E.S. Barrison's Blog, page 12

General Update

Hey everyone.

I know I’ve been a bit quieter on social media lately. I’ve kind of hit a bit of a wall. While my writing is still doing awesome, I think I was trying to wear too many hats: my full-time career, my author stuff, reading books by indie authors, creating features, and writing blog posts. While I sold more books last month than I did in awhile (thanks in part to my new TikTok page), the work-to-return ratio has been quite low.

Don’t get me wrong, I will continue building up this indie writer community with every fiber in my body. My TBR still consists of MANY indie books, and I will continue to take review requests. But, I really wanted to feature authors regularly and get this blog series going…but it has kind of fallen by the way-side. 

It’s hard when you have to run most of your author stuff by yourself. While I have amazing support from my fiance, I have a wonderful editor, and I have some great friends…99% of the work is all me. I am sure most of you understand this. 

I am just going through a rut right now. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but it’s been difficult for me lately when I put SO MUCH of myself into my author stuff, and the return is maybe a few sales or a review or two. 

Will I stop supporting everyone in this community? Absolutely not. But if you’ve notice how I’ve had to take a step back, or that I’m being quieter…these are the reasons why.

I will still be posting regularly here, just my overall engagement will be a bit lower until I can find the right place…mentally. I’m posting a ton on TikTok because it’s fresh and new, so if you want to see or here from me MORE regularly, you can follow  me there at esbarrison_author. 

For now, stay on the look out for details on my upcoming short-story, Tuppence, as well as more book reviews. I’ll have a few more complete by the end of the month!

Thanks for understanding

ESB

The Magic Flower Shop – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★☆☆   (3 / 5 stars)
Audio Book Performance: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 Stars)

 Violet loves visiting her Aunt Abigail’s flower shop. But one day when a mysterious woman comes to visit, Aunt Abigail suddenly has to leave on an overnight trip…meaning Violet isn’t able to stay with her for the day! Yet, Violet’s own imagination is going wild: who was the strange woman? Why was Aunt Abigail going to Scotland of all places in the middle of winter? And what is the strange yellow book with magical flowers doing behind Aunt Abigail’s mirror? 

Violet, with her friends Jack and Zack, uncovers Aunt Abigail’s magical secret, begins to uncover the magical properties of the flowers in the shop. In an endearing story about making mistakes and doing what’s right, this is a tale that all ages will enjoy!

Quite frankly, I picked up this story as a freebee on Audible. I love to listen to children’s books and middle-grade novels on Audible. There is something about them that brings me back to a simpler time. So, it is fair to note that I am not the ideal audience for this book. While it was adorable, and I enjoyed the narration, there was one element of the story that didn’t feel quite right. Children won’t notice this issue, and for the most part it can be overlooked.

So as a fair warning…there are spoilers below!

There’s a part in the middle of this children’s story that didn’t sit right with me. Violet and her friends receive a flower order from their school teacher (named “Mr. Bachelor”) for Ms. Hedgehog (another teacher at the school). They decide to “help” their teacher out by putting a love potion in the flowers. That’s all well and good, sort of…not really, but then another man switches out the flowers after Vilet leaves them on Ms. Hedgehog’s doorstep (though he probably didn’t know about the love potion). Ms. Hedgehog is initially repulsed by this new man, but upon sniffing the flowers, she “falls in love with him” and invites him into her house. 

So it’s not just a mild love potion, but an implied intimate moment that is further signified by the fact that this man is wearing Ms. Hedgehog’s robe when Violet and her friends stop by again. 

Basically, it came off to me as a little bit of an uncomfortable scenario, especially for a children’s book. While children might think of this as a funny moment, all I found myself thinking was: “Poor Ms. Hedgehog.” 

If you can get past that, the story overall is cute though, which is why I am still giving this 3 out of 5 stars, especially since I was not the target audience. Violet is a curious and precocious child, and there is a clear air of magic in the flower shop. 

