Various reviews from publishers with unedited MS

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I have to say, honestly, your pitches are brilliant! I think, maybe the best I've read. The writing and idea are so appealing I will be forced to read more. I've placed you on my WL and will be back, no question.
Thanks again,
~Joe :o (AUTHONOMY) 22nd Nov 2013

Firstly, I feel privileged to have read it. I really enjoyed it and also found it challenging!

It certainly held my attention. It was thrilling to see the power of TOLD released in the final chapters and the presence of TOLD unveiled at the very end in such a dramatic way. An inspiring ending!!

In my opinion, this is a very well written story that kept me engaged and intrigued to discover what might happen next. Once I finished it, I went back and re-read a few chapters at the beginning, and I discovered how well you had established the plot from the beginning. It all ties together very well. I love the fact that I can look into your personal faith as I read it. You have expressed that faith in a very authentic and biblically based way. Legalism and outward displays of behaviour are no match for a personal encounter with the living God and the experience of living a focused and purposeful life. I feel like I understand how you think a lot better from having read your writings.

I recall as I began reading that I found the storyline a bit mysterious but that pulled me along and the hidden meanings became clearer as I progressed through it. I didn’t feel it became predictable either. It kept its intrigue to the end.

I loved that, reading as a Christian, I could identify portions of scripture unwrapped within the setting of your story. If anything I felt that your story enhanced many of the Biblical truths that I understand and believe in. I am truly amazed at the way you have put it all together and just love the inscription at the end of the story that could be read from both sides of the valley. I think you have been truly inspired to write as you have and the strength of your concepts and the language, the word play and the turn of phrase you have used are all sustained to the very end of the book. As a Christian, I found it fascinating to see how the story embraced and expressed our fundamental beliefs so well. The story is so full of very important truths. There is nothing superficial about it at all. It has real depth of meaning and presents clever but subtle challenges to the reader throughout.

I enjoyed your chapter transitions and the various section names & descriptions.  

I look forward to seeing this in its published form. It’s a refreshing look at very old and important life giving truths expressed very creatively.

A Findlay – Pastor, Elim Church.

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This is really creative and intriguing!  As an evangelistic book I can see it working in the sense that a nonbeliever may not feel threatened by it, and may enjoy it as fantasy - or look deeper if their heart is open.  It's a great approach.

I note that yours is unique among all those I know of in its style and approach, with the exception of historical classics like the nania series).

---Dave Manning, www.shininglights.co

The below reviews have come from publishing company assessors who have read the entire manuscript 1 year ago. For the most, these people read the first draft without any editing, please keep in mind.

Here are some of the comments (in brief) that the editors made, both positive and negative.

“While the introduction was a bit confusing (and the author needs to do a better job of setting up the story), once I got into the chapters I started to see some well-written prose. The language is beautifully descriptive at times.

“Unquestionably, this needs a seasoned fiction editor who has experience in fantasy/allegorical. At this point, this is a tricky call because it needs more work. We’ve seen a few authors compare their manuscript to Tolkien but this one comes closer than others I’ve seen.”

“This is a diamond in the rough and it could really be something. I think it would be worth taking another look if the author is willing to put in a bit more work with a seasoned fiction editor in this genre. I love it, but I just can’t give it a definitive “thumbs up” without more work given to it.”