Official Review: Doomed Soul by Robert Boomsliter

[zeldas_lullaby]

Bobboom, I apologize for my flippant comments about your original cover. I'm probably partly to blame for your feelings. I too can attest, though, that I often get angry and blow my top online, so please don't feel bad about feeling that way--way to rein it in, I say! I know exactly how you feel--I don't want to be that kind of person either, and it isn't always easy, is it? I also totally understand the urge to spew anything negative we've experienced, through writing non-fiction. This is actually why I limit myself to writing fiction only. It's just human nature, I think. Why don't you hang around and visit our writer's forum? I'm there all the time, and it's full of useful writing advice and support. My name is Meg.

[bookowlie]

I have a confession to make. I really expected a better rating on this review. The first few customer reviews posted on Amazon have been incredibly gratifying and seem to confirm that I am able to make a connection and communicate with the readers.

I understand now that I harbored some resentment. It manifested itself in a powerful urge to post a comment to this site, something along the lines that the cover quality is so important that the contents of the book can be essentially ignored (there's that Boomsliter sarcasm again.)

But I resisted the temptation because I don't want to be that kind of person. Bookowlie, I hope you will not be offended if I suggest that while you made a sincere effort to rise above your own beliefs in order to evaluate this effort, you could possibly do better.

Robert Boomsliter

I sincerely wish you the best in the marketing and sales of your book. I stand by my review. Just to be clear, my opinion of the original cover was just one facet of my review. As can be seen in my detailed review, the contents and style of the book were certainly not ignored. You have no idea what my own beliefs are. I do resent your statement that I made a sincere effort to rise above my own beliefs in evaluating the book. As an experienced reviewer, I look at many elements of a book when reviewing it, including format, tone, writing style, etc.

I do think it's disingenuous for you to say you have resisted the temptation to criticize my review, while at the same time criticizing me. I read the book and gave an honest, objective review. Whatever other readers have posted in a bunch of Amazon reviews has no relation to my review.

[Levi]

The review was very well done, an author cannot ask for more objectiveness coming from one person who doesn't necessarily hold all the same views as them, but can only wish that everyone or the majority of people will. It was balanced, and in subsequent comments the author was praised and supported as well, although not necessarily always agreed with. If a lot of quick-glance commenters latch onto the book cover thing and only comment on that--that is not the fault of the reviewer. An opinion and a rating were given, which is the point of the review process. We should always learn from the "negative", and enjoy all the positive. Also, all author comments must be towards the book and not the reviewer on this site. Congrats to the author on your book, and thank you to owlie for giving us her opinion in this well-written review.

[Ryan]

Thank you, Escapeartist. As an editor on this site, I know that all reviews go through a rigorous marking system in which reviews that are not adequate are not posted and if the post was approved by our editing team then it must necessarily meet those standards. Please respect the reviewer's feedback as it is that which you requested and that which you received. Good luck with the marketing, however. I hope things turn out well for you.

[bobboom]

Oops. Looks like I crossed a line here. You will have to forgive a newcomer to this business. I was misled by the comments posted praising the review and did not realize there is a fine point of etiquette to be observed in that the author's comments on the review are not necessarily welcome.

Bookowlie was obviously not responsible for the preoccupation with the cover and repeatedly reminded contributors that he found the material interesting and thought provoking. My suspicion that this dialogue was a symptom of an elephant in the room was the target for my comment and was not directed at you, Bookowlie.

As I now understand it, my suggestion for possible improvement is a topic outside the scope of this venue and is therefor irrelevant.

I apologize and withdraw my comments. If there is a way of deleting the entry, please feel free to do so.

Robert Boomsliter

[Levi]

Sir, your comments are most welcome, as long as they are not against the reviewer. You can comment on anything or anyone's post as you please. We like to discuss varying schools of thought here as long as the discussions remain respectful. Even sarcasm is welcome, we're all a little that way, as long as it's not rude. Bookowlie gave an honest opinion and can then only help steer the direction of the comments if she wishes even though it is not her job to do so (though it appears that she was). And yes, if something in the review process bothers you there are areas to discuss that as well. You can also re-submit the book if you wish.

[bookowlie]

Oops. Looks like I crossed a line here. You will have to forgive a newcomer to this business. I was misled by the comments posted praising the review and did not realize there is a fine point of etiquette to be observed in that the author's comments on the review are not necessarily welcome.

Bookowlie was obviously not responsible for the preoccupation with the cover and repeatedly reminded contributors that he found the material interesting and thought provoking. My suspicion that this dialogue was a symptom of an elephant in the room was the target for my comment and was not directed at you, Bookowlie.

As I now understand it, my suggestion for possible improvement is a topic outside the scope of this venue and is therefor irrelevant.

I apologize and withdraw my comments. If there is a way of deleting the entry, please feel free to do so.

Robert Boomsliter

I appreciate you taking the time to follow up on your previous comments. Please don't feel that you need to withdraw your previous post. I can certainly understand your frustration. Sometimes members will post comments on a review and focus on one negative (or positive) aspect of the review. I do try to steer the conversation to highlight the positive parts of a book as much as possible.

[signed]

Thanks for the review!

[gali]

Thank you for the well-written review! From the part I read, the essays did sound thought-provoking.

Congratulations to the author on being BOTD!

[Heidi M Simone]

Great thoughtful review, bookowlie! I do not think this is a read for me, but I give the author the best of luck for his work!

[fallenechoes]

Good review and subsequent feedback from the author. Although this book addresses weighty issues it seems like it could be an interesting read. Will put it on my TB. Thanks!

[gaporter]

I think I may be interested in this book, despite the off-putting sarcasm. Books about atheism seem to fairly scarce compared to books about religion. Your review was very informative, thank you.

[jesguz29]

I am not an atheist but my dad was. Its interesting to see others point of view on subjects. I like the idea of teaching about all religions in school. I went to a Christian school growing up and was told that Halloween was basically evil. Yet I saw other churches having Halloween parties. It would of been nice at that age to learn why.

[Strangerthanfiction]

I thought that your review was really top notch and while I don't really think that this book is for me, I do appreciate the time and effort that you put forth into this review. Thank you.

[bookowlie]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.