Kirkus Reviews 

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.

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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.

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Kirkus Reviews was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in New York City. It publishes reviews twice a month, offering early insights into upcoming books and previewing titles before their release. Each year, Kirkus reviews over 10,000 books, covering fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature. Kirkus also confers the annual Kirkus Prize for excellence in literary work.

I’ve always been passionate about reading and analyzing literature across different genres, especially fiction, mystery, and contemporary novels. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong sense for storytelling, character development, and writing style, which helps me craft balanced and insightful reviews.

I regularly read both traditionally published and self-published books, and I enjoy evaluating their strengths and weaknesses objectively. My approach to reviewing is professional and reader-focused — highlighting what works well in a book while offering constructive criticism where needed.

I also have experience writing book summaries and reviews for online reading groups and personal projects, where I focused on clarity, tone, and detailed feedback. I’m confident in meeting deadlines, maintaining neutrality, and providing high-quality written assessments that reflect a book’s value to its intended audience.

I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute thoughtful reviews and help readers discover meaningful, well-crafted stories.

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Kirkus Reviews is alway fair and professional in their reviews. I have used them for all three books I've published, sending the manuscript in before publication. Even with a rough manuscript, Kirkus is fair, giving both strengths and weaknesses of the nascent book. Their policy on excerpting allows you to showcase the best in the review. Kirkus Reviews has helped me to become a better writer and I strongly recommend them, especially to Indie authors.

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I submitted my children’s picture book, “Sam and His Amazing Flying Crib” for a book review, understanding it would be reviewed by a real person, well established with Kirkus for this role. I was happy with my review, assured that they had discovered my underlying themes presented as a young boy is introduced to a migrant community and befriends two children there, who help him find the magical creatures living under the guise of beasts. Thanks to Kirkus for helping me achieve notice for my first picture book!

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I’ll give you a few tone options depending on what kind of experience you had:

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🌟 1. Positive Review (If you were happy with Kirkus)

> I had a great experience with Kirkus Reviews. Their team was professional and detailed in their approach — the review I received was fair, balanced, and genuinely insightful. I appreciated how they highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement in my book without being harsh. It really helped me see my work from a reader’s perspective. I’d definitely recommend Kirkus to any indie author who wants honest and constructive feedback before publishing.

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😐 2. Neutral / Mixed Review (If it was okay but not perfect)

> My experience with Kirkus Reviews was decent overall. The process was smooth, and the review arrived on time. However, I felt that parts of the review were a bit generic and didn’t fully capture the depth of my story. That said, it was still useful to get a professional opinion and an outside perspective. I’d say it’s worth it if you know what to expect — a mix of critique and summary rather than a full literary analysis.

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😞 3. Negative Review (If you were disappointed)

> Honestly, I expected more from Kirkus Reviews. The review I received felt rushed and impersonal, almost like it could’ve been written by someone who didn’t finish the book. For the price, I hoped for deeper insights or at least a sense that the reviewer connected with the story. The process was smooth, but the final product didn’t feel worth it. I’d recommend looking for other review services if you want something more personalized.

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Here’s a short funny story for you (about 250 words):

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Last Sunday, Ali decided he was finally going to impress his neighbors by cooking a “masterpiece.” He put on his mom’s apron—which had pink flowers and the words “Kiss the Cook”—and announced loudly, “Today, I become a chef!”

The plan was simple: make biryani. The problem? Ali had never cooked anything more complicated than instant noodles.

First, he added rice. Then he added more rice. And then, just to be safe, he added even more rice. By the time he was done, the pot looked like a rice mountain.

Next, he threw in all the spices he could find: red chili powder, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, and—by mistake—chocolate powder. “Chef’s secret ingredient,” he whispered proudly.

As the biryani bubbled, smoke started filling the kitchen. The neighbors, smelling something strange, rushed over. “What’s burning?” asked Uncle Kareem.

Ali opened the lid dramatically. A cloud of steam shot out like a volcano. The rice had swelled so much it was crawling out of the pot, like it had a life of its own.

The neighbors stared in shock. Then, little Bilal pointed at the pot and screamed, “It’s attacking!” Everyone ran outside.

Finally, Ali’s mom came home, looked at the kitchen disaster, and sighed. “Next time, just stick to noodles.”

The neighbors laughed for weeks, and Ali earned a new title in the street: “The Biryani Monster.”

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