feel fresh, like Sara, struggling with depression, who swallows a storm and is torn apart by it, or the 13-year-old girl who eats a boy who torments her. Some twists land with a shiver of delight; in “Lucky Shoes,” a narrator steals a pair of red satin pumps, leaving her own Nikes behind to replace them. Dancing through town, she rejoices that “Nothing hurt when I was wearing them. Not my heels, not my arches, not the balls of my feet, not my heart” —then later wakes to find her own Nikes beneath her bench.

Many of the stories, though, don’t deliver on their gimmicks, and some read like the answer to a writing prompt, a mere exercise. In “Grandma,” for instance, the 30-year-old narrator awakens in the body of her grandmother, a premise that leads to bizarre interactions and jolts of self-awareness. But then her boyfriend’s sweet but prosaic declaration of love turns her, “just like that,” back to herself, with no lingering consequence. Several stories fail to fully realize their characters, and many, like the handful of COVID-inflected stories, tread familiar ground.

Jensen is an adroit writer, carving out images with a few deft words; on the screensaver of the computer the narrator steals in “The Hoarder,” the flying toasters are “darting back and forth with their angel wings.” Not every story is a heavy hitter, but there are enough memorable moments to make the collection enjoyable. 

PUBLISHER: CRIMSON CLOUD MEDIA

The Man Who Came to Rent.

BY SAM KRYMALOWSKI, SEAN KROPVELD

Adult

Set in Montreal in 2009, The Man Who Came to Rent is Sam Krymalowski and Sean Kropveld's debut novel. It combines an epistolatory-style blog format with a first-person narrative as the main character explores Montreal for love and a mysterious movie Voodoo cult. With two authors, you’d expect the writing to feel as such, but the styles meld wonderfully to create a story that I had trouble setting down.

In the blog portion of the story, ex-archeologist and movie lover Victor “Vic” Demaisonneuve details his experiences working at the movie store in his blog, notably how he’s like a bartender lending an ear to lonely people, listening to corny jokes or how a man missed the days when he performed on tour with Ted Nugent. However, this isn’t too different than what Vic does with his blog. As he talks about his taste in film, customers, and his affection for Kate Winslet, he is also looking for a connection, looking to be heard.

In the narrative portion, you follow Vic about Montreal as he looks for love, goaded on by his blogger buddies and friends, and the Voodoo cult detailed in a dusty journal he found at the store. Once in Haiti – no spoilers as to how he got there – the plot picks up even more elements of intrigue.

The Man Who Came to Rent is a great read, with humor and characters that propel the story forward with dialogue. Even though the catalyst for Vic’s life changing is his hunt for a Voodoo cult, the things that get him there are curiosity and the encouragement of close friends.

If you’re looking for a fun adventure with great dialogue, an absurd premise, and with a main character getting out of a rut and leaving it a changed man, this is the novel for you. 

PUBLISHER: ADELAIDE BOOKS PUBLISHERS

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint.

BY VANESSA CORCORAN

Adult

PUBLISHER: SELF PUBLISHED As a doctoral student, I think it is safe to say that Vanessa Corcoran’s memoir, It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint, is a lot like the dissertation process. There are equal parts bursts of energy and pride partnered with equal parts fear and despair. Written in a conversational tone, the reader walks with Corcoran through the joys and trials of several life-changing events.

You learn to run together. You experience the highs of the academic journey with her. You also experience the lows; some so intense that you have to pause and reflect. Maybe you realize you’ve been down that road too.

While reading, I wanted to text the author and let her know that I’d been there too. That despite knowing how joyous the finish line would be, there are times when I’m not sure I’ll reach it. And, if I do, I might be too emotionally drained to enjoy crossing the precipice between striving to outrun imposter syndrome and earning the title of expert.

Vanessa Corcoran is the strong female lead in It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint. Readers will see the vulnerable and scared parts that live inside her. Corcoran’s route to the finish line is winding and scenic, though some scenes may require tissue. This book is for anyone striving to finish strong. 

Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma.

BY PETER ARONSON

Young Adult

In his latest middle grade novel, Peter Aronson’s Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma is an easy-to-read novel with a message, not only for pre-teens and teenagers, but for everyone.

