Indie book reviews

IndieReader’s reviewers are tough, but fair

Our Reviewers won’t judge your book as compared to other self-published titles, but against other books, period. Our ratings are based on the following criteria, although reviewers are able to award partial stars (i.e. a 1.3 or a 4.7), rather than rounding up or down to a whole or half number.

1/5

Really bad 
Work on it.

2/5

Mediocre
1-2 bright spots.

3/5

Good
Worth reading.

4/5

Very Good
1-2 spots that need work

5/5

Excellent!
Must-read.

* IndieReader receives compensation for most of the books it reviews, along with copies of those books.

IR Approved
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

As a forward-thinking guide from a mobile design veteran, Shawn Borsky's UNTETHERED: How Visionaries Think about the Mobile-First Future ultimately succeeds in providing a fresh...

Rating:
3.6 / 5.0

Although a somewhat incompletely drawn protagonist and a notably ambiguous approach to its main themes detract from the story, C.G. Fewston’s CONQUERGOOD AND THE CENTER...

March 24, 2025

GLITCHING SOULS

By Steve Kenney
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

Steve Kenney’s GLITCHING SOULS has an intriguing conceit and asks some interesting questions, but it feels like setup for a plot that never arrives.

IR Approved
March 21, 2025

ALIVE AND BEATING

By Rebecca Wolf
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Rebecca Wolf’s debut novel ALIVE AND BEATING is an insightful, humorous, and soul-stirring harmonization of seven stories into one piercing tale of sacrifice, pain, and...

IR Approved
Rating:
4.1 / 5.0

Reenita M. Hora's SUNDRI AND MUNDRI’S LOHRI ADVENTURE is a straightforward and nicely illustrated tale about customs and tales associated with Northern India that will...

IR Approved
March 21, 2025

SUNDAY JENKS

By Nellie Hill
Rating:
4.9 / 5.0

Nellie Hill's SUNDAY JENKS is a first-rate exploration of a woman's struggle to escape from an abusive relationship.

IR Approved
March 19, 2025

RED AND ME

By Terry Lee Caruthers
Rating:
4.8 / 5.0

Terry Lee Caruthers's RED AND ME is a charming, innocent tale of childhood in an America gone by—as well as a heartfelt paean to the...

IR Approved
March 19, 2025

DAMAGED BEAUTY: Joey Superstar

By Margaret Gardiner
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

In Margaret Gardiner’s novel DAMAGED BEAUTY: Joey Superstar, authentic, evocative prose paints an absorbing portrait of a brazen, intelligent young woman.

IR Approved
March 19, 2025

ANTICIPATION DAY

By Jeffrey Michelson
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

Jeffrey Michelson's ANTICIPATION DAY boasts an ambitious premise based on immersive virtual experiences, though it runs into some predictable choices and overwriting.

IR Approved
March 17, 2025

FIRST ELITE

By Emmanuel M Arriaga
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

The capstone of Emmaunel M. Arriaga's Foundra trilogy is vast, detailed, and ambitious. While it does occasionally sprawl a bit too wide to maintain perfect...

March 17, 2025

FOREVER WE DREAM

By Mark Workman
Rating:
3.9 / 5.0

Mark Workman's FOREVER WE DREAM has some extraneous matter that could be cut, but the core emotional arc is strong and well-executed.

March 17, 2025

BLUES JAM

By Stephen Rice
Rating:
3.8 / 5.0

Stephen Rice’s debut novel BLUES JAM offers an interesting look at addiction and music as seen through the eyes of a teenage girl.

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