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! https://allthingsuf.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-deadly-curiosities-1-gail-z-martin.html
- “Suspenseful writing drew me in” NotYetRead https://www.notyetread.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin/
- “Creeptastic!” CaffeinatedBookReviewer https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2014/06/deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin.html
- “Makes you want more” https://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html says Bibliosanctum
- “Kick-ass action at every turn” Gizmosreviews https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/2014/06/gizmos-book-reviews-deadly-curiosities.html
- “Spooky, ghosty UF” says Fineprint https://fineprintblog.com/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “Jam-packed full of amazing fight scenes” FantasyFreak https://bibliophilesreverie.com/2014/05/13/dani-hoots-review-of-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “Definitely a worthwhile read” Elderparkbooks https://elderparkbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “I had butterflies in my stomach” MuchLovedBooks https://muchlovedbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
- “Fresh ideas … a perfect blend” Ponderings of Psyche https://ponderingsofpsyche.blogspot.com/2014/06/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
- “Lots of kick-ass action” BookCityChick https://www.bookchickcity.com/2014/06/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “Great reading, can’t wait for more” Wicked Scribes https://wickedscribes.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/new-series-review-deadly-curiosities/
- “I highly recommend this one!” EnchantedAlley https://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 https://sheheartsbooks7.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html
- “Intriguing start to a new series” Leaflette https://www.leeanna.me/book-review-deadly-curiosities-deadly-curiosities-1-by-gail-z.-martin/
- “The characters are wonderful” I Smell Sheep https://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/06/book-review-arc-deadly-curiosities.html
- “A fun start to a new series” SciFiFanletter https://scififanletter.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail.html
- “Fast-paced, suspenseful and creepy” the Book Adventurers https://thebookadventures.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/ghosts-demons-and-vampires-in-deadly-curiosities/
- RabidReads hails Deadly Curiosities release https://rabidreads.ca/2014/06/paranormal-new-releases-june-24th.html
- “Magical strangeness with hints of splendor” RedHeaded Mule https://redheadedmule.com/features/deadly-curiosities-review/11078/
- “Super spooky and lots of fun!” Fantasy Is More Fun https://fantasyismorefun.com/2014/06/deadly-curiosities-gail-z-martin-book-review.html
- “Serious crossover appeal for urban fantasy and horror readers” Suduvu https://universe.suvudu.com/post/urban-fantasy-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin
- “The book remains glued to your hand! RealitysABore https://realitysabore.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/deadly-curiosities.html
- “An exciting and fresh UF book” The Book Plank: https://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-deadly-curiosities.html
- “I recommend this to all UF fans” BookSpotCentral https://www.bookspotcentral.com/2014/06/27/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin-review/
- “Full of action, mystery & magic!” UTCBookBlog https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/2014/06/arc-review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “A unique take on UF” Avid Fantasy Reviews https://avidfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/
- “A strong opener to a new urban fantasy series” A Fantastical Librarian https://www.afantasticallibrarian.com/2014/07/gail-z-martin-deadly-curiosities.html
- “I will be looking forward to more” Book Bitch https://stacyalesi.com/2014/07/05/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin/
- “I’m in for sequels” To Each Their Own Reviews https://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “I thoroughly enjoyed Cassidy’s adventure” Nayus Reading Corner https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z-martin.html
- “Nothing short of spectacular” Sheila K Harris https://sheilakharris.com/2014/07/02/deadly-curiosities-book-review/
- “A must-read! I’m moving @GailZMartin to my auto-buy list!” FreshFiction @solarisbooks https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44707
- “The plot kept me on the edge of my seat.” Book Girl Book Nook Blog https://bookgirlsbooknookblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/deadly-curiosities-review.html
- “Intricate world building, magic system, history, action and investigation” Ren’s Little Corner https://renslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-deadly-curiosities-by-gail-z.html
