Promise by Kristie CookMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I began reading this book out of curiosity, to see if a self-published book lived up to the quality of a traditionally published one. And you know what? It didn't just 'live up to' the standard, but soared beyond it.
It is told from the perspective of Alexis, an eighteen-year old protagonist, so when you begin reading, it seems like Young Adult fiction (though the content definitely is not). This threw me a little because I don't read YA. But once I got over the 'young' voice, and started focusing primarily on the story, I was pleasantly surprised. It had me up late at night to 'just read another chapter', until I couldn't hold my head up any longer. When books do this to me, it's a success.
I'm a really fussy reader. I don't have any inclination to pick up a paranormal fantasy novel. So for a paranormal fanatasy novel, that reads like YA to hook me, the writer has to be good. And Kristie Cook is GOOD!
If you're looking for delicate elitist literary prose, then this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for an entertaining story to transport you into another world, to forget your woes, routine or monotony of the everyday, then pick this up. You won't be disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed something that I thought I never would. So thank you, Kristie, for the wonderful experience!
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That's wonderful to hear! My experience with self-published has not been good. Bad editing, bad formatting, and an only ok story.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to read a positive review of a SP book. With the pub world as it is, more authors will turn to this method. Good books and reviews such as this one can only help.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the share.
This is good to hear! Thanks for sharing this...I will check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful thing when a book surprises us! Thank you for this suggestion!
ReplyDeleteA good suggestion thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks for the info! Yes, I've found self published books to be a mixed bag. I totally support it, but you never quite know what you'll find.
ReplyDeleteShould I ever get FRENCH QUARTER NOCTURNE published, I want you do a review. If I get a positive one, then I will know it was earned by being a good read.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts about self-published have stopped me from eBooks. Readers look at them and internally go, "If he was any good, a publisher would have snapped him up."
I was going to invite you to read my short, short story that was selected for Erin Cole's 13 DAYS OF HORROR, but you don't like urban fantasy. Still, if you're feeling adventurous, here, as a courtesy only, is the link :
http://erincolelive.blogspot.com/2010/10/death-in-my-veins-roland-yeomans.html
A very few of the 13 authors will have their stories selected to be read in a podcast. Wish me luck.
Have a great week, Roland
Thank you for reading and reviewing, Jessica!!!! I'm so happy you liked it. Coming from a reader with such high standards AND a writer AND an editor, it means a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping my own high standards of writing, editing, formatting and design can help change the minds of those readers who still believe SP equals poor quality. The number of these readers is dwindling (many don't even know or care who the publisher is) and the number of high quality SP authors is increasing. It's not a matter of publishers snapping them up - publishers don't even learn of their existence because of today's dinosaur systems. In the meantime, there are other opportunities for readers to meet great writers and more and more of us are capitalizing on those opportunities.
It's an interesting time in the industry. Hopefully, when it all finally settles, authors will be in a much better position than they are now or have been for the last 10 years.
Wonderful review! Way to go Kristie Cook! I like that you mention it is self-published and still very GOOD!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karen G, wonderful review. And I enjoyed Kristi's comment. I think that as SP authors get the hang of the formatting and so on, the uneven SP rep will straighten into more of a smoothe ride for all.
ReplyDeleteWhat I see coming is a Marketing Agent/Editor focused on the SP world, for an up-front fee.
Enjoyed your review. Sounds like this is a really good book. Always looking for something to transport me to a different place. Love books that you get so wrapped up in that you forgot all your problems and just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
After all those years of uni, if I have to read 'delicate elitist literary prose' again I will vomit - right into the book (which would unfortunately be my Kindle, so eew). I'll give this story a go - you've intrigued me!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review and so inspiring to read that self-publishing can be done right!
ReplyDeletesounds like an awesome book--and good to know self publishing can work! Thanks for the heads up, Jess~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that self publishing can exceed expectations. My experience with it so far has been quite bad, so this has given me renewed hope :)
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