Patrice’s review of Where Shadows Meet > Likes and Comments
45 likes · Like
Hi! I usually don't comment on these sort of things, I was a book blogger years ago and fully believe reviews are for readers. That said, as a lifelong romance reader, a book is not a romance if it doesn't end in HEA or HFN. That's not a spoiler, it's a defining characteristic of the genre. And saying that the ending is a cliffhanger (also not a spoiler, it's just a structural choice that reveals nothing of substance about the actual plot) this was said as reassurance because I've received questions from readers who loved the book and wanted to know.
On the topic of reviews, first, it's worth pointing out that, across the board, marginalized authors disproportionally on this site get lower reviews. We could talk for days about why that is, but also two, there are more readers who've loved it than who haven't. And I never came into this expecting people who the book isn't for to suddenly be into something like this. I say that because even the most popular books have readers who hated it. No one book is for everyone. Even when receiving review copies, there's no requirement to actually read the book--the choice to do that is your own. And so if you're not excited to read it, don't. Why spend time doing something you're already feeling meh about?
I wrote this book in many ways as a love letter/a book my younger self would read. Which means that while I'm grateful for anyone who takes the time to read--I really am, there are so many books publishing weekly and so you're choosing to spend time on mine--no one book is dependent on one reader engaging with it.
Growing up, and in my 20s, I struggled with mental health, chronic pain/illness, cptsd, etc., and I wrote this book with that girl in mind. And since you've read the reviews, as I mostly have (this is my first novel but not my first book, reading reviews don't bother me) you know this to be true: the book is by and large resonating with those who it's perfect for. Anxious chronically ill girlies..queer, Black... etc etc etc can save the world too. I speak to fantasy and romance readers as a whole, yes, but especially to those who understand that pain and want a romance and fantastical adventure while also feeling deeply seen--maybe for the first time in a genre they love. Like, even if someone reads this and it's not for them, but they're like, I do want to see more chronic illness rep, etc in fantasy, I'm going to write one myself, that's great, because while this is of course not the first with this sort of representation, we need so many more.
To be clear, it's not a book "about trauma" but it does deal with it. I've healed from my trauma, but it'll never fully leave me. Those memories, those scars are forever mine. Escapism via reading helped keep me here during times I didn't want to be. It gave me the time I needed to find my own reason for treasuring life. I started conceptualizing this book in 2016/7 before I even worked full time in book publishing. For various reasons, it took nearly a decade to finish, but I have no regrets. This is teen-me's dream come true, it's the best book I could write then. That fill me with such immense joy and pride. I'm so excited for this book to come out and the sequel and also for what I write after that and after that, for leveling up my craft, to play around with structure and format more, and just to have fun creating fictional worlds. Again, it's a dream come true.
If you choose to read this book, I hope you enjoy it. If you don't, the sun will rise again tomorrow and you'll find another book you do love.
Thank you!
Best,
Patrice
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Hi! I usually don't comment on these sort of things, I was a book blogger years ago and fully believe reviews are for readers. That said, as a lifelong romance reader, a book is not a romance if it doesn't end in HEA or HFN. That's not a spoiler, it's a defining characteristic of the genre. And saying that the ending is a cliffhanger (also not a spoiler, it's just a structural choice that reveals nothing of substance about the actual plot) this was said as reassurance because I've received questions from readers who loved the book and wanted to know.On the topic of reviews, first, it's worth pointing out that, across the board, marginalized authors disproportionally on this site get lower reviews. We could talk for days about why that is, but also two, there are more readers who've loved it than who haven't. And I never came into this expecting people who the book isn't for to suddenly be into something like this. I say that because even the most popular books have readers who hated it. No one book is for everyone. Even when receiving review copies, there's no requirement to actually read the book--the choice to do that is your own. And so if you're not excited to read it, don't. Why spend time doing something you're already feeling meh about?
I wrote this book in many ways as a love letter/a book my younger self would read. Which means that while I'm grateful for anyone who takes the time to read--I really am, there are so many books publishing weekly and so you're choosing to spend time on mine--no one book is dependent on one reader engaging with it.
Growing up, and in my 20s, I struggled with mental health, chronic pain/illness, cptsd, etc., and I wrote this book with that girl in mind. And since you've read the reviews, as I mostly have (this is my first novel but not my first book, reading reviews don't bother me) you know this to be true: the book is by and large resonating with those who it's perfect for. Anxious chronically ill girlies..queer, Black... etc etc etc can save the world too. I speak to fantasy and romance readers as a whole, yes, but especially to those who understand that pain and want a romance and fantastical adventure while also feeling deeply seen--maybe for the first time in a genre they love. Like, even if someone reads this and it's not for them, but they're like, I do want to see more chronic illness rep, etc in fantasy, I'm going to write one myself, that's great, because while this is of course not the first with this sort of representation, we need so many more.
To be clear, it's not a book "about trauma" but it does deal with it. I've healed from my trauma, but it'll never fully leave me. Those memories, those scars are forever mine. Escapism via reading helped keep me here during times I didn't want to be. It gave me the time I needed to find my own reason for treasuring life. I started conceptualizing this book in 2016/7 before I even worked full time in book publishing. For various reasons, it took nearly a decade to finish, but I have no regrets. This is teen-me's dream come true, it's the best book I could write then. That fill me with such immense joy and pride. I'm so excited for this book to come out and the sequel and also for what I write after that and after that, for leveling up my craft, to play around with structure and format more, and just to have fun creating fictional worlds. Again, it's a dream come true.
If you choose to read this book, I hope you enjoy it. If you don't, the sun will rise again tomorrow and you'll find another book you do love.
Thank you!
Best,
Patrice
also slightly concerning to be told the limited scope of a novel, and something I'll keep a mental note of while reading and discerning my opinion of your literary adventure. though I'm morose to declare that I've already seen some reviews that caution me from growing too excited that I'll enjoy the journey.