Maybe Unicorns
Ascension by David Combs I wanted to get this review posted sooner, but when you get head-down in the final stretch of a draft, it’s easy to lose track of time. Oops. What day is it again? Ascension by David Combs is a story of descendant Guardians (read: witches) whose power and duty is passed down to... Continue Reading →
Take Off Your Pants by Libby Hawker Look, I asked my friends to talk me out of doing a book lay for Libby Hawker’s Take Off Your Pants with my underpants, and not one of those monsters would do it. “Live your underpants dreams, B!” said they. So, I did. Great craft book. Reads quick!... Continue Reading →
The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith I struggled with the first half of the book, likely a combo of what felt like slow pacing and my own reading slump. The Library of the Unwritten and I took a break (NOT A BREAKUP!), and I am glad I came back to it! The premise... Continue Reading →
Crooked Rock Braves (Crooked Rock Book Four) by Pamela Sanderson Early 2020 I was looking for some light reading that would keep me from sinking into a dark hole of grief. Romance is almost always the way for me to do this, but I was also hungry for Native stories. Never in my wildest imagination... Continue Reading →
Damn Fine Story by Chuck Wendig “Treat exposition like you’re having sex with a swamp creature. It’s crass and shameful and should be done as hastily and as hurriedly as possible.” This is a pretty good example of what you are going to find in Chuck Wendig’s Damn Fine Story. Jocularity and slightly off humor... Continue Reading →
Can't Catch My Breath by Sarah Sutton I've read and enjoyed all of Sutton's books, but I have to say I think Can't Catch My Breath is her best yet. Sutton has deviated from the usual type of male character she writes. I've never disliked a single one of them in the past, but I... Continue Reading →
The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I always enjoy Chow's writing. Even when I can see the influences that guided her imagination—and what an imagination it is—it never feels derivative. Chow's created yet another world full... Continue Reading →
Reviews, like so many other things, do not exist in a vacuum, and are not created equal. While bad reviews are part of the hustle, and a review should always be honest, there are reviews out there which are, for lack of a better word, simply unfair.
Older adults love to read Middle Grade, Young Adult, and New Adult fiction. But are our critiques of these stories, which are not written for us, always fair?
Leaving a starred review is simple enough on sites like Goodreads and Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Honestly, anywhere people look for book recommendations or buy books is great. Goodreads and Amazon reviews don't need to be especially insightful or eloquent. A simple "I liked it!" will suffice, and if you're up for it, maybe add a reason why. If you do want to write a more extensive review, post links to it on your social media.