The Betwixt Book One

Enjoyed reading, def worth a place in my library.

Do not read this if you are looking for a complete story. The book ends with nothing at all resolved. Like many of the self-published authors out there, this one would benefit from a good proofreader and the guidance of an editor/advisor. Misspellings, misuse of words, and clumsy sentence structure abound. I can deal with that. It is sloppy, and the type of thing that would be dealt with in a good freshman English class, but it does not necessarily mean the work is without merit. Still, if the book was worth the writing, then it is worth some basic polishing and cleanup. Perhaps the biggest irritant, to me at least, is that the author does not appear to know how to conclude a book. If a book that is part of a series has not set up a conflict, crisis, or central plot theme that is resolved within its pages; if it simply ends mid-story, with not a single issue settled; then what has been created is part of one larger novel rather than part of a connected series of novels. I get this too, if it was intentional. It is a marketing strategy: "If I leave you hanging mid-story, then you will buy the next book." I get it, but I resent it. I see it as cynical manipulation of the audience, possibly combined with a lack of confidence on the part of the author. If the first book of a series is good, I will buy the next; the writing and the storyline will sell themselves without the need of manipulating the audience. Perhaps the author needs more self confidence. If, on the other hand, it is just bad technique, then the author has some learning to do. All of this is unfortunate because the concept and plot lines of the book are fresh and imaginative. Whether it is a lack of technical skills, the lack of an editor, or whatever else contributed to the issues I see here, this author could and should be putting out some super-good work. The creativity is there, but the diligence and/or deeper insight into the craft are not. I would hope that this will change and that we will see this author operating on a much higher level in the future.

Story plot, great idea...but characters so very boring and dumb. Oh please, somebody help this writer...she has great ideas but horrible writing style and follow through... SueB Florida