Mandalay Hawk is a 13-year-old who wants people to see what global warming is doing to our earth and to save it before it’s too late, and she wants the government to help. So, she creates a plan to march in Washington to get the president’s attention. Set not too far into the future, in 2030, Mandalay begins her journey by getting herself into a situation, which, in turn, gives her father a reason to move the two of them to New York City for a fresh start. In today’s world, I like the spunkiness of Mandalay’s character because we don’t see many teens who are willing to step up and do the things she does in this novel. While we learn a bit about her backstory as well as her two friends, we really see Mandalay shine throughout this novel as a kid who deeply cares about our earth’s future, just as we all should.

Even though Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma is a fictional novel, I felt at times like it was more of a nonfiction book. In fact, I would classify this as realistic fiction. I could tell Peter had done a lot of research for this novel by the details he added to the story. I also liked the way he wove the research into the story, showing how Mandalay and her two friends researched the information they would eventually share with the president. This research certainly makes the situation a little more real to the readers. If we think about the fact that the story is taking place in 2030, that’s not too far off in the distant future. Will our world really be like what Peter describes in Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma? While we really don’t know, this novel does give us something to think about, doesn’t it? 

PUBLISHER: DOUBLE M PUBLISHING, INC.

The Physician's Daughter.

BY MARTHA CONWAY

Adult

PUBLISHER: ZAFFRE Martha Conway has a knack for historical fiction. I read her book Sugarland many years ago. The Physician’s Daughter, I knew I would read it. During a 500-mile move, I had no hesitation about Sugarland’s place in my suitcase. The jazzy notes still play in my head.

Yet despite having read the back cover blurb of The Physician’s Daughter, I carried with me a trifle of doubt and a sliver of hope. Would Vita’s father discourage her from becoming a doctor? Surely not. Wouldn’t it be divine if Vita and her father practiced together? Surely.

Don’t worry - no spoiler alert!

Vita Tenney is a strong female character who doesn’t disappoint. She’s scrappy and determined to have it all. If you ever wondered if you could have your heart’s desires settle in with Vita while she tells you her story.

The Physician’s Daughter is a necessary read about age-old choices and ugly truths. The historical elements transport readers to familiar places, leaving them to confront discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes. Read this book if you’re a woman wavering, discouraged, or experiencing imposter syndrome. If you know a young woman,

A Redemptive Path Forward

ANTONG LUCKY

Adult

PUBLISHER: COUNTERPOINT PRESS

With vulnerability and honesty, Antong Lucky dissects the experiences that he (and so many others in impoverished communities) have had in his debut memoir and sociological call to action. From selling fake crack as a kid and forming the Dallas Bloods, to dealing real crack as a teenager and experiencing horrific physical abuse while in juvie, Antong was never presented with a mentor who could show him a different path than the one he was on. He and so many other young Black men in his community were raised by their absent father’s mistakes and guided by the “hustle” culture around them. Antong was a smart kid, and he had the drive and desire to excel – but how could he, when the only adult figures in his life who believed in him were the Dallas Bloods and the hustlers / dealers who took him under their wing? How could he, when the academic system that claimed to support unconditional education had no empathy for the most desperate in their community? How could he, when the correctional systems put in place for kids and adults grossly abused their power, whether physically or emotionally, forcing the young men in their keeping to become even tougher in order to protect themselves? Antong noticed this systemic and generational cycle, and decided to pursue societal change – he would show the young men in his community that he believed in them. He would become the mentor who showed them that there was another way. After seeing the corruption of American prisons firsthand, and finding God through Islam, Antong left jail in his early 20s with a commitment to help America evolve. He was able to break the pattern of his own life, and now seeks to do so for others in similar situations. The purpose of his mission is to keep young Black boys alive and out of jail, and to break the pattern of senseless gang and police violence. In his book, Antong captures all of this and more – not just as an account of his past, but as a genuine call to action. Change is possible. And I find myself hoping that Antong’s book will be used as an educational tool, and that he will write more nonfiction in the future. A Redemptive Path Forward is a deeply compelling read, and brings to light the societal issues that many people support on paper, but in practice make them squirm – police and prison reform, accessible education, gang dissolution, and class equity are a matter human rights, and Antong argues that empathy is the first step toward this new future. 

You’ve Changed: Fake Accents, Feminism, & Other Comedies from Myanmar .

BY PYAE MOE THET WAR

Adult

You’ve Changed, Pyae Moe Thet War’s debut book, a collection of essays, is personal and impactful, and I think the back-cover summarizes it best: “In this electric debut essay collection, a Myanmar millennial playfully challenges us to examine the knots and complications of immigration status, eating habits, Western feminism in an Asian home, and more, guiding us toward an expansive idea of what it means to be a Myanmar woman today.”