Children will be yearning for more by the end of it, especially to see if Violet ever learns about her magical past! 

What’s it about?

Nine-year-old Violet loves spending time in her Aunt Abigail’s flower shop in their small British town. And she’s so excited to stay overnight with her Aunt Abigail for the first time! But when Aunt Abigail has to leave to deal with an emergency, Violet and her friends, twins Jack and Zack, start poking around – and discover that her aunt owns an ancient magical flower book and uses her flower magic to make people happy! 

Violet wants to do that, too. Her first mission: making a match between two of her teachers. Unfortunately, it all goes wrong! Until Aunt Abigail comes to the rescue, that is. It’s not long until Violet finds another opportunity to test out some magic: helping her classmate Fiorella, who’s deeply unhappy even though she’s an amazing piano player. Can Violet help Fiorella stand up for what she wants? Or is there more magical mayhem in store?

The Magic Flower Shop on Goodreads

Card Holders: Red Blood – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75 / 5 stars)

There are two types of people: bound and unbound. While the ideas of super human strength, super speed, and other such powers might sound like a blessing, it reality it is much difference. Society sees the unbound as a curse, and Neela Blydes knows this all too well. But, when the domain’s cardholder dies, Neela is thrown into the a contest of power and wits, that threatens not only Neela’s life, but the life of those she cares about. Why is a group of assassins after her? Does this have to do with her father’s death? Can he trust her new friend, Amil? Or is it all coincidence?

In an action pact first novel, we enter the domain of the cardholders. Reminiscent, in a way, to the Hunger Games, Battle Royale, My Hero Academia, and other stories that throw young competitors into a ring, Kaitlyn Legaspi perfectly captures the anxiety and confusion a 17-year-old girl might feel upon having an entire competition on her shoulders.

Neela is tough; she doesn’t want to appear weak, constantly standing her ground against her trainer, Brochlan, and her brother, Jacen, while trying to appear just as powerful as two well known assassins, Claec and Amil. But, while being tough, she doesn’t sacrifice her own principles: kindness before anger, sympathy before pain. This makes her a rising star in the tournament, and one that the reader (as well as the ficitonal audience) will cheer for along the way. 

Card Holders: Red Blood serves as an introduction to the conflicts, ending with tear-jerking heartbreak that makes you want more. With the direction of the narrative, I wasn’t surprised over the terrible fate handed to Neela, but it still made me tear up all the same.

Yet, while the characters shine in Red Blood, what it lacked was some of the worldbuilding that I oh-so-selfishly desired. There was clearly an interesting hierarchy going on with the cardholders, the unbound, and the bound, but not all of it is laid out clearly. Neela is forced from being a vigilante into being a competitor by someone else’s hand, and even by the end of it all, I wasn’t entirely sure “who” the Queen of Hearts is supposed to be. Perhaps that is on purpose though, making me yearn to come back for more.

While the book is a marvelous introduction to the world of the Card Holders, it felt more like the first half of a bigger story. A true turning point didn’t come right until the end for Neela. Though, this obvious change in her does excite me for the next book.

Card Holders: Red Blood is definitely a fabulous start to this series! It left me with some anime vibes, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book. Spring 2022 can’t come soon enough!

Card Holders: Red Blood comes out on February 19th. I definitely recommend everyone check it out!

Note: I received a copy of this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review.

What’s it about?

There are two kinds of people in this world: the bound and unbound. The unbound are born with unnatural, inhuman abilities. While having powers may come with its perks, to be unbound is to be cursed. Unbound individuals are treated as freaks, yet despite this, they hold the highest positions in the government: the Card Holders of the fifty-two domains.

When her domain’s Card Holder dies, unbound seventeen-year-old Neela Blydes is forced to participate in a tournament to find the unbound most worthy of leading the Queen of Hearts Domain. But the tournament isn’t as glorious as it seems. It’s a tournament that herds unique unbound called Specialists into deadly combat, a tournament where winning by default is nonexistent and killing is permitted.

