Last year, over one million books were published in the U.S. That includes books from big publishers and small presses, self-published books and ebooks—and it makes for a lot of choices for readers to sift through.
That’s why reviews matter so much. It used to be you could while away a couple of hours at your local bookstore, wandering the aisles, browsing books on tables and shelves, maybe even sitting on the floor in the aisle, reading a few pages (my personal favorite).
But as physical bookstores become scarce, a lot of book buying happens online—and ebooks have increased that trend. All those little thumbnail covers are overwhelming. How do you know whether a book is right for you?
If you’re deciding whether or not to take a chance on an author you haven’t read before, reviews can make the difference between one book and another. It can be a personal recommendation from a friend, something you’ve seen on social media, a reader review on Amazon, Goodreads or another online bookstore, or a blog post from a book reviewer. You may not always agree with all of a reviewer’s comments, but when you find someone who seems to like the same things you do, a good review can point you toward new reading adventures.
Here are some comments I’m hearing from book reviewers around the world on Deadly Curiosities. Thank you to each and every person who has ever recommended my books!
- Read Deadly Curiosities in daylight! http://allthingsuf.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-deadly-curiosities-1-gail-z-martin.html
- “Suspenseful writing drew me in” NotYetRead http://www.notyetread.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin/
- “Creeptastic!” CaffeinatedBookReviewer http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2014/06/deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin.html
- “Makes you want more” http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html says Bibliosanctum
- “Kick-ass action at every turn” Gizmosreviews http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/2014/06/gizmos-book-reviews-deadly-curiosities.html
- “Spooky, ghosty UF” says Fineprint http://fineprintblog.com/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “Jam-packed full of amazing fight scenes” FantasyFreak http://bibliophilesreverie.com/2014/05/13/dani-hoots-review-of-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “Definitely a worthwhile read” Elderparkbooks http://elderparkbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “I had butterflies in my stomach” MuchLovedBooks http://muchlovedbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
- “Fresh ideas … a perfect blend” Ponderings of Psyche http://ponderingsofpsyche.blogspot.com/2014/06/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
- “Lots of kick-ass action” BookCityChick http://www.bookchickcity.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “Great reading, can’t wait for more” Wicked Scribes http://wickedscribes.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/new-series-review-deadly-curiosities/
- “I highly recommend this one!” EnchantedAlley http://enchantedalley.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “One of those books you just can’t put down until you’re finished!” SheHeartsBooks http://sheheartsbooks7.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html
- “Intriguing start to a new series” Leaflette http://www.leeanna.me/book-review-deadly-curiosities-deadly-curiosities-1-by-gail-z.-martin/
- “The characters are wonderful” I Smell Sheep http://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/06/book-review-arc-deadly-curiosities.html
- “A fun start to a new series” SciFiFanletter http://scififanletter.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html
- “Fast-paced, suspenseful and creepy” the Book Adventurers http://thebookadventures.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/ghosts-demons-and-vampires-in-deadly-curiosities/
- RabidReads hails Deadly Curiosities release http://rabidreads.ca/2014/06/paranormal-new-releases-june-24th.html
- “Magical strangeness with hints of splendor” RedHeaded Mule http://redheadedmule.com/features/deadly-curiosities-review/11078/
- “Super spooky and lots of fun!” Fantasy Is More Fun http://fantasyismorefun.com/2014/06/deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin-book-review.html
- “Serious crossover appeal for urban fantasy and horror readers” Suduvu http://universe.suvudu.com/post/urban-fantasy-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin
- “The book remains glued to your hand! RealitysABore http://realitysabore.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/deadly-curiosities.html
- “An exciting and fresh UF book” The Book Plank: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities.html
- “I recommend this to all UF fans” BookSpotCentral http://www.bookspotcentral.com/2014/06/27/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin-review/
- “Full of action, mystery & magic!” UTCBookBlog http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/2014/06/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “A unique take on UF” Avid Fantasy Reviews http://avidfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/
- “A strong opener to a new urban fantasy series” A Fantastical Librarian http://www.afantasticallibrarian.com/2014/07/gail-z-martin-deadly-curiosities.html
- “I will be looking forward to more” Book Bitch http://stacyalesi.com/2014/07/05/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “I’m in for sequels” To Each Their Own Reviews http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “I thoroughly enjoyed Cassidy’s adventure” Nayus Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “Nothing short of spectacular” Sheila K Harris http://sheilakharris.com/2014/07/02/deadly-curiosities-book-review/
- “A must-read! I’m moving @GailZMartin to my auto-buy list!” FreshFiction @solarisbooks http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44707
- “The plot kept me on the edge of my seat.” Book Girl Book Nook Blog http://bookgirlsbooknookblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-review.html
- “Intricate world building, magic system, history, action and investigation” Ren’s Little Corner http://renslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
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