Emma and the Box of Wonder by Matthew S. Cox

Cox skilfully balances the simpler perspective of the young with the underlying complexity of realistic worlds, creating a fast-paced fantasy adventure that is accessible without sacrificing depth. This is the sixth volume in Cox’s Tales of Widowswood series. Potential spoilers for prior volumes ahead. Emma and her sister Kimber expect spending the day with their …

The Threat Unseen by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues to blend realistic dangers of a shattered world with the strong human capability for decency and society, creating another instalment of post-apocalyptic survival that provides all the action without becoming bleak or cheesy. This is the seventh book in Cox’s Evergreen series. Probable spoilers for past volumes ahead. In the two years since …

Demonic Crisis Management for the Modern Vampire by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends a youthful viewpoint with a complex universe, creating another modern vampire tale that is fast-paced and deep. This novel is the sixteenth volume of Cox’s Vampire Innocent series. Spoilers for previous volumes might cross your path ahead. After two years as a vampire, Sarah Wright’s plan to remain with her family continues to …

The Summer of Completely Usual Strangeness by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends a nuanced spin on urban fantasy tropes with character-driven drama and fast-paced action, providing another engaging instalment of modern vampire story. This novel is the fifteenth volume of Cox’s Vampire Innocent series. Spoilers for previous volumes might cross your path ahead. Ashley’s decision to secretly become a vampire has freed Sarah from angst …

A String of Seriously Unlucky Events by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues his vampire series, both revealing new aspects of his mystical society and raising engaging questions of how much influence over events vampires can actually wield. This novel is the fourteeth volume of Cox’s Vampire Innocent series. Spoilers for previous volumes might cross your path ahead. After a year as a vampire, Sarah’s life …

The World We Make by Matthew S. Cox

Cox fuses the frontier narratives of the Old West with technological and social fragments from the Twenty-First Century and the possible longer-term effects of nuclear war, creating a plausible portrayal of a real post-apocalyptic settlement. This novel is the sixth in the Evergreen series. Risk of spoiler contamination beyond this point. In the year since …

Dr. Infinity and the Soul Smasher by Matthew S. Cox

Cox combines engaging superhero antics with the unique combination of possibility and absurdity that is computer game logic to create middle-grade action comedy that will appeal to mature readers too. This is the fourth book in Cox’s The Adventures of Übergirl series. Some spoilers might taint the deliciousness of this review. Kelly Donovan’s boring day …

Hunting Vampires for Fun and Profit by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues his blending of vampire tropes and the concerns of modern US youth to create an engaging tale that has much to appeal both to classic vampire fans and new adult fans. This novel is the thirteenth volume of Cox’s Vampire Innocent series. Spoilers for previous volumes might cross your path ahead. The sort …

The Burning Alchemist by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues his blending of fast-paced thrills, an engaging urban fantasy world, and strong characters, creating another tale of magical firefighting and not destroying the universe. This is the fifth volume of Cox’s Temporal Armistice series. Ignore the muffled giggling. There definitely aren’t spoilers just waiting to leap out beyond this point. When Brooklyn Amari …

Out of Mind by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends wilderness survival, techo-thriller, and teenage anxiety with a fresh and interesting alien world in a way that each amplifies the others rather than conflicting. This is the second book in Cox’s Progenitor series. Possible spoilers ahead. Sima Nuvari grew up on the streets, chased by gangs and the law alike, until the day …