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Kevin Kellogg's avatar

Fantastic job Tim!

The twists and turns, paired with vivid descriptions and authentic settings, brought to life a diverse and compelling range of characters, all masterfully executed.

The ending of the book leaves me with a paradoxical feeling: I’ll miss the act of reading it, yet I’m happy that Wesley has reached a place of gratitude for where he is in life. It reminds me that some of life’s most profound moments are those rare occasions when we’re lucky enough to sit by a campfire, surrounded by beauty, and simply reflect.

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Slope of Hope's avatar

" I’ll miss the act of reading it"

So, are you asking for s'more?

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Slope of Hope's avatar

Kevin - - If you haven't already, I'd be most grateful if you'd leave a review on Amazon for Solid State. The link is here - - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTV9B82N

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Kevin Kellogg's avatar

5 star review added on the 5th. Don't know if having my library add it to the collection helps or hurts you? If it helps please let me know.

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Slope of Hope's avatar

Many thanks!

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Hugh's avatar

This has been a great read and I will really miss getting a new chapter in my mailbox every morning :(

You managed to incorporate some of your great interests, that have been apparent to anyone who's a regular reader of SoH, into a very nicely structured novel.

Not quite sure how I feel about the 'open' ending but on reflection it's probably a good way to finish.

I look forward to the movie :-)

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Slope of Hope's avatar

That's very kind of you, Hugh. You have been one of my most dedicated readers! I do have one final post coming out tomorrow morning with some reflections.

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Joe's avatar

Thanks Tim. I just finished your novel. (I have been away) I enjoyed it.

Hopefully helpful notes: There were lots of different situations you were flicking us between at one stage, and I nearly got lost - in part also because I was reading one chapter only each day.

You resolve situations too quickly, eg the kidnap in the woods. I would have enjoyed more drama and emotion in its resolution with a stand off or at least an emotional declaration of defense for his actions kidnapping the family before it ended. You work hard to create a scenario, setting it up well. However, you hardly linger at all in that place, extracting much less than your good work deserves and depriving us readers of the delight of relishing in it.

As readers we want to have entered a world you create and enjoy it, then be sorry that world no longer continues. We want to miss the characters you have brought into our lives.

You don't weave the various parts together enough. The novel feels like more of a mix of tasty bites than a deeply satisfying meal.

But having said all that, I liked the world you created for me, and hope there will be another (and perhaps another after that one too).

Joe

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Slope of Hope's avatar

Thank you, Joe. This is, after all, my first novel, and I'm the first to confess, I'm pretty new to the world of fiction (I often say I've written one more novel than I've read). I appreciate the feedback, though!

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