I just got notification from Readers’ Choice Book Awards with their review of Boge-Landia. It started like this:
Boge-Landia is a vibrant, imaginative fantasy/science fiction novel that transports readers across alternate worlds and timelines, blending adventure, mystery, and heartfelt character journeys. Aud Supplee crafts a story that is both whimsical and emotionally resonant, appealing to fans of portal fantasies and coming-of-age tales.
And it ended like this:
Boge-Landia explores themes of identity, family, loyalty, and the search for belonging. Winnie’s journey is as much about healing from her mother’s death and forging new family bonds as it is about saving worlds. The story also examines the consequences of power—both magical and political—and the importance of trust and forgiveness. The interplay between magic and personal growth is particularly well-handled, as characters learn to rely on themselves and each other rather than easy solutions.
Star rating: 5 Stars
Summary: A delightful and heartfelt fantasy adventure that will appeal to readers young and old.
Here’s the coolest part. The review came with this badge!
This has got to be the coolest thing that has ever happened to one of my books! What a surprise. And I thought Aylen Isle was cool to get an Honorable Mention!
I felt like a proud parent whose kid just won at a track meet.
Ten minutes later, I got the Kirkus Reviews review for Boge-Landia. Since they liked Aylen Isle, I assumed I’d get a stellar review from Kirkus. After all, I got a Gold from Readers’ Choice. There’s a lesson to be learned here.
Never get cocky. 😒
Well …
The review has some good things to say, like:
The trio’s relationships are superbly rendered …
But they had one criticism … kind of?
Readers unfamiliar with the preceding entries in the series will initially be lost as they attempt to parse such narrative elements as Mikey’s link with General Takka or the reason behind Kip’s bogus Aussie lilt. These story points eventually make sense, and the growing perils enliven the adventure…
I try hard to give the reader enough information that it isn’t necessary to read the books in order. Of course, with that said, I can’t just toss an info dump at the beginning. I prefer to, as they said, “parse” it out.
The review’s bottom line goes like this:
Engaging heroes headline a diverting fantasy that never takes itself too seriously.
I’ll admit, there’s a lot more humor in this book than in the others. Is that a bad thing? I guess it depends how you interpret the review. At least they never specifically said the story sucked. 😆
Next up: a writer’s conference where I’ll be pitching my “Nickie” novel to an agent.
I’ll keep you posted. 😊
Aud–congratulations on such a stellar Readers’ Choice review and a Gold Medal!!
And I think you’re being too hard on yourself for the Kirkus review. I think it’s quite positive! “Never takes itself too seriously” just means it has a light touch–and maybe that they don’t see the same depth that the Readers’ Choice did. But that’s completely ok.
As far as new readers potentially getting lost–it’s just true that the further into a series a book is, the harder it is for new readers to get their bearings at first. For instance: I would NEVER recommend a reader jump first into Harry Potter #4–or the 4th book of the Chronicles of Narnia, either!
So, well done, I say!
Thanks, Gemma! You’re probably right about me being hard on myself. I’m reminded of comedians who say they home in on the one person who isn’t smiling, even though everybody else in the audience is laughing their heads off. 🤣 I need to focus on the positives. My editor said the same thing when I sent both reviews to her. You probably noticed I didn’t add a link to the Kirkus Review. Actually, I forgot. 😁