In this book, Pyae masterfully demonstrates the effects of Western bias in her own life, discussing how it is woven into her family and past romantic relationships. With nuance and sincerity, she reveals her own family’s complicated view of their colonizers. And with cutting wit and somber honesty, Pyae dissects the West’s arbitrary prejudice around accents, citizenship, and cross-cultural love, pulling forth evidence from the discriminatory remarks, microaggressions, and governmental requirements that have affected her own life and relationships.

There are so many sections of this book that hit me pretty hard … the way Pyae shares her personal story is beautiful. The way she shares her multi-generational family, despite its complications, is beautiful. The way she describes her lack of desire for children or marriage, in spite of Myanmar’s patriarchal norms, is beautiful (and, as an aro-ace person in a middle eastern family, it’s inclusion is appreciated). The way Pyae discovers and explores herself is beautiful—she’s a kaleidoscopic human being, and watching her accept her own nuances is an emotional but beautiful journey … it feels sacred, almost as though I’m not supposed to be in on it. However, Pyae’s vulnerability and honesty in sharing her story is what makes it so impactful—I sincerely look forward to reading whatever she writes next. 

PUBLISHER: COUNTERPOINT PRESS

Nuclear Family.

BY JOSEPH HAN

Adult

PUBLISHER: COUNTERPOINT PRESS Nuclear War, published on June 7, 2022 by Counterpoint Press, is Joseph Han’s debut novel. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and is incredibly impressive in its execution. Jumping from perspective to perspective, Nuclear Family is an achingly tender, unexpectedly funny, and entirely unique tale of separation, belonging, colonialism, politics, ghosts, immigration, and intergenerational healing. The prose is absolutely beautiful and, while reading, there were moments I stopped to roll a certain sentence or phrase around in my mind, enjoying the taste of it. All of the characters felt very real and individualized, and throughout the book we learn to love and sympathize with all of them, even if we don’t particularly like them or agree with their actions. Their imperfections prove they’re human, and their struggles are heartbreakingly realistic.

As you can probably tell by the synopsis, the storyline itself is pretty wacky – and I mean that in the best way. From ghosts and weed to Guy Fieri and golf, Nuclear Family is as wild and fun as it is aching and beautiful. There is also lots of perspective jumping, which I’m personally a fan of – it results in a more comprehensive look at the characters’ circumstances, motives, and feelings, weaving a tapestry of intergenerational trauma, separation, hope, and love. Their struggles are very real, and Joseph does a phenomenal job of immersing himself fully in the mind of each family member.

If you’re the sort of person who needs predictability and conventional storytelling in your reading, that’s great – but this book might not be for you. However, if you’re able to enter a book and fully immerse yourself in its twists and turns, having an open mind and going with the flow of the story, then I definitely think this book is worth your time! I personally fall into the latter category, and greatly enjoyed the experience. I look forward to reading whatever Joseph writes next, and frankly, I look forward to rereading Nuclear Family to see what I may have missed! 

Ways the World Could End.

BY KIM HOOPER

Adult

PUBLISHER: KEYLIGHT BOOKS

been told in third person. As Kim Hooper’s newest release, Ways the World Could End is her “pandemic novel.” While she uses this situation as part of her storyline, the novel isn’t just about the pandemic. It goes much deeper than that. Ways the World Could End is the story of Dave, a father with Asperger’s, trying to raise his daughter, Cleo, on his own. Jana, Dave’s wife and Cleo’s mother, is gone now, and they both must find a way to move on without her.

Right away, I noticed the way Kim tells the story through both Dave and Cleo. Even though Ways the World Could End is literary fiction, I thought it was interesting how she tells the story back and forth between the father and his teenage daughter, both in first person. Usually, literary fiction is told in third person. However, the way Kim tells the story, that doesn’t matter much. I felt I was getting to know the characters better than I would have if the novel had

Another thing I noticed is how Kim uses such great detail in describing Dave’s thoughts. For instance, the book opens with him thinking about asteroids, and as I continued reading, Dave shared his thoughts about other various topics. I could tell Kim had done quite a bit of research in order to give us these facts.

Most importantly, I liked the way Kim showed us how it is for an adult with Asperger’s to parent a teenager. We’ve probably all been around a child or teen who is on the autism spectrum at some point in our lives, but have we seen an adult who can be a parent? I hadn’t until I read this book.

Ways the World Could End is the realistic look at the life of a man with Asperger’s trying to raise his daughter the best he can. And I must say Kim did an excellent job of showing us how he did this. 