Invisible Justice

Hello Kim,

Very interesting story you’ve got here. Apparently I've got competition in the psychic states- fortunately Invisible Justice is very different from the baseline science-fiction I stick to!

While Sam’s transformations were elegantly described, to begin with I feared that they’d soon feel repetitive and predictable; courtesy of your blurb the reader knows from the outset that your main character (wonderfully relatable and likable as he is, I might add) is destined to undergo changes, and it seems at first that they would be the absolute focus of the novel above and beyond all else…

Fortunately the characters themselves quickly come to the fore, banishing any concerns I might have otherwise had- I see now that your intention was merely to outline the mechanics of your universe, so to speak, so you can build upon them with some excellent plotting and dialogue. This alternation between happenings keeps things interesting; IJ is well-paced, and ultimately one of the few fantastical-premise novels I’ve read with the good sense to not bombard the reader with infodumps to the point of apathetic boredom, but to trickle them carefully so the plot can take the fore (without keeping the reader in the dark, of course).

I'm glad the sample size is manageable, because if it had been any longer I'd have been unable to stop reading it and it would've completely derailed my day! IJ’s premise might seem like familiar comic book fodder on paper, but as I’m so fond of saying, the trick is in the telling- and you definitely tell it very, very well.

Good luck with this, it’s wonderful to see genre work that challenges expectations.

-Ryan

Invisible Justice

Dear Kim,

As far as I'm concerned (myself, far removed from my YA fan years) this is a triumph. I read about 1/4, and then scanned through to the end. (Now I know how publishers feel!)

Invisible Justice has a superior graphic novel quality that impresses with the build up of characters through rich, spot-on dialects and dialogue that supports the uniqueness of each of them. No where is this more apparent than where it counts: in the beginning where you introduce Sam through a series of smart internal monologues.

There is an interesting theme that is foreshadowed in your book, and it is that of flight and travel. Blasting off. Sam continually takes inventory of his body as he undergoes his metamorphosis (quite Kafka-esque, actually). It gives the sensation that we are about to embark on an exciting adventure!

And we do!

I have no criticisms because anything that I would think to say really boils down to personal preference, and not right v. wrong. I'll leave that to your publisher (fingers crossed!). I feel that your plot, character development are just fine. I felt no obvious sags in the story.

Here's wishing you all the best this month with your book!

A New Fan,

~Phil
"Emerluvly."

Kim,
This is the latest I have been up in a long time on the internet - it is almost two in the morning and I have been reading Invisible Justice! Still a long way from finishing but I just had to let you know that I am totally captivated. Sam is a very likeable character, just the type my children will be able to identify with, but they will have to fight me for the book when in print as I will be reading it first! I like your style of writing - the flow of words, your descriptions, your ability to allow the reader to imagine and live every sentence. The plot is original and extremely engaging, full of life and energy and I am sure this will reach the editor's desk and become a huge success. I'll let you know more when I am able to read more.
Zan, The Somnambulist

Dear Kim, If any of your readers wished they had heightened senses, they’d certainly be glad they didn’t after reading your vivid, precisely detailed descriptions of Sam’s agonizing transformations. From the paragraph, you set a quick pace via strong verbs and wonderfully compact sentences, but despite the momentum at work here you leave nothing out—you both tell and show how each sense has been affected, making the reader experience each transformation and the accompanying pain for herself.

I’ve read five chapters of your very exciting story, and I’m eager to continue: not only because I know from your pitch that the excitement has barely begun, but because I want to see how Sam and Leesha will proceed. I like both characters and how quickly and smoothly you bring them together: a relationship both highly unusual and plainly inevitable. You’ve been conveying Sam’s pain with such intensity that I was relieved when Leesha assured him it would lessen.

I hope your highly imaginative, deftly written, and just plain irresistible story makes it to the Harper & Collins editor’s desk. On my shelf. Maria, The Pharaoh’s Cat

Kim
This puts me in mind of ‘Heroes’ one of the best tv series I’ve ever seen. I really enjoyed the first series but thought it started to trail off after that.

And why? because they didn't have you writing for it.

You take us deeper into the mind of an awakening ‘hero’ and that is exciting to read. What on earth would it be like to go through this kind of evolutionary jump?