As Neela progresses through the rounds with her life on the line, she forges new alliances and encounters dangerous unbound adversaries. Among them is a white-haired man with crimson eyes.

Dangerously familiar crimson eyes.

Red Blood on Goodreads

The Princess Game – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★☆☆   (3.5 / 5 stars)
Audio Book Performance: ★★★★★ (5 / 5 Stars)

There is murder afoot…and the popular girls (or princesses) of Chaminade High are at risk! Rookie detective, Callum Pederson is on the case, going under cover with his partner as a student at the high school. But, after getting wrapped up in the ins-and-outs of the school, Callum finds himself reliving his own high school years, trying to impress the other “princes” while wooing the heart of the 18-year-old daughter of the principal. Will he uncover who is murdering these girls? Or will he fall victim to the same game?

In dark high-school twist on both murder and fairytales, this story in the Faraway collection once again takes familiar aspects of princesses and princes and turn them on their head. Written as a police transcript, this was very effective as an audiobook, giving us a more emotional insight into the motives of each potential culprit, as well as Callum’s own uncertainty.

I think the fact that I listened to this as an audiobook rather than read it is what made this book 3.5 stars for me rather than 3 stars. While the story is compelling, it is definitely very dark, focusing on toxic masculinity, assault, and gruesome murders. While it was executed well, it definitely took me off guard how dark these high schoolers were portrayed in the story. In addition, I think the most uncomfortable part for me was how they placed this 21-year-old detective as a student, rather than a teacher. This led to questions of authority, which are addressed in the book. But, if that makes you uncomfortable, then I don’t recommend reading this book.

Overall, it was still quite an entertaining read/listen, with an evident commentary on toxicity of cliques, male or female. Sometimes, we really are doing something to impress others…and that might lead to the harm of those you care the most about. 

What’s it about?

There are no happy endings for the Princesses of Chaminade High in this short, twisty tale of teenage murder games by the New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series.

The victims are the most popular girls in school, each murdered and arranged in a grim fairy-tale tableau. To find the killer, rookie detective Callum Pederson has gone undercover where the Princes hold court. He’s found enough secrets among the bros to bring them in for questioning—but he could very well get lost in the games the Princes play.

The Princess Game on Goodreads

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 / 5 stars)

It’s every girl’s dream: whisked away by the Green Wind, September leaves her bland life in Nebraska behind and journeys to Fairyland! But while Fairyland is filled with creatures and magic that she adores, there is something wicked afoot about the Marquees overseeing Fairyland that is stopping wyveraries from flying, fairies from smiling, and witches from predicting the future. With the Green Wind barred from entering fairyland, September has to figure out how to stop fairyland from succumbing to the evil Marquees before its too late. 

In a book reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and other similar “portal” fantasies, we are lifted onto the back of a Leopard and transported to Fairyland. But Fairyland bends the rules of all things magical, in a way that feels new and different. September is a precocious child, knowledgeable of all things fairy-like, but still willing to take help from a Golem named Lye, a wyverary named A-through-L, and a Maird named Saturday. While she is initially portrayed as being heartless, September slowly works her way not only into the hearts of those throughout fairyland, but also into that of the reader. She has the biggest heart imaginable, going on a quest for witches she just met, or to save her wyverary friend! September is a clear picture of not judging someone by first glance, for she is filled with so much more compassion. 

The whimsical nature of the story turns this tale into a true classic. Fairyland is not just a world of gumdrops and lollipops, but a world sorting through problems, with a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader excited to voyage back. Already I’ve ordered the next four books in the series!

There are also some darker elements to the book that adults and children both will enjoy. This is a story about not just a child, but about the world at large, about growing up, and about experiencing new things. If you enjoy Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz, then you will enjoy this!

It did take me a bit to get into the story though, for as I mentioned above, September starts off as the overly precocious, almost heartless child. The writing style can be hard to get into at first, but once you get absorbed in the story, it is almost hard to book down!

