The End of the Tour

Highly underrated movie.

Well, it’s the last day of the blog tour for Déjà View, courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours. And while it didn’t go off without a hitch (still waiting for your posts, A Backwards Story, Rajiv’s Reviews, and Gryffindor Bookish Nerd), I was mostly pleased. Here are the remaining blogs about my book that I haven’t posted yet:

Sandra’s Book Club (interview)Kim’s Book Reviews (review)Character Madness and Musings (a guest blog I wrote about a deleted scene from Déjà View)The Momma Spot (excerpt)Country Mamas With Kids (review)

All of the blogs above are also giving away a free copy of the book, so make sure you check them out to enter the contest, which ends in a few days. There were also several Instagram posts in the past 2 weeks about Déjà View. Just check my Instagram to see which posts I was tagged in.

While I’m talking about the tour, I’d just like to don my ranting cap for a sec about Kim’s Book Reviews. With the exception of an introductory clause to one sentence, her review of my book was an all-out rave, by any objective view. It was filled with phrases like, “compelling,” “Perone’s narrative brilliantly unfolds,” and “keeping readers on the edge of their seats.” She goes on: “Déjà View not only excels in delivering an enthralling adventure but also delves into profound themes.” Then she echoes the back-cover copy, before concluding with, “Perone’s ability to seamlessly weave these elements into a middle-grade narrative showcases the depth and versatility of his storytelling.” Finally, she caps the review with the following: “The author’s exploration of universal themes, coupled with memorable characters and a unique twist on the coming-of-age genre, makes Déjà View an excellent choice for young readers and educators alike. The book not only offers a gripping tale of time travel but also provides a platform for discussions on friendship, decision-making, and the complexities of adolescence.”

So what’s my gripe? She rated the book 3 and a half stars. At first, I thought it was out of a possible 4, but I checked her rating system, and it’s out of 5. I then thought she must be a harsh reviewer, but most of her reviews are rated 4 or more stars. Did she accidentally leave off a star? (For comparison, Country Mamas With Kids gave Déjà View 4 and a half out of 5 stars and also mentioned in an Instagram post that it was one of the blogger’s favorite books of the year.) Again, only part of one sentence in Kim’s review was negative, and here it is: “While the novel may test the patience of readers eager for immediate time-travel thrills, the payoff is undeniably worth it.” So even that sentence ended up positive. Also, earlier in her review, she mentions, “The deliberate pacing in the initial chapters allows readers to immerse themselves in the late ‘80s setting, a masterstroke that adds a nostalgic touch to the narrative.” So which is it? Was my deliberate pace trying on the readers’ patience or a “masterstroke”? It can’t be both! C’mon Kim, based on your review alone, my book deserves at least an extra half star.

Okay, rant over. And just in case Kim reads this blog, which is highly unlikely, I was only about 51% serious!

MTP

P.S.: Next week’s blog: Read a Deleted Scene From Déjà View

P.P.S.: Déjà View is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:

AmazonBarnes & Noble