Kirkus Reviews 

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I received a more-or-less positive review from a reviewer who for some reason reviewed the book for how appropriate it would be for a young reader audience. ....It isn't. It fell into the Climate-Fict... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Kirkus review writer did a wonderful job. S/he studied the book careful and with impressive precision -- then captured the aims and core arguments of the book in just a few compelling words. Th... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

In the past few months I’ve sent multiple letters to each of seven Kirkus representatives, without a single reply. Kirkus chose a reviewer who feels sonnets are 'outdated' to review my book of... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have been very happy with the review for my novella The Ghost Trio which has been helpful in engaging readers. Additionally, Kirkus offered options for advertising the book in their regular magazine... See more

Company details

  1. Book Publisher
  2. Book shop
  3. Publisher

Information provided by various external sources

Founded in 1933, Kirkus has been a trusted voice in book discovery for almost 80 years. Kirkus Reviews gives industry professionals a sneak peek at the most notable books being published weeks before they’re released. Kirkus also has a full suite of author services, including Kirkus Indie, a review service for self-publishers, Kirkus Editorial, book editing services for unpublished and self-published authors, and Kirkus Marketing, services that help authors get discovered by consumers as well as industry influencers, such as publishers, agents, and film executives.


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87 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kirkus Reviews is a scam

Kirkus Reviews is a scam. The reviewer does not read your book. He or she skims it, decides whether they like it based on their own opinion and then writes a review that demonstrates clearly that they didn't bother to read the book.
Don't use them.

1 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

In The Silent River



In The Silent River, debut author Maya Collins weaves a haunting tale of grief, memory, and hidden violence beneath the surface of a quiet town. At the center is Claire, a young woman returning to her childhood home after her father’s mysterious death. What begins as a reluctant homecoming quickly unravels into a chilling exploration of buried secrets and long-forgotten betrayals.

Collins demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere; the river itself becomes a near-character, its stillness mirroring the town’s unspoken tensions. Her prose is evocative without becoming overwrought, and readers will likely appreciate the slow-burn suspense that builds steadily toward a shocking climax. At its best, the novel succeeds in blending psychological depth with classic thriller tropes, offering both emotional resonance and page-turning intrigue.

Still, The Silent River is not without flaws. The pacing, while deliberate, occasionally stalls in the middle chapters, where extended flashbacks detract from the urgency of the present-day mystery. Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, serving more as devices to move the plot forward than as fully realized individuals. Readers seeking a fast-paced thriller may find themselves impatient with the novel’s reflective passages.

Overall, Collins’ debut is an atmospheric and thoughtful thriller that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page. While uneven at times, its evocative writing and memorable setting make it a promising start to the author’s career.

A moody, atmospheric thriller that favors emotional depth over relentless action.

21 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

First time review

Book paired with the perfect reviewer
I wrote a novel that took me five years and is complex. While I was very scared, I submitted it to Kirkus Reviews and somehow they got it into the perfect hands. The reviewer understood exactly what I was trying to do and provided a honest opinion. Their review was compresnsive--they clearly read the entire book--and insightful. I was thrilled by the experience.

1 August 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Book paired with the perfect reviewer

I wrote a novel that took me five years and is complex. While I was very scared, I submitted it to Kirkus Reviews and somehow they got it into the perfect hands. The reviewer understood exactly what I was trying to do and provided a honest opinion. Their review was compresnsive--they clearly read the entire book--and insightful. I was thrilled by the experience.

31 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nervous ... but so worth it!!!

I was nervous submitting my middle grade children's book to Kirkus Reviews, but the Kirkus dashboard and staff eased my mind on the submission process. I'm happy with the review and link provided makes it even easier to share the third-party entire review. Thank You, Kirkus!

30 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

This company is good choice

This company is good choice A haunting tale of loss, memory, and redemption unfolds in Caldwell's latest literary offering.

At the heart of the story is Lila, a young woman navigating the aftermath of her brother’s mysterious disappearance. As she pieces together fragmented memories, Caldwell deftly weaves a narrative that is both deeply personal and quietly suspenseful. The author’s prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid emotional landscapes with restrained lyricism.

