JustAskMatthew

Indie Ink Awards 2025 Judge

Reviews

The Spacer (Galatean Saga #0.5) by Jasmine P. Antwoine

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well
Content Warnings: prisoner abuse, xenophobia, bullying, panic attack, grief

A character-driven drama filled with moral complexity that explores a couple of really big questions (and well), this is a riveting introduction to a future conflict that is all too recognizable from today's world. You must experience this novella's true power for yourself.

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Reviewed on 2025-12-24T09:53:46Z

Chivalry Will Get You Dead by Ed Robins

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

A surprisingly modern adventure with a somewhat classic detective; great blend of time periods with terrific dialogue! A perfect blend of tropes, witticism, mystery, and sci-fi action.

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Reviewed on 2025-11-26T06:09:19Z

Nytho by Sheri Singerling

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

You can start with any of Sheri's first three books and enjoy them all immensely (or one of several short stories she's published to date), but this novel perfectly sets up the Alfom shared universe. Once you've read this book, it enriches your experience for all the others, too.

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Reviewed on 2025-11-18T12:30:32Z

Neuen by Sheri Singerling

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

This book takes place on a fascinating planet whose unique position and rotation dictates a lot of how its inhabitants live. Still, the characters drove this even more than the plot, for me, and I loved it!

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Reviewed on 2025-11-15T06:58:18Z