#BookReview: Torn Veil by Gregory R Marshall @bookroar_tweets

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I came across via a book review site. I haven’t read Gregory R Marshall before and didn’t know what to expect >>>

Book cover for Torn Veil by Gregory R Marshall About the Book:

Gifted MIT graduate Nick Thomas has invented an engine that can end human dependence on fossil fuels. His abduction by energy conglomerate Warren Enterprises leads to a series of revelations about power, religion, and the fate of the American soul. Told through rotating perspectives, the novel follows characters on both sides of the conflict. Nick is tested by a sinister presence that seems to have an intimate knowledge of his hopes and fears. While investigating his disappearance, his girlfriend Veronica discovers dark secrets lurking beyond the comfortable façade of Westchester, New York—secrets that shake the core of her identity.

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟 🌟

I came across this author via a book review site. I haven’t read any of Gregory R Marshall’s books until now and had no idea what to expect. The cover, book description, and story premise all pulled me in.

As the description promises, this story takes the reader on a wild and dark ride beyond the veil. With back-and-forth timelines and multiple character points of view, the reader finds themselves with a foot both in this world and a much more sinister one behind the veil that once separated each realm.

Unfortunately, errors and spelling mistakes and clumsily written sentences abound and let this read down a lot. The text needs a thorough overhaul by a trained eye. Otherwise, with the well written characters, plot, pacing, and world building, it would earn an easy five stars. Which redeemed this book for me and made it a compelling read in spite of the unpolished presentation.

Here are a couple of lines I liked …

‘Useless streetlights hung their heads in shame to the right, like failed sentries.’

And …

She was numb, a doll made with real black magic. Batteries not included.’

I enjoyed this read enough to ignore (mostly) the many issues, which says a lot for the story and the writer’s imagination and knowledge. I give this read 3.5 stars and round up to a soft 4 for rating purposes. If you enjoy a supernatural, futuristic, and sci-fi read, you’ll enjoy this book.

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NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

31 Comments on “#BookReview: Torn Veil by Gregory R Marshall @bookroar_tweets

  1. Thank you for the lovely review, Harmony! With some errors and issues it seems to be great for testing out my knowledge in the English language. Thanks, Harmony! xx Michael

  2. Nice balance to the review, Harmony. I often feel so bad for writers who have a wonderful book but full of spelling and grammatical errors, which are easy to resolve with a good edit. I have a hard time as they pop me out of the story. Otherwise it sounds like the author knows what he’s doing. Thanks for sharing!

  3. I think this is an intriguing premise, Harmony. Hopefully, the author will sort out some of the editing issues.

  4. This is such a good example of how we ALL need to use professional editing for our stories. What a pity that this author didn’t realize that. The story sounds riveting! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    • This is the kind of thing that led me to publishing Polish Your Prose because, that way, at least a writer can get some basic tips and pointers for cheap. It’s not the same as an editor, but it’s got to be better than nothing. Thanks, Jan 🙂

  5. I love the quotes you’ve used, Harmony, but I won’t be struggling with a book that needs editing. Have you reviewed it on Amazon? The author needs to know what is putting people off, and you haven’t slated the story. Far from it.

    • Should be and will be are two different things, David. Harmony did this to my first book. We are best friends… NOW! (I calmed down, took her advice onboard, and won medals with it.)