My First 5 Angel...Star...Whatever Review!!!
Anyway, YAY!! My first 5 Angel review is from -- you guessed it -- Fallen Angel Reviews! Elizabeth, the reviewer, said:
Not Quite Dead is a witty and original novella that kept me reading with a smile. Sela Carsen has woven a tale where all is not as it seems. There are a few plot twists that I did not see coming, as well as the potential for an unhappy ending. Not Quite Dead is a beautifully crafted story, with tender love scenes, betrayal, vengeance, a spot of suspense and a growing though seemingly impossible love. The plot itself appears well thought out, flowing well with no bumps to mar the way. The characters and storyline were rather well developed. Sabine and Willem are drawn to one another almost from the first, though they know that the chances for anything between them are near nil. Thoroughly enjoyable, charming and unique, Not Quite Dead is a fabulous read that gives much cause to watch for more works from Sela Carsen.
Did anyone else catch that "characters and storyline are rather well developed"? Hmmmm. Sounded a bit like faint praise. Wonder what tweaked her? Still, no point in turning myself inside out over 3 words in an otherwise excellent review!
8 Comments:
Well, there's subject matter (which is great, of course--I love your writing) and the reviewer's style.
I am greatly taken with Elizazabeth's way of writing a review--and I've reviewed plenty of books: Succinct while highly readable.
Professional critic for years and years and still so much to learn.
I'm jealous!
:-)
Yay! Told you it was a fab book!
By 
Nell Dixon, at
2:21 PM
Well done and congratulations! I bought my first book from Samhain the other day and really enjoyed it. I just read the excerpt for 'Not Quite Dead' and it looks good too. I'll remember it next time I'm on an ebook spending spree.
Oh, and this blog skin is gorgeous!
Immi
x
Perhaps the "rather" is a reflection of a slightly clumsy stylistic thingie.
Concentrate on "fabulous read!"
Thank you, S William! That does make me feel better.
Ivan, there seems to be a particular style to reviewing romance. A couple of paragraphs of summary, then the critique of the work. Some focus on how the book made them "feel" and some are interested in craft issues like POV and structure.
Thanks, Nell! I'm beginning to believe it!
Immi, thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying Samhain's books. And I got the blogskin from Caz for free. Took me a while to find the right one.
Thanks, Bernita! I will!
By Sela Carsen, at
8:18 AM
Well dog my cat.
You learn something every day.
I found when reviewing for the very early Toronto Sun, years ago, that I was inclined to do a hatchet number on the work if I found it clumsy or (or "footling", as W.S.M would say).
I am finding of late that it's best to use the method you're suggesting, Sela, while resisting a snort and a condemning of any new work out of hand.
Seems nowadays novelists moonlight as critics, and you obviously know both ways to go, which is cool.
Fabulous review! Way to go! :)
By 
, at
8:44 PM
Thanks Laine and Michelle!
Ivan, reviewing in the romance community often involves a curious sort of nepotism. I'm writing more and reviewing less.
By Sela Carsen, at
7:21 AM