I am not sure how much value to place on a book review. I have read comments from some readers who have said that they will not leave a review, or even a product rating, because buying the book should be enough. They do not see it as their responsibility to promote an author, even if they liked the book. I see no point in trying to argue against that opinion.

I am not even sure if book reviews by readers really influence sales either. Perhaps if I had more than I currently have I might hold a different opinion, but what I can say is that most of my reviews are positive and the ratings generally high.

What does give me great satisfaction is the feedback from people who have actually read my work. This is the important aspect of publishing a book for me as the writer. Yes, hitting a million sales would be fantastic also, but that is an accomplishment that I seem to be a long way from achieving. Receiving and appreciating the comments from people who, after reading my books, are moved to express their enjoyment of them is a genuine reward. Here are a few of the comments sent to me in one form or another by my readers:

The War Wolf

The War Wolf The War Wolf is one of the best researched books I’ve read on the Northern Invasion in 1066. Arms and armor are spot on as is the battle action and details of the prime movers in this bit of history, that clearly changed the fate of Britain.

For Rapture of Ravens

Whitaker is very, very good at writing battle scenes. He brings us right into the midst of the action, and events are so cleanly depicted that there is no confusion. We also feel the desperate fear of the inexperienced fighters and the bitter determination of the veterans, intent on redeeming their losses at Fulford. The dialog reads much like a saga, full of glory and poetry, which gives this novel an other-worldly ambience of another time in another place.

The Blade’s Fell Blow

I think this is one of the most balanced descriptions of the battle I have read. Even though we know the outcome, there were moments I almost thought the English could prevail. Too bad they couldn’t!

Eugenica

Peter Whitaker drew on chilling research into the history and rationalization of the growing field of eugenics during the 1930s to write his novel, Eugenia. He skillfully weaves factual information into a fictional story that is both horrifying and heartbreaking. I gained a great deal of information concerning the philosophy behind eugenics and was surprised to learn the names of prominent individuals involved in its promotion. The characters were interesting and well-developed, especially those of the young people. The story leads you to an exciting and fantastical conclusion. Peter Whitaker is an excellent writer, and I hope to see more of his work.

Mesozoic

A few grammatical errors, but not enough to detract from the adventure which was action packed and page turning. Encompassing political and social themes, along with time travel, treachery and even dinosaur fights!

The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom

My first read of this genre and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Devil Within Us

Everything in this book is true. I sincerely wish that it wasn’t. Maybe some day it won’t be true. I wish I could be alive then.

I did not write this post to blow my own trumpet. Writing is a lonely occupation and perhaps many people do not realise how long it takes a complete a novel. My first, The War Wolf, took three years, although much of that was spent doing the research into a period of history that I had very little prior knowledge of. I can now write a book in less than a year if I get enough time to sit at the computer. Time is the most precious resource to a writer.

There are readers who speed through books as if they are at risk of starving to death if they do not keep their literary word intake up. I am not sure if that is actual reading. I read as well as write and I feel no compunction to rush through a book just so I can add it to my ‘read X number of books this month’ tally. I like to comprehend a book. The better the story the more I want to immerse myself in it. This influences my writing. I try to create literary worlds where readers can lose themselves for awhile because that is where I want to be also.

Before I started my latest project, Should Iolos Fall, I seriously questioned whether I should bother. Writing is not just about sitting down at a computer and tapping the keys. The process is long, often frustrating, technical in parts, inspires self-doubt, lonely as I said, and requires a degree of sacrifice as well. It was my wife who encouraged me to continue writing simply because she knows what being creative means to me. Also, during the period when I was questioning whether I should write anything else, I absently re-read the reviews and comments that people had been kind enough to give me. Yes, being highly successful in terms of books sold would be great, but somehow receiving one more positive comment is just as important.