Kirkus ReviewsReviews of kirkusreviews.com

this was a nice book i love the story personally

This is my first experience with Kirkus Reviews for a book about a Founding Father I published this year. The first half of the review acknowledged that the book was well researched and cited some of the figures I had provided in my initial email to them about the book, such as number of primary sources used and size of the bibliography. The second half essentially attacked the book for my pointing out in the preface that educators in public schools don't teach any level of detail on who wrote the religious clauses in the 1st amendment. The reviewer said I had skewed the book with 21st century political framing, and I had also placed the Founder into an ahistorical political category of a ‘foundational American Conservative.' Neither of these two claims are true- the 18 chapters in the book do not discuss the point I raised in the preface and the reviewer seemed not to understand that the book takes great pains to educate the reader what an 18th century American Conservative was. Below is the reply I received from my inquiry/complaint. Here is a point-by-point response to your concerns: Author takes issue with the following sentence: “A well-researched biography that’s skewed by 21st-century political framing.” Author concern: At no time do I inject discussion/analogy to current American politics in the ~600 pages of these chapters. The reviewer refers to a passage in the preface where I state that public school teachers teach from sanctioned textbooks that do not delve into adequate details about how the religious clauses in the 1st Amendment were framed. If they clarify what they take exception to is in the preface, then that would be fair and accurate to the preface. But claiming the entire book is like the preface is a factual error. Response: This is an objection to the reviewer’s subjective opinion regarding the reading experience. The reviewer found that the preface affected their reading of the rest of the book. 2. Author takes issue with the following sentence: “A preface and introductory essay, for instance, deride the educational background of today’s public schoolteachers and shoehorn Ames into the contemporary, ahistorical political category of a ‘foundational American Conservative.’” Author concern: I am not saying he is a modern-day conservative. I am saying he is an 18th Century American conservative, because the Federalists and their counterparts in England considered themselves the conservatives of the era. I don’t think the reviewer gleaned the context of 18th Century conservatism from the text, and thus saying I have shoehorned Fisher Ames into a contemporary, ahistorical category is an error. Response: This is an objection to the reviewer’s subjective interpretation of the term “foundational American Conservative” as a contemporary, ahistorical category. Opinions on the definition and timeline of American conservatism vary, and as noted above, a reviewer’s interpretation may not always align with the author’s intent. Please note that we’re unable to make any changes to the review. We don’t want to disappoint you, but there are editorial guidelines that Kirkus must follow. We hope you understand. That was what I got back - leaving me with the dissatisfaction of paying over $500 for a review that is lukewarm in its first part but essentially attacks the book in the second half and me doubting as to whether the reviewer actually read the book - but probably only read the introduction, preface, and sampled a few pages and footnotes. From a customer and consumer's standpoint, this was not worth the money - but you decide. I put their response to my inquiry for everyone to read and draw their own conclusion.

Kirkus Reviews has long held a distinct position in the literary world, recognized for its bold, uncompromising, and often influential book critiques. For authors—both traditionally published and independent—Kirkus can feel like a gatekeeper of credibility. Its reputation is built on honesty, expertise, and a willingness to deliver straightforward feedback, even when the truth is uncomfortable. One of Kirkus’s greatest strengths is its editorial consistency. Every review follows a sharp, professional tone that blends literary analysis with market awareness. Unlike many modern book-promotion services, Kirkus does not sugar-coat. If a plot is weak, pacing is slow, or characterization falls flat, their reviewers say so clearly. This brutal honesty, while painful for some writers, is precisely what gives their reviews weight. Readers, librarians, and industry professionals trust that a Kirkus Star or positive blurb is genuinely earned and not influenced by paid promotion. For self-published authors, the Kirkus Indie Review program is both an opportunity and a challenge. It provides access to the same level of editorial insight as major publishers, and a strong review can significantly enhance credibility in a crowded marketplace. However, it is not inexpensive, and even paid reviews may come back mixed or critical. This transparency is refreshing but also intimidating. Writers seeking only praise may find Kirkus discouraging, while those truly committed to craft will appreciate the honest appraisal. The company’s website is well-organized and regularly updated with new reviews, feature articles, author interviews, and curated lists. Their voice remains distinct—professional, analytical, and grounded in decades of literary evaluation. For readers, Kirkus is a reliable place to discover books outside the mainstream buzz, especially in genres like literary fiction, memoir, and nonfiction. The biggest criticism Kirkus faces is cost. Their services, particularly for indie authors, are priced at a premium that not everyone can afford. Still, the investment is often worth it for writers who want an objective evaluation from a respected authority. Overall, Kirkus Reviews remains one of the most influential names in book criticism. Its combination of honesty, expertise, and editorial depth continues to make it a valuable resource for authors and readers who take literature seriously.

I don't have experience but I can

Experience both features very good and 100% percent trusted am very pleased with Kirkus Reviews. The review process was easy and the staff of Dan Nolan and Sasha Carney helped me along the way. Questions and concerns were address quickly with same day responses. If I was the President of the United States, I would appoint Sasha Secretary of Everything. I highly recommend Kirkus for professional assistance.

I found Kirkus to be very responsive, trustworthy, and ultimately interested in providing the world with the best assessment of available literature. Kirkus is the gold standard with regards to book reviews.

Good but book is ok ok

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