Quite a while ago I wrote a review of Nicholas Ginex's 'Future of God AMEN.' I don't normally write book reviews but this is a remarkable book and deserves comment - you can read the review on Goodreads. Since then Nick has asked me to write an epilogue and a review of his latest book, simply called 'Amen,' I await its release with interest.
Much to my surprise I find Mr Ginex has returned the complement, with a review of 'Edward - Interactive' on Smashwords. Clearly a considerable amount of work went into this review, I am honoured, and reproduce the whole of it here:
A Review of Edward – A Novel by Mike Voyce
by Nicholas P. Ginex
April 2,
2012
My first impression of Mike Voyce’s novel was his fine writing style. His sentences were not long, flowery, or pedantic but clear and enjoyable to read. He created a tension between two main characters very nicely and the affection between them was charming and offered anticipation of greater things to follow in their relationship.
You entered into the life of Edward when he was just a little boy. Your novel is beautifully written in a story-spun fashion that takes the reader to another period of time. Good work!! I liked the way you transitioned from the present into the past and back with your hypnotic ability to live the life of an interesting figure.
As the author, you constantly talk to the reader, which shows a masterful touch at writing. I liked how you explained to the reader that you will later describe why the Duke of Buckingham rebelled. I also tend to talk to the reader in making a point. You did so with the following on Page 24, “Man proposes but God disposes and Man’s destiny is not in his own hands.” But also, I like the way you digress to read a novel within a novel; “the novelty is to reveal what lay in my mind (Page 39).”
It’s funny that you mentioned Giordano Bruno on Page 40 for he was introduced to me by overhearing a conversation between my father and his brothers. In writing “Future of God Amen,” I researched the life of this man and was impressed with his perception and existence of life in other parts of our universe. He was presented in the first chapter as one of the reasons that motivated me to write the book. It was after he wrote “De I’Infinito, Universo e Mondi” that gave the Church Fathers reason to burn him at the stake.
After reading Pages through 66, I was interested in your wanderings into the question of the soul. You had channeled many times by now into Edward’s life and I particularly enjoyed your association of Eadie to Sarah. At this point, I am became interested in your thoughts about the soul and how one’s life may be linked to past lives. In any case, I have enjoyed how you weave a story and the style of your writing. If was as if I was reading something I would have written in terms of your writing style.
The brief history of England’s kings, princes, and so on was somewhat interesting for I never was exposed to the many marriages that were legitimate verses second-hand picks towards the throne. Upon reaching Page 195, I learned much about Edward, in particular, the growing love relationship and intimacy with Eadie; his first true love. I was impressed with the training Edward received from Thomas in swordsmanship. It was exciting reading to see his success with somebody that challenged him to the death, and later how he stood off five upstarts intent on killing him in an inn. After the two fights to defend himself and save his life, Edward got some wise counseling from William Gibbons and it is repeated here for others to add to their store or wisdom: “Listen to me, Edward, if you remain so open and honest, if you continue to be ruled by your heart instead of your head, it will lead straight to the block.”
As a writer, you have a great understanding of love and fortunate to have met women with intelligence, good looks, and love of life; yet you are wise to know that what is really needed, by both man and woman, is to love someone who returns your love, with a pure heart and a true spirit (Page271).
There was a little philosophical thought you tinkered with about fatalism and predestination whereby Edward was bound to meet his duties as a subject of the King (Page 286). In reverence to the King, duty and position had to be honored in deference to pride and arrogance in defending a principle. Still, Edward, you, and I share another point of view and that is, “On the other hand, I railed against injustices and demanded of Heaven and Earth my sovereign right to amend what didn't please me. What a sick joke does that same human misery make if we have the power but not the wit or the will to change it?” It is these words that reminded me why I wrote and continue to reveal to others how God was first conceived by mankind in Future of God Amen.
(review of free book)
Much to my surprise I find Mr Ginex has returned the complement, with a review of 'Edward - Interactive' on Smashwords. Clearly a considerable amount of work went into this review, I am honoured, and reproduce the whole of it here:
A Review of Edward – A Novel by Mike Voyce
by Nicholas P. Ginex
April 2,
2012
My first impression of Mike Voyce’s novel was his fine writing style. His sentences were not long, flowery, or pedantic but clear and enjoyable to read. He created a tension between two main characters very nicely and the affection between them was charming and offered anticipation of greater things to follow in their relationship.
You entered into the life of Edward when he was just a little boy. Your novel is beautifully written in a story-spun fashion that takes the reader to another period of time. Good work!! I liked the way you transitioned from the present into the past and back with your hypnotic ability to live the life of an interesting figure.
As the author, you constantly talk to the reader, which shows a masterful touch at writing. I liked how you explained to the reader that you will later describe why the Duke of Buckingham rebelled. I also tend to talk to the reader in making a point. You did so with the following on Page 24, “Man proposes but God disposes and Man’s destiny is not in his own hands.” But also, I like the way you digress to read a novel within a novel; “the novelty is to reveal what lay in my mind (Page 39).”
It’s funny that you mentioned Giordano Bruno on Page 40 for he was introduced to me by overhearing a conversation between my father and his brothers. In writing “Future of God Amen,” I researched the life of this man and was impressed with his perception and existence of life in other parts of our universe. He was presented in the first chapter as one of the reasons that motivated me to write the book. It was after he wrote “De I’Infinito, Universo e Mondi” that gave the Church Fathers reason to burn him at the stake.
After reading Pages through 66, I was interested in your wanderings into the question of the soul. You had channeled many times by now into Edward’s life and I particularly enjoyed your association of Eadie to Sarah. At this point, I am became interested in your thoughts about the soul and how one’s life may be linked to past lives. In any case, I have enjoyed how you weave a story and the style of your writing. If was as if I was reading something I would have written in terms of your writing style.
The brief history of England’s kings, princes, and so on was somewhat interesting for I never was exposed to the many marriages that were legitimate verses second-hand picks towards the throne. Upon reaching Page 195, I learned much about Edward, in particular, the growing love relationship and intimacy with Eadie; his first true love. I was impressed with the training Edward received from Thomas in swordsmanship. It was exciting reading to see his success with somebody that challenged him to the death, and later how he stood off five upstarts intent on killing him in an inn. After the two fights to defend himself and save his life, Edward got some wise counseling from William Gibbons and it is repeated here for others to add to their store or wisdom: “Listen to me, Edward, if you remain so open and honest, if you continue to be ruled by your heart instead of your head, it will lead straight to the block.”
As a writer, you have a great understanding of love and fortunate to have met women with intelligence, good looks, and love of life; yet you are wise to know that what is really needed, by both man and woman, is to love someone who returns your love, with a pure heart and a true spirit (Page271).
There was a little philosophical thought you tinkered with about fatalism and predestination whereby Edward was bound to meet his duties as a subject of the King (Page 286). In reverence to the King, duty and position had to be honored in deference to pride and arrogance in defending a principle. Still, Edward, you, and I share another point of view and that is, “On the other hand, I railed against injustices and demanded of Heaven and Earth my sovereign right to amend what didn't please me. What a sick joke does that same human misery make if we have the power but not the wit or the will to change it?” It is these words that reminded me why I wrote and continue to reveal to others how God was first conceived by mankind in Future of God Amen.
(review of free book)