I cannot wait until I receive the copies of the next books in the mail! I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival! Until then, I’ll just dream a bit of fairyland, and pretend I’m riding on the back of a Leopard with the Green Wind. 

What’s it about?

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday. 

With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated FairyLand in a Ship of Her Own Making on Goodreads

Nevada Noir – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)

Money isn’t everything, but unfortunately for a few unlucky souls, it costs them everything. A group of unsuspecting individuals soon become entwined in a mystery revolving around $100K of cash, and with each turn, this cash leads them down the path of wrong. Can any of them escape the lust and greed of wealth? Or will it cause them to meet untimely demises?

In a set of three short stories that are woven together through one common thread, we see how greed leads to death, destruction, and heartbreak. The stories reminded me of Pulp Fiction, and similar stories, where a common factor links multiple individuals together.

David Arrowsmith is without a doubt a skilled writer, able to paint the picture of Nevada clearly in our minds and heart. The tension is high in the air, the money lust aplenty, and sadness a clear trickle in the air. The imagery is the type you might see when reading a book for an English class, but all in the right ways. 

Of all three stories, my favorite was the middle; this one had the most direct storyline that linked the start and finish, with the chance to really get to know the characters more than the rest. These two bank robbers are the focal point, and from here the stories branch out. Without this middle one, the other two stories don’t quite make as much sense, which I feel like was done masterfully and on purpose.

It did take a bit for me to get into this short book (and by that I mean it took me 30 minutes to really start it rather than getting sucked in right away). In addition, the stories are dark, filled with violence and murder, so they are not for the feint of heart.

Definitely a fascinating read though, with a vital message: greed isn’t always worth it. 

What’s it about?

In these three dark and brooding short stories, set in and around the US state of Nevada, a cast of disparate characters struggle with greed and temptation, and the cursed lure of easy money… an old man goes in search of his son in the aftermath of a terrible storm, a couple down on their luck make a life-changing discovery and an ex-cop has one last impossible decision to make…

Nevada Noir on Goodreads

The Wickeds – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 / 5 stars)

 They say we only know the stories of the victors. Is that not true of our favorite fairytales? We hear Rapunzel, Snow White, and Cinderella’s sides of the stories, detailing their wicked mothers. But what if these matriarchs weren’t so bad? What if their stories were just misunderstood? 

In a short story that tells the villainous side of these well known fairytales, we see these “wicked” mothers as worn out old women, trying to live their lives without such horrendous reputations. Though bitterness ultimately gets the better of them, and they are forced to seek out revenge against those who harmed them. Who is right? Who is wrong? Or were neither sides of blame?

In an examination of motherhood, we see sometimes how mother and daughter are pitted against each other. Teenage rebellion can lead into fairy-tale like stories, that put a stake between the mother-daughter relationship. It’s a circle that continues. As one generation ages, the next runs away. This short story was an introspective look at this, with a wonderful fairytale twist. While I would have loved a moment exploring this more at the end, the message is clear: sometimes stories aren’t what they seem…

And sometimes, being a teenager means you aren’t all that rational in your behavior.

Because sometimes, you just want a prince and not your mother.

What’s it about?

The reviled villainesses of Snow White, Cinderella, and Rapunzel team up to set the record straight in a subversively funny short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay.

Envious queen? Evil stepmother? Kidnapping hag? Elsinora, Gwendolyn, and Marguerite are through with warts-and-all tabloids, ugly lies, and the three ungrateful brats who pitted them against each other and the world. But maybe there’s more to the stories than even the Wickeds know. Is it time to finally get revenge? After all, they’re due for a happily-enough-ever-after. Even if they have to write it themselves.

The Wickeds on Goodreads

Rising Up – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75 / 5 stars)

 Welcome to Tranquility. Here, everyone is happy. 

Or so it seems.