You concentrate on character and rightly so, given the subject matter.
I think you have a knack for characterisation and I especially enjoyed Sam’s internal dialogue. If I may I’ll take a leaf from your book (pun intended) to enhance my own protagonist, Olwud.
Many, many others couldn’t write this sort of thing. Hats off to you!

One point I will pick up on is your descriptive prose. To me, this writing feels a little forced in some parts – but only a little and only in some parts. I don’t think there’s much to do to polish it. The odd word dropped here or there, for example. But I’m a sucker for quite a minimalist style common to YA etc. And so this could just be a matter of personal preference. By all means ignore the point.

I already backed this, but if it didn’t show up in your news feed please let me know and I’ll give it another spin on my shelf.

Best of luck and best wishes,
David
Green Ore

Hi Kim,

Congratulations on making the editor's desk, I like to read two to three books a month that have done so. Your's was a most enjoyable read and there is nothing which I can add to the comments already posted. Once again, well done and congratulations.

Cheers,
Andrew

Kim,

You already have your star and your review, so my own comments seem a little redundant, as does my backing. However, I felt compelled to give this piece a look, and I was thrilled with what I found. Not only does this have the dazzling and exciting enhanced abilities, but the scientific foundation to take it up a notch from fiction and brush against reality.

I admit I was somewhat worried I was going to find some too akin to the likes of X-Men, but this has such a unique style and voice that it's in a league of its own - distinct and a wonderful addition to the genre. It's almost a mix of everything good in the genre, painted with such vivid imagery that the reader is left utterly hooked.

Sam and Leesha are both excellent characters, far more than a canvas for their abilities. You have made them real and human, dynamic and very believable - not an easy thing to do.

I wish I had something useful to say, but I was too engaged to do anything but lose myself in the story. Thank you for giving me such an enjoyable read.
Abi xxx

Hi Kim. Like it. Backed.
Kristen

I like this because it is both relevant to today's world and yet still fictionally fantastic! Well-written with good sentence variation! This is great!

Congratulations,
Ian Kraft
(The Freel of Streel)

You took me from the first sentence. Nicely done.

Benjamin Dancer
Fidelity

Hi Kim,
An enjoyable read! Congrats on your novel making it to HarperCollins! I'm not a critic, just a mere scriptwriter jumping into the novel world for the first time. Love your thoughts on my own. Truly, truly, would love your comments.

blessings
jim
jack & charmian london

I didn't realize this story had a star until I scrolled down to write a comment and spotted the Harper/Collins note. Based on that, I guess you're not interested in any more comments but as long as I read this, I'm going to add one. You have good characters in Sam and Leesha; a good villain in Blevins. I like the way the teenagers realize their special powers by experiencing pain; will make teenage readers remember this every time they have a headache. I'm adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Sorry to have taken so long getting back to you.

• It blasted him like a sucker punch. Sam wasn’t sure where the pain came from, but the burning sensation radiated from his temples all the way down to his ankles.

Excellent. It makes your point.

• His body was immobilized and seized by a flash of
fire.

Uhh… You drove your point home.

• The wind rushed out of him.

You pounded your point into the dirt.

• He dropped to his knees on the kitchen floor.

You smash your point to smithereens

• He clamped his eyes shut, not daring to open them

Oh my GOD, there’s more?

With: “It blasted him like a sucker punch, driving him to the floor,” you could say it all. Amplification is unnecessary.

• Son of a... What is this pain?! Oh my God! My head... Is it a stroke? Can’t breathe... Heart attack? Why won’t it stop? What’s wrong with me?

Twenty-eight words to say an italicized: “My God, am I having a heart attack?

Are you sensing a trend here?

• Then it left, as quickly as it came. The flash of torture disappeared. Sam sat on the cool tile and raked shaking fingers through his short, sandy blond hair.

You’re reporting, and that’s a non-fiction technique. As a reader I don’t want to know what happened. That’s detail and the cause of what I’m really here for: his his reaction and struggle. The man just had the most traumatic happening possible. (at the point I write that I had no idea of his age, remember) His body betrayed him. He was afraid he was going to die. He was lying on the floor wondering if he was having a heart attack. Now, in an instant it’s gone. Okay, so what does he do/think next?

