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.

March 27, 2024

WILD ATLANTIC WAY ANTHOLOGY

By Mary Heeran White
Rating:
3.8 / 5.0

A book firmly embedded in its physical space—Ireland's craggy West coast—Mary Heeran White's WILD ATLANTIC WAY ANTHOLOGY is an insider’s exploration of a place that’s...

Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

In THE HISTORICAL LAMENTATION CLUB AND OTHER STORIES, author M.T. Rizzo explores big—and often very clever—ideas. Unfortunately, a lack of interesting characters and abstract plotting...

IR Approved
December 15, 2023

SELECTED STORIES

By Michael Glenn
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Michael Glenn's SELECTED STORIES profoundly transform apparently mundane experiences into revelations about human nature.

June 5, 2023

THE BLACK HOLE PASTRAMI – Stories

By Jeffrey M. Feingold
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

IR Verdict: Jeffrey M. Feingold writes with tremendous charm and has a gentle, affectionate attitude towards his characters and their situations in THE BLACK HOLE...

IR Approved
May 8, 2023

FEAR, WEAR AND TEAR

By Shawe Ruckus
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

An astute observer of the human condition who shows an increasing maturity in FEAR, WEAR AND TEAR, author Shawe Ruckus triumphs in highlighting the ordinary...

March 24, 2023

KALI MA: A Collection of Short Stories

By El. T. Fullah
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

El. T. Fullah writes with confidence and overall the stories in KALI MA are entertaining and show great potential, but this flash fiction is impatient...

IR Approved
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Elmore Collins' short, poignant tales pack a solid emotional punch, capturing the loneliness, frustration, and emotional isolation of a generation in THIRTEEN FICTIONS FOR MIDDLING...

January 23, 2023

INTERSECTIONS

By Andrew Spink
Rating:
3.5 / 5.0

Though the framing device is not always convincing, Andrew Spink’s debut short story collection, INTERSECTIONS, contains several moving and well-told tales.

IR Approved
December 9, 2022

LOVE STORIES

By Katherine Villyard
Rating:
4.8 / 5.0

With LOVE STORIES, author Katherine Villyard marries her vast intellect and riveting imagination in a short-story collection of speculative fiction that shines with straightforward yet...

IR Approved
November 4, 2022

THERE GO I (A Collection of Short Stories)

By Bill VanPatten
Rating:
4.6 / 5.0

Those familiar with author Bill VanPatten's work will relish his immersive take on small-town California, but for everyone else, THERE GO I (A Collection of...

IR Approved
October 12, 2022

SEND HER BACK AND OTHER STORIES

By Munashe Kaseke
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Writing with clear, urgent prose, Munashe Kaseke’s stories in SEND HER BACK AND OTHER STORIES are well-crafted and offer glimpses of immigrant life in the...

IR Approved
June 29, 2022

THIS IS (NOT ABOUT) DAVID BOWIE

By FJ Morris
Rating:
5.0 / 5.0

F. J. Morris’ THIS IS (NOT ABOUT) DAVID BOWIE is a ‘must-read’ collection of thought-provoking flash fiction every bit as evocative as the musical icon...

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