We authors live or die by those all-powerful
Reviewer's Words
Reviewer's Words
The !@#$ Review Pitts:
The book had a weak and unbelievable plot. The characters were not well fleshed,
the pages were wordy, and the ending was disappointing. Dodge this one - 1 *
.
the pages were wordy, and the ending was disappointing. Dodge this one - 1 *
.
You fall into a major depressive tailspin, lock yourself in your room (with either alcohol, chocolate, or ice cream), and swear never to write another book. Does the Maffia still accept 'contracts' on way nasty reviewers? If the review was particularly cruel, you might go with all three of the above mentioned comforts.
Alternatively. . .
The SUPER ACCOLADE!
The SUPER ACCOLADE!
This book is a masterpiece of literary writing. The characters are richly crafted, the plot is gripping and realistic, and the writing is tight, terrific, and powerfully crafted. Could not put it down.
Thoroughly recommended - 10 **********
Thoroughly recommended - 10 **********
YEA! WAHOO! ABOUT TIME!
You go crazy with the news on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ Linkedin and more. Your fingers are numb from texting friends your fabulous news. Toasts with friends and family make you forget, for about 5 minutes, that you must BLOG the good news as well. You wonder about the cost of a NY Times add, or even a local plane to do a fly-over and "smoke" the good news to the locals? You don't sleep for three days, while the underwear draws of your entire family are in dire need of clean socks, skivvies and bras. WHO CARES. . . YOU got a RAVE REVIEW!!! It even impressed your mom-in-law! Ye-e-e-e - Haw!!
==========
You've read my fantasy versions
Now for the
REALITY Check
REALITY Check
I received what I think are two SUPER Reviews for my new young teen book,
Trial by Walkabout
And NO, I did not advertise in the NY Times or hire a plane.
However, I do plead guilty to all the rest - so sue me!!
However, I do plead guilty to all the rest - so sue me!!
Below is why I went a little crazy:
Wouldn't YOU?
Trial by Walkabout
Author: Margot Finke
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Paperback
ISBN: 9781616334505; 1616334509
eBook ISBN: 9781616334512; 1616334517
Reviewer: Karen Cioffi
'Walkabout' is Great Mid-grade Reading
The Writer’s Digest article “7 Ways to Make a Good Story Great”
offers a lot of insight into this topic. It explains
that as a writer you need to (1) ‘go beyond the five senses; (2) take advantage
of your characters idiosyncrasies; (3) write the nitty-gritty; (4) don’t write
down, thinking the audience won’t get it; (5) don’t include
irrelevant content; (6 and 7) involve the emotions of the reader.
Margot Finke’s 'Walkabout' easily covers all these elements. It is truly good writing that has the reader anticipating the next
page. The story’s protagonist is 13-year-old Josh Howard. He and his older
brother, Tom, are at odds, fighting all the time and telling lies about each to
their parents. With their parents away, Tom locks Josh out of the house after a
fight
“Outside,you!” A hard shove shot Josh out
the door flat on his back in the dirt. The door slammed shaking the frame. “You
can stay out there ‘till the rains come for all I care.” Tom’s voice faded as
he moved further indoors.
This is the catalyst that launches Josh into a world of
survival, danger, hunger, Dreametime stories and tribesmen. Josh, who wants to get even with his brother, goes on an Aussie walkabout
with an Aboriginal friend, Bindi. Bindi needs to go on this journey to fulfil
his ‘manhood’ ritual. The two friends face lethal snakes, a huge and dangerous male kangaroo,
a pack of wild dogs, a vengeful emu, and a crazy Medicine Man.
The story’s action is well crafted and Finke blends just the right
amount of back-story throughout the book so the reader learns of the rich
Aboriginal background and the treacherous outback terrain. In one scene, Josh and Bindi hide up in trees to escape death by a pack of
wild dogs:
Shutting his eyes, he
pleaded over-and-over. “Make them stop! Make them stop!” Finally, the victim grew
silent. A sob escaped Josh. The slobbering sounds made by the dogs of death
filtered up to him.He tried not to hear the soft tearing noises. And the smell—the
stench of every creature these four-legged killers had ever slaughtered rose from them in putrid waves.
The writing is powerful and at times raw, as shown above, just what
boys love. But, along with the heart pounding action, it also teaches subtle,
yet powerful lessons about lying and loyalty. Trial by Walkabout takes the reader on an amazing ‘growing up’ journey
through the Australian outback. This is great children’s reading and I highly
recommend it for middle-graders and young adults.
Amazon: Softcover (Kindle coming)
Website for autographs plus my FREE Aussie Recipe Book
Website for autographs plus my FREE Aussie Recipe Book
NOTE:
'Walkabout' is one of 4 young teen books I am offering FREE to teachers, in return for their class reading it, and adding a CLASS REVIEW on Amazon. I will also do a Skype Author Visit to each class that reviews my books.
See this BLOG POST for details.
=====================
Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
http://www.margotfinke.com
======================
www.hypersmash.com
Website for autographs plus my FREE Aussie Recipe Book
Survival by Walkabout
by
Margot Finke
Reviewed by:
Penelope Anne Cole
Award winning author of Magical
Matthew and Magical Mea
So, how do I
like her latest middle grade novel, Trial
by Walkabout? It’s another love
fest! This is a compelling adventure
that keeps you on your toes, wondering what could happen next as Bindi and Josh
go “walkabout” in the outback. l'lI admit I’m a fan of Margot Finke’s books. I loved everything about her Down Under Calling. I
thought The Revenge of Thelma Hill was just scary enough. I also enjoyed the banter between Taconi and Claude -- plus learning more
about life “Down Under.”
Young teens Bindi and Josh are the grandsons of Taconi and “the
Boss,” the previous owner of the Cooperoo Cattle Station. They grew up and played together before Josh
went off to boarding school. They’ve
grown apart over the years and meet up again in this story when Josh is locked
out of his house after a fight with his big brother Tom.
Josh thinks up a plan to get even with Tom and going
walkabout with Bindi fits his needs perfectly.
But the actual walkabout is more of an adventure than the overnighter Josh
bargained for. The way the teens deal
with the outback’s strange creatures, living off the land – even surviving personal
danger – makes for great fun and edge-of-your-seat excitement.
I can’t give away the ending. Suffice it to say that Josh learns a lot on
his walkabout about the important things in his life and personal values. He learns more about friendship and
relationships along the way. He
struggles with his original plan to get back at Tom and wants to set things
right, if possible. It’s good to see his
character grow.
Exciting stories that entertain us and remind us of our
moral compass – these are the kind of books we need more of. Thanks to Ms. Finke for another winning teen
book. Trial by Walkabout is recommended for ages nine to fourteen –
especially reluctant boy readers.
NOTE:
'Walkabout' is one of 4 young teen books I am offering FREE to teachers, in return for their class reading it, and adding a CLASS REVIEW on Amazon. I will also do a Skype Author Visit to each class that reviews my books.
See this BLOG POST for details.
=====================
Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
http://www.margotfinke.com
======================
www.hypersmash.com