Instead of him reacting, in real time, you, the author, tell me—in synopsis—that he sat up and finger-combed his hair, while noticing that the floor times were cool. How exciting is that? How exciting can it be?

And again, in synopsis, you stand center-stage, talking, while poor Sam checks his underwear for tire-tracks, telling us he has a mild wish that someone was home. He doesn’t think about calling someone, or dialing 911, He just dismisses the most frightening experience of his entire life with a wish someone was home. Would that be your response?

So, why does he do that instead of standing there shaking his head and debating the wisdom of going for help? Because you’re talking ABOUT him as a character in the movie that's paying in your head, instead of placing me on the floor with him. You don’t get around to telling me who he is, so far as age, till the eighth paragraph, and that’s at the bottom of the second manuscript page. How can that feel real to a reader?
- - - - - - - - - -

Now, the above must seem overly harsh. But it’s not. And it’s not about the writing, or your ability or capability. The problem lies in that you’re TELLING me the tale. So naturally, you focus on the details and happenings of that story. But in a romance, do we want to hear that the protagonist has fallen in love, or do we want to fall in love, ourselves? Do we want to wield the sword or read a synopsis of the battle?

Telling is a non-fiction technique. Great for book-reports and history but it sucks for books, because the storyteller is standing between the reader and the character.

Look at it this way. If you record yourself telling the story, as you would were we together, and give it to me, you’re asking me to tell myself the story using your script. But is that fair? After all, you know how you want it read. You can see the scene because you created it, so you know the places to place emphasis, and what body language to use. But do I? I’ll probably do a perfectly awful job of being you.

The thing is, to involve the reader you need to make them experience, not hear about the story. Instead of you being a mind reader, and summarizing the boy’s thinking, the reader needs to be the mind reader, and experience his reaction, planning, and “oh shit,” moments from the inside.

The idea is that if someone tosses a rock at your protagonist the reader will duck.

The problem is that in school we don’t learn how to do that. We learn to write reports, and to present things from an author-centric viewpoint. And that’s great for business, and the job-pool, but it doesn’t help with the profession of fiction-writing. That, like journalism, script-writing, storytelling, and writing for the stage, requires a set of craft to translate the story in our head to the media chosen.

Not good news if your hope was a new car this summer, bought with your advance check, but it does make that check possible in a way that the non-fiction approach precludes.

The good news is that learning those techniques will be fascinating if you have the temperament to be a writer (and if you find them boring that’s data, too)

So where do you start? Read the excerpt on Amazon for Dwight Swain’s, Techniques of the Selling Writer. You might want to pick up a copy of the book, because it’s the best I’ve found for bringing you on-board so far as the reasons we use various techniques. If it has a down-side it’s that it can e a dry read at times, because it was written for a college level audience.

Another great book is Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal Motivation and Conflict. Not as deep a coverage, but a warmer read, and she makes a few points not found in Swain’s book (and vice versa).

- - - - - - - - - - -

A few minor points. As suspension of disbelief it’s perfectly okay for Sam's senses to be heightened, as you mention. He would not, however, instinctively know the names of the chemicals in the water. Nor, without experience would he know a specific sound was that of birch bark rather than another type.

And along with that, the reader will question if, given that he can hear a dog fart from a block away, close sounds would be deafening. That being the case, he has to wonder, or note that, so as to put the reader’s worry to rest. The question will also arise that if he can hear such things, why he doesn't hear everything at once, from all around, and thus be unable to handle the flood of data. After all, if he can hear the toilet flush next door he can hear every car in the neighborhood, plus toasters clicking up, clocks ticking, and... The character is more than just an actor, he is the reader avatar, placed to act in their stead and gather information they need/want. And that means you need to field the reader's questions and be certain that what you introduce doesn't have unintended linkages.

Sorry I don’t have better news. I hope this is of some help.

Been reading to find out what I need to reach the dizzy heights. Mmmm might just give in. Good luck with the next step!!

congrats on your gold star. and goodluck with your manuscript now that it is on the desk. cheers

Harry Potter and Hitler in pain and so is the reader
BK

Hiii..
I like the plot of the story and I must appreciate you for the narration.
All the best.
Backed with wishes.
S. Vinay Kumar

No comment.
BK

Kim, I've looked at your two chapters. This is good writing. Nothing to nitpick about. In fact, the first chapter reminds me of one of the chapters in my book. Heartily backed.

