Previously I asked if Kirkus reviews are worth the money. Now I want to take away the question mark. They are emphatically not worth the money. On second thought, I believe the Kirkus review was a scam. There was no evidence the reviewer had even read my book. It sounded as if she'd thumbed through a few pages toward the end, failed to get hooked, and made her decision accordingly.
If indeed, as I have often heard, Kirkus is the main engine used by librarians in deciding what to purchase, this situation is a scandal and needs looking into. I wonder if those librarians know how little effort the reviewer puts forth? One small paragraph recapping the story line, one sentence commenting on it, is not a review.
I feel I've been had. Kirkus has gained more prestige than anyone ought to enjoy.
