This from The Virtual Wordsmith, a blog written by Mary "Lynn" Lewis, who is an editor and freelance writer. Read her review below and check out her blog here and her website here.
"The Pit is the first of a six-book epic fantasy series called The Death Wizard Chronicles. It is an incredibly dark, yet inspiring book that turns the typical good versus evil parable right on its ear.
After reading the first five pages of The Pit, I wasn't sure I was going to get through it. By page six, Jim Melvin was off and running, creating a new world, new theories, new perspectives -- a new twist on the age old story of good versus evil. I was hooked!
I should probably, in the interest of full disclosure, tell you I'm not a huge fan of the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. Sure, I've read Tolkien, McCaffrey and Robert Jordan, but the only reason I stayed with them was the amazing writing, the vivid descriptions and the sheer entertainment value of each. And, oh yeah, the fact that those particular authors have always left me thinking long after I closed the books.
The Pit is beautiful -- gorgeous, even -- yet it is also dark and deep and vibrant. There is a fine line between love and hate. The distinction can be a bit foggy at times. Jim has illustrated that fine line. It is possible to feel sympathy for someone you hate, as well as despise someone you love.
I fell into this book. Time disappeared, as well as the chores that needed to be done, the bills that needed to be paid, and virtually everything else that had been chasing itself around in my head. This book is inspiring, entertaining, and I want to say absolute escapism, but after I finished reading I found myself pondering what I had just read. Escapism doesn't typically elicit that reaction in me.
I am purposely not sharing much about the story or the plot, because anything I say could quite possibly take away from the pleasure of discovering this book on your own. The Pit is fabulous, but don't take my word for it. Go get a copy, set aside some time and fall in love the way you did with the first book that truly grabbed you!"
-- Mary "Lynn" Lewis
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About Me
- Jim Melvin
- Clemson, SC, United States
- I was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., but grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. I graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa) in 1979 with a B.A. in Journalism. I now live in South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a pleasant setting for writing, to say the least. I was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years and I currently work at the Charlotte Observer. I am married with five daughters.
The author
Jim Melvin, a veteran journalist, debuts as novelist.
5 comments:
This is a wonderful review, Jim! I hope mine can live up to it. DW seems to be taking off, and that deserves more than mere "congratulations." Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the great comment! I'm sure yours will be every bit as good -- and I hope, as positive. By the way, I mailed your review copy today. Couldn't mail it yesterday because it was Columbus Day.
Awesome! Thanks again, Jim.
Congrats on the review! Having a fan of your work who isn't a fan of the genre is a pretty impressive credential!
Thanks! And it's not like we were longtime friends and she was just doing me a favor. She legitimately liked it!
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