Looking forward for your review of "The Silver Spoon Effect."

Regards,

Joffrey

Hi Kim, some very interesting ideas you have here, sam engages the reader with what's happening to him, and the sense of mystery draws you in and keeps you wondering.

Excellent writing, very well done.

Backed.

Hi Kim,
I've read and backed you before, but it looks like you've deleted some of the chapters? I remember this being much longer...

I can see why this book made it to the top actually. I thuraly enjoyed the 18k words and actually wanted to read more :)

Congratulations! Ruth X

Hi Kim,

I have to say, I love all things superhero-related, and your pitch drew me in. To be honest, I would happily endure random flashes of pain if they meant I was receiving some kind of super power!! :)

I will happily back this book!

John Pearson
Learn Me Good

Hey Kim, I finally got around to reading some of Invisible Justice. Unfortunately for me, it reminds me strongly of something I once wrote. It's not exactly the same idea or anything, it's just a feeling and the way the characters have the things happening to them. Why it's unfortunate for me is because I feel that you've got a better angle on it all. The story kinda hits with that same feeling I had when I started watching "Heroes" on TV. Sadly, that show got pretty weak pretty quickly. Your book is very engaging and shows no sign of weakness at all. I almost feel unqualified to critique the book, especially now that you've gotten to the editor's desk and just want to say congratulations and I'm sure you can only go from strength to strength.

Hi Kim! Thanks big time for your advice on Stand... I'm going to do corrections tonight if I can get through the reads I'm returning.

So, on to Invisible Justice. As premises go, I like the concept. Sam reminds me of my younger brother too, and it looks like you've got a reasonable handle on the teenage world (like the World of Warcraft reference). His family does seem rather perfect, which might push it farther towards fantasy than you intended. Psychics I can do, but a 16 year old who appreciates his mother and gets along with the sister?

Here are some general thoughts I jotted down as I read.

You start with a bang with his pain, but I thought his thoughts were a little too coherent for extreme pain. I'd expected more half-sentences and complaints.

Tenses: "Ty was new to town, and had the good fortune..."
Had been new to town? It's past tense now. Or "Ty, new to town, had the goood fortune..."

"They were good kids- so their mothers always bragged- they watched out for one another..."
I use - for a clause outside of a full sentence, but this sentence is actually two sentences. They were good kids and they watched out for one another.
Chapter 2
Bottled water, to me, tastes like plastic. I've had true distilled water, which humans actually lack taste buds to and litterally tastes like nothing (it's creepy!). Bottled water tastes like the plastic it's bottled in.

chapter 3

Tense? "Which is pretty typical of a teenager" Besides this sentence, most of the story feels more like Sam's point of view, including his thoughts. This line is from the invisible author, and just seemed out of place to me.

Hope it helps! It's been a fun read! Backed for a spell!

Shakat
Stand

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Like the pitch, although it could have teased me a bit more. The first chapter was good, drew me in with the mystery of his change and it was good to see he didn’t know what was happening either, leaving plenty to be explored. Nor sure about starting chap 2 with (to paraphrase) ‘Nothing really happened’ would probably rewrite that intro. Rest of chap builds on mystery well. I liked ho he became obsessed waiting for the pain to hit. The introduction of the girl adds to the plot and suspense well. Overall, this kept me reading so backed.
Hope that’s helpful
All the best GP Morgan.

Best of luck with Harper Collins!! Hope this is your chance to get published!!

When the kids are grown and you're buried under two feet of snow on New Year's Eve, what better way is there to welcome 2010 than to sip a glass of champagne while you read a tremendously engaging novel like Invisible Justice. I was captivated from Sam's first headache and experience with his extrasensory abilities. The first chapter drew me in and each following chapter had a hook that kept me turning the electrons to the next page.