With the death of her mother, Ember Vinata’s life is turned upside-down. Suddenly battling an emotional crisis, Ember is placed on the watchlist by the city. But there is more to Ember than meets the eye; highly empathetic, she is forced to monitor her emotions while perceiving everyone else’s. Can she keep herself in control as her world is flipped upside down? Or will it threaten her safety?

Meanwhile, Will is enjoying his new “heroic” life as a Plauditor – a peacekeeper of emotions. Upon meeting Ember though, he begins to questions his own role in Tranquility: is their “happiness” real? Is there something “evil” afoot? And when a rebellion takes root in the center of the government, led by Xander, can Will stay loyal to the city he vowed to protect, or will he choose to fight for the greater good?

Rising Up by Tanya Ross is a dystopian world riddled by false happiness. It doesn’t seem that far off really: everyone wearing smart watches that monitor their emotion, placed into a hierarchy based on how “obedient” and “calm” they are, with a government keeping firm control. It’s a fascinating concept, and one that I fell in love with immediately.

The concept as a whole is a very strong one. I could feel the dystopian world merely steps away, and part of me sensed the stress all the main characters went through. Ross’s ability to play on emotions is a strength here. Tranquility is not “tranquil”; it’s stressful, filled with fake happiness, the type that rubs off on the reader, and when they lift their head from the page, 

As much as I loved the concept though, some parts of the story’s execution didn’t work for me. It “told” rather than “showed” too much in the beginning, in a way that felt like ongoing exposition. Some of the dialogue between characters, as well as some of their physical actions and decisions, felt a little flat or strange, not quite how teenagers would behave. This might be due in part to their trained emotions, so they don’t quite behave like the teenagers of today. Also, as with a lot of YA stories, I’m always left wondering: what about the adults. These are a bunch of 16-18 year old kids leading change, which is admirable, but what about any of the adult figures who might join them? 

This of course is an issue with the genre, and not necessarily with the book though. I’ve found that, personally, I’m not a big fan of the common YA tropes (love triangles, 2-guys-1-girl situations, teenagers leading rebellion, the “super unique beautiful girl”), but for the most part Ross has executed these well (although I hope we avoid a love triangle in book 2). As I discovered while reading Rising Up, YA Dystopian is not my favorite genre…but it IS the genre that pulls me in. So will I stop reading? Nope! Even though it’s not my all time favorite, there are so many good things about the genre, and Ross has brought to life many of those in her novel.

I absolute cannot wait for the sequel and definitely recommend it to those who like YA Dystopian. Definitely an interesting concept…and worth the read! 

What’s it about?

A city under glass. A girl under pressure. When secrets come out, which one will break first?

Sixteen-year-old empath Ember Vinata is devastated by her mother’s mysterious death. But in a disease-free domed metropolis where happiness is electronically monitored and enforced, expressing her grief means exile to The Outside.

The only person who can help her is a smoking-hot government agent.

When strange prophetic dreams compel her to investigate, and she discovers the source of the fatal illness, Ember is stunned to discover the perfect city in which she lives is nothing like it seems.  And when her new boyfriend appears to be torn between seeking justice and remaining loyal to his oaths, she fears there is no one she can trust…

…Or would her world be rocked by a criminal from The Outside?

Ember’s quest for the truth could set her free – or make her a captive pawn.

Rising Up is the thrilling first book in The Tranquility YA dystopian sci-fi series. If you like determined heroines, the power of emotions, and fighting injustice, then you’ll love Tanya Ross’s raw crusade.

Rising Up on Goodreads

To Hire an Editor or Not…That is the Question

Indie Authors face a challenge when it comes to getting their work out there: do they hire an editor? Many independent authors see the price tag of hiring an editor and back off: is it worth it? After all, as a writer, shouldn’t you already be familiar with sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation? 

Each indie author approaches how to edit their book differently. Some will go and hire an editor. Others will work on their own. Some might do something in between (hiring for proofreading only, or using a friend/relative). Everyone will have a different opinion on this, and that is why I reached out to multiple people in the community to find out their thoughts. 

