Review: The Joyous Season, A Play by Philip Barry

I am not at all sure where to start with this review, readers. The story here is an older one – it was first published and performed in New York City on January 29, 1934. As you can see, despite the title, it missed the holiday on which it was set by a couple of …

Review: The Ten Commandments of Murder by David Breitenbeck

It is a crime I never got to this novel sooner, readers. This is a good mystery that keeps you guessing throughout, and the finale is so clever that in hindsight, a reader will wonder how he missed all the pertinent clues. Most of that is due to the fact that the subplots are introduced …

Review: White Ops by Declan Finn

Whew! Apologies for the delayed review, readers. It’s been a busy time and I had to read this work in between breaks. Yes, it’s been that type of busy behind the scenes here at A Song of Joy and I am ashamed to say it has prevented me from reading and reviewing the early copy …

Review: Light Unto Another World, Vol. 1 by Yakov Merkin

Finally, I hear you say, another review! As I mentioned previously, readers, those are coming slowly but they are coming. I’m a bit busy with my own projects at the moment, which is part of the reason for the delay. More will be said about that another day, however. For now, let us dive into …

Review – Battle Shell: The Time Capsule and Vengeance

The reviews are coming, readers. Slowly, but they are coming! Today’s subject is a webcomic titled Barrel Shell, written by the aptly named SuperPencilMan. Available free on http://www.webtoons.com, the description reads thus: On a world much like our own, a great empire ruled over the lands below them in massive flying cities. Then, a cataclysm …

Review: Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense, Issue #9/ Winter 2021

Cirsova Magazine is gearing up for the release of its Spring Issue for 2022, readers, so now seems to be a good time to review their 2021 Winter Issue*. This one has thrills and chills aplenty, with the cover story being particularly frightening. A word of free advice? Do not read that story in the …

Review: The Boys Upstairs by Jane Lebak

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, readers! But before we get to the chestnuts roasting on an open fire and presents under the tree, I have a last-minute gift for you. This would be Jane Lebak’s sweet Christmas story The Boys Upstairs,* one of her Father Jay novels. From the back of the …

Review: The Old Man and the Void by Karina Fabian

  Whew! I am finally making something akin to a dent in my TBR pile, readers! Today’s gem is a book by Karina Fabian, author of the DragonEye, PI* series and Space Traipse* books. She has also written the Neeta Lyffe* zombie apocalypse series and The Mind Over* trilogy, so she has a backlist you …

Review – Batman: The Terror by David Breitenbeck

Fan fiction is not my usual topic for review, readers, but this story was too good not to write about – particularly since I beta read it for the author before it was published. 😉 One must take the opportunity to praise worthy stories, and The Terror is no exception. This three-chapter Batman fan story …

Review: Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense: Vol. 2 No. 1 (Spring 2019) – by Cirsova Publishing

You thought I would review only one issue of Cirsova, correct? Guess again, readers! Since she was curious about the story on the cover, this author decided to pick up the 2019 Spring Issue some time ago. It was a good decision. Since Halloween is approaching, I thought revisiting this issue of Cirsova would be …