Your teenagers Sam and Leesha are so very typical and believable, in spite of their unusual "powers." Your prose and dialogue sounds very age appropriate and Sam's thoughts mimic exactly the kind of angst I think someone his age would feel as he goes through the unusual changes. I've finished the first seven chapters and will continue until I run out of material tonite. Great writing. Gotta get back to finishing it before I run out of champagne. Backed enthusiastically

Mike

When the kids are grown and you're buried under two feet of snow on New Year's Eve, what better way is there to welcome 2010 than to sip a glass of champagne while you read a tremendously engaging novel like Invisible Justice. I was captivated from Sam's first headache and experience with his extrasensory abilities. The first chapter drew me in and each following chapter had a hook that kept me turning the electrons to the next page.

Your teenagers Sam and Leesha are so very typical and believable, in spite of their unusual "powers." Your prose and dialogue sounds very age appropriate and Sam's thoughts mimic exactly the kind of angst I think someone his age would feel as he goes through the unusual changes. I've finished the first seven chapters and will continue until I run out of material tonite. Great writing. Gotta get back to finishing it before I run out of champagne. Backed enthusiastically

Mike

When the kids are grown and you're buried under two feet of snow on New Year's Eve, what better way is there to welcome 2010 than to sip a glass of champagne while you read a tremendously engaging novel like Invisible Justice. I was captivated from Sam's first headache and experience with his extrasensory abilities. The first chapter drew me in and each following chapter had a hook that kept me turning the electrons to the next page.

Your teenagers Sam and Leesha are so very typical and believable, in spite of their unusual "powers." Your prose and dialogue sounds very age appropriate and Sam's thoughts mimic exactly the kind of angst I think someone his age would feel as he goes through the unusual changes. I've finished the first seven chapters and will continue until I run out of material tonite. Great writing. Gotta get back to finishing it before I run out of champagne.

Mike

It's lovely to see Kim doing so well, as she's a great person who just happens to be a great writer too! :D
Congratulations, Kim. :)

Hi Kim,

Just finished the first chapter and I'm not going to comment on the technical aspect of your writing because it looks pretty water tight to me. I would however like to critique the story itself.

The way I see it you have two challenges in writing this story: Age and gender. Correct me if I am wrong but from your profile you appear to be an adult woman. So, considering that you are writing about a teenage boy I think I can make some suggestions on your character to make him more natural.

But before I do, I want to be clear that this is just my opinion. Take it for what it is worth. Also, I don't mean to come across as harsh, if that is how I sound. What I do want is to give you something you can use... if you want to.

Sometimes I feel like you try too hard to make him a teenager. For example: "He was a whiz on the computer." What teenager these days isn't? Furthermore the word "whiz" sounds antiquated. No teenager would use that word. Even if they did, what you described him doing on the computer was just a google search, anybody can do that, even non-whizes.

"Over the years, they shared everything - forts, secrets, homework, sports activities, and stories about girls... ick... growing older their bond only grew stronger, there really wasn't anything one couldn't and didn't tell the other." This is a very feminine voice your talking in. It almost sounds like you are describing girls rather than boys. If the narrator in your story is female that is fine. But I don't get the feeling that it is.

This could be made more teenage-boyesque by saying something like: As they grew older Ty and Sam began to share everything: forts, food, each others homework, they'd probably even share girls if they could. First they needed to figure out how to get to (past?) first base and even that they were working on together.

Like I said before, this is just my opinion. If you haven't already read Stephanie Meyer, she does a really good job at writing the male voice from a female perspective... most of the time.

I'll try and read another chapter tomorrow.

You've combined a nice premise with clean prose. I love the internal dialogue and I am backing this because it has a wealth of potential. I wish you and invisible Justice the best of luck!

j

Kim-

Absolutely deserves to be up top and I'm glad HC is going to review it. It'll be fun to see it at the store and know that I read it before it was published...

My favorite things about it:
1. There's an innocence to the story. Sam's a good kid. Loves his intact family. Cares about others. Goes to church. Much YA is full of sensationalism and ugliness in the name of being edgy. Not all teenagers are cutting and snorting and I think normal kids will appreciate a story that doesn't make them feel weird for not being rebellious.
2. The descriptions of his heightened senses are sublime. Love them. Can easily see how they would translate to film.