First…My Opinion 

Personally, I believe if you have the means to hire an editor, do so! There are many editors with fair prices out there, while also providing writers with the tools they need to succeed. On all counts, I have a relatively firm grasp of the English language, but there are obscure rules that completely pass over my head. In fact, I even tried to take a single credit grammar class in college, and some of the rules were so strange I barely pulled off a “C” in the class. (Granted, I will admit, it was just a single credit so I could get my loan money for the semester, so I didn’t take it too seriously.)

But that being said, I searched for an editor because I knew my ability to completely polish my prose was limited. I really wanted to see it shine. In addition, I have the means to hire an editor and found an amazing editor within my price range. Charlie Knight helped me clean my prose and make the story pop, and without their help, I don’t think I would have ended up with the story I have today. As an editor, Charlie not only cleaned my prose, but helped me find plot holes and strange spots that even my beta readers missed. 

That, I think, is one of the many important things to take into account: editors don’t just find your spelling errors…they also help you develop the story into something, well, awesome. When you hire an editor with the proper training, they will really help make your writing shine! 

How do you find an editor?

Research! There are so many editors out there, and only YOU will know who is best for your story.

But, heed the following warning from Editor Charlie Knight…for there is fraudulent activity out there, and sometimes the amount you pay for an editor won’t be worth.

Per Charlie:

Indie publishing is, unfortunately, very open to the scam of people who have written books or beta’d for friends calling themselves editors. I regularly get new clients who were already screwed by one of these people. Best advice for avoiding them: Get samples. You’ll know if the editor can do their job and if you click.

This isn’t to say that your writer friends can’t help you edit…but be wary. Years of training and education goes into becoming an editor. Just because someone has a good understanding of grammar or story structure doesn’t mean they really understand how to be an effective editor. 

What if I can’t hire an editor? 

If you do not have the means to hire an editor, do not let this stop you from publishing. There are tools and courses out there that can help your writing pop! Here are just a few of them that I know of off the top of my head. If you know any more, please comment below!

ProWritingAid – I will say, I use this one before sending my book to beta readers! It helps clean up repetitiveness, grammatical errors, and passive voice. There is a free web-based version that lets you operate with 500-words at a time, or a subscription based attachment you can download to MS Word or Google Docs. Grammarly – We see this one everywhere! It’s a web attachment that you can use as a basic spell check, or you can use its priced services to help with editing.Hemingway Editor – I don’t know too much about this one, but I know it helps identify a grade level for your writing and find overly complex sentence. 

There are also tons of resources to learn more about editing…just remember to heed each with caution!

While I still don’t think different software programs or self-training can replace someone who is trained, if you cannot hire an editor, these are the next best thing! But, I do believe that if you can find at least ONE person to read your work before you publish, even if it’s your friend or relative, then do so. They’ll catch things you don’t see. When you edit, after all, you are far too deep into the weeds to notice every little error. 

In fact, don’t just take it from me!  My editor, Charlie Knight, has very similar thoughts!

If you’re going to self-edit, my biggest pieces of advice would be to take recommendations from software like Grammarly or ProWritingAid with a grain of salt (they can’t read for voice), read your drafts out loud, and use beta readers.

Other authors have had their only thoughts regarding self-editing. Most of the time it has to do with costs. A few authors on instagram have voiced how the price-tag for an editor is too high for them at the moment. 

Author Kaitlyn Legaspi told me that, as a college student, it is hard to afford an editor. So she works with her boyfriend to read through her books and make it shine! 

But, there are other reasons too why authors don’t always hire an editor.  

Author SG Bacon doesn’t hire an editor directly, because she has a group of close companions who are effective editors. Her process is:

I do the first round of editing myself, just to make sure I’ve fixed any mistakes that stood out to me. Then, the next round is done with my mom and brother. I know having people close to you edit is something some people advise against, but it all depends, I think. I know that both my mom and brother won’t hold back on their opinions, so I will still get a good result. My final round of editing is with a family friend who is absolutely fantastic at catching little mistakes and picking up on things that might not make sense to the readers.

