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
November 25, 2024

FOR HOME AND HEARTH

By Ethan Warrener
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

With a richly developed community, multidimensional characters, and an ever-present sense of looming tension and danger, Ethan Warrener's FOR HOME AND HEARTH offers readers an...

IR Approved
August 26, 2024

THE SENTINEL’S DAUGHTER

By Maria Ereni Dampman
Rating:
4.3 / 5.0

Maria Ereni Dampman's THE SENTINEL'S DAUGHTER is well-written and well-paced. However, its political bluntness means it will likely only resonate with those who agree with...

IR Approved
July 15, 2024

THE LONG HAUL

By Lena Gibson
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Lena Gibson’s THE LONG HAUL has a self-assured prose style, sympathetic characters, and a plot with as much powerful momentum as the trains that tie...

March 6, 2024

THE LIAR KILLERS

By Anfernee Parker
Rating:
2.9 / 5.0

While Anfernee Parker's THE LIAR KILLERS plays around with some intriguing futuristic concepts, the book suffers from rushed pacing and a protagonist who is mostly...

February 2, 2024

ALEX FISH

By M.A. Biggam
Rating:
2.0 / 5.0

While M.A. Biggam's ALEX FISH appears to be distressing and wearying in a very intentional way, the fact remains that it is both of those...

IR Approved
January 26, 2024

SWITCHING TRACKS: Out of the Trash

By Lena Gibson
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Lena Gibson's SWITCHING TRACKS: Out of the Trash is a gripping opening to a new book series that breathes new life into many of the...

IR Approved
September 4, 2023

CRYO

By Blake Fisher
Rating:
4.2 / 5.0

In CRYO, Blake Fisher skillfully combines elements of science fiction, action, and romance, elevated by the author's skillful, polished storytelling. 

IR Approved
September 18, 2020

THE THIEF AND THE WASTE BOOK II

By Tanya Lee
Rating:
5.0 / 5.0

Tanya Lee's writing creates a feeling of suspense that’s cinematic in THE THIEF AND THE WASTE, a tense sequel that outpaces its predecessor in an...

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