Nitpicks (and I'm being beyond picky because your book is great)
1. When he meets Leesha, I wanted something... more. It's a boy meeting a girl. A 16-year-old boy. Now, I'm a highschool teacher so I spend all day dodging the raging hormones that are swirling through my classroom and I've seen boys asess girls, not always in a gross or obvious way, but they don't not notice what a girl looks like. And I think it's a great opportunity to give us the full heightened sense version of Leesha. I liked his noticing how she smelled and the sound of her flip flops, but I would've like to know about the color of her hair and maybe even her physique and with his supervision it would be easy: "She sat there next to me, vibrating with excitement. I tried to focus and found I was staring at her thick (or tiny or strong or whatever) knee. When I could raise my throbbing eyes, I saw her anxious face framed in a curtain of black hair. I noticed the detail of each swishing strand." I think he should notice her the way a teenage boy notices a girl. Also what is she doing in Home Depot? She lives in a tiny house, so there's probably not a big garden. I didn't get a real sense of Leesha in that instance and I wanted to. She's a kid with a hard life who has clear ideas and dreams. Of the two of them, she's the more driven, so it seems like she would be less mystical in this first encounter.
2. In chapter 7 Sam thinks the word "gaggle". I have some brilliantly verbose 16-year-old boys that I teach and not one of them would be caught dead using that word. Also in chapter 7, I thought Lexi would've been talking through that whole car ride. Anyone would've been really freaked out, so she should've been driving him nuts with a barrage of questions. Seemed weird she would start and then just drive him home in silence.
3. Chapter 8... Sam thinks it's good that Leesha did go "astray." That's not really a kid word, even a Christian kid. It's an older person word, I think. So is "moxy". I adore that word, and maybe a hipster would say it, but Sam's not a hipster. I thought it would've been good to see a transcript of the computer chat with Leesha rather than just telling us what they chatted about. Your audience communicates electronically like nobody's business so they would respond to seeing it typed out. Also dialogue would break up the narrative.
3. In chapter 9, I didn't really need a paragraph to tell me nothing happened on Wed. and then another to tell me nothing happened on Thursday. One line would do. Readers never worry about time gaps anyway. Also that paragraph down at the end where he's considering telling Ty sounded feminine to me. We tell each other EVERYTHING is something a girl would say. Boys don't do that. Or at least most don't. And the ones that do would be much more irritated about being ditched by their best friend.
4. Except for the doctor chapter, I think this would all be better in first person. it practically is anyways. I know that's major and probably impossible, but that's what I kept thinking as I read.

Wow, that is way to much information! Especially when I really loved your story. Good luck in the review!
~Becky

Kim, all though I didn’t want to sound like the rest with flattering good words, I am left without any option after reading just the opening two chapters of Invisible Justice. I must say Sam has a character like a teenage boy I wrote about in my first Novel called Kasimo. I believe that as many are called, few are chosen! You are born to write and I can spot it from far away. Your style is both ordinary and extraordinary and extremely intelligent but not too clever. You chemistry with the reader is very strong and engaging. I am not an expert in words, punctuations and spell checks but I am a good story teller and you are great example to follow and learn from. You must be buzzing with energy when you sit to write magical pieces like the invisible justice.
You are simply a big star ready to shout anytime soon and I hope the New Year soon brings to you the necessary big hit you clearly deserve for your artistically gifted talent. Stay well and good luck with the editor’s desk.
Love and respect from Chief Chebe

Kim, all though I didn’t want to sound like the rest with flattering good words, I am left without any option after reading just the opening two chapters of Invisible Justice. I must say Sam has a character like a teenage boy I wrote about in my first Novel called Kasimo. I believe that as many are called, few are chosen! You are born to write and I can spot it from far away. Your style is both ordinary and extraordinary and extremely intelligent but not too clever. You chemistry with the reader is very strong and engaging. I am not an expert in words, punctuations and spell checks but I am a good story teller and you are great example to follow and learn from. You must be buzzing with energy when you sit to write magical pieces like the invisible justice.
You are simply a big star ready to shout anytime soon and I hope the New Year soon brings to you the necessary big hit you clearly deserve for your artistically gifted talent. Stay well and good luck with the editor’s desk. Back your book with the greatest delight!
Love and respect from Chief Chebe

Invisible Justice is that rare treasure that grabs from the opening page and keeps a grip on you until the end. Well written, fast paced and by turns amusing and thrilling. I would buy this from Waterstones and would treasure a signed copy. i think this could be really BIG!