Author Céline Gelpe has a more methodical approach, once again working with people close to her while tackling her books. 

I did six rounds of editing (developmental, line, copy, proofreading), then I had a uncle who is a poet to do a final proofreading. I did the developmental and line editing after long discussions with beta readers. Talking with my beta-readers was great. I really enjoyed their feedback and I think that overall, my story benefited from their inputs. I had to justify things my characters would do and discovered them in the process. One also took the “job” of a sensitivity reader and made me realize my own bias and my own limits.

But Céline Gelpe has a word to the wise regarding using friends:

My beta-readers were my friends and did this as a favor to me, […] but I had to check regularly to see how they were doing on their reading. I had to actively seek them out for them to give the feedback. It’s not a nice feeling when, once a month, I have to write to them to know how far they are. It takes a toll on my well-being, and makes me feel a bit like a stalker. All of them took more time than they had initially thought. It’s okay, not everybody is a reader but instead of publishing my story 6 months after the final draft was done, it took a whole year.”

As I am sure you can see, there are so many different approaches to editing. While some ways may be better than others, if you want to get your story out there, find a way! Just find the method that best works for you.

Beauty & Beast – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars)

 It’s a tale as old as time…but not like this! 

In a story we are all too familiar with, Beauty finds a magical castle in the middle of the woods, where she sacrifices her own freedom in order to save her father from imprisonment. A beast looms in the castle, a creature of legend that strikes fear into many. But is he really as bad as his exterior? Or is there a soft individual hiding beneath it, who loves books and wood carving? Beauty is on a search not just for answers about the magical castle, but about who Beast really is. But can she uncover the truth before time runs out? 

Once again, we have ventured into a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. And what a retelling it is! Beauty has agency, a bit of snark, and curiosity fit for an adventurer. Beast, on the other hand, is equally cheeky, with a rough sort of charisma that will make anyone love him, despite his exterior.

Or so you would hope.

Most people don’t look past his monstrous side…which is why he fittingly gives himself the name “Beast.” 

What I love most about this retelling is how it avoids the issue of beastiality (which has always been the downside to my favorite fairytale) without sacrificing the fact that Beast is a indeed an animalistic beast. I won’t tell you how it does this, but the conclusion was satisfying and made smile all the way through. Beauty and Beast’s love for each other is not just out of circumstance; they are one in the same, after all. Beauty has a “beast” side to her, and Beast has a beautiful side. Their conversations are not awkward or forced; they really do belong together.

But with a twist that I won’t give away. 

Emily Poirier is an amazing writer, who I really do think more people need to read. The way she can define characters through dialogue and actions, without anyone feel too flat, is striking. Her words whisked me away, and every time I had to put this book down it was with an angry huff…similar to how Beauty reacts to people interrupting her reading as well. 

As with any retelling, it will help if you enjoy Beauty and the Beast, otherwise the story might not appeal to you. But don’t expect this to be like Disney or other retelling. Poirier puts her own twist on it that definitely makes it stand out on its own. 

Beauty and Beast comes out on February 10th. I definitely recommend everyone check it out!

Note: I received a copy of this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review.

What’s it about?

Who could love a beast?

Plucked from her high society life, Beauty finds herself well-suited for the solitude of her new, humble home. However, when her father steals from an enchanted castle in her name, Beauty is left with a choice: marry her self-absorbed suitor while her father wastes away in a dungeon, or take his place as the prisoner of a beast. She chooses Beast, hopeful that his keen, human eyes mean that he can be manipulated like any other man. She doesn’t realize that he means to keep her as a guest rather than a prisoner, and as her manners slip away the castle starts to feel like home.

But Beast’s curse is closing in, and everyone has an angle. Can Beauty find a way to keep her newfound happiness and freedom, or will time run out and destroy everything she loves?Beauty and Beast is a cheeky standalone retelling of the classic fairytale.

Beauty and Beast on Goodreads