World’s Greatest Book Reviews

Like many writers, I have a habit of checking the Amazon pages of my books to see how they’re ranked from week to week.  I’m also intrigued by reviews not only on Amazon but on Goodreads, Kobo, Nook, blogs, everywhere.  It’s interesting to see what people say.  Writing is a lonely job, so I always perk up when I see there are real live people out there in the world who like my work.

Fan mail and positive reviews are uber freaking cool.  Each new book is a marathon.  Every thumbs-up keeps me going.

Sometimes I agree with negative reviews, too.  Day by day, I try to learn and improve, and I’m very much aware that I’m not perfect.  On the other hand,  on occasion a negative review is just frustrating.

Lately, FS1 has seen a steady stream of new posts on Amazon.  Here is the most awesome review I’ve ever seen!  Thanks, man!!  “Unique, creative, fantastic”…
…followed by a one-star review by somebody who was bored before the end of the first chapter.

Dude, the first chapter is, like, five pages long????

Next here are some older reviews for Plague Year on Amazon.ca, where a Canadian fan recently pointed me to what can only be described as the World’s Greatest Negative Review EVER!!!!   🙂

Check this out…
Okay, look.  It’s been a while since I read Plague Year, but I did write it.  I remember there are a few sequences in which our heroes are so overcome by pain and adrenaline and grief that they stagger like drunks through the ruins post-apocalyptic California.  In this extreme, Cam briefly experiences visual and auditory hallucinations.  I guess those are the “dream sequences”?”

There is not a single dog (or any kind of pet) in the story.  They ate the pets!  There definitely isn’t a talking dog.  Color me confused!!  🙂

And thank you to everyone who enjoys the books!

The Motherlode of Sci Fi

This week I’m part of a brain-croggling adventure for any fan of science fiction.  The road is short and the treasure is great!  Aha ha ha.  Here’s the scoop…


Sci-Fi Bridge is dedicated to bringing you exclusive deals, new releases, and other exciting news from your favorite Sci-Fi authors straight to your inbox! In order to celebrate the Bridge’s recent launch, its Captains are excited to bring you the third of four massive book giveaways! There are FREE Prizes available for all who enter between April 20 and 27, plus the chance for 5 winners to receive 30+ e-books from Sci-Fi authors of every stripe.

1 Lucky Grand Prize Winner will also receive 20+ signed books, including Cyberstorm by Matthew Mather, Aye Robot by Robert Kroese and full series from Tom Reynolds, Rachel Aukes, M. Pax and Nathan Van Coops!

Enter here.

Updates & Errata

  1.  We’re heading into the final day-and-a-half of the big ebook sale!  See info again here.
  2. My German is not what it should be since my wife is German!  In the new Visionarium anthology, the title of my short story “Pressure” is “Druck,” not Die Austrocknun.”  My bad.   😛
  3.  I really am actually kinda finally for real getting to the end of Frozen Sky 3.  Yesterday I went over 600 pages (this is writer math; the book is now 600 manuscript pages long after boiling the previously-written 580 pages back down to 540 pages to keep it mean and tight), which means FS3 is officially longer than Interrupt.  FS3 is loaded with aliens and bad guys and astrophysics and politics and space battles and shocking revelations about the evolution of life on Europa.  That’s right!!!  It’s a sci fi thriller!!!!!
  4.  This poor schlep is FNEE Lieutenant Pereira.  You do not want to be him.sneak peak2

 

 

8 Writers. 22 Books. Big Sale!

This week, the Plague Year trilogy and Long Eyes are included in an Escape Your Taxes Sale… and if you can’t have fun avoiding the IRS, at least you can distract yourself with some good reads!  🙂

Check it out!

sale graphic

Psst. Ever wonder what Chuck Wendig’s Blue Blazes is all about? Or want to dip your toes into Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage universe? Or maybe my own Lays of Anuskaya trilogy?

Well, then you’re in the right place. Tax season is officially upon us, and what better way to escape that bitter, bitter pain than by nabbing a few sweet books on the cheap? From April 12th – 16th, you can get any of the 21 books the participating authors are offering at steep discounts, some at up to 70% off! A few of our books are even FREE!

Here’s a rundown of what everyone’s offering:

That’s a killer set of books!  Surely you’ll find something you like.  But be sure to nab ’em quick because in a few days they’ll be gone.

If you know anyone who might like these great deals, please pass the word with a quick mention on Twitter or Facebook.

Thriller writer Jeff Carlson © 2024. All Rights Reserved.