Great book that keeps the reader on edge!

Hi Kim.

I'm not the best of critics to be honest but I will back stories if they resonate with me, as I did with 'Invisible Justice' just before Xmas. It's just as well I'm not a good critic because I can't see anything here to criticise whatsoever. It's basically a great story that's been expertly penned. I'm not at all surprised that the story is sitting at number one. I really wish you the best of luck for a couple of days time and I sincerely hope the book gets the response it deserves (we all know how negative the editors are.)

Take care, Kim.

Michael Ashley Torrington, author, 'Kristin.'

Hiya Kim,

Well I've read so far up to chapter 3 and I'm defintly liking your book, though for me things really start to come alive only when Sam meets Leesha. I can really see his personality coming though the dialogue. I love the way he's talking to her but then straight away you hear his thoughts on what she's saying. It adds nice touches of humour to your work.
Uh I of all people can't comment on anything like your spelling and grammer he he, except that even I can tell it's good. You write well, your work has the feel of a real book. Which as good as some peoples work is, i can't say the same for everything i've read on this site.
I did notice though that although you describe characters really well, it surprised me that you actually don't tend to describe what they look like. e.g blue hair? I'm talking visuals not just personality. As i think you can tell a lot about someone by how they wear their hair and how they choose their clothes.
Aside from that I can't see any other comments I could say that would benefit you that aren't about my personal preferences in scifi fantasy novels. This is very well written. I can see why your high up on the charts.

Hi Kim,

I haven't read much so far, but what I have read I like. It's very visual, well described, and your voice and language are down to earth.

I don't particularly like leaving feedback on what I don't like when I can't think of a suitable way to change it, I don't find it constructive and it would annoy me to receive it, but for some reason I can't quite pick up on there are bits in chapter one that I don't quite feel flow properly and thus don't quite keep me engaged. It might just be me however as I am feeling a little tired and flat (it's gone 11:30 pm and I'm not always so great with late nights) so I'm going to try and give it another read tomorrow when I feel fresh.

I do like your material and your ideas though, there's definitely a great style here and I find your writing very colourful! I like your particular use of italics for inner monologue. It's something a lot of people do but one that few seem to do well enough. You do this beautifully and as a reader I really feel the omniscience and a potential reader-character relationship developing.

Bobby

I have read this before and I know I felt it good. The amount of description is right as is the story . You should do well with this when they read it, don't worry, take it easy and it will sale through. Did you look at my story, Three Stayed Home, if you didn't could you find time to read it and perhaps back it as I am starting to get near myself. JohnJ

Apart from the fact that it is very well written - the language is vivid, lucid, at times explosive, but always controlled - what strikes me most about 'Invisible Justice' is its exploration of something epic through the ultimate intimacy of physical self-awareness. This is a big story but told with an almost delicate concern for the interface between self and the world. Glad to see it in the top 5 - best of luck!

Ivan

PS I think you might have very kindly backed 'Johnny Face-Ache' before, but I'm not sure...

I hit chapter 11 and groaned out loud! Am very interested in how it goes on from here! You jump right into the story. I am attracted to stories that are different and this one fit the bill! I am already invested in these characters. Nothing bad to report at all, I can see why you are on the Desk!

Love it and backed!
Missy

Invisible Justice
Kim Jewell
We are plunged straight into the story with Sam’s predicament. You write well and young readers will identify with Sam.
I’m not sure that a teenager would equate pain with a stroke or heart attack (unless a close family member had recently suffered one). A burst appendix is more usual for a teenager.
Happy to back this.
Regards
Juat4kix

Kim,
Wow. I'm only a few chapters in and already I can't stop reading. I love the idea of this so far and Sam is a great character. I like that hes trying to stay calm through the beginning of it. You really have set this up well and I look forward to reading the rest. Backed!

