An Early Early Review
I have given my book to four people to read at their disgression: Terry Brooks, my mother, a good friend, and one of Terry's uber-fans that I have become friends with. The latter has finished the book and here is what he had to say:
Well, well, well!!! Ok, I finished Shawn's book a few nights ago. I let it sink in for a day before I called him to let him know my thoughts. And now, 24 hours later, here I am, posting those thoughts for y'all.
Firstly, I'd like to thank Shawn for trusting me enough to read it, keep it to myself, and give him my honest feedback - without prejudice or bias. I hope he knows how much that means to me.
So, on with the "review". Marks out of ten? Eight. And that's a damned good eight. If he has a little play with some of the points we discussed, it will very easily be a nine. It's hard to believe that it is a debut novel, such is the power of the writing, the strength of the story arc, and the overall pacing. It's really obvious that Shawn spent a great deal of time planning and outlining (ouch!)... but it really paid dividends.
There are two things I'd like to mention. One: I forgot I was reading a fantasy novel. Despite the inclusion of elves, dragons, magic and the like, it read as a story of good versus evil (BUT - with a major twist!). Two: I forgot Shawn wrote it. It would have been really easy to sit reading it, saying "Shawn is such a nice guy; I love how he described that scene; Oooo, look at how well he handled that character, etc, etc. Instead, I had to remind myself from time to time that I was reading the work of someone who is, as yet, unpublished.
I shall refrain from going into specifics, so don't get your hopes up - it's not that kind of review!
What I will say though, is this: If you sat Terry Brooks, Greg Keyes and Philip Pullman in a room, locked the door and told them they would only get out once they, as a group, had produced a credible novel, I think you might end up with something like Song Of The Fell Hammer.
It has the style and pacing of Terry; it has the scope and epic proportions of Greg; and it has the religious undertones and twists of Philip. Now, that's not to say Shawn does not have a style of his own, and I'd like to make that perfectly clear. Indeed, he has moulded his craft by reading the best writers - in the same way Terry did by reading Walter Scott (from Scotland), Robert Louis Stevenson (also from Scotland), and Daniel Defoe (English, but who wrote about a Scotsman in Robinson Crusoe).
I would also like to say that he shouldn't post any more chapters. If he does, he should post my favourite one (he'll know what one that is!) - edited down, of course. The reason for no more chapters is this: imagine, if you will, never having seen or heard of the Niagra Falls. You take a journey from the US into Canada, and BAM!, there they are and your breath sits lodged in your throat; your heart forgets to beat; and time, money, and work all pale into insignificance. Now, I'm not saying Shawn's novel is as beautiful as the Falls (remember, 8/10!), but the point I'm getting at is you will all be blown away by it when you get to read it. You will gain nothing more by reading a few extra words - the knowledge you'll divine will simply spoil the very strong first few chapters.
Song Of The Fell Hammer WILL get published. Whether it's by Del Rey or not is irrellevant. There are dozens and dozens of books on the shelves that are woeful in comparison to the one Shawn has penned. I only hope that Del Rey are in a marketing position to snap him up with a three book deal, because, quite simply, he deserves it.
So, get behind him; sign up for his newsletter; hassle him about starting book two; ask for the map to be put on his website; and in general, be privilidged (spelling!) to have one of your own possess such a talent. Well done, Shawn. I loved it. Stu
I certainly was not expecting a review like that! I am proud of the book but I was uncertain how it would be received. The best part of my phone call with Stu was his desire to talk about the underlying themes I have woven into the subtext of the book and into the trilogy as a whole. I made him think, and that means more to me than creating a great character. I hope to hear back from Del Rey by the end of the year; I hope I can share my story with you. - S.
Well, well, well!!! Ok, I finished Shawn's book a few nights ago. I let it sink in for a day before I called him to let him know my thoughts. And now, 24 hours later, here I am, posting those thoughts for y'all.
Firstly, I'd like to thank Shawn for trusting me enough to read it, keep it to myself, and give him my honest feedback - without prejudice or bias. I hope he knows how much that means to me.
So, on with the "review". Marks out of ten? Eight. And that's a damned good eight. If he has a little play with some of the points we discussed, it will very easily be a nine. It's hard to believe that it is a debut novel, such is the power of the writing, the strength of the story arc, and the overall pacing. It's really obvious that Shawn spent a great deal of time planning and outlining (ouch!)... but it really paid dividends.
There are two things I'd like to mention. One: I forgot I was reading a fantasy novel. Despite the inclusion of elves, dragons, magic and the like, it read as a story of good versus evil (BUT - with a major twist!). Two: I forgot Shawn wrote it. It would have been really easy to sit reading it, saying "Shawn is such a nice guy; I love how he described that scene; Oooo, look at how well he handled that character, etc, etc. Instead, I had to remind myself from time to time that I was reading the work of someone who is, as yet, unpublished.
I shall refrain from going into specifics, so don't get your hopes up - it's not that kind of review!
What I will say though, is this: If you sat Terry Brooks, Greg Keyes and Philip Pullman in a room, locked the door and told them they would only get out once they, as a group, had produced a credible novel, I think you might end up with something like Song Of The Fell Hammer.
It has the style and pacing of Terry; it has the scope and epic proportions of Greg; and it has the religious undertones and twists of Philip. Now, that's not to say Shawn does not have a style of his own, and I'd like to make that perfectly clear. Indeed, he has moulded his craft by reading the best writers - in the same way Terry did by reading Walter Scott (from Scotland), Robert Louis Stevenson (also from Scotland), and Daniel Defoe (English, but who wrote about a Scotsman in Robinson Crusoe).
I would also like to say that he shouldn't post any more chapters. If he does, he should post my favourite one (he'll know what one that is!) - edited down, of course. The reason for no more chapters is this: imagine, if you will, never having seen or heard of the Niagra Falls. You take a journey from the US into Canada, and BAM!, there they are and your breath sits lodged in your throat; your heart forgets to beat; and time, money, and work all pale into insignificance. Now, I'm not saying Shawn's novel is as beautiful as the Falls (remember, 8/10!), but the point I'm getting at is you will all be blown away by it when you get to read it. You will gain nothing more by reading a few extra words - the knowledge you'll divine will simply spoil the very strong first few chapters.
Song Of The Fell Hammer WILL get published. Whether it's by Del Rey or not is irrellevant. There are dozens and dozens of books on the shelves that are woeful in comparison to the one Shawn has penned. I only hope that Del Rey are in a marketing position to snap him up with a three book deal, because, quite simply, he deserves it.
So, get behind him; sign up for his newsletter; hassle him about starting book two; ask for the map to be put on his website; and in general, be privilidged (spelling!) to have one of your own possess such a talent. Well done, Shawn. I loved it. Stu
I certainly was not expecting a review like that! I am proud of the book but I was uncertain how it would be received. The best part of my phone call with Stu was his desire to talk about the underlying themes I have woven into the subtext of the book and into the trilogy as a whole. I made him think, and that means more to me than creating a great character. I hope to hear back from Del Rey by the end of the year; I hope I can share my story with you. - S.
posted by Shawn C. Speakman | 11:51 AM
20 Comments:
AHA! Now I know who to bug for an early copy!!
-House
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