A 5 Star Review for Guardians of the Grimoire

I wanted to share the latest review that Guardians of the Grimoire received two weeks ago. If you haven't seen it yet, I've posted it below. The lovely Tara S. Wood has written what I call an epic review. I literally cried when I read this, because it proved to me that all the hard work I put into this book, making certain everything is as professional as can be, was worth it. Guardians of the Grimoire is the first book I wrote and that was 3 years ago. It is not only my baby, but it is also my guinea pig, because I have learned A LOT about self-publishing. The first book in the Grimoire Trilogy came out one year ago on December 1st, 2011. Since then some have wondered why I haven't published another book. It's simple really, I've been studying and researching the business side of self-publishing.

I am happy to say that I am now writing book 2, which is in fact my third attempt at it. I like where I'm heading with it and if you thought book 1 was jam-packed with action, wait and see what I have in store for you in book 2.

Also, I want people to know that these reviews the book is receiving doesn't come from friends or family, in fact, my family speaks French and the book is in English. I approach people I don't even know and politely ask them if they would be interested in reviewing the book. What you see in the reviews is their honest opinions. I'm not interested in a review for a review, I consider that dishonest, what I'm looking for is for real feedback. The reason I mention this is because I've been seeing a lot of trash talk from others, saying that any book that receives only good reviews, it must come from the authors entourage. I find this offensive to any author who has put in all their blood, sweat, and tears into publishing something deserving of good reviews.

If you're a new author, here's a tip for you. If you're looking for real, honest feedback, approach people you don't know. Only then will you truly see your book's true worth.

If it looks like some of them are my friends today, well they are, but the difference is, they became my friends AFTER they reviewed my book, in the beginning we were total strangers. I count my blessings for getting to know these wonderful book reviewers who put in so much of their time to review books without receiving compensation. I tip my hat in thanks to them and I hope they know how much I appreciate it.

And so, without further ado, here is the latest review.....

Tara S. Wood's Review

Epic fantasy, high fantasy, dark fantasy: I love everything about this genre. And I love everything about this book.Guardians of the Grimoire is deserving of space on my bookshelf next to the tomes of Robert Jordan and David Eddings. If you’re looking for a rehash of the plot, go elsewhere. This review is to tell you WHY you need to read this book.

Ms. Slight contacted me via my blog and requested a review of her work. I took a look at her website, peeked a little at Guardians on Amazon and decided instantly that this was a must read. Best. Decision. Ever. FYI, I don’t do paid reviews, and a copy was furnished to me by the author. This is a keeper that I want my daughter to read when she’s old enough. It’s targeted for YA, but any reader of fantasy will enjoy this. Reading this took me back to the first time I picked up a copy of Pawn of Prophecy by Eddings. I was hooked. Utterly. Completely. Pawn of Prophecy still sits on my shelf today. I’m dusting off a spot next to it for Guardians.

The world-building is just amazing. Everything is drawn out in rich detail with vivid imagery, making it so easy for my mind’s eye to conjure. Complex, yet not complicated, there are layers here: everyday life, magic, sorcery, politics. And all of them woven together intricately and seamlessly. There is a lot of information; there has to be in a story this size. It is inevitable. However, at no time did I feel like there was information just being dumped on me for the sake of plot exposition. There is a story to be told, not facts to be given.

From the beginning it was Kerani that caught my attention, and even though there are multiple points of view throughout the book, it was Kerani’s that spoke to me the most. In a book this size with this much plot, multiple points of view can become bulky and unwieldy for the reader, as there isn’t enough for them to really get to know each character. Not here. Ms. Slight does an amazing job at characterization through dialogue and exposition. At the end, I felt I knew these people and had a personal investment in their stories.

Speaking of characterization: *insert slow 80’s clap here* Brilliant. Marvelous. Archetypal, but not hackneyed. They are good, solid fantasy incarnations. Even the villains (Kael, Merazar, and Nox) are fleshed out in detail. And as the saying goes, “Character builds plot.” The characters and their wants and needs drive this story, so much so that as the journey unfolds, you find yourself alongside them. You know it’s a good book when you want to crawl inside and tag along. I was ready to take up arms to protect the Grimoire and kick some serious butt.

The dialogue is easy. I don’t mean simple, I mean effortless, natural. The interactions between the characters flow like water. There is nothing awkward or stilted. It’s a difficult pace to maintain in a book this long, but Ms. Slight does it with a deft hand.

I mention the length, because if you are not familiar with the genre, books here tend to be longer. It’s the scale of the story that requires it. Fantasy novels tend to work several angles and plot threads, all the while introducing new characters, places, creatures, and concepts. Guardians of the Grimoire is no exception. This is a sweeping story that pulls you in from the very beginning and keeps you at a breakneck pace until the end. And when you get there you realize with a clench of the heart that the end of this story is only the beginning. That is a hallmark of good fantasy. I eagerly await the next book in this series.

Five out of five stars, all of them epic.