Katie Johnstone
(Falling Up)

Kim,

This is very engaging. I suspect that you'll be targeting it for the YA crowd and in my opinion you'll do well with it. The only thing that I took notice of was when Sam met Leesha for the first time, during his attack, the time immediately after the attack was devoted to the interaction between the two of them and there was no mention of whatever powers he would have been experiencing then. I would have thought he would want to discuss what he was going through, instead they focused on her moving things with her mind. It just seemed that discovering someone like him overshadowed his powers at that moment. It just rang off to me.

Other than that, it was a very enjoyable read. Good luck with it!

DL

Kim,

This is very engaging. I suspect that you'll be targeting it for the YA crowd and in my opinion you'll do well with it. The only thing that I took notice of was when Sam met Leesha for the first time, during his attack, the time immediately after the attack was devoted to the interaction between the two of them and there was no mention of whatever powers he would have been experiencing then. I would have thought he would want to discuss what he was going through, instead they focused on her moving things with her mind. It just seemed that discovering someone like him overshadowed his powers at that moment. It just rang off to me.

Other than that, it was a very enjoyable read. Good luck with it!

DL

Hi Kim. My Invisible Justice review, although you hardly need it at this point in your Authonomy career.
Chapter 1 – Great intro chapter, it’s all about Sam, but I have to say that the sensory experiences are akin to Spiderman powers. A tutor once said to me – titillate the senses and all disbelief will be suspended. You’ve certainly pushed the envelope on that. The level of explanation suggests a YA audience, so best to clarify who your target readership is. If it’s YA then I’m outta here, as it’s not my genre (just kidding). Dialogue runs smoothly and naturally.
Chapter 2 – establishing Sam and Ty’s relationship. This chapter suggests that Sam thinks he may have a psychological illness. Good that Sam comes to terms with these new abilities and ‘decides to explore a little’. Chapter 2 ends the same as Chapter 1.
Chapter 3 – If this is an adult novel then in Chapter 3 I want to experience this extra-sensory experience from a sexual / below the belt perspective (probably something that HC won’t request). Twin sister is a bit of a red herring spin. One area, concerning mother’s behaviour, where the tense goes awry. Then he meets the girl and a gnomic first touch of humour.
Chapter 4 – Great stuff but, hey, are garden centres where the touched ones meet? Maybe there should be some kind of magnet or trigger that is common between the two? Perhaps an abnormal aspidistra? I need a small description of Leesha at this point and how Sam feels about her as a teenager full of hormones.
Chapter 5 – their dialogue is a little too analytical and frank for newly-met teenagers, might mix up with some insecurities and pretensions. I just love moving fat Nate onto the poolside telekinetically. Perfect use of special powers to combat drowning obesity! At this point the book is definitely young adult material.
Chapter 6 – a couple of problems with tense. Brief suggestions of a third party who has meddled and caused the special powers to be evoked at newborn. This chapter is very peculiar in its brevity at this stage (more like a prologue) and challenges the credulity of the story for me as reader. I need more than this one page to justify the introduction of a third party.
I would like to read on but my brief is limited to 10,000 words.
It’s not for me to say that this is a compelling read, as the number one Ed’s desk rating speaks for itself. Looking forward to HC review and all the best.
Cheers,
Turnip
The Rise and Fall of Ger Mayes by Ruby Barnes

Hi Kim, I love your story. It is so unique and interesting I am enjoying it very much so far. It is a really good read. I have no critisicms, I love your dialogue and I look forward to reading more. Best wishes and good luck Stephanie

Hi Kim, I love your story. It is so unique and interesting I am enjoying it very much so far. It is a really good read. I have no critisicms, I love your dialogue and I look forward to reading more. Best wishes and good luck Stephanie/

Hi Kim

This a great story and brilliantly written. I liked the pace and characterisation, and the sense of place is superb, especially your descriptions of Sam's developing ESPs. I would like to see a little more tension earlier on, but that's just my preference as the story is easily good enough to keep the reader turning the pages - when I got to the end of chapter 11 I definitely wanted more. Backed with pleasure.

Thanks for a great read and good luck

Johnny D
Collision

Growing up, I had a closet stacked full of comics (both Marvel and DC). Consequently, I've been all over the bandwagon of movies along the same line. It's good know that there are also people out there who can write along the same lines (not necessarily super-hero and all, but just people with..."a little something extra). On top of that (and I'm not finished yet) I've found it easy to read and it flowed consistently. A good read.