However, the pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the midsection where introspective passages begin to meander, diluting the novel’s otherwise tight emotional grip. Some secondary characters remain frustratingly underdeveloped, their arcs abandoned just as they begin to intrigue.

Still, Caldwell’s command of atmosphere and her sensitive portrayal of grief elevate the story beyond its narrative shortcomings. The climax delivers a quiet, resonant punch that lingers long after the final page.

A beautifully written, if uneven, exploration of sorrow and self-discovery.

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If you tell me what you want the review to be about (a book, a film, your own writing, etc.), I can write a custom Kirkus-style review for that! Would you like me to? 😊

8 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Trusted Literary Voice with Room to Grow"

✅ What KirkusReviews.com Does Well

1. Credible, Professional Reviews
Kirkus is respected for honest, critical, and professionally written book reviews. It doesn’t shy away from giving tough feedback, which lends credibility to its opinions—especially valuable in a world where many reviews can be biased or overly promotional.

2. Wide Coverage
They review everything from:

Traditional and indie-published books
Children's, YA, adult fiction and nonfiction
Debut authors to bestselling names
This diverse coverage benefits readers, publishers, and authors alike.

3. Early Reviews for Pre-Publication Books
Kirkus often publishes reviews before a book's release, giving readers and bookstores early insight. This is great for librarians, educators, and media outlets looking to curate titles.

4. Search & Navigation
The site has categorical filters, book lists, and featured editorials, helping readers find what they want quickly—especially helpful when exploring by genre, theme, or age group.

5. Support for Indie Authors
Through their Kirkus Indie program, self-published writers can get professional reviews, opening visibility that’s often hard to earn. While it's paid, it can be a game-changer for serious indie authors.

❌ Areas for Improvement

1. Design & User Interface
The site feels dated in terms of layout. While functional, its aesthetics and UX lag behind modern review platforms like Goodreads or The StoryGraph. A visual refresh could boost engagement.

2. Pay-to-Play for Indie Authors
While Kirkus Indie offers exposure, the high cost (often $400–600+) for a review can be prohibitive for new or struggling authors. A tiered pricing system or grant-style access might help make this fairer.

3. Limited User Interaction
Unlike Goodreads, there’s no strong community feature. Readers can’t leave comments, ratings, or follow each other. Adding forums, reading lists, or a comment section would foster more engagement.

4. Some Reviews Can Be Vague or Harsh
Kirkus is known for its brutally honest tone—which is admirable—but sometimes reviews lack detailed justification for praise or criticism. A bit more balance would help authors grow without feeling dismissed.

💡 Suggestions for Improvement

Modernize the UI/UX: Cleaner design, better mobile experience, and personalization tools (like “Books You Might Like”) would boost appeal.
Introduce Community Features: Allow readers to create profiles, share lists, or interact.
Make Indie Reviews More Accessible: Lower pricing tiers or merit-based discounts could open doors for underrepresented voices.
Improve Review Consistency: Ensuring that all reviews maintain a balance of critique and constructive detail would help readers and writers alike.
⭐ Final Thoughts

KirkusReviews.com is a gold standard for professional book reviews, especially valuable to publishers, libraries, and serious readers. Its integrity, coverage, and early-review structure are its greatest strengths.

However, a modern refresh, stronger community features, and more accessible author tools could transform it from a respected publication into a more interactive and inclusive literary hub.

6 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Kirkus Reviews is a highly respected

Kirkus Reviews is a highly respected and influential book review publication known for its candid, critical, and often blunt assessments of books across genres. Established in 1933, it holds a prestigious position in the literary world, with many authors and publishers seeking its recognition due to its impact on book sales and credibility. While some view its reviews as overly harsh or critical, others value the publication's honesty and professional standards. Kirkus provides both traditionally published and self-published authors the opportunity for review, making it a notable platform in both mainstream and indie literary circles.

20 June 2025
Unprompted review

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