The One Percenters by John Podgursky

The One Percenters by John Podgursky

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Purchase The One Percenters here.

I found myself very conflicted when reading this novel. The concept really intrigued me and kept me moving forward but I found my mind wandering off to other things instead of staying focused on the book. I don't blame this wholly on the book, but the formatting was so bad that I found it rather distracting. Of course, the formatting was only an issue with the ebook version, not necessarily the print copy.

While the book is gripping from page one, it slows down drastically very soon into it. It's almost like telling the simple life of a simple man, not much exciting or entertaining happens except for brief moments here and there. It took a long time of reading to start to really figure out what was going on. It was obvious that the MC was telling his story but not to who or why, for that matter. There are so many details that seemed unnecessary, even pointless, yet were thrown in almost as filler.

One thing I will say, Podgursky has a very vivid imagination and can paint a picture with the best of them. I just didn't enjoy this particular novel as much as I had hoped I would. I'll keep my fingers crossed that there is another book of his for me to read and enjoy in the future.

Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind

It's been awhile since I've posted up a review so I figure it's about time to put up something new... After years of having people suggest the following author to me, I decided to give his work a shot. I now have the full series of audiobooks and chose to start at the beginning... Wait, is it the beginning? I started with the prequel so I guess that is technically starting BEFORE the beginning...

Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Debt of Bones was short and sweet. I enjoyed the writing style and the concept of it but it felt like something was missing. Of course, I blame myself for that. I think that if I had read the series in the order in which it was published, it would have made more sense. Silly me for starting where I shouldn't have.

It's kind of fun meeting Zedd, the wizard of all wizards, as a VERY young man. His abilities amaze and intrigue the reader, making you want to know more of who he is and where he came from. There is almost no background given on the characters (I can guess this is because more is given throughout the series and not in the prequel.) so I felt as if I was left wanting more.

I find that, with most series that have prequels, I can usually start with the prequel and it helps the rest of the series to flow better. With this one, it is the opposite. I can almost guarantee that if I had read it like I was supposed to, this novel would have gotten a 4 star rating. I'm sorry,Mr. Goodkind... I blame myself entirely and the 3 star rating in no way reflects your talent as an author.

In closing, seeing as I am now more than halfway through book one, I would definitely recommend starting there. Don't start with the prequel or you might not want to continue on with reading. Debt of Bones was well written and definitely a good read but I think readers would enjoy it more if read in the originally released order. Start with Wizard's First Rule and enjoy the ride through the world that Goodkind created!

Thud! by Terry Pratchett

Thud! by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say? I can't stay away from Discworld...

Troll vs. Dwarf, that age old feud brought to life again... Commander Vimes got quite the adrenaline rush in this tale, constantly in fear for his life as well as the life of his wife and son, young Sam.

Vimes has changed drastically since his first appearance in Pratchett's novels. Now that he has a son, he is very determined to make it home to read to young Sam. It is sweet watching Old Sam's transformation throughout the series. He protects his family better than he protects himself.

In this book, the reader gets to see a bit of the history as to where the animosity between the dwarves and the trolls comes from. The thought and creativity that Pratchett put into the story is amazing. He really knows how to spin a tale that gets the reader excited. Once again, another Pratchett novel that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. His novels are appropriate for all ages, even though the youngins might not get all the puns and wit...

And on that note...

WHERE'S MY COW?!?!

Behind on my reading...

That's my Sammich!

I have been a bit remiss lately on my reading and blogging, but most of all... my writing! I've been working so much and also just adopted a new puppy. He has been keeping me up at night and making it difficult to concentrate. His name is Sammich (yes, slang for Sandwich) and he is 2 1/2 months old. He super cute and sweet and I'm staying busy with training him.

I have received a lot of review requests lately and have agreed to most. I'm very excited at the thought of finding reading time again. I'm also working on an editing project for a friend. XchylerConn has sent me part 2 of her Keizara series and I can't wait for everyone else to read it as well. I'd share the cover image here but I do not know what it will be yet. (I think she is keeping it secret for now...)

Below are a few of the books that I've received that reviews will be coming shortly. Click the covers and check them out for yourselves!



The One Percenters

Watchman of Ephraim

Die For Me

Touch

Everyone But You

Xenofreak Nation Book 1

Gossamer Sphere

Quest of the Demon

Taking Criticism As An Author

So I've been writing book reviews for some time now. It isn't always the best feeling because it's difficult to write a review that an author might take offence to but I feel it is necessary to be honest. I always give the good with the bad and try to keep my reviews balanced.

This isn't a business for the faint at heart. Sometimes getting a bad or even okay review is helpful to the author. It's better to get an honest, straight-forward opinion than to have a bunch of yes-men around telling you something is great only to find out that the general populace disagrees.

My advice? When a reviewer writes you a review and you don't like what they have to say, take it and put it in your pocket for contemplation at a later time. You might be upset or offended now, but if you look at it later, with a clear head, you might just see that what they said could help you and your career. 

The saying goes, "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes." Well, I have. I too am an author and feel that I have some experience in the business of getting reviews and being criticized. If an author doesn't receive constructive criticism at the beginning of their writing career, they have no way of growing.

As an author, I've gotten some great reviews and some not so great. I've even been told by one reader that I should NEVER write another word. Of course, she has been the only one to say anything like that. In her case, there was no constructive criticism, just someone being as mean as possible. If I were to post the email she sent, it would make my readers cringe as it does me when I think on it. Even when I received her response, I took it, accepted it and moved on. I didn't respond to her and start up an argument. I let it be. She is entitled to her opinion, just as everyone else is.

I, like most of my fellow indie authors, am just beginning on what I hope to be a long career as an author. I know that my work isn't perfect but I strive for it to be. I'll take help wherever I can get it and suggest that you do too. Taking that criticism and using it to your benefit